PFC Chapter 1053: The Floating World
Chapter 1053: The Floating World
Ji Feiyan pretended to save people, and negotiated with Ning Cangmo in a measured way, agreeing to his request and handing over Beizhaotai and Fengzhengtai.
It would take some time to hand over the affairs of the two stations, so the two men discussed and set a deadline of fifteen days.
Ning Cangmo was overjoyed with the joy that came out of nowhere. He went to the palace to ask for an audience and report the good news to the emperor.
Gu Mengzhen was also delighted after hearing this.
"Hahaha, my dear, you truly deserve to be my think tank."
"You have taken two stages with one plan. No one has ever surpassed you in history. Only you, my dear, are so talented."
"My dear, your wisdom and strategy surpass those of everyone in the Fang clan. You can be called the modern-day Situ Xiang."
Ning Cangmo smiled ashamedly.
"Your Majesty is so complimentary."
"In the Xuan Zhou Dynasty, Prime Minister Situ was a renowned minister throughout history. How could this humble servant, with his limited knowledge and limited experience, dare to compare himself to Prime Minister Situ's genius?"
Gu Mengzhen's face was full of joy.
"I am speaking the truth, and you are being too modest."
His expression contained a hint of reluctance.
"Unfortunately, Lord Jingshan will be returning home in fifteen days."
"I don't care whether I can see him from time to time, but I am worried that he is imprisoned by King Dijin again."
"Prince Di Jin is truly hypocritical, imprisoning me but calling it protection. My brother, you are forced to submit to his control. Not only can you not complain, but you must thank the Lord for his protection."
"My dear brother, you are so pitiful."
"Duke Jingshan, the title sounds honorable, but in reality it brings sorrow."
"Jing means thoughtful and humble; Shan means kind and beautiful. Prince Di Jin chose this title with the intention of exploiting my brother's kindness and forcing him to plot against his brother for the sake of his so-called loyalty and integrity."
"Yan Yu, how insidious."
Ning Cangmo followed his wishes and flattered him with false words.
"Your Majesty's explanation is perfect and his insights are profound."
"This morning, I respectfully escorted Lord Jingshan back to the cottage, just as he was waking up. From our conversation, I sensed that he was devoted to the Emperor and longed to return to his brother's side. However, betraying Emperor Yan would damage the reputation of the Zhuang clan."
"It's not that you value your family and disregard brotherhood; rather, you know the emperor well and value the Zhuang family and Mr. Zhuang. You're certain that the emperor doesn't want the Zhuang family's reputation to be damaged."
"Following Prince Di Jin was not my original wish, but was forced by reality."
Gu Mengzhen felt distressed.
"I blame the injustice of the world for causing you so much hardship."
"It's also my fault that I'm incompetent and can't protect my loved ones."
"My dear brother, you have done so much for me."
Ning Cangmo praised Zhuang Shao highly, trying to please him and at the same time try his best to dispel the emperor's obsession with Fang Zhixuan in preparation for future use.
"Your Excellency's selfless dedication and risking his life to stay in the enemy camp are deeply moving, not to mention the Emperor. Even an outsider like me is deeply moved."
"The friendship between the Emperor and the Duke, a friendship of brotherly love and respect, will live on through the ages and be etched in history forever."
Gu Mengzhen closed his eyes and lost in thought.
"Obtain the Eight Platforms and eliminate Yan Yu, and my dear brother will be free again."
"When the time comes, I will not announce to the public that he is Zhuang Shao. I will still allow him to maintain his position in the court as Fang Zhixuan."
"If the world hears that I treat the Fang clan as if they were the Zhuang clan, they will surely be convinced and praise me as a wise ruler."
"Alas, these are all things that happened later. It's too early to talk about them now."
Ning Cangmo's poems are sonorous and powerful.
"No."
"The Emperor will gain control of the Eight Platforms and the realization of his wish is just around the corner."
Gu Mengzhen opened his eyes and looked in surprise.
"Oh? Why did you say that?"
"My dear, have you come up with another brilliant plan?"
Ning Cangmo was proud and complacent, and spoke with relish.
