Liu Mingzhi looked at the Quartermaster's Token that was tightly held in his hand by Cai Jun, the Honorable Marquis, and sighed with an expression on his face.
"Since Lao Aiqing has made the decision on behalf of Cai Yan Aiqing, I won't say anything more. The token will be transferred from Lao Aiqing to Cai Yan Aiqing."
Upon hearing this, Cai Jun immediately bowed, clasped his fists, and saluted Young Master Liu.
"Old minister, I obey, thank you Your Majesty."
"Old Ai Qing, you are so polite again. Please take a seat and enjoy some tea."
"Old minister, I obey."
After Cai Jun, Marquis of Rongwei, retreated to his chair and sat down, Liu Mingzhi nodded and took a sip of tea, looking at Xia Gongming, the chief minister of the cabinet, who was sitting below, with a meaningful look in his eyes.
"Mr. Xia."
Xia Gongming, who seemed to be sipping the tea wholeheartedly, hurriedly put down the teacup in his hand when he heard Young Master Liu's words.
"The old minister is here."
"Sir, do you have anything you want to tell me? Whatever you want to say is fine."
Xia Gongming raised his hand and stroked the snow-white beard on his chin. His cloudy eyes scanned Jiang Yuanming and the three of them without hesitation, and he shook his head at Young Master Liu with a playful expression.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, when I saw the contents on a few pieces of rice paper earlier, I wanted to say something.
However, after the old minister listened to the words discussed between you and your three colleagues, Song Shangshu, Jiang Shangshu, and Cai Hou, the old minister did not want to say anything more.
Although the old minister is almost dying of old age, he has not yet reached the point of being old and confused.
The veteran can tell that regarding the Western Expedition of the Second Army, His Majesty and the imperial court are ready for everything, and they only need the east wind.
In this case, it is not easy for the old minister to say anything more to persuade Your Majesty to think twice before acting. Because no matter what the old minister says, it cannot change what has been decided in His Majesty's heart.
If the old minister forcibly advises without reason, it will not only appear that the old minister is ignorant, but also only increase the gap between us, the monarch and his ministers.
The Royal Envoy is fair and selfless, but that doesn't mean that the Imperial Envoy is a fool. If he does something he knows he can't do, isn't that asking for trouble?
Therefore, there is no need for the veteran to do this thankless job.
Your Majesty, is this true?"
Liu Mingzhi looked at Xia Gongming's playful expression with a slightly helpless smile in surprise. He pointed at Xia Gongming and couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahaha, old fox, you are such an old fox!
People in the world often say that people become better with age, but at first I thought this statement was a bit overgeneralized. But now that I see you like this, I realize that most people in the world are very discerning!"
Seeing Young Master Liu's happy look, Xia Gongming also stroked his beard and chuckled heartily.
"Hahaha, since your Majesty already knows that most of the people in the world are people with a bright mind, your Majesty should accept the world's elegant words and open up the world's way of speech.
Today's peaceful and prosperous times are rare since ancient times. The old ministers know that Your Majesty is a wise and benevolent king, but they still want to continue to advise His Majesty.
I hope that Your Majesty will abide by the original intention of benevolence and sage and never change his original intention of blessing all people, so that our Great Dragon Kingdom can last for thousands of years!"
Young Master Liu looked at Xia Gongming who seemed to be joking, but also seemed serious. He smiled lightly and put the tea cup in his hand on the table.
"Okay, you old guy is waiting for me here!"
"It made His Majesty laugh. These are the words from the bottom of my heart."
Liu Mingzhi gently turned the ring on his thumb, raised his eyes and glanced at Xia Gongming, who was neither humble nor overbearing, smiled lightly and nodded.
"Okay, sir, I have taken your heartfelt words to heart. I will think about it carefully when I have nothing to do. This is okay."
"Old minister, thank you, Your Majesty. Long live, long live, long live."
