bookcurios Chapter 289 Looking for a job
Chapter 289 Looking for a job
Inside the Longde Hall, the atmosphere was heavy and dignified. The sunlight filtered through the delicate window lattices, dappled onto the magnificent ground. However, it seemed unable to dispel the gloom that shrouded the heart of King Di Xin of Shang.
He sat upright on the dragon throne, his brows furrowed, his eyes fixed on the mountain of memorials on the desk. Every line of words carried the rise and fall of the country and the well-being of the people, so he dared not slack off in the slightest.
Emperor Xin was wearing a gorgeous robe embroidered with dragon patterns. The gold and black interwoven patterns sparkled brightly in the sun, demonstrating his majesty and dignity as a king.
However, at this moment, he had no time to care about these external decorations, and his heart was only filled with deep worries about military and political affairs.
"Recently, urgent news has been coming from the border. The rebel Ji Chang led a large army to capture Jinji Ridge and is currently wandering outside Sishui Pass."
Emperor Xin muttered to himself in a deep voice, his fingers gently stroking the words on the memorial, as if he wanted to find a clue to solve the dilemma.
Although his voice was soft, it revealed unquestionable firmness and decisiveness.
Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall, breaking the silence inside the hall.
Manager Su hurried in, with a look of joy and eagerness that was hard to conceal on his face.
"Your Majesty, great joy! The Imperial Master has arrived at the palace and is waiting outside the palace, requesting to see Your Majesty."
When Emperor Xin heard this, a hint of surprise and expectation flashed in his eyes.
He was well aware of the wisdom and talents of Master Luoshu, and he often had unique insights and decisions on national affairs.
So he quickly put down the memorial in his hand, stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked out of the hall with big strides.
"Quick, follow me to greet the Imperial Master!"
There was a hint of urgency and excitement in Emperor Xin's voice, as if he had seen the light of hope for solving the current predicament.
When Emperor Xin and Chief Steward Su walked out of Longde Hall, they saw Luo Shu standing quietly outside the hall, dressed in a green shirt, looking otherworldly, like an immortal who had walked out of a painting.
Emperor Xin hurriedly stepped forward, bowed and said:
"My Lord Imperial Master has arrived. I am sorry for not coming to greet you from afar. I hope you can forgive me."
Luo Shu nodded slightly, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he saluted King Di Xin of Shang.
His eyes were deep and bright, as if he could see through the essence of everything in the world.
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. I came here this time to discuss something important."
"So that's the case, Imperial Master, please come into the palace for a chat." Before he finished speaking, Emperor Xin was ready to invite Luo Shu into the palace.
"Wait a minute, my king. I will introduce myself to you." Luo Shu turned around, pointed with his sleeves, and said slowly:
"This is Shen Gongbao, a Taoist practitioner. He is also my uncle."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xin's expression slightly changed, with a hint of surprise and respect flashing in his eyes. Then he took a step forward, leaned forward slightly, and said:
"So it was Taoist Master Shen Gongbao who came. I am sorry for not welcoming you from afar."
"It is my great honor that the Taoist priest and the Grand Master have come together. Please come into the palace with me first, and then we can discuss matters."
Shen Gongbao saw this and knew that this was not the time to be pretentious, so he looked at Emperor Xin and said calmly:
"Your Majesty, you are too polite. I am Shen Gongbao, a Taoist who has lived in the mountains for a long time and has not been concerned with worldly affairs. I have come here with my nephew Luo Shu this time because I do have something important to discuss with you. I hope Your Majesty will listen to us."
When Emperor Xin heard this, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes. He quickly turned sideways and made a gesture of invitation, his tone full of sincerity:
"Of course. Imperial Master, Taoist Shen, please enter the hall first."
Luo Shu and Shen Gongbao nodded, did not refuse, and walked straight into the hall. King Di Xin of Shang followed closely behind them.
After entering the palace, Emperor Xin ordered the palace servants to prepare the finest tea and fruits to entertain Luo Shu and Shen Gongbao.
"Imperial Master, Taoist Shen, please take a seat." Emperor Xin said as he pointed to a seat on the side of the side hall.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After expressing their thanks, Luo Shu and Shen Gongbao sat down at the wooden table.
