Lang Tiao paused. He had thought that no matter how shameless and lowly Fan Xian was in choosing Wuzhou to negotiate, he would have to consider the Lin family's face. Who would have thought that the previous Prime Minister of the Qing Kingdom would be as shameless as his son-in-law? Furthermore, his skin was thick to such an extent.
Was there still law? Was there still justice?
"This is a question of morality." Lang Tiao stood up and said to himself in his heart. He didn't want to say anything more about Fan Xian. He raised his hands in a salute and took his leave.
The restaurant returned to its usual calm. Fan Xian let out a breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead before sitting back down at the table. He did not feel very nervous. As for the people from Northern Qi, they would not make him feel troubled. In any case, he understood Haitang. That woman's temper was something even he could not grasp. Even if they temporarily left Suzhou, there would always be a day when they would meet again. As the saying goes, although the jianghu was far away, there would always be a time when saliva would flow.
What truly made Fan Xian nervous and uneasy were the contents of Lang Tiao's silent curses earlier. This was, after all, Wuzhou, Prime Minister Lin's hometown. What would Wan'er think if he discussed the problem of him and another woman with guests from far away? Where would Prime Minister Lin put his face? How would he explain it to his family?
That was why he had been avoiding Lang Tiao. Part of the reason was because of this consideration.
He had come today because Lin Ruofu had very openly and honestly had a conversation with him. It was because of this that he had enough skin and shamelessness to discuss these things with Lang Tiao.
…
…
The Northern Qi people took the broken sword that had been twisted into a dough and boarded the carriage heading South. As for what would happen in Suzhou, Fan Xian no longer wanted to care. He didn't have the ability to care. He could only wait for Deng Zi Yue and the others to send back some news. He stood by the railing of the restaurant and looked at the figures of the people. He stared at the young lady of the Wei family who was still seething with anger. A bitter smile rose involuntarily to the corners of his lips. He couldn't convince Haitang, and Lang Tiao couldn't either. However, he wasn't sure whether or not Ku He would appear. Duoduo was a noble person who was willing to control her own life. This was a very special point.
Shortly after, he thought about the matter of returning to Wuzhou and couldn't help but feel a glimmer of guilt in his heart. Naturally, it was toward Wan'er. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't think of a good way to handle it. Only then did he gradually feel Zhang Wuji's pain and happiness in the past. However, he knew that he was not as hypocritical as Zhang Wuji, but he was even more shameless.
He shook his head and opened the front of his robe, letting the wind outside the restaurant enter his clothes and cool his mind. Then, he followed the footsteps of the guests downstairs.
— —
Although he had not come to Wuzhou with great fanfare, after staying in the Lin family's manor for so many days, the news had long spread outside. The Wuzhou Zhizhou had long prepared generous gifts to visit, and the common people in the marketplace had guessed that the son-in-law was on vacation in Wuzhou.
When Fan Xian's carriage traveled down the street, no one came to disturb him. Not a single citizen would expose this matter. The people of Wuzhou only saw the carriage and bowed slightly, silently saluting.
This kind of respect, which carried a glimmer of distance but also came from the heart, made Fan Xian very happy. From this matter, he could clearly see just what kind of position and reputation his father-in-law had in Wuzhou.
However, he had not thought of one thing. The Wuzhou people's respect for him was not only because of old Prime Minister Lin, but also because of Sir Fan junior's own reputation. The Wuzhou people were very proud of this son-in-law.
When the carriage returned to the terrifyingly large manor of the Lin manor, Fan Xian quickly rode to the back hall. The first thing the old man, who was playing with the emerald snuff in his hand, said was, "Those who do great things need to be thick-skinned and black-hearted."
Fan Xian was silent. He found a chair and sat down. In a quiet voice, he refuted, "This has nothing to do with those things."
The old man playing with the snuff was Prime Minister Lin Ruofu, who had returned to his hometown to retire. In a year's time, this once second to none major figure in Qing Kingdom had become like a kind old man in the countryside. His hair was combed softly, and he wore a comfortable unlined garment. On his feet was a pair of half-shoes without heels.
However, there was a glimmer of tiredness and boredom in Lin Ruofu's sunken eyes. Perhaps it was because he had left the scheming and scheming of the court, this kind of indifferent cultivation made his spirit not as great as it had been in the past.
Lin Ruofu listened to Fan Xian's reflexive retort and couldn't resist smiling slightly in criticism. "Do you really think this is just a matter of love between young men and women?"
