What made him feel even more awkward was that Southern Province had already sent him away, but they did not take the opportunity to detain him. Instead, they did not make things difficult for him and allowed him to return smoothly. What were they trying to do? Were they trying to win people's hearts by showing benevolence? They were truly hypocritical villains!
However, this matter was not something he could make the decision on. Unless he forcefully restrained them, he still needed to seek Jia Wuqun's opinion.
He believed that Southern Province was hypocritical in order to move Jia Wuqun, but he did not know what Jia Wuqun's opinion was. He immediately asked with some apprehension, "Since Southern Province intends to recruit Mister, what do you think?"
Jia Wuqun raised his brush: Born and raised here, Zi Fu is my home. I will not allow my home to be broken and scattered. Prime Minister need not worry too much!
Hearing this, Zi Pingxiu could be said to be greatly relieved. He smiled and said, "I knew that Southern Province's hypocrisy couldn't fool Mister."
Jia Wuqun: Prime Minister, previously when I sent a message to Southern Province, do you have any information about the situation in Southern Province?
"Yes!" Zi Pingxiu immediately took out a roll of paper from his sleeve and pushed it forward. "Currently, the information that can be obtained is limited. This is all for now."
Jia Wuqun immediately took it and flipped it open. There were no details, but the current general situation was already known.
The so-called business faction was the former power of Niu Youdao. Before this, various parties had already noticed that after Niu Youdao's death, his power was already on the verge of collapse.
Now, this was what Jia Wuqun wanted to see if Shang Chaozong had the ability to integrate the power left behind by Niu Youdao. If he did not have this ability, then with Shang Chaozong's power, with the suppression of the imperial court and the restriction of the cultivation forces, everything he had said to him in Southern Province before would be nothing more than bragging.
But now, the intelligence in his hands showed that there were no abnormalities in Northern Province. What he had done was basically equivalent to publicly declaring his position. Shang Chaozong had directly appointed a local official of Northern Province. Appointing this official did not seem to have much effect, but the Northern Region gladly carried it out. This was a declaration that the Northern Region would follow the orders of Shang Chaozong!
As for Jinzhou, there's no need to even mention it. They cooperated with the military operations of Nanzhou, mobilizing their troops and horses, forming an alliance with Nanzhou to attack Guang Province, forcing Guang Province to submit. The provincial governor of Guang Province rushed to Nanzhou to pay his respects to Shang Chaozong.
After reading the report, Jia Wuqun slowly put it down and stroked his beard.
Combined with the situation he had inquired about in Southern Province, there were no changes in the governance of Southern Province, nor were there any changes in the officials.
What did this mean? This meant that everything in the Southern Province was still the same as before, and Shang Chaozong was still in charge. The Gold Province, the Northern Province, and the Guang Province had all submitted, and the Thatched Cottage Villa belonged to the Southern Province.
All the signs pointed to the fact that Shang Chaozong had fully taken over control of the forces left behind by Niu Youdao, and that there was no interference from the cultivation world. This meant that Shang Chaozong had also taken care of the cultivation forces behind him.
Jia Wuqun had originally asked Zi Pingxiu to inquire about the situation to see if Shang Chaozong had the ability to integrate the forces left behind by Niu Youdao. Who would have thought that Shang Chaozong had already completed the integration with lightning speed and was already in control!
This ability, this speed, made Jia Wuqun secretly apprehensive. He was silent for a long time, wondering if there was anyone among the feudal vassals who could do this.
After a long time, Jia Wuqun leaned back in his chair and sighed softly.
Zi Pingxiu, who had been quietly observing for a while, didn't want him to continue worrying about the situation in Nanzhou, so he changed the topic and said, "Teacher, you've returned at the right time. I have something I don't understand and would like to consult Teacher."
Jia Wuqun sat up straight again and nodded, indicating that he was ready to speak.
