"So direct? Just like that!"
In his previous life, Zhao Douan had followed leaders and absorbed so conversational skills naturally.
Currently, in a disadvantaged ho court situation, where he was alone facing a two-against-one scenario, many gentle thods were difficult to deploy, so he simply chose a blunt approach.
And with his rather straightforward words delivered, both Prince Huaian and his daughter fell silent.
"A misunderstanding?"
The corpulent gourt seed to smile slightly, stating indifferently:
"This is the Huai River, I am Prince Huaian, dining in my own domain; why should I care how others think?"
You keep boasting... Should I believe this statent or that you are Emperor Qin Shi Huang?
Zhao Douan sneered internally.
Sure enough, Prince Huaian shifted his tone, saying:
"Besides, in this world, would anything really change just because of one al?"
Zhao Douan didn't respond; he was assessing the reason behind this eting with the father and daughter.
Booking the entire Da Feng Tower was a statent in itself, clearly signaling sothing to everyone.
What signal?
To show closeness with the court? No... certainly not.
Prince Huaian had not directly sent an invitation; instead, he had the Commandery Princess, who was acquainted with him, "deceive" him into coming here, and their conversation frad in terms of "seniors and juniors"—suggesting that this eting was a private one.
Moreover, it was only after seeing Prince Jing that he decided to act on a whim.
Coupled with Prince Huaian's infamous "fence-sitter" stance and the situation at Hu Ting that Feng Ju had revealed to him.
Zhao Douan felt gradually more assured; he figured it out.
The eting with him today by Prince Huaian, outwardly, was perford for Prince Jing to see.
Expressing a state of being sowhat connected yet detached from the court.
It goes without saying that once Prince Jing learns of their eting, he would surely worry that Prince Huaian might lean towards the Empress, affecting the success of "opening the market."
Thus, further pulling and promises would be given.
Internally, Prince Huaian also wanted to use this conversation to feel out the court's bottom line, seeing as he was representing the Empress at Hu Ting, his attitude would to so extent reflect the Empress's.
As a substantial fence-sitter, Prince Huaian was clearly using his own influence on the "market opening" as bargaining chips, to probe the court's thoughts and sincerity.
His statent "This is the Huai River" implied, as a local powerhouse, the stance of Prince Huaian's mansion would greatly influence those of the neutral parties, and thereby affect the court's success in this market opening.
On a smaller scale, this was a eting concerning the "Hu Ting market opening."
On a larger scale, it potentially concerned which side Prince Huaian will finally lean toward in negotiations.
Of course, "The world's myriad things wouldn't change just because of a al" also had a double aning.
Implying that the negotiation with Zhao Douan wouldn't set his final stance.
Simply put, none of the Eight Princes were easy to deal with, and the gourmand in front of him was soone whose every statent held multiple profound anings.
And understanding these implied anings was also a test of the weight of Zhao Douan's role as "Inspector."
...
"Prince, the fish is ready."
Suddenly, the voice of a maidservant ca from below the staircase, followed by the royal servants bringing up the freshly cooked large green fish.
The steaming fish disrupted the rhythm of their conversation once again.
The three paused their talk, waiting for the green fish, covered in golden-brown sauce and sprinkled with crisp bits of green onion and bamboo shoots, to be placed in the center of the round table.
Servants and attendants left downstairs, leaving only the three of them on the entire floor.
"Hehe, we've talked enough, try so with your chopsticks,"
Prince Huaian chuckled as he rolled up his sleeves, picked up so wooden chopsticks, and urged:
"This river fish is all about freshness, it must be alive before it hits the cutting board and must not be overcooked once in the pot, otherwise it will be too tough."
Zhao Douan also picked up his chopsticks, tried a bite of the fish, and indeed, it was extrely fresh.
His eyes lit up, which led him to completely rethink the Great Yu Dynasty's cuisine.
Although the seasonings in this world were not as sophisticated as in his previous life, the top-quality ingredients, with their authentic flavors, made up for it. Unexplainably, this fish had not a hint of fishiness, yet its flesh was extraordinarily delicious.
