In the seventh month of the thirty-first year of Lu Xianggong's reign, Prince Chou became the crown prince. He would be crowned king in the first month of the following year.
The matter has become a foregone conclusion, although Shusun Bao ostensibly argued with Ji, Meng and others in the court. He had a particularly fierce verbal exchange with them on the issue of who should be appointed as the crown prince. It was as if he had exhausted all his sharp tongue and failed to stop him in the end.
These are actually just deceptions.
And just when the Ji family and the Meng family were happy about their victory in the competition for the throne, Shusun Bao also seemed particularly happy after coming to the Ji family courtyard.
His efforts were rewarded after all. The Ji family and the Meng family had no doubts about Gongzi Chou, and even offered to arrange the heaven-sacrifice ceremony themselves. They also sent people to the Jin Kingdom again to obtain sacrificial vessels for Gongzi Chou.
"I'm afraid these two old guys, Ji Sunsu and Meng Sunjie, never imagined that Prince Chou was actually one of ours until their death."
"Hahahaha, relieve your anger, quite relieve your anger!"
Shusun Bao had already had an in-depth talk with Prince Chou, and he also received a clear answer from Prince Chou. After Prince Chou ascends the throne, he will definitely fulfill his brother's last wish. This is what Shusun Bao wants to see most.
Now that half of the success is achieved, how can he not be happy?
Li Ran also nodded and smiled when he heard the sound:
"In this way, they will not take action against the new crown prince, and we can continue our plans with peace of mind."
"By the way, when the crown prince ascends the throne, the Marquis of Jin will definitely send someone to watch the ceremony. I would also like to ask Dr. Shusun to pay more attention to it."
When the king of Lu came to the throne, the sacrificial vessels came out of Jin, and the Marquis of Jin sent people to watch the ceremony. This was also a common practice.
First of all, it was natural to openly congratulate the new king on his accession to the throne.
Secondly, it is also possible to use diplomatic opportunities to spy on the actual situation of other countries.
Therefore, how to treat this person who is sent to watch the ceremony becomes very important. Shusunbao couldn't let the Ji family take advantage of him.
After all, how to check and balance the Ji family and the Meng family after the prince ascends the throne will most likely need to rely on external forces, and the Jin State is the one with the most say.
"That's natural."
"If there is an opportunity then, Zi Ming and I should go meet this person together. This may also be an opportunity for you."
It was indeed an opportunity for Li Ran. Li Ran was recognized in the Lu State, but it could not completely eliminate the hatred of the Zhou royal family.
But if he gets the approval of the Duke of Jin, it will be equivalent to getting a protective umbrella. Even if the royal family hated him that week, there was nothing they could do.
As the saying goes, a skinny camel is bigger than a horse. How can the Jin Kingdom, which has dominated the Central Plains for hundreds of years, be compared with the Zhou royal family, which is already in danger?
"That's very good. I'll let the doctor arrange it."
While the two were chatting, Sun Su suddenly ran in again and told Li Ran that Ji Sun Yiru had come to see him.
Upon hearing that it was him who came to see him, Shusun Bao frowned and said:
"Huh? What is he doing here?"
Li Ran didn't know, so he just shook his head and ordered Sun Su to invite the people in.
Although he and the Ji family are on the same page now, this is not the time for him to completely fall out with the Ji family. After all, the crown prince's accession to the throne still requires the Ji family's contribution.
Furthermore, it was not rude for Ji Sun Yiru to come to ask for a meeting. If Li Ran refused, it would appear that he was narrow-minded.
Shu Sunbao left first, and Li Ran came to the main hall of the other courtyard to see Ji Sun Yiru. Before he could ask about Ji Sun Yiru's intention, Ji Sun Yiru complimented him:
"Ah, Brother Zi Ming! Long time no see! Today, Yi Ru came here and specially invited Brother Zi Ming to have a drink with him."
It turned out that Ji Sunyi's visit this time actually invited him to a banquet. His attitude was actually very sincere.
"Inviting me to the banquet, could it be that a table of Hongmen Banquet was prepared?"
