Chapter 12 Playing devil’s advocate
In short, Emperor Qing quickly summarized the new situation to Li Chengze: "Propose Lai Mingcheng to be the examiner of Chunwei?" Li Chengze heard this and felt a slight movement in his heart. This plot was not recorded in the original work! But then I thought about it and realized that Fan Xian's move was actually to protect Lai Mingcheng, and it indirectly helped him complete an important task, so he quickly decided to support Fan Xian.
However, when facing Emperor Qing, Li Chengze spoke with a completely opposite attitude: "Father, I think there is something wrong with Fan Xian's proposal."
This statement surprised Fan Xian. After all, it was he who suggested protecting Lai Mingcheng first.
Li Chengze's eyes moved slightly, secretly observing Fan Xian's reaction, while Emperor Qing asked calmly:
"Oh? What's wrong? Let's talk about it."
Li Chengze explained clearly and logically: "First, Fan Xian has been appointed as the chief examiner. If he changes his position easily now, he may damage the majesty of the imperial court and his father;
Second, Fan Xian has great influence in the literary world. He has a prominent reputation and is popular among the public. His appointment as the examiner is popular among the people. Otherwise, it will easily lead to criticism;
Furthermore, although I have deep respect for Yushi Lai, it is still open to question whether his literary talent is enough to stand alone and measure the talents of the world, and it is difficult to convince everyone. "
At this moment, Fan Xian felt mixed emotions in his heart and almost wanted to blurt out:
"Your Highness, what is your position?" He originally proposed Lai Mingcheng to be Chunwei's examiner in order to save his life, and this proposal came from His Highness's reminder.
However, at this moment, His Highness not only does not support it, but openly opposes it, and his words are so conclusive that it is difficult to refute. "
What Your Highness said makes sense..." Fan Xian smiled bitterly in his heart and sighed secretly.
Lai Mingcheng, who had been silent for a long time, also spoke up at this time. He said humbly:
"I know that my talents are limited and my knowledge is shallow. Compared with Master Xiao Fan's talents, there is a huge difference.
As for serving as Chunwei's examiner and measuring the world's talents, he is even more powerless and unworthy of it.
Thank you Mr. Xiao Fan for your kindness, but I am afraid that I can only accept it from my heart, but it is difficult to obey my order. "
After that, he specifically apologized to Fan Xian, and the scene was momentarily delicate.
Fan Xian almost collapsed inside and thought to himself:
"What on earth is going on?
One reminded me to save people, and the other didn't care about his own life or death. And I tried my best to deal with it, but I got this result. "
He couldn't help but feel a tragic feeling in his heart: "The ministers are about to fight to the death, why did your majesty surrender first?"
However, Emperor Qing still maintained his calm face, his eyes flickered between Fan Xian and Li Chengze, and he smiled with a hint of amusement:
"I just praised you for the harmonious relationship between the two of you, and now we are so at odds with each other in the blink of an eye?"
As he spoke, he seemed to be quite interested in this sudden "debate".
"Your Majesty, Wei Chen recommended Fan Xian as Chunwei's examiner out of public interest, and now he opposes Yushi Lai taking over for the sake of the overall situation!"
Li Chengze faced Emperor Qing, his words were sincere and upright.
However, this performance seemed quite funny in Emperor Qing's eyes, and he thought to himself:
Who in the court doesn't know about Li Chengze's temper? If you pretend to be a loyal minister now, how many people will believe you?
"The Second Highness is so selfless, he is truly a role model for our generation!" Ying Mingcheng stood aside, his eyes full of respect and admiration for Li Chengze, and he could not hide his excitement in his words.
When Emperor Qing saw this, he shook his head secretly: Does anyone really believe this?
Just when the atmosphere was delicate, Chen Pingping, who had been silent, finally spoke. His eyes paused on Li Chengze for a moment, and then turned to Emperor Qing: "Your Majesty, I think that Lord Fan Xian and the two Your Highness’s views are all valid.”
