Chapter 322: Bribery and Winning Over

"what to do?"

Lin Jiangnian's tone was very relaxed and his expression was indifferent, as if he was making an irrelevant joke.

But Gao Boyan knew very well...the Prince Lin was not joking.

There was no hint of joking in his eyes.

However, Gao Boyan had already prepared for this. As the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, he occupies a pivotal position in the six departments. Gao Boyan was naturally not a person who was happy with his appearance.

Naturally, it was clear that if Prince Lin trusted him so easily, there would be a problem.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince does not trust his subordinates. It is only human nature."

Gao Boyan still had a kind smile on his face and said: "However, His Highness is the future consort. Even if you give me a hundred courages, I will definitely not dare to deceive you..."

"I don't even dare to plot against His Highness. Your Highness can rest assured that I will not do such a thankless thing!"

The smile on Gao Boyan's face was sincere, and no other expression or emotion could be seen. He has been involved in official circles for decades, and it is definitely not easy for him to reach the position of minister.

Lin Jiangnian glanced at him quietly and shook his head slightly: "That's not what I'm talking about... Mr. Gao hosted a banquet for me today, and he sent such a pair of stunning women for no reason..."

"Isn't it true that you are being courteous for nothing?"

Facing Lin Jiangnian's half-smiling look in front of him, Gao Boyan's heart froze, and he felt frightened that he had been seen through.

The Prince Lin in front of him was twenty or thirty years younger than him, but he was so calm when facing him, without any stage fright. I had known that this child was not simple. Only when I actually saw it could I be more sure.

"I don't dare!"

Gao Boyan shook his head and said: "This official has no intention of being attentive."

"Then why is Master Gao like this?"

Lin Jiangnian glanced at the dazzling array of delicacies in front of the table, all of which were made by the people. Just this table is worth the food rations of many people for a year?

Gao Boyan hesitated for a moment and then said: "Actually, I am hosting a banquet with His Highness today. In addition to wanting to see His Highness, I also want to specially apologize to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"oh?"

Lin Jiangnian just raised his eyebrows, showing interest, but did not speak again.

After Gao Boyan was silent for a while, he sighed deeply, with a look of hatred on his face, and said solemnly: "Your Highness, you should already know the news that the dog Gao Wenyang committed suicide in Mitiansi Prison out of fear of crime, right?"

Suicide out of fear of crime?

Lin Jiangnian watched Gao Boyan's acting skills in front of him with interest.

Didn't Gao Boyan know best whether Gao Wenyang committed suicide out of fear of crime?

However, Lin Jiangnian did not expose it. He nodded lightly: "I did hear... Mr. Gao, do you express your condolences?"

Gao Boyan sighed deeply, with a hint of regret on his face: "It was the official's failure to educate his son, which led him to go astray and finally reach this point..."

At this point, Gao Boyan suddenly stood up and bowed deeply towards Lin Jiangnian: "Wen Yang killed his friend and framed the blame on His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince. This move made people and gods angry. Although he died, it was the son's failure to teach his father, and it was the fault of the subordinate officials who failed to discipline him. Yan, lower officials have great responsibilities..."

"Today's banquet is also to apologize to His Highness in person. Wenyang is ignorant and has offended His Highness. I hope Your Highness can be a gentleman and not remember the faults of villains... I am willing to bear all the consequences!"

Looking at Gao Boyan, who was crying in front of him, looking like a loving father grieving, Lin Jiangnian had to sigh.

What a great acting!

If he hadn't known about Gao Boyan's behavior earlier, he might have deceived everyone. Can a ruthless man who can even kill his own son speak the truth?

With things like this, people who don’t know really think that their father is kind and their son is filial!

This Gao Boyan really grabbed his son's human blood buns and kept eating them!

Gao Wenyang has died a worthy death and will not be able to rest in peace!

He sneered in his heart, but Lin Jiangnian didn't show any strange emotions on his face. Since he was willing to act, Lin Jiangnian naturally had no intention of exposing it.

"Master Gao is serious, there is no need to be like this!"

Lin Jiangqing shook his head softly: "The relationship between me and Mr. Gao was just a small quarrel. Mr. Gao just lost his mind for a moment and did something wrong. Now that Mr. Gao is no longer alive..."

"The grudge between my eldest son and Mr. Gao has been wiped out. Mr. Gao does not need to take it to heart."

Gao Boyan heard this and said quickly: "His Royal Highness is kind-hearted and does not stick to trivial matters. I am here to thank Your Highness for your great kindness on behalf of Wenyang under the Nine Springs!"

"Hey, I said there is no need to be too polite... Mr. Gao entertained me so warmly today, I should really thank Mr. Gao for his hospitality!"

Lin Jiangnian was all smiles.

Gao Boyan was also in tears, with a smile on his face excitedly, and nodded repeatedly: "What your Highness said is, what you said is..."

