The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

The next day, Chen Huai'an arrived at Wangchuan Tower.

This is a fairly famous restaurant in Chang'an. Business is not particularly good on weekdays, but it is not bad either.

The facilities and layout inside are quite good, the environment is very nice, and even the materials used for the tables, chairs and benches are not ordinary.

As soon as he entered, a pretty woman came to greet him. Before he could say a word, the woman subtly gestured for him to go upstairs.

Chen Huai'an didn't say anything; this was clearly arranged by Wang Gui.

She led Chen Huai'an straight across the second floor to a room on the third floor and gently knocked on the door.

Soon another woman opened the door.

Chen Huai'an glanced around and raised an eyebrow. Inside, there was nothing like the dining table and side table he had imagined, nor were there any living facilities such as a bed. Instead, there were two screens blocking his view.

"Please, sir/madam."

The woman respectfully gestured for him to enter.

Chen Huai'an stepped inside, and the two women gently closed the door.

Beyond the screen, Chen Huai'an saw Wang Gui, who had been waiting there for a long time. In front of him was a cup of tea that looked almost cold.

"Minister Wang has found a good place. This place is no ordinary place." Chen Huai'an glanced back with interest.

This restaurant might be a frequent venue for similar clandestine meetings.

Wang Gui rose to greet him, saying something that surprised Chen Huai'an: "It's just some small property. If the Duke of Anguo likes it, I can give it to you."

"Hmm?" Chen Huai'an was somewhat surprised. "This Wangchuan Tower belongs to your Wang family? You're giving it to me, really?"

Wang Gui said with a slight smile, "What's the difference between real and fake? If Duke Anguo likes it, he may take it."

"I will arrange for someone to deliver the house deed, land deed, and Wangchuan Tower to the Duke of Anguo's residence later."

Chen Huai'an gave Wang Gui a deep look, then sat down and said with a smile, "Very well, in that case, I thank you, Vice Minister Wang."

"No need for thanks." Wang Gui sat down and got straight to the point: "We're not exactly strangers. I know you to some extent and know you're not one for idle chatter."

"I have a question."

Chen Huai'an smiled faintly: "Minister Wang, please ask."

Wang Gui asked earnestly, "Does the Wang family even deserve the attention of the Duke of Anguo?"

Chen Huai'an's expression changed slightly, and he finally became serious.

Wang Gui's words showed a very humble attitude; he didn't ask whether the two sides could cooperate, what the conditions were, or how to cooperate.

Rather, it was a question of whether the Wang family was good enough for him.

Their attitude immediately became extremely high.

Chen Huai'an said, "Minister Wang, you flatter us. The Wang family of Taiyuan is renowned throughout the land; who would dare to look down on them?"

"I am no exception."

You treat me with courtesy, and I will naturally reciprocate with courtesy.

This is his code of conduct.

In short, they respond better to gentle persuasion than force.

"Since that's the case, Duke Anguo, I'll speak frankly," Wang Gui said directly. "You need us, and we need you just as much."

"I've come with sincerity this time, so I don't want to say too much, lest I annoy you."

"You help us gain some influence, and we'll help you withstand the pressure from the other three, ensuring stability in the world. How about that?"

A strange look appeared in Chen Huai'an's eyes: "Why three other families? Besides the Cui family of Boling, wouldn't there be four families left if you were included?"

Wang Gui chuckled and said, "A power struggle is not what Duke Anguo wants to see. I know that the Yang family of Taishan, as well as the families behind some of the eighteen scholars of the Prince of Qin's mansion, are also on your side."

"The royal family, the Cui family of Boling, the Wang family of Taiyuan, and these other families are enough to rival the other four families."

"But what's the point?"

"It's simply that the old balance was broken, and then everyone worked hard to find a new balance."

"While the Duke of Anguo has certainly gained much during this period, he still has the opportunity to gain even more, doesn't he?"

At this point, Wang Gui said with certainty, "If I am not mistaken, the Li family of Zhao County must also be within the scope of the Duke of Anguo's efforts to win them over."

"If we add the Li family of Zhao County, the remaining three families won't be able to cause much trouble, and wouldn't the Duke of Anguo then have an absolute advantage?"

Chen Huai'an looked at Wang Gui silently without saying a word.

He had never underestimated anyone, but Wang Gui's composure was still somewhat unexpected.

His goal has never changed from the beginning.

If the Zheng family hadn't suddenly decided to overturn the table and break the unspoken agreement, things wouldn't have escalated to this point.

The new imperial examination system will be implemented normally. Without a unified interpretation of the classics, aristocratic families will absolutely not obstruct it.

Now that the new rules are in place, everyone wants to get back to the table and become the rule-makers.

But this matter is not so easy.

Chen Huai'an shook his head: "Minister Wang, forgive my bluntness, but if you want to sit at the table, then maintaining stability is your duty."

"If you're trying to sway me with this offer, it will be difficult for us to continue this discussion."

"There are no permanent enemies in the world. The most stable relationships are actually of two kinds: one is shared interests, and the other is shared enemies."

"Since you are so frank, then I might as well tell you that the Wang family and the Li family of Zhao County are indeed the first families I have considered for cooperation, and they are also the most ideal."

"But I wouldn't rule out considering the Cui family of Qinghe or the Lu family of Fanyang."

Wang Gui nodded knowingly. In that case, the Zheng family was the one with the least chance.

Come to think of it, these idiots with their brains full of shit ruined the perfectly stable situation, which is why so much trouble has arisen.

Do you think no one guessed that Chen Huai'an had a backup plan?

But the fact that they didn't show it speaks volumes, doesn't it?

As a result, the Zheng family, being foolish, rushed in and probably had a very unpleasant argument with Chen Huai'an.

As a result, Chen Huai'an has not even considered the other party at the moment.

"What do you want?" Wang Gui asked seriously.

"I don't really know what I want. Why don't you tell me yourself, Minister Wang, what can you give me?" Chen Huai'an asked with a smile.

What he wants now is something the other party can't give him, so he can only lay the groundwork.

As for its significance... it's both important and unimportant.

In any case, maintaining stability is the most important thing at present.

His previous words were merely meant to scare Wang Gui; these powerful families had no reason to help deal with the other three families, they only wanted to maintain stability.

As soon as he said it, Wang Gui understood and realized that there would be some price to pay, so he didn't refute his words.

In that case, why not let the other party bring it up themselves?

Wang Gui fell into deep thought.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke: "You can take the Wang family's collection of books to have rubbings printed!"

"..."