The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 186 - 165, may I ask Zhao Jun, how are the ten strategies?
Is it him? Zhao Douan was momentarily startled, his face showing surprise as he squinted to assess the unexpected guest, and said,
"Turns out it’s Han Scholar, what a coincidence. Does the scholar live nearby?"
Inside the carriage, hailed as "The Premier Talent" and who had recently dazzled at the Xiuwen Pavilion in Great Yu, "Wang Anshi" smiled and said,
"Lord need not probe. After leaving the pavilion, I intentionally followed Your Majesty’s carriage for the sole purpose of meeting Lord.
Now that it’s noon, I happen to know a good restaurant nearby. Would Lord honor me?"
For me? Zhao Douan raised his eyebrows and nodded in agreement:
"Good."
...
A short while later,
In a tastefully decorated restaurant, Zhao Douan and Han Scholar were led by the staff into a private room.
The restaurant wasn’t large, embodying a quiet sophistication amidst the bustle, both stylish and pricy.
Upon entering, Zhao Douan saw that most of the patrons were dressed as scholars, realizing this was a frequent gathering place for literati.
"Please, Lord Zhao."
Han Scholar, clearly a regular, invited him to the table, and the two exchanged pleasantries while ordering food and drinks.
The room wasn’t furnished with chairs and tables but with mats and low tables.
Dining here required sitting cross-legged, a popular style among the scholars of the Capital.
Seeing his proper demeanor, Zhao Douan said with a half-smile,
"I’ve long heard of Han Scholar’s great reputation. However, I never expected to be invited out for drinks by you."
About thirty years old and exuding an air of erudition, his hair neatly tied at the back of his head, Han Scholar managed a smile, first adjusting his headwear then settling his sleeves—having swapped back to his Confucian robe after leaving the Xiuwen Pavilion.
He then took the initiative to grab the wine jug, filled Zhao Douan’s cup to the brim, and said with a smile,
"Lord Zhao is also renowned far and wide in the Capital. Better to see once than hear a hundred times. We serve as officials in the same court, and since I once enjoyed Lord’s pears, it’s only proper that I return the favor."
Pretentious… Zhao Douan shook his head and said,
"Renowned far and wide… it would be more accurate to say infamously known. I’ve heard that many scholars from the Hanlin Academy utterly despise me, angrily denouncing me as a traitor. Aren’t you afraid that associating too closely with me will sully your reputation?"
This man, who from a young age had struggled in poverty, scrimping and saving to study, and who during a year of heavy snow, with no food to cook, had once divided a bowl of cold porridge into three portions with a twig to sustain himself for three days, subsequently chose the single name ’Porridge’.
Determined by the sight of famine-stricken corpses, he aspired to ensure that everyone in the world could fill their belly with plain porridge daily,
A crowned scholar, renowned for his literary mastery, viewed by contemporary literati as embodying the demeanor of a Prime Minister with his talent and attitude as uplifting as the spring breeze.
Unflustered by such blunt words, he maintained a gentlemanly composure and responded,
"Since Han has entered the pavilion, why should I care about my reputation any longer?"
Zhao Douan chewed on these words, his gaze falling on the face of this pillar of society known as Ban Shan.
Han Scholar did not shy away, his eyes clear yet tinged with self-mockery.
Though he seemed a frail scholar, there was an undeniable edge of toughness about him.
Zhao Douan understood the meaning behind those words, thus growing slightly interested in this other-worldly version of Wang Anshi.
Frankly speaking, Zhao Douan in his past life had complex feelings towards scholars.
On one hand, these erudite classes of ancient times were indeed crucial pillars supporting societal function, producing many historically eminent figures.
On the other hand, their aloofness from worldly affairs, their detached style, and their almost pathological craving for reputation were indeed detestable.
In this world, how can one maintain an unblemished reputation?
Quite simply, by doing nothing.
As long as one remains disengaged, directing from afar and focusing on criticizing others, a good reputation naturally follows.
Doing nothing ensures no mistakes.
And those who actually do things are invariably criticized; the greater their deeds, the more numerous the mistakes they make and the broader the interests they touch, thus attracting more slander and assault.
Han Scholar’s statement was clear; his entry into the Xiuwen Pavilion was to ’do things.’
To accomplish these tasks would inevitably offend many.
Perhaps even to the point of sacrificing the innocent, hands stained with vivid blood, bearing eternal infamy… thus he said, having entered the pavilion, he no longer cared about his reputation.
Since his reputation was bound to be tarnished eventually, why care at all?
"Ha-ha, that’s well said," Zhao Douan laughed, raising the cup pushed towards him by the other and draining it in one gulp,
"To this wine."
In the private room.
A breeze blew through the cracks of the windows, decorative bamboo graced the corners, and landscapes adorned the walls…
Sitting cross-legged and eating and drinking with distinctive temperaments, one was a scholar and the other was a "military general."
This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.
The atmosphere, initially stiff and tense, suddenly relaxed as Zhao Douan finished his drink.
"So, it seems," Zhao Douan set down his empty cup and smiled,
"Mr. Han invited me for drinks with less than pure intentions."
Mr. Han, curious, asked, "How so?"
Zhao Douan, with self-aware mockery, smiled and said,
"I have always been disdainful of the literary circles, and upon reflection, to Mr. Han, my only value probably lies in being somewhat efficient and closer to Your Majesty.
I’ve also heard of the ’Ten Strategies’ that Mr. Han proposed —Grandmaster Dong values them highly, surpassing many other scholars. If I say your ambition is great, I doubt I’m wrong.
But you wish to implement your ideas, needing the support of Your Majesty and finding people who can assist you. I err on the side of being connected to both, dare I ask, Mr. Han, am I right?"
Having his intentions directly revealed, Mr. Han wasn’t embarrassed but kept his modest demeanor and admitted,
"Lord Zhao truly has a keen mind; it seems Han has not been open enough."
Obviously, at a time when other scholars still maintained their pride and refused to associate with someone like Zhao Douan, perceived as harsh.
Mr. Han had already lowered his stance, attempting to align with Zhao Douan and join his faction.
This alone made Zhao Douan view this scholar in a different light,
"However, Mr. Han’s invitation for drinks was not merely to forge an acquaintance," Mr. Han continued.
"Oh?" Now it was Zhao Douan’s turn to be curious.
Mr. Han picked up the jug and poured him another cup before he spoke,
"Previously in the Pavilion, we discussed state affairs, and Lord, you have always sat in the corner, silent, but in my eyes, you seemed to disagree with our discussions,
Especially when I presented my ’Ten Strategies’, I noticed that you seemed to… not agree."
Zhao Douan, quite relaxed, enjoying the "service," squinted his eyes and asked,
"How are you so sure that I don’t agree?"
Mr. Han stated,
"Perhaps, some might think that Lord Zhao is merely an onlooker, unaware of our discussions.
But having studied for over two decades, I might not be as knowledgeable as others in certain areas, but I can distinguish whether one understands or pretends to understand.
Thus, I boldly wish to hear your views on my ’Ten Strategies.’"
Ha, pretending to seek my opinion, but wanting me to agree with you, huh… Zhao Douan almost chuckled.
Clearly, Mr. Han wanted to recruit him to help win in formulating new policies.
Therefore, he first had to persuade him on a strategic level.
With his own knowledge and confidence in the ’Ten Strategies’, he evidently did not think Zhao Douan could offer any strong rebuttals.
He could guess Mr. Han’s script would be:
First, ask for Zhao Douan’s opinion under the guise of seeking advice.
Then, Mr. Han would explain one by one, verbally shaking the understanding of Zhao Douan, a martial artist.
As long as he convinced Zhao Douan, agreeing with the ’Ten Strategies’ would be like gaining a robust ally.
Unfortunately…
You’ve approached the wrong person.
Zhao Douan sighed softly, shaking his head inwardly, looking at Mr. Han with a bit of pity,
Believing you’ve finally asked the right person…
"Do you really want to hear?"
Zhao Douan’s expression was peculiar, somewhat reluctant to shatter the other’s spirit.
After all, to crush the confidence of the capital’s foremost scholar with a few words seemed rather ruthless… Mr. Zhao was not a villain, after all.
Unaware that he was facing an insurmountable critic, Mr. Han still smiled gracefully and said,
"Please speak, Lord Zhao, without reservations. Without debate, truth cannot be known; I also want to hear everyone’s opinion to mend any lapses."
You insist on humiliating yourself… Zhao Douan sighed softly, feeling somewhat forced,
"In that case, I’ll briefly comment on your ’Ten Strategies.’"
Mr. Han listened with a smile.
However, the next second, his smile froze on his face.
Only to hear Zhao Douan sniff disdainfully and comment,
"Strategies to strengthen the nation? More like strategies to mislead the country, my evaluation? Worth no more than dog shit."
