Chapter 191 Staff
Li Mo remained silent.
He said calmly, "Please invite the Chief Historian into the temple to talk."
Jiang Yuan left his men outside and followed Li Mo into the temple.
The Baosheng Temple is located in a secluded place. Compared with the tense situation in Kuaiji not far away, it is so peaceful here that it seems like another world.
The temple is planted with peonies all over, creating a brilliant spring scene.
Li Mo poured out the water in the wooden barrel and put it under the corridor.
When Jiang Yuan saw this, most of the anger in his heart had disappeared.
He looked at the peonies and sighed.
"If your mother were still alive, she would be so happy to see these flowers."
Li Mo smiled lightly and said, "Master still remembers."
Sandalwood incense curled in the Zen temple. Li Mo offered Jiang Yuan tea and said, "I heard that the eldest son came back from Linhai and met the crown prince on the way. Then, the crown prince took Kong Qi away from the eldest son. Master, is this about this matter?"
"It's good that you know," Jiang Yuan said. "Let me ask you, why didn't you accompany the eldest son and return to Ruoye Mountain alone?"
Li Mo will tell Jiang Yuan the whole story that happened in Linhai.
Except for letting Princess Yuzhang go.
"Young Master is too eager for quick success and instant benefits, inflexible, and narrow-minded. I believe that he will never accomplish anything." Li Mo said, "If Wang Pushe wants to gain the Queen Mother's trust, why not go in person?"
"Does Wang Pushe still lack the Queen Mother's trust? He's doing well as the Shangshu Pushe in the court, so why would he go to Jiangzhou?" Jiang Yuan looked at him unhappily. "This is a training specially arranged for the eldest son, so don't play dumb. Now that the eldest son has messed up, I'm afraid neither the Queen Mother nor Wang Pushe would trust him to go to Jiangzhou."
"If the eldest son can't do it, why not let the second son go?"
"The Second Young Master isn't the Princess's biological son. Even if Wang Pushe is willing, the Princess won't." Jiang Yuan's face darkened as he spoke. "You already know all this, so why bring it up again? I know you look down on the First Young Master, but as an advisor, you should be loyal to the Emperor and not get involved in other matters. It was you who originally proposed letting the Wang family seize the territory of Jiangzhou. Now that we've ended up in such an awkward situation, do you know how furious Pushe is? If I hadn't pleaded for you, and if it weren't for your previous contributions, he would have almost held you accountable. If you continue to be defeated, I won't be able to protect you."
There was no emotion in Li Mo's eyes, nor was there any trace of guilt on his face.
He asked, "The Crown Prince has arrived in Kuaiji. What are Wang Pushe's plans? Will he continue to let the eldest son serve as the military supervisor?"
"Of course we must continue. I can see that although Wang Pushe blames you, the eldest son is his biological son after all. No one knows his son better than his father, and he knows exactly why he can't succeed. He has made up his mind this time to keep the eldest son on the battlefield. I have Wang Pushe's handwritten letter in my hand. After seeing you, I will go to see the eldest son."
Li Mo smiled.
"Competing with the Crown Prince for merit is a thousand times more difficult than before. In the Queen Mother's heart, the eldest son might be on par with the Prince of Yuzhang, but the Crown Prince is different. He is the Queen Mother's true love."
"Not necessarily," Jiang Yuan said. "I've thought about it. The Crown Prince knows very little about marching and fighting. Compared to the eldest young master, he's no match for him. If the eldest young master is patient and has your help, there's no doubt that he can accomplish his goal. The Three Immortals Sect has a left protector named Wu Fen. After Kong Qi was captured, the Three Immortals Sect fell into Wu Fen's hands. All you have to do is help the eldest young master capture him."
"Me?" Li Mo was surprised. "The troops of the Three Wus actually all obey the Prince of Yuzhang. How can the eldest son, with the few men he has, compete with Wu Fen? Master, you want me to take over this mess, which is really too difficult for me."
"You don't know this," Jiang Yuan said. "The Prince of Yuzhang has already left Kuaiji. Now, the Crown Prince is accompanied only by the Northern Governor Chu Yue. These troops are not unmovable."
Li Mo was surprised: "I wonder where the Prince of Yuzhang has gone?"
"Cangwu," Jiang Yuan said, "Prince Yuzhang passed away a year ago. He brought his concubine to Cangwu to pay his respects. He sent a letter to the Queen Mother privately, so not many people knew about it. However, the Queen Mother told the Princess and the Prince Pushe."
Li Mo's brows twitched.
"Going to Cangwu at this time?" he pondered.
"I can't figure it out either. This kind of worship isn't necessary. Especially since it's happening right now, right in the middle of a war."
Li Mo poured another cup of tea for Jiang Yuan, lowered his eyes, and seemed to be thinking about something.
After a moment, he said, "Master, what do you think of letting me go to Cangwu?"
"You?" Jiang Yuan immediately shook his head. "The Prince of Yuzhang's actions are indeed suspicious, but so what? Things here are more important. If you withdraw, won't you miss the opportunity? Remember, right now, you only have one thing to do, which is to help the eldest son capture Wu Fen. The rest is unimportant."
Li Mo silently took a sip of tea and said, "I understand."
Seeing that he was not happy with his reward, Jiang Yuan advised, "When you were young, you aspired to be the world's number one strategist. I also said that God rewards hard work, and heaven will not let you down. I think you have come up with many surprising strategies over the years, which have won the praise of Wang Pushe, but in the end, you are always one step away from success and fame. Wang Pushe favors you, but the Shangshu Mansion is full of talented people, and Wang Pushe's patience is always limited. You should treat this as your last chance, okay?"
"Don't worry, Master. I understand."
Seeing that he agreed, Jiang Yuan did not delay any longer.
"I'm leaving now. I have to hurry to Shanyin," he said. "I'll go appease the eldest master first. Once he agrees, I'll send someone to inform you. Then you can go to Shanyin."
"Thank you for your hard work, Master."
Jiang Yuan was relieved to hear this.
He has no sons, only a daughter born to his first wife, who is now eleven years old.
"Aying often asks me about you, saying you promised to teach her how to ride, and when you would fulfill your promise."
Li Mo smiled and replied, "Master knows I've been busy lately. I'll return to Beijing to visit Master's wife and Sister Aying after the war is over."
"Um."
Jiang Yuan stood up and walked out of the temple.
"Before your mother died, she asked you to find your long-lost brother. You've been traveling extensively for years, searching. Have you found any clues?"
Li Mo shook his head.
"After so many years, I don't know whether he is dead or alive. I have long since become indifferent to it. If fate allows, we will be reunited."
Jiang Yuan sighed softly, "I'm glad you figured it out. That's your mother's obsession. Just do your best. If she knew, she would be relieved."
"Master, do you know why I aspired to be the world's number one strategist when I was young?"
"Oh? So there's a reason?"
"I thought at the time that when I became famous, my brother might hear my name and come to me."
Jiang Yuan was stunned for a moment, a sigh on his face.
He patted Li Mo's shoulder and said, "Even if you can't find your brother, you are not alone. There is always a place for you in my house. Remember?"
Li Moli said, "I'll remember that."
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