Capital, Zhao Mansion.
This wasn't Lin Jiangnian's first time here, and he was already familiar with the place. But today's visit was a little different from usual.
In the past, whether he was invited to visit or Lin Jiangnian took the initiative to visit, he would go to see Miss Zhao from the Zhao family.
But this time, Lin Jiangnian wanted to meet Prime Minister Zhao.
The three-generation veteran of that dynasty, who had assisted three generations of emperors of the Daning Dynasty, played an important role in the court and was highly respected as the Prime Minister Zhao.
Before coming to Beijing, Lin Jiangnian had planned to visit Prime Minister Zhao.
This Zhao Xiang was loyal to the court and devoted himself to the country, making him a rare and famous prime minister. More importantly, at a time when voices in the court were calling for the reduction of the power of the feudal lords, this Zhao Xiang always maintained a neutral attitude.
No matter what attitude Prime Minister Zhao holds, under the current situation, Lin Jiangnian naturally has to meet him. If he can win over Prime Minister Zhao, it will be of great help to the Prince Lin's Mansion.
Even if you can't win them over, try not to make enemies.
"His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Lin!"
Outside the Zhao residence, someone had been waiting for a long time.
A middle-aged man in a gray robe stood quietly at the door. When Lin Jiangnian got off the carriage, the middle-aged man bent slightly.
"Mr. Zhao!"
Lin Jiangnian walked forward quickly, "Sir, there's no need to be so polite!"
The middle-aged man in front of him was the most trusted confidant of Prime Minister Zhao.
Zhao Jing!
Not long ago, the Lu family got married, Zhou Huiguang was murdered, and Lin Jiangnian was slandered as the murderer. It was this old man, Mr. Zhao, who came forward to help Lin Jiangnian resolve the crisis.
Of course, Lin Jiangnian knew that it was Zhao Xi who was behind the incident.
However, Lin Jiangnian still remembered this friendship.
Furthermore, Mr. Zhao, the present-day Prime Minister, held a very high position. As Prime Minister Zhao was very busy with government affairs and advanced in years, many matters in the capital were handled by Mr. Zhao. To a certain extent, Mr. Zhao represented Prime Minister Zhao.
Zhao Jing smiled faintly, "Your Highness, Prime Minister Zhao has specially ordered me to come here to greet you. Please follow me into the palace to see Prime Minister Zhao."
Lin Jiangnian bowed and said, "Thank you, sir!"
"Your Highness, follow me."
Mr. Zhao nodded and led Lin Jiangnian into the Zhao Mansion.
Although he had been to the Zhao Mansion several times, Lin Jiangnian's familiarity with the Zhao Mansion was limited to the distance from the main gate to the inner courtyard of the young lady of the Zhao family.
Lin Jiangnian was very familiar with the way to Miss Zhao's boudoir, and he was very familiar with it. Apart from that, he was not familiar with other places in the Zhao Mansion.
Under the guidance of Mr. Zhao, Lin Jiangnian soon arrived at a courtyard.
"Your Highness, please!"
Mr. Zhao spoke.
Lin Jiangnian nodded slightly and stepped into the courtyard.
"Your Highness, please wait a moment. I will go and report to Prime Minister Zhao." said Mr. Zhao.
Lin Jiangnian nodded slightly, and Zhao Jing walked towards an inner room under the eaves not far away.
Lin Jiangnian stood in the yard, looking around.
This is a quiet courtyard that looks very simple. It does not match the status of Prime Minister Zhao, and it seems a little out of place in the entire Zhao Mansion.
Lin Jiangnian glanced around a few times and his gaze narrowed slightly.
Does this place look like the private courtyard of Prime Minister Zhao?
Today, Lin Jiang came to visit Prime Minister Zhao before the Lunar New Year. Although it couldn't be considered a formal meeting, one was the prime minister and the other was the son of a vassal king. Logically, their meeting should be more formal.
As Lin Jiangnian is the prince of Lin Wang, the Zhao family should make grand preparations and welcome him with a line of people.
But now, it is in such a small private courtyard.
It seems a bit shabby and simple.
However, this is what Lin Jiangnian hopes for.
Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes slightly. It seemed that Prime Minister Zhao had the same idea as him.
…
Inner room.
Mr. Zhao came to the door of a room, knocked lightly, and pushed the door open and walked in.
The slightly dim room was plainly furnished. Judging by the decor, it looked like a study. A gray-haired man, apparently quite old, sat behind a table not far away.
He was looking down at the chopping board with a frown on his face.
