EFB Chapter 2631 How to employ people
Chapter 2631 How to employ people
Chapter 2631 How to employ people
He followed the maid through a maze of twists and turns, muttering to himself. Although he had built this estate, the paths, gardens, and furnishings inside had changed frequently. It was completely different from when it was first built three years ago, and there were even more houses now.
The servants of the front village were unaware of the situation in the back village, and they all said that the back village was mysterious.
That one also seems to be someone who likes to stir things up.
Qianqian led him to a secluded house behind a row of bamboo groves. There was a courtyard there, where the sunlight couldn't reach at this hour. Directly below was a fishpond with artificial hills, lotus leaves, and fish.
There's still a man in blue standing by the pond feeding the fish.
Upon arriving here, Zhao Huanrong no longer needed a maid to announce his arrival, as he was already quite familiar with the person before him:
"Master Duanmu."
"Lord Zhao," the man in blue turned around, "now should be a good time for you to practice your skills, why did you come here?"
Zhao Huanrong chuckled and said:
"Important matters must be taken seriously. I have just received the latest news from Aonan City: Crown Prince He Yue of Shen Kingdom has just ordered the continuation of the northern offensive, and the Shen Kingdom army is ready to go."
“Of course.” Duanmu Heng smiled reservedly. “His son is dead. If he could tolerate that, he would be a coward. However, the Shen army is determined to attack the north. This is not only his revenge, but also the decision of the King of Shen. The father and son must have discussed it.”
"Do you think the State of Shen had any intention of withdrawing its troops before?"
“Of course there is.” Duanmu Heng tossed in a few fish pellets, and the pond water boiled as if it were boiling, with fish scrambling for them. “I’ve studied He Chunhua and his son. Their temperaments are the complete opposite of Jiuyou’s; they’re both rather steady and conservative. But He Chunhua himself is also somewhat cunning. He knows very well what caused this war, and he also knows that Shen Kingdom cannot completely defeat Baling yet, so this protracted war is meaningless. Ha, if I were He Chunhua, after a brilliant victory, I would also want to know when to stop and preserve my strength for the future. But how can that be?”
He said slowly, "This war has only just begun; how can we rush to end it?"
Even if the war were to come to an end, He Chunhua was not the one with the right to call it over.
"He Changjue's death also shocked the Baling court. The Baling King personally wrote a letter to He Yue, arguing that it was not Baling's doing. But the Crown Prince of Shen replied with only four blood-red characters: 'A life for a life.'" Zhao Huanrong was also a veteran minister of Baling, but at this moment he addressed him as "Baling King" instead of "my king," and his words were not as respectful as when he addressed Duanmu Heng.
“He Chunhua and his son may not necessarily believe that Baling is the mastermind, but they are determined to take revenge on Baling.” Duanmu Heng said with a smile, “When the news of He Changjue’s murder reached the country, everyone was outraged. I heard that the court officials and generals all volunteered to fight, and He Chunhua could not just let the matter go.”
"Yes," Zhao Huanrong said respectfully. "Lord Duanmu is a master strategist; the He family father and son's every word and action was exactly as you predicted."
The Shenba War has not only failed to end, but is escalating.
"Good." So far everything has gone smoothly. Duanmu Heng asked him, "Is your nephew Zhao Shuo also at the front lines?"
"He is one of the three generals besieging Aonan City, and the legion is led by him in the main attack," Zhao Huanrong said solemnly. "Rest assured, he knows what he should do and will certainly follow your wishes to guide the Crown Prince of Shen's army well!"
"This matter is not easy. He Yue is Jiu You's younger brother. He is not stupid and has gradually shown his military talent in recent years. If we want to guide him to act according to our plan, the Baling army will suffer heavy losses, and Zhao Shuo will also be under great pressure."
There's an old saying: "You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub."
Duanmu Heng looked at him with admiration: "Lord Zhao has devoted himself to the Heavenly Palace. I was right to have judged you correctly."
Three years ago, he was ordered by the Holy Venerable Lingxu to secretly travel west and begin to secretly plan his scheme. However, he needed to find trustworthy confidants and informants in Baling.
The Heavenly Palace had been operating in Baling for over a hundred years, possessing its own complete system, and even employing many Bega people. Logically speaking, it shouldn't have been difficult for Duanmu Heng to select people from among them.
But after much deliberation, Zhao Huanrong was among the few people he finally chose.
This person devoted himself to the Heavenly Palace and worshipped Jialoutian at an early age. He was very capable and served as an official in Baling for decades. His highest official position was Vice Prime Minister. His disciples and old friends were all over the court and the country. His network of relationships was denser than a spider web. From his time in office to his retirement, he had influence in the court.
Needless to say, he is also well-informed in China and has a lot of resources and manpower at his disposal, making him a good assistant to Duanmu Heng locally.
However, he still has one disadvantage—his social status is not good.
The Heavenly Palace attendants accompanying him were worried that this fellow was a member of the Baling tribe and might not be of one mind with them. After all, one should trust those one employs, and Lord Duanmu would have to entrust many secrets to these trusted confidants in the future, which could not be revealed to outsiders.
If this gets leaked, the consequences will be unimaginable.
Duanmu Heng overruled the objections and insisted on appointing Zhao Huanrong. His exact words were:
"You don't understand. Precisely because Zhao Huanrong is a Baling person, he must show the utmost loyalty and humility to the Heavenly Palace and to me!"
Because of her inferior birth, Zhao Huanrong had to be more humble, loyal, and competitive than the Bejia people in order to gain Duanmu Heng's trust, and more ruthless, merciless, and aggressive towards her enemies and Baling.
Only in this way can one truly reveal their sincerity.
The facts over the past few years have proven that Duanmu Heng was right in his judgment. Zhao Huanrong is indeed loyal and capable, and always completes the tasks assigned by Duanmu Heng on time and with high quality.
Zhao Huanrong immediately said, "It is thanks to Lord Duanmu's discerning eye that I, Zhao, have this opportunity."
"If this matter can be handled smoothly—" Duanmu Heng looked at him and smiled slightly, "you will have a place in the Lingxu Heavenly Palace. Chief Envoy Du Yun has already given his word."
Zhao Huanrong was overjoyed and immediately bowed to express her gratitude, her hands touching the ground.
The Heavenly Palace occasionally accepts foreigners as worshippers, occasionally.
The probability is probably one in ten thousand.
Because the probability is so small, if it succeeds, it is an unparalleled honor!
With this status of being a worshipper, the King of Baling had to treat him and the Zhao family with utmost respect.
"That other matter also needs careful planning." After offering a sweet promise, Duanmu Heng began to reprimand, "I've been in Baling for three years for the Earth Mother. All these plans are also for the Earth Mother!"
When he does these things in a foreign land, he needs a trusted confidant he can completely rely on, because what he says may be an absolute secret.
"Don't worry, everything is being handled." Zhao Huanrong also looked serious. "Lord Duanmu, could you please clear up my doubts?"
Duanmu Heng stood with his hands behind his back: "You speak."
“You said the Earth Mother would arrive within three to five years, and more than three years have passed now. If you calculate the time, it should be coming soon.” Zhao Huanrong asked in a low voice, “But how can you be sure that it will definitely come soon? The Earth Mother always hides underground, and very few people can see it.”
(End of this chapter)