Back to the prosperous Tang Dynasty to be the emperor

Chapter 98 The Art of Compromise (6)

"Well, what are you talking about, he won't come?"

In the study room of the Xiande Palace in the Eastern Palace, the crown prince Li Hong, who was sitting upright behind a few sons, immediately drooped his face after hearing Wang Dequan's reply, and let out a bad tone.

"Yes, if you go back to Your Highness, the slaves are incompetent, and they couldn't invite His Highness King Zhou to the banquet."

Wang Dequan had followed the prince for a long time, so he knew that Li Hong was usually a gentle person, but once he got angry, he would be as fierce as a thunderbolt from the blue sky. At this time, when he saw Li Hong's expression was not right, he immediately panicked God, not caring too much, knelt down on the ground in a hurry, kowtowed, and hurriedly explained.

"Humph!"

Li Hong snorted coldly, his pale face was filled with anger, but in the end he still didn't lose his temper, he just waved his hand in annoyance, signaling Wang Dequan to back down, but he stood up anxiously, He walked back and forth in the room for a few steps, and managed to suppress the anger in his heart. Then he cast his eyes on Yan Liben and Liu Xiangdao who were standing aside, and asked in a deep voice, "Yan Gong, Liu Gong, Does that kid really intend to accept He Gong's job?"

Li Hong was obviously really angry, and his words lost their usual gentleness, and even such unrefined words as "boy" came out of his mouth. In view of this, Yan and Liu did not dare to be casual. After commenting on this matter, after looking at each other, they all put on a stance of frowning and thinking in a very tacit understanding. As for whether they are really thinking about this matter, only the two of them know clearly in their hearts.

"Why? Did the two lovers see nothing about this?"

The matter of He Gong was too involved, and Li Hongshi could hardly maintain a normal mind. Seeing that the two confidants hadn't said a word for a long time, the restlessness in his heart could no longer be suppressed. .

"Your Highness, according to this old minister, His Royal Highness King Zhou may not really intend to capture He Gong's envoy. The reason why he refused to be called here may be a trick to capture him." Although Yan and Liu did not want to spend too much time on this matter However, after being asked by Li Hong, he was forced to the corner of the wall, and it was impossible not to answer. In desperation, Yan Liben had no choice but to bite the bullet and stand up, and replied with a slight hesitation in his tone: .

"Playing hard to get? What do you mean by that?"

Li Hong's heart was obviously a little confused, and he didn't have the heart to think about the subtext of Yan Li's words for a while, so he asked directly.

"His Royal Highness, according to the old minister, His Royal Highness Zhou's move may be just a small trick for bargaining. The matter of Hegong is so important, how can His Royal Highness Zhou, a fledgling generation, be able to afford it? From the perspective of the situation Analysis, even if there is an intervention by the Empress, it is impossible to fall into his hands. Those who are really capable of taking down the Hegong matter, there is no one else except His Highness and His Royal Highness King Lu. I think His Highness King Zhou must be aware of this. It's just that because of the empress's recommendation, His Royal Highness King Zhou's current position is extremely critical. Whichever side he leans on, the chances of winning will be greater for that side. The conflict and the refusal of His Highness's invitation are all caused by this, and there is nothing strange at all." Seeing that Li Hong could not calmly think about the problem, Yan Liben could only try his best to explain the reasons in detail, even though he was unwilling.

"Well, that's how it is. It's really a pity that Gu's seventh brother doesn't want to be a merchant. Anyway, if he doesn't want to come, Gu can go by himself." Yan Liben's analysis was reasonable, and his restless heart immediately calmed down a lot, and he was even in the mood to ridicule Li Xian.

"Your Highness doesn't need to go there in person, and send someone to invite you last time, and His Highness King Zhou will definitely come!"

The crown prince is the lord of a half-lord, and he cannot easily step out of the East Palace. At this time, the situation is complicated, and it is even more difficult to move lightly. Yan and Liu are both mature and prudent people, so they dare not let Li Hong act like this. After taking a look, they almost remonstrated in unison.

"That's fine, then I'll send someone to go there again." Li Hong thought for a while, and felt that as a prince, it was indeed inappropriate for him to appear in the Prince Zhou's mansion at such a sensitive time. , even if it was not appropriate to go there in plain clothes, he no longer insisted on his own opinion, nodded, and agreed to the advice of Yan and Liu... "My brother, please see the elder brother of the prince!"

As expected by Yan Liben, when Wang Dequan went to the Zhou Palace to urge him again, Li Xian readily agreed, without even the slightest delay. Before Li Hong greeted him with a smiling face, Li Xian had already rushed to the front, and saluted meticulously. There was no flaw in such a respectful gesture to be picky about.

"Forget it, the seventh brother's boss is really hard to invite, as a brother, I can't wait to see it."

Li Hong was really angry in his heart, even though he knew that Li Xian was an important figure in Hegong's affairs, but when he thought that the younger brother in front of him actually played tricks with him, his unhappiness surged up uncontrollably. Brilliant, but there are obvious thorns in the words.

