Xiao Huaiyuan's face was too square, so there was nothing wrong with Fang Zheng's description of him. Unfortunately, Xiao Huaiyuan didn't understand, so he cupped his hands perfunctorily and said with a smile: "If we are destined to meet, I would like to get acquainted with you."
This is Brother Qing who looks similar to me."
Fang Zheng smiled and nodded: "Absolutely, you two will definitely have a good chat."
Since this meal was Fang Zheng's treat, Xiao Huaiyuan was not polite to him. He raised his chopsticks and ate hard. The Bazhen Banquet was indeed extremely delicious, and the ingredients were precious, so it was rare to eat it. Xiao Huaiyuan was sweating profusely,
The food appearance was not very elegant, but he didn't care at all. Fang Zheng once again felt that this Xiao Huaiyuan had many similarities with himself, and shamelessness was just one of them.
After three toasts to each other, Fang Zheng put down his glass and asked, "Brother Xiao, what's the purpose of mentioning Mr. Li to me just now?"
Xiao Huaiyuan said with a smile: "Brother Fang and I hit it off as old friends, and I knew that Brother Fang was an official in the court, so we talked about it casually, but Brother Fang didn't take it to heart."
This guy is as slippery as a loach. It seems that the friendship is not that good, and this guy won't tell the truth.
Fang Zheng chuckled and said, "I haven't asked Brother Xiao yet what he does for a living?"
Xiao Huaiyuan's eyes flashed, and then he said with a smile: "I dare not hide it from Brother Fang. I am a small handyman in the Prince's Mansion. I laugh when I see you."
Fang Zheng was shocked. Who is the prince? He said he was a handyman. Judging from his clothes and temperament, I am afraid that this statement is very modest.
Fang Zheng had always been cautious about the prince. He felt that the prince looked elegant and gentle, and he spoke politely. Fang Zheng also wanted to win over him, but Fang Zheng just didn't like him. Just like animals, they have a natural instinct for enemies.
Fang Zheng couldn't say anything bad about the prince, but he always kept a distance from the prince intentionally or unintentionally. The prince gave him generous gifts twice but he didn't move him.
The Xiao Huaiyuan in front of him was the prince's man, so Fang Zheng had to be careful. It was one thing that he admired him personally, but Fang Zheng didn't want to have anything to do with the prince. He knew very well that he didn't have the ability to do so.
Playing with fire, the ancient laws are strict, and it is easy to be implicated in matters involving the royal family, and once implicated, the whole family may lose their heads. Fang Zheng is not a bold person, for himself and for the whole family.
, he must choose to stay away from the prince.
From this, one question after another arose in Fang Zheng's mind: Did this kid really know me unintentionally, or was he instigated by the prince? If he was instigated, he would never admit so frankly to his face.
People from the Prince's Mansion. Also, what on earth is he trying to find out when he is hiding outside Mr. Li's room? It's really puzzling...
"Ah! It turns out that Brother Xiao is on an errand in the residence of our noble Crown Prince, so he is disrespectful and disrespectful!" Fang Zheng exaggeratedly raised his hands towards Xiao Huaiyuan.
Xiao Huaiyuan was stunned, and quickly responded: "You're welcome! It's just a bowl of rice. How can I compare to Brother Fang, Xiao Ao Chaotang, who turned the tide and saved the Hua Dynasty and the people from dire straits. Compared to Brother Fang, I am simply inferior.
It’s so worthless to mention, so shameless!”
This guy's flattery skills are not any weaker than his own, so he seems to be a formidable opponent.
Fang Zheng said sternly: "Brother Xiao, what you said is wrong. His Highness the Crown Prince is the crown prince of our Hua Dynasty. He will ascend to the throne in the future. I have long heard that His Highness the Crown Prince is gentle and kind-hearted. He has a tolerant temperament. He should be able to work under the Crown Prince.
What an honor and happiness, I wish I could switch with Brother Xiao, Brother Xiao, I really envy you!"
Xiao Huaiyuan's face turned a little blue. Hearing this, he pulled the corner of his mouth and smiled: "Brother Fang is really... really... haha..."
After much deliberation, Xiao Huaiyuan was at a loss for words that could accurately express Young Master Fang's character.
"It's really shameless, isn't it?" Fang Zheng said it for him with a smile...
Xiao Huaiyuan nodded and laughed: "I'm so lucky to know Brother Fang!"
Fang Zheng smiled and said: "To each other, we brothers will have to get closer in the future."
So the two began to exchange cups and cups that seemed to be intimate, but in fact were somewhat hypocritical.
When it comes to being shameless and cheating, Fang Zheng is still slightly better after all, especially at the wine table. Fang Zheng has learned many methods of cheating or persuading people to drink from his previous life. No matter how slippery and shrewd the ancient man Xiao Huaiyuan is, how can he compare to Fang Zheng?
