Free Web NovelChapter 1240: Chapter 1216: Deep Jealousy_2
"Borrow? Humph, if it’s truly a loan, how come their land ended up in your hands in less than a year? It’s nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing, glorifying it as a loan, when in fact it’s theft, it’s robbery!"
Lu Yuan was furious and was about to retort when Zhao Hanzhang suddenly spoke up, "Enough, I’ve heard Mr. Diao’s suggestion. Let’s leave it at that for now."
Zhou Qi pulled Lu Yuan, who was still trying to argue, and warned him in a low voice, "Enough, she is already angry."
Lu Yuan collected his wits and looked at Zhao Hanzhang, noticing indeed that her face no longer bore a smile.
However, if this matter is not clarified, Lu Family would leave a very bad impression on Zhao Hanzhang, which would inevitably harm the Lu Family’s children’s prospects in officialdom. At this moment, Lu Yuan was filled with hatred towards Diao Xie, wishing he could get rid of him swiftly.
Apart from this small episode, the banquet was generally smooth and joyful, lasting until evening when Zhao Hanzhang allowed them to leave.
Lu Yuan and others were still somewhat bewildered as they were being sent off, and couldn’t help but ask the trusted aide of the General’s Mansion, "Is it not allowed to drink and make merry in Luoyang after night falls?"
The trusted aide looked puzzled, "There’s no such rule, but there is a curfew. As long as one doesn’t roam the streets, drinking at home is not regulated."
Lu Yuan: Who would dare to manage Zhao Hanzhang?
The trusted aide saw the confusion on his face and immediately explained, "Our General is self-disciplined, advocates frugality, and banquets in the mansion never go past 9 p.m."
And this time, with so many people attending the banquet, the night easily breeds malice, so naturally it had to end before dark to prevent any accidents.
These literati often indulge in revelry until dawn, and some even consume Five Stone Powder in their drunken excitement, running around barefoot with their clothes open, indulging in reckless behavior and wild speech; the customs of the Central Plains have only recently begun to improve. He does not wish for these things to resurface, therefore he reminded, "Even if not breaking the curfew, our General does not favor court officials drinking excessively, and despises those who use Five Stone Powder the most."
Lu Yuan frowned slightly, "Five Stone Powder can treat malaria."
The trusted aide said, "Our General mentioned it, but also said that those who consume Five Stone Powder mostly do it not for malaria, but for pleasure, which instead harms their lives."
Lu Yuan did not agree, "The reason we’re not getting malaria is because we use Five Stone Powder. Look at us, we’ve lived far beyond the average life span; isn’t this the merit of Five Stone Powder?"
The trusted aide, not being as eloquent, didn’t know how to refute him, and could only persist in Zhao Hanzhang’s viewpoint, "Consuming Five Stone Powder is wrong, it harms life, corrupts manners; if you consume it in Jiangnan, we cannot control, but in Jiangbei, especially in Luoyang, no one is allowed. Once discovered, all will be detained and punished."
Lu Yuan’s expression turned unpleasant. Today he was repeatedly opposed by people; Diao Xie could be overlooked, but now even a lowly soldier could lecture him publicly?
But this was Luoyang; if it were in Jiangnan...
Jiang Feng and others consoled and restrained him, only then did Lu Yuan barely suppress his anger, swing his sleeve, and leave first.
The others also gradually departed.
Zhao Hanzhang personally escorted King Langya and his father and son to the carriage and left Diao Xie to speak.
After the carriage departed, Zhao Hanzhang withdrew her gaze from Lu Yuan and others, and asked Diao Xie, "Mr. Diao, would you be willing to serve in the court as an official?"
He had previously been an official of the Great Jin, serving in Xuzhou, following King Langya to escape to Jiangnan; when Wang Dao became the Yangzhou Governor, he succeeded Wang Dao as King Langya’s Chief Historian.
It can be said he was originally an official of the Great Jin.
But a new emperor brings new courtiers; moreover, both King Langya and the court have complex relationships with Zhao Hanzhang, so if he continued as Chief Historian of King Langya, he would not be seen favorably by Zhao Hanzhang.
He needed to change positions, equivalent to starting anew.
Diao Xie thought for a moment and bowed slightly, "I am willing to labor like a dog or horse for the Great General, for the Great Jin, for the people of the world."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded slightly, "Please return and await news peacefully."
Diao Xie suppressed his excitement, knowing that the things he said during the banquet resonated with Zhao Hanzhang. He knew it; his understanding of Zhao Hanzhang was not mistaken.
Although they had not met before, with King Langya as Zhao Hanzhang’s opponent, being King Langya’s confidant, Diao Xie naturally studied Zhao Hanzhang thoroughly.
To understand a person, if you cannot see her personally or hear her words, then observe her words and deeds, her governance and military policies, the bulletins from Luoyang, and every open public document from Jiangbei; you will always get some idea.
Zhao Hanzhang, like King Langya, did not appreciate being controlled by aristocratic families; she favored using those from humble origins, valued loyalty and righteousness, yet placed great importance on the welfare of the people.