Cut, what this guy said is really sour, so please fuck me, we are here to talk to you about business, not beggars, just come here as soon as you shout, I have no experience!Li Xian had originally planned to make a big deal with Li Hong on the river project, so the East Palace would naturally have to go through with it, but if Li Hong wasn't mentally prepared, the deal would have to collapse, which was also the case. This is the reason for Li Xian's refusal of the invitation earlier. His purpose was to convey a message that Li Xian's asking price is not low. Li Xian couldn't figure out the meaning of tactful refusal, Li Xian was really a little nervous, but, in Li Xian's opinion, there are many capable people around the prince, even if he can't think of it himself, there is always someone who can figure it out, as long as Li Hong can understand it The implication is that he will definitely send someone to urge him again, which is why Li Xian dared to decline Li Hong's first invitation. It is clear that he has realized his own intention of refusing, and he will not be as knowledgeable as him, so he laughed, handed over his hands and apologized and said: "Little brother came a step late, and asked the prince to wait. It's a sin, a sin."

"Forget it, it's good if you come, come and give me a seat."

Li Xian is an important person who solves the problem of the river project, and Li Hong didn't want to offend him too much. Seeing that Li Xian had made amends, he couldn't make use of it anymore, so he raised his hand and signaled Li Xian not to be polite, and then gave The treatment given by Li Xian to sit, after the order was given, a group of eunuchs hurriedly brought Zhang Jindun to him, and Li Xian was not too polite, so he pleaded guilty and sat down. Waiting for Li Hong's instruction.

"Seventh brother, have you heard about it? Liu Yizhi, Zhou Simao and other scholars from the North Gate jointly recommend you to be in charge of the river project. I wonder if the seventh brother has any thoughts on this?"

Li Hong's ability in government affairs is extremely outstanding, but his eloquence is only so-so. Not to mention compared with the unparalleled Li Xian, even compared to Li Xian, he is far inferior. Li Xian, Li Hong actually felt a little unsure where to start. After hesitating for a while, he simply came straight to the point.

idea?Ha, that's too much, what we think is not important, what you always think is the key!Li Xian didn't expect Li Hong to hold back for a long time, but to ask a serious matter so bluntly, he couldn't help but secretly laughed, but his face was full of respect and humility, and he cupped his hands and replied: "Brother Prince, that's the minister. You love me, but my younger brother can hardly bear this burden, ashamed, ashamed!"

What Li Xian said was ashamed, but there was no trace of self-ashamedness on his face. Instead, there was a hint of complacency. Seeing that Li Hong was upset for no reason, I really wanted to scold Li Xian angrily, but unfortunately he also I can only think about it, and it is absolutely impossible to do it. In desperation, I had no choice but to reply vaguely: "Seventh brother is a great talent, the so-called ambition is not old, what you are talking about is the talent of the seventh brother." The people of Zongheng have always admired him a lot as a brother."

"Where, where, the elder brother of the prince is too famous, and the younger brother is no more than the appearance of a willow, and he can't be called talented, let alone the one who is very talented, but the elder brother of the prince is unparalleled in ability, and he is a model for the younger generation." Those high-sounding nonsense, there are not many people in the world who can compare with Li Xian. Seeing that Li Hong is reserved and refuses to make any conditions, Li Xian is not planning to rush to talk about business. He is just talking nonsense. A set of nonsense will naturally flow up.

"Seventh Brother's mouth, it's true, that's all, I can't tell you, brother, let's talk about business." Li Hong had already learned Li Xian's eloquence, and he didn't want to talk about those useless digressions, so he laughed and scolded After one sentence, his expression became serious, and he looked at Li Xian with piercing eyes and said: "Seventh brother should know that the river project is related to the safety of the country and must not be sloppy. However, there are many discussions in the court, but there is no conclusion. It is really not good for the court. I am alone today. Brother came here just to hear Seventh Brother's opinion on this matter, you can say whatever you want, it doesn't matter if you are wrong."

"Well, since the elder brother of the crown prince said so, I dare not be perfunctory." Speaking of business, Li Xian immediately straightened his back, and the playful smile on his face disappeared, and he bowed his hands solemnly. He replied: "The matter of the river project is of great benefit to the community. The importance of this is no need for my ministers to say too much. It should be done quickly. Now the important thing is who is in charge of the affairs. The ministers are young and lack experience. It is really unbearable." Use, in today's court, there is no one else who can take charge of this important task, except for the prince and sixth brother!"

"Oh? Since that's the case, who does Seventh Brother think is more suitable?"

When Li Hong heard that Li Xian pushed himself and Li Xian side by side, not only was he not angry, but secretly happy, his eyes flashed, and he hurriedly asked a question, but unexpectedly, Li Xian did not answer, but said with deep meaning. He smiled, and that smile fell into Li Xian's eyes, and a slight chill rose from the bottom of his heart for no reason...

(End of this chapter)