Zheng? In a short time, Fang Zheng got Xiao Huaiyuan drunk, but Fang Zheng himself was unharmed.
Looking at Xiao Huaiyuan who was lying on the table and sleeping, Fang Zheng smiled and walked down.
When Yao Yue's shopkeeper saw Fang Zheng come down, he hurriedly saluted and said respectfully: "Young master, have you and your noble friend eaten?"
Fang Zheng patted the shopkeeper on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Well, the taste is getting better and better recently, not bad. Take good care of it. In a few days, I will recommend you to my father as the butler of the company."
The shopkeeper was overjoyed, thanked him profusely, and swore a vicious oath, saying that his loyalty to Fang's company would be revealed in the light of day.
Fang Zheng waved his hand and said with a smile: "Don't make it so serious..."
Patting the shopkeeper's shoulder, Fang Zheng pointed up and whispered: "The guy who came with me is actually not my friend, but my enemy. That enemy made me very unhappy today. I will wait for you later."
You go up to him and ask him to pay for today's meal. Don't be polite to him and charge him two hundred taels..."
The shopkeeper had just been praised and promoted by the Young Master's family. Now was the time to show his loyalty. Hearing this, he geared up and said with hatred: "The enemies of the Young Master's family are the enemies of our entire Fang family business. Don't worry, the Young Master, I understand."
Fang Zheng laughed heartily and swaggered out of Yaoyue. No matter whether he is an enemy or a friend of Brother Xiao in the future, it doesn't matter whether he is a friend or an enemy in the future.
Not long after, a stern and indignant roar came from Yao Yue Wu's private room: "Didn't I tell you that he was treating me?"
"...Your young master is simply a bastard!"
"...No money! I have no money!"
“I don’t even have the money to send me to see an official!”
"…………"
--------------------------
Inside the Prince's Mansion.
In the secluded back hall, the prince was holding his hands behind his back, looking up at the bright moon above his head, wondering what he was thinking.
A middle-aged man in black clothes was standing behind the prince, with his hands lowered and respectfully reporting in a low voice: "...Since Liu Shilang of the Ministry of Revenue raided the Qing Dynasty, our income has dropped by nearly 50%. Your Highness's daily needs are
Expenditures, such as money for making friends with courtiers and border generals, etc., have shrunk greatly. If this continues, I am afraid that my subordinates may be detrimental to the prince's great cause. Please investigate and make a decision."
The prince sighed, "The past two years have been really troubled in the DPRK. The Turks retreated before they could invade, and the negotiations were concluded. However, the party disputes in the DPRK and the DPRK started again. Alas! My father has worked really hard, and I can't bear it.
ah."
The middle-aged man in black looked up at the prince in surprise when he heard the words. It seemed that he did not expect that the prince would say these words. Then he quickly lowered his head and said respectfully: "The emperor is old and his physical strength is getting weaker. Prince
Your Highness and even a filial person should share more of the state affairs for the Emperor."
The prince nodded and said with a smile: "That's right. Seeing that my father's body is getting worse day by day, as a son and minister, I see it in my eyes and feel pain in my heart. I should share my father's worries more."
The middle-aged man carefully probed: "Your Highness, the matter of Minister Liu's investigation of Qing..."
A bit of gloom flashed in the prince's eyes, and then he regained his composure. The prince smiled lightly and said: "Then let him investigate, and ignore it for the time being. It is the father's intention to govern Qing Dynasty, and I can't let him go."
According to the decree, when expenditures are met in the future, they will be temporarily withdrawn from the treasury in the palace to last for this period of time.”….
The middle-aged man responded respectfully, and then added: "I heard that Liu Shilang and Pan Shangshu also had a very unpleasant quarrel because of the investigation of Qing..."
A strange look flashed in the prince's eyes, and he said with a smile: "Oh? Is this the case? The teacher is getting older, but his temper is still the same as before. Haha, why are they quarreling?"
"According to reports from people arranged by His Highness the Crown Prince in the Shangshu Mansion, Pan Shangshu hoped that Liu Shilang would give up the search, but Liu Shilang actually refused Pan Shangshu in order to avenge his son."
The prince smiled happily: "Isn't Liu Shilang a disciple of the teacher? If he hadn't been promoted by the teacher in these years, how could he have sat in the position of Minister of the Ministry of Finance? Did he even risk his own future and life for his son?"
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is right. Shilang Liu seems to be disillusioned with the officialdom. He has expressed it several times that after avenging his son, he resigned and returned home."
After pondering for a moment, the prince suddenly asked: "What is that Fang Zheng doing now?"
The middle-aged man said: "Fang Zheng is idle now, wandering around the capital. A few days ago in Nuanchun Pavilion, he somehow met Xiao Huaiyuan in His Highness's residence. The subordinates dared to ask, is this a deliberate arrangement by His Highness the Crown Prince?
