The rise of the prince

Chapter 435
In the afternoon, Sun Huan hurried into the side entrance of the East Palace, just in time to bump into Mr. Fang who was about to go out.

"Where is Mr. Fang going?" Sun Huan asked politely.

It stands to reason that he is an official of the prince's mansion, and Mr. Fang is just a diner, and he is just closer to the prince. But Sun Huan has always respected Mr. Fang, who is about the same age as himself, probably because of his wisdom.

Usually when talking with the prince, he is usually present. The prince can't hear it, but he can hear that Mr. Fang has a strategy in mind, and he is always superior to others in judging things and people.

"It turned out to be Lord Sun. He just had nothing to do and was going to have a drink." Mr. Fang also replied politely.

Sun Huangong cupped his hands: "It's not convenient for Mr. Fang to show his face, let me go with you."

Mr. Fang was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "That's natural, if Mr. Sun doesn't dislike it, you can go with him."

Sun Huan laughed, and then said: "Mister, wait for me for a while, if you have news to tell the prince, come as soon as you go."

Mr. Fang nodded in agreement, Sun Huan hurried into the inner courtyard, and came out again after a while, and the two left the East Palace together.

The two talked all the way, went out of the Meridian Gate, and then drove to the first generation in the city. The two walked while talking, and when they went upstairs, Sun Huan noticed that Mr. Fang was half a step behind. He seemed to be hesitant, and he suddenly understood.

This is Zhiqiu Building, one of the most high-end and most expensive restaurants in the capital. Mr. Fang is only a guest of the Prince's mansion. Someone arranges it, and it is inevitable to be shy in the outer pocket.

Sun Huan didn't say anything, but said casually: "I have worked with Mr. Fang for several years, but due to busy work and complicated trivial matters, I haven't had the opportunity to drink with him. It's a pity. Today, I would like to ask Mr. Fang to show his respect." how."

"Master Sun is too polite."

The two went upstairs and sat down on the third floor. This Zhiqiu building is five stories high. The higher you go, the more honorable it is. Sitting on the third floor is not bad.

After the two sat down, a well-dressed waiter came up to greet them politely. The two ordered some meat and vegetarian dishes, and then added two bottles of fruit wine. Naturally, it was not made by the general, but it was much better than ordinary wine, and the taste was even more different.

Looking up, I saw a few nice big characters written on the plaque in front of the counter, with powerful writing and full of charm, "One bow, one look up, one smile, one river with bright moon and one river with autumn", which made people feel refreshed and happy after reading it, and the whole restaurant's style suddenly changed again. Go up one level.

Sun Huan looked at it and couldn't help but read it out, and then said: "It is said that King Pingnan is good at learning, and it is true. It is also a good sentence to mention two restaurants in the essay."

Mr. Fang also laughed, and then said: "The scary thing about King Pingnan is not his talent and learning."

"Oh, where is that?"

Mr. Fang said: "Master Sun, do you know that when King Pingnan first built the Tingyu Tower, many people laughed at him, saying that he used yellow cloth to cover the ashes, and he was ignorant. Later, he started to learn everywhere, and he also used yellow cloth, but he was not good at it." Yes, I don't know much about it, and I don't understand why he is like this. I only know how to learn from the gourd.

I haven't learned it yet, Ting Yulou changed the dishes again, and other restaurants followed suit after hearing it, and made some nondescript things.As a result, the dishes were not clear yet, and Ting Yulou released a new wine, the famous General Niang, now it's ready, even if it is a gourd, it can't be painted, so it can only be bought from Pingnan Wangfu at a high price.

It’s not easy to get General Niang, and Ting Yulou has produced fruit wine and a good sentence.”

Speaking of this, Mr. Fang shook his head: "Everyone didn't calm down and think about it. They just kept thinking about listening to Yulou to make money. I can make money by doing what he does. I didn't think why he wanted to do this? In the end, he just imitated and still Always being led by the nose.

This is the scary thing about King Pingnan. I don't know if he is running this restaurant. Don't Mr. Sun think that he is one step ahead of everyone else and makes a quick move?

Sometimes everyone can't even notice it, and they are complacent about being led by him, but by the time they realize it, it's too late. "

Sun Huan nodded, and said with emotion: "In just over a year, from the eldest son of the capital, to the king of Pingnan County, the champion general, the envoy of the north of Beijing, the commander of the new army, and the minister of Honglu Temple, and the army Device Superintendent.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince always said that it was just the times that created a man, he was just lucky, but no matter how lucky he was, if he didn’t have the skills, how could he be so powerful?”

Looking at the cold wind blowing outside the window, and the passers-by wrapped in coats, winter has really arrived.

