Does Lao Zhang really want to trick Zhao Zhen?
Obviously not.
In that situation, he could only retreat.
Even if Cao An didn't speak, Liu E and Lu Yijian would not really let Yan Shu go to Jingzhao Mansion. Everyone knew this.
However, if he didn't speak at that time.
If Lao Zhang does this, it will inevitably cause hesitation among the Queen Mother, Prime Minister Lu, and the officials, and he will still fall behind.
Therefore, this opportunity for "peace talks" is indeed closely related to Cao An.
Any love affair you don’t want to go to is all fake!
The battle in the court is also nonsense...
Everyone is testing each other. Whoever can withstand the pressure will be able to stand to the end. Otherwise, the whole body will be affected by one move, and winning or losing will only happen in an instant!
…
Cao An left Zhang Mansion and went to Kaifeng Mansion.
Only now did he realize how important Fan Zhongyan was to him.
In the duty room, Fan Zhongyan was handling official duties.
Seeing Cao An come in, he put down his brush and said with a smile, "Are you going to see Zhang Zhibai?"
"yes."
"Is there any harvest?"
Fan Zhongyan's tone is always like that...
In his eyes, Cao An was like a nephew, and his heart was broken for him.
"Old Zhang..."
Cao An felt a murderous aura and quickly changed his words: "Prime Minister Zhang is indeed very scheming!"
His original intention was to gain more benefits, so he deliberately let Lu Yijian know the flaw. I'm afraid that even if he hadn't come forward, he would have used other methods to force Lu Yijian to take action...
"Not too stupid."
Fan Zhongyan nodded happily: "Do you think that all the monarchs and ministers in the dynasty are only 250, and they only know how to deal with problems head-on? They are too skilled... As long as they can achieve their goals, they don't care about the process."
"I'm afraid Prime Minister Lu has already seen the clues."
Cao An sighed.
He felt that he had been tricked out of nowhere.
But the most depressing thing is that he did not suffer a loss in this matter, but actually gained a lot from it.
"Are you feeling aggrieved?"
Fan Zhongyan always seemed to be able to see through him at a glance.
Cao An smiled bitterly and nodded: "It's a lie to say that I'm not aggrieved! But if I tell this matter to the public, I'm afraid no one will believe it... They will say that I am hypocritical."
"Haha, that's good if you know."
Fan Zhongyan was in a good mood and his tone became lighter: "Zhang Zhibai's purpose has been achieved. The Queen Mother and Lu Yijian will not care about small losses for their own interests."
Cao An nodded: "There are no losers in this battle."
"well said!"
Lao Fan smiled approvingly and said: "Zhang Zhibai should have retired a long time ago. He just wanted to get more benefits for the people around him after abdicating. That's all..."
Cao An then said: "The Queen Mother and Lu Xiang want to start a war, but they lack a suitable 'reason'. After all, everyone is watching. It's not good to be too fake."
"That's right."
Fan Zhongyan's smile became even more gratifying: "You broke in by mistake, but you didn't do anything bad. On the contrary, you promoted the goals of all parties... so the Queen Mother gave you a benefit."
Cao An smiled sadly.
If he hadn't listened to Fan Zhongyan and insisted on fighting with Lao Zhang, then what he got now... probably wouldn't be a 'benefits'!
Lao Fan stood up and patted his shoulder.
"I only understood this matter when Zhang Zhibai proposed that Yan Shu take over as the governor of Jingzhao. You can understand... I am very relieved!"
…
Prince Han's Mansion.
The huge back garden was transformed into a Cuju court.
More than ten Cuju masters were running in the field, and the scene was very lively.
These people have superb footwork and are very flexible. If you pick anyone at random, they can skillfully dribble the ball forward and hit the net accurately.
Zhao Congyue sat in the pavilion and watched, his eyes like a quiet lake, without any ripples.
"Thank you, Mr. Xiaolang."
The servant hurried over, lowered his head and whispered: "Cao An just went to Zhang Zhibai's house, and after coming out, he went to Kaifeng Mansion and met Fan Zhongyan..."
Since you are an opponent, you must always pay attention to its movements.
Zhao Congyue was not the second-generation government official who only knew how to play with cats and dogs. Those superficial bohemians were just decorations for outsiders to see.
"It seems that Zhang Zhibai is planning to show off his cards."
Zhao Congyue played with a transparent jade pendant and said with a smile: "I still underestimated Cao An. I didn't expect... this man is so lucky!"
"It's not just luck, is it?"
The middle-aged man sitting next to him suddenly smiled.
This man's name is Tang Qi, and he is the first staff member of the Hanjun Palace. Both generations of the Zhao family trust him very much.
Tang Qi waved a folding fan with a hint of guidance: "Young Master, please don't forget that Cao An is your Majesty's right advisor. This matter..."
"You mean the Queen Mother?"
Zhao Congyue soon understood.
Tang Qi smiled and nodded: "In the final analysis, mother and son are connected. The reason why the Queen Mother gave Cao An a position of admonishment was to express her goodwill to His Majesty."
Just be a mother and coax your son.
There's nothing to say about this, every mother will do it.
"I understand."
Zhao Congyue's eyes sparkled: "The Queen Mother wants to balance the forces between the DPRK and China!"
Liu E wanted to take power, but she didn't want to cause trouble.
So she gave Zhao Zhen a chance to come forward, and she was also warning Lu Yijian and the others to be content.
It was impossible for her to hand over her rights at this time.
Unless Lu Yijian dared to start a war, he would have to endure it. If Liu E did not cross the line, he would not be able to make up his mind.
"The Queen Mother is not the former Emperor. She has too many tricks."
Tang Qi sighed: "And since His Majesty is unable to take on the big responsibilities now, Lu Yijian will definitely not dare to fight among himself, otherwise the country will be overturned, and he will be the sinner!"
Zhao Congyue smiled and said, "Do you think we can win?"
"certainly!"
Tang Qixin said: "The reason why my subordinates stay with Xiao Langjun is just waiting for this day? I will not back down, even if it means death!"
Zhao Congyue smiled noncommittally.
He slowly stood up and came outside the Cuju court, and said calmly: "Wan Yue Tower is nothing. But the network of connections behind Cao An cannot be ignored..."
"Yes, Cao An must be eliminated!"
Tang Qi nodded: "Any powerful hidden danger starts from the weak! And what we have to do is to nip it in the cradle!"
Cao An seems 'weak', but he is slowly weaving his own power!
Once the clans of Zhao Yunsheng unite, their power cannot be underestimated...
They will affect the balance of the court, causing Zhao Zhen to have the ability to protect himself in advance, and the future of the court will be more difficult to predict.
"I heard that Cao An is secretly training a group of Cuju masters?"
"is back."
"Inquire about the scope of those people's activities. If you have the chance..."
Zhao Congyue looked at the field with a smile: "It would be best if they suddenly feel unwell after playing! In this way, someone also has a reason to confess."
Drugged?
Tang Qi shook his head helplessly.
These powerful men are usually sanctimonious, but in fact they are full of sinister ways!
It really failed to achieve its goal, and I feel ashamed.
He persuaded with a wry smile: "With the Cuju skills of Prince Han's Palace, we have a great chance of winning this competition! Activities that harm our reputation... We don't need to do this at all."
"What's reputation?"
Zhao Congyue's tone was exactly the same as Cao An's: "Xiao is a cynical yamen... Besides, if one day I can succeed, no matter how big a stain it is, I can erase it!"
At this time, the servant came from a distance.
"I'd like to inform you, young man, someone is opening a plate outside!"