Fan Xian was silent for a moment. He then said, "I don't think … in essence, there is much difference."
Lin Ruofu's hand, which had been incessantly stroking the snuff bottle, stopped. Looking at him, he said, "Is that so? But once this matter develops, it will not be so simple … if that woman did not have the identity of Northern Qi's sage girl and did not have a connection to the Northern Qi royal family, would a matter of love between young men and women? Do you think I would allow you to have such thoughts after being married for less than two years? Would the Emperor silently allow you? "
Fan Xian understood this logic. If it was not for the fact that marrying Haitang would bring some benefits to himself and the people behind him, no one would stand on his side. Particularly from Lin Ruofu's standpoint, there was no reason for him to help his son-in-law find a mistress.
"Father-in-law …" Fan Xian forced a smile and said, "The one who told me to go be ruthless is you, and now the one criticizing me is you. What should I do?"
Hearing these words, Lin Ruofu couldn't help but laugh. "What you said last night was very much to my liking … I don't care what your relationship with that woman is like. As long as your position in court is more stable, my Lin family will be more stable."
Fan Xian nodded. With Haitang, a great aid from the outside world, his position in the Qing Kingdom would also be much more stable. However, in some areas, he was indeed a cold and emotionless person. He still retained some of the ideas from his previous life. Unconsciously, he did not want his private matters to be connected to politics.
Furthermore, Haitang might not be willing to marry him.
Seeming to guess what Fan Xian was thinking, Lin Ruofu smiled slightly and said, "Actually, you and I both understand the development of this matter. Whether she marries into the Fan family or not is not a matter of importance … as long as she doesn't marry someone else, it's fine."
Fan Xian nodded again and admitted that this old fox's thinking was the same as his.
"I'll go see Wan'er and Da Bao." He stood and bowed respectfully to his father-in-law.
Lin Ruofu thought for a moment and then warmly said, "You don't have to worry about Wan'er. Although she has not been by my side since she was young, she is, after all, someone who grew up in the Royal Palace. Naturally, she will understand the reason."
Fan Xian forced a smile and was speechless. He thought that this father-in-law was ruthlessly honest. However, thinking about it, hadn't Lin Ruofu and the Eldest Princess had a daughter before he had his meteoric rise? Thinking about it this way, it could be said that he understood.
The matters of the previous generation were indeed more of a bastard than his own.
He thought for a moment and then insisted, "I'm just going to see Wan'er."
"This is the first time she and Da Bao have returned to Wuzhou. The brothers and sisters-in-law in the clan have all worshipped the two of them in the sky. At this time, they should be playing in Yi Dongtian." Lin Ruofu gazed at his son-in-law with a not-quite-there smile. "If you have any room matters to explain, save it for tonight."
Fan Xian angrily scratched his head.
"Do you know why I agreed to betroth Wan'er to you?"
Although Fan Xian guessed a little, he still continued to shake his slightly swollen head.
Lin Ruofu slowly placed the snuff box on the table and said, "When the Emperor first intended to betroth Wan'er to you, it was something that happened in the second year of the first year of the Qing calendar. At the time, Chen Pingping was opposed and strongly opposed. I sensed that there was something fishy about this matter."
Fan Xian thought, what does Chen Pingping's opposition have to do with your opposition?
Lin Ruofu answered his question, "Of all the civil and military officials in the court, there are only three people I fear."
"Which three?"
"One is your father, one is the old cripple Chen, and the old master of the Qin family."
Fan Xian thought about it carefully. Chen Pingping controlled the Overwatch Council. Other than the Prime Minister, he had the most power in the hands of all the officials in the court. Furthermore, the secret power he controlled was very strong. Naturally, he was something that Lin Ruofu feared back then. Although the old master of the Qin family was old and rarely went to court, he was, after all, the Head of the Bureau of Military Affairs. He was the number one figure in the military and a super-level official. His students and old friends were all over the military, so he had to receive Lin Ruofu's attention.
However, the old master of the Qin family … Back then, he was only an assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue. How could Lin Ruofu regard him so highly?
Lin Ruofu did not explain the question in his eyes. He continued in a quiet voice, "Of these three, I admire Chen Pingping's foresight the most. Thus, when he strongly opposed your marriage with Chen girl … at the time, this matter did not seem to have any obvious disadvantages. It was the same for either side. Thus, I knew that he must know some secrets that I did not grasp … so …"
The old man smiled slightly and said, "I also opposed."
