CHAPTER 1107: CHAPTER 606: THE HUNTER AND THE PREY (PART 2)

Zhao Douan said lightly, "If you want a higher rank, then at most two people."

Jiang Wangsun was silent for a moment but surprisingly didn’t haggle further on this condition. Instead, he smiled and said, "Very well."

So easily satisfied? Zhao Douan raised an eyebrow instead.

But Jiang Wangsun raised a third finger and said, "The last condition: I’m getting old, and the highest position I’ve held is that of a magistrate. I’ve long harbored ambitions but have had little opportunity to execute them. To be honest, I was spurred on by Xu Wen because I thought I might finally have a chance to demonstrate what I’ve learned throughout my life..."

"So?" Zhao Douan interrupted him.

Jiang Wangsun stared at him deeply, leaning forward slightly, his eyes brimming with heated desire. "If I could join the Xiuwen Pavilion and serve as a Pavilion Master, I would have no regrets in this life."

Join the cabinet!

Revealing his true intent!

The previous two conditions were just appetizers. Jiang Wangsun’s real goal was to enter the cabinet and become one of the elders.

Zhao Douan looked at him impassively. After a moment of silence, he let out a faint laugh, picked up the lantern on the ground, and said indifferently, "Escort Mr. Jiang back."

"Yes."

The door creaked open, and Song Jinxi floated in like a ghost, gesturing invitingly to Jiang Wangsun.

Jiang Wangsun hesitated for a moment, realizing he had been refused. Unwilling to give up, he said, "Governor, you should know that Prince Jing is different from Prince Mu. Internally, he is fortified; without assistance, he would be difficult to penetrate. I’m no less competent than Zhao Shixiong..."

"See him out," Zhao Douan, however, had already lowered his head, concentrating once again on pasting paper on the lantern.

Jiang Wangsun’s face darkened. He said no more, snorted coldly, stood up, and turned to leave in a huff.

Only when he reached the threshold did he pause, but hearing no call from behind, he steeled himself and continued out the door.

The door closed.

Song Jinxi indeed led Jiang Wangsun out, and soon after, the sound of a carriage driving away was heard from the courtyard.

"Did he really leave?" At this moment, on the beam of the house, the light distorted, and the Young Priestess, wearing a priest robe embroidered with golden thread and glasses, floated down in surprise.

Jin Jian’s voice was full of astonishment.

Zhao Douan, without lifting his head from his lantern work, said, "Didn’t you see it all yourself?"

Jin Jian looked at him curiously with a puzzled expression, "Is a Pavilion Master’s position really that important?"

"The master of the cabinet is naturally important. Ha, if it were really granted, not to mention how the Jiang Family would soar, what would the Imperial Faction officials at court think? It’s bound to cause problems."

"Couldn’t you promise him first and then find an excuse not to deliver later?" Jin Jian suggested, as if it was the most natural thing. "Or at that time, arrange for someone to kill him; after all, he’s old enough..."

The young girl pretended to be vicious and made a throat-slitting gesture.

Zhao Douan was amused by her, "Such an old fox wouldn’t truly believe empty promises. It must be put in writing. With my status, if I promised and later reneged, it would truly disgrace His Majesty, and I would lose all credibility. That would go down in history. Killing would be easy, but the aftermath would be troublesome."

Can’t do this, can’t do that... Jin Jian puffed up her cheeks, "Really troublesome, I don’t understand you people. But doesn’t this mean all the effort was for nothing? That old man is really bold, isn’t he afraid of angering you and not getting sent back?"

Zhao Douan nodded approvingly, "Yes, I also thought he was bold. At least to save his life, he should have pretended to comply and returned safely first. So, is there a possibility he never intended to go back?"

"Huh?" Jin Jian looked puzzled, not understanding.

Fortunately, in the next moment, she understood.

Because the carriage that had originally driven away turned back onto the street, accompanied by approaching footsteps.

"Bang!"

The door swung open.

Jiang Wangsun walked in with a stern face, said nothing, and sat down straight across from Zhao Douan.

Jin Jian, however, had vanished once again.

"Why has Mr. Jiang returned?" Zhao Douan raised his head with feigned curiosity.

Jiang Wangsun’s expression flickered uncertainly. He gritted his teeth and sighed, "The governor’s resolve is extraordinary, and I am impressed. Forget about entering the cabinet; just grant the first two conditions."

Zhao Douan smiled and said, "The terms have changed this time. Only three Jiang family members can enter the capital to become officials."

Jiang Wangsun’s eyes widened, "How can the governor renege on his word?"

Zhao Douan, with a puzzled expression, said, "Wasn’t it Mr. Jiang who first rejected the previous terms?"

Immediately, he slowly put down the lantern, and with a lingering glance at Jiang Wangsun, he said, "To leave and return, the terms are no longer the same. If Mr. Jiang is dissatisfied, you can return home to reconsider. But I must remind you, today’s meeting was secretly recorded by me on the Recording Scroll and can be delivered to Ye Xin at any time."

"You!!" Jiang Wangsun sprang up suddenly, so abruptly that he knocked the bench over behind him!

His breaths were heavy, and he stared at Zhao Douan with a burning intensity. After a moment, Jiang Wangsun deflated like a punctured balloon, slumping back helplessly with a bitter sigh, "It’s all at the governor’s discretion."

Had he cooperated from the start, there would have been no trouble... Zhao Douan smiled brightly, warmly standing up to grab his hand and personally right the fallen bench, inviting him to sit, "In that case, all the better. I’m new here and need to ask Mr. Jiang about something."

Now thoroughly resigned, Jiang Wangsun shook his head and chuckled bitterly:

"Does the governor wish to know the origin of that military strategist named Xu? Unfortunately, I do not know either. The man has never revealed his true face. I only know that on the day the news of Xu Jingtang’s death arrived, this man came to the camp with two attendants who also concealed their faces. They had a private meeting with Xu Wen for a full two hours. Afterward, Xu Wen appointed him as the strategist. Even Ye Xin listens to him."