Chapter 1176 "Gilded!"

After returning to the mansion, Zhao Wanxian felt more and more that he was unsure of Ye Mingsheng's thoughts, so he immediately asked his trusted butler Zhao Wu.
"Where is Song Haibo?"

Zhao Wu heard this and said:
"The Marshal will give a speech at the East Gate tomorrow. Lord Song seems to be inspecting the venue at the East Gate with the Royal Guard Battalion..."

Zhao Wanxian nodded slightly and asked:

"Did you deliver that landscape painting by Song Xingxuan?"

Seeing Zhao Wanxian mention this, Zhao Wu smiled and nodded and said;

"It was delivered! Director Song refused to accept it at first, but after seeing the item, he was very excited, but still a little hesitant!"

I told him that this was not a gift from you, sir, but a loan from you for him to enjoy, and Director Song accepted it with reluctance!"

Zhao Wanxian nodded with satisfaction when he heard this. Although he always set strict standards for himself, how could he really stay clean in the officialdom?

In the past ten days or so, Zhao Wanxian not only cleaned out a group of parasites in Hebei and Henan and obtained 600,000 taels of silver, but also obtained some very rare treasures. Zhao Wanxian handed over most of these treasures to the warehouse of the governor, but he also kept a few of them privately.

Although he kept the things privately, it did not mean that Zhao Wanxian wanted to keep them. Zhao Wanxian was not actually very interested in these gold, silver, jade articles, cultural relics, calligraphy and paintings. He kept the things privately because he wanted to give them away as gifts when the opportunity arose.

For example, this time Zhao Wanxian had his eyes on Song Haibo from the beginning. Zhao Wanxian believed that although the Marshal admired and trusted him now, no one could predict what would happen in the future, and he had also offended Gu Sansi. So by the Marshal’s side, he, Zhao Wanxian, could finally have an ally, someone who could speak for him······························
At the beginning, Zhao Wanxian's target was Ye Cheng, the director of the Imperial Guards' Department. Zhao Wanxian believed that although Ye Cheng's official position was not high, his position was very important. If he could make friends with him, then in the future he would have Ye Cheng speaking for him beside the Marshal, and he would be able to rest assured!

So when Zhao Wanxian was in Liaoyang, he tried to show his goodwill to Ye Cheng, but unfortunately Ye Cheng ignored Zhao Wanxian's goodwill. Zhao Wanxian's method was like flirting with a blind man!

Seeing this, Zhao Wanxian had no choice but to give up trying to find a way to deal with Ye Cheng, and instead turned his attention to Ye Cheng's deputy, Song Haibo, deputy director of the Guard Department!
Although Song Haibo is not as important as Ye Cheng, as the deputy director of the Guards' Department, he is also deeply trusted by the Marshal. This time when the Marshal went on a southern tour, he even left Ye Cheng in Yijing and brought Song Haibo with him. This also illustrates the Marshal's attitude to a certain extent!

At the same time, Song Haibo is not as arrogant as Ye Cheng, a noble of the Ye family. Therefore, Zhao Wanxian believes that if he is willing to humble himself and make friends with him in the capacity of governor, he will definitely be able to win over Song Haibo!
So taking all these factors into consideration, Zhao Wanxian deliberately kept the landscape painting by Song Xingxuan, one of the six great wanderers of the previous dynasty. He had already found out clearly that although more than three hundred years have passed and the relationship may be a bit distant, Song Haibo is indeed one of Song Xingxuan's descendants!

More than a hundred years ago, the Song family suffered a misfortune. In order to survive, the Song family sold all the paintings of their ancestor Song Xingxuan...
Later, after the Song family overcame the difficulties, they felt that it was shameful to sell all the paintings left by their ancestors, so they wanted to redeem some of them as heirlooms. However, Song Xingxuan's paintings have always been highly respected in the literati circle, and many people like his elegant and free style.

Therefore, the price of Song Xingxuan's paintings has always been high in the market, and once they appear in the world, they will be bought out very quickly. Therefore, the Song family's plan to buy back their ancestors' paintings as heirlooms has never been accomplished!
Therefore, after encountering Song Xingxuan's painting this time, Zhao Wanxian deliberately kept it, preparing to use it as a stepping stone to make friends with Song Haibo.

As the deputy director of the Guards' Department, Song Haibo must have had many people who wanted to give him money and gifts. However, the fact that Song Haibo was able to remain in the position of deputy director also showed that he had very high demands on himself. Otherwise, with the Marshal's character, he would definitely not tolerate Song Haibo around him.

