The first rebel of the Tang Dynasty

Fang Xuanling leaned over and looked at the man carefully. He was dressed in cloth, had a thin face, and his eyes revealed a sense of wisdom and depth. Fang Xuanling looked around and found that this man was the only one here. He secretly guessed that this man was probably Lu Zhaolin.

He clenched his hands into fists and adjusted his breathing. Then he mustered up the courage to ask: "Excuse me, are you Lu Zhaolin?"

Lu Zhaolin saw a middle-aged man wearing a luxurious robe standing in front of him, looking at him with a smile. There was wisdom and depth in the man's eyes, which made him wonder who this person was.

"Who are you?" Lu Zhaolin asked doubtfully, feeling a sense of vigilance in his heart.

"Fang Xuanling!" Fang Xuanling replied, with a confident smile on his face.

Lu Zhaolin was stunned for a moment, then shook his head gently, with a wry smile on his face. He thought to himself: "Fang Xuanling is the Duke of the Tang Dynasty, how could he come to a small place like mine? Is it another boring nobleman who comes to entertain me?"

"Sir, don't try to trick me. How could a noble nobleman come to my small courtyard?" Lu Zhaolin said with a wry smile.

"So, you are Lu Zhaolin?" Fang Xuanling confirmed again, with a hint of ridicule in his tone.

Lu Zhaolin nodded and replied: "Yes, I am Lu Zhaolin. What can I do for you?"

Fang Xuanling walked forward with a smile, stretched out her hand to shake Lu Zhaolin's hand. Lu Zhaolin was stunned, but still held Fang Xuanling's hand politely.

"I have admired your name for a long time and admire you very much. I came here to visit you today." Fang Xuanling said sincerely, with a friendly smile on his face.

Lu Zhaolin was a little confused when he heard this. He didn't know this visitor and didn't know why he came to see him. Although the other party claimed to be Fang Xuanling, he was still dubious.

Fang Xuanling saw Lu Zhaolin's doubts and reminded him, "Do you remember Liu Rengui? He recommended him."

When Liu Rengui's name was mentioned, Lu Zhaolin's expression suddenly froze. He thought of that time when he was young and studying with Liu Rengui. A flash of memory flashed in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth raised slightly.

"He was my classmate. In our early years, we studied together. Later, he went to the imperial court and became an official, and we never contacted him again!" Lu Zhaolin said with emotion.

Fang Xuanling felt happy, and he was even more certain that Lu Zhaolin was the person he was looking for. The smile on his face became even brighter, "That's great, it's you, it's really you!"

Lu Zhaolin was confused by Fang Xuanling, "What are you doing?"

Fang Xuanling stretched out her hand, took out a jade plaque from her arms and handed it to Lu Zhaolin. His movements were gentle and graceful, and there was a mysterious light in his eyes.

Lu Zhaolin took a look at the jade plaque and was stunned. The words on the jade plaque danced in front of his eyes like flames, "The Duke of the Kingdom of Tang Dynasty, Fang Xuanling". His hands were shaking slightly, his heartbeat was racing, and his mind was in chaos. He never expected that the visitor in front of him was actually Fang Xuanling, the Duke of the Tang Dynasty!

"You are really the Duke! I'm sorry!" Lu Zhaolin stuttered, with an expression of embarrassment and shock on his face.

Fang Xuanling quickly comforted: "It's okay, it's okay, I was rude. I shouldn't have disturbed you at this time. I should have said hello to you in advance, and then said that I was coming to find you. This time it was me. It's really rude of me to come here rashly."

"Don't dare!" Lu Zhaolin shook his head repeatedly, feeling a little at a loss.

The two chatted for a while, and Fang Xuanling said, "Since I've arrived at your place, why don't you invite me in to sit down?"

Only then did Lu Zhaolin realize that he had neglected etiquette.

"Oh, look at my head, I'm so confused!" He patted his head and laughed, "Please come in quickly!"

So he led Fang Xuanling into the house.

Fang Xuanling looked at the furnishings in the room with a surprised expression on his face. This place is really too shabby and completely inconsistent with his identity and status. He never imagined that Lu Zhaolin's living environment would be so poor.

Lu Zhaolin's yard was very simple, very different from what Fang Xuanling had imagined. The yard is paved with stone slabs and surrounded by weeds. There are some old firewood and farm tools piled in the corner. The fence of the yard is made of adobe, and it is cracked in some places and looks a bit dilapidated.

There are no gorgeous decorations or expensive flowers in the yard. There are only a few wild flowers blooming silently in the corner, exuding a faint fragrance. A thin native dog was wandering in the yard, looking a little listless.