Knowing that Wan'er and his brother-in-law were traveling, Fan Xian knew that the work of holding up the grape trellises could only be done at night. Hearing his father-in-law's words, he knew that they were preparing to discuss court matters. Thus, he sat up straight and listened carefully. Hearing this, he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Then, why did you agree later?"
"I told you before … perhaps you've already forgotten." Lin Ruofu's smile couldn't help but carry a glimmer of vicissitudes. "Gong'er passed away. At my knees, I only had Da Bao and Chen girl. At the time, the Emperor had already revealed his intention to have me leave my post. I have been in court for many years. My reputation as a traitor was not for nothing. I don't know how many people I have offended. Because of my protection, my people have obtained great benefits in this world. After I pass away, who will protect them? Who will protect my Da Bao? "
Lin Ruofu stared into his eyes and said, "The day you gave me the snuff bottle, I was certain that you could do all of this. Thus, I agreed to this matter."
The exquisite snuff bottle made of emerald was sitting quietly on the wooden table beside Lin Ruofu.
Fan Xian was silent for a moment. He then calmly and sincerely said, "Don't worry, as long as I live, I won't let Wan'er be wronged or Da Bao be unhappy."
Lin Ruofu nodded his head with gratification. He then sighed and said, "Later, when your past came out … only then did I find out that you were Lady Ye's son. Then, what else did I have to worry about?"
This slowly brought the topic in the direction Fan Xian needed, the direction that he had never been able to say aloud or ask others.
"I don't have any capable people in court, other than Ren Shao'an," Fan Xian said with a pained smile. Fan Xian smiled bitterly and said, "On the surface, it looks like I can beat the Second Prince into a pulp. If that day really comes in the future and I argue in court … I have no one to speak for me."
Lin Ruofu clearly knew what he meant but didn't point it out. On the contrary, he smiled and said, "Lao Shu and Xiao Hu, the two most powerful scholars in the Hall of Governmental Affairs both admire you … are you still not satisfied?"
Fan Xian shook his head and said, "Admiration cannot be eaten. When it comes to choosing sides, who can trust who?"
Lin Ruofu stared into Fan Xian's eyes and asked, "You need people you can trust?"
Fan Xian did not deny this point. He chuckled like a greedy little bird with its mouth open and drooling, waiting for its elders to feed it.
Lin Ruofu looked at his expression and couldn't resist chuckling. He immediately restrained his smile and calmly said, "I won't give it to you."
…
…
This answer surprised Fan Xian greatly. However, he knew that since Lin Ruofu had put his entire clan on his carriage, he had to give him some help. He would not let the horse run and not let the horse eat grass. Naturally, he had his reasons for answering like this.
As expected, Lin Ruofu warmly said, "Are you curious? Ever since I left Jingdou, the court officials have been in chaos. Those who have thrown their lot with the Second Prince and Yunrui have thrown their lot with the Eastern Palace. There are still a large number of people standing obediently under the Hall of Governmental Affairs … "
Fan Xian furrowed his brows slightly. He had long discovered this phenomenon. The strange thing was …
"The strange thing is, why is no one throwing their lot with you?" Lin Ruofu gazed at him with a not-quite-there smile. "You have long made a name for yourself among the scholars under heaven. Adding on Zhuang Mohan's gift, although you are a bit young, it is not impossible for you to openly and openly become the leader of the scholars. Why? Why is it that other than Shao An, a former colleague of Honglu Temple, who rushed to reveal his team, none of the civil officials in the court have come to throw their lot with you? In this past year, not a single civil official came to visit you … Until now, other than those four students of yours who are languishing in the various prefectures, you haven't developed any power at all. "
This was precisely Fan Xian's great confusion and headache. At the beginning, he had thought it was the Emperor's art of checks and balances. Later, he found that the Qing Emperor's focus on him was still on the military and did not care much about his interactions with civil officials. Thus, he had always been a bit confused. It was as if there was a hand in the unseen that had always been hindering his progress in that area.
He raised his head in astonishment and stared at his father-in-law. "Why?"
Now, Fan Xian understood the reason it was like this. It was because his father-in-law, far away in Wuzhou, was using his remaining influence to prevent his former students from getting too close to him.
"The tallest tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind." Lin Ruofu somewhat liked his son-in-law's cleverness and warmly said, "Furthermore, this tree of yours has already grown too tall. You are even taller than those true princes. Correct, this matter was arranged by me. For now, I will not let you use those people that you think are useful in order to avoid attracting discussion in the Palace. As for when to give them to you …"
The old man sighed. "At the beginning, I stood too high and had no choice but to step down. How could I bear to let Wan'er's husband repeat the same mistake?"
