Chancellor Qi sighed. Crown Prince Zhao Zhuan, Jin Lanting and the rest only smiled and didn't say anything. They weren't at a position where they could casually argue with Qi Yanglong. At the very least, they weren't at that age yet. As the crown prince of Liyang, Zhao Zhuan had the most confidence. However, he revered Qi Yanglong the most because there was a huge mountain between him and the Grand Chancellor of Shangyin Academy. Among the group, only he knew about the master-disciple relationship between Qi Yanglong and Half-inch Tongue. Furthermore, with Qi Yanglong's knowledge and experience, Wu Shizhen and Wang Yuanran would probably think about the situation in the capital and the world even if the old man casually mentioned that the weather was good today. Chancellor Qi looked around and smiled in relief when he saw that the youngsters he mentioned didn't reply. At this moment, Yuan Tingshan took a step forward and smiled, "It's really good to be able to live to Chancellor Qi's age."
Qi Yanglong looked at this young martial artist whose name shook the capital. Not only did he not blame Yuan Tingshan for his outspoken words, he didn't hide the admiration in his eyes. He looked at Yuan Tingshan and nodded, "Indeed, it's better to live than to die. Especially for a battle general like General Yuan, who persevered at the border all year round. It doesn't matter if you lose a few battles, as long as you don't die, you will have everything."
Yuan Tingshan was stunned for a moment and grinned, "Chancellor Qi, you are much more straightforward than those old fellows in the capital city in the past. If there's a chance to make a trip to Ji Zhou, I will definitely bring out the best wine. Chancellor, chancellor, it's impossible not to drink wine."
Zhao Zhuan's smile was warm and slightly helpless, "Mister Qi, don't lower yourself to the same level as this boor."
Qi Yanglong waved his hand and smiled, "Living in the desert border for a long time can cultivate heroic spirit, what you said is true. I will probably make a trip to the border next year, from Liangliao to Ji Xi. At that time, I'm afraid General Yuan won't have enough wine. "
Yuan Tingshan chuckled, "I've done a lot of shady business of killing the rich to help the poor at the border of Ji Zhou this year, but not a single copper coin fell into my pocket. However, if I want to treat Chancellor Qi to a few jars of fine wine, I think my salary is enough."
Jin Lanting, who had been smiling cautiously the entire time, suddenly stopped smiling. He glanced at the crown prince and saw that Zhao Zhuan's face was calm, as if he didn't think that Yuan Tingshan would cause trouble with his words. Wang Yuanran and the others all admired this mad dog Yuan's unbridled behavior from the bottom of their hearts. The old man in front of them was someone the imperial court secretly invited to keep Grand Secretary Zhang in check. When speaking with him, who wouldn't cover their dirty buttocks with all their might, fearing that Qi Yanglong would have a bad impression of them? If that happened, they wouldn't have a chance to make a name for themselves in the imperial court for the next ten to twenty years. For someone like Wang Yuanran, who could do whatever he wanted in the capital, not to mention Tantanon, even if he met someone like Yin Maochun or Yuan Guo, who called him uncle, he would still have to obediently tuck his tail between his legs and pretend to be gentle, courteous, and thrifty.
Qi Yanglong gave the seemingly heartless Yuan Tingshan a glance. Such a young and reckless hero had tormented the lifeless officialdom of Ji Province to the point that it nearly broke its old bones. The reason Yuan Tingshan came to the capital was to bring a bramble and ask for punishment. If he still didn't come, perhaps even his foster father, Gu Jiantang, would not be able to keep his official title and military power. Yuan Tingshan had gone on a killing spree in the region of Ji Province. Many of the tyrannical clans that had been rooted in the region for over a hundred years were accused of treason and recklessness. They were executed first and reported later. Before the Ji Province's Governor, Qin Huchen, could report to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Justice, Yuan Tingshan had their heads chopped off. If it were only one or two incidents like this, perhaps Qin Huchen would just turn a blind eye to it. He might even cover up for Yuan Tingshan, the foster son of Gu Jiantang. But after autumn came, Yuan Tingshan's tyrannical behavior became more and more serious. The marriage between Ji Province and Ji Province was closely connected, and the power of each family was intertwined. The so-called twelve families in Ji Province married each other, and almost all the Clan Leaders were related by marriage. As a result, Yuan Tingshan killed four of them in one go. As a result, the border of Ji Province was plunged into turmoil, and the Imperial Censor was impeached because of it. The General of Ji Province and the Deputy General who was in charge of the military affairs in Ji Province were implicated. Not only were they severely reprimanded by the Ministry of War, it was said that even the Emperor had started to pay attention to this matter. Finally, he shifted his solemn gaze from Guangling Province to Ji Province. Gu Jiantang, the great pillar of Ji Province, paid no attention to this, and showed no sign of supporting this foster son of his. After that, Yuan Tingshan quietly came to Great Peace City, and somehow got on the Crown Prince's boat and came to Qi Mansion. As someone who was nicknamed 'Mad Dog Yuan', he must know that talking to Qi Yanglong was no different than talking to the Emperor directly. And to a certain extent, it was more tactful, and more beneficial.
The old man seemed to feel the heavy atmosphere around him. He laughed and patted Yuan Tingshan's shoulder. He didn't play dumb with this warlord of the border who was quite a bit lower in seniority, and said straightforwardly, "Since you flatter me that I, Qi Yanglong, am a straightforward person, General Yuan can also be straightforward. On this trip to the capital, you brought the entire dowry of Yanbao's daughter. You haven't even warmed it yet, and you're already using it to make connections. I heard that it's not very effective, and not many people dare to accept it. As for me, I'm not a high official, and I'm not afraid of losing it, so I can help you say a few words. I'm not entirely helping you, but in the end, I'm just going with the flow and helping you resolve your urgent situation. There shouldn't be a problem. However, General Yuan, you have to consider the crux of this matter yourself. Otherwise, if it happens again and again, no one is willing to waste their face and incense for nothing. On this point, you can learn from the King of Beiliang back in the day."
Yuan Tingshan couldn't help but sneer at Qi Yanglong. However, he could only hold back his complaints when he was facing this Grand Chancellor who had a profound and unfathomable knowledge. Otherwise, even when he was facing the Great General Gu Jiantang, who had 'contributed to the annihilation of two kingdoms', Yuan Tingshan would still be straightforward.
Naturally, Qi Yanglong had heard about the grudge between this man and the Xu family. Therefore, he said earnestly, "Imitating a worthy person is a realm that only a virtuous person can achieve. However, if you wish to catch up with your enemy's power and status, it's something that everyone has. The latter is easier to accomplish. It's just like how you, Yuan Tingshan, didn't find Mi Fu, who had nine thousand soldiers and horses, an eyesore of Qin Yu, who was the Lord of a province. Therefore, you've been thinking of adding a few thousand soldiers to your army, or even pushing Qin Yu away and becoming the Provincial Governor, an important official of the border. You've been building momentum for this recently. Then, based on the same logic, why can't General Yuan learn from Ren Tu and carefully study the history of this martial artist who had achieved great merit in the Spring and Autumn Period? Could it be that the true thought in your heart is … "
When he said this, the old man narrowed his eyes. Yuan Tingshan quickly interrupted Qi Yanglong and said with a bitter expression, "Hold on, hold on! I'm scared of you, Mister Qi. Don't worry, I've understood what you mean. As long as you're still in the imperial court, I'll do as you say. What do you think? As for where my position will be in the end, and what I'll do at that time, if you've retired at that time, I dare not say that I'll listen to everything you say, but I'll still listen to your advice. "
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