The whole yard gives people a simple and natural feeling, without a trace of luxury or exaggeration. Although the environment is simple, it exudes an atmosphere of tranquility and indifference.

"This place is really too shabby..." Fang Xuanling said unbearably.

Lu Zhaolin smiled and said, "I'm used to the life here. It's quiet and comfortable, without too many cumbersome things and constraints."

Fang Xuanling couldn't help but admire Lu Zhaolin's indifference to fame and fortune and his noble character. He sighed secretly in his heart: "This is the real wise man!"

No wonder Li Min wants such a talent.

Li Min wants the same talents.

Talents like this are the ones they want.

Therefore, Fang Xuanling understood Li Min's method of employing people.

Integrity must be the first priority. He will not be stingy in giving them more things, but you must do a good job. If you do not do a good job, you will never be able to gain a foothold in the Tang Dynasty. Others do not have this energy, but Li Min does. of.

"Come, sit down!" Lu Zhaolin warmly greeted Fang Xuanling to sit down. He noticed the shabby environment in the yard and couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed, but he quickly adjusted his mentality.

Then he went to pour tea. Lu Zhaolin knew that although the environment was simple, the hospitality should not be compromised. He brought a pot of hot tea from the house and placed it on the table in front of Fang Xuanling.

When Lu Zhaolin brought the tea out, Fang Xuanling asked doubtfully, "Where is your wife?"

Lu Zhaolin smiled sheepishly and said, "I am used to living alone, so I have never married."

Fang Xuanling couldn't help but sigh in her heart, what a talent! People who focus on learning often do not marry wives, which is normal.

"That won't work. You have to have someone to take care of you. Otherwise, how can you engage in learning?" Fang Xuanling said with concern.

Lu Zhaolin nodded and said, "Yes, but I'm old and can't marry anymore, so why bother!"

Saying this makes people feel sad. What Lu Zhaolin didn't know was that his life would change dramatically in the near future. All this stems from Fang Xuanling's arrival.

"If we don't talk about this anymore, what does the Duke want from me?" Lu Zhaolin asked a little embarrassed.

"That's right, I came here to find you because I want you to join the Shengtang Group!" Fang Xuanling said straight to the point.

Lu Zhaolin was shocked after hearing this. "Shengtang Group?" He simply couldn't believe his ears.

"Yes, it's Shengtang Group!" Fang Xuanling repeated.

"Did Shengtang Group ask you to come to me? But I heard that the relationship between Shengtang Group and the imperial court is not very good. Is this true?" Lu Zhaolin obviously didn't believe it.

"It's true. I'm asking for something from your husband, and I know that your husband wants to recruit you to work in the Shengtang Group, so I came to visit you!" Fang Xuanling said frankly.

At this time, Lu Zhaolin finally believed it. But he was in no hurry to reply.

"Shengtang Group is a good place!" Lu Zhaolin murmured.

"Yeah, so, you've decided?" Fang Xuanling asked next.

Lu Zhaolin was silent for a while, and then replied: "Let me think about it!"

Fang Xuanling nodded, knowing that Lu Zhaolin needed time to think about it. He picked up the tea cup and took a sip of tea, feeling the aroma of tea filling his mouth.

The atmosphere between the two became somewhat silent, but the silence was not awkward. Fang Xuanling looked at Lu Zhaolin and couldn't help but feel more respect for this simple man. He understood that Lu Zhaolin's talents and qualities were accumulated over the years. Such people often know how to cherish life and pursue truly valuable things.

After a long time, Lu Zhaolin raised his head, looked at Fang Xuanling firmly, and said, "I've thought about it."

Fang Xuanling put down the tea cup in his hand, his eyes showing seriousness and expectation. He stared at Lu Zhaolin, waiting for his answer.

"How is it? Tell me!" Fang Xuanling was a little nervous. He wanted to know Lu Zhaolin's decision.

Lu Zhaolin took a deep breath, folded his hands in front of him, and said, "I can't promise you for the time being!"

Fang Xuanling was stunned. He didn't expect Lu Zhaolin to say that. A trace of doubt and loss flashed across his face, and he asked puzzledly: "Why?"

Lu Zhaolin sighed softly and said in a low tone: "Is there anything wrong with Shengtang Group for you?"

Fang Xuanling couldn't help but feel anxious. He was worried that his proposal would be rejected by Lu Zhaolin. He stared closely into Lu Zhaolin's eyes, trying to find clues from his expression.

Lu Zhaolin shook his head and said, "Shengtang Group is a good place, but I have my concerns."

