This prince, it doesn't matter if you don't do it!

Chapter 844: A Stone Stirs Up Waves
Ever since Chang Sun Chong chose to stay in the Ming Dynasty to develop, his brothers have not been idle.

You, Chang Sun Chong, look down on the title of Duke of Qi, but the rest of us are eyeing it eagerly.

So over the years, guys like Changsun Huan have been quite restless.

If possible, who would be willing to be inferior to others?
At a time like this, let alone your brothers, even your father can’t give in!

Of course, this was also because their uncle had set a good example for them.

How could Chang Sun Chong not know all this, but he just didn't care.

The title of Duke of Qi is indeed very attractive, but given his current status in the Ming Dynasty, there is a chance that he will become more powerful than his ancestors in the future.

Moreover, he and Changsun Wuji are actually the same. They both want to build the Changsun family into a thousand-year-old scholar family that can rival the likes of Cui, Lu, and Zheng Wang.

By then, he will also need help, right?
As long as his brothers did not make any mistakes on matters of principle, he would be happy to see it happen.

Seeing that all his brothers were looking at him, Chang Sun Chong picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then said, "Don't worry about this. You can't get involved in your aunt's affairs. Just remember that our surname is Chang Sun, and your aunt's surname is also Chang Sun."

He didn't mind his brothers getting closer to Li Tai and Li Zhi, but this closeness was only limited to the two brothers Li Tai and Li Zhi.

After all, everyone knows that you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket.

In case anything happens to Li Chengqian in the future, this would be a way out for his Changsun family, right?
"Don't worry, brother. We understand." Upon hearing this, Chang Sun Huan did not ask any more questions and left with the other brothers.

But in Changming Restaurant, those guys from the royal family had rosy faces.

After leaving the Duke of Qi's Mansion, Li Xiaogong informed them of Changsun's attitude.

After receiving the news, everyone went straight to Changming Restaurant to celebrate.

Of course, they were not trying to show off. The reason they chose Changming Restaurant was to meet Wang Dequan.

After all, from the moment they made this decision, their future was destined to be biased.

Meeting Wang Dequan at this time can also be regarded as showing off in front of the Ming Dynasty.

Of course, it also means showing your attitude to others.

As soon as Wang Dequan entered the restaurant, a waiter beside him walked up quickly and whispered, "Young Master, today the people from the Tang royal family are having a banquet on the second floor. They said earlier that you are here, please come upstairs and have a chat."

He was originally a member of the Wang family. Now many of the shop assistants have been transferred to various places, so he has the opportunity to work in Changming Restaurant.

Speaking of which, even though he was just a waiter in Changming Restaurant, many people were fighting for it.

You know, except for a very few people, the first batch of waiters of Changming Restaurant are now shopkeepers in various places.

"They are not slow at all." Upon hearing this, Wang Dequan waved his hand and said, "You go and do your thing. I'll just go and take a look."

He had received the news in advance, so he came to the restaurant specifically, but he didn't expect these guys to act so quickly.

After straightening his clothes, Wang Dequan went straight to the second floor.

"You all coming to our shop today really makes our shop shine." When Wang Dequan walked into the box, he immediately greeted everyone with a smile on his face.

Although they don't have much interaction on weekdays, they all know each other.

There is no way, the relationship between the two sides is too delicate.

"We have all heard of Minister Wang's name, and seeing him today, it is true that the rumors are true."

Both sides are thousand-year-old foxes, and they deliberately make friends with each other. How can they not be on good terms with each other?

At this moment, they are in the honeymoon period with great affection.

"I think Minister Wang has also heard about it." After Wang Dequan sat down, someone said directly, "We also want to make some contributions to the cultural and educational undertakings of the Tang Dynasty. This matter still needs the help of Minister Wang."

"You are too kind." Wang Dequan laughed and said, "I heard that you all want to promote movable type printing, which will be a good thing for both the Ming Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty, with more benefits than disadvantages.

Moreover, although I am now working in the Ming Dynasty, my roots are still in the Tang Dynasty.

If I have the opportunity to help the Tang Dynasty's cultural and educational revitalization, I will certainly not lag behind."