Therefore, if you want Song Haibo to accept the gift, you must give it to him that he likes and touches his heart, so that Song Haibo absolutely cannot refuse it!

And it is obvious that the landscape paintings of his ancestor Song Xingxuan are the gift that Song Haibo can't stop wanting!
Even though the gift was given out, Zhao Wanxian knew that it was not enough to improve the relationship between him and Song Haibo. If he wanted to win over the deputy director of the Guard Department, he had to make further interest binding!

Thinking of this, Zhao Wanxian instructed Zhao Wu:
"Go contact Song Haibo now and tell me to treat him to a midnight snack at Nan Ji Restaurant..."

"Yes!"

Half an hour later, Zhao Wanxian met Song Haibo in the private room of Nanji Restaurant. When he saw Song Haibo, Zhao Wanxian immediately stood up to greet him and said enthusiastically:

"Brother Haibo! We finally got you here, a busy man like you!"

Zhao Wanxian's call of "Brother Haibo" really made Song Haibo feel flattered. Although he and Zhao Wanxian were of similar age, Zhao Wanxian was the second-rank governor of Hebei and Henan!

Although Song Haibo, as the deputy director of the Imperial Guards' Department and a close aide to the Marshal, was only a minor official of the fifth rank. There was a gap of seven levels between him and Zhao Wanxian!
Therefore, although Zhao Wanxian spoke in a friendly tone, Song Haibo did not dare to go beyond the limit and bowed and spoke:
"Your humble servant Song Haibo pays respect to Governor Zhao!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wanxian quickly waved his hand and said:

"This isn't the Governor's Office. Brother Haibo, you don't have to be so reserved. We're in a private setting. I'm two years older than you. If you don't mind, just call me Brother Zhao!"

After hearing this, Song Haibo was even more confused about what Zhao Wanxian was up to, but as the saying goes, don't hit a smiling person, so he could only bite the bullet and say:

“Brother Zhao!” Zhao Wanxian nodded with satisfaction upon seeing this, and then arranged for Song Haibo to sit down and prepare for the banquet. Although it was nominally just a simple midnight snack, but with a word from the governor Zhao Wanxian, Nan Ji Restaurant immediately reopened and started working in full swing...
Several chefs worked for a while and prepared six hot dishes and two cold dishes. Nan Ji Restaurant originally wanted to continue serving, but was stopped by Song Haibo.

Song Haibo raised his glass and said to Zhao Wanxian sincerely:
"The paintings of our ancestors have always been a concern for our Song family. Today, thanks to Brother Zhao, I was able to admire the paintings of our ancestors. After I appreciate them carefully, I will definitely return them to Zhao in their original state!"

Listening to Song Haibo's words, Zhao Wanxian waved his hand and said with a smile:

"This originally belonged to your Song family. Zhao is just borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha!"

At this point, Zhao Wanxian continued meaningfully:

"It's just a painting! We are all family! Brother Haibo, you can enjoy it whenever you want!"

After hearing this, Song Haibo's expression changed slightly, and then he started to toast with Zhao Wanxian. Because Zhao Wanxian was willing to humble himself and make friends, and Song Haibo also seemed to be interested in making friends with this Governor Zhao, so the atmosphere at the banquet was very harmonious!
After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Zhao Wanxian saw that the atmosphere was almost set, so he sighed and pretended to be distressed and asked Song Haibo:

"I have been in Jiyu for a while. Although I work diligently, I am stupid and have no idea about the development of Jiyu..."

"Brother Haibo, you have always been smart and capable, and you have been following the Marshal for many years, so why don't you give me some pointers!"

Song Haibo was naturally a shrewd man to be able to become the deputy director of the Attendant's Department. He had long known that Zhao Wanxian must have something to ask him so late, so he had been waiting for Zhao Wanxian to reveal his true intentions. However, he did not expect that Zhao Wanxian was so patient that he actually waited until now to speak.

Although Zhao Wanxian said that he had no clue about the development of Jiyu and asked him to give him some advice, Song Haibo knew in his heart that the reason why Zhao Wanxian came to him was because the Marshal had a cold reaction to the "big gift" he sent, and coupled with the influence of the "file case", so he came to him to find out the Marshal's opinion!