"
The prince shook his head and asked with a puzzled expression: "How could Xiao Huaiyuan know him? I never gave him any instructions. Did they do it intentionally or unintentionally..."
"His Royal Highness, would you like to summon Xiao Huaiyuan to come and ask?"
"No, just pretend you don't know about this. Just send someone to keep an eye on it carefully. I don't want any small detail to spoil my big event! Either don't move, or you have to do it with one strike. We only have one chance."
Opportunity, do you understand?"
"yes!"
-------------------
Inside the royal study.
The emperor summoned Fang Zheng again.
"Weak minister Fang Zheng, long live my emperor..."
"Okay, stop talking nonsense and come in." The emperor's voice contained a smile.
Fang Zheng quickly stood up and walked in on the red carpet in the imperial study room.
"Wow! Your Majesty, I haven't seen you for a few days. I noticed that you are much younger and the wrinkles on your face have faded a lot. It seems that your Majesty is in good spirits these days. Your Majesty is the backbone of our Hua Dynasty and your dragon body.
Health is always on the minds of the people all over the world. For the sake of the country, the country, and the people of the world, the emperor must take care of his dragon body and not work too hard..."
Seeing that the emperor was smiling and seemed to be in a good mood, Fang Zheng took this opportunity and quickly stepped forward to flatter him.
The emperor chuckled and said, "Your mouth is so slippery. I don't know how many people you have deceived."
Fang Zheng smiled and said: "How can such a loyal and honest person like me be so naughty? Your Majesty's words are serious..."
"If you are honest and honest, there will never be a cunning and treacherous person in the world."
When the monarch and his ministers met this time, the atmosphere was quite harmonious and cordial. Fang Zheng looked at the emperor, whose hair was getting darker, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. In fact, he was just an old man, a lonely old man, living in a very big house.
In the house, he needs his children and grandchildren to talk to him, make him happy, and even act coquettishly with him. However, he may not be able to realize this wish. With the imperial prestige that has been formed for a long time, even a fat man may not even dare to be grand in front of him.
Go out, let alone talk and laugh.
Fang Zheng felt that he could be so loved by the emperor, and the emperor did not blame him for several times of mischief. Perhaps it was for this reason. After all, in the entire Hua Dynasty, only young master Fang was the only one who dared to show up in front of the emperor.
This is not big or small, it is exactly the warmth that the emperor hopes for in his heart.
"Fang Zheng, you are naughty enough. I asked you to govern the youth, but you pushed Liu Shilang of the Ministry of Revenue to the front. It would be better for you to hide behind and keep quiet. You can do your errands without offending the court.
Minister, you please both sides, and you can have your way. To be honest, I really admire you." The emperor said with a half-smile but not a smile...
Fang Zheng smiled proudly after hearing this: "The main thing is that Wei Chen can understand the holy will. Haha, the emperor said that Wei Chen will be reused. If Wei Chen comes forward and offends all the ministers, how will Wei Chen do errands for the emperor in the future?
Yeah, you say so?"
The emperor smiled slightly and did not comment.
"Do you know why I asked you to come here today?" the emperor asked with a smile.
Fang Zheng shook his head: "The Emperor is unpredictable and far-sighted. Everything he says and sees is based on the overall situation. I can only admire the Emperor and dare not speculate..."
"Okay, okay, put away your flattery, it's really a clumsy photo shoot." The emperor said with a smile.
"You can leave the matter of governing the youth to Minister Liu. Come, I will introduce you to someone."
The emperor clapped his hands as he spoke, and a person appeared from behind the white jade screen in the imperial study room. This person was about thirty years old, with a medium build and an ordinary appearance. He was the kind of person who would be forgotten at a glance in a crowd. Moreover, this person was wearing regular clothes.
, he is not wearing official robes, what does the emperor mean by introducing him to me?
After the man came out, he bowed his hand politely towards Fang Zheng and said with a smile, "I'm Wensen, I've met Mr. Fang."
Fang Zheng glanced at the emperor and saw that he was looking at the two of them with a smile. Then Fang Zheng smiled and cupped his hands at Wen Sen and said: "Nice to meet you! Brother Wen has a good name. Haha, it's catchy and will be appreciated by both refined and popular people."
, I can tell from the first listen that you are not someone to be trifled with, Wen Sen, God of Plague, haha..."
Wen Sen smiled and said, "Mr. Fang was so complimentary that I was born with a missing tree, so my parents gave me the word 'Sen'. Haha, it made Master Fang laugh."
Fang Zheng said with a smile: "If the hit is short of wood, the name is Sen; if the hit is short of gold, the name is Xin; if the hit is short of water, the name is Miao..."
Wen Sen nodded and smiled: "Exactly, many people believe in this, haha."
Fang Zheng pondered for a while, frowned and said: "It's inappropriate, it's inappropriate..."
The emperor and Wen Sen were surprised and said in unison: "What's wrong?"
"Well...if you name someone 'Jing', what is missing in his life?"