The mountain god temple outside the city was in ruins, the mountain god statue had been knocked down long ago, and a foul stench was emanating everywhere.
Zhao Chenhan found Zhou Shian here.
Zhou Shi'an was soundly sleeping when he was woken up. Seeing that it was Zhao Chenhan, he immediately jumped up and said, "It seems that Prince Zhao has figured it out. Can I ask you something first?"
Zhao Chenhan gritted his teeth and said, "Zhao Lin wrote a five-year development plan for Jiangbei Province and the government work schedule, which was highly praised by the elders. His Majesty has specially awarded him the title of Model Official."
Zhou Shian was shocked. "Although I haven't seen that thing, I can tell what it is just from the name. Which government office can't do it, and which official can't write it? It can't be like this, right?"
Zhao Chenhan was about to bite his teeth off: "That's why I'm not convinced. What else can Zhao Lin do besides flatter the Lord? Yet, such a person has been promoted by His Majesty, while we are left in obscurity, and you can only sleep in this dilapidated mountain temple. I don't accept it!"
"I don't accept it either!"
Zhou Shi'an angrily said, "Two documents that anyone could have written were rewarded by His Majesty and praised by the ministers. How kind God has been to Zhao Lin! Prince, are you ready?"
Zhao Chenhan hesitated for a moment and said, "Isn't there any other way?"
Zhou Shian said, "Of course. To put it simply, it's about giving people what they need, so you can win them over. But how do you know what they need?"
Zhao Chenhan was silent for a moment, then said, "So, the only option is sex?"
Zhou Shian said: "In fact, if the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion comes forward, it will be very easy for the prince to get any official position he wants."
Zhao Chenhan said proudly: "This prince doesn't need his parents to intervene, he can also crush Zhao Lin."
Zhou Shian taunted, "Could it be that the Fu family of Zhenbei Marquis Mansion is unwilling to come forward for you?"
"Shut up!"
This touched a sore spot for Zhao Chenhan, and he angrily said, "My parents love me so much, how could they not be willing to stand up for me? It's just that they think I'm still young and need to study more in the Hanlin Academy before being sent out as an official when I'm older."
Zhou Shian said: "They are right."
"Bullshit, Zhao Lin is only one year older than me. Why can he do it but I can't? I not only want to be an official, but also want to surpass him." Zhao Chenhan said angrily.
Zhou Shian said, "That's not easy. He's already the Governor-General. If you want to surpass him, you can only become a Central Minister. Do you think you can do it?"
"Why can't I do it?" Zhao Chenhan said proudly, "In terms of ability, I'm not inferior to Zhao Lin. In terms of family background, I'm a thousand times better than him. If it weren't for my parents' pressure, would he have been able to become the governor? The reason I want to do it myself without the knowledge of the Marquis' Mansion is to prove to my parents that I have the ability."
Zhou Shi'an's eyes flashed with sarcasm, and he clapped his hands and said loudly, "Well done! You are indeed the Prince Zhao. In that case, I will give you a helping hand. Once you achieve your wish, just don't forget me."
Zhao Chenhan snorted coldly, "You have to prove your ability. This prince doesn't want waste."
Zhou Shian said with a smile: "Don't worry, my lord. I won't follow trash."
The two looked at each other, and Zhao Chenhan suddenly laughed: "Few people talk to this prince like this. You are very brave, but I don't know if you are capable."
"Of course it's bigger." Zhou Shi'an said, "I'll give you an idea. If you follow my advice, you can definitely surpass Zhao Lin."
"Tell me about it." Zhao Chenhan said.
Zhou Shi'an said, "The current emperor's favorite is Concubine Rong, who entered the palace only last year. But the emperor is old and in poor health, and what woman can endure loneliness? If the prince can fill Concubine Rong's loneliness, and she speaks for you in front of the emperor, then if nothing else, it would be easy for you to become a Grand Secretary or something like that."
"After becoming a Grand Secretary, you can then find a way to enter the Censorate, so that you can use the Censorate to enter the cabinet. By then, you will be the youngest university graduate in the history of our dynasty. Isn't that a million times better than Zhao Lin, a mere governor?"
Zhao Chenhan sneered, "It's easy for you to say. There's a huge difference between a Hanlin and a Grand Secretary. How can Rong Fei help this prince ascend to heaven overnight?"
Zhou Shian said with a smile, "How difficult is that? Your Majesty's birthday banquet is coming up soon. If something unexpected happens at the banquet, and the Crown Prince is able to save the emperor, what does a mere Grand Secretary mean?"
Zhao Chenhan began to ponder.
Since ancient times, the greatest merit is to save the emperor.
If he really had the merit of saving the emperor, and with Rong Fei's words, it would be easy to promote Zhao Chenhan directly to the position of Grand Secretary.
No one has any reason to object.
Didn’t Zhao Jingzhou become rich because he saved Emperor Chengping?
Zhao Chenhan said: "This is a serious crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of the clan."
Zhou Shi'an laughed heartily. "As they say, wealth and honor are sought in danger, high profits carry high risks, and nothing ventured, nothing gained. Prince Zhao, it's not easy to achieve a high position safely and smoothly. Look at Zhao Lin, he was promoted to governor three times in two years, but have you ever thought about what he's been doing in the past two years?"
Zhao Chenhan said unhappily, "He didn't do anything. He just gave gifts to the emperor and the eunuchs."
Zhou Shi'an shook his head. "Although I'm also very jealous of Zhao Lin and wish I could take his place, I have to admit that he has done a great job since he became the prefect of Qingzhou. Even people like Fu Chengwang and Li Xingye are very satisfied with him. Otherwise, even if he gave the emperor and the eunuchs more gifts, Fu Chengwang and Li Xingye would never allow Zhao Lin to become a governor, let alone a governor-general. Prince, you can't treat people based on your likes and dislikes. You must learn to learn from their strengths."
Zhao Chenhan was silent for a moment, then bowed and said, "Mr. Zhou is right."
Zhou Shian waved his hand and said, "Don't call me sir. I told you, I don't follow trash. If the prince doesn't dare to take even the slightest risk, let's just say goodbye and stop wasting each other's time."
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