After Wang Ping led Chen Dongxiang to Shangxian Building, he just took two or three steps forward, but suddenly he seemed to think of something and said: "Mr. Chen, you can wait in the private room upstairs first. I will make a reservation here." I ordered a few Confucius dishes. Although these Confucius dishes are elegant and delicious, the preparation time is too long. I will go to the kitchen to urge you first and will be back soon. [Read the latest chapter]"
With that said, Wang Ping didn't wait for Chen Dongxiang's rejection and walked towards the restaurant kitchen. Although Chen Dongxiang tried to stop him, Wang Ping seemed to have not heard it at all and just turned a deaf ear.
Seeing Wang Ping's behavior, Chen Dongxiang couldn't help but frown slightly. In his impression, Wang Ping's temperament had always been calm and cautious, and he did not seem to be such a rude person.
But Chen Dongxiang didn't think much about it for a moment, he just shook his head secretly, then asked the restaurant waiter beside him to lead the way, planning to go to the private room to wait.
However, after being led by the restaurant waiter and entering the private room reserved by Wang Ping, Chen Dongxiang looked up and what he saw shocked him!
In the private room, all the dishes were prepared. Zhao Junchen, who had been thinking about Chen Dongxiang all day, was now dressed in casual clothes, sitting at the wine table, looking at Chen Dongxiang with a smile. , looking at him with a meaningful expression.
The waiter who was leading the way didn't seem to notice that Zhao Junchen was sitting at the wine table. He just bowed slightly to Chen Dongxiang and left quietly.
Zhao Junchen appeared suddenly without warning, and seemed to have an ulterior motive. With something in mind, even with Chen Dongxiang's deep city. At this time, I couldn't help but feel a little panicked.
"Zhao, Mr. Zhao, why are you here?"
Chen Dongxiang first subconsciously asked, but after falling into his own ears, he realized that his voice was tense. It was actually a little hoarse.
Seeing Chen Dongxiang like this, Zhao Junchen smiled slightly, raised his hand and pointed to the seat next to him, and said softly: "Wang Ping had an emergency at home and rushed back at short notice, so I will entertain Mr. Chen at this banquet today." You are welcome. Please invite Mr. Chen to sit down and speak."
Naturally, Chen Dongxiang would not believe Zhao Junchen's reasons, but through Zhao Junchen's words. Chen Dongxiang suddenly understood many things.
No wonder that while everyone in the Ministry of Industry was alienating himself, only Wang Ping treated him as before, even more affectionately than before. It turned out that Zhao Junchen had instructed him behind all this!
And the reason why Zhao Junchen had such instructions. Naturally, it was to let Wang Ping monitor him. You can always keep an eye on your own activities.
Wang Ping invited him to a banquet today, maybe it was also Zhao Junchen's order!
But, why did Zhao Junchen want to meet him here? And why do you act so mysteriously?
After all, he is still an official under Zhao Junchen. If Zhao Junchen wants to see him, he just needs to say hello, right? Why go to such trouble? And also exposed Wang Ping who was placed next to him?
Could it be that... Zhao Junchen already knew about his secret contact with Huo Zhengyuan today?
After thinking of the most terrifying possibility, Chen Dongxiang actually calmed down a lot.
After all, Chen Dongxiang has not really taken refuge in Huang Yourong, nor has he caused harm to Zhao Junchen. There is still room for maneuver.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While his thoughts were changing, Chen Dongxiang had reorganized his emotions. He walked up to Zhao Junchen, bowed and saluted: "I have met Mr. Zhao! I just saw Mr. Zhao suddenly. In my surprise, I forgot to salute for a moment and lost my etiquette. I hope you will not blame me. .”
Seeing Chen Dongxiang calm down so quickly, Zhao Junchen's eyes flashed with appreciation.
In Zhao Junchen's sect, there are not many people who can have such a scheming mind.
Unfortunately, the more powerful and capable a person is, the more difficult it is to understand and control.
Thinking like this, Zhao Junchen already smiled and said: "I have said many times that we are all our own people. When we meet in private, we don't need to have so many rules. Just sit down and talk."
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Chen Dongxiang stopped being cautious and walked to the seat next to Zhao Junchen and sat down.