Sun Huan was disappointed, and couldn't help but think of the Southern Expedition this spring, which is also a great opportunity. The Tian family's [-] army, hundreds of warships, mighty, what can the rebels do to stop them?If he had won at that time, the crown prince would certainly have a great reputation, and he might have already sat on the position of the governor of Kaiyuan.

But such a great opportunity was ruined in vain. His Royal Highness always said that King Pingnan had many opportunities, but he himself did not have many opportunities, even more than King Pingnan, because he is the prince of the Tian family.
Sun Huan was speechless, drank a cup silently, and then said: "Yesterday, the queen sent a letter in person, reprimanding King Pingnan on behalf of the emperor, saying that he was procrastinating and negligent in handling Jiangzhou affairs on behalf of the emperor, and Honglu Temple was also in chaos. I just told His Highness the Crown Prince about this, and His Highness is overjoyed."

Mr. Fang was a little surprised: "How does Mr. Sun know about the letters from the Tian family!"

"Hush" Sun Huan quickly said: "Sir, keep your voice low!" Then he whispered and said: "The East Palace is in the palace, and the prince is the future emperor. The letters from the Tian family are sent and received by the inner court secretary, and there must be some in the inner court secretary who want to please Your Highness, I can only say so much, Mr. Fang must not tell outsiders."

"Don't worry, Mr. Sun, I know this matter well." Mr. Fang cupped his hands.

Sun Huan nodded, and the two chatted casually for a while, and then talked about the past. Mr. Fang was a little vague, but Sun Huan knew everything.

He was originally from Zhending Mansion, and his father was a county magistrate. Later, through his own efforts, he entered the Imperial College to study. Chen Yu can be regarded as his teacher, but people like Chen Yu, who are full of peaches and plums, naturally don't remember him. Such a little disciple.

"After I finished my studies, I had the opportunity to return to the real government and become an official. The court may have served as the magistrate of Mozhou, but I chose to stay in the capital and work for the prince's residence." Sun Huan said.

"Why didn't you go back?" Mr. Fang was puzzled. Zhan in the Prince's Mansion was from the seventh rank, and the governor of Mozhou was at least the sixth rank. If it was a big state, he might even be from the fifth rank, a senior official of the fifth rank.

Sun Huan just shook his head, and said with a wry smile: "Sir, I don't know something. Taiyuan is to the west, and Zhending is to the east. These two prefectures are the front lines against the Liao Dynasty. They have confronted the Liao people almost every year. They must not relax at all times. Sometimes life is not considered alive."

"Not alive?"

Sun Huan nodded: "In the west, there are three important towns, the Yang family's army; in the east, the imperial guards are on duty, and Wei Jiedu envoy Anbian, but the heavy town can guard the main road, but can't stop the small road. In the big picture, both sides have nothing to do, but we must Win or lose.

It's like two children getting angry, if you punch me, even if it doesn't hurt, I must scratch you, otherwise I'm showing weakness.

The same is true for border crossings. Large armies cannot get through, but small groups of cavalry and banditry can come from time to time, killing anyone they see, and looting anything they see. Food, livestock, and people can be robbed if they can.

Liao people are proud of this, Liao soldiers and people, and even some desperadoes will follow suit. Although some were captured and killed by frontier soldiers, no one is afraid at all. ?
In such a place, sometimes when I close my eyes at night, I don’t know if I can open them tomorrow, I’m not afraid of your jokes, Mr. Fang, I’m really afraid, I don’t want to go back to that place.”

Sun Huan smiled wryly. He really lived a life like that. He was frightened all day long, had no peace, and died if he was not careful. He lived like a human being.

His father's county magistrate, in those seasons when the limelight was intense, such as the autumn harvest, would go to sleep at the top of the city every night with the cold wind blowing, not because he was a good official for the people and the country, but because he was afraid that at some point, The Liao people came. If the Liao people came in, no matter whether they were good or bad officials, they would not be able to survive.

Sun Huan knew that Mr. Fang would laugh at him when he said it, because since he came to the Imperial College to study and arrived in the capital, everyone talked about serving his family and country, everyone shouted to go north to join the army, and people talked about such topics everywhere in restaurants and tea shops.

But he was the complete opposite. What he wanted was to escape from the border, and what he wanted was to go south and stay away from the land of right and wrong.

So he has always been afraid to speak out, rarely made friends, afraid of being criticized by words and pens, and talked with Mr. Fang today, somehow he said it out, and he was also prepared to be treated with contempt.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Fang just nodded, there was a kind of sadness in his eyes that he couldn't understand, and he smiled wistfully: "Okay, it's fine if you don't go back."

(End of this chapter)