Chapter 2225: Dinner Party

"Your Highness has a point." Yuanji said: "There are indeed conflicts between the civil official group and the military general group, but these conflicts are all due to interests. As long as the interests are sufficient, the people of the civil official group and the military general group can also join forces, just like Zhou Yanfeng and Li Yang now."

"That's right." Hou Yi also said: "In the past, everyone fought in the court just to gain more benefits. Now, Li Yang, Zhou Yanfeng and Qi Kai have formed an alliance, also because of interests. Therefore, it is not easy to convince him. Moreover, sitting in the position of Minister of War is already the ultimate that a military general can do. What else can Your Highness bring to attract him? Unless it is a title! But the title cannot be promised casually, otherwise there will be endless troubles."

The words of Yuanji and Hou Yi made Zhao Ke hesitate. He realized that he had thought a little too much before.

It is true that civil officials and military officers liked to fight in the court before, but they fought for interests. Now Li Yang and Zhou Yanfeng formed an alliance for the same reason. It is impossible to divide Zhou Yanfeng and Li Yang with empty words.

But Li Yang's position as the Minister of War is already a very high position. As Hou Yi said, there is nothing that can attract Li Yang in terms of official position, unless it is a title.

But they, Yanfeng Country, attach great importance to titles and will not easily promise titles. Besides, if Li Yang is given a title, then Yuanji, Hou Yi and even Hou Chong, who have always followed him, should also be given titles? Moreover, the titles of these three people cannot be lower than Li Yang, otherwise, it will cause internal conflicts, which is a bad thing.

In addition, Yuanji and Hou Yi also said before that they had tempted Li Yang with other promises before, but Li Yang was unmoved. Therefore, if they want to convince him, they really have to rely on the title, and this title cannot be too low.

In this case, things seem a bit troublesome.

"Your Highness, compared to Li Yang, I think Qi Kai is easier to convince." Yuan Ji continued: "Qi Kai originally supported the eldest prince, and later supported the third prince. Later, he came together with Zhou Yanfeng and Li Yang. Such a fence-sitter has a very unstable will and is the easiest to convince."

"I agree with Yuan Shangshu's opinion." Hou Yi also said: "Among the three, Qi Kai has the lowest status and is the easiest to satisfy. Your Highness can completely promise him a position as the Minister of Revenue, which is much higher than the position of the Minister of Rites. I believe Qi Kai will be tempted."

Zhao Ke's eyes lit up and were somewhat tempted.

Yuan Ji was right. Qi Kai changed his camp three times, which was a typical fence-sitter. This kind of person is the easiest to shake. As long as enough benefits are promised, I believe he can be convinced. Qi Kai's status is the lowest among the seven. Therefore, it will not be too difficult to satisfy him. The status of the Minister of Revenue is a good bait.

Although there is someone in the position of Minister of Revenue now, it is obvious that once Zhao Ke takes office, the position of Minister of Revenue will inevitably be replaced. Although he may not really replace Qi Kai, he can make a promise at this time, and Qi Kai will not have any doubts. The position of Minister of Revenue is indeed attractive to Qi Kai.

"After what you said, Qi Kai is indeed easier to convince than Li Yang." Zhao Ke said: "But you also said that he is a fence-sitter. Can such a person be trusted?"

"Your Highness, we don't need him to be trustworthy all the time. We just need him to vote for us at the critical moment." Yuan Ji said.

Zhao Ke nodded after listening: "That makes sense. In this case, we will use Qi Kai as a breakthrough point!"

Yuan Ji and Hou Yi nodded.

"Your Highness, the matter of winning over Qi Kai cannot be carried out openly, and it cannot be rushed." Yuan Ji reminded: "This matter cannot be known to Zhou Yanfeng and Li Yang, nor to the Third Prince, otherwise, they will definitely come out to destroy it."

"Okay." Zhao Ke nodded in agreement.

This kind of thing is indeed not suitable to be carried out in a big way, otherwise it will only cause unexpected changes.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the second prince's mansion. Seeing the second prince suddenly return, the servants in the mansion were surprised and happy, and they ran to tell each other. As servants in the mansion, it can be said that their interests are closely linked to Zhao Ke. If Zhao Ke falls, they will also be unlucky. Now it seems that Zhao Ke has returned safely, and they are naturally very happy.

Of course, the fact that Zhao Ke returned to the mansion smoothly will also spread quickly to every corner of the imperial capital at this time, and more and more people will know about it.

Zhao Ke came out to prepare to compete for the throne, so he didn't mind that his release from prison was known to outsiders, and naturally he would not stop people in the mansion from spreading this matter.

"Your Highness has just been released, why not hold a dinner party tonight to celebrate." Yuan Ji said, "I have told Minister Guan about this before, and I have invited him in your name, and Minister Guan agreed."

"In that case, the dinner party must be held." Zhao Ke said, "I will have someone take my name card to the Ministry of Justice to formally invite Minister Guan."

Although it seems that Guan Zhuo is likely to stand on their side, Zhao Ke is also afraid of accidents, and this relationship still needs to be maintained. Moreover, Guan Zhuo played a crucial role in his successful release from prison, and he has to thank him.

"In addition to Guan Shangshu, some important ministers in the imperial capital are also invited." Zhao Ke continued: "Since we are going to hold a dinner, we should make it lively and let everyone know that I am out!"

Yuan Ji and Hou Yi nodded in agreement.

This matter does need to be officially announced to the outside world, which is good for them. Moreover, inviting some officials to participate can also reveal their thoughts and facilitate them to win over officials.

"As for Zhou Yanfeng and Lao San..." Zhao Ke thought for a moment and said, "I won't invite them."

"Don't!" Yuan Ji said quickly: "Your Highness, I think they should also be invited. As for whether they come or not, that is their business. If you don't invite them, it will seem stingy, Your Highness. Although I guess, even if you invite them, they He won’t come either.”

"But this can stop them!" Hou Yi said with a smile.

"Not bad." Yuanji nodded.

Zhao Ke also laughed and said: "In that case, then invite them together!"

Soon, invitations were sent out from the second prince's residence and sent to the homes of various officials in the imperial capital.