After Chen Dongxiang sat down, Zhao Junchen raised his chopsticks and said with a smile: "Come on, come on, let's talk while eating. They all say that the dishes in Shangxian Building are the most delicious, but this is my first time here. Just now I have been waiting for Mr. Chen, seeing that the delicious food is at hand, but I am embarrassed to use chopsticks first, which is really unbearable. Now that Mr. Chen is here, I can finally taste whether the dishes here are as delicious as the legend."
Listening to what Zhao Junchen said, Chen Dongxiang seemed to have forgotten that this was a banquet hosted by Wang Ping. He just followed Zhao Junchen and took down his chopsticks, and replied: "It's because the official came too late. I kept you waiting for so long. Please forgive me." .”
Zhao Junchen said with a smile: "Speaking of which, your Ministry of Works office has just closed its offices. I came too early, so what's your fault?"
While talking, Zhao Junchen picked up a chopstick and put the stewed mandarin fish on the plate in front of him, then tasted it carefully, then closed his eyes slightly, showing a satisfied look.
"Yes, it is indeed delicious." After Zhao Junchen took a careful taste, he nodded repeatedly and said: "I don't know cooking skills, but I heard that this braised mandarin fish dish is the most challenging one, and ordinary cooks can't do it at all. , and the braised mandarin fish in Shangxian Building is neither fishy nor greasy, and is delicious. The skills of the cooks here are probably not inferior to those of the imperial chefs in the palace."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Chen Dongxiang was about to echo him. However, before Chen Dongxiang could speak, Zhao Junchen changed the subject and said: "I heard that in the entire capital, there is no one who can really cook this bad braised mandarin fish." There are only two restaurants out there. In addition to Shangxian Restaurant, there seems to be another restaurant called Yue Ke Lai. But I don't know if the braised mandarin fish in Yue Ke Lai Restaurant is more delicious than the one here. "
Zhao Junchen's tone seemed to be just casual talk, but also seemed to mean something.
When Chen Dongxiang heard Zhao Junchen suddenly mention "Yue Ke Lai Restaurant", Chen Dongxiang had already calmed down. Another shock!
The restaurant where he had a secret meeting with Huo Zhengyuan today was the "Yukelai Restaurant"! And this "Stewed Mandarin Fish" is one of Yue Ke Lai Restaurant's best dishes!
So far. Chen Dongxiang was absolutely convinced that Zhao Junchen might have gotten the news about today's secret meeting with Huo Zhengyuan.
However, because he didn't know how to deal with such a situation for a while, and he was still holding on to some luck, Chen Dongxiang hesitated for a moment and finally did not confess to Zhao Junchen. He just said cautiously: "The Yue Ke Lai Restaurant is just an ordinary restaurant in Beijing. Although braised mandarin fish is one of its signature dishes. It is still delicious, but it is not as good as Shangxian Tower, which is famous all over the capital. Compared to restaurants, I think it’s still far inferior.”
Zhao Junchen asked curiously: "Oh? This braised mandarin fish is just an ordinary dish here at Shangxianlou. But at Yuokelai Restaurant, it is already the most famous signature dish. But according to Mr. Chen, the braised mandarin fish from Yue Ke Lai Restaurant is not as delicious as the one from Shangxian Restaurant?"
Chen Dongxiang only felt that there was something in Zhao Junchen's words and did not dare to neglect him. He quickly said: "The chefs at Yue Ke Lai Restaurant have limited abilities, so how can they be compared with Shangxian Lou."
Zhao Junchen turned to look at Chen Dongxiang. But he asked with a serious look: "In other words, if you can eat and drink at Shangxianlou, you don't have to go to Yuokelai Restaurant anymore?"
Chen Dongxiang said: "Of course it is."
Zhao Junchen had a teachable expression, still using the tone that seemed casual and yet meant, and said with a faint smile: "That's right, since the dishes at Shangxianlou are more delicious, then why go to Yue again?" Are you coming to the restaurant?"
According to Chen Dongxiang's thinking, at this time, in Zhao Junchen's mouth, Yue Ke Lai Restaurant represented Huang Yourong's party, while Shangxian Building represented Zhao Junchen's party. Zhao Junchen's words seemed casual, but they were as sharp as a blade, making Chen Dongxiang became more and more afraid to neglect, and just nodded in agreement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then, like an ordinary gluttonous eater, Zhao Junchen began to taste various delicacies, and continued to comment on various delicacies with Chen Dongxiang, looking very interested.
But Chen Dongxiang always felt that Zhao Junchen's every word meant something, but it was like chewing wax. No matter how delicious the food was, he couldn't taste it after it fell into his mouth.