Zi Pingxiu said, "I just received a report yesterday that there were some unusual movements in the Yan court. The Provincial Governor of Fang Province, Dou Hai, was suddenly demoted and investigated by the Yan court. This matter is very strange. Dou Hai was Shang Jianxiong's confidant and also a minister of a region. If someone like him were to be punished, there should have been some clues beforehand. However, it happened so suddenly that it was hard to understand. There were no clues to be found and we are still investigating why he was demoted. Today, His Majesty even asked me if I know what Shang Jianxiong's intentions are? I can't explain it clearly. I wonder if Teacher has any wise ideas to dispel my doubts? "
"…" Wise ideas? Jia Wuqun was already stunned. If Zi Pingxiu didn't mention it, he really didn't think about Dou Hai.
"Teacher?" Seeing that he was in a daze, Zi Pingxiu reminded him.
Jia Wuqun, who had regained his senses, smiled bitterly and shook his head.
Zi Pingxiu was puzzled and asked, "Teacher, why are you smiling?"
Jia Wuqun pulled another piece of paper from the side and wrote a bunch of densely packed words and pushed it to Zi Pingxiu. It was the bet he made with Niu Youdao that day.
After reading it, Zi Pingxiu was shocked, "It was Teacher's suggestion that caused Shang Chaozong to deal with Dou Hai?"
Jia Wuqun: The other party is talking nonsense! How can I believe it so easily? Regardless of whether it's true or false, I just wanted to make things difficult for the other party to know that I'm talking big! Who knew that the joke would come true. Just like what the Prime Minister said, Dou Hai was Shang Jianxiong's confidant. For him to suddenly meet with such a calamity, it must have been a joke!
Zi Pingxiu was even more shocked, "It's only been a few days. Teacher has not returned from his joke and yet such an important minister has been dealt with just like that. Could it be that this Shang Chaozong has really taken control of the Yan court?"
Jia Wuqun smiled bitterly. Is there a need to doubt it? Without the power to control the court, how could such a high official, and Shang Jianxiong's confidant, be dealt with without any warning?
He picked up the brush and wrote, "Could it be that the Prime Minister suspects that Dou Hai's encounter with a joke was a coincidence?"
Zi Pingxiu was silent for a while, then shook his head slightly. Other coincidences could be possible, but how could such a coincidence appear? He muttered, "It seems that the Yan court has long been under Shang Chaozong's control. As expected, it's not time to take action … Sigh!" He looked up to the sky and let out a long sigh.
He knew that Shang Chaozong had a great influence on the Yan court, but he didn't expect that he had already grasped it to such an extent. He really hid his strength well!
Jia Wuqun was even more emotional. With the death of Niu Youdao, Shang Chaozong was able to swiftly take control of Niu Youdao's power and quickly settle the interference of the cultivation forces. Just this alone was not something that anyone could do.
And now, it was proven that Shang Chaozong had long been secretly controlling the Yan court.
It was clear that the other party's words of not putting Wu Gongling and the Prime Minister in his eyes were not a joke.
Looking at the writing board in front of him again, he actually brought the things that he used to the Southern Province for him to use. This kind of thought!
He even directly revealed the secrets of the Southern Province to him. He was not afraid that he would leak it, nor did he force him to stay. He let him choose for himself. This kind of confidence was so strong that it was as if he was the only one in the world!
He brought him there and let him see what was called the step by step of turning the clouds and turning the rain!
Letting out a breath, Jia Wuqun picked up the brush again and wrote, "I originally thought that the Southern Province could only be controlled by Niu Youdao. Now that the great man has passed away, the Southern Province is still in the hands of the wind and clouds. It is like taking a leisurely stroll in a courtyard and spurring me on. Instead of restraining myself, I can see that the Southern Province is full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. Shang Chaozong was able to reach where he is today because of his deep planning and foresight.
Zi Pingxiu nodded. He was not a commoner and knew what the so-called 'deep planning and foresight' meant. The term 'deep planning and foresight' from a commoner's mouth was just a compliment. At his level, he deeply understood that this' deep planning and foresight 'required great strength to support it. There was no use in using glib talk. Without a solid foundation, there was no use in thinking too much.