Fang Xuanling couldn't help but frown, filled with doubts, "What concerns?" he asked, eager to know what Lu Zhaolin's concerns were.

Lu Zhaolin was silent for a while, with a hint of helplessness and hesitation in his eyes. He sighed and said, "Actually, someone came to look for me long before you came."

Fang Xuanling was shocked and frowned. He guessed who was coming to see Lu Zhaolin. Li Shimin must have sent someone to look for him first. There was a trace of annoyance and remorse in his eyes. He should have come to Lu Zhaolin earlier.

Lu Zhaolin continued: "An official asked me to be the governor of Qingzhou."

Fang Xuanling's heart sank, as expected. He thought Li Shimin must have sent someone to look for Lu Zhaolin first. A trace of loss and helplessness flashed across his face. He knew he was late.

He thought with some annoyance that he should go to the household department directly instead of calling someone to deliver it first. This takes too long. He neglected this.

"So you agreed to them?" Fang Xuanling couldn't help but ask. There was a trace of anxiety and nervousness in his eyes. He was worried that he would lose the talent of Lu Zhaolin.

Lu Zhaolin shook his head and said firmly: "No, I did not promise them."

Fang Xuanling breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a little lucky and relieved in his heart. He thought there might be a chance to get Lu Zhaolin to join him. He asked: "What do you mean?"

Lu Zhaolin looked at Fang Xuanling, his eyes showing seriousness and thinking. "I want to take another look before making a decision. I don't want my decision to be hasty," he said.

Fang Xuanling nodded, expressing understanding. He understood Lu Zhaolin's concerns and caution. He knew it was a responsible decision.

"Okay, I respect your decision." Fang Xuanling stood up and prepared to leave. He patted Lu Zhaolin on the shoulder, smiled and said, "I believe you will make a wise choice."

Lu Zhaolin also stood up, with a hint of apology and gratitude in his eyes. He said softly: "My lord, please understand me!"

Fang Xuanling nodded, expressing understanding. He understood Lu Zhaolin's concerns and hesitations, as well as his contradictions and entanglements.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of loss and regret in his heart, but he still tried to keep smiling. He knew that this was Lu Zhaolin's choice and he needed to respect it.

"I know that everyone has the right to choose, including you." Fang Xuanling said gently, trying not to let his disappointment and regret affect Lu Zhaolin.

Lu Zhaolin felt a little embarrassed and guilty. He lowered his head and was silent for a while, then raised his head and looked at Fang Xuanling and said, "My lord, I really appreciate your visit and invitation, but I need time to think about it again."

Fang Xuanling nodded, expressing understanding. He gently patted Lu Zhaolin on the shoulder and said encouragingly: "Mr. Lu, you have your own choices and pursuits. I believe you will make a wise decision. No matter which direction you choose, I will support you."

Lu Zhaolin looked at Fang Xuanling gratefully, knowing that Fang Xuanling sincerely supported him. He also became more determined in his choice.

He smiled slightly and said, "Thank you, Duke. I will seriously consider it."

Fang Xuanling nodded, turned and left Lu Zhaolin's small yard. Although he had some regrets in his heart, he believed that everyone had their own choices and pursuits. He will wait for Lu Zhaolin's decision and hope that he can make the best choice.

After Fang Xuanling left, Lu Zhaolin sat alone on the stone bench in the yard, thinking deeply. He took out a yellow invitation card with a delicate jade seal pattern printed on it, showing a kind of solemnity and authority.

There were three big words written on the invitation: "Letter of Appointment". Lu Zhaolin gently touched these words, feeling a surge of complicated emotions in his heart. This is an appointment letter from the imperial court. As long as he is willing to accept it, he can directly take office and go to Qingzhou to become the governor of a party.

Qingzhou is a prosperous and rich place, and it is also the place where he grew up. He has a deep affection for this place. However, accepting this appointment also means giving up the invitation from Shengtang Group.

Lu Zhaolin took a deep breath and felt the freshness and tranquility in the air. He understands that this is a big decision and a difficult choice. For him, both the Shengtang Group and the Qingzhou Governor were extremely attractive.

There was a trace of contradiction and entanglement in his heart. On the one hand, there are unknown and challenging new opportunities; on the other hand, there is a familiar homeland and an expected future. This is not only a choice about career, but also a choice about life path.

Lu Zhaolin gently closed his eyes, thinking a lot. He knew that this was a decision that required careful consideration and that he could not make it lightly. He thought of Fang Xuanling's encouragement and trust, as well as his own dreams and ambitions.

He took a deep breath again, feeling the entanglement and confusion. But no matter what the outcome, he believed that his choice would be the best.