vrcanaries Chapter 257: Tricking Father into giving him a talent
Chapter 257: Tricking Father into giving him a talent
Cao Wei and Gao Yingxiong were well aware of the Princess Qin's generous character, but facing her dressed as a woman, they could not forget her extremely noble status, and they could not help but be respectful yet reserved.
Kou Zhun was even more shocked by the sudden change in the Luo brothers' identities and was caught off guard. He felt reserved and uneasy.
Fortunately, the Princess of Qin had a free and easy and generous temperament, and the Second Young Master Luo, who appeared nonchalant but was actually a man of clear mind, kept making jokes to liven up the atmosphere. After three glasses of wine, the stiffness and awkwardness disappeared, and the atmosphere gradually became harmonious and intimate.
Luo Li smiled warmly and said, "Old Kou, I heard that you are doing well in Weishi County! When your three-year term is up, you will be promoted and get rich. This princess has a keen eye for talent. I saw at first glance that Kou Zhun is not an ordinary person. One day, he will be able to rise to the highest position among the officials."
Since her second brother had already exposed her ill intentions in trying to win over Kou Zhun, Luo Li simply stated her original purpose in making friends with him.
Kou Zhun put down his chopsticks and said modestly: "Princess, you are too kind. As a local official, Kou Zhun is just doing practical things for the people. Whether I can get promoted or not is up to nature. As for getting rich, Kou Zhun does not bother to make money by relying on the privileges of his official position."
Luo Wenhao raised his glass and complimented him: "Brother Kou has an upright character and keeps himself clean. He will surely become a great and honest official in the future, loved by the people and remembered for eternity."
Kou Zhun sighed, "Kou Zhun became a disciple of our mentor, Lord Luo, and was dedicated to following his example of integrity and honesty. But while we are sitting here drinking and chatting, I wonder how much suffering our mentor, who is trapped in the prison of Western Shu, must have endured!" He choked with sadness as he spoke the last part.
The brother and sister Luo Li and Luo Wenhao smiled secretly in their hearts, thinking that our father, as the highest local official in Sichuan and Shu, is now in the Chengdu government office in charge of the overall situation!
This matter could not be made clear, and Luo Li and Luo Wenhao could only pretend to be very sad. As filial sons and daughters, they shed a few tears of heartache for their father who was imprisoned.
Luo Li thought about the idea she had discussed with Zhao Defang, and told him the purpose of inviting Kou Zhun to the banquet today: "Brother Kou Zhun, I know that you are a man who values friendship and loyalty, so I introduced you to my father who never accepts disciples, so that he would break his vow and accept you as his student.
Now our father is imprisoned in Xishu. As his children, we wish we could take his place in the suffering he has endured.
As a girl and a concubine of the King of Qin, it is not convenient for me to visit and rescue my father. My second brother...was busy and rushed around in the winter and caught a cold. He became a tuberculosis patient...and was unable to travel a long distance to Shu. "
When Luo Li said this, Luo Wenhao was confused and didn't know what his sister was up to. But the brother and sister had a very high level of tacit understanding. In line with his sister's words, he coughed violently, his face flushed, tears welled up, and he looked weak and out of breath.
Cao Wei and Kou Zhun hurriedly patted his back, handed him water, and took care of this patient suffering from tuberculosis.
Luo Laoer's reaction ability and acting skills are so strong! Luo Li gave the second brother a rewarding look.
Then he said, "My second brother and I are worried about our father, but we can't go to Sichuan to visit him. Kou Zhun, once a teacher, always a father! Since you have become my father's disciple, you are half his son. Otherwise, you can go to Sichuan to visit our father on behalf of the three of us siblings?"
Kou Zhun, who was patting Luo Wenhao on the back to calm him down, was stunned!
Cao Wei was also stunned for a moment, laughing in his heart, wondering what tricks the Princess of Qin would play next?
Only Gao Yingxiong, who was honest, generous and loyal, drank the wine in his glass in one gulp, and said with great righteousness: "Of course I should go! Kou Zhun is the only disciple of Lord Luo. When my master is in trouble, of course I should go to visit him and find a way to rescue Lord Luo!"
Kou Zhun was really in trouble. When his teacher was in trouble, the disciple should visit him and find ways to rescue him. However, the journey to Shu was long and difficult, and it would take more than a month to go back and forth. As a local official appointed by the imperial court, how could he have more than a month of free time?
If he was away from home for more than a month without permission and was dismissed from his post, would his future be ruined if he had not yet realized his lifelong ambitions after studying hard for more than ten years and finally passing the imperial examination and being appointed as a county magistrate?
Kou Zhun was hesitant. Seeing the expectant eyes of Princess Qin and Second Brother Luo and hearing Gao Yingxiong's righteous words, Cao Wei silently examined his eyes and made up his mind with gritted teeth!
"Oh my god! My mentor has been imprisoned and tortured by rebels. As my mentor's only disciple, Kou Zhun is deeply indebted to him. I will go to Xishu to visit my mentor who is imprisoned and try to rescue him. If the higher-ups blame me, I will not be the county magistrate any more!"
Cao Wei clapped his hands and praised, "Great! Brother Kou Zhun is loyal and righteous, we have made the right friends. Brother Kou, don't worry, give your superiors a note to ask for leave, and I will ask my father to say a few good words for you in front of Lord Xu, the acting prefect of Kaifeng, and you will not be dismissed as the county magistrate."
Gao Yingxiong also said with loyalty: "Brother Kou, when I go home I will ask my father to speak well of you and ask Lord Xu to approve your leave and not dismiss you from your position."
Luo Wenhao patted Kou Zhun's shoulder with tears in his eyes and choked up: "Brother, from now on, you are my real brother!"
Kou Zhun clasped his fists and bowed, "Thank you all for your support, brothers. Whether the higher-ups will grant me leave or dismiss me from my post is up to me."
Luo Li said lightly and casually, "Kou Zhun, you can go without any worries. It's no pity that this insignificant county magistrate is dismissed. In the future, I will ensure that you will be promoted to a higher position, so that you can display your lofty ideals and talents."
Kou Zhun didn't take it to heart, thinking that the Princess of Qin was just talking nonsense because of her brain disease. He just smiled faintly: "Princess, second brother, since you have decided to go to Xishu to visit your teacher, I will set off as soon as possible.
If you have any gifts or letters for my teacher, please prepare them and send them to my home."
Luo Li thought for a moment and said, "Kou Zhun, you should set out tomorrow and ride as fast as you can to overtake the imperial army that is suppressing the rebellion. Only in this way can you enter Shu safely.
I will send someone to escort you all the way. Travel light so you can go faster. Take as little as possible with you. Just take two letters to your father. My brother and I will see you off tomorrow when you leave."
Sitting in the carriage back to the hot spring villa, Luo Wenhao smiled slyly, "Little sister, second brother's reaction ability and superb acting skills are okay, right?"
Luo Li smiled and praised: "Yes, yes, it's absolutely great! When it comes to cheating, Second Brother is definitely a unique talent!"
Luo Wenhao was not ashamed but proud of it, and said, "That's right! When it comes to the art of cheating, you, Luo Li, are number one in the world, and I, Luo Lao Er, am number two!"
Luo Li was startled! Then he chuckled, "Second brother, my sister is wearing the crown of being the best swindler in the world.
This time, my brother and I worked together to lure Kou Zhun to Western Sichuan, and to get a talent for our father. The vast land of Sichuan is waiting for Kou Zhun to display his talents and lofty ambitions. "