After a while, as the palace servants busied themselves with work, fruits and tea were soon prepared on the table.
Emperor Xin personally poured tea for Luo Shu and Shen Gongbao. His eyes were full of respect and expectation for them.
"Master, Taoist Shen, please taste it. This is the tea-making recipe left by the Master. It is made from the Cloud Mist Tea."
"This tea may not be even one ten-thousandth as good as what the Imperial Master drinks, but it is still fragrant and leaves a lingering fragrance on your lips and teeth."
"These are some carefully selected seasonal fruits. Please try them."
Emperor Xin handed the teacups and fruit plates to the two men with a smile, and his words revealed an indescribable kindness and enthusiasm.
As Emperor Xin finished his words, a faint scent of tea and fruit filled the hall, interweaving into an indescribable atmosphere of elegance.
Luo Shu and Shen Gongbao took the teacups and fruit plates, thanked them quietly, and then began to savor them carefully.
Luo Shu took a sip of the cloud tea and felt the lingering fragrance of the tea, as if the clouds and mist were lingering in the mountains, fresh and refined.
He nodded slightly, expressing his appreciation for Emperor Xin's efforts:
"Your Majesty has good taste. This tea is indeed extraordinary. Although I often live in the mountains, it is rare for me to taste such a good tea."
Shen Gongbao picked up a crystal clear grape and took a bite. The sweet juice instantly filled his mouth. He nodded in approval:
"The fruits that Your Majesty prepared are all top quality, which shows how much Your Majesty values us. I am deeply grateful."
Seeing this, Emperor Xin was even more delighted. He smiled and said:
"As long as the Imperial Master and Taoist Master Shen are satisfied, that's good enough. I know that both of you are cultivators and may not care about worldly things."
"But I still want to do my best to be a good host and let you two feel my sincerity and enthusiasm."
After saying this, Emperor Xin signaled the palace servants to leave, leaving only the three of them in the hall.
Emperor Xin coughed lightly, and the sound echoed in the empty hall, sounding particularly clear and solemn.
He stood up slowly, his eyes flashing with curiosity about the unknown and respect for the national teacher Luo Shu, and said seriously:
"Master, I know that you are erratic. You came here suddenly this time. Something big must have happened."
"I wonder why the Imperial Master is here? Is there anything important you need to discuss with me?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu nodded slightly, with a hint of embarrassment in his eyes. He was silent for a moment, turned to look at Shen Gongbao beside him, and motioned him to speak.
However, Shen Gongbao held the teacup, blew on it, and put it into his mouth without responding to Luo Shu's signal.
Seeing this, Luo Shu thought to himself, "Shen Gongbao is very thick-skinned, why is he acting like a mute with his mouth sawed off today?"
"It seems that he wants me to speak up and ask Emperor Xin for an official position. Oh, really, is there anything difficult to say?"
Emperor Xin saw Luo Shu looking at Shen Gongbao beside him, his eyes twitching constantly, and he muttered in his heart:
"Is there something wrong with the Imperial Master's eyes? That shouldn't be the case. Isn't he a cultivator? Could it be that he has an incurable disease?"
In this moment of silence, there seemed to be a subtle tension and anticipation in the air.
Luo Shu gently put down the teacup, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, trying to ease the delicate atmosphere.
He took a deep breath and decided to speak himself to break the awkward silence.
"Your Majesty, I and my uncle came here to discuss something important."
Luo Shu's voice was steady and powerful. His eyes moved between Emperor Xin and Shen Gongbao, and finally landed on Emperor Xin. "This matter concerns Uncle Shen. Let him explain it to you."
"Uncle Shen, please!"
When Emperor Xin heard this, a hint of curiosity and doubt flashed in his eyes. He bowed slightly to show that he was all ears.
At this time, Shen Gongbao glanced at Luo Shu and finally put down his teacup. He patted his sleeves lightly and said in an unfathomable voice:
"Your Majesty, I would like to seek an official position from you. It doesn't need to be too high, but I hope to have the opportunity to compete face to face with that old man Jiang Ziya and settle an old grudge."
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall suddenly became so quiet that even the sound of a pin drop could be heard clearly.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xin frowned slightly, and a hint of surprise and confusion flashed in his eyes.
He had never expected that this seemingly otherworldly ascetic would make such a request.