The shopkeeper took Zhao Jun all the way to the tallest building on the east side. In the private room on the third floor, one could see the street scenery of Bianliang at a glance. Looking over, there were streets and alleys, numerous temples, pink walls and red tiles, canals and bridges. Among the countless buildings, there were also many towering trees, which was quite similar to the scenery of the Jiangnan water towns.
"Dean, please forgive me for disturbing you."
When Li Di saw Zhao Jun coming in, he stood up and greeted him with a smile. Now that he was nearly sixty years old, he was much more tactful in his work. Unlike when he was young, he competed with Ding Wei for power and was eventually demoted to another place.
The others left. Zhao Jun bowed to Li Di and said, "It's an honor for me that Prime Minister Li invited me. How can this be considered a disturbance?"
Then he looked around and said, "This place is indeed elegant and quiet. I have never been to such a high-end place before."
"Please take a seat, Dean."
Li Di gestured with his hand, then said with a smile, "If the dean likes it, ask Fan Lou to reserve a private room for him to visit often."
"hehe."
Zhao Jun sat down and said with a smile, "Fanlou's prices are too high. I can't afford to go there often. Besides, I don't have any requirements for food. Street snacks are good."
"It seems the Supreme People's Court is more in tune with public sentiment, which is also a good thing for the country."
Li Di laughed and sat down.
Zhao Jun smiled and said, "I wonder what Prime Minister Li wants me to do?"
"Alas, what kind of a figure am I, a man who has been demoted?"
Li Di smiled bitterly and said, "I thought I would die of old age in a foreign land. I am able to come back thanks to the dean."
"The Deputy Prime Minister is also a Prime Minister."
Zhao Jun smiled.
The two ministries and three departments, and the Tongzhongshumenxia Pingzhangshi are recognized as prime ministers, and the Canzhi Zhengshi is the deputy prime minister.
The Privy Councilor is the Privy Prime Minister, and the other co-directors of the Privy Council, the secretaries of the Privy Council, and the co-secretaries of the Privy Council are all deputy prime ministers.
Although the Sansi had the title of Jixiang and was in charge of financial power, its actual status was the lowest among the two ministries and three ministries.
Li Di, the deputy envoy of the Three Departments, is a deputy prime minister. Normally, he is just a deputy envoy of the Three Departments, and his ranking is around tenth.
However, Li Di's qualifications are there. If the court considers promoting him to prime minister, as long as he does not make any major mistakes, he will basically have a chance.
"Thank you for your kindness, Dean."
Li Di made a polite remark and then said, "The food has just been served. I wonder if it suits the dean's taste. Let's talk while we eat."
"I'd be very sorry to refuse. It's lunchtime."
Zhao Jun didn't hesitate and picked up the chopsticks.
Although Li Di is the elder, he has a higher status and is a guest, so everyone should treat him equally.
The two of them started chatting while eating.
Zhao Jun said that Li Di had worked hard and made great contributions, and was a pillar of talent left by the late emperor.
Li Di said that Zhao Jun is young and promising and will be the future pillar of the country.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Li Di finally said, "I'm bothering you today because I have some questions."
"oh?"
Zhao Jun asked, "Prime Minister Li, please speak."
Li Di said, "The establishment of the Political System Council to control all officials is so powerful, how could the government agree to it?"
Zhao Jun laughed and said, "Prime Minister Li came to me to ask why I, at such a young age, have been able to become the head of the Political and Institutional Council, second only to the emperor and above everyone else, even commanding Prime Minister Lu and Prime Minister Wang."
Li Di's thoughts were exposed, but he was not embarrassed. He just stroked his beard and smiled, "The Dean is outstanding and a rare talent. It is only right for him to sit in this position."
Is this old Li flattering me like this?
Zhao Jun looked at the other person strangely. He didn't expect that Li Di was so sensible.
As soon as he returned to Bianliang, he began to curry favor with him, which was unexpected.
But that's not a bad thing.
What Zhao Jun wants is not someone like Ding Du who has only good character but no talent and who refuses to obey him, but someone like Li Di who is talented and willing to listen to him.
As long as the other party does not cause trouble, does not make trouble, listens to instructions obediently, and completes the assigned tasks, then let alone Li Di, even Xia Song, the insidious villain who destroyed the New Deal of Qingli in history, can be reused by him.
Thinking of this, Zhao Jun said, "Prime Minister Li is right about one thing. I am truly one in a million. The Emperor, Prime Minister Lu, and Prime Minister Wang need me, so I was able to reach this position."
"oh?"
Li Di was still puzzled and said, "I'd like to hear the details."
Zhao Jun smiled and said, "You can understand it as my virtue is unparalleled, and my teachings are unrivaled throughout history. As we say, I'm quite impressive. However, I can't tell Li Xiang the details. If one day Li Xiang is able to enter the Constitutional Court, even if it's just as an alternate director, you'll know why."
Now everyone in the Constitutional Council is an insider. Although Yan Shu and Fan Zhongyan are not prime ministers, they have been appointed as alternate Tongzhi because they know the inside story, which is comparable to the position of deputy prime minister.
So in a sense, as long as you enter the Constitutional Court, you will know Zhao Jun's origins and identity.
Then he would definitely know how awesome Zhao Jun is.
Li Di guessed that this might involve a huge secret. Thinking of the rumor that Zhao Jun was the youngest son of Emperor Zhenzong, he couldn't help but feel awe. After a few thoughts, he said, "So that's how it is. It must be me, Meng Lang."
"It doesn't matter. I guess the whole court is curious about why I can sit in that position. It's just that this is indeed a big secret. It may not be made public in the future. If anyone who knows it dares to spread it, it will basically be a dead end, including Lu Yijian and others."
Seeing that no one was around, Zhao Jun threatened Li Di and said, "So, it's best for Prime Minister Li not to know about this, at least for now. The Constitutional Council does hold power, but this is actually part of the sacrifice made to keep Prime Minister Lu and the others a secret. If Prime Minister Li can support my reform, he might be able to join the Constitutional Council in the future and learn this secret."
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