As soon as this statement was made, Chen Pingping's neutral stance was expressed.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Qing secretly cursed Chen Pingping as an "old fox" for being cunning, but on the surface he remained calm and asked calmly:
So, in the end, do you support Fan Xian or Li Chengze? "Wei Chen tends to support Sir Fan Xian." "
Chen Pingping gave the answer directly without any hesitation. Emperor Qing motioned for him to continue, and Chen Pingping continued: "It is true that His Highness the Second Highness has a good reason. Lord Fan Xian, with his reputation as a poet and the inheritance of Zhuang Mohan in the literary world, his talents and learning are of course the chief examiner of Chunwei." Impeccable.
However, considering that Master Fan Xian is still young, he may still be immature in terms of human relations and sophistication..."
Chen Pingping's words revealed recognition of Fan Xian's potential, and also hinted at where he needs further growth.
He is often driven by emotions and is prone to act impulsively, and His Majesty is well aware of this. "
Chen Pingping spoke slowly, and then analyzed, "Therefore, there are many people who try to exert influence by delivering the list of notes, but he cannot refuse directly out of affection.
This is the truth.
If Lord Fan Xian chooses to compromise, it may damage the justice of Chunwei; if he refuses forcefully, it may cause unnecessary disputes, which will be detrimental to the reputation of His Majesty and the court. Taking into account Lai Yushi's reputation for impartiality and impartiality in the Metropolitan Procuratorate over the years,
It is indeed a wise move for him to serve as one of the chief examiners of Chunwei to curb unhealthy trends. "
Chen Pingping's words were clear and well-reasoned. Hearing this, Fan Xian quickly echoed: "Your Majesty, my personal gains and losses are insignificant, but the Spring Festival is related to the future of the country. If something goes wrong because of me, I will be responsible for my death!"
His words revealed consideration for the overall situation.
Emperor Qing knew very well that it was not the best idea to let Fan Xian compromise unilaterally or respond forcefully, so he pondered for a moment and decided: "According to the decree, this spring, Fan Xian and Lai Mingcheng are specially appointed to serve as co-examiners and supervise each other. , to ensure fairness and impartiality.”
Emperor Qing once said something, and no one dared to disobey it. Everyone accepted the order and thanked him, but they were each thinking in their hearts.
At the same time, a system prompt sounded in Li Chengze’s mind:
"Reminder, the active mission 'Loyal Minister' has been completed, and you have gained 50% understanding of the Golden Light Spell!"
This sudden reward made his heart move slightly, but he quickly gathered his mind and focused on the situation in front of him.
Joy came like a tide, and Li Chengze's heart was filled with indescribable joy!
This sudden gold-level mission completion prompt made him unbelievable.
Looking back on the past, in order to mend the rift with Fan Xian, he even did not hesitate to reveal the secret of the time traveler. Only with that effort did he get a chance.
Now, this task seemed to be accomplished inadvertently and easily with Fan Xian's strength alone. Li Chengze couldn't help but laugh and thought to himself:
Perhaps, the key to completing a task, just like accumulating wealth, lies in strategies and methods.
"Your Highness, what was the purpose of your 'singing the opposite' just now?"
Emperor Qing's decree was finalized and everyone dispersed. Fan Xian caught up with Li Chengze and asked with a bit of joking and confusion.
Li Chengze smiled slightly and explained:
Brother Fan, some things need to be done in a roundabout way to get twice the result with half the effort. Especially when facing a wise man like His Majesty,
direct confrontation is often counterproductive. To retreat is to advance. , can we find opportunities in subtlety.”
Fan Xian heard the words, savored them carefully, and gradually realized that what he said made sense, and nodded secretly in his heart.
The two walked side by side, talking in a relaxed and cheerful manner. Soon they arrived at the palace gate and dispersed.
However, what they didn't notice was that behind the two people's departing figures, a figure quietly appeared, watching all of this silently, with a complicated and difficult-to-distinguish light shining in its eyes. This scene,
(End of chapter)