Repeated Collisions

When Anguo first arrived in Chang'an City, he was extremely busy, eager to build relationships and give gifts everywhere.

Once all the people he needed to see off had been seen, Anguo's hurried pace came to an abrupt end.

So far, Anguo has not felt that the gifts he gave had played even the slightest role.

This left Anguo feeling extremely helpless, so he could only come to the Jingzhao Yin Mansion every day to see if the imperial court had any official documents recruiting talented people.

As luck would have it, he was wandering outside the residence of the Prefect of the Capital when he ran into the person he was supposed to give gifts to.

When Anguo was giving gifts, it was easy for him to meet people, but it was difficult for him to ask if the person needed something done. Even Tian Fen, who was known for his humility, refused to see him.

Moreover, Anguo was not a naive person who would give gifts. He knew that receiving money and doing things required procedures and opportunities, so he did not nag or urge them incessantly.

Tian Fen and the others had accepted his money and could only help him when the time was right, but Anguo was indeed getting a little anxious waiting.

He wandered around for a while, and suddenly he saw Zhang Xuezhou.

Among the recipients of Anguo's desperate and ill-advised gifts, Zhang Xuezhou was the only one who guaranteed the timing, mentioning that he would make a recommendation during his conversation with the new emperor in about half a month.

After calculating the time, Anguo felt it was about time.

He reached out to greet Zhang Xuezhou, who responded warmly and walked away without avoiding him, which relieved Anguo.

"My neighbor is selling his house, and I'll go to the Jingzhao Yin's residence to witness it. I'll invite Brother Anguo to my home later," Zhang Xuezhou said, bowing.

"No problem!"

Anguo's face flushed slightly, and he repeatedly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, indicating that Zhang Xuezhou should go first.

As long as the paperwork is in place, and with the added influence of officials, the process of buying and selling real estate will not be delayed in any way.

Once the minor official from the Prefectural Governor's Office went to Di Rang's residence with the official document to inspect it, the sale of the document was considered complete.

Zhang Xuezhou and others only need to sign as witnesses, and the discussion involves real estate pricing, so the time will not be long.

Anguo waited outside the residence of the Prefect of Jingzhao for about fifteen minutes, and then saw Zhang Xuezhou and the others come out of the gate with smiles on their faces.

"It's rare to run into Brother Anguo here. I'll call another carriage..."

"No, I've already called for a carriage!"

Zhang Xuezhou was overjoyed to see Anguo, such a wealthy and influential man. Han Anguo was the kind of person who would do anything for money, and if he said he would recommend someone, he really would. For him, it was just a matter of a word.

Having accepted five hundred taels of gold, Zhang Xuezhou felt quite wealthy and powerful enough to buy a house, and he naturally greeted people with a smile.

When Anguo mentioned that he had ordered a carriage, Zhang Xuezhou didn't stand on ceremony and directly switched to Anguo's luxurious carriage.

"Old Tree Alley, just follow that carriage in front!"

Zhang Xuezhou greeted the coachman.

He looked at his God of Wealth with a smile.

If the recommendation has no effect, and the new emperor, fearing Anguo's strength and background, refuses to include him in the court, then the matter will be dropped. However, if the recommendation of Anguo is effective, the other party will most likely reciprocate.

Zhang Xuezhou invited Anguo to his home for no other reason than to hope that Anguo would know where he lived after becoming an official, so that he would know the location to reciprocate.

"Brother Dongfang looks delighted; could it be that something good has happened?"

Anguo glanced at the alley outside the carriage, then turned his gaze back to Zhang Xuezhou.

His eyes gleamed with a faint purple light, clearly indicating a degree of curiosity and investigation.

"Brother Anguo is a benefactor; when one encounters a benefactor, one naturally feels refreshed and invigorated," Zhang Xuezhou replied.

"How could a fallen nobleman like me exist!"

Anguo chuckled, and while being complimented, he didn't forget to mention his own situation, indicating that there was still no news about the matter Zhang Xuezhou had promised.

"Has Brother Anguo gone to see Marquis of Wu'an?"

Zhang Xuezhou gestured with his hand.

Even a merchant like Di Rang, the Tian Fen of Marquis of Wu'an, which clearly indicates that he was someone who took money to do things, hence his notorious reputation.

As long as Tian Fen accepted Anguo's money, Zhang Xuezhou believed that Tian Fen, who was close to the new emperor, would surely recommend him.

Given that such a long period of time has passed without the new emperor summoning Anguo, there is likely some underlying issue.

"Of course I've paid my respects to Marquis of Wu'an," Anguo nodded, then asked with a hint of doubt, "Could there be some connection to this matter?"

"There might be some entanglements. I'll try to find out some information for Brother Anguo these next few days." Zhang Xuezhou nodded and then asked, "Brother Anguo has shown sincerity to Marquis of Wu'an. If he enters the court in the future, how will he demonstrate his sincerity to His Majesty?"

"Whatever official position His Majesty bestows, I, Han, will dedicate myself to it with all my might," Anguo replied after a moment's thought. "I am not particularly talented, but I am quite adept at handling many official posts, so I'm sure doing these things well will not be difficult!"

"As long as Brother Anguo is willing to do his best, things will be easy to discuss!"

Zhang Xuezhou nodded repeatedly, then asked in a low voice.

"If His Majesty were to grant you an official position that would offend people, would you still accept it?" Zhang Xuezhou asked in a low voice.

"