Upon hearing this, Huang Xiaosan said dejectedly, "So you're saying there were no other options left?"
"Yes, but we don't have many options. If we refuse this time, even if that person doesn't say it outright, they won't dare to give us important positions in the future."
They themselves didn't care, but they couldn't lose face for the Immortal Clan. They couldn't afford to be cowardly before the battle even started, making themselves look like an incompetent ruler.
"It's happening again!" Huang Lao Er was somewhat annoyed. "Ever since we came to Beijing, we've become pawns."
They can do whatever they want with it.
"You should be content," Jiang Chao shook his head. "The fact that we can be used as pawns means we're still somewhat useful. If we can't even be used as pawns, then we're truly finished!"
"The capital city," Huang Laoda sighed upon seeing this, "is truly a place you can't help but love or hate."
The allure of prosperity and wealth is intoxicating, but the unseen mire behind it is terrifying.
Upon hearing this, Huang Lao Er immediately chimed in, "And the people here are also unlikable."
They're all cunning old foxes, ruthless and heartless. If you're even slightly dim-witted, you won't realize you've been sold out, and you'll be happily helping them count the money.
“Jiang Chao,” Huang Xiaosan asked in a muffled voice, “don’t you think we’re really frustrated? Ever since we came to the capital, we’ve only been able to do what they say. Can’t we… can we think of a way to stop them from being so arrogant?”
His words expressed what everyone felt.
I thought my trip to the capital would be about experiencing the grandeur of being under the emperor's nose, but I never expected that beyond that grandeur, there would be endless frustration and resentment.
They are weak and their methods are rudimentary, but they still don't want to be controlled by others forever.
"Hmm," Jiang Chao rubbed his forehead, looking troubled. "Let me think about it."
"We must come up with a plan," Huang Lao Er said angrily. "If we let them succeed every time, it will only embolden them."
They have long since realized what it means to be the ruler of a country. Although they are still not afraid and subconsciously do not want to oppose him, they are still unwilling to accept it.
After a long silence, Jiang Chao asked uncertainly, "How about we take Elder An home?"
"Take Grand Secretary An back?" Boss Huang was very surprised. "What are you thinking? He is the chief minister of the Great Zhou. Putting aside whether he is willing to go back with us, even if he is, it's not very appropriate. We are not familiar with each other, and it will be very awkward."
“He would definitely be willing,” Jiang Chao said with certainty. “Liu An was originally the weakest of the three Grand Secretaries, but because of his aunt, not only has his health improved, but his status has also changed. If Grand Secretary An had any sense, he would not refuse.”
"But he has a grudge against us!"
"Liu An has no grudge against us, but what happened? He still used us without hesitation."
On the surface, our trip to the capital has indeed yielded great results, but in reality, neither the Emperor nor Liu An have gained anything that we can compare to.
Just like my aunt said, this time, it really was just about broadening my horizons.
Yes, we are indeed naive country bumpkins who haven't seen much of the world, but we're not easily fooled. Since they want to leverage our influence, we have to offer something in return.
"But it won't do us any good, will it?"
“Of course there is,” Jiang Chao said with a smirk. “Grand Secretary An must have some ability to become the chief minister. We can benefit from learning even a little bit of his skills for life. Moreover, this move can turn hostility into friendship, so we won’t have to worry about him retaliating anymore. We will also have someone to keep Liu An in check, so he won’t become more and more arrogant.”
“I have ideas,” Huang Xiaosan said sharply, then changed the subject, “but how can you be sure things will go the way you say? After all, Grand Secretary An is not a clay figure, he can’t be manipulated by us, and His Majesty may not agree to let the chief minister go.”
“You’re wrong,” Jiang Chao shook his finger before speaking. “In the past, it might have been a bit difficult, but now there’s no way to get in the way. Times have changed. The name of the banished immortal is known throughout the world. We’re too busy trying to befriend Elder An to refuse him.”
"As for His Majesty, since he intends to eliminate these abuses, he will inevitably have to take drastic measures. The complex and intertwined forces behind Grand Secretary An will only become an obstacle. Even without us, His Majesty will find a way to suppress him."
"In other words," Huang Xiaosan realized, "if we get rid of Grand Secretary An, we can not only keep Liu An at bay, but also gain the Emperor's favor?"
"This child is teachable!"
After saying that, Jiang Chao gave him an approving look.
"Holy crap," Huang Lao Er's eyes gleamed, "Jiang Chao, you're really something."
No wonder the Emperor wanted him to stay in the capital; he's got the brains to be a good official.
With a flick of his eye, he's got a belly full of bad intentions.
"There must be more benefits than just these, right?"
For some reason, Boss Huang felt that this was not the biggest reason.
It wasn't that he was thinking too deeply, but rather that he understood his cousin and always felt that he hadn't finished speaking.
“Of course, there is also the most important point,” Jiang Chao raised his eyebrows, his eyes sparkling, “In any case, we were the ones who submitted the memorial. People who don’t know the inside story will only blame us. With Grand Secretary An as our backer, these troubles will be minimized, and may even turn into an advantage.”
He's the kind of person who never wants to suffer a loss, no matter what.
Even if you were a complete novice who got into a fight before, you'd still beat them back tenfold or a hundredfold.
They will submit their memorials, and although they will bear the consequences of their future reputation, they will also be showered with insults and hatred now.
The future is too far away, so let's seize the present and try to turn things around as much as possible. Since we have no other choice, let's strive for the greatest benefit.
Upon hearing this, the group exchanged glances and then made a decision.
“I agree,” Huang Lao Er said directly. “If we do nothing, they will continue to treat us like fat sheep, ready to slaughter us at any time. Do they really think we are easy to bully? Even if we are weak, we must still take a piece of the flesh.”
"That's right. We can't just come to the capital and do nothing. We should at least show our strength so that they don't really see us as easy prey."
“I agree,” Huang said in a deep voice, “We have to show people the backbone of the four of us.”
After the matter was agreed upon, the four of them split into two groups.
Jiang Chao and Huang Lao Da went to Anfu to visit and discuss matters, while Huang Lao Er and his brother went to the palace to meet the emperor.
The moment Ji Xuan heard their request, her eyes blazed with fury. "You want to take Elder An to the Immortal Manor to recuperate?"
"right."
"Jiang Chao proposed it?"
"Um."
These words made Ji Xuan raise her eyebrows.
I always thought Jiang Chao had some of his aunt's style, but I never expected him to be such a wolf cub, biting others before his teeth were even fully grown.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but chuckle softly, "What if I disagree?"
Upon hearing this, Huang Xiaosan replied, "His Majesty has no reason to disagree."
"What if I insist?"
His eyes were filled with intense curiosity.
He really wanted to know how far the four of them would go.
“This is a deal,” Huang Xiaosan said calmly. “If His Majesty does not agree, the sale will not take place.”
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