The phrase 'deep planning and foresight' revealed the depth of Shang Chaozong's management.
"This Prime Minister has underestimated this Shang Chaozong."
Jia Wuqun picked up the brush again, "Prime Minister, do you still remember the anonymous letter you sent to Niu Youdao?"
Zi Pingxiu replied, "Of course I remember. Now that Niu Youdao has passed away, what is the meaning of Mister mentioning this matter again?"
Jia Wuqun wrote it down and showed it to Zi Pingxiu. "At that time, I saw that the world was in a state of turmoil. I did it to leave a path of retreat!"
Zi Pingxiu slowly nodded.
Jia Wuqun: The storm is coming, and the Southern Province feels the same. The other party's words are not false. The Zi Government will face it sooner or later. When that time comes, where will I hide? Since I have to face it, I might as well follow my previous plan and plan for the Zi Government's escape route. Emperor Wu is obstinate and self-opinionated. He is an opportunistic person. Once the world is in a state of turmoil, he will not have the ability to fight for hegemony. He is not a wise ruler. What I did back then was to protect myself!
Zi Pingxiu was bewildered. "Mister, what do you mean?"
Jia Wuqun: I want to come out and help Shang Chaozong!
"…" Zi Pingxiu was speechless. He stammered, "This … this … if that's the case, won't Mister still be recruited by him?"
Jia Wuqun took out a piece of paper and wrote it down.
Zi Pingxiu took it and read it carefully. Shang Chaozong allowed me to come and go as I pleased. It is obvious that he is not trying to force me. As for Shao Pingbo's matter, the Shang Family can do whatever they want. However, I have to make a move. What is the meaning of this? Shang Chaozong's plan is huge. How can I satisfy his appetite? His ultimate goal is to annex the Song Kingdom. He wants me to make a statement. The truth is, he wants the Prime Minister to make a statement. That is why he ordered me to do this. He wants to see what the Prime Minister will do and whether he can do what he wants in the future.
Zi Pingxiu nodded repeatedly after reading it. It seemed that the previous secret invitation was right. As expected, it was aimed at him, and it should be so. "What Sir said is right. However, if Sir goes to serve, it will be easy to be used against you."
Jia Wuqun: What do you mean by that? Even if there are any changes, I will deal with it myself. If anything happens, I will take responsibility. The Prime Minister can clear his name!
Zi Pingxiu thought for a while. "Mister, have you made up your mind?"
Jia Wuqun: The Shang Family has set a time limit. Their meaning is clear. I know their secrets. If I don't go now, I don't know what they will do next. The consequences are unpredictable.
"Hmm …" Zi Pingxiu got up and paced back and forth.
In the end, he sent a letter to the Southern Province and set a date for Jia Wuqun to go …
In the pavilion, Niu Youdao, who received the letter, looked up to the sky and laughed. He said to Guan Fangyi, "This guy must think that I am plotting against the Song Kingdom!"
Guan Fangyi giggled. "How would he know that you are doing this for him?"
"If there are people, there will naturally be a country!" Niu Youdao knocked on the letter and sneered, "For the hospitality of the Southern Continent, I will repay this humble effort to express my gratitude … He really has a good plan. Once you board my ship, I'm afraid you won't be able to turn back. This Niu has been waiting for a long time!"
Guan Fangyi thought of something after hearing these words. She could not laugh anymore. She curled her lips and asked, "How should I reply?"
Niu Youdao waved his hand. "I will reply to him with two words: Wait for orders!"
Guan Fangyi was surprised. "He has agreed to come. You want him to wait for orders?"
Niu Youdao smiled strangely. "A treasured sword should be given to a hero. A good horse should be given a good saddle. Let him wait first. It will not be too late to wait for the people I am waiting for. Sharpening the knife will not delay the work of cutting firewood!"
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