"..."

Both parties enjoyed this meal very happily.

Gao Boyan's face was full of spring breeze and smile. The dignified minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, but in front of a young man who was several decades younger than him, his face was full of respect and flattery.

But there was no trace of displeasure on Gao Boyan's face.

Lin Jiangnian was also very happy.

Although Gao Boyan didn't say it clearly at the banquet, Lin Jiangnian had already roughly guessed Gao Boyan's purpose.

Since someone took the initiative to curry favor, Lin Jiangnian naturally refused to accept anyone who came.

At a meal, both the host and the guest are happy.

After the meal, Gao Boyan suggested taking Lin Jiangnian around the manor to experience the snowy scenery in the capital. Lin Jiangnian happily went.

The heavy snow gradually stopped, and the entire manor was covered with snow, and it was freezing cold.

Led by Gao Boyan, Lin Jiangnian scanned the rare and exotic sights in this manor and listened to Gao Boyan's careful introduction.

Not to mention, there are indeed many good things in this manor. Walking along the way, you can see that the decorations are luxurious and priceless. How much silver must a minister of the Ministry of Personnel have embezzled to have such a manor?

"This manor was built by a merchant in Beijing ten years ago. Later, the merchant committed a crime and the manor was confiscated. After several rounds of turnover, it fell into the hands of this humble official... What do you think, Your Highness?"

Gao Boyan looked at Lin Jiangnian and asked carefully.

Lin Jiangnian looked around, nodded, and praised: "Yes, it is indeed a good place."

Although it is far inferior to the Linwang Mansion, such manors are rare in Beijing. It is indeed a good place.

Gao Boyan chuckled and said, "Does Your Highness still like it?"

"Indeed, I still do..."

Lin Jiangnian just opened his mouth and glanced back at Gao Boyan: "What do you mean, Mr. Gao?"

Gao Boyan smiled and said, "If Your Highness likes it, I will give you this manor. Please don't dislike it."

Give a manor?

Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes slightly: "Mr. Gao, why do you want to give me a manor?"

"This manor has been vacant on weekdays, and I don't use it. Since Your Highness likes it, I will naturally make full use of it and give it to Your Highness as a favor!"

Lin Jiangnian looked at him and shook his head: "Mr. Gao, this favor is something that I can't afford!"

Gao Boyan did not answer. He walked to the door under the eaves of the backyard with a smile on his face, pushed open the door next to him, and said, "Your Highness, please!"

Lin Jiangnian glanced at Gao Boyan, walked to the door, and looked inside.

With just one glance, Lin Jiangnian's eyes froze slightly.

Right in the center of the house, the ground was densely packed with golden gold, neatly piled there.

So much gold, at a glance, was extremely shocking!

In addition to gold, the surroundings of the room were also filled with various rare treasures, pearl necklaces, gold and silver jewelry, countless...

The things in the whole house were priceless and difficult to estimate!

This...

Where did Gao Boyan get so many treasures?

How could he, a minister of the Ministry of Personnel, have so many gold and silver treasures?

What did he want to do? !

For a short moment, countless thoughts flashed through Lin Jiangnian's mind, and then returned to calm.

Lin Jiangnian was very calm!

As the prince of Lin Wang, he had no concept of money. Although the room full of gold and silver treasures in front of him looked extremely shocking, Lin Jiangnian did not have too many waves in his heart.

Compared with the Ruyi Tower in Lin Wang Mansion, it was far worse!

The Ruyi Tower, which collected rare treasures from all over the world, was many times more shocking than what was in front of him.

Lin Jiangnian turned his head slightly: "Master Gao, what do you mean by this?"

Gao Boyan lowered his head slightly and said: "Your Highness, what do you think this official means?"

"Master Gao, do you want to bribe this prince with money?"

"I dare not." Gao Boyan shook his head and said slowly: "This is a little thought from this official. I hope Your Highness will not despise it."

"A little thought?"

Lin Jiangnian glanced at the room and chuckled: "Master Gao's little thought is really a lot?"

"I dare not neglect Your Highness!" Gao Boyan said.

Lin Jiangnian looked at Gao Boyan in front of him quietly and couldn't help but sigh. It was really a big deal.

This Gao Boyan really spent a lot of money to win him over!

If it were someone else, such a room full of gold and silver treasures would be enough to tempt anyone!

And Gao Boyan spent so much money to win over Lin Jiangnian, and his purpose... was definitely not small.

Lin Jiangnian withdrew his gaze from the room and chuckled: "Mr. Gao dared to give it, but I dared not accept it. With such a huge amount of money, why should Mr. Gao be so secretive?"

Gao Boyan was silent for a while, then waved his hand and drove away all the servants and guards behind him.

Afterwards, Gao Boyan's eyes were slightly deep, and he said in a deep voice: "Your Highness is so smart, I know I can't hide it from Your Highness..."