"Okay, let's not mention these topics anymore. Does that mean that the boss agrees with my decree that the Second Route Army will not march westward?"
"Hahaha, isn't your Majesty asking the question knowingly? Now that the matter has come to this, is it useful if I don't agree with it?
Your Majesty often says that a man who understands current affairs is a hero. Sir, I will act like a hero who understands current affairs today, so that I will not cause any further trouble for you, Your Majesty.
Moreover, the veteran had no intention of objecting to this matter. His Majesty wanted to carry out the great feat of opening up and expanding the territory. As a courtier of the current dynasty, the veteran had the honor to do so. Why did he object to this matter?
The old minister's brows were slightly furrowed and his expression was solemn, but he just wanted to advise His Majesty to think carefully and think twice before acting, which is the icing on the cake.
It was only after listening to the conversation between His Majesty and several colleagues that the veteran suddenly realized that His Majesty had already prepared everything.
Now I can't even do anything to add icing on the cake, which makes me feel a little regretful if I think about it carefully!"
When Young Master Liu saw Xia Gongming pretending to sigh with emotion, he couldn't help but burst out laughing again.
"Hahaha, oops, if the boss didn't tell me directly, I haven't realized it for a while. It turns out that the boss still has such thoughts.
I never imagined that Mr. Xia Gong Ming Xia, who is famous for his uprightness, impartiality and selflessness, would one day become such a philistine.
It really opened my eyes. Sure enough, the saying that people can change is absolutely correct.
Sir, when you go back, the spring and autumn pen in your hand, which is famous for its fairness, must not miss the conversation between our monarch and his ministers today.
Otherwise, your history books will make people question whether they are truly fair and impartial."
Hearing Young Master Liu's joking words, not only Xia Gongming himself, but Song Qing and the others couldn't help laughing.
"Your Majesty, don't worry, the Spring and Autumn Pen in my hand is three points harder than my neck.
Qing history is the most fair, and veterans will never dare to miss a pen."
"That's good, that's good. I am reassured by these words, sir. Come, come, come, drink tea."
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty."
Liu Mingzhi brought the tea to his mouth and tasted it briefly. He looked up at Xia Gongming who was savoring the fragrance of tea between his lips and teeth and chuckled happily.
"My lord."
"Well, Your Majesty?"
Mr. Liu put down his tea cup and stood up gently. He picked up the teapot and walked towards Xia Gongming.
"Sir, the tea should be a little cold. Please add some hot tea."
When Xia Gongming saw the enthusiastic look on Young Master Liu's face, instead of feeling honored, an idea came to his mind uncontrollably.
Showing courtesy for nothing, committing adultery or stealing, your majesty is on to something!
You have to deal with it carefully. The hole your Majesty has dug for me is definitely not a small one!
A suspicious light flashed in Xia Gongming's cloudy eyes, and he quickly returned to normal, and hurriedly protected his teacup with his hands.
"Don't you dare? How could I ask your Majesty to come down and pour tea for me? I will do it myself. I will do it myself."
"Hey, my lord, you and I are strangers, haven't you? You are the backbone of the imperial court. All matters of the imperial court cannot be separated from my lord's help in solving problems for me.
For an important minister like the old man, it is natural for me to pour tea and wine for you.
Harmony between the king and his ministers is an elegant thing. No matter how virtuous or capable you are, it is a good thing for you, sir, to be humble.
But if you are too self-effacing, it may not be a good thing. Come on, come on, bring me the tea cup, I will give you a cup of tea."
The more Young Master Liu behaves like this, the more Xia Gongming firmly believes in the saying that showing courtesy for nothing is either a traitor or a thief.
Looking at Young Master Liu's smiling face, Xia Gongming held the teacup in his hand tighter.
Darling, your majesty’s trap is definitely not too small, I must not jump out of it!
"Your Majesty, there is a difference between the king and his ministers. I don't dare to overstep my bounds. I will do it myself. I will do it myself."