"Well, I came to you this time just to discuss the previous matter with you!"
After Gao Gong's words fell, Zhang Juzheng's face was full of astonishment. After all, before this, he had mentioned to Gao Gong more than once the idea of letting King Yu go to the fiefdom to become a vassal.
"Didn't Gao Gong say before that he wouldn't do it? Why did he change his position in the blink of an eye?"
"Is it possible that Gao Gong also noticed it..."
Suddenly, such an idea suddenly appeared in Zhang Juzheng's mind, and he couldn't get rid of it for a long time.
The more Zhang Juzheng thought about it, the more it made sense, because only in this way could he explain why Gao Gong's attitude changed so quickly.
After that, Zhang Juzheng looked at Gao Gong in high spirits and confirmed to him excitedly.
"Mr. Gao Ge, you must have noticed it too, right?"
"What do you see?"
Gao Gong was confused by Zhang Juzheng's inexplicable words, and saw him frowning, his face full of confusion.
Seeing this, Zhang Juzheng looked at Gao Gong's gaze, his face full of determination, and explained.
"Ever since the banquet hosted by the Rakshasa envoy last month, His Highness Prince Yu has no chance of inheriting the title of Crown Prince!"
After Gao Gong heard Zhang Juzheng's words, he thought about it for a long time before he reacted. Immediately, he saw a look of horror on his face. He turned his eyes to Zhang Juzheng and confirmed.
"Zhang Juzheng, what do you mean?"
"Well, that's right. The reason why His Majesty asked His Highness King Yu to host the banquet for the Rakshasa delegation was to take this opportunity to see how His Highness King Yu can handle problems!"
"In other words, this is a test for His Majesty, Prince Yu!"
After hearing what Zhang Juzheng said, Gao Gong's expression became extremely gloomy. He subconsciously clenched his fists and then added.
"Faced with the test given by His Majesty, King Yu chose to seek help from Xu Jie, and this is not what His Majesty wanted to see."
"In other words, even if King Yu performed perfectly during the entire banquet, in His Majesty's eyes, his performance was unqualified, because this was not the answer that King Yu handed in relying on his own ability!"
"But King Yu is completely unaware of all this, and is still immersed in the illusion that he performed perfectly at the banquet, and then..."
When Gao Gong said this, he suddenly felt horrified and did not dare to continue.
After that, Zhang Juzheng turned his gaze to Gao Gong and asked.
"In this case, Mr. Gao Ge, should we request His Majesty as soon as possible to allow His Highness King Yu to grant vassal status?"
"Well, when I get back, I will send someone to bring you everything you want!"
At this moment, Gao Gong's tone was filled with unconcealable fatigue, and he waved his hands quite casually and said so.
After Gao Gong said this, he lowered his eyes and looked at the ground casually, not knowing what he was thinking, while Zhang Juzheng raised his head and looked at the night in the air.
For a long time, Zhang Juzheng's voice without a trace of emotion rang in Gao Gong's ears: "Mr. Gao Ge, we are doing this for the sake of Prince Yu. After all, it is good to just be a idle rich prince!"
Then, Zhang Juzheng looked back and said in a voice that only he could hear: "After all, I, Zhang Juzheng, come from a military household..."
Gao Gong seemed to be moved by Zhang Juzheng's words. He saw a look of sadness on his face and said with emotion.
"Yes, you are right. We are doing this for the sake of King Yu. I hope he will not blame me as a teacher when the time comes!"
Seeing that the matter had been finalized, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng had no intention of staying any longer. After exchanging a few words, they immediately left in sedan chairs.
…
Early morning, Yan Mansion.
Yan Song, as before, held a bowl of thick porridge in his hand and drank it slowly.
The table was filled with all kinds of delicacies, but Yan Song only focused on the small plate of Liuxinju pickles placed in front of him.
I saw Yan Song slowly picking up the eggs on the table and peeling the shells. At this moment, there was a sound of footsteps coming from outside.
Not long after, Yan Shifan walked in and sat not far from Yan Song.
Seeing this, the maid on the side quickly brought a bowl of thick porridge to Yan Shifan. Yan Shifan took the thick porridge from the maid's hand and started to drink the porridge.
During this process, neither father nor son spoke, and they just concentrated on dealing with the dishes on the table.
After the meal, while the maid was removing the dishes from the table, Yan Song turned his gaze to Yan Shifan and asked.
"By the way, how are you preparing for the exam soon?"
When Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, he immediately looked stern and responded without thinking.
"Father, I plan to go to Gongyuan in person after I get off duty today to see what's going on there!"
Yan Song heard the words, nodded slightly, and then gave instructions.
"Well, you must be more careful about this matter. After all, this is an exam for the clan and nobles. If you are not careful, something will go wrong. In addition, you have to guard against Xu Jie and the others!"
After listening to Yan Song's reminder, Yan Shifan's expression became solemn. He frowned and confirmed to Yan Song.
"Father, you mean that Xu Jie and the others might take this opportunity..."
Hearing this, Yan Song glanced at Yan Shifan and spoke unhurriedly.
“You can’t go wrong without being careful in everything!”
"Thank you dad for reminding me, the kid will pay attention!"
Yan Song saw that Yan Shifan had listened to his instructions, nodded, and followed up with instructions.
"Okay, hurry up and get ready, and come with me to go on duty later!"
"Yes, father!"
…
Outside the cabinet, after the sedan chair Yan Song was riding in stopped, Yan Shifan on the side immediately stepped forward and carefully supported Yan Song.
"Father, please slow down!"
"Um."
When Yan Song heard the words, he responded in a subtle way, and then let Yan Shifan support him and got down from the sedan.
This scene was captured by Xu Jie, who had just gotten off the sedan not far away. At this moment, a gloomy look flashed in his eyes.
"Humph, Yan Song, you are an old and immortal thing, you are like this, and you are still clinging to the position of chief minister of the cabinet. Why didn't you get sent away when you were seriously ill?"
"Otherwise, the position of chief minister of the cabinet would have been mine, Xu Jie's!"
After that, Xu Jie took three steps and two steps at a time, came to Yan Song, and spoke first.
"I've met Mr. Yan Ge!"
"Oh, it's Mr. Xu Ge!"
Hearing this, Yan Song looked Xu Jie up and down with his cloudy eyes before he responded.
After that, Xu Jie and Yan Song walked side by side, while Yan Shifan followed them just right, lowering his head and saying nothing.
Immediately, Xu Jie glanced at Yan Song and took the lead in provoking the topic.
"Speaking of Mr. Yan Ge, it's already mid-June now. After a while, it will be July and August. By then, the rainfall will increase significantly. I don't know about those dykes..."
When Yan Song heard Xu Jie's words, he suddenly stopped, turned around, looked directly into Xu Jie's eyes, and gave his assurance.
"Don't worry, Mr. Xu Ge, even if the flood season comes, there will be no problems with those dams!"
"Well, this way, I feel relieved!"
(End of chapter)