Zhao Jing stepped forward, bowed slightly, and whispered, "Master, His Royal Highness the Prince of Lin has arrived."
As Zhao Jing spoke, the old man at the table slowly raised his head, revealing a pair of slightly deep eyes with a hint of brilliance.
It was the prime minister of the current dynasty, Zhao Chuan'an!
"His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Lin?"
Prime Minister Zhao silently repeated the name and nodded slightly: "Please ask him to come in."
"yes."
Zhao Jing nodded, and when he was about to leave, his eyes swept over the things on the chopping board in front of Zhao Xiang and paused for a moment.
"how?"
This advisor and trusted advisor who had served Prime Minister Zhao for many years hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Excellency's meeting with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince today will naturally arouse speculation among other officials in the court. Furthermore, Your Excellency will have to meet with the Crown Prince privately. If anyone with ulterior motives learns of this, I'm afraid it will reflect poorly on You, Your Excellency..."
Zhao Jing expressed his concerns.
Prime Minister Zhao looked calm and said softly, "That's fine. Those people in the court can speculate as they wish."
"I have been in power for decades, so why should I be afraid of them?"
Zhao Jing was silent for a moment: "Yes."
Prime Minister Zhao remained seated, his gaze fixed on the chopping board before him. After a moment, he spoke softly, as if mumbling to himself.
"It's time to give these mediocre people in the court a good beating."
Then, a trace of worry appeared in Zhao Xiang's eyes, and he sighed deeply.
"Your Majesty...what are you waiting for?"
“…”
In the courtyard.
"Your Highness, Prime Minister Zhao is waiting for you in the study."
Zhao Jing led Lin Jiangnian from the courtyard to the door of the inner room and said, "Your Highness, please come in!"
"Thank you for your help!"
Lin Jiangnian nodded slightly, straightened his clothes, and pushed the door open and walked in.
Under the dim light, Lin Jiangnian just walked into the room and saw the figure behind the desk at a glance.
An old man in his sixties or seventies.
His hair is gray and he looks like a frail old man in his seventies!
It’s Prime Minister Zhao!
However, Lin Jiangnian also knew that at this age, Prime Minister Zhao had simply been overworked, worrying about the country and the people, devoting himself to the Daning Dynasty. This had led to premature aging. Lin Jiangnian was filled with awe. Even though they had different views, it did not affect his respect for such a loyal old minister.
But on the other hand, when he saw Prime Minister Zhao, Lin Jiangnian couldn't help but think of Miss Zhao, who was still a young girl.
That Miss Zhao is only in her twenties now, right?
For a moment, Lin Jiangnian couldn't help but sigh again... Prime Minister Zhao, you are really still strong despite your old age!
…
The other side.
When Lin Jiangnian was looking at Prime Minister Zhao in front of him, Prime Minister Zhao was also looking up at him.
Prime Minister Zhao saw a young man in blue and white brocade robes appear in his sight. He was handsome and elegant. Between his eyebrows and eyes, he could vaguely see some of the old man in his past.
Faintly, Prime Minister Zhao recalled the high-spirited Prince Lin and the peerless Princess Lin.
The Prince of Lin in front of him has almost perfectly inherited the advantages of those two!
Prime Minister Zhao was different from the others in the capital. They were unfamiliar with the Prince of Lin, and there were even endless slanderous rumors circulating in the capital about him. But Prime Minister Zhao knew better than anyone that Prince Lin was no ordinary person. He was a man of great talent and vision, and his children could never be mediocre.
"Prince Lin Jiangnian of Lin Wang greets Prime Minister Zhao!"
Lin Jiangnian spoke first, breaking the brief silence, his tone a little more respectful.
"Your Highness, there's no need to be so polite."
Prime Minister Zhao waved his hand and said, "Your Highness, I am sorry that I cannot come to greet you due to my poor health."
"Prime Minister Zhao is my elder, highly respected and virtuous. How dare I ask him to greet me?"
Lin Jiangnian shook his head slightly.
Prime Minister Zhao looked at Lin Jiangnian for a few seconds and said, "Your Highness, please take a seat."
"Thank you, Prime Minister Zhao!"
Lin Jiangnian didn't hesitate and sat down at a nearby table. Zhao Jing followed him in, poured Lin Jiangnian a cup of hot tea, and left the room, closing the door.
There were only two people left in the quiet study.
"I heard from Xier that you wanted to see me?"
Prime Minister Zhao looked at Lin Jiangnian and suddenly spoke.
