When Huang Jin left Nanjing with the imperial guards, he left Tian Hangnan behind and asked him to protect Li Qi.
Tian Hangnan's attitude towards Li Qi has obviously changed since he heard those words outside the camp last time.
In his heart, he was not so loyal to Huang Jin, but rather wanted to take refuge with Li Qi.
Although he was Huang Jin's personal soldier, he had worked so hard all these years just because he wanted to get promoted.
But he had been with Huang Jin for many years, and he was just a captain. If Huang Jin hadn't treated him well, he might have had the idea of seeking refuge with others.
After all, who doesn’t want to climb up?
After getting along with each other for a few days, Li Qi also found that Colonel Tian's attitude towards him was obviously different from before.
Naturally, he didn't know what Tian Hangnan was thinking, nor did he know that his words that day would make him want to take refuge in him.
"Captain Tian, you have worked really hard these past few days." Li Qi picked up a glass of wine and said, "I would like to toast you to this glass of wine."
Tian Hangnan raised his glass and said, "Your Majesty, you're welcome. I haven't been able to help you much these past few days. Instead, I rewarded my subordinates with a lot of money..."
"It's just a little money, nothing to worry about." Li Qi said with a smile.
Although I was robbed by the Tianji Society, I am not short of money.
"I heard that Mr. Li came to Guangnan this time and was recommended by the prince?" Tian Hangnan asked with a smile.
Li Qi took a sip of wine, glanced at Tian Hangnan, and thought to himself: This guy has been trying to trick me from time to time these days. What does he want to do? Want to know my background?
Could it be that Huang Jin asked him to come here to find out the news?
It shouldn't be. Although Huang Jin is a military attache, he has been an official for many years. It is not difficult to figure out his background.
If Huang Jin didn't ask him to inquire, does that mean he wanted to know?
What does he want to know about his background?
Thinking about it, Li Qi rolled his eyes and thought of a possibility.
Could it be that this guy wants to join me?
But he was Huang Jin's personal soldier, so why did he want to find another master for him?
I understand. It seems that what happened last time made Huang Jin suspicious of him and his trust dropped. He probably noticed it, so he got close to me.
"I didn't expect Captain Tian to know about this?" Li Qi said with a smile, "Originally, I was a businessman. It was just a chance that I saved the prince's life. Later, the prince inexplicably recruited me to serve as an attendant in the palace.
Now, I have become acquainted with the prince over time. The prince is very easy to get along with, and he keeps nagging all day long about giving me a high official position..."
Speaking of this, Li Qi lowered his voice and said: "Brother Tian, I won't hide it from you. The reason why I came to Guangnan this time is just to go through the motions. I will be promoted after I return."
"Is this what the prince meant?" Tian Hangnan asked, stunned for a moment.
Li Qi nodded: "The prince also said that when I get promoted this time, he will find something for me to do later and find a third-grade official for me. To be honest, I have no interest in being an official at all.
If it weren't for the fact that I couldn't refuse the prince's kindness, I wouldn't want to be an official at all."
After hearing this in Versailles, Tian Hangnan felt jealous in his heart.
It also made him understand how important it is to find a good backstage.
Look at yourself, you have followed Huang Jin for many years, but you are still a seventh-grade official.
And what about Li Qi? He is simply rising through the ranks!
Comparing people to each other is really annoying.
"In the future, when the prince ascends the throne, he will probably make me a bigger official... This will also give me a headache." Li Qi said with a depressed look.
Tian Hangnan asked: "Why are you so uninterested in being an official?"
"You don't understand, these people all have their own ambitions. Some people like to be officials, while some people like to fight. Everyone is interested in different things. Being an official is good, but you have to be controlled... I have always been
I am used to being idle and prefer freedom."
Li Qi changed the subject as he spoke: "But, since you have entered the officialdom, you naturally have to serve the court wholeheartedly. The prince treats me well, and I cannot let him down."
"That's what Mr. Li said." Tian Hangnan said.
"Come on, brother Tian, don't just talk and drink." Li Qi raised his glass.
After three rounds of drinking, Tian Hangnan was still struggling with whether he should show his loyalty to Li Qi or not.
If you show loyalty, how can you make him value you?
The most important thing is, what can I do for him?
These questions kept lingering in his mind, and he didn't know whether it was because he drank too much or because he was too utilitarian.
Tian Hangnan couldn't bear it anymore, raised a glass of wine and knelt down on one knee: "Master Li!"
"What are you doing?" Li Qi looked at Tian Hangnan and suddenly knelt down for him, and was a little unable to react for a moment.
"I, Tian Hangnan, joined the army at the age of fourteen and followed General Huang for more than fifteen years. I only have martial arts skills. Now that I am almost thirty years old, I still have nothing to accomplish."
Tian Hangnan looked at Li Qi sincerely and said, "I hope Mr. Li can take care of you..."
As soon as these words came out, Li Qi finally understood what he was thinking.
I thought: This Tian Hang man is pretty good, at least he is loyal and much more reliable than Huang Jin.
Although his official position is low now, as long as he puts in a few nice words to the prince and helps him run the business later, it will not be difficult for him to be promoted to an official or something.
From now on, he can be regarded as my person in the court.
"Captain Tian." Li Qi looked at Tian Hangnan seriously and said, "Do you know that if your words today reach General Huang's ears, your career will probably come to an end?"
"My subordinates know!"
"I'll just pretend I didn't hear anything. Get up quickly."
"Sir, since I dare to say these words today, I am not afraid of General Huang's blame. From today on, I, Tian Hangnan, will only look after Mr. Li! From now on, if Mr. Li has anything to do, I will be there without hesitation!
"
"Are you serious about what you said?" Li Qi asked calmly.
"Absolutely no lies!"
"Okay!" Li Qi helped him up and said, "Since Brother Tian is so sincere, I will leave my words here. From now on, as long as I, Li, become a successful person, Brother Tian will be able to rise to the top.
Enjoy glory and wealth."
"Thank you, sir!" Tian Hangnan said with a grateful face.
Li Qi asked him to sit down, picked up a glass of wine and said: "Colonel Tian, although you want to do things for me, General Huang says that I am my sworn brother. In order not to let him think too much, we can contact each other privately in the future, and you can do it for the time being."
Stay with him and continue to be a captain, and wait until I find a way to promote you."
"Thank you, sir!"
"Don't be so polite. You will be one of our own from now on. I, Li Qi, will never treat my own people badly, so from now on in private, don't call me sir, just call me brother." Li Qi said.
Although Li Qi said this, Tian Hangnan still didn't dare to ask him. He was older than Li Qi, but he still called: "Brother Li."