In fact, what they both said was nonsense. Given the current situation, why did the gentry need to go through Wang Dequan to promote movable type printing?
The reason why we are talking about all this nonsense here is just to keep in touch between both sides.

It was obvious that these guys from the royal family wanted to place a huge bet on Li Chengqian in exchange for Li Chengqian continuing their wealth and glory after he ascended the throne in the future.

As the representative of the Ming Dynasty, Wang Dequan also hopes that these clan members will support his own prince. It is not that the Ming Dynasty is in urgent need of their support, but one more person supporting them means one less person causing trouble for them.

Everyone can do this kind of calculation.

In this case, how could this dinner not have a happy ending?

……

In the next few days, the whole Chang'an was different.

Many big families have stopped their previous actions, or at least are not as active as before.

Empress Changsun's words calmed many people down.

And during these few days, the most active guys in Chang'an naturally became those from the royal family.

These days, those guys are not as cautious as before.

Each of them was working hard to promote the Ming Dynasty's movable type printing technology.

Although they do not have any real power, they have extensive connections and are adept at promotion.

What amazed Wang Dequan even more was that when they were promoting movable type printing, they never forgot to mention that it was developed by someone in the Ming Dynasty.

This made many people who had heard about the actions of the nobles in recent days understand instantly.

The nobles wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to take advantage of Li Chengqian, but they didn't expect that these guys from the royal family would interfere.

"It's going to be exciting now." In a private room on the second floor of Changming Restaurant facing the street, Wang Dequan looked at the lively scene on the street and said with a smile.

Opposite him, Chang Sun Chong also smiled and said, "I didn't expect that those guys from the royal family would be so resolute this time. This is a bit surprising to me."

If he remembered correctly, when His Majesty launched the Xuanwu Gate Incident, few members of the royal family participated.

Now, before it has come to that stage, those guys from the royal family have taken the lead in making their choice.

"Normal." Wang Dequan smiled and said, "You have been away from Chang'an and the Tang Dynasty for too long. You have not seen the changes in Chang'an over the years. But people like me have truly felt it.

Times have changed...

With the powerful rise of the Ming Dynasty, it was destined that in this era, one could not survive without real ability.

Just as His Highness said at the beginning, in this era, if you don’t want to be a wolf, you can be a dog, but you can’t be a lamb to be slaughtered, right?”

"That's true." Chang Sun Chong nodded and said, "At least a dog can guard the house, but what about a lamb? It's just destined to be slaughtered."

Just as the two were chatting, a waiter pushed open the door and said anxiously, "Minister, Vice Minister, there's news from the restaurant in the south that Liang Guogong is holding a referendum to elect officials in Siam. Some people in the south have gone crazy. I heard that many people have split into two groups, one heading north and one heading south, and they want the court and your majesty to give them an explanation."

The two people who were originally drinking their wine calmly stood up immediately after hearing this.

What the hell, a referendum?
Although I have never heard of this word before, now everyone knows what it means.

"Is Fang Xuanling crazy?" Wang Dequan couldn't help but mutter, without even using a respectful title, calling him by his name.

Chang Sun Chong also looked incredulous.

"I thought the Ming Dynasty was radical and open enough, but it turns out that Duke Liang is really amazing..."

Even from his point of view, he could not understand Fang Xuanling's actions.

What a joke, is he working for Li Chengqian just to be chosen by the people in the future?
Not to mention him, even Wang Dequan couldn't understand it.

Everyone has his or her own purpose for doing anything, and they are no exception!
"Now is not the time to talk about this." Wang Dequan was the first to calm down. He looked at the waiter and asked, "How long will it take for the news to reach Chang'an?"

"No later than two days." The waiter said, "Moreover, I heard from them that the news first spread from our Changming Restaurant to every place. I wonder if someone is..."

"Did all this come from our restaurant?" Wang Dequan's face changed when he heard this. "Is someone trying to create the illusion that we are building momentum for Fang Xuanling?"

After saying this, Wang Dequan's brows furrowed even more. Even he felt that Fang Xuanling's behavior was inappropriate, let alone others.

But if what Fang Xuanling did was related to their Changming Restaurant, then wouldn't it be inseparable from his own prince?
By then, I wonder how many people will point their fingers directly at the Ming Dynasty.

