"Hey, Master Fang, I'm just a servant. Do you really need to come out to greet me?"
Outside the Protectorate, Eunuch Xia saw Fang Yiai coming on horseback and quickly got off his carriage. Although he was Li Xiang's close friend, Fang Yiai was no longer the same as before. He was a high-ranking official stationed abroad. If he accepted this great gift in the carriage and someone reported him, he would be in big trouble.
In Chang'an City, when people met in casual clothes, they would greet each other and no one would talk about such things. After all, Chang'an City was all about having fun and no one had the time to care about such things, unless the person of higher rank forced the person of lower rank to greet them. Otherwise, who would have the time to make such a mess?
But the situation is different now. Eunuch Xia is carrying the imperial order, and Fang Yiai is a local official. The etiquette between the two is different. According to the rules of the court, Fang Yiai has to ask first, "Is the prince well?", and then Eunuch Xia will answer honestly. After the two of them have finished these serious matters, it is time to talk privately.
The two had a good relationship in Chang'an City. At that time, Fang Yiai was the son of the prime minister, and Eunuch Xia was just a small eunuch in the Eastern Palace. Li Xiang did not have the power he has today. In order to win over the prime minister, he could only let his eunuchs come forward. At that time, Master Fang did not show any arrogance, allowing Eunuch Xia to complete this task very well. Therefore, Eunuch Xia always remembered this good thing in his heart. Although the positions of the two have been switched now, Eunuch Xia will never control Fang Yiai.
After finishing the serious matters, the two of them entered the lobby of the Protectorate together. Fang Yiai asked everyone else to leave. "If you guys stay here, you will really delay our conversation."
"Eunuch Xia, Your Highness, did you remember me? If there's a place in the northwest where my wife is needed, I'll arrange for it immediately and go back with you. Even if I go to the northwest and work as a clerk, it's much better than being here. Look at me now, I'm so fat that I can't even get on a horse."
After the other people were gone, Fang Yiai's face no longer had the dignity it had just had. When facing outsiders, especially locals, he had to maintain the dignity of the Tang Empire and could not show too many expressions when speaking. If others could guess what he was saying, it would be a dereliction of duty for you, the Lord Duhu.
But now, there were no such things to worry about. Eunuch Xia might be a servant, but he was a servant of the Crown Prince, and he might very well rise to Wang De's position in the future. Just ask anyone in Chang'an: who dares to look down on Wang De? Even if his father was the prime minister, he still had to be polite when speaking to Wang De. Otherwise, he might not be able to accomplish much for you, but he could certainly ruin what you were trying to accomplish.
After hearing what Fang Yiai said, Eunuch Xia didn't know what to say. Before leaving, Li Xiang also explained that Fang Yiai had been here for many years and it was time to move him to another place, but no replacement could be found for the time being, so he had to stay here, maybe for one or two years, or maybe even longer.
Now the Tang Dynasty has not yet entered a period of absolute stability, and there are still some rebellions in various places. Only Fang Yiai's territory is very stable. If it were another person, perhaps there would be all kinds of things here, so Li Xiang would never take the risk of replacing him. As for Fang Yiai, he could only show him favor.
"Sir, those are matters of state. How can a eunuch like me interfere in such matters? I have come from the northwest this time to bring you greetings from His Highness. Also, your newly born son has been given a sixth-rank title by His Highness. Your family is very well-off."
Hearing what Eunuch Xia said, the smile on Fang Yiai's face disappeared. He was indeed happy to have a little son, but he already had six sons. In history, this guy was a cuckold king, but in this day and age, there was no such thing as a princess. Wouldn't it be more comfortable for him to just find some common women here?
Now His Highness has given your son a title. Although he is neither the legitimate son nor the eldest son, he has been given a title.
Doesn't this explain the problem? He certainly recognizes your work over the years and knows you've been working very hard here, but a transfer is impossible. Eunuch Xia came here for other reasons, not to transfer you.
"That's truly a great favor from the Emperor. However, for something like this, Your Highness could easily find someone else to come. Why would you bother with such an outburst? Is there something else going on here?"
Fang Yiai also has a lot of political talent. Just because his father is the current prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, we can see how excellent his political talent is.
"Your Excellency, please take a look at this first. After you have finished reading it, if there is anything you do not understand, please feel free to ask us all. This is also what His Highness intended. This proposal was written by Lord Xiao Shougui."
Eunuch Xia took out a thick stack of papers from the side. All of them were written by Xiao Shougui, and this also concerned the next series of actions.
Seeing that Eunuch Xia attached so much importance to it, Fang Yiai hurriedly took these things and did not bother to arrange meals. This was an order from His Highness himself. He also knew Xiao Shougui's status. He was the next head of the Lanling Xiao family. The plan planned by the two of them should be very important to the Tang Dynasty. Although we cannot go to the northwest, we can also do our part for the northwest.
It took Fang Yiai nearly an hour to finish reading the plan. He was a little impressed by Xiao Shougui. He didn't expect him to think of this. You know, the Tang Dynasty occupied many places, but if you want to talk about the most obedient subordinates, they must be the Fuso and Goguryeo people.
Even though the people from these two places were shouting loudly before, if you can convince them, then whatever you say will be done, and these people will do things for you honestly, and they may even do it better than you asked.
Others are not qualified to say this, but Fang Yiai has been here for too long, so of course he is qualified to say this. Just look at the Goguryeo people under his command, they have never dared to disobey him, and no one has resisted for a long time. Some people even pulled out his relatives from the resistance army.
