Time Travel: I am the idle king Li Shen and Li Shimin in the Tang Dynasty

Wang Hongfu has been in charge of Prince Ji's Mansion for more than ten years. He is accustomed to seeing all kinds of people, including princes and nobles.

His most basic skill is to say the right thing to the right person.

If he didn't have some ability, he wouldn't have been able to manage the huge Ji Wang Mansion for more than ten years.

The Wu Jinnian in front of him was just a county magistrate of the seventh rank.

This is because Qianyang County is a middle-grade county. If it were a lower-grade county, it would just be an ordinary seventh-grade county.

Such an official is really not worth mentioning to him, the head manager of Ji Wang Mansion.

As the saying goes, the seventh-rank official is the prime minister's doorman, and Wang Hongfu is no ordinary doorman.

He is one of the three tyrants in Prince Ji's Mansion and the chief treasurer, and is also a well-known figure in Chang'an City.

He made friends with many officials in the court in Chang'an City.

But Wang Hongfu still kept a low profile and did not rely on the power of the Ji Palace to bully others.

After hearing Wang Hongfu's words, Wu Jinnian felt relieved and the smile on his face bloomed like a chrysanthemum.

"Hahahaha, Manager Wang, you are also working for the court.

Even His Majesty has issued an imperial decree, which shows that this matter of Manager Wang is of great importance.

How dare you delay?"

Wu Jinnian burst into laughter.

Having been an official for many years, I know the officialdom very well. If others give you face, you have to cover for them.

After all, the two people in front of us are not ordinary people.

Wang Hongfu is a favorite of King Ji. King Ji is far superior to the two of them, with a gap of more than twenty levels between them.

If nothing unexpected happens, it will be impossible for him to meet King Ji in this life.

The other one had a more prominent background. Wang Hongfu was, after all, a servant, while Ashina Liang was a bona fide aristocrat.

The son of Ashina Zhong, the current Duke of Xue, will inherit the title of Duke of Xue in the future.

He is a real master.

The fact that the two of them were invited to the banquet today was already a great honor for him.

"Come, come, young master, this is our local specialty, and this wine is the good wine I asked someone to buy from Chang'an City.

I have been keeping it for several years but have never been willing to drink it. Today I specially took it out to treat the young master and Shopkeeper Wang."

Wu Jinnian personally poured wine for Ashina Liang. Wang Hongfu took a look and found that it was second-grade wine sold by Prince Ji's Mansion.

Wang Hongfu hasn't drunk this kind of wine for a long time.

Ashina had never drunk it before.

A few years ago, their family started cooperating with Prince Ji’s Mansion in the liquor business to develop the market in the northern grasslands.

He only drank first-rate wine.

So neither of them showed any surprise, and Wu Jinnian didn't feel embarrassed, as he had expected this.

The identities of the two people are here.

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Ming. When I return, I will have someone send you some of my own treasures as a thank you gift for your hospitality."

Wang Hongfu said with a smile on his face.

There is no need to tell Prince Ji about such a small matter. To be frank, Wu Jinnian is not worthy of it.

Giving him some small favors is my way of repaying him.

After hearing this, Wu Jinnian sighed inwardly. He thought that Wang Hongfu should know about his goodwill gesture, but it was a pity that he did nothing.

He really wanted to bribe Wang Hongfu, but he believed that Wang Hongfu would not value the little money he had.

It is impossible to ask Wang Hongfu to introduce Prince Ji just by treating him to a meal.

Wu Jinnian continued to laugh and chat with the two of them, telling them some legends and interesting stories about Qianyang County.

Wang Hongfu and Ashina Liang ate and drank while listening, occasionally interrupting to ask questions.

The meal was very harmonious.

"Manager Wang, I have admired Prince Ji for a long time. I wonder if you can introduce me to him. I would be very grateful."

After a few rounds of drinking, Wu Jinnian spoke directly.

Wang Hongfu remained calm and smiled:

"Mingsir, to be honest, I am just a small shopkeeper in the Jiwang Mansion.

How could I have the ability to introduce others to His Royal Highness Prince Ji?

Moreover, His Royal Highness Prince Ji has always stayed away from court affairs and did not care about worldly affairs, like a free and easy wandering cloud and wild crane.

If the Ming Mansion wants to rely on His Royal Highness Prince Ji, it is unlikely to gain any benefit.

It would be more beneficial to make friends with other ministers in the court."

Wang Hongfu spoke very tactfully, mentioning that Li Shen had never participated in politics, and also wanted Wu Jinnian to give up.

Wu Jinnian wanted to get close to Prince Ji simply for his future and benefits.

"Manager Wang has misunderstood. I want to meet His Royal Highness Prince Ji, and I have admired him for a long time.

Although His Royal Highness Prince Ji does not participate in state affairs, some matters still need to be approved by the court.

Just like today, a caravan needs to pass through certain places to pass through customs.

Although I am a humble official, I am also the magistrate of a county. I am willing to serve His Royal Highness Prince Ji.

From now on, it will be easier for Prince Ji to do things in Qianyang County, right?"

Wu Jinnian was not discouraged, but instead stated what he thought were the pros and cons.

But what he got in return was Wang Hongfu's cold face.

Wang Hongfu's smile disappeared, and his face became gloomy.

"County Magistrate Wu, I will pretend that I didn't hear what you said, and don't mention it again.

You should know that it is a taboo for a prince to have close contacts with local officials.

My master has never participated in state affairs, made friends with any officials, and doesn't want to get into trouble.

I hope Magistrate Wu will respect himself."

Wang Hongfu spoke in a bad tone and didn't even use a respectful title.

He knew Prince Ji's thoughts very well and had been avoiding various taboos for so many years.

Even if it is bullying or being disrespectful to the king, it is not a big deal. At most you will be beaten.

But there are some things that cannot be done, especially things like this that suggest disloyalty, and Your Majesty will never show mercy to them.

Wang Hongfu's family all rely on Prince Ji's Mansion. If Prince Ji falls, everything the Wang family has will be lost.

Even if they don't die, being exiled is the lightest punishment, and their family will be destroyed in the end.

If you depend on the powerful, you have to bear the risks brought by them. This is the rule.

Ashina Ling, who had been silent all this time, spoke up at this moment:

"Shopkeeper Wang is right, Magistrate Wu, not to mention you, even if my Ah Ta wants to see my uncle, he would ask my Ah Na to go with him.

Otherwise I won’t be able to see my uncle.

It's crazy for a small county magistrate like you to rely on my uncle.

Do you know how many powerful people in Chang'an City want to get close to my uncle, but they don't have the means? Do you think you are more valuable than those powerful people?

Furthermore, do you really not know that it is a serious crime for a prince to collude with local officials?

It’s okay if you want to die, but please don’t implicate my uncle. There are a lot of people who depend on my uncle for food.

My Ashina tribe is one of them.

You should stop dreaming."

In response to Wang Hongfu's words, Ashina Liang spoke more bluntly and mercilessly, causing Wu Jinnian's face to turn pale and blue.

He wanted to get angry, but he didn't dare to. Wang Hongfu was nothing special, just a businessman, but Ashina Liang was the future Duke of Xue.

If I offend him, it will be easy to take revenge on him when I inherit the position of Duke Xue in the future.

The main reason is that Ashina Ling has a more powerful background than his father.

His mother was Princess Dingrang, his grandmother was Concubine Wei in the palace, his uncle was Prince Ji Li Shen, and his aunt was Princess Linchuan—all of them were members of the royal family.

Just when Wu Jinnian was feeling embarrassed, the door was pushed open and a soldier from the Ashina tribe rushed in.

"Little Khan, something bad has happened in the camp!"