Fan Li looked at Zhang Juzheng, and Zhang Juzheng also looked at him.
Zhang Juzheng's gaze was extremely complicated!
Admiration? Jealousy?
Two completely opposite emotions both emanated from Zhang Juzheng's eyes. He both admired and envied Fan Li.
Zhang Juzheng had always thought that Fan Li was able to gain absolute power over the Chu court at such a young age and become the Prime Minister above all officials, mainly due to the Fan clan's power.
During his previous mission to Chu State, he was shocked by Fan Li's imposing aura in the Chengming Hall.
Afterwards, Zhang Juzheng racked his brains, suspecting that Fan Li possessed some kind of precious Confucian or Taoist treasure, which had deceived him.
After all, it was an open secret across the Three Kingdoms that Fan Li had just started cultivating and was only at the Body Refinement Realm.
However, not long after, the National Teacher of Great Ming, Lan Daoxing, failed to subdue the Black Dragon Horse.
The reason turned out to be Fan Li's machinations! Only then did Zhang Juzheng realize that he had really underestimated his opponent. And now, the reason why he would appear in front of Fan Li was because Emperor Jiajing's regard towards Fan Li had already risen to the point of summoning him personally!
"Lord Zhang, what important business brings you here?" Fan Li asked with a smile.
Zhang Juzheng was a rising figure with great prospects. But now, he was just a fourth-rank official, a nobody in Great Ming, much less capable of commanding Fan Li, the Duke of Jin with his lofty status and great power in Chu.
At this moment, Zhang Juzheng's appearance here led Fan Li to guess that he was most likely playing the role of a messenger.
Sure enough!
As soon as Zhang Juzheng opened his mouth, he exposed his awkward position.
"Duke, His Majesty Emperor Jiajing of Great Ming summons you." After speaking, Zhang Juzheng's old face flushed red, apparently also realizing that he was just playing the role of a messenger. He moved to the side, raising his hand to gesture for Fan Li to go ahead.
"Jiajing wants to see me?" Fan Li muttered to himself.
Should I go?
Or should I not go?
I'm afraid... I must go!
Just based on that heroic ruler's power and strength, if he dared to refuse, he would definitely offend him.
The wrath of the Son of Heaven of Great Ming?
Fan Li currently couldn't withstand it. As for whether Empress Xiang Ning would be unhappy hearing about this?
Forget it, Fan Li didn't care about the little girl's emotions. His own life was more important than anything!
"Lead the way." Fan Li followed Zhang Juzheng. He just didn't notice the faint cold smile at the corner of Zhang Juzheng's mouth.
He also didn't know that Zhang Juzheng had arranged for his subordinates to specially go to the Chu Emperor's travelling palace and report that he had been summoned alone by Emperor Jiajing.
Chu Emperor's Travelling Palace.
"What?! Fan Li went to meet Emperor Jiajing behind My back?" Xiang Ning gaped in disbelief as she stared at the person before her.
The visitor was an official from Great Ming, and his position was lowly. If she dealt with him in the same way, it would only damage the imperial majesty.
"That's right, this official specially came to inform the Chu Emperor, so you won't be anxious from not being able to find the Duke for a while."
Although this person only had the petty seventh-rank position, he held his head high with an aura as if he was an official from a superior state who didn't need to bow down before the ruler of this inferior state!
To make things worse, the Chu Emperor currently had a guest.
Han Emperor, Liu Xi.
"I see, you may leave." Xiang Ning awkwardly glanced at Liu Xi before waving her hand to dismiss the Ming official.
The latter let out a cold laugh and arrogantly strode away.
"How rude! He should be chopped into ten thousand pieces!" Liu Xi got angry on Xiang Ning's behalf. But then he reminded: "Don't be rash. If you really harm him, it would be the perfect excuse for that Jiajing commoner."
Xiang Ning didn't know whether to laugh or cry. If not for that last sentence, she would have suspected Liu Xi of trying to sow dissension.
"Why did Fan Li agree to meet Jiajing?" Xiang Ning still had doubts in her heart.
Just as she was thinking, Liu Xi said a shocking thing. "Emperor, Fan Li is very likely to rebel. Why not kill him in Lü City? I can lend you three loyal subjects under me to get rid of this treacherous minister!"
