"Your Highness, have you found out what exactly happened?"
When Zhao Zhen returned to the backyard, Wang Xiang immediately stood up.
"I'm still investigating!"
After a moment of hesitation, Zhao Zhen, as if guided by an unseen force, did not directly name Han Mo.
"It would be best if Your Highness investigated this matter thoroughly. However, the urgent matter now is how Your Highness will deal with the subsequent situation?"
Seeing Zhao Zhen's grim expression, Wang Xiang naturally understood that Zhao Zhen was not telling the whole truth. However, since Zhao Zhen hadn't said it, he didn't feel comfortable exposing it and decided to pretend he knew nothing, continuing the conversation as Zhao Zhen had.
"Does Master have any suggestions on how to proceed?"
After rubbing his temples with a touch of annoyance, Zhao Zhen said with a wry smile,
"Your loyal servant believes the most pressing matter is for Your Highness to send someone to contact Xu Churen as soon as possible to clarify the entire situation. Then, find a way to downplay the incident, turning a big problem into a small one, and ideally, not disrupting the current balance of the court!"
Although these words were merely old clichés, coming from Wang Xiang's mouth, Zhao Zhen had to seriously consider the feasibility of this plan.
"I will go back and write to Mr. Xu right away, but who to send to his side is a problem..."
After all, Xu Churen was the Grand Guardian of Daliang. If the person sent was unsuitable, it might not only fail to resolve the issue but could even anger Xu Churen.
Therefore, Zhao Zhen was indeed hesitant about whom to send.
"What about Counselor Zong?"
Glancing at Zhao Zhen's expression, Wang Xiang suddenly spoke.
"Him..."
After pondering for a moment, Zhao Zhen suddenly realized that after all calculations, the only trustworthy person by his side that he could mobilize was Zong Ying.
Firstly, he had been by Zhao Zhen's side for a long time, and secondly, his relationship with Xu Churen was indeed quite good.
If he were sent, even if the negotiations failed, it would not further worsen the situation.
"Is there anyone more suitable by Your Highness's side than him?"
Wang Xiang smiled and said,
"Master is right, let's do that!"
"If that's the case, Your Highness should give instructions early. After all, it's better to act sooner rather than later. If it drags on, it will truly become troublesome."
After saying this, Wang Xiang had no intention of lingering further. He cupped his hands towards Zhao Zhen and turned to return to his office.
Knowing when to stop is Wang Xiang's way of handling matters.
He offers his opinions and views, and the remaining decisions are entirely up to Zhao Zhen. Even if Zhao Zhen makes a wrong decision, he will only guide him, not directly replace Zhao Zhen.
This approach has allowed him to thrive by Zhao Zhen's side. Although they had not been reunited for a long time, with the added weight of his status, his position in Zhao Zhen's heart had been steadily rising.
"My lord, people from the Pu family have arrived!"
"Let him in!"
Upon hearing that someone from the Pu family had arrived, Wang Xiang casually instructed as he picked up his teacup and took a sip.
He was now over fifty years old, and the age of retirement was fast approaching. Although with his qualifications, his life would not have any issues after retirement, as he had been a Prime Minister in the past.
It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality.
After living a life of extravagance and debauchery, it was extremely difficult to return to simplicity. At least Wang Xiang believed he himself could not do it.
Although in the current official atmosphere of the Great Song Dynasty, accepting some "thank you gifts" was not considered a big deal.
However, Wang Xiang, who cherished his reputation, was rather disdainful of petty favors in his daily life.
But if the gift-giver were the Pu family, known as the "Seafaring Merchant of the Great Song," then it would naturally be another matter.
"This humble servant, Pu Jinshan, pays his respects to the Prime Minister!"
As soon as he entered, Pu Jinshan's first words immediately brought a smile to Wang Xiang's face.
"I am no Prime Minister. I am merely an old man on the verge of death. Please change your address. If this were in Bianliang City, people would likely laugh their teeth out!"
Although he had retired many years ago, every time he was addressed as Prime Minister, Wang Xiang still felt a sense of elation.
After all, being a Prime Minister was the ultimate goal for a scholar-official. Which official did not wish to be called Prime Minister before their death?
"You jest, Prime Minister. Even in Bianliang City, who doesn't know of Prime Minister Wang? Where would such a joke come from? If there were such a person, they would be far too shallow!"
As Pu Jinshan spoke, he cupped his hands towards Wang Xiang again.
"Although you are young, child, you seem to have some insight. Servants, bring tea!"
Upon hearing his words, Wang Xiang smiled and gestured for the servants to bring tea.
Seeing the teacups being brought to the Wang residence, Pu Jinshan finally felt a sense of relief.
This old man, Wang Xiang, was the kind of person who wanted to maintain a reputation for integrity while being corrupt. When ordinary subordinates visited him, he would often not even offer a cup of tea, only a cup of plain water.
Externally, of course, it would be said that the old man was as pure as water and as upright as a mirror, and that the household didn't even have money to buy tea.
Of course, if you lacked the ability to even get him to offer a cup of tea, then whatever you sought would likely come to nothing in the end.
"Thank you, Prime Minister, for the tea!"
Although the tea leaves served were the lowest grade of old tea, Pu Jinshan acted as if he were drinking the finest nectar.
"I have heard about your matter, but you must also have a clear understanding. If you do not have any concrete evidence, this official cannot help you much. However, if you truly have been wronged, then this official will not stand idly by. Do you understand?"
After Pu Jinshan put down his teacup again, Wang Xiang began to speak.
Seeing the old man start to play coy again, Pu Jinshan was inwardly cursing. This old scoundrel had already accepted over a hundred thousand guan from them, and now he was putting on airs.
"Of course, that is only natural. Who in this world does not know that Prime Minister you is incorruptible and serves as a model for all officials! If we did not have concrete evidence, we would not dare to trouble you here!"
As Pu Jinshan spoke, he took out the intelligence he had brought from his sleeve.
"You must know that under the Great Song's laws, false accusations are punishable by law, especially since the people you are targeting have exceptionally powerful backgrounds!"