Before Li Ran came to Qi, he knew the difficulties he faced.
However, he never expected that Shu Niu would try every means to kill him. Now this prince Tu would try so hard to win over him.
This was indeed beyond Li Ran's expectation.
Li Ran was silent for a long time. After finally thinking about it, he said:
"Your Highness, please don't blame me. I'm sorry that Li Ran didn't mean this."
I saw Prince Tu's face full of disappointment:
"Sir, do you really refuse?"
When Li Ran saw Prince Tu's appearance, he also made a quick decision, and suddenly he had another idea.
But seeing that Li Ran was deliberately pretending to be reluctant, he cupped his hands and said:
"His Highness has good intentions, but I understand them from my heart. Although I can't accompany His Highness, I have something I would like to advise Your Highness."
After hearing this, Prince Tu immediately bowed again to show respect.
Just listen to Li Ran continue to say:
"Young Master is now deeply favored by the Marquis of Qi, and it is said that the Gao and Guo clans also support His Highness. Your Highness's position as Crown Prince seems to be a sure thing."
"But...the prince also has a hidden danger, which must be investigated!"
"As I just said, the Tian family is really a danger to Qi. Your Highness must be well aware of it. However, Your Highness thinks, why does the Marquis of Qi let it go?"
Prince Tu just shook his head:
"The prince is old and can't do anything, so he indulges this person like this..."
After hearing this, Li Ran smiled slightly:
"Your Highness only knows one, but not the other! In fact, the Tian family is to the Qi State, just like the Sanhuan is to the Lu State. It can be said that they are intertwined. If one is prosperous, everyone will be prosperous, and if one is harmed, both will suffer. If His Highness rashly touches the Tian family , that would be like disturbing the foundation of the country!"
"So, please, Your Highness, be careful in the future!"
When Prince Tu heard what Li Ran said, it coincided with what his father had said to him before!
So, he immediately stood up and bowed deeply to Li Ran:
"May I ask, sir, what should I do to ensure that nothing goes wrong?"
Li Ran sighed:
"I know that Your Highness is young and vigorous, but you must not compete with him for the length of time. The only way to make plans slowly is to take action. Please remember, Your Highness, that even if you are humiliated for a moment, you cannot be quick for a moment!"
After hearing this, Prince Tu could not help but nod his head, and said with sincere emotion:
"Those who achieve great things do not worry about small humiliations; those who achieve great achievements do not stick to small promises. You must be a great talent, and I am so lucky to receive your kind words today. It is really refreshing!"
"Tu once again implores sir, hoping that he can help me."
Li Ran sighed:
"Your Highness, why do you need to embarrass Li Ran? I have already told you what should be said today and what should not be said. If you continue to say it, it will be very inconvenient!..."
Hearing this, Prince Tu also knew the implication of Li Ran's words. He couldn't help but clenched his fist tightly and said:
"I already understand what you mean, sir. In that case, I'll take care of your worries first, and then I'll ask you for advice later!"
Li Ran looked at Prince Tu for a while and said:
"Having said that, please don't act too hastily, Your Highness!"
Prince Tu nodded and said:
"I understand!"
Prince Tu bowed and prepared to leave.
Suddenly, he turned around again and said to Li Ran:
"Today's words, sir, please don't tell anyone else!"
After hearing this, Li Ran smiled slightly and bowed his head in response.
Upon seeing this, Prince Tu left the post house.
Fan Li, on behalf of Li Ran, sent him to the gate. Seeing him getting on the carriage, he turned around and saw Li Ran playing with the utensils on the table.
So, he walked closer and whispered:
"Sir, does this prince seem to want to win over you?"
Li Ran looked at the utensil in his hand and said calmly:
"This boy is young, but his views are quite unique. But... after all, this boy is not experienced in the world, and does not understand the dangers of the court. Moreover, he is too restless. I am afraid that his life will be in danger in the future. ah!"
"However, these are all things for later. Let's see how he handles the relationship with Tian Qi this time!"
Fan Li said:
"If sir, you think this kid can be taught, then why not give him a helping hand?"
Li Ran sighed:
"I am not merciful, but with the current situation in Qi, even Dr. Yan Pingzhong was unable to do anything about it. Today, the Tian family has become more powerful again, and there is no need to say more about the people's support. How can such a situation be possible? What can humans do?”
Fan Li also smiled and said:
"So, what Mr. Cai said to him just now actually had other intentions?"
Li Ran turned his back and couldn't help but stretch:
"Hey... that's not entirely true. Let's figure out how to escape unscathed first. As for this Prince Tu... it depends on whether he has such a destiny!"
"The fate of Jiang Qi's country now depends on heaven and not on people!"
While talking, Chu Dang shouted loudly from outside:
"Master Tian is here!"
This was exactly the code word that Li Ran and Chu Dang had prepared in advance. This move was also to enable Li Ran and others to prepare in advance.
Tian Qi strode forward and laughed loudly.
Li Ran and Fan Li looked at each other, then went out to greet them. Sure enough, I saw Tian Qi at the door, and Tian Qi chuckled:
"Master Taishi, are you still used to being in Linzi these days?"
Li Ran also smiled slightly:
"I was ordered by the Emperor to go to the State of Qi to collect folk customs. This is just to add another touch to my rites and music. At the same time, I was entrusted by the Marquis of Lu, and I have other matters to meet with the Marquis of Qi."
When Tian Qi heard this, he suddenly pretended to be surprised:
"Huh? Master Taishi actually wants to meet with the prince? I'm afraid... Oh, just because the emperor's edict only said that he wanted to give Mr. Taishi some advantages, but it didn't say that he wanted the prince to summon him in person? Besides, it said He said, since Lord Taishi is here under the orders of Zhou, how can he have anything to do with the affairs of Lu?"
When Li Ran heard this, he remained neither humble nor arrogant:
"It is true to collect the wind, and it is also true to come to Qi and Lu to annihilate the troops. The propriety is the great righteousness of the country. The poet is also the enlightenment of rites. Li Ran is really here for the great righteousness of Qi, how can he dare to ignore it?"
As Li Ran spoke, he introduced Tian Qi into the house. Tian Qi looked around, took a rough look at the guards inside and outside, and then borrowed the topic and said:
"Taishi Yu went around collecting news, but only took twenty people with him on the road. Could it be that... he was not afraid of an accident?"
Li Ran said calmly:
"Haha, Li has always been in a peaceful state of mind, keeping aloof from the world, and has never made grudges with others. Therefore, there are no villains who will harm me along the way. Lord Tian... I'm afraid he is too worried."
"By the way, I wonder if Mr. Tian is here because he has something to say?"
Tian Qi sat down and joked:
"Haha, Lord Taishi is a great sage who is famous all over the world. If Tian wants to have a conversation with him, isn't it possible?"
Li Ran sat opposite Tian Qi, but his face was expressionless:
"How dare you...I have heard for a long time that Mr. Tian is doing great things to the people. Mr. Tian is the most virtuous person in the world! Li is afraid that if he has something to say, it will taint your listening ability."