"Exactly."
Lin Jiangnian nodded and smiled, "Even back in Linjiang City, I've admired Prime Minister Zhao for a long time. I often hear about his deeds and admire him immensely. Before I went to the capital, my father told me to pay a visit to Prime Minister Zhao and give him my regards."
Prime Minister Zhao looked at Lin Jiangnian quietly, his deep gaze seeming to reflect on something. He sighed and said, "Come to think of it, I haven't seen your father in a few years. Is he okay?"
"Thank you, Prime Minister Zhao, for your concern. Everything is fine."
Lin Jiangnian smiled and said, "It's a pity that my father is busy with important matters and can't get away. He also said that when he has time in the future, he will come to the capital to visit Prime Minister Zhao in person."
Prime Minister Zhao said, "Prince Lin is a prince, guarding the southern borders of our dynasty. He is very busy with government affairs, so I can understand. Your father has made great contributions to our Daning Dynasty and is our dynasty's greatest contributor!"
Lin Jiangnian raised his eyelids slightly, remained silent, and chuckled, "Prime Minister Zhao, you are too kind. My father is just fulfilling his duty as a subject. It's not worth mentioning."
Prime Minister Zhao sighed, "If all officials in the world could fulfill their duties as subjects like your father, why would our Great Ning Dynasty not enjoy peace and prosperity for generations to come?"
Lin Jiangnian had a smile on his face. He always felt that the old man in front of him had something else to say.
Click on him?
"yes!"
Lin Jiangnian's smile grew even more sincere: "My father always said that what he wanted most was peace in the world!"
"We fought too many wars more than a decade ago, and now we've had peace for only a few years. The people have just gotten through life, and they really can't stand any more trouble!"
"He just hopes that there won't be any more wars in this world!"
Prime Minister Zhao stared at Lin Jiangnian for a few seconds and said, "Prince Lin is truly kind and benevolent. Yes, the people of this world can't stand the turmoil. If the world is peaceful, the people can live and work in peace, and the dynasty is stable..."
"That way, I can meet with the former emperors in the future and give them an explanation!"
Lin Jiangnian nodded slightly and said with a smile, "Yes."
“…”
As Lin Jiangnian finished speaking, the room suddenly fell silent.
Prime Minister Zhao stared at Lin Jiangnian without saying a word. His old face showed something deep in his eyes, as if he was thinking about something.
Lin Jiangnian always had a smile on his face. He picked up the hot tea on the table and took a sip.
Take your time.
"This old minister has something to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not." Prime Minister Zhao suddenly spoke.
"Prime Minister Zhao, please speak!"
Prime Minister Zhao stared at Lin Jiangnian with a burning gaze, and suddenly said, "Your Highness, I think you knew about the reduction of the feudal lords in the court a long time ago, right?"
Lin Jiangnian didn't say anything and nodded.
"What does Your Highness think?" Prime Minister Zhao asked again.
Lin Jiangnian thought for a moment, "Is Prime Minister Zhao asking what I think, or what my father thinks?"
"What do you think, Your Highness?"
Lin Jiangnian thought for a moment and sighed softly: "I am still young and don't understand much about the affairs of the court. I dare not discuss the affairs of the court."
Prime Minister Zhao shook his head gently: "Your Highness, why are you playing dumb? Prince Lin asked Your Highness to come to the capital not just to marry the eldest princess, right?"
"The power of the Lin Prince's Mansion has grown over the years, gradually slipping out of the control of the imperial court. Almost all of the southern states of the dynasty are now under your control. In some places, people only know the Lin Prince and not the Emperor... Your Highness, do you understand what I mean?"
Lin Jiangnian shook his head slightly: "I don't know, please let Zhao Xiangming tell me."
"Cutting down the feudal lords is the general trend."
Prime Minister Zhao said in a deep voice, "Your Highness's presence here today shows that your father still cherishes our old friendship. As an old minister, I do not wish for the Lin family to break with the imperial court, both emotionally and logically."
Lin Jiangnian listened quietly and shook his head gently: "Don't worry, Prime Minister Zhao, our Lin family does not want to break with the court and become an enemy."
"But what if the imperial court insists on reducing the power of the feudal lords?"
Lin Jiangnian was silent for a moment, then chuckled, "Then... let the court cut it down."
After these words were spoken, Prime Minister Zhao fell into silence for a long time.
Let the court cut it down?
Is it true that the imperial court wants to cut down the power?
Or... let the court let them come?