This is different from everything in the past.

In the past, whether it was movable type printing, setting up bookstores, even if they were cheap books, or opening up schools, everyone was actually still within an acceptable range.

After all, there is a way to crack this.

Just like how the nobles have dealt with all of this very well over the years, haven’t they?
But this referendum to elect officials, just these few words can make one imagine what kind of uproar this will cause in the Tang Dynasty.

"We need to report this to His Highness immediately." Chang Sun Chong also realized the seriousness of the matter and said quickly, "If this news spreads, our Ming Dynasty will become the target of public criticism."

"It is certain that we will report it to the emperor." Wang Dequan said, but he shook his head and said, "But we cannot just report it to the emperor. This way." Wang Dequan looked at the guy who just came in and said, "Now you should inform those guys in the Secret Service Department, tell them the whole story, and then have them spread the news to all places immediately, with Chang'an as the center.

Remember, I want to hear that this news comes from the wealthy families of scholars. "

Wang Dequan is not a person who just sits there and does nothing. Since someone wants to create such an illusion, why can't he shift the blame to someone else?

Even if it can't lead to other people, at least it can muddy the waters.

When it comes to the ability to respond to emergencies, Wang Dequan is much better than Changsun Chong.

Although I was panicked for a moment, it was only a moment.

"What do you need me to do?" Chang Sun Chong asked repeatedly at this time.

Although he came from a noble family and was indeed a bit rebellious in his early years, after working in the Ming Dynasty over the years, his former edges have been smoothed out.

Wang Dequan thought for a moment and said, “Not for the time being, Minister Changsun should just pretend he knows nothing and do what needs to be done.

But Minister Changsun has to make some preparations."

"Hmm?" Chang Sun Chong asked, "What preparations?"

"Be prepared to be beaten." Wang Dequan said, "Once the news starts to spread in Chang'an, I need Minister Zhangsun to publicly condemn the Duke of Liang's actions, and even dare to attack the Duke of Liang's mansion when necessary.

By then, I will need Minister Changsun and Young Master Fang to put on a show."

When Chang Sun Chong heard what Wang Dequan said, he understood instantly.

……

In the next few days, the entire Tang Dynasty was in chaos.

As the news of Fang Xuanling's implementation of a referendum to elect officials in Siam spread, many people were on the verge of taking to the streets to protest.

You have to know that they have spent decades studying, not just to let a bunch of untouchables judge them.

Just as Fang Xuanling's news spread across the country, the Journal of the Tang Dynasty, led by Cui, Lu and Zheng Wang, was officially published.

The most interesting thing is that the front-page headline of the journal is the comment by Cui Mingan, the contemporary head of the Cui family, on Fang Xuanling's referendum in Siam.

It is precisely because of this that the Journal of Tang University became a household name in almost an instant.

I have to say that those guys from the aristocratic families are really not comparable to ordinary people when it comes to seizing opportunities.

In Chang'an, Wang Dequan was also amazed when he held the so-called Journal of the Tang Dynasty.

After a while, he said, "Haha, the newspapers of the nobles have been published, but there is still no sign of the official newspaper of the Tang Dynasty..."

"My dear, what does Cui Ming mean?" asked the old servant at the side. "From what he said, it seems that he was just commenting on the Duke of Liang's actions in a proper manner, and he didn't show any anger at all. Could it be that they can accept this referendum?"

"Can they accept it?" Wang Dequan said disdainfully, "This is where these people are shameless! You can rest assured that they will never accept it. The reason they are like this is that they are just being a whore and pretending to be a saint.

After all, in front of others, they are well-educated and well-mannered, and they have inherited farming and reading from their families. How can they point fingers at us and curse us like us? "

"But when Tang Jian scolded the Duke of Weiguo, wasn't it just like pointing at someone's nose and scolding his mother?" the old servant laughed.

Wang Dequan was speechless for a moment, but still shook his head and said, "It's different.

Being able to curse directly means that the matter ends here. But if Cui Min acts like this, you will see that the matter is not over yet and those people will not let it go so easily.

Please send someone to keep an eye on it at all times. Make sure this kind of thing doesn't get to us.

Duke Liang, if you don’t handle this properly, you will be the target of public criticism in the future..."