Xiang Ning gaped at Liu Xi with a stunned expression. "Uh... thanks for the offer, but I don't think it has escalated to that point."
Kill Fan Li?
Please!
The experts in their travelling entourage were all elites selected from the imperial guards of the capital. The imperial guards were the ironclad forces of the Fan clan!
If Fan Li died today, no guarantee those elites wouldn't force her to abdicate tomorrow! Moreover, although Xiang Ning felt doubtful, she really didn't think this matter warranted making things difficult for Fan Li.
"Emperor Jiajing is domineering. Perhaps Fan Li was forced to go?" Xiang Ning even took the initiative to speak up for him.
Seeing Xiang Ning's attitude wasn't forceful, Liu Xi could only shake his head and sigh helplessly.
"Huh? What's wrong, Your Majesty?" Xiang Ning asked.
Liu Xi regretfully said, "The Chu Emperor is still young with a kind heart. Too trusting and credulous. I was like that in the past as well, credulously appointing Dong Zhuo from the local areas to assist me in removing the Ten Eunuchs."
Liu Xi heaved a sigh. "But what was the outcome? After the Ten Eunuchs were eliminated, Dong Zhuo monopolized power all by himself, even more tyrannical than the Ten Eunuchs!"
Recalling past events brought tears of regret to Liu Xi's eyes. Gritting his teeth, he said, "If Dong Zhuo wasn't satisfied with monopolizing power and dared to have the treacherous actions like Duke Jin today, I would stake my life to kill him!"
After hearing this, Xiang Ning felt rather awkward. She thought to herself: Could you do it?
If you could, how could you have endured it until today? Moreover, in Great Han's domain, were Dong Zhuo's treacherous actions lacking?
***
Ming Emperor's Travelling Palace.
As Fan Li stepped into the great hall, looking up at the imperial steps, he didn't see the dragon throne but instead a pillow made of golden silk threads.
Sitting upright on the pillow was a middle-aged man with the appearance of a Taoist priest, breathing steadily with an extraordinary bearing. It was Emperor Jiajing.
"Not wearing dragon robes but Taoist robes?" As Fan Li looked up at Emperor Jiajing, he contemplated inwardly.
At this time, Zhang Juzheng who had been leading the way tactfully withdrew. In this spacious palace hall, only Fan Li and Emperor Jiajing were left.
Just as Fan Li was thinking about how to greet this emperor of another state, Emperor Jiajing was the first to speak.
"You are still a minister of Chu. I'll spare you this once and exempt you from performing the greeting ceremony."
Fan Li suspected he was hearing things.
Damn!
How could this shameless old fogey speak such disgusting words with a gracious tone?
When did I say I wanted to kneel down before you?
Even Empress Xiang Ning has never seen me kneel before!
Finally, Emperor Jiajing slowly opened his eyes, seeming to end his meditation. Looking at Fan Li, he slowly revealed a smile on his face.
"With your Body Refinement Realm cultivation, when you look up at this Emperor, do you see a mortal or an immortal?"
In his mind, Fan Li thought, "I think you resemble a lunatic!"
However, aloud, Fan Li replied, "Your Majesty does indeed transcend the ordinary."
"Haha! You are truly tactful, no wonder you thrive in the Chu Kingdom," Emperor Jiajing laughed heartily. "Among my courtiers, you are the first to dare answer my question so directly!"
Fan Li sensed the underlying question in his words and asked in confusion, "Uh... Your Majesty, I am a minister of the Chu Kingdom..."
However, Emperor Jiajing didn't let him finish and waved his hand, saying, "From now on, that's no longer the case! I specially invited you to serve in the Ming Dynasty, to join the Cabinet... but due to your lack of experience, you'll start at the lowest rank and slowly accumulate your qualifications."
Fan Li finally understood. So, Jiajing came to poach him? But this old man is too stingy, isn't he? In the Chu Kingdom, he held the highest position among officials, serving as the Prime Minister and granted the title of Duke of Jin.
Joining the Ming Dynasty, even though he could still be called a 'minister,' he would be just a low-ranking Grand Secretary in the Cabinet?
Where in the world does one experience a job change that involves a pay cut and a demotion???