"Brother Ju'an," Zhang Bangchang said, raising his wine cup with a smile, "your father has arrived. Aren't you going down to greet him?"
They were in a wine shop not far from the Nanxun Gate.
"If you're here to mock me, you've achieved your goal. You can leave now!" Cai You's face was extremely unpleasant as he looked at Zhang Bangchang's smiling expression.
Although he and Cai Jing were father and son, they had fallen out long ago due to differing political views. When Cai Jing left the capital, it was his own son who delivered the final blow. Now that Cai Jing had returned to Bianliang City, Cai You and Tong Guan were undoubtedly the ones having the hardest time. After all, Cai Jing had been unwilling to leave the capital, but these two had gone to his doorstep to force him to write his resignation.
Tong Guan was currently leading the army in the field, and the current war was crucial to the future political landscape of the entire Song Dynasty. For the moment, for whatever reason, Cai Jing could not do much to Tong Guan. However, Cai You was not so lucky. The people around him were not very reliable to begin with. Cai Jing's return now was like adding insult to injury for him. If he couldn't handle this situation well, the influence he had spent many years building could collapse immediately. He had offended many people during his many years in Bianliang City. To this day, he only held the empty title of Grand Master of the Guards, but if he lost his current influence, those who wanted revenge would likely come knocking on his door before long. Even with his confidence, he understood the vast difference between himself and Cai Jing. Cai Jing had been appointed to the position of Prime Minister four times after his downfall, but he did not possess such ability. If he were driven out of Bianliang City, not to mention others, his own brothers would not let him off the hook.
"How could I do such a pointless thing? Besides, it's not good for me if you, Brother Ju'an, fall," Zhang Bangchang said with a smile, seeing Cai You getting a little angry.
"That's quite interesting. How about this? Since there's no one else here, let's just speak plainly to each other." Cai You had no good impression of Zhang Bangchang, but at this moment, he had to listen to what Zhang Bangchang had to say, as this man was clearly here to negotiate on behalf of Wang Fu.
"Scholar Cai indeed speaks his mind. If that's the case, then I won't be polite!" Zhang Bangchang was taken aback by Cai You's words. However, this was exactly what he wanted, as it was indeed tiring for the two of them to probe each other, and it was much better to lay all their cards on the table.
"Please!"
"I am here today on behalf of Prime Minister Wang to discuss terms with Scholar Cai!" Zhang Bangchang said directly after carefully choosing his words.
"Discuss terms with me? How does Prime Minister Wang wish to discuss?"
"Why must Scholar Cai pretend not to know? With Prime Minister Cai's return, your days must be difficult, aren't they? Prime Minister Wang's intention is for our two families to join forces and ask Prime Minister Cai to return to wherever he came from. After all, he is already in his seventies and should go back to enjoy his retirement, allowing others to serve the country!" Zhang Bangchang said with a smile, looking at Cai You's disdainful expression.
"Why do you think I would agree? If my days are difficult, are Prime Minister Wang's days not difficult? Don't forget, Prime Minister Wang has also clashed with that old scoundrel quite a bit over the years, and at this moment, the biggest threat to his position is likely Prime Minister Wang!" Cai You was not foolish. While allying with Wang Fu would be the best course of action at this time, the problem was that Wang Fu had no bottom line. Cooperating with him would be like seeking a tiger for its skin. The influence he currently held was his foundation. If he used it to oppose Cai Jing, and Wang Fu benefited in the end, wouldn't that be losing both the wife and the soldiers?
"Scholar Cai is indeed correct, but if Prime Minister Wang falls, can Scholar Cai escape? If I'm not mistaken, Prime Minister Cai's first act after Prime Minister Wang's downfall will be to cut off Scholar Cai's wings!"
"How do I know that Prime Minister Wang won't stab me in the back at a critical moment?" Even though Zhang Bangchang was eloquent, Cai You was not a three-year-old child. No matter what he said, Cai You's vigilance never wavered.
"Then, how can Scholar Cai trust Prime Minister Wang?"
"I know your Prime Minister is currently plotting against Nie Shan. After Nie Shan falls, I want the position of Assistant Minister of Personnel!"
"That's impossible!" Hearing Cai You's words, Zhang Bangchang almost rolled his eyes to the sky. The position of Assistant Minister of Personnel was just one step away from becoming a Prime Minister. Wang Fu would never give such a crucial position to Cai You.
"Since that's the case, then we have nothing more to discuss. Please, let's rely on our own abilities!" Seeing Cai You's firm stance, even Zhang Bangchang began to hesitate.
"I can't make this decision myself..."
"Then let's talk after you've clarified the matter!" As they were speaking, Cai Jing's carriage had already moved far away. Seeing that there was no point in continuing the discussion, Cai You coldly uttered a sentence and turned to leave.
Watching Cai You's receding back, Zhang Bangchang's expression suddenly turned grim.
"As expected, like father, like son; a rat's offspring knows how to dig holes..." he sighed, before packing his things and slowly turning to walk downstairs.
"Good shot!"
"Bravo!"
He had barely gone a short distance downstairs when he suddenly heard a burst of applause from not far ahead.
"What are they doing over there? Why are so many people gathered around?" Zhang Bangchang frowned as he looked at the surging crowd.
"Replying to Your Excellency, those are the two Cuju teams from the Prince of Yue's mansion and Grand Commandant Liang's mansion, playing Cuju!"
"When it comes to Cuju, one must still watch Gao Taishi. What experts do their mansions have?" Hearing his attendant's words, Zhang Bangchang lost all interest. Although he enjoyed playing a few rounds in his free time, he was well aware of the experts in Bianliang City.
"No, Your Excellency. They are playing the new style of Cuju, which is different from the old one!"
"Ah? Can this thing also be played with new tricks? Let's go and see!"