"Thank you for your trust, Your Highness. However, I really have no intention of participating in the struggle for the throne for the time being. I may disappoint you!"
Even though he received a positive answer from Nangong Kaige, Ye Chen still declined politely.
After all, what he wants is to take back the power from all the princes in one fell swoop.
Otherwise, if he agrees to Nangong Kaige first, the other princes will definitely receive the news, and it will be difficult to seize power from those princes.
"Let's do this. If Mr. Ye changes his mind at any time, I'm always waiting for you!"
Knowing that talking more would be useless, Nangong Kaige had no choice but to bow to Ye Chen and leave with a group of generals who were somewhat familiar with Ye Chen disappointed.
Not long after Nangong Kaige left, Nangong Qin came again.
He didn't beg hard like other princes, or promise various benefits. He just said that he had nothing to do and wanted to have a few drinks with Ye Chen and talk about what was on his mind.
Ye Chen naturally agreed, and he and Nangong Qin actually drank happily and got drunk.
…
In the next few days, the leaders of various forces came to visit him one after another, either to give him large gifts or to ask for knowledge in various fields.
As for the more important visitors, Ye Chen almost never refuses them.
As for those prodigal sons who came simply to join in the fun or out of vanity, he naturally asked Xiao Rong and Du Yuxiang to keep them out.
After such a wave of operations, his sense of mystery was quickly enhanced a lot.
He, Nanlang, who was said by the oracle to be able to calm down the chaos in the imperial capital, was not something anyone could just meet.
Although he seems a little self-reliant, he really doesn't have that much energy to meet all kinds of cats and dogs.
After all, just dealing with the group of powerful senior officials in the imperial capital has already exhausted him. If he had to spend all his energy to meet anyone who came to visit, wouldn't he be exhausted to death?
…
Three days later.
"The villain Zhang Fan has met the young master!"
As soon as Zhang Fan came to Ye Chen, he knelt down on one knee, his face full of excitement.
"Tell me, what's the latest progress?"
Ye Chen immediately got straight to the point.
"Sir, since that day when you let the villain stage that cruel trick, not only has the Law Department not continued to make things difficult for us, but even the Longxing Carriage Rental Company has miraculously surrendered to us and is willing to merge with our Zhengtu Carriage Rental Company!"
"very good!"
Ye Chen nodded with satisfaction, "It seems that the scene that day was not in vain, it finally worked!"
A few days ago, he had expected that the eldest prince would definitely come to visit, and he would also try his best to invite him to help.
So before the arrival of the eldest prince Nangong Lie, he asked Zhang Fan to wait in advance and let him come in at the critical moment to talk about the problems he faced.
Since the eldest prince Nangong Lie was present and wanted something from him, how could he turn a blind eye?
As expected, only three days have passed and the problem with Zhengtu Carriage Rental has been solved.
"Sir, in addition to Longxing Carriage Rental Company, other peers have also followed suit and merged into our Zhengtu Carriage Rental Company one after another. Now we have occupied almost 80% of the business of our counterparts in the Imperial Capital!"
The more Zhang Fan talked, the more excited he became, "If nothing goes wrong, the remaining 20% will be gradually annexed by us!"
"At that time, all the carriages traveling in the entire imperial capital will be our customers!"
"You did very well!"
Ye Chen praised: "Next, in addition to expanding the scale, the most important thing is to collect the reports from the big shots from all sides, and then compile them and report them to me!"
"The villain obeys your orders!"
Zhang Fan nodded heavily.
Then, as if he remembered something, he said: "By the way, sir, before I came here, I saw the eldest princess's maid coming to rent a carriage, saying that the eldest princess is going to travel tomorrow, so let's prepare the most noble carriage and wait!
"
"oh?
Is the eldest princess Nangong Zhenpu?"
Ye Chen raised his eyebrows, "I was worried that I wouldn't have a chance to talk to her alone. Since she took the initiative, it saved me a lot of trouble!"
"What do you want the young master to do?"
Zhang Fan asked respectfully.
"Is the driver who will drive the eldest princess tomorrow reliable?"
Ye Chen asked instead without answering.
"Of course it's reliable!"
Zhang Fan responded without thinking: "Li Shi was a like-minded brother of mine before. When I was at my lowest, he did not hesitate to take great risks to save me. So, Sir, after you help me turn over,
I also gave him a hand, and now I hold a high position in the Zhengtu Carriage Rental Company, and he is obedient to my orders!"
"Are you going to let this Li Shi drive the princess?"
"Yes!"
Zhang Fan nodded, "The eldest princess is a big shot. I can't trust anyone else. I feel more at ease letting Li Shi go!"
"As long as it's someone you trust!"
Ye Chen thought about it for a moment and immediately outlined his plan.
After listening, Zhang Fan immediately vowed: "Don't worry, young master, I owe everything I have today to you. Whatever you ask me, I will try my best to accomplish it for you even if I risk my life!"
"
"Well, then go ahead!"
Ye Chen waved his hand, "Once it's done, come back and let me know immediately!"
"Yes, I will resign, villain!"
Zhang Fan responded and bowed out respectfully.
…
The next morning.
The gate of the Prime Minister's Palace.
Li Shi drove a luxurious carriage to the door of the mansion early and stood waiting beside the carriage with a humble and respectful attitude.
"Kakaka!"
Not long after, the door of the Prime Minister's Mansion opened, and two guards with strong auras rushed out.
Immediately, two maids supported a graceful and luxurious woman and walked out slowly.
It is Nangong Zhenpu, the current eldest princess of the empire, who is also the young lady of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
"Your Highness the Princess, the carriage is already waiting. I will let him drive over now!"
After seeing the carriage parked not far away, a maid supporting Nangong Zhenpu came and shouted to Li Shi: "Who is it? Hurry up and drive the carriage over, Her Royal Highness the Princess is out!"
"Yes, villain, come right now!"
Li Shi responded, immediately boarded the carriage, and drove the three horses to pull the luxurious carriage towards the entrance of the mansion.
Then, he respectfully welcomed the eldest princess Nangong Zhenpu into the carriage, and then drove away in the carriage.
The eldest princess is going to the residence of the third prince Nangong Xiao this time.
As for the two guards, they followed the carriage on the left and right sides.
"Okay, you all go back!"
As if he didn't want the guards to follow, the voice of the eldest princess Nangong Zhenpu suddenly came from the carriage.
"Your Royal Highness, the young master has asked his subordinates to protect you as you go to the third prince's residence. Your destination has not been reached yet, so I cannot leave!"
One of the guards said respectfully.
"Bold, do you even dare to disobey my order?"
Nangong Zhenpu in the carriage said angrily: "On the surface, you are protecting me, but in fact you were ordered to monitor me, right?"
"This... subordinates don't dare!"
The two guards were startled.
"Then go away and don't be an eyesore in front of me!"
Nangong Zhenpu urged impatiently.
The two guards looked at each other and had to bow and leave.
Li Shi, who was driving the carriage, his eyes lit up and he said in a respectful tone: "Princess, it is my honor to drive for you personally!"
"Drive your car well, why are you talking so much nonsense?"
Before Nangong Zhenpu could answer, a maid scolded her with disgust: "Her Royal Highness the Princess is rich in gold, how dare you, a humble coachman, to talk to Her Royal Highness?"
"Yes, yes, the villain has realized his mistake!"
Li Shi apologized repeatedly, but continued: "I just want to say that I drove Mr. Wen's car some time ago and received a reward from him. I just want to express my gratitude to Her Royal Highness the Princess!"
"oh?
Did you drive for me some time ago?"
This time, before the maid could continue to scold, the eldest princess Nangong Zhenpu asked first.