Perhaps because the ministers had been waiting for Tang Huan and had not eaten, preparations were being made inside Chunfeng Tower.
Soon, all sorts of dishes were served one after another.
Among the crowd, Tang Huan was the first to pick up his chopsticks and start eating. He ate heartily and wolfed down his food, looking like a starving ghost.
This left many people stunned.
Even Cui Renshi felt helpless upon seeing this, and could only gesture for everyone to eat first.
At Cui Renshi's signal, the others began to eat.
"It was indeed a trap. It seemed normal on the surface, but whether it was Cui Renshi, Redding, or Liu Danqing, they were all intentionally or unintentionally observing my every move..."
Tang Huan ate while quickly thinking.
"Master Cui had invited me once before, but this time he's throwing such a big banquet again. He must have ulterior motives."
Of everyone present, besides the three people Tang Huan brought, there were only a few women from Chunfeng Tower who accompanied him.
Apart from that, all the officials at first glance were from Cui Renshi's faction in the court, and several of them had not previously shown any inclination to be in Cui's faction.
"Everyone from top to bottom treated me to a meal. Even if I said I just had a casual dinner tonight, I doubt anyone would believe me..."
This is a signal.
The fact that Cui Renshi has contacted Tang Huan already indicates a lot.
"Looks like I'll have to go to the palace after dinner."
Tang Huan sighed inwardly. He knew he had to be quick and couldn't wait until tomorrow morning to do it, otherwise it would seem like he wasn't sincere.
Who knows if the Empress will overthink it? Maybe this is Cui Renshi's scheme.
A scheme to sow discord between himself and the Empress.
While eating, Tang Huan pondered these matters, realizing that he was still too naive in front of Cui Renshi, that old fox.
Those who can dominate the political arena for decades and wield immense power are indeed not so simple.
"Brother Tang, did you go to Yunlu Academy today?"
At the dinner table, Cui Yuanzhao ignored everyone else around him and directly asked Tang Huan a question.
"Yes, I promised Li Mubai of Yunlu Academy that I would be an honorary professor and give lectures there occasionally. He had already arrived at my residence today, so I simply went over to visit him."
"If you ask me, you should just stay at the Imperial Academy and be a teacher. There are princes, princesses, and the children of ministers there. Wouldn't it be more useful to get along with them than to go to Yunlu Academy?"
Tang Huan chuckled softly, "Yuan Zhao thinks that Yunlu Academy is far behind the Imperial Academy?"
"That's right. Yunlu Academy has only produced one Wang Tianze in all these years, unlike the Imperial Academy. If you don't believe me, look around. The vast majority of people here came from the Imperial Academy."
Those who came from the Imperial Academy all belonged to the lineage of Cui Renshi.
On the contrary, Wang Tianze studied diligently for many years and eventually devoted himself to assisting the Empress.
For Cui Yuanzhao, the Imperial Academy was naturally even more important, since these people were all working for his father.
"Actually, I think you don't need to take a position at the Imperial Academy, or even the Hanlin Academy."
"So you want me to go back to Qihuai County and be the magistrate?" Tang Huan asked with a smile.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a county magistrate. But if you aspire to a high-ranking official position, you can ask my father for help. With the talent you displayed at the poetry gathering, plus the current renovation project in the southern district, as long as my father says a word in court, and with so many people echoing him, you can become any official you want.”
Tang Huan fell silent for a moment.
At the same time, everyone, including Choi In-seok, looked at him, as if they were all curious about what kind of answer he would give.
"Did this kid just say it casually, or did Master Cui teach him in private?"
Tang Huan had no idea what to do.
During her interactions with Cui Yuanzhao, Tang Huan discovered that he was not a smart person and would not have been capable of such a test.
Perhaps it was just a coincidence that allowed Cui Renshi to say what he wanted to say.
"What a pity! It's easy to become an official, but if I want your father to speak up for me, I'll have to bow down to him and submit willingly. That would mean losing a lot!"
This is something Tang Huan is unwilling to accept.
He countered, "What if I wanted to be the Minister?"
Cui Yuanzhao said earnestly, "What's so difficult about becoming a minister? Tell me, which minister do you want to be?"
Tang Huan smiled as she looked at the person opposite her.
Several people had complicated expressions on their faces.
Liu Danqing frowned, not daring to meet Tang Huan's gaze, and lowered her head, appearing very guilty.
Reading glared at Tang Huan, showing a certain hostility even in this situation.
In addition, Minister of Rites Xiao Ming gave Tang Huan an awkward smile, as if the conflict between the two in the court had never happened.
Tang Huan thought for a moment and then smiled, "What if I wanted to be the Minister of Works?"
“Once the South District project is completed, you can easily take office with just a word,” Cui Renshi said in a deep voice.
Tang Huan looked troubled. "But wouldn't that mean Lord Liu would have to abdicate?"
"Liu Danqing, what do you think?" Cui Renshi asked sternly.
Liu Danqing gave a wry smile. "Since Lord Tang is interested in my position, I am willing to step down and become a Vice Minister of Works to help you solve your problems."
Faced with Cui Renshi, Liu Danqing had no choice but to back down.
After what happened during this period, Liu Danqing could feel Cui Xiang's high regard for Tang Huan, and he realized that he could no longer compare with this young man.
Naturally, he didn't dare to compare his own importance with Tang Huan's in front of Prime Minister Cui.
"Let's forget it. I'm used to a leisurely life. Teaching at the Imperial Academy and writing memorials at the Hanlin Academy is easy enough. But if I were to sit in the position of Minister and take charge of affairs, it would be too much trouble."
Reading said coldly, "We've come this far, are you still unwilling to work with us?"
Everyone could see that Prime Minister Cui had shown sufficient sincerity.
But Tang Huan seemed to have lost sight of her own importance.
Tang Huan ignored Redding's gloom and laughed, "We are all in the court, always working for Daqing, for His Majesty, and for the people. We are always colleagues."
"What if I force you to make a choice?" Redding asked coldly.
Tang Huan clicked his tongue.
The atmosphere froze instantly.
Qin Yu felt a heavy heart, sensing that something was amiss in the atmosphere.
Li Daikui had already looked around, ready to take Tang Huan away from here at any moment.
"Alas, I didn't want to say it this way, but since Lord Lei is pressing me so hard, I can only say that we have different paths and cannot work together!"
Upon hearing this, the attitude of the people opposite them became serious.
Tang Huan poured himself a glass of wine and raised it to Cui Renshi, saying, "Thank you for your hospitality, Prime Minister Cui. However, I am quite tired from the long journey today, so I will not stay any longer to bother you. I will host another banquet for you all in the future."
Tang Huan stood up, and Li Daikui immediately came over to protect him. The two of them were the first to leave the room.
Xue'e and Qin Yu also left their seats.
In the somber and heavy atmosphere, the signal to smash the cup did not occur.
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