As Li Ran was secretly thinking about whether he should go to this banquet or not, Ji Sun Yiru seemed to have noticed Li Ran's doubts, and said politely again:
"Mr. Ziming, please relax, this banquet is held in a restaurant in a busy city. I, the Ji family, are also from a well-known family, so I would not behave like this in public."
Ji Sun Yiru talked about this and came to invite him in person. This was a great honor. Li Ran thought it made sense, but couldn't shirk it, so he reluctantly nodded and agreed.
"Okay then, I'll come here after Li and the people in the house take care of me."
So, after giving a few brief instructions to his servant Owl Yi, he followed Ji Sun Yiru to a wine shop in the city.
And Ji Sunyiru specially selected a cubicle, which was the so-called elegant room in later generations, and asked him to sit down.
This banquet was just for the two of them.
Li Ranzheng was secretly wondering, what kind of medicine was Ji selling in the gourd? His attitude towards him has changed so drastically?
Sure enough, after the food and wine were served, Ji Sun Yiru was the first to speak:
"Brother Ziming has been in Qufu for a while. Yi Ruduo acted rudely before and bumped into brother Ziming. Please forgive me."
"Yi Ru was born in the Ji family, and has been in the habit of being arrogant since he was a child. Now he has learned from his grandfather and knows that Brother Zi Ming's talent is unparalleled. Thinking about the past, he can't regret it."
"I am hosting a banquet with Brother Ziming today because I want to apologize to Brother Ziming. The past grudges are not worth airing. I am punishing myself with three glasses of wine. Please forgive me."
These calls of "Brother Ziming" made Li Ran somewhat mentally prepared, but he still couldn't help but be slightly startled.
But in a flash, he realized that the Ji family really should not be underestimated.
The matter of offering sacrifices to heaven on behalf of the crown prince, the assassination of Prince Ye, and the confrontation in Hantai Palace, he dealt a heavy blow to the Ji family.
However, instead of killing himself, Ji Sunsu chose to recruit. With such magnanimity and scheming, it is no wonder that he became one of the most powerful forces among the three states of Lu.
Ji Sunsu's cunning and scheming, Ji Sun Yiru's arrogance and even groveling in front of him all showed the Ji family's methods in developing and strengthening themselves.
With this kind of family education, there will be ghosts if the Ji family is not prosperous.
"Oh? So, today's banquet is your apology to me?"
Li Ran sat as steady as a rock, with no emotion or anger on his face, and his tone was calm and indifferent.
When Ji Sun Yiru heard this, he smiled, nodded his head, and immediately replied:
"That's right, that's right. Brother Ziming has a lot of people, so you won't argue with a mere mortal, right?"
"Haha, this is hard to say."
Li Ran picked up the wine cup and took a sip, then gave an ambiguous answer.
It's one thing not to forgive, but if you don't drink the wine you got for free and don't eat the food you got for free, that's a big sin.
"No matter what Ji Sunyi's plan is today, I'll just run and dance and love whoever I want."
Li Ran secretly thought to himself.
Hearing what Li Ran said, Ji Sun Yiru was stunned for a moment, and then said in surprise:
"Oh? I dare to ask Brother Ziming, what do you mean by this?"
When it comes to understanding, there are only two possibilities: understanding or not understanding. However, Li Ran's answer was "It's hard to say", which made Ji Sun Yiru not sure what was going on.
Could it be that I am not sincere enough today? Or is my attitude today not correct enough? Or maybe the benefits were not explained clearly?
Either we can reach an understanding, and let's hold hands in harmony and move forward together for development. Or we just have to fight each other, and no matter how hard things turn out in the future, we can each show our magical powers and use our own methods, and no one should ask for help from the other.
"You neither understand nor refuse. What do you mean?"
Ji Sun Yiru dared not let go of his hand holding the wine cup. He was afraid that Li Ran would say something he couldn't understand or understand.
Unexpectedly, Li Ran didn't say anything. He only drank wine and ate meat. He was so busy that he couldn't help but make Ji Sun Yiru look confused and thought:
"This Li Ran, could it be that the Heavenly Chixing Star descended to the earth? You really take it seriously."
