"Brother Wen, Old Xue and I are going to the North for an inspection, aren't we? I was thinking you could lend Li Ye to me for a trip around the North! As long as he gets a little achievement under his belt, the road ahead will surely be broad and smooth."
When Minister Xue called Wen Qingsheng, he was actually playing a small game of his own.
Since he needed Li Ye's "generous support," he had to offer him something sweet in return. So he deliberately emphasized that Li Ye needed a bit of "achievement" for his future path to be quicker and steadier.
Your son-in-law had risen three ranks in five years. By rights, he should slow down and stabilize for a while. But if I take him to the North to gild his credentials, he can surge ahead again, and the road afterward will be solid and smooth.
But Wen Qingsheng truly deserved to be someone who called Old Xue brother. He did not beat around the bush at all, merely asking in return, "Aren't you just short of a little money? Why are you feeding me all this nonsense? What, if that kid doesn't help you come up with some results, his future path won't go smoothly?"
"..."
Minister Xue said with a smile, "Of course not. Li Ye has courage and drive. The old men all say he's a good kid. He's just still lacking a little tempering. I think this trip north would be a good opportunity for that."
"If it's an opportunity, then take him! Since I handed him over to you, what is there for me to worry about?"
Wen Qingsheng also smiled. "Old Xue, actually, I wanted to arrange for Li Ye to work on my side back then, but your