General Gongshan Liqun of the Northern Region publicly extended an olive branch to Tang Huan, inviting him to serve as prime minister in the Northern Region.
This incident caused a huge uproar, like a stone thrown into still water.
Wu Lanxi's expression turned solemn, and a chill began to run down her spine.
Now Tang Huan represents the entire Daqing, and I've staked everything on him. But compared to the Northern Region, is what I'm giving Tang Huan enough?
It seems that I still underestimated Tang Huan's value, while the people of the Northern Region were the first to realize this.
"Since General Pang said that Gongshan Liqun was probably not lying, Gongshan Liqun may really want Tang Huan to go to the Northern Region. Once this famous poet from Daqing goes to the Northern Region, the damage to Daqing will be enormous. Even disregarding Tang Huan's own value, there will be a great loss to his reputation alone."
Wu Lanxi's feelings became complicated.
Since it was Gongshan Liqun, the military genius of the Northern Region, who said these words, there is no way he could go back on his word.
Moreover, no one doubts whether Gongshan Liqun can do this; his importance to the Northern Region even surpasses that of General Pang in Daqing.
All he has to do is ask, and the one in the Northern Region will definitely agree, except for the option of becoming emperor.
Not to mention that simply sending Tang Huan to the Northern Region as prime minister is entirely beneficial.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I do not believe Tang Huan will be swayed."
Pang Conglong noticed the unease in Wu Lanxi's eyes and offered words of comfort.
Wu Lanxi shook her head with a wry smile, "Tang Huan has already done too much, but I only gave him a position in the Hanlin Academy. Now, the Northern Region has promised him the position of Prime Minister as soon as they arrive..."
The difference is too obvious.
"Moreover, he has already survived two assassination attempts during this period. Even if the two attempts were not related to the same incident, they would still cause him great harm. Who can say for sure what he is thinking right now?"
Pang Conglong pondered, “I think Tang Huan is not the kind of person who would betray his country for personal gain. He is willing to give up his wealth for the people of the Southern District, which proves that he is not someone who values fame and money. Besides, Tang Huan is going to a strange place in the Northern Region. He may not be used to it. He must have more to consider.”
That being said, who can say for sure?
Cui Renshi sat there with a gloomy face. To his left and right, the officials of his faction had already begun to whisper among themselves.
Redding gritted his teeth and said, "This guy, how long has it been and he's already gotten this far? Even the people of the Northern Region have extended invitations to him!"
Liu Danqing hesitated and said, "Perhaps, his agreement to go to the Northern Region is not a bad thing for us. In that case, he will have completely betrayed Daqing and will become the most hated person by all the people of Daqing. We can then deal with him in a reasonable and justifiable way."
If that's the case, then perhaps I can save my position.
Since the start of the South District project, Liu Danqing has been unable to get a good night's sleep, constantly feeling that His Majesty might bestow the position of Minister of Works upon Tang Huan at any time.
Liu Danqing had long since given up hope and completely abandoned any attempt to resist.
But now he saw an opportunity. If Tang Huan couldn't see the pros and cons and accepted the invitation from the Northern Region, it would be great news for him, whether it was good or bad for Daqing.
"He will absolutely not agree."
The first person to make a judgment was actually Cui Renshi. This prime minister was very perceptive and remained calm throughout the entire process, except for his initial shock upon learning of the matter.
In the square, Gong Shanliqun stared at Tang Huan not far away, unable to discern any emotion from the other's face.
"You seem unwilling?"
Tang Huan chuckled lightly, "I didn't say that. I must say, your suggestion is very tempting. Being second only to the emperor—what a huge temptation! I doubt many people in this world could resist the allure of such power. It's just a pity..."
Gongshan Liqun suddenly realized that he didn't seem to know enough about the minor county magistrate in front of him.
He had made enough contributions and possessed various abilities; the two guns he carried alone were enough to earn him the respect and attention he deserved in Daqing.
But he had always been just a minor county magistrate, and even suffered two assassination attempts.
In this situation, Gongshan Liqun believed that he had provided the other party with good enough conditions, allowing Tang Huan to rise to prominence overnight and agreeing to exempt him from the competition so that Tang Huan would not be cursed by the people of Daqing for suddenly siding with the Northern Region.
But the other party seemed to be refusing.
"General Gongshan values me so highly, which makes me feel flattered. However, I would rather stay in the small Qihuai County as a county magistrate than be a prime minister. After all, just managing tens of thousands of people is already exhausting and worrying me. If I were to become prime minister, I'm afraid I would lose all my hair in no time. I don't want to not have a good night's sleep."
After saying that, Tang Huan smiled brightly.
He politely said to Gongshan Liqun, "Considering the great treatment the general has given me, a mere county magistrate, I am willing to hold back a little in the upcoming competition."
"Yeah?"
As soon as Gong Shanliqun finished speaking, he moved.
Tang Huan gripped the two guns tightly with both hands, but did not fire them immediately.
This immediately made Gong Shanliqun suspect that Tang Huan had been bluffing all along.
The moment the negotiations broke down, Gongshan Liqun took immediate action; he had no intention of dragging it out any longer.
The longer it drags on, the less good it will do for you.
The already close distance was instantly shortened to even greater distance.
Gongshan Liqun never heard the gunshot, which further confirmed his suspicions.
When they were just inches apart, he saw Tang Huan smile.
The next moment, he saw Tang Huan move his lips, followed by the familiar sound of a simulated gunshot.
Gongshan Liqun remained unmoved and is still using such low-level tactics. Does he really think he'll be fooled?
He continued forward without hesitation, but suddenly, Gongshan Liqun's brows twitched involuntarily.
Immediately afterwards, the muzzle flashed.
Gongshan Liqun immediately widened his eyes and leaped to the side.
He lacked the courage to confront the attack head-on.
Even so, Gongshan Liqun was ultimately unable to dodge in time.
Two shots were fired in total.
One shot grazed Gongshan Liqun's sleeve, while the other shot struck his left arm directly.
A tremendous pain accompanied the numbness, and Gongshan Liqun saw his left hand trembling, leaving a shocking mark on the wound.
"All's fair in war. I did intend to offer you a small favor since you invited me. From now on, I will no longer use these two guns."
"Without a gun?" Gongshan Liqun stood up, enduring the pain in his arm. "Then you'll lose miserably."
Upon hearing this, Tang Huan burst into laughter. He casually tossed the two guns in the direction they were facing away from, where the Daqing people were.
At the same time, he declared loudly, "Even without a gun, you won't get anything from me!"
People could only see that one figure from behind, but that figure stirred their hearts at that moment.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
