Chapter 145 – The Correct Way to Gain Favor (Part Three)
Liu Zhi had noticed the young man behind Wei Yuan early on, and he understood it well. Wei Yuan didn’t bring this stranger over just for casual visits or family ties; it was likely to act as an intermediary to introduce the young man and pave the way for him.
However, the current topic revolved around the theme of “resignation,” which was temporarily irrelevant to the young man.
Wei Yuan let out a wry smile, self-deprecatingly chuckling, “You, Liu Zhongqing, do you have to tear apart this old face of mine to be satisfied? Lan Ting isn’t bad, but you know my temperament and also your family’s Lan Ting’s nature. If I continue to teach him, wouldn’t that be ruining a worthy student? Rather than you pulling this incident back on me in the future, it would be better for me to resign early and keep my old face intact.”
“But…” Liu Zhi hesitated, “Lan Ting’s studies…”
“After years of teacher-student bond, I naturally hope Lan Ting will one day be renowned across the land.”
As he spoke, Wei Yuan took out a recommendation letter he had prepared in advance.
Liu Zhi looked skeptical as he took it and exclaimed, “With Lan Ting’s abilities, how could he possibly enter Yuan Jing’s tutelage?”
Wei Yuan shook his head, “It’s not that Lan Ting must become Yuan Jing’s disciple; after all, that person has a quirky temperament, and you and I have heard plenty about his character. Lan Ting may not even resonate with him. Yet, with the talents flourishing in Langya County, there are scholars aplenty like stars in the sky, making it easier to forge friendships. At Lan Ting’s age, he should be learning to go out and meet friends instead of cooping himself up at home.”
Though having a talented teacher at home for one-on-one instruction is excellent, there are many downsides. Wei Yuan always felt his student was too reserved and shy, with no peers or friends around to play with, spending all day at home without budging an inch.
He didn’t know that there’s a specific term for someone who hardly goes out all year long—homebody.
If he keeps being such a homebody, he could sprout mold and grow mushrooms!
Having Liu Xi go to Langya is also a good idea. If he can enter Yuan Jing’s tutelage, that would be best; if not, then he should directly study at Langya Academy and make more friends, which will be highly beneficial for his future career. The political arena isn’t a place one can storm through alone.
If Liu Zhi were just an ordinary family, his son Liu Xi only needed to be slightly more successful than him. However, the reality now is that Liu Zhi is well-known in Dongqing and even the Five Nations, establishing countless enemies in the political field. That… is somewhat awkward.
Liu Zhi’s political enemies can’t touch him, yet can they not act against his son?
Even a fool knows to pick the soft persimmons to squeeze.
If Liu Xi only pursues literature and doesn’t involve himself in politics, that’s fine; once he steps into the political arena, he’ll immediately have a line of natural enemies waiting for him.
To ensure a smoother path in the future, starting to build connections now is crucial.
Wei Yuan’s words were all considerations for Jiang Pengji; how could Liu Zhi not pick up on that?
He had his own plans, too. Even if Wei Yuan didn’t come to resign, he intended to wait until Wei Yuan was feeling better to pay a visit himself.
Right now, with Wei Yuan taking the initiative, it saves him a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Liu Zhi accepted this favor and promised to repay it.
“My mischievous son has troubled you, Brother Gongcao.” Liu Zhi feigned a sigh, carefully receiving the recommendation letter from Wei Yuan. “It’s been many years since we last met. I wonder if Brother Gongcao would grant your foolish brother a small favor and stay for lunch so we can enjoy a good chat?”
Wei Yuan and Liu Zhi weren’t particularly familiar with each other; their relationship was not that of intimate friends, but it was deeper than regular acquaintances.
“Since you’ve said it like that, how could I refuse?”
Wei Yuan chuckled satisfyingly, stroking his beard, anticipating Liu Zhi’s reaction.
Liu Zhi applied himself to rise, instructing servants to prepare fine wine and good food. Only then did he seem to notice the young man beside Wei Yuan, displaying a hint of surprise as he teased, “Is this young gentleman part of Brother Gongcao’s family?”
Qi Guanrang kept his head lowered respectfully, only raising it to perform a gesture of greeting when Liu Zhi mentioned him.
Wei Yuan smiled, “Not a family member, but close enough.”
Liu Zhi’s mind raced, realizing that this young man was likely the prospective son-in-law Wei Yuan favored. Instantly his curiosity was piqued, and he scrutinized the young man closely.
Observing others requires not only looking at appearances but also their spirit and aura—what might be described as charisma or presence.
Some manage to give off an aura of luxury even in coarse cloth, while others look like beggars despite wearing golden silks.
After a careful look, Liu Zhi praised, “I wonder where Brother Gongcao found this exceptional young man with such dragon-like features and phoenix-like demeanor.”
Wei Yuan, pleased at Liu Zhi’s confident praise of his chosen son-in-law, couldn’t help but exhibit a bit of pride.
Qi Guanrang remained silent, but his hands clenched slightly in his sleeves. Even if he could calmly strategize and deal with death, facing someone he idolized—let’s put it plainly, his idol—what young fan can remain calm?
Wei Yuan waved his hand, saying Liu Zhi was overpraising him.
“May I ask this young man’s name?”
Liu Zhi was quite approachable, displaying a friendly demeanor.
This question was directed at Qi Guanrang, and Wei Yuan couldn’t very well answer for him.
Bringing him here today was simply to let Liu Zhi take a look; it wasn’t his place to speak everything for him.
“I am Qi Guan, with the courtesy name Rang, pleased to meet you, Liu Governor.”
Liu Zhi fell into an unusual silence for a moment before subtly smiling and inquiring, “Where do you hail from?”
“From the people of Shanyu in the northern frontier,” Qi Guanrang replied.
Liu Zhi lowered his eyes, expression growing more serious as his voice softened further, “Do you have a courtesy name?”
“My master has taken one for me; my courtesy name is Wenzheng.”
Liu Zhi: “…”
He really wanted to be quiet right now, and don’t ask him who Quiet is.
Qi Guanrang, courtesy name Wenzheng, from Shanyu in the northern frontier, young widower…
These were only the things he knew, and nothing surprising; the surprising part was that this fellow had an exceptionally ruthless nature, cunning plans, and in a few years would decisively turn against Dongqing for his lord, burning down the Shangyang Palace and slaying all the male members of the Dongqing royal family.
Of course, this wasn’t the main point—the main point was that this young man was one of the few who had made the Cheng Emperor, also known as Liu Xi, taste defeat, retreating from three cities in a row, not due to lack of troops but because… Qi Guanrang was too devious and sinister.
If it were just that, Liu Zhi wouldn’t want to be quiet so badly.
According to Amin, though this man had talent, the lord he served was indecisive, commonly known as soft-minded, lacking initiative. In the end, another strategist took advantage of this, causing Qi Guanrang to lose trust and ultimately be confined and discarded… and what was the result?
Qi Guanrang actually plotted while imprisoned, bringing his lord to the brink of despair.
On the day of the city’s fall, he personally opened the gates to welcome a new master.
“A good bird chooses the right tree to perch upon; a wise minister chooses the right lord to serve. If he betrays me, why should I hold on to feelings of loyalty?”