"This time, my son made such a big mistake, which caused my Gao family to be in a worrying and precarious situation in the capital..."

"I really want to show my goodwill to Your Highness. On the one hand, I hope Your Highness will not remember the villain's mistakes. On the other hand, I also want to make friends with Your Highness. If Your Highness needs anything, I will do my best..."

"I just hope that if my Gao family is in trouble in the future, I hope Your Highness can help. Apart from that, my Gao family has nothing else to ask for..."

"..."

Gao Boyan is a very cautious and smart person!

He was able to stay in the court for decades without any harm, and the Gao family was able to stand in the capital for many years, all of which were inseparable from him.

This time, Gao Wenyang framed the prince of Lin and killed the son of a bureaucrat. Once this matter was exposed, it seriously affected the reputation and status of his Gao family.

Especially since Gao Wenyang was backed by the third prince, once it was exposed, the consequences would be disastrous.

Even his entire Gao family would be doomed!

Gao Boyan could only make a decisive decision and reluctantly give up Gao Wenyang. Gao Wenyang's death saved the Gao family!

At the same time, he also took the opportunity to get a lot of benefits from the third prince.

But on the other hand, his Gao family was completely tied to the third prince's camp. Once the third prince participated in the fight for the throne, if he succeeded, it would be fine, but if he failed, their Gao family would be doomed.

Gao Boyan naturally could not completely tie the fate of the Gao family to the third prince, so he had to leave a way out for himself and the Gao family.

Prince Lin is his best candidate.

This is why Gao Boyan wants to win over Lin Jiangnian at all costs, even though Lin Jiangnian indirectly killed Gao Wenyang.

Compared with his own life and the fate of the Gao family, the death of his third son is not a big deal for him.

Gao Boyan, who is at the center of power in the court, knows better than anyone the chaos and weakness in the court.

The call for reducing the power of the vassal states has been made for several years, but there has been no effect. The power of the court is complicated and each is independent. The emperor does not care about the government, the prince is weak, and the third prince is cruel. No matter who comes, it is impossible to rectify the court in a short time, let alone reduce the power of the vassal states!

In addition, the Lin family is located in the south, with strong soldiers and horses, and its reputation among the people is growing stronger and stronger. The Lin family will inevitably become the biggest threat to the court at that time.

As for Gao Boyan and the Gao family, they don't care who owns the world. I just want to protect my own interests and keep my family rich and prosperous.

Holding on to the Lin family is what Gao Boyan wants to do most now.

…

In the capital, on the street.

A carriage slowly headed towards the west of the city.

In the carriage, Lin Jiangnian closed his eyes to rest. Outside the carriage, Lin Qingqing was driving the carriage, looking back from time to time.

“Your Highness, the Gao family didn’t do anything to you, did they?”

“How dare they?”

Lin Jiangnian laughed: “Gao Boyan not only warmly entertained this prince, but also gave me the manor…”

“Ah?”

Lin Qingqing was slightly startled, and then her eyes fixed: “Your Highness, they want to win you over?!”

Lin Qingqing quickly guessed the purpose of the Gao family.

"That's right."

"Then your highness..."

Lin Qingqing probed: "Your highness agreed?"

Lin Jiangnian did not answer, but asked: "Do you want me to agree?"

Lin Qingqing thought for a while and shook his head: "I don't want it."

"Why?"

Lin Qingqing showed a worried and solemn look on his face: "Gao Boyan is a cruel man who even killed his own son. He has no bottom line in doing things. I am worried..."

"You are right."

Lin Jiangnian nodded. A person without moral ethics and who eats his own children is indeed terrible.

"Before I went, I did think so, but now I want to change my mind."

Lin Jiangnian half-squinted his eyes: "Such a person must not be a friend. However, he is a qualified tool person..."

"..."

The carriage slowly stopped outside the Jiang Mansion, and Lin Jiangnian entered the mansion and returned to the courtyard.

In the courtyard, a maid had been waiting for a long time.

"Your highness, Miss Jiang asked you to go find her."

Auntie looking for him?

Lin Jiangnian nodded, went back to his room to change clothes, and went to his aunt's courtyard. When he passed Zhiyuan's courtyard on the way, he found that Zhiyuan and Xiaozhu were not there.

When he stepped into his aunt's courtyard, Lin Jiangnian felt something was wrong!

The atmosphere was a little wrong.

Very strange!

When he approached the eaves, he heard the sound of a door opening.

Lin Jiangnian looked up, and the next second, he was stunned!

"Why are you... here?"

Two girls appeared in Lin Jiangnian's sight.

Two girls wearing green skirts and looking exactly the same were standing at the door, looking at him timidly.

I felt pity for them.

Yes.

It was the twin sisters sent by Gao Boyan to the Gao family.

The surname Gao... really came to him? !

...