"This plan is not over yet. I don't need to think of anything else."
"I'm thinking, since Ning Jiewei and Gao Fengqiubi are so important to them, I might as well make more requests and ask Prince Di Jin to dismiss his trusted ministers, give up their power, and hand it over to the emperor."
Gu Mengzhen was unsure and did not dare to believe it.
"Will this... work?"
"Ning Wu and his two daughters can't be that important, right?"
Ning Cangmo's argument is well-organized.
"Ning Yunxi didn't show up and only asked Master Ji to negotiate with me. The reason is obvious."
"She's afraid of revealing her true feelings and letting me see that she cares deeply about Ning Jiewei and the others. She's willing to pay any price to save them."
"I can find clues about this from Lord Ji's words. Even if Lord Ji tries his best to cover it up, I can't hide it from him."
"The people of Beizhaotai have worked together, and their talent is immeasurable. However, they are holding back and dare not act rashly. They are unwilling to take any risks, fearing that Ning Jiewei and the other two will be hurt by me."
Gu Mengzhen was amazed and spoke with inspiration.
"I didn't expect that Ning Wunu and Gao Ernu would be so important."
"The second one has mediocre qualifications and is useless. If it were in my camp, I would abandon it."
"Prince Di Jin, you are so ignorant of people, treating two fools as treasures. With someone like him, how can we achieve Yue Sheng, how can we stabilize the world?"
Ning Cangmo sneered.
"Prince Di Jin boasts to the outside world that he values friendship and loyalty, so he values useless people."
"It's ridiculous."
Gu Mengzhen was contemptuous.
"What's the point of making such high-sounding statements? I can see through his little tricks at a glance."
"Those who are mediocre are entrusted with important tasks. The subjects naturally believe that if they pledge their loyalty to King Di Jin, they too will have a chance to rise to prominence."
Ning Cangmo tried to please with kind words.
"Prince Di Jin lives up to his reputation in vain. Heaven will not tolerate this. His arrogance will not last long."
"Your Majesty is a man of virtue. The country and the world will eventually belong to a wise ruler."
Gu Mengzhen acted modestly.
"My dear, you are too kind."
"I am just determined to benefit the people, no different from ordinary people."
He cares.
"How's your training on the formation-breaking method going?"
Ning Cangmo is respectful.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I have been practicing for an hour and have achieved some results."
Gu Mengzhen suggested generously.
"Ning Mansion may be too crowded. My dear, you can choose to practice breaking the formation in the palace."
"If you fail to practice today, my dear, please rest in the palace."
"I allow you to stay overnight."
Ning Cangmo was interested in his heart, but pretended to be ignorant on the surface.
"I am a foolish minister and did not understand the words of Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will clarify them."
Gu Mengzhen explained in detail.
"That person who looks like Lan Xiangzhu, I forgot her position, I think she was a concubine. Last time, she was lucky enough to die under your superb skills. I am filled with regret."
"I regret that you, my dear, have no place to enjoy yourself for the time being."
"Today, I went to the harem and happened to see a woman whose aura was almost identical to that of Princess Li."
"There are so many concubines that I suddenly can't remember their positions... Oh, by the way, she is Shen Shuyuan, a distant relative of Consort Wan."
Ning Cangmo was shocked.
"Shuyuan?"
"Your Majesty, please reconsider. Empress Shuyuan is one of the Nine Concubines. I, a humble servant, would never dare to overstep my bounds."
Gu Mengzhen was relieved.
"With me here, you don't have to worry about anything. Don't worry, everything will be fine."
"You'll definitely like her the moment you see her."
"Tonight, my dear, you may stay at her palace and do as you please."
"I have already instructed you that if you stay with her, you are the emperor. If she dares to disobey you, you will be at your mercy."
Ning Cangmo quickly knelt down.
"Your Majesty's grace is so great, I don't know how to repay you."
Gu Mengzhen looked relaxed.
"She is just a concubine, a woman to be played with by others. This is nothing. As long as you are happy, my dear minister."
Ning Cangmo performed a great ceremony.
"Your humble servant, I bow to thank the emperor for his grace."