Seeing Shao Xi's surprised expression, Han Zeng actually said with some pride: "Master Shao, many times he is obsessed with the authorities, and bystanders can see clearly. It is not that there are people like Fu Zuoliang in your Jingyuan Dynasty. They collude with each other and work for themselves." It’s not surprising to seek benefits, there will be such people everywhere, Master Shao shouldn’t be surprised.”
Shao Xi put away his surprised expression and asked Han Zeng: "If what the Prime Minister said is true, as long as we find out the evidence that the General colluded with someone in our court, we will have a reason to strip these two parties of power and force them to stay away." Go to court and eliminate hidden dangers.”
Han Zeng shook his head helplessly and said: "How easy is this? Since there is collusion, it must be secretive. How can we easily get the evidence? This is why I still feel helpless. Now that Fu and I Zuo Liang is as powerful as fire and water, how could he give me such a chance?"
Shao Xi lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then asked tentatively: "Master Xiangguo, if this junior comes forward to make acquaintance with him, do you think I have a chance to get evidence from him?"
"you?"
"for me."
Han Zeng also lowered his head and thought for a moment, then said with some hesitation: "Master Shao, I know you are young and energetic and confident in everything, but Fu Zuoliang has always been very hostile to Jing Yuanguo, and now you are here for the sake of two people." The matter of state-to-state relations touches his interests, so how can he be willing to get acquainted with you? Let alone give you a chance to get evidence."
Shao Xi said confidently: "You don't have to worry about this, Mr. Xiangguo. I have my own way. However, if I get involved in this matter, I have only one request, and that is that no matter how things progress and what the final result is, I hope that Mr. Xiangguo and your Majesty will work together." The holy master of the court can listen to the opinions of the younger generation, and please the holy master and the Prime Minister believe that whatever decision the younger generation makes, it will be for the long-term interests of the two countries."
Han Zeng was silent again. At this time, he was weighing the pros and cons. This was originally just a power struggle within the Southern Zhao court. Now, would it be appropriate to involve an envoy from another court?
However, if an outsider takes down this opponent, it will actually be beneficial to him, not to mention that this matter involves collusion between the internal forces of the two countries. As Shao Xi said, if this matter is resolved, it will be beneficial to both countries.
It can not only eliminate opponents, but also build achievements. When weighed, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, so why not do it?
"So, what do you plan to do, Master Shao? What do you need me to do for you?"
Shao Xi smiled and said: "Junior has his own methods, but it is more about adapting to circumstances. Sir Xiangguo only needs to wait for news from junior and cooperate with junior according to junior's opinions. If this matter is accomplished, Sir Xiangguo will be a great contributor. One thing, if this matter fails, the Prime Minister will have nothing to lose. I am free to bear any responsibility. Anyway, I am a foreign envoy, and the officials of your dynasty cannot do anything to me."
Such a reassurance was put into Han Zeng's mouth by Shao Xi. Han Zeng felt a lot more at ease, so he nodded in agreement. No matter what Shao Xi planned to do next, he would fully cooperate.
Seeing that Han Zeng agreed to this matter, Shao Xi added: "The ultimate purpose of this junior mission is to hope that the two countries will be stable and become long-term friendly neighbors. Therefore, we do not want to have conflicts in your court. It’s too intense. If there is chaos between the DPRK and China, then the establishment of diplomatic relations between our DPRK and your DPRK will be meaningless. After all, stability is the basis for the exchange of interests between the two countries."
What he said made Han Zeng look even more admiringly at Shao Xi. He didn't expect that a young envoy could consider the overall situation of diplomatic relations between the two countries from the perspective of stability in the court. From this point of view, his motivation for actively asking Ying to participate in this matter was also very clear, that is, he wanted to successfully complete the mission assigned to him by Emperor Jing Yuanguo.
"What Mr. Shao said makes sense, so let's be as careful as possible about this matter and not cause too much trouble in the court."
"Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, is truly worthy of being the pillar of the country in Southern Zhao. He truly cares about his family and country and his country at heart. He is really a role model for the younger generation to follow."
There is such a thing as flattery. Whoever is photographed feels the most. It feels good to be photographed all the time. Although Han Zeng knew in his heart that Shao Xi's words were compliments, they just sounded so pleasant to his ears and he loved to hear them.
"Then this matter is of great help to you, little friend. If the traitors in this and your dynasty can be eliminated this time, it will be of great benefit to the long-term diplomatic relations between the two countries. This matter will also be of great benefit to you and me personally, so I decided I will try my best to cooperate with you, it just depends on my little friend’s methods.”
Seeing that Han Zeng had even changed his title, Shao Xi made no comment and just smiled meaningfully.
He never denies that others have the righteousness of family and country in their hearts and the ambition to revitalize the country, but in the final analysis, we are all human beings, and as human beings, we will have selfish motives. In comparison, speaking about your family, country, and country is more likely to be accepted by others, but only you know the little calculations in your heart best.
Shao Xi naturally understands this, but never points it out. As long as there are no major problems in everything, some personal desires are understandable. However, if they are pursuing selfish interests under the banner of righteousness, Shao Xi will naturally have ways to deal with them.
When envoys from the upper state came to visit the palace, Han Zeng naturally did not neglect them and had already arranged to prepare a banquet to entertain Shao Xi and others.
During the dinner, they talked about the governance of the Central Plains. When he learned that Shao Xi was a disciple of Bai Dinggong, Han Zeng called him disrespectful and said that he had admired Bai Dinggong for many years and agreed with Bai Dinggong's theory of governing the world by virtue.