After thinking this through, Song Haibo organized his words and said:

"Brother Zhao, you are too kind. I only do some work beside the Marshal, such as serving tea and running errands. How can I understand these military and national affairs? Moreover, the entire Yijing court knows that you, Lord Zhao, are favored by the emperor and have a bright future!"

Listening to Song Haibo's perfunctory response, Zhao Wanxian shook his head slightly, then suddenly changed the subject and said:
“Brother Haibo is not satisfied with what you said. This time many people in Jiyu have resigned. Even Deputy Governor Zhao Tao left due to illness. We in Jiyu are now missing a lot of colleagues. If there are smart and capable people like you, brother Haibo, joining us, it will be a blessing for me, Zhao, and for the people of Jiyu…”

Song Haibo was immediately confused by these words. He didn't know what Zhao Wanxian meant by this and why he started to recruit him?
At this time, Zhao Wanxian continued:
"Brother Haibo, we hit it off right away. I have something to say to you, but I don't know if I should tell you!"

Seeing Zhao Wanxian acting like this, Song Haibo naturally said:
"Brother Zhao, please teach me!"

Zhao Wanxian immediately spoke frankly upon hearing this:
"Brother Haibo, everyone knows that you are a rare talent, but your position is a bit awkward. Your company already has Director Ye Cheng, and Director Ye is a member of the Ye clan. Brother Haibo, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to overcome this huge obstacle!"

Listening to Zhao Wanxian's words, although Song Haibo remained calm on the surface, a fleeting strange color flashed in his eyes.

It can be said that what Zhao Wanxian said touched his heart. When he was first transferred to the Guardian Department, Ye Cheng might have felt that he could not threaten his position, so he treated him very gently, and the relationship between the two of them was very harmonious!
However, as he gradually did some errands for the Marshal and won his trust, the relationship between Song Haibo and Ye Cheng became subtle...
Although the two men seemed to be still the same on the surface and no conflict had broken out, Song Haibo was very clear that if he continued to develop in the Attendant Department, the confrontation between him and Ye Cheng was bound to happen. After all, as the old saying goes, there can't be two tigers in one mountain, and how can you allow others to snore beside your bed?

In the Attendant's Department, Song Haibo would definitely not be able to defeat Ye Cheng. After all, the other person's surname is Ye, which is a natural advantage. Therefore, as Ye Cheng occupies the position in the Attendant's Department and refuses to leave, and his own path to advancement is blocked, the best way for Song Haibo is to jump out of the Attendant's Department!
Even though what Zhao Wanxian said hit the nail on the head, Song Haibo naturally could not admit his words. Just when Song Haibo was about to say a few words to shirk the matter!
Zhao Wanxian continued to speak:
"I am dissatisfied with Brother Haibo. I promised Hu Mingyuan to recommend him to the Marshal as the deputy governor, thus destroying his alliance with Zhao Tao. After Hu Mingyuan became the deputy governor, the position of Yujing prefect was vacant. I need someone to come to Jiyu to help me. What do you think, Brother Haibo?"

When he heard the words "Yujing Prefect", Song Haibo was startled at first and then a little tempted. He was a person who liked to look three steps ahead before taking one step.

Therefore, even though the matter of being sent out for another post has not yet been decided, Song Haibo has also considered the location of his posting. Compared with the various central departments of the Yijing court, he personally prefers to go to the local prefectures and counties. Having stayed with Ye Mingsheng for so long, he knows very well that Ye Mingsheng attaches great importance to local work experience!

People like Zhao Wanxian, Zhang Zhiwen, Qi Dechao and others who were promoted by Ye Mingsheng all have one thing in common, that is, they have all had experience in local areas, understand the working methods of local prefectures and counties, and have made achievements in local prefectures and counties!

Therefore, if he goes to the local prefecture and county to stay for a period of time, it will be very beneficial to his future prospects!

Among all the local prefectures and counties, Yujing's conditions can be said to be the best, without even a word of praise!

Not to mention that the prefect of Yujing is of the fourth rank, Song Haibo's transfer there is a promotion of three levels. Just to say that Yujing, as the capital of Hebei and Henan, has no shortage of money or people. As long as you work hard and make achievements, it is not a difficult thing. If you work as the prefect of Yujing for a few years, you can become a frontier official without any accident!

This could be the most perfect gilded position for Song Haibo, so facing Zhao Wanxian's recruitment, Song Haibo had to admit that he was indeed somewhat tempted...
(End of this chapter)