"If you don't see him, just say I'm asleep and you go see him."
Li Xiang came to this conclusion without much thought. If you can come and see me whenever you want, then don't I have any face? Let Qian Ping go and meet you first. You should know that Qian Ping is also a capable person, otherwise he would not be able to be the eunuch chief steward of the East Palace.
"I obey your command."
Qian Ping had no idea how many times he had experienced this kind of thing. Although he lost Li Xiang's favor due to some trivial matters, he had now resumed his original job because he had a good cooperation with Zhang Jiuli.
With such a little episode, Qian Ping naturally paid more attention to his job. All the glory and wealth were given by Li Xiang. As long as Li Xiang was slightly dissatisfied, you would be transformed from the eunuch chief into a nobody. The time when you were nobody was unforgettable for Qian Ping. Of course, he did not blame Li Xiang. It was purely his own fault. If he did not avoid the matter, how could he be so nobody?
When Qian Ping came out, someone around Prince Zhennan whispered a few words in his ear, probably to introduce Qian Ping's situation to him. It was impossible for Prince Zhennan to know everyone around Li Xiang. When he heard that this person was the chief eunuch of the Eastern Palace, a light flashed in Prince Zhennan's eyes.
In his eyes, Qian Ping was an important figure. He wasn't just an attendant to Li Xiang, but also a capable figure close to the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty. Otherwise, how could he have become the Chief Eunuch of the Eastern Palace? Do you think an idiot could hold such a position? There's no such thing as that.
"This old servant pays his respects to His Majesty. His Highness has already gone to bed. If Your Majesty has anything to say, please tell this old servant if you can. If not, please come back tomorrow."
What Qian Ping said was very appropriate. I am not trying to test what you want to talk about. I am just asking first. It is like a routine inquiry. There are such people around important people, including the emperor who reads memorials. He has to filter out some useless memorials first. If the emperor reads all the memorials, I don't know if he will have time to eat and sleep in the end.
"Since Your Highness has already rested, I will not disturb you. My Lord, the General Manager, you have come all the way from Chang'an. It must be very tiring. I have a small gift for you. Please accept it."
Prince Zhennan was also a man who understood etiquette. Since he had determined in his heart that Qian Ping was a useful person, it was naturally impossible for him to just casually take out two silver ingots. If he did so, not only would he not be able to get things done, it would most likely ruin the matter. Giving gifts is also a very important art.
The Prince of Zhennan took out a nanmu box, and the things inside must be very valuable. When the Prince of Zhennan opened a corner, there was no fluctuation on Qian Ping's face. It was obvious that he was a man who had seen the world. How could the Tang Dynasty be without these things from you?
However, Qian Ping's heart was moved, because these were all round and smooth South China Sea pearls!
Even in Chang'an City, each of these things can cost tens of thousands of coins. Although it is slightly cheaper here, for just a box like this, it is still a lot of money.
"Your Highness has given such a generous gift, I'm afraid you must be asking for something. Let's be frank. We also know what we are going to do with the money. His Highness has taught us that some money can be taken, but some cannot."
Qian Ping didn't come out to get money, he came out to gather information. If he just took the money and left, he would probably be scolded when he returned. Besides, the person in front of him had paid such a huge price, it was impossible for him to just become a familiar face. If he just wanted to become a familiar face, he could just pick one out from the middle.
"Master General, I really admire you for thinking so thoroughly about even this matter. The situation in our country is like this..."
If the Prince of Zhennan had met Li Xiang, he would never have spoken so directly. He would have certainly quoted a lot of scriptures and classics, and finally said that he was the most suitable king for the country. After the Tang Dynasty bestowed his title on him, he would give the Tang Dynasty so much every year in the future...
But if facing Qian Ping, there is no need to waste time talking. Just say what you think directly. According to what he said, the current king is not popular at all. He doesn't know how to govern the entire country and only wants to follow Buddhism.
The conflicts in the country were already serious. If a child like that were to succeed him, where would the entire country go? He didn't praise himself, but only slandered his eldest brother and nephew. This guy was a smart man. After discrediting those two, he was probably the only one who was the most suitable heir.
"Your Highness, these are all matters of state. I am just a small steward. I have no control over these matters. All matters of this dynasty are managed by the adults. I think you sent the wrong gift."
After hearing this, Qian Ping directly closed the nanmu box. Although the things inside were very valuable, Qian Ping showed that he could not help you with this. Usually, he just served His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. As for the things you mentioned, he really could not do anything.
"Master General has misunderstood. I will not allow you to speak directly to me on this matter. I just hope you can give me some advice on who His Royal Highness will lean towards in this matter."
Only after Prince Zhennan said this did Qian Ping understand what the other party meant. He simply wanted to test Li Xiang's attitude, but this was already a bit unreasonable. No wonder the other party would offer such a generous gift. If Qian Ping reported this to Li Xiang now, this guy would probably be in big trouble. You, a small prince of a vassal state, actually wanted to find out what His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Tang Empire was thinking. This is really disrespectful.
Seeing Qian Ping frown, this guy immediately took out another box from his men, which was also filled with South Sea pearls. He really knew how to use this trick to understand the emperor's heart with a small amount of money.
"The court has not yet finalized this matter. Everything is still unknown."
Qian Ping didn't move his mouth, but the words still came out. After he finished speaking, he turned around and left. Naturally, the two nanmu boxes were held by the young eunuch. The money you gave can only buy this sentence.
