The waste prince is so fierce

Li Quan gently raised his hand, signaling that everyone did not need to be polite: "Everyone, please stand up."

His voice is calm and powerful, giving people a reassuring feeling.

"I am deeply honored that Your Highness has visited my humble home."

Liu Ruohai warmly invited Li Quan to come in, "Your Highness, please!"

The two of them walked into Liu Mansion one after the other, and all this was learned by the county magistrate Zhao Wang.

After hearing the news, he showed a surprised expression on his face, and said to He Chong who came to report the news: "Liu Ruohai invited the King of Qi? This is really beyond my expectation."

He frowned and thought. Since Liu Ruohai resigned from his official position, he has been focusing on his studies and rarely interacting with politicians. He was very puzzled by his sudden invitation to Li Quan.

He Chong bowed his head and replied, "Yes, according to the news from my subordinates, Liu Ruohai invited the King of Qi to exchange poems and songs.

Many scholars from Wuwei County have also been invited to tonight’s gathering.”

Zhao Wang snorted and said, "Liu Ruohai is a great scholar in Liangzhou, and the King of Qi is a rising star in the literary world. It is reasonable for them to exchange poems and songs.

But I always feel that Liu Ruohai is not that simple."

His eyes revealed deep doubts, and he obviously doubted Liu Ruohai's motives.

In Wuwei County, Zhao Wang has always been fearless. However, facing the unfathomable figure Liu Ruohai, he was in awe and did not dare to look down on him in the slightest.

Seeing Zhao Wang's serious expression, He Chong hurried forward to comfort him: "Sir, although Liu Ruohai has a reputation, he is ultimately a powerless commoner. Even if he is close to the King of Qi, what kind of trouble can he cause?"

Zhao Wang frowned, seemingly disagreeing with He Chong's opinion: "I always feel that this matter is not simple."

He pondered for a moment and ordered, "Send someone to the Liu family to investigate secretly. Be sure to act carefully and don't let anyone notice."

He Chong quickly agreed and turned to leave.

However, Zhao Wang thought of another worrying thing. The memorial in his hand reminded him that the bandit problem in Black Wind Village had resurfaced.

He rubbed his temples with a headache. The Smiling Tiger from Black Wind Village had come down the mountain to do evil many times, which made him feel very stressed.

"By the way, how is Wang Li's anti-bandit campaign going?"

Zhao Wang suddenly asked.

He Chong replied, "Sir, the Black Wind Village is in a strategic location, easy to defend but difficult to attack. I'm afraid Wang Li will not be able to handle it."

He thought for a moment and suggested, "Perhaps we can ask County Lieutenant Xiao to help. If he succeeds in suppressing the bandits, you can also get a share of the spoils. If he unfortunately dies, the position of County Lieutenant will be vacant..."

Zhao Wang's eyes gleamed when he heard this. He looked at He Chong approvingly and said, "When it comes to scheming, you are indeed the best."

In the Liu Mansion, Li Quan, Liu Ruohai and a group of scholars from Wuwei County were sitting in the banquet hall.

Although Li Quan did not know Liu Ruohai's real intention in inviting him, he remained calm and composed, responding to all changes with the same attitude.

There were abundant food and wine on the table, but Liu Ruohai said modestly: "My house is simple, with only these simple meals. I hope Your Highness will not despise them."

Li Quan glanced at the dishes on the table. Although they were not as good as the feast Zhao Wang had at Bazhenlou, he did not care. He smiled and replied, "Mr. Liu, you are too polite. You are a great scholar in Liangzhou, with many works and disciples all over the world. I should come to visit you."

In Dakang, respecting scholars is a fashion, let alone a top scholar like Liu Ruohai.

Although Li Quan was a high-ranking official, he had to remain respectful in front of a scholar like Liu Ruohai.

Liu Ruohai is old and highly respected, so Li Quan calls him "Old Liu", and he deserves the title.

When Liu Ruohai heard Li Quan's praise, he quickly responded modestly: "Your Highness, I am too humble to praise you. I am not worthy of it."

He also mentioned the excellent poems and lyrics that Li Quan wrote when he was in the capital, and praised them highly.

The scholars below also looked at Li Quan with admiration. His literary talent and style had become a role model in their hearts.

Since ancient times, scholars have often looked down on each other, and they regard money and power as vulgar.

However, when faced with an outstanding writer who could chant such a beautiful poem as "May we live long, and share the beauty of the moon together even though we are thousands miles apart", everyone was sincerely impressed and admired him.

Liu Ruohai, the famous scholar in Liangzhou, enjoyed a high reputation throughout the Dakang Dynasty.

His praise is undoubtedly a high recognition of a talented person.

Although Li Quan had long been known as a genius, he had not yet truly entered the core of the literary world until he received the praise of Liu Ruohai.

Once he received praise from Liu Ruohai, he felt as if he had been accepted and recognized by the literary world, and his reputation reached its peak.

Li Quan modestly said: "This is just an empty title, I don't deserve it."

He behaved properly, but he knew in his heart that Liu Ruohai must have other deeper meanings behind his invitation.

Although Liu Ruohai did not say it explicitly, he wisely chose to remain calm and vigilant.

The banquet gradually reached its climax in the atmosphere of laughter and conversation. After a few glasses of wine, Liu Ruohai suddenly turned his eyes to Li Quan, mentioned that his Liangzhou Beauty Wine was sweet and delicious, and invited Li Quan to go and taste the wine together.

Li Quan then followed Liu Ruohai out of the banquet room.

The night breeze blew away the drunkenness on Li Quan's body, making his mind clearer.

The two of them walked in the night, one in front and one behind, and finally came to a small pavilion by the lake.

Liu Ruohai stopped and turned to face Li Quan. His eyes were clear, no longer drunken.

He asked calmly, "Your Highness, do you have any plans or intentions for coming to Liangzhou this time?"

Li Quan's heart tightened, but he pretended to be calm and answered: "Why did you say that, Mr. Liu? Since I was granted the title of Duke of Liangzhou, I must obey the emperor's order and spend the rest of my life here peacefully."

Seeing that Li Quan's answer was flawless, Liu Ruohai suddenly laughed and admitted that he was neither the emperor's man, nor the prince's or Prince Rui's man.

Hearing this, Li Quan narrowed his eyes and asked tentatively, "So what exactly does Elder Liu want to say?"

Liu Ruohai spoke in a deep and powerful voice, saying bluntly: "I want to ask Your Highness whether you truly understand the responsibility you shoulder, and whether you understand the weight of the words 'King of Qi'!"

Li Quan was deeply touched by Liu Ruohai's words.

He had seen too many intrigues and calculations in the officialdom of the capital, where everyone was fighting for power, wealth and fame.

Liu Ruohai is an exception.

He had been the top scorer in high school more than ten years ago and had a bright future, but he resolutely resigned and returned home because he hated the darkness of officialdom.

Thinking of this, Li Quan couldn't help but respect Liu Ruohai and expressed his true feelings seriously.

The ancients said: "When you are in a high position, you should care about the world; when you are in a low position, you should cultivate yourself."

I, Li Quan, have not even secured a firm foothold in Wuwei County yet. Even though I care about the people of Liangzhou, I am unable to do anything about it.

As a prince of Dakang, I, Li Quan, am not unaware of the sufferings of the common people. It's just that during my previous days in the capital, my life was precarious and power struggles were constant. I know my situation well.

A powerless prince can hardly guarantee his own safety, so how can he care about the people of the world?

Those so-called lofty words of caring for the world are nothing but empty talk in the face of the cruel reality.