Fan Lou.
Zhou Chen came to the private room on the top of the building and saw the three people staying inside, Gu Tingye, Qi Heng, and the eldest son of the current new emperor, King Huan.
Originally, if King Huan invited him alone, he would definitely not agree to attend the banquet, but Gu Tingye and Qi Heng persuaded him, so Zhou Chen gave them face and agreed to come.
Huan Wang Zhao Ceying is indeed a character in the TV series. At least he is much stronger than the current emperor Zhao Zongquan, and he looks like a courageous person.
This is also the reason why Zhou Chen agreed to come. If King Huan was a loser who could not stand up to the stage, he would not come to the banquet.
According to the plot of Zhifou, after Zhao Zongquan succeeded to the throne, he was completely different from the official history of the Song Dynasty. In terms of age, he was completely inconsistent with the official status of emperor after Renzong.
As soon as Zhou Chen arrived, the three people in the room stood up.
"Brother."
"Jingguo Gong."
"I've met Duke Jingguo."
Among the three, Gu Tingye is the most relaxed. Although Zhou Chen became Duke of Jing, his title has never changed. He always calls Zhou Chen brother. Anyway, in his eyes, Zhou Chen is better than his eldest brother.
More like a brother.
"His Royal Highness King Huan."
Zhou Chen's polite address, given his current status, does not require much respect for King Huan, who is not yet the prince.
"Sit, sit."
Zhao Ceying asked Zhou Chen and the others to sit down, and then asked people to start serving wine and food.
Zhou Chen and Zhao Ceying were not familiar with each other, but with Gu Tingye and Qi Heng there, there was no silence. After drinking a few glasses of wine, they became familiar with each other.
Then Zhao Ceying began to talk openly and secretly about the current situation in the DPRK. Although he spoke in a very cryptic way, everyone could understand the meaning.
Among the few people, Qi Heng was the most innocent one. He quickly started talking about His Majesty's kindness, generosity, wisdom and martial prowess, and that he should assist His Majesty in building a new prosperous age.
Gu Tingye interrupted with a smile and did not give a positive answer at all. As for Zhou Chen, it was even more impossible to give a clear answer.
Nowadays, who doesn’t know that the Queen Mother listens to politics behind the curtain, and if the new emperor wants to take back power, he has no choice but to fight with the Queen Mother, which makes the fight between the Emperor and the Queen Mother inevitable.
Until the situation is clear, no one is willing to take sides easily.
Until the end of the dinner, Zhao Ceying did not receive a reply from Zhou Chen and Gu Tingye. She was very disappointed, but she still said farewell to Zhou Chen and Zhou Chen politely.
When leaving, Gu Tingye specially got on Zhou Chen's carriage.
"Brother, His Royal Highness Prince Huan must have come to recruit you on His Majesty's orders."
"Well, it's not just me, but you too."
Gu Tingye nodded and said in a deep voice: "Now that the Queen Mother is in power, it seems that our Majesty is not willing to be a puppet. He wants to compete with the Queen Mother for power. Brother, what are your plans? The Queen Mother will eventually return to power.
To His Majesty."
Zhou Chen said: "Then wait until then. You also know that I am not representing the same person now, but you are different from me. You can make your own decision without considering me."
Gu Tingye smiled casually and said: "Who doesn't know that my brother and I are on the same side now? Unless I fall out with my brother now, any decision I make will be suspected to be related to my brother."
"That's true, but you and I are both hereditary noble families. As long as we don't fall in line, even if we don't get credit, but as long as we don't make mistakes, even the officials and the Queen Mother cannot easily deprive us of our titles.
"
This is also the benefit of nobility. Even though it is not as noble as civil servants, it can be passed down. This is why so many ladies want to marry into noble families.
"What do you mean, brother, sit on the mountain and watch the fight between tigers? Aren't you afraid that both sides will be in trouble?"
"Zhonghuai, you are a smart man. Learn from those civil servants and see what they do."
Zhou Chen meaningfully reminded Gu Tingye that civil servants are said to be noble, but in fact, when it comes to moral integrity, most civil servants have no lower limit. On this point, military officers still need to learn more from civil servants.
Gu Tingye thought thoughtfully. In fact, he was more inclined towards the new emperor. No matter what, Zhao Zongquan was still the master of the world, and Empress Dowager Cao was just a prostitute. How long could she listen to politics behind the curtain?
Since he has to return to power sooner or later, wouldn't it be more important if he joins the new emperor's service early?
Zhou Chen didn't know what Gu Tingye was thinking. If he knew, he would definitely lament that things couldn't be that easy.
The reason why Zhao Zongquan wanted to win over him was simply because he took a fancy to his power and status. He wanted to use him as a spearman to deal with the Queen Mother, and he didn't have much trust in him at all.
For Zhao Zongquan, his most trusted ministers are always his secret servants, just like Gu Tingye in the plot. If he had not had a sworn relationship with Zhao Zongquan and his son and saved them many times, how would he be reused by Zhao Zongquan.
With his current identity and status, there is no need to make a fuss and make a clear decision to join one party.
Two days after he had dinner with Zhao Ceying, he was called over by Empress Dowager Cao.
When Empress Dowager Cao saw Zhou Chen, she had a very good attitude, but she expressed her thoughts overtly and covertly, saying that Zhou Chen was in his current position because she had recommended him to the late emperor, etc. She meant that Zhou Chen should not be ungrateful and betray her.
, took refuge in Zhao Zongquan.
Zhou Chen was very familiar with this situation, and he immediately stated resolutely that he would never do anything to disgrace the eldest empress, nor would he forget the kindness between the late emperor and the eldest empress, etc.
Zhou Chen's knowledge made Empress Dowager Cao very satisfied. Of course she knew that the new emperor was trying his best to win over the old ministers and nobles, but after such a long time, the response was mediocre. Now with the guarantee of Zhou Chen, the Duke of Jingguo, she was mostly relieved.
.
Chapter completed!