Faced with Tang Huan's modesty, Wang Tianze chuckled and said, "Sir, excessive modesty is not a good thing. You can't explain everything by saying it's just luck. Your current achievements are not something you can achieve by luck alone."
"Luck, plus a little more effort."
Tang Huan stood up and offered her chair to Wang Tianze, saying, "Please sit down, sir."
Wang Tianze glanced at Wang Jingze, who then stood up and gave his seat to Tang Huan.
In the end, after the two of them sat down, Wang Jingze, the owner of the study, had to stand up and stand with Wan Xin.
While Tang Huan and Wang Tianze were talking, they also exchanged a few words in hushed tones.
Wang Tianze, whose heart is with Daqing, never stops talking about Daqing. He always talks about important matters, and after a few words, he reveals a deep sorrow.
This caused the atmosphere in the venue to become somber for a time.
At these times, Wang Jingze would complain a few words, which would earn him a lesson from Wang Tianze, but Wang Tianze would usually restrain himself afterward.
"My lord, there is no need to worry so much. The biennial imperial examination is just around the corner. After the examination, a group of young people will emerge, and many new talents will appear in the court. They will be able to help you and His Majesty solve problems, and you can relax a bit."
Wang Tianze sighed, "Daqing does lack young people, but what it lacks is someone as outstanding as you. Let alone ten, if even one person as outstanding as you appears in this year's imperial examination, it will be enough to make His Majesty happy for a long time."
"I believe it will happen. I think Jingze is a good person, and he will definitely stand out in the imperial examinations."
Wang Tianze shook his head, "He's far from good enough, not even a tenth or a twelfth as good as Lord Tang."
"Father, that's because Lord Tang is too outstanding, not because I'm too incompetent!" Wang Jingze retorted, dissatisfied.
Tang Huan also said at the right time, "Let's not talk about this anymore, otherwise Jingze will get upset if we keep going."
Wang Tianze smiled and said, "Then let's talk about the matter of the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review a while ago. I heard that he encountered bandits in Yingzhou. It's a pity that bandits are still so rampant in recent years."
“Indeed, Yingzhou has strengthened its security during this period, so it’s likely that such incidents will occur less frequently in the future,” Tang Huan said.
"After this incident, His Majesty was very angry and immediately ordered the bandits to be suppressed in order to give Prime Minister Cui an explanation. Unfortunately, the bandits were not caught in the end, and Prime Minister Cui was sick for several days because of this incident."
Tang Huan sighed, "That is indeed a pity. It's a bit of a coincidence that during the time Jingze went to Qihuai County, a group of assassins even sneaked into our county."
"Oh? It's not just bandits running rampant anymore; assassins have become this arrogant?" Wang Tianze looked surprised, as if this was the first time he had heard of this.
It seems that Wang Jingze did not mention this matter after returning.
Tang Huan nodded and said, "Yes, there were several assassins. Although most of them were caught, one or two still managed to escape."
"Alas, Daqing is beset by internal and external troubles, and is on the verge of life and death."
The two chatted again about matters of the court and the upcoming imperial examinations.
Time passed by unnoticed. Tang Huan, keeping track of the time, invited Wang Tianze, "The timing is perfect. How about I treat Lord Wang and Jingze to a meal? We can continue our conversation."
"If Lord Tang is so inclined, why not stay at your residence? I'll have someone prepare wine and food."
Tang Huan declined, saying, "There's no need to trouble the servants. Let's just go to Wanfuji Restaurant for a simple meal. Wan Xin is here too, so it's convenient."
"Then we'll have to trouble you, Lord Tang."
When the group left the mansion, the carriage that had brought the two of them was still parked there.
Wan Xin instructed the other party to take the person to Wanfuji, but he himself did not get into the carriage.
Tang Huan first helped Wang Tianze into the car, then walked to Wan Xin's side and said in a low voice, "Have someone inform Liu Xuan to bring his men to Wanfuji for a meeting."
After saying that, Tang Huan also boarded the carriage and rode with Wang Tianze.
As soon as the carriage set off, Wan Xin bid farewell to Wang Jingze and went to attend to the matters that Tang Huan had instructed her to attend to.
In the blink of an eye, only Wang Jingze was left behind.
"Honestly, couldn't the carriage have given me a ride?"
Wang Jingze muttered a complaint under his breath, somewhat unable to understand what his father was thinking.
But Wang Jingze didn't complain too much, perhaps because he had some important things to discuss with Lord Tang.
Wang Jingze simply returned to his residence and had someone prepare a horse to take him to Wanfuji.
By the time everyone arrived, Wan Xin had already returned.
The Wanfu Plan was completely emptied, and all the staff were on high alert.
"Hmm? There's no need for such a big fuss. It's just a simple meal." Wang Tianze said after getting off the carriage and entering the hall, after only one glance.
Tang Huan smiled and said, "It seems that Young Master Wan wants to treat us well and is worried that other guests might disturb us."
Wan Xin gave a wink to the people in the restaurant, then led them upstairs.
After leading everyone to the best-equipped private room at Wanfu Hotel, Wan Xin gave a brief introduction, and then Tang Huan made a quick escape to urinate.
Wan Xin followed Tang Huan out of the private room.
In the corridor, Wan Xin asked, "It shouldn't be necessary to summon someone while Lord Wang is here, right?"
Wan Xin was already surprised enough when he learned that they were going to the Minister's residence, but he was still taken aback when he learned that Tang Huan planned to discuss the matter in such a setting.
Isn't this just using Wang Tianze, the Minister of Revenue, to attack the other side? Let alone a mere Minister of Revenue, even other ministers would have to give him some face.
Wan Xin was very grateful, but worried that doing so would affect Tang Huan herself.
Tang Huan patted Wan Xin on the shoulder, "If we're going to do it, we should do it to the best of our ability. They're just trying to bully us, so let's show them that not just anyone can ride roughshod over us."
Wan Xin worriedly said, "But wouldn't this put Lord Wang in a good position? If Lord Wang makes a request in the future, you won't be able to refuse."
"It's alright. Did you think the gift I gave him today was a waste? I gave him a valuable landscape painting of Qihuai County, which also has poems by famous calligraphers on it."
"Is it an authentic work by some master?" Wan Xin asked casually.
Tang Huan smiled mysteriously and said, "It is an authentic work by the great poet. A hundred years from now, it will become a treasure of the world. At that time, his descendants can rise to prominence through a painting."
Wan Xin smiled but didn't say anything.
After a brief conversation, Tang Huan went to the restroom and then returned to the private room with his entourage.
As the various dishes were served one after another, Tang Huan chatted with Wang Tianze while estimating the time, trying to figure out when Liu Xuan and the Vice Minister of Revenue would arrive.
This appearance also caught Wang Tianze's eye, and he asked, "Does Lord Tang have something on his mind?"
Tang Huan looked troubled. "To be honest, recently a vice minister abused his power and ruined Wanfuji's business..."
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