In the study room of the British government, Zhang Shi and Zhu Yi sat opposite each other.
The aroma of tea lingers, and wisps of hot steam rise up, spiraling upward, lingering for a long time.
The look on Zhang Xi's face was unprecedentedly cautious, and his voice became a little aggressive, he said.
"Do you know that preventing this matter from being implemented is not only the idea of Marquis Ningyuan, but also the intention of the Supreme Emperor. In other words, by doing this... you are disobeying the Supreme Emperor's will!"
As he spoke, Zhang Xi leaned forward slightly, with a dangerous light in his eyes, carrying a strong sense of oppression.
However, facing this situation, Zhu Yi was not confused at all. She pressed the cup in front of Zhang Xi, pulled it between the two of them, and nodded equally seriously.
"Know!"
Zhang Xi's face became heavier and heavier, and there was an inexplicable meaning in his tone as he said.
"Then you must understand that nowadays, for those who have high honors and outstanding abilities, serving as a marquis is almost the only option."
"If you want to overthrow him in exchange for inheriting the title of Duke Cheng, you are internally draining the nobles' little remaining energy and encouraging the civil servants to suppress the nobles!"
The atmosphere in the study suddenly became stagnant. Zhang Xi stared at Zhu Yi without blinking, but the latter remained unmoved and continued to nod.
"clear!"
"Then you know..."
Zhang Xi stood up, put his hands on the table, and looked at the opposite side from a high position.
"Even if this matter goes smoothly and the Chengguo Palace can successfully inherit the title, this is just an unspoken deal."
"The situation in the court is like this. Even if you continue to flatter the emperor, with Li Xian, Fan Guang and others waiting, the emperor will not be able to entrust you with important responsibilities."
"After this incident, we will still stick to Nangong!"
This time, Zhu Yi fell silent.
It only took a moment before he raised his head, his attitude still firm.
"clear!"
"Still not wanting to change your mind at all?"
"No!"
Although he already knew the result, Zhang Xi couldn't help but feel helpless when he looked at the unwavering Zhu Yi in front of him.
Holding on to the table, he slowly sat on the chair and gently rubbed his forehead. His voice was not as stressful as before, but he was still serious.
"Have you never thought about what if I don't agree to help you?"
"If you can't turn this cup over, there will no longer be a place for you in the government and the public!"
This is certainly not Zhang Xi's bluff.
As Zhu Yi said, the most important part of this plan is to remove the fuel from the bottom of the cauldron and remove everything that Ren Li can rely on.
The support of the British government is Ren Li's greatest confidence today.
As long as this is present, no matter how big the storm is, Ren Li will dare to touch it.
This was also the reason why Ren Li wanted to resist from the very beginning.
But the Chengguo Duke's Mansion is different.
If he could not win the support of the British government, then Zhu Yi would have no choice but to join forces with the Changping Houfu to attack Ren Li in the court.
In this case, there are two ways to win or lose.
Even if you get your wish in the end, you will be on the opposite side of all the nobles.
Even so, with the marriage granted by the Holy Mother and the Empress Dowager, it was still impossible for the Duke Chengguo to gain the emperor's unreserved trust.
At that time, even if the title is regained, the Chengguo Palace will be in an embarrassing situation where neither party can rely on it.
The Chengguo Duke's Palace is holding the British Duke's Palace hostage, but the British Duke's Palace doesn't have the means to suppress the Chengguo Duke's Palace...
The two people's eyes collided in the air, and Zhu Yi smiled slightly, with strong confidence in his words.
"The Duke of Chengguo has no way out, but the Duke of England is not at the end of the road yet. Shibo, do you want to fight with your nephew for determination?"
One sentence highlights the key point.
Up to now, what the two of them are competing against is nothing more than the other's determination.
Whoever is not determined enough will lose the initiative.
So, with Zhang Xi's complicated look on his face, Zhu Yi slowly stretched out his hand and gently pressed it on the only cup that was still facing up in the middle of the table.
Then, he firmly buckled it down and said softly.
"Shibo has already made a decision, so why bother trying to make things up?"
A simple action, at this moment, has a different meaning.
Zhang Xi leaned back gently on the chair and pinched his eyebrows. This time, he finally did not continue to deny it, but just said.
"After all, these forty or so noble families are all making wedding clothes for your Duke Chengguo. Do you know that if you use this method too much, it will backfire..."
The words were unpleasant, but a smile appeared on Zhu Yi's face.
If you are willing to negotiate terms, it means that most of the things are done.
With a slight sigh of relief, Zhu Yi shook her head and asked.
"What are you talking about, Shibo? The noble families are united, the Chengguo Duke's position is stable, and the British government is naturally impregnable. Furthermore, in Shibo's heart, he doesn't want to see Ning Yuanhou being so prominent.
?"
Zhang Xi opened his eyes, his expression uncertain, but he did not deny it.
Indeed, during this period of time, Ren Li's excessive focus on organizing the military settlement also aroused his vigilance.
You must know that the original plan was just to let Ren Li take charge of the overall situation temporarily, and when Zhang Fu returned from his mission, he would retire.
When the time comes, Zhang Fu will be responsible for welcoming back the emperor, and his status in the military government will naturally rise to a higher level.
However, unexpectedly, the situation suddenly changed and the Emperor did come back, but Zhang Fu also ended up with his body and head missing.
In desperation, Ren Li, the temporary person in charge, gradually became worthy of his name.
Since Zhang Fu's death, Zhang Fu could clearly feel that the number of noble generals who used to visit the British government gradually decreased.
Correspondingly, the Ningyuan Marquis Mansion began to become crowded.
This is commonplace and can be expected, but the vague discomfort in Zhang Shi's heart is indeed real.
Moreover, this slight discomfort was magnified by Zhu Yi just now.
Although he didn't say it explicitly, Zhang Xi immediately understood what he meant when he asked this question.
Although now, these forces in the military government and the nobles of the Northern Expedition group all followed Ren Li because they looked at the face of the British government.
However, this is like leading troops in an army to fight a war.
The newly appointed general may not have enough prestige to make his subordinates truly respect him, but as long as he wins several consecutive battles and wins the morale of the army, it is not difficult.
Ren Li is now the general.
As he shows up in the court again and again, and leads nobles and nobles to fight with civil servants again and again, no matter they win or lose, the relationship between them will quickly heat up.
Gradually, the influence of the British government on them will become smaller and smaller until it is eliminated invisible.
It is true that the stability of Ren Li's status is definitely a good thing for the Supreme Emperor and his party.
However, not everyone has the spirit to sacrifice themselves for the overall situation.
At least, the British government, the Zhang family, Zhang Xi... are not!
Heaving a long sigh of relief, Zhang Xi straightened up, looked at Zhu Yi with clear eyes, and asked.
"So, what do you plan to do, young master? He will not really fall out with the Supreme Emperor, right? If so, I'm sorry that I can't accompany you."