Xiao Jingcheng had heard the name Li Bingjun from others more than once.
It was said that this youngest Grand Councilor in the history of the State of Chu was well - versed in ancient and modern knowledge, extremely talented. Although he came from a prominent and noble family, it was rare that he did not沾染 the extravagance, arrogance and idleness that were typical of the scions of noble families.
Some people had seen him bare - footed, walking into the mud to help the common people catch a runaway ox. Others had seen him sitting side by side with a ragged beggar, sharing a pancake.
He practiced the virtues of benevolence and the spirit of helping the world advocated by Confucius and Mencius in person. He was truly a gentleman.
It was a pity that such a gentleman was destroyed by the King of Chu, who was known as the "Mad King".
The downfall of the Li family in Luozhou was not only a pain for the State of Chu but also for the common people in the world.
His uncle had once said to him with great emotion, "If Li Bingjun were still alive, and if the King of Chu were a benevolent ruler, the State of Chu might have continued for several more centuries, and the Xiao family would not have had the chance to seek the throne of the world."
"Among the many ministers in the current Sheng State, neither in terms of talent nor character, can anyone compare with Li Bingjun. If one day, someone like Li Bingjun appears in the Sheng State, you must cherish him well."
"You must remember that as a king, you must have the broad mind to tolerate everything and be kind to the ministers who are willing to admonish you. If everyone in the court fears you, no one will be willing to tell you the truth, and you will never see your own shortcomings. Sooner or later, the Sheng State will become another State of Chu."
His uncle's words still rang in his ears, and he always kept them firmly in mind.
The Eastern Palace had always been strictly governed. He never allowed the guards and servants in the Eastern Palace to bully the weak outside, and he always thought that everyone in the Eastern Palace was united.
It was not until this incident, not until he saw what Bu Hua had done in Dongli Town that he realized that the Eastern Palace had never truly been his, and not all the people in it were truly on his side.
Now, what he lacked most around him were people he could completely trust and use. If Li Zhao was really the extremely talented Grand Councilor Li Bingjun, he must hold on to this person no matter what.
However, after hearing this name from Xiao Jingcheng, there was no change in Li Zhao's expression, as if he had never heard this name before.
"You've mistaken me," Li Zhao said calmly. "I'm not Li Bingjun. I'm just an ordinary person."
After hearing this, a thoughtful look flashed across Xiao Jingcheng's eyes.
Whether it was Li Zhao's conversation, his temperament or his insights, all indicated that he had an extraordinary background.
At this moment, he couldn't help but feel sorry for the fate of the Li family in Luozhou. Because of the King of Chu, Li Bingjun didn't leave any portraits. So he only knew his name but didn't know what he really looked like.
If his uncle were here, his uncle would surely recognize him.
"But I can tell from Uncle Li's accent that you're obviously from Luozhou, and your conversation and insights..." Xiao Jingcheng wanted to try to persuade him further, but Li Zhao interrupted him and said,
"I am indeed from Luozhou and from the Li family in Luozhou."
Xiao Jingcheng was overjoyed, but then he heard Li Zhao say, "The Li family was deeply rooted and powerful in Luozhou with many collateral branches. I'm just an unknown nobody in one of the collateral branches. Thanks to the cultivation of the main family, I've learned a lot. But there are many people like me in the Li family. I'm nothing special."
Disappointment instantly filled Xiao Jingcheng's heart.
Was he really wrong? Was Li Zhao really not the Grand Councilor?
But then he thought that even if Li Zhao was not the Grand Councilor, his sharp and amazing insight and his ability to resolve crises with ease were still better than most of the ministers in the court.
If he could have such a capable person by his side to offer advice, it would surely be a blessing.
"Back then, the Li family in Luozhou suffered a great disaster unjustly. Uncle Li was able to escape and survive until now, which shows that the Li family in Luozhou still has some good fortune left."
Xiao Jingcheng said sincerely, "Even if Uncle Li is not Li Bingjun, in my eyes, Uncle Li's talent is no less than his. Are you really willing to hide in the countryside forever and live out the rest of your life unknown?"
He clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Li Zhao. "I, Xiao Jingcheng, am willing to offer you the title of Marquis and the position of the third - rank Grand Councilor. I sincerely beg Uncle Li to assist me in stabilizing the country and bringing benefits to the common people in the world."
A soft laugh came from ahead. The laugh was full of contempt and was particularly harsh to Xiao Jingcheng's ears.
"Marquis? Third - rank Grand Councilor?" The corners of Li Zhao's lips curled up, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Your Highness, you've found the wrong person."
Xiao Jingcheng gritted his teeth tightly, and his whole face was tense.
"The Li family's past lesson is right there. Such a huge family just collapsed overnight, without even a chance to appeal for justice." Li Zhao said coldly.
"Ordinary people will change their temperaments as soon as they taste a little bit of the sweetness brought by power. Do you think that as the Crown Prince, you have the ability to despise power and achieve universal harmony?"
Xiao Jingcheng's breathing became a bit heavier.
Li Zhao said, "Whether it's the King of Chu, your father Xiao Tianye or you. Once you sit on that throne and hold the power of life and death over everyone, you will all end up the same."
"Do you think I should push the Li family under the chopping knife again and completely cut off the last root of the Li family?"
By this time, Xiao Jingcheng already knew Li Zhao's stance and attitude.
Although twenty years had passed, the tragic ending of the Li family was still there, a nightmare that Li Zhao couldn't get rid of. It was impossible for him to change Li Zhao's mind and make him trust him and be tied to him just with a few words.
It was impossible for Xiao Jingcheng not to feel sorry. He even felt a strong sense of frustration and began to doubt himself a little.
He had never seen the King of Chu but had heard about his rumors.
The King of Chu often got angry at the admonition of his ministers in the court and would order them to be beaten to death on the spot. He coveted the beauty of a minister's wife, forcibly took her into the palace and humiliated her wantonly. He even forced the minister to watch, which drove the minister to hit a pillar and die on the spot with his brains splattered.
As for his father, he had neglected his mother, doted on Concubine Feng, and allowed the Feng family to cultivate their power to compete with the Shen family in Hexi, taking away the military power from the Shen family in Hexi, which had fueled the ambitions of the Feng family and Xiao Yixuan.
Royal power was supreme. Once one sat on that throne, one would have the ability to subvert the world. So just a little signal could lead to the fratricide and bloodshed.
If he wanted to return to the Eastern Palace, he would surely have to fight by any means necessary and make those who dared to plot against him pay the price.
But if he did so, how was he different from the cruel King of Chu and his cold - hearted father?