After spending so long scrambling through officialdom, Hu Xiaotian had gained a much deeper understanding of its workings. Everyone played the game of hypocrisy; if you were genuine, you lost.
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Ziqian said, "Only later did I hear that you entered the palace to bear punishment in your father's stead, Lord Hu. Such filial devotion could truly move heaven and earth."
Hu Xiaotian said, "What's past is past. There's no need to bring it up again, Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Ziqian nodded. "Quite right, quite right. Seeing you again, Brother Hu, made this old man so excited that I spoke without thinking. Please forgive any indiscretion."
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "We're old friends, Mr. Zhang. There's no need to stand on ceremony with me."
Just then, a servant brought fragrant tea, and Hu Xiaotian invited Zhang Ziqian to have some.
Zhang Ziqian took a sip and finally turned to the matter at hand. "What brings you here this time, Brother Hu?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "Two things. First, to offer birthday congratulations to General Li. Second, to deliver a decree to him on His Majesty's orders."
Zhang Ziqian slowly set down his teacup and leaned closer to Hu Xiaotian, lowering his voice. "Could you tell me what His Majesty's Imperial Decree says, Brother Hu?"
Hu Xiaotian could have refused him outright, but he did not. He glanced around and assumed a mysterious air. "I wouldn't dare peek at His Majesty's Imperial Decree, but I have heard a little about his intentions. To be frank, Mr. Zhang, His Majesty intends to make General Li a king!"
In fact, news that the Old Emperor intended to make Li Tianheng a king had already spread through various channels. This was another of the Old Emperor's stratagems: