smile but not smile, his gaze falling upon Zhao Xuanji."The scheme, I've woken up."Zhao Xuanji hung his hands down and remained silent."Enough."The Great Emperor said calmly.Zhao Xuanji bowed and said...Chapter 1244: Persuasion

"Since we are being honest with each other, now tell me, was it your own idea to come to my doorstep today, or was it Zhao Xuanji's idea" Zhang Biwu asked.

Fu Yuzhi answered earnestly: "It is my own wish, and also the meaning of the Grand Tutor."

That's what he meant.

Zhang Biwu knew Fu Yuzhi's character well. Upon hearing this, he immediately understood the truth.

He scoffed, "To think of how imposing and dignified the Grand Councilor used to be, it's unimaginable that he would ever fall to this."

Fu Yuzhi frowned and said, “Zhangxiong, what do you mean by that”

"The literal meaning."

"Zhang Biwu let out a sneer and said: 'The him of the past, only others begged him, fawned over him, flocking around him, going to great lengths for just one purpose – to please him, gain his approval, and hitch their wagon to this star. To board this ship.'"

"If I had quarreled with him at that time, he would have definitely prevented you from coming to me. Even if he allowed you to come, it would have been with an imperial edict demanding my resignation and execution."

"But now, things are different. I've had a falling out with him, and he still expects me to go back and work for him. That just proves how old he's gotten; he's lost his grip on everything."

Fu Yuzhi listened and then asked a question.

"So, Zhang brother, if it were him from before, would you still dare to have a conflict with him"

This question caused Zhang Biwu's face to darken, and he became a little flustered and angry.

The anger that was about to erupt turned around at his lips, but it didn't come out in the end. Zhang Biwu finally sighed and said with self-deprecation, “That’s right, I’m just a clown jumping up and down, throwing stones into a well. Why bother laughing at him”

"Zhang, tonight Elder Zhang is hosting a banquet at his residence. Just the two of us. Let's go together. After so many years as colleagues, there are surely things we haven't spoken about. Let bygones be bygones. We should always look forward."

At this point, Fu Yuzhi tried to persuade Zhang Biwu again, but a hesitant expression had already appeared on his face.

Seeing this, Fu Yuzhi immediately added more strength to her words and said, "Before coming here, the Elder Grand Tutor told me that when Hu Pi's position as Minister of Secret Affairs becomes vacant, he intends to recommend you for it."

When he didn't speak, it was fine. But once the words left his mouth, Zhang Biwu immediately flew into a rage. He said coldly, "Lord Governor, after all that talk, are you just asking me to do your dirty work"

Now, Fu Yuzhi is the provincial governor of Menxia Province, and they arranged Zhang Biwu to be this important minister, which was the greatest humiliation for Zhang Biwu.

Before joining the cabinet, he was on par with Fu Yuzhi. In fact, for many important matters, Zhao Xuanji dealt directly with him without going through Fu Yuzhi.

It's more painful for me to have Zhang Biwu serve under Fu Yuzhi than to kill him.

"Fu Yuzhi seemed to have expected Zhang Biwu's reaction beforehand, and immediately said, "Zhang brother, you can't look at things on the surface. The position of this crucial minister is extremely important right now, and it's just a stepping stone for you. A true man should be able to bend and stretch, shouldn't you be able to endure this little hardship"

“Think carefully, the division of the three provinces in the new policy of the Crown Prince is quite sophisticated. The Ministry of Officials is the most important, overseeing six ministries and thirteen bureaus, effectively consolidating internal affairs. Meanwhile, national affairs and key political matters are handled by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel. These two departments embody the imperial will and serve as a check on the Ministry of Officials. Together, the three ministries form what was formerly known as the cabinet.”

"The Grand Secretary is now the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and I am the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. If we cooperate with you, your position as a confidential advisor would be significant enough to make you the second most important person in the Ministry of Personnel."Chapter 1538 Part Four