hsntnovel Chapter 1871 Rejected
Chapter 1871 Rejected
Hou Junji did not show any displeasure on his face that Prince Ji did not even remember the name of his own son-in-law.
Instead, he continued to smile and nod:
"Yes, my son-in-law is Helan Chushi. He had some unpleasantness with His Royal Highness Prince Ji a few years ago.
I should have gone to your house to apologize earlier, but due to my status, I am unable to go.
I believe that His Royal Highness Prince Ji can understand this. Today, I, an old minister, would like to thank His Royal Highness Prince Ji for showing mercy and not getting into a fight with him. "
Li Shen thought that Hou Junji's words were just politeness because of his status. What he meant was that he was a duke and it would not be good for him to get too close to a prince like him.
Li Shen was disdainful in his heart. If you really want to apologize, no one will misunderstand anything if you kneel at the door of Prince Ji's mansion.
This polite remark is so fake.
"Haha, Duke Chen, you don't have to be like this. You are a loyal minister to His Majesty, and a founding hero of the Tang Dynasty.
For the sake of Duke Chen, I will naturally not bother with him.
However, Duke Chen should still discipline him strictly. Your son-in-law relies on Duke Chen's power and has caused a lot of trouble for Duke Chen outside.
I am afraid that one day it will bring a terrible disaster to Duke Chen."
Li Shen looked sincere as he praised Hou Junji, which made Hou Junji smile even more.
"Don't worry, Your Highness. I have already warned him. He will never do evil again in the future."
Hou Junji quickly assured.
"Your Excellency, Pei Mingli has arrived."
Just then a report came from outside.
"Let him in." Hou Junji ordered.
Soon a middle-aged man walked in. Li Shen knew at a glance that this person was a wealthy man.
His body shape is very similar to Wang Hongfu, with a big head and thick neck. He is either a wealthy man or a cook. It is obvious that he is not a cook, so he must be a wealthy man.
"I pay my respects to His Royal Highness Prince Ji, Minister Hou."
After the middle-aged man came in, he bowed to Li Shen and Hou Junji.
"Are you Pei Mingli?" Li Shen asked.
"Your Highness Prince Ji, I am Pei Mingli." Pei Mingli replied with a salute.
He was only a sixth-rank official and normally didn't even have the chance to meet Prince Ji.
"You actually know me?" Li Shen asked in surprise. How come everyone knows him now?
“Your Highness Prince Ji, I had the honor of meeting Your Highness Prince Ji several times in the East Market and the Industrial Park many years ago.
Always keep it in my heart and never forget it.
In the minds of merchants, His Royal Highness Prince Ji is the reincarnation of the God of Wealth. I was also a merchant before I entered the officialdom, and I have always worshipped His Royal Highness Prince Ji as a god."
Pei Mingli is not worthy of not watching, it makes people feel that what he says is from the bottom of his heart.
Li Shen was delighted when he heard this, thinking that he had found the right person.
Apart from businessmen, who else could say such shameless flattery to someone's face?
"Hahahaha, this is what I like to hear." Li Shen laughed.
"Pei Mingli, the reason you were summoned here today is because His Royal Highness Prince Ji wants to see you for something." Hou Junji said on the side.
"I wonder what instructions His Royal Highness Prince Ji has for me?" Upon hearing this, Pei Mingli looked at Li Shen.
"Pei Mingli, I won't beat around the bush with you. I see that you are a smart person, so I will tell you directly.
This prince has heard about your history of making a fortune and thinks you are a talented person. This prince would like to summon you to Prince Ji’s Palace to work for him.
What do you think?" Li Shen stared at Pei Mingli and said.
"Go to Prince Ji's Mansion to work?" Pei Mingli was obviously stunned when he heard this. He didn't expect that Prince Ji was looking for him just to summon him to Prince Ji's Mansion.
Then he began to ponder, naturally he had to weigh the pros and cons of such matters.
What are the benefits of entering Prince Ji's palace? What are the benefits of being in the court?
Seeing Pei Mingli in deep thought, Li Shen was not in a hurry to interrupt him. This matter should have been thought through carefully.
Li Shen was planning to let Pei Mingli go home and think about it for a few more days, as this was a major life event that affected his future.
After a long while, Pei Mingli bowed to Li Shen and said:
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness Prince Ji. I am humbled and overwhelmed. However, it is Your Majesty's grace that has granted me the privilege of serving in the court.
I cannot fail to live up to your majesty's kindness to me, and I hope that Your Highness Prince Ji will forgive me."
He actually refused. This was the first thought in Li Shen’s mind. No matter how many people wanted to follow him, they didn’t get the chance.
Now Pei Mingli actually directly rejected the olive branch he had extended.
“Pei Mingli, if you care about His Majesty’s kindness, I can tell you that I have already discussed this matter with His Majesty.
And His Majesty has also agreed. As long as you agree, His Majesty will issue an order to transfer you and will not be dissatisfied with you.
Besides, you are only a sixth-rank official in the Ministry of War.
If you go to my Prince Ji's Palace, I can give you a fifth-rank official position, and your salary will be much higher than your current salary.
You should think about it carefully again." Li Shen continued to persuade calmly, after visiting him three times.
Pei Mingli is a talented person and deserves a few more words from me.
As expected, when it came to promotion and wealth, Pei Mingli hesitated again.
He had been in the Ministry of War for several years before he was promoted to the rank of Yuwenlang, a sixth-rank official, not even a full sixth-rank official.
Prince Ji directly gave him a fifth-rank rank, which was five or six levels higher. It would take a long time for a person without any background like him to get this position.
Unless you catch the eye of some important person, such as His Majesty or the Crown Prince, you will have a chance to make the leap.
But this chance is very slim. How many officials like him are there in this imperial city?
But he had other ideas. After thinking for a long time, Pei Mingli spoke:
"Your Highness Prince Ji's words do make me feel flattered, but I will never forget your Majesty's kindness in recognizing me."
This sentence once again represents his refusal.
Pei Mingli is very smart, otherwise he would not have such a family business, such as the high rank and high salary of Prince Ji's Palace.
But Pei Mingli understood clearly that he would have no chance once he entered Prince Ji’s mansion.
There was only one position in the Prince's Palace, that of a fourth-rank chief secretary, which meant that no matter how hard he worked for his entire life, he would only be able to hold a fifth-rank rank.
As for salary and money, he is not short of money now. At his current point, the future is the most important thing.
The two rejections made Li Shen somewhat unhappy. He thought it would be as smooth as recruiting Wang Xuance.
I didn't expect that Pei Mingli would actually reject me, and his reason for rejection was so sufficient.
With just one sentence "Repay Your Majesty's kindness", he blocked all the things he said.
Hou Junji, who was standing by, was secretly pleased when he saw this scene, thinking that the officials in his Ministry of War were indeed men of integrity.
Not tempted by King Ji's conditions.
It is rare to see Prince Ji being humiliated.
“Your Highness Prince Ji, since Mr. Pei is unwilling, I think Your Highness Prince Ji should not force it.
Pei Yuanwailang is wholeheartedly repaying Your Majesty's kindness, which is also a sign of his loyalty to Your Majesty.
Your Highness Prince Ji will surely understand."
Hou Junji spoke just right to plead for Pei Mingli, and was met with Pei Mingli's grateful gaze.
Li Shen laughed after hearing this:
"Duke Chen, could you please allow me to talk to Pei Mingli alone?"
(Friends, please click here to urge for more updates. There is a new function below. Please try it.)