After learning that two celebrities, Bai and Liu, decided to co-author "On the Governance of the World" because of Shao Xi's words, Han Zeng actually stood up and saluted Shao Xi, which made Shao Xi feel very embarrassed.
After all, he is the Prime Minister of a country, and he is older than his father. Shao Xi feels that it is indeed a bit too much to salute such a young boy like him in front of his subordinates and servants.
After listening to Shao Xi's theory of governance, Han Zeng no longer just admired Shao Xi at the beginning, but now had admiration for Shao Xi. I didn't expect that such a young disciple would have such unique insights into the art of governing the world. I lamented that as a famous teacher, Bai Dinggong had indeed taught great disciples.
The atmosphere of the banquet was harmonious, and the two of them had a great time chatting. Han Zeng felt that he was late to meet Shao Xi. As for how Shao Xi felt about Han Zeng, not to mention that Han Zeng couldn't tell, even Shao Xi himself couldn't tell clearly at this time.
Shao Xi's bottom line principle is that no matter how speculative the two talk, how consistent their current positions are, after all, they are not officials in the same dynasty, each is his own master, and each has to safeguard the interests of his master.
Therefore, no matter how the two parties cooperate, the ultimate goal is nothing more than their own interests. Shao Xi knows very well that if one day the interests of the two parties conflict, the old guy in front of him will fall out faster than himself. The thing of love is worthless.
After the banquet, Shao Xi and Lao Wu also stood up and left.
Han Zeng ordered Zhang Shou to send the two of them back to Guanyi safely. If something went wrong again, they would not be spared. How could Zhang Shou dare to make any excuses? He just bowed to the matter and carefully sent Shao Xi and the two back to the hotel.
Back in front of the post gate, Shao Xi turned around and said to Zhang Shou: "I didn't expect that Mr. Zhang would be reprimanded like this for the attack on the mission. I really feel sorry for you. If Mr. Zhang is of any use in the future, I will do it for you." Just open your mouth."
Even though Zhang Shou seemed a bit submissive in the Prime Minister's Mansion, he seemed much more relaxed when talking to Shao Xi.
"Hey! What did Mr. Shao say? It was my mission to receive, take care of, and protect the mission. Now that something like this happened on the way, Mr. Xiangguo should blame me. But it was Shao who let me down along the way. Your Excellency is so troubled and troubled that I did not take good care of you, and I should apologize to Master Shao."
Shao Xi laughed and said: "Come on, you and I have become very familiar with each other all the way here, so I won't say any polite words. In short, if you need help with anything in the future, just ask me. Of course I will Even if we get into trouble, I won’t avoid troublesome things for you.”
"That's nature, that's nature! Hahahahaha!"
After saluting each other and saying goodbye, Zhang Shou left the hotel and returned to the Ministry of Etiquette, while Shao Xi and Lao Wu returned to their rooms, drinking tea and talking about their visit to the Prime Minister's Mansion today.
"Old Wu, I went to the Prime Minister's Mansion today. What impression do you have of Prime Minister Han? What do you think of the discussion between the two of us? You might as well tell me, maybe it will be of some help to me."
Old Wu put a cup of tea into his stomach and let out a long burp. He still looked lazy and glanced at Shao Xi from the corner of his eyes.
"An old fox and a young fox are circling around there, both trying to bite each other's tail. What's there to say? They're just trying to dig a hole for each other. I want to see who falls into the hole in the end."
Shao Xi smiled and said nothing, but raised his chin towards Old Wu, gesturing for him to continue speaking.
Old Wu looked at Shao Xi, shook his head and continued: "Don't think that I don't know what you two are thinking! One wants to use your hands to get rid of dissidents, and the other wants to help the other party get rid of dissidents while weakening them. The strength of Nan Zhao Chaotang prevents Nan Zhao from posing a threat to the southern border of Jingyuan Empire. Both of them have their calculations so loud that it depends on who counts who in the end."
Shao Xi nodded. Lao Wu was indeed a veteran, and he really knew people's hearts very well. However, at this time, Shao Xi also had some hesitations in his heart, and he really wanted Lao Wu to give him some advice.
"Han Zeng and Fu Zuoliang are both important ministers of Southern Zhao. The future strategy of Southern Zhao towards Jing Yuan Kingdom will come entirely from the ideas of these two people. Although Han Zeng seems to be actively promoting diplomatic relations between the two countries, he I don’t dare to completely believe it. Of course, he said that Fu Zuoliang is useless, and I am also skeptical, so I plan to visit the General’s Mansion tomorrow. Old Wu, do you think I am doing this? Necessary? Or is there any other way to identify which of the two poses a greater threat to the Jingyuan Empire and should be eliminated first?"
Old Wu thought for a while and asked Shao Xi a question.
"Do you feel like a man standing in front of you with a knife in his hand like a vicious man, telling you viciously that he will kill you, and a man who greets you with a smile every day and praises you constantly, but will attack you when you are defenseless? Which one is more terrifying, the person who stabs you in the back?"
Shao Xi leaned on the table with his thumb on his chin, listening to Lao Wu's questions, and kept nodding.
"You're right! So either don't do it, or do it bigger."
"Make it bigger? What else do you want to do?"
"Since Han Zeng agreed to cooperate with me just to get rid of Fu Zuoliang, the two of us will go to the General's Mansion tomorrow to visit."
Some people died, but not completely...