What he didn't know was that if Li Ran was really polite to him, he wouldn't come with him to the wine shop to talk.
The reason why Li Ran came here was to find out what kind of medicine Ji's sold in the gourd.
At this time, he already understood it in his heart, and there was no need to continue to pretend. When it's time to eat and drink, everyone goes back to their respective homes to find their own mothers and do whatever they need to do.
"Brother Ziming, you must have seen clearly the current situation in our country of Lu. Young Master Cou has been crowned prince and will soon be crowned king. In the future, when my family Ji controls the government and the public, this country of Lu will belong to my family Ji." Forget it. What future can you have by following that uncle Sun Bao? Why not join me as a disciple of the Ji family? I, Ji Sun Yiru, have sworn to the heaven that as long as Brother Zi Ming is willing, Brother Zi Ming will be the number one head of our Ji family! How? ?”
Li Ran remained indifferent and only focused on eating and drinking.
"Then...if brother Ziming thinks it's not enough, then in the future, I, the Ji family, will find brother Ziming the position of high minister of the state of Lu! And we will set aside three cities from the fiefdoms of my Ji family to support Zi. Brother Ming, how are your expenses?"
The price is indeed very high.
Ji Sunyiru was also very satisfied with the conditions he offered. He thought that such conditions were impossible for Li Ran to refuse.
You must know that Li Ran is still a wanted criminal of the Zhou royal family. No matter which country he goes to, whether the monarch or the minister wants to reuse him and let him serve as an official and a part-time official, he must consider the attitude of the Zhou royal family to some extent.
After all, Zhou Li rules the world, and if you don't give face to the Zhou royal family, you don't give Zhou Li face, and other countries will inevitably use this to spread rumors and cause trouble.
Ji's offer of such conditions was tantamount to helping Li Ran clear his grievances and regain his dignity. This is a great opportunity for a person with ambition and a lot of talent.
In the era of hereditary aristocracy, the ruined aristocrats were no different from ordinary citizens. It is not easy for ordinary people to become officials. The Ji family is willing to pave a smooth road for Li Ran. Isn't it a gift for Li Ran?
Ji Sun Yiru quietly waited for Li Ran's reply with joy in her heart.
He was very confident in the terms he offered.
However, reality slapped him in the face again.
"belch......"
After eating and drinking, Li Ran burped, raised his sleeve and wiped it on his mouth, stood up, patted his butt and left.
"Son...Li Ran! Don't toast me and you'll be fined if you don't eat!"
Ji Sun Yiru never expected that Li Ran would not give him any face, and would leave immediately after finishing his meal. He had never seen anyone who dared to be so presumptuous in front of his Ji family.
"Huh? This is your fault."
"Didn't you invite me here just to have a drink? I also ate the food and drank the wine, so why did I become the person who refuses to eat when I'm toasting you? I mean, brother, this is wrong."
With a smile on his face, Li Ran said the last four words with deep meaning.
"I...hum! Li Ran! My grandfather is so respectful to you because of your talent and learning. You'd better be smarter! If not, Tai Ziye will learn from the past!"
At this moment, Ji Sun Yiru stopped pretending. There was nothing to pretend about. They were the ones who killed Tai Ziye and they did this job. Pretending was just unnecessary.
But what he didn't know was that it was okay if he didn't mention Tai Ziye. As soon as he mentioned Tai Ziye, Li Ran's expression suddenly changed. He who was still smiling at him suddenly became clouded, and a pair of gloomy eyes burst out with terrifying gazes. He seemed to have changed into a different person in an instant, with a surging momentum and overwhelming momentum!
"Prince? Huh! Just don't mention the prince. How dare you mention it in front of me?"
"When you killed him, why didn't you ever think about wiping out the past grudges? When you intended to kill me, how did you ever think about today?"
"I'm too lazy to pay attention to you. If I say another word to you, I, Li Ziming, will appear stupid!"
Li Ran asked three rhetorical questions and a taunt before turning around and leaving.