The table fell silent for a mont, leaving only three people focused on savoring their al.
After a while, Zhao Douan swallowed a mouthful of fish soup, wiped the sweat beads from his forehead with his spoon, and actively offered a cup of wine.
Then he exclaid,
"I had long heard that the delicacies from the Huai River were the finest, and today I have seen it for myself. The imperial chefs in the Capital are strong, but unfortunately, the ingredients lessen in quality after being transported."
Xu Junling smiled slightly,
"Lord, why not try the other side dishes? There's a particular finesse to these dishes on the table."
"Oh? I would like to hear more about it."
Prince Huaian set his wine cup down and pointed at the fresh fish surrounded by eight different kinds of river delicacies on the table,
"These eight varieties, each different, yet all represent the best of river delicacies, known for the 'Eight Delicacies of the River.' Though delicious on their own, they still fall short unless paired with freshly stewed fish."
Zhao Douan glanced at the eight plates of river delicacies arrayed in a "together" formation around the table.
Then he looked at the center of the "Eight Delicacies," a very flavorful big black fish, from which several chunks of at had been torn, his expression turning strange.
It...
Certainly seed like the pattern of the Eight Princes assassinating the Queen.
With this thought in mind, he looked again at the whole table of dishes, indeed, it sowhat resembled the territorial layout of a continent.
"Indeed, it's delicious enough to make one's mouth water," Zhao Douan sighed, "It's just a pity that one fish isn't quite enough for several people; we still have to rely on these eight delicacies to fill our stomachs."
Prince Huaian remained silent.
The table fell quiet again, noticing this, Xu Junling at the side took the initiative to enliven the atmosphere with a smile,
"I was betting with my brother just now that Lord Zhao would be the one coming to the market opening this ti. After all, it's widely rumored that the idea for the new market policy was proposed by Lord Zhao."
Zhao Douan humbly responded with a smile,
"Those are just rumors. I rely suggested a few ideas, which were fortunately considered by Grandmaster Dong and many scholars of the Xiuwen Pavilion. I am completely unaware of the specifics. At the initial law conference, Han Banshan and others insisted on supporting , exaggerating it as if it were all my own doing."
Yes, he had only set the overall frawork and guidelines; he was not involved in the details at all.
He had only done a tiny bit of work.
He wasn't lying.
The father and daughter exchanged glances, and Prince Huaian said with a faint smile,
"Even though you're quite young, to have such insight is extraordinary. Your Majesty has appointed you to supervise Hu Ting, and many in the city are watching.
As an intimate official of the Emperor, your every move invites speculation. I understand the situation in Hu Ting to an extent, being sowhat older, there are a few things I'd like to discuss."
Zhao Douan earnestly responded, "I am all ears."
Prince Huaian paused, his gaze seemingly piercing through him, then calmly said,
"Your entry into the city today, whether suppressing Xu Jinglong or causing Prince Jing to lose face in Zhuozheng Garden, appeared rude but was thodical. I know you did it deliberately to exhibit the court's authority and convince the wavering rchants in the city that the court is stronger.
This action may be effective, but in my view, it's not very aningful.
You may appear to have won overtly, but Prince Jing will be making contacts in secret, striking one by one. The Capital is ultimately too far for ordinary people, and the Emperor's authority is far less imdiate than that of a local County Magistrate.
Currently, Mu Prince, Prince Heng, and representatives from other families are in the city, and their covert deterrence of many rchants far exceeds that of an Inspector like you."
The food-loving prince stared at him earnestly,
"In such a situation, have you thought about how to break the predicant?"
This statent was quite straightforward, almost laying everything out in the open.
Clearly one of the Eight Princes, yet he spoke with a tone of consideration for Zhao Douan, like a earnest elder.
Zhao Douan's expression was sowhat peculiar, but he didn't respond imdiately. Instead, he crossed his arms over his belly and leaned back.
After a silence, just as the father and daughter were about to frown and ask,
His lips curved slightly, revealing a bright smile:
"As long as your Highness openly supports the new policy, I believe the situation will be resolved smoothly, won't it?"
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