"When the new Emperor ascends the throne, I will give those people to you."
Lin Ruofu said this in the end.
Fan Xian was silent, but he smelled a glimmer of inauspiciousness. Only after the new Emperor ascends the throne could those people be given to him. From another perspective, when faced with the unfathomable Emperor, Lin Ruofu unconsciously could not summon up any thoughts of taking risks.
Lin Ruofu's secret influence on court politics still existed, so he had to avoid arousing suspicion and let the Emperor believe that he was truly retiring in Wuzhou.
This was a paradoxical and difficult cycle. The biggest loss was that Fan Xian had no way of obtaining those assistance.
"I'm afraid it's too late." Since the two of them had already spoken openly, Fan Xian no longer avoided anything. "The Crown Prince and the Second Prince's power is basically all in court. If one of them ascends the throne in the future, I don't think I will have any good days."
Lin Ruofu said, "You … should be more direct."
"Alright," Fan Xian said straightforwardly. "I will not allow the Crown Prince or the Second Prince to sit on that chair."
Lin Ruofu smiled and said, "Thus, this is your problem. Without that power, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince are no longer a match for you. Why do you care about this? You have done well this past year, but the biggest problem is that you have found the wrong direction of the battle. "
Fan Xian was surprised.
Perhaps Lin Ruofu was thinking of something from many years ago. The gaze in his eyes seemed to grow deeper and deeper. Slowly, he said, "In the current situation, you only have one enemy, and that is Yunrui."
…
…
At first, Fan Xian was surprised. Shortly after, some disapproval rose in his heart. He had seen the Eldest Princess' methods. When she played with schemes, they were as intricate as embroidery. Unfortunately, when faced with him, the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council, and he also had the help of Chen Pingping and Yan Bingyun, one old and one young, the Eldest Princess' best weapon was not very useful against him.
As for power, Xinyang had once sent assassins to Cang Mountain to assassinate Fan Xian. In the end, they had come up with nothing.
Thus, no matter how Fan Xian thought about it, he did not feel that there was anything scary about the Eldest Princess. Perhaps the rumors in the world were exaggerated. Faced with Lin Ruofu's serious expression, he couldn't help but shake his head.
Lin Ruofu said, "Have you forgotten about the Junshang Conference?"
"Junshang Conference?" Fan Xian slowly lowered his head. "There is only one Ye Liuyun. He cannot change anything."
"There is only one Ye Liuyun." Lin Ruofu looked at Fan Xian with a strange gaze and said, "There is also only one Sigu Jian. There is also only one Yan Xiaoyi. I … also only one."
"But, there could be countless Junshang Conferences."
…
…
Fan Xian understood what he meant and looked at his father-in-law with incomparable shock. His lips were a little dry. "You … are also a member of the Junshang Conference? And Sigu Jian? "
"What is the Junshang Conference?" Lin Ruofu smiled slightly and said, "Perhaps no one can explain it clearly. Yunrui herself can't explain it clearly … what I can explain is that the Junshang Conference is only a very loose organization. It could be a small tea tasting group, or it could be the mastermind behind the scenes that took away tens of thousands of lives and destroyed countries."
Fan Xian wanted to ask something but was stopped by a wave of Lin Ruofu's hand.
"The Junshang Conference is only a method of communication between people who stand at a relatively high position in this world." The last Prime Minister of the Qing court slowly narrated the secrets of this world. "We are not the monarchs of a country. We just happen to hold some great power or power in our hands … and there are many things that we cannot do ourselves, so we will use the Junshang Conference as a channel to ask for help from our friends. When our friends are in trouble, we will also help."
"Very equal, isn't it?"
"The Junshang Conference is nothing more than a gathering between friends."
"The Junshang Conference does not have a strict and complete organizational structure. There are no definite goals, and there are no wishes that everyone wants to achieve."
Lin Ruofu finally concluded, "So, in terms of pure destructive power, because the Junshang Conference is loose, it is not powerful. At least … it is not as useful as the Overwatch Council under the old cripple."
Fan Xian was a bit confused. Since it was so, why did his father-in-law want him to be wary of the Eldest Princess' Junshang Conference?
Lin Ruofu smiled slightly and said, "In the end, Chen Pingping was pressuring Yunrui. You also seemed to be pressuring … am I right?"