On the other side, Zhao Junchen watched Chen Dongxiang's expression change, but he did not take the initiative to confess the matter. It seemed that Chen Dongxiang was still holding on to luck in his heart. He couldn't help but frown slightly, but after sighing, he suddenly put down the dishes and chopsticks in his hands. The topic changed and he said slowly: "I was eating with Master Chen today, but we have talked so much today, and it's time to talk about other things."
Seeing Zhao Junchen like this, Chen Dongxiang couldn't help but feel his heart sinking, but he didn't dare to interrupt. He just lowered his head and said, "Sir, please speak."
Zhao Junchen looked like he was asking for advice and asked: "Now we in the court are completely at odds with Huang Yourong, the elder of the court. The two sides are in the same situation. It can be said that it is a fight to the death, but although we still have the upper hand, , but it is impossible to win easily. This battle is probably going to be protracted. And Mr. Chen, you are one of the best among my officials. Faced with such a situation, do you have any advice for me? "
While Chen Dongxiang was pondering, he decided to answer seriously and said in a deep voice: "Sir, there is no need to worry. Although the current situation is deadlocked, we still have the upper hand after all, and we are now fully prepared and have the upper hand. The situation in the future will only become more and more favorable to us, and the final defeat of Huang Yourong's party is inevitable."
Zhao Junchen half-smiled and asked: "Oh? The situation in the temple has always been the most unpredictable. No one can guess what will happen the next day, but Mr. Chen, you are so confident. ?”
Chen Dongxiang said in a deep voice: "Although the situation in the DPRK has changed a lot, I still have confidence in your Excellency. I know that Your Excellency has always acted cautiously. Now that I have taken the initiative to provoke this fight, I already have some thoughts in my heart." We have the confidence and plan to win, so I am naturally confident about our final victory."
Zhao Junchen smiled and said: "You think highly of me, but what I said is not wrong. I do have some plans in mind for this fight with Huang Yourong's party. And what I am doing now is actually quite good. It’s just foreshadowing.”
Seeing Zhao Junchen admit that he already had a plan to win, Chen Dongxiang was not surprised. He just lowered his head and listened to Zhao Junchen continue.
But Zhao Junchen looked directly at Chen Dongxiang and asked seriously: "Mr. Chen, if I tell you clearly now, the outcome of the party struggle between me and Huang Yourong is already doomed, no matter what happens during the period. , after Your Majesty finishes his tour to the south, Huang Yourong will definitely fall, and I will definitely win, do you believe it or not?"
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, which sounded like a prophecy and a sentence, Chen Dongxiang couldn't help but feel his body tremble again.
Although Chen Dongxiang had long thought that Zhao Junchen dared to initiate this party struggle because he must have a plan to win, he did not expect that Zhao Junchen would be so confident in his plan that even Huang Yourong's downfall would occur. The time is calculated.
Subconsciously, he raised his head and glanced at Zhao Junchen, only to see that Zhao Junchen looked serious and honest, without any intention of lying or joking.
Therefore, Chen Dongxiang bowed his head and said: "Your Excellency is far-sighted and everything he does has far-reaching intentions. I am naturally convinced by this."
When Zhao Junchen heard what Chen Dongxiang said, he couldn't help but smile happily and said, "As long as you believe it. Unfortunately, there are only a few people who can believe in me like Mr. Chen. Now even Zuo Lanshan and Zhan Shanchang, they Seeing the current stalemate between the DPRK and China, everyone is still a little uneasy. There are even some people who have other thoughts in their hearts and are wavering in their stance and attitude, but they don’t know that the outcome of this party struggle is actually destined long ago. I am really afraid of those people. You will make the wrong choice at this time and ultimately delay yourself.”
At this point, Zhao Junchen narrowed his eyes, looked directly at Chen Dongxiang, and said: "If you know that the dishes at Shangxianlou are more delicious, but still choose Yue Ke Lai Restaurant, you will only miss a delicious meal at most, but In the officialdom, it is obvious that the final winner is already known, but they choose a destined loser to join them with a little luck. For people in the officialdom, it is a missed opportunity of a lifetime. Mr. Chen, you Is this true?"
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Chen Dongxiang felt cold sweat dripping from his forehead and temples, but finally he no longer dared to take any chances. He suddenly stood up and knelt down in front of Zhao Junchen with a "plop".
"Sir, I have something important to report!" (To be continued...)
