CHAPTER 425: 333. FOOTHOLD_3

Zhang Zhuo said irritably, "Your Majesty’s eyes are not solely on silver; he still needs the second branch of the Chen family to keep the first branch in check. For years, Official Chen has been supporting the Crown Prince, while the second branch has been secretly currying favor with Prince Fu, already a clash like fire and water. If we help Official Chen eliminate the second branch, Official Chen would wake up laughing even from a dream."

Chen Ji pondered, "That Prince Fu..."

Zhang Zhuo stood outside Chengtian Gate on Chang’an Street and remarked, "Prince Fu is a clever man, surely smarter than the Crown Prince. Tonight, if he makes even a mistake, there will be no good outcome."

Chen Ji earnestly said, "I would like to hear the details."

Zhang Zhuo stroked his beard, "Firstly, the ’Doctrine of the Mean’ says, ’Perfect sincerity is like spiritual power,’ and not lying before Your Majesty is the way to save one’s life. Secondly, before he entered the palace, he cleaned up Furui Xiang thoroughly without any reluctance, handing over the silver honestly. Thirdly, he incited a commotion and tarnished his image. In this world, where is the emperor who loses dignity? He is merely indicating that he has no intention of competing for reserves, abandoning the path to the National Reserves. As for the Crown Prince, he is ruthless but lacks wisdom."

Chen Ji nodded.

Zhang Zhuo looked at him, "You are really ruthless. Even Your Majesty does not intend to deal with that fool Chen Wenren anymore, yet you want to root out completely. How dare you speak of this to His Majesty?"

Chen Ji seriously replied, "Lord Zhang, people usually prefer those they have helped, rather than those who have helped them. Being in debt to Your Majesty is not a bad thing."

Zhang Zhuo laughed aloud, "Finally, you are like a person from the Imperial Capital!"

He changed the topic, "But with all your commotion, the business in the outer city won’t make much silver."

Chen Ji turned his head, "How so?"

Zhang Zhuo replied casually, "If you can handle this alone, then according to our previous agreement, the Zhang Family gets fifty percent, and you get the rest. But if you can’t contain it and it reaches the Imperial Court, then the Zhang Family takes ninety percent, and you get ten percent. Of course, you might have guessed that this silver isn’t delivered to the Zhang Family but directly sent to the Imperial Treasury. The Zhang Family won’t take a single cent."

Chen Ji murmured, "I’m not greedy, as long as there’s silver to take, it’s fine. With the Eight Great Hutongs and Glass Factory, even taking ten percent is substantial."

Zhang Zhuo looked at Chen Ji with interest, "Not even mad that you worked hard to gain territory only for others to take ninety percent?"

Chen Ji calmly replied, "Lord Zhang, what I’m aiming to do cannot be achieved with silver alone; I need the shade of a vast tree... By the way, the arrow tonight, it wasn’t sent by Your Majesty, was it?"

Zhang Zhuo chuckled, "What are you thinking, why would Your Majesty need to do such a thing? All he needs is to sit on the throne behind the curtains as a qualified arbiter, waiting for everyone to seek his judgment, and power naturally returns to him. Young man, the so-called imperial strategy isn’t that mystical. Your Majesty only needs to always be the superior arbiter to remain undefeated."

Chen Ji suddenly understood.

Indeed, the referee never loses; he only needs to watch others win or lose.

Zhang Zhuo patted him on the shoulder, "Let’s go. I’ll also attend the Qi Family Literary Gathering tomorrow, and we’ll talk then. Handling the Korea Envoy will be another headache."

He walked towards the Zhang Family carriage, climbed inside with a small stool, and the carriage slowly moved along the blue brick road of Chang’an Street, disappearing among the undulating, endless gray-tiled buildings.

Chen Ji looked at the cold, deserted Chang’an Street, rubbed his cheeks, and walked into the darkness.

...

...

In Baishun Alley, inside White Jade Garden, Brother Pao and Qigong sat in a pavilion playing chess.

Qigong stared at his king, about to be checkmated in thirteen moves, and fell into a long contemplation. Brother Pao, sitting opposite, crossed his legs and hummed a tune.

Qigong looked up at Brother Pao, "Indeed, people cannot be judged by appearances."

Brother Pao scratched his scalp with his pinky finger and turned to Er Dao, "Is that Old Deng scolding me?"

Er Dao honestly replied, "A mix of praise and criticism."

As they spoke, a man from the Three Mountains Association ran in, whispered in Qigong’s ear.

Qigong raised his eyebrows and gradually became serious.

Before Qigong could speak, Brother Pao stood up with a smile, "Er Dao, let’s go. We have found a foothold in the Imperial Capital!"

Qigong was silent for a moment, "You can have the Glass Factory and Eight Great Hutongs, but you must teach the Mandarin Duck Formation in exchange."

Brother Pao nodded, "Deal."

With that, Brother Pao walked out of the pavilion.

Qigong curiously asked behind him, "I have said nothing yet, how can you be so sure your reckless boss can retreat safely?"

Brother Pao turned back and grinned, "I also didn’t quite trust him when I first met him, but now it’s your turn to meet him. Maybe you think we are reckless, but we are just unfamiliar with this place."

Brother Pao walked out, waved his hand carefree with his back to Qigong:

"It’s okay, we’ll get familiar sooner or later."

...

End of Volume Five, Prelude.