Fan Xian had to admire the other party's political sense and nodded his head.
"But, you and the old cripple both seem to have made a mistake," Lin Ruofu said quietly. Lin Ruofu quietly said, "You always think that by forcing the Eldest Princess and the Second Prince to jump up and stand against the Emperor, you can easily obtain victory in the entire battle."
"Is that not the case?" Fan Xian furrowed his brows. The Qing Kingdom was the most powerful country in the world. Although the Qing Emperor had been silent for a dozen years, the history of the past had long proven that the Qing Emperor's methods were not something anyone could stand against.
"Because you underestimated Yunrui and the Junshang Conference … if you allow this situation to continue and she truly goes crazy … who knows what the consequences will be?"
Lin Ruofu said this with a smile. He was talking about the Eldest Princess who had been entangled with him for many years and had even given him a cute daughter.
"Isn't the Junshang Conference very loose? How can it compare to the power of a powerful country? "
"The Junshang Conference is like a ball bouncing around in the room. Once someone wants to press it down, the power of the rebound will be concentrated," Lin Ruofu said with a glimmer of worry on his face. Lin Ruofu said with a hint of worry on his face, "Especially during this year, with you and the old cripple skillfully weaving, Yunrui seems to have no way out. If at this time, the Junshang Conference suddenly discovers an abnormally powerful opponent, the loose will become tight and the hidden power will burst forth."
"This is the same logic as people … when you discover a long-desired goal, any kind of risk is worth taking."
Fan Xian listened to these words and a glimmer of coldness rose in his heart. Although he had created and hoped for this situation, he was still shocked by his father-in-law's words.
If, other than Ye Liuyun, the Junshang Conference also had connections with Dongyi and many other helpers, then their power had long surpassed the limits of the country and stood above the world. To have the right to turn the loose Fellowship into a barrel of gunpowder …
In the entire world, only the Qing Emperor had this right.
…
…
"Will Sigu Jian also act?" Fan Xian couldn't resist shaking his head.
Lin Ruofu gazed at him with a slight smile. "If Yunrui is not crazy, she would not make such an arrangement. If she is truly forced into a corner by the Emperor and you … who can say for sure? The Emperor's safety concerns the power of the world. If he dies, there are too many people who can benefit. "
The previous Prime Minister said seriously, "Other than you and me, the subjects of the Qing Kingdom."
If the Qing Emperor died, Northern Qi would be the happiest. Dongyi would also set off firecrackers, and the Qing Kingdom would probably immediately face endless disasters.
Lin Ruofu finally said, "For such a great goal, the enemies of the Qing Kingdom will all unite … earlier you said Sigu Jian, why don't you say Ku He?"
Fan Xian's mouth tasted bitter. He didn't want to continue this conversation.
Lin Ruofu smiled coldly and said, "Junshang Conference? Not a member of the Junshang Conference … as long as they are willing, they can join at any time. Yunrui is the middleman to make connections. This is what she is best at. "
Fan Xian understood this point. The Eldest Princess and the Northern Qi empress dowager had a good personal relationship. Furthermore, they had always been in cahoots with Dongyi. He couldn't resist smiling bitterly and said, "Everyone comes from all over the world for a common goal … hmm?"
He suddenly furrowed his brows and said, "If we can guess it, the Emperor must also be able to guess it. Why doesn't he strike first to gain the upper hand?"
…
…
The room was silent for a long time before Lin Ruofu gently said, "Earlier we were talking about Yunrui's matter. Although she is crazy, I have, after all, known her for 20 years. Naturally, I can guess what she will do."
"But the Emperor …" Lin Ruofu couldn't resist showing a glimmer of admiration. "Although he once betrayed me, I have to say that no one knows what he is thinking in his heart. Perhaps … he is waiting for that day."
"Perhaps he is arrogant to the point of being a moron," Fan Xian thought inexplicably.
"Then what should I do?"
Lin Ruofu asked in a quiet voice. "Didn't you originally plan to be a spectator? However, if the matter reaches a certain level, whether you are willing or not, you will still have to go on stage and act. At this moment, no matter what angle you look at it from, you must stand firmly on the Emperor's side. "
Fan Xian thought to himself that this was nonsense. Even if he wanted to stand on his mother-in-law's side, after being scared by this father-in-law, how could he have the courage to play with a madman?
…
…
I'm sick, very sick. Going to sleep. If I feel these chapters are a bit rough … please forgive me. I can't hold on much longer.
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