The Elixir is for You, The Poison is for Me

#409 - Disagreement

As that person walked into the Chui Gong Hall, most people, including Cheng Guan, stood up from behind their desks to greet him, but that person simply waved his hand and said.

“Gentlemen, there is no need for such ceremony. Tonight is not a banquet between ruler and subjects. Among you, there are many who are not citizens of my Great Chen, coming from distant foreign lands, and it is understandable that you are not familiar with the etiquette of the Celestial Dynasty. Since that is the case, why not simply discard those formalities and enjoy a hearty drink together, so as not to waste this fine evening.”

However, before he could finish speaking, a voice rang out in the hall, “Your Majesty, I have something to report.”

Upon hearing this, the Chen Dynasty's official was visibly stunned, seemingly unable to comprehend why one of his own ministers would be mixed in at tonight's banquet.

He looked in the direction from which the voice came and saw the distinguished and imposing Cheng Guan in the center of the hall.

This person… Hmm… He didn't seem to have much of an impression of him.

So he could only ask, “You are…?”

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“Your Majesty, I am Cheng Guan, the Zhi Shi of the Si Tian Jian.” Cheng Guan replied.

“Oh, you are from the Si Tian Jian.” The man realized, no wonder he didn't recognize him. Those guys from the Si Tian Jian were all elusive.

Although they received his俸禄, besides a muddle-headed Jian Zheng who came to his place every day to clock in on time, the rest were nowhere to be seen.

Moreover, he was also aware that although these people were outwardly respectful to him, in their hearts, very few of them truly took him seriously.

For example, several months ago, seeing the situation deteriorate, with natural disasters and banditry rampant everywhere, he was anxious and summoned Guo Shouhuai to the palace, wanting to seek help from this Shao Jian of the Si Tian Jian who possessed heaven-defying abilities.

However, the latter was only perfunctory and had no intention of taking action.

Although at the beginning of the dynasty, the founding emperor of Chen and the Shao Jian of the Si Tian Jian at that time had made a rule that neither party would interfere in the other's affairs, and the emperors of Chen Dynasty would do their best to help the Si Tian Jian monitor and subdue the strange objects in the world.

However, times had changed. At that time, the Si Tian Jian's actions were conducive to the stability of the world, thereby safeguarding the fundamental interests of the rulers.

But now, seeing that the nine provinces were about to be in chaos, the Si Tian Jian was still only focused on the strange objects, which made Chen Renzong, the current official, a little anxious.

Once upon a time, he had also been full of expectations for those high-ranking cultivators in the Si Tian Jian, hoping that they could lend a helping hand and help him, help the Chen Dynasty through the current difficulties.

Because he asked himself, although he was not the kind of founding emperor with great talent and strategy, he had been diligent enough to be called diligent, kind to his subordinates, and loved the people like his own children. After ascending the throne, he had been building water conservancy projects and opening up channels for speech, developing industry and commerce, and had once brought about a revival of the Chen Dynasty.

In short, Chen Renzong felt that he had done a good job in governing the world. Even from the perspective of the people, the Si Tian Jian should try their best to protect him.

However, Guo Shouhuai's almost cold attitude made him feel a chill in his heart.

Of course, he didn't dare to touch the Si Tian Jian for the time being. Firstly, he was still on that chair. No matter what, the existence of the Si Tian Jian was more beneficial than harmful to him. Secondly, although he had never seen Guo Shouhuai take action, he also knew that the cultivators of the Si Tian Jian were not easy to mess with.

If he really tore his face, don't look at him being in the deep palace and surrounded by many experts, but if the Si Tian Jian wanted to kill him, they would definitely be able to find a way.

Therefore, knowing that Guo Shouhuai was being perfunctory, Chen Renzong still had to maintain at least a semblance of politeness on the surface. However, privately, his perception of the Si Tian Jian was indeed constantly deteriorating.

Moreover, what made him feel most aggrieved was that he knew that Guo Shouhuai had also seen his dissatisfaction with the Si Tian Jian, but Guo Shouhuai, the Shao Jian, didn't seem to care at all.

For a moment, Chen Renzong began to wonder who was the emperor, and it was from that moment that Chen Renzong made up his mind to start searching for a group of reclusive experts who could truly be used by him, and even hoped that one day this group of people could replace the Si Tian Jian.

However, these were all things for later. At least for now, he still needed the Si Tian Jian, and the reason why he had brought the people from the Si Tian Jian here tonight was naturally for a reason. Exorcism was just an excuse. His real purpose was to use the people from the Si Tian Jian as a touchstone to test the quality of the people he had newly recruited.

Chen Renzong thought so in his heart, but his face remained calm, and he even showed great respect for Cheng Guan, saying gently, “I wonder what matters Cheng Zhishi has to report? If it's not urgent, why not wait until the next grand court meeting to bring it up? Tonight, we will not discuss state affairs.”

Chen Renzong felt that his hints were obvious enough, but Cheng Guan shook his head upon hearing this and said, “Your Majesty, what I want to say is about tonight's matter. I wonder where Your Majesty found so many Jianghu swindlers, and even allowed them to swagger into the palace. If this matter spreads out, I'm afraid it will make the people of the world laugh their heads off.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Renzong only felt that the anger he had managed to suppress was about to surge up again. He thought to himself, you people from the Si Tian Jian still have the nerve to ask me why I'm looking for these people? Isn't it because you simply don't listen to my orders that I have to try to save myself? Blame me for grasping at straws when I'm desperate, but you guys should be more helpful!

Of course, Chen Renzong would not say this directly, but he just responded coldly, “I know. Is there anything else?”

“No.” Cheng Guan said as he bowed again, ignoring the fierce gazes of those around him who wanted to disembowel him on the spot, and returned to his seat.

As long as there was money to be made, everything was easy to say. With three hundred taels of silver in hand, the depression of being hungry just now immediately disappeared.

Lu Jing was the same. He came tonight for the money. He couldn't wait for Chen Renzong to spread more money. Anyway, he didn't waste the previous time. He sat quietly in his seat and practiced the Imperial Sword Technique.

Seeing that everyone's interest was rekindled, Chen Renzong was also very satisfied. Without further ado, he waved his hand and directly ordered people to start serving the dishes.

For a time, the Chui Gong Hall was filled with toasts and laughter, which diluted some of the tension from before.