Prime Minister Zhao stared at the young Prince Lin in front of him. His calm and composed demeanor made his extraordinary temperament even more apparent.
Prime Minister Zhao's heart sank.
Being able to say such words, I'm afraid that the Prince Lin's Mansion has already made preparations for that day.
When that day finally comes...
"Prime Minister Zhao, there's actually no need to worry too much."
Lin Jiangnian suddenly spoke.
When he came to see Prime Minister Zhao today, he knew that the issue of reducing the power of the princes would definitely be mentioned.
I just didn't expect that Prime Minister Zhao would be so straightforward.
This was the biggest conflict between the imperial court and the vassal kings. And this was also the main purpose of Lin Jiangnian's visit to the Prime Minister Zhao.
“In fact, it’s not that there is no solution at all.”
Prime Minister Zhao looked at him, his eyes slightly fixed: "What do you have in mind?"
Lin Jiang laughed young: "As long as the imperial court doesn't reduce the power of the feudal lords, that's all that's fine."
Prime Minister Zhao said in a deep voice, "Reducing the power of the feudal lords is the general trend. More than half of the officials in the court support it, and even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince advocates it! If it were you, what would you choose?"
Lin Jiangnian thought about it and sighed: "If it were me, I would definitely cut it too!"
If it were him, Lin Jiangnian would definitely not be able to sleep well with such a vassal king in the south holding military power and eyeing him covetously.
But, is this prince his father?
That's okay!
“…”
"As long as Your Highness knows."
"Then why doesn't Prime Minister Zhao support the reduction of the power of the princes in the court?" Lin Jiangnian suddenly asked back.
Prime Minister Zhao was silent for a moment, then sighed, "This old minister does not want another war to break out in the world!"
If the world were to fall into civil war, the people would inevitably be displaced and their livelihoods would be miserable. This was not the outcome that Prime Minister Zhao wanted to see. Over the years, he had been seeking a peaceful solution to this problem.
However, there was no result.
The conflict between the princes and the imperial court was almost impossible to resolve.
"My father also doesn't want the world to be at war again!"
Lin Jiangnian shook his head slightly: "In this regard, the Lin Palace and Prime Minister Zhao have the same goal. This is also the real purpose of this junior's trip to the capital!"
"The struggle between the imperial court and the vassal kings doesn't necessarily have to be a life-and-death struggle. Perhaps there will be a peaceful solution!"
"For the sake of the common people and for world peace..."
“…”
Prime Minister Zhao was silent for a long time. Perhaps Lin Jiangnian's words touched him. He stared at Lin Jiangnian and asked, "Then, Your Highness, how do you think this should be resolved peacefully?"
"Although it's difficult, it's not completely impossible. However, I'm afraid I'll need Prime Minister Zhao's help..."
Prime Minister Zhao narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked, "Are you trying to win me over by doing this?"
"I guess so."
Lin Jiangnian nodded and did not deny it.
The smile on Prime Minister Zhao's face slowly faded. After a moment of silence, he said in a deep voice, "As the Prime Minister of the Daning Dynasty, I will never support any vassal king, nor will I get too close to any vassal king. This is a taboo!"
Lin Jiangnian shook his head. "I'm not seeking Prime Minister Zhao's support. As citizens of Daning, my Lin family has never had any intention of rebellion. It's a pity that the court doesn't believe me and regards my Lin family as an enemy. My journey to the capital was full of dangers, and now I'm walking on thin ice..."
"I came here today not to win over Prime Minister Zhao and disintegrate the power of the court. Instead, I want to sit down and discuss with Prime Minister Zhao and work together to seek an opportunity for peaceful coexistence..."
What Lin Jiangnian needs is not Zhao Xiang's support and defection, which is not realistic.
The Lin Wang Mansion and Prime Minister Zhao had the same goal: neither wanted the Lin Wang Mansion to truly break off relations with the imperial court. In this situation, what Lin Jiangnian needed was to befriend Prime Minister Zhao, or perhaps provide crucial assistance at certain times!
Even if there is no help, as long as the prestigious Prime Minister Zhao remains neutral in the court, it will be a good thing for the Prince Lin's Palace!
Prime Minister Zhao stared at Lin Jiangnian for a long time. After a while, he said in a deep voice, "Prince Lin is a man of great talent and strategy. He can be considered a great hero of his generation. I hope Your Highness will not let him down!"
"Don't let me down!"
“…”
Double the monthly tickets, brothers, please give me some monthly tickets, and I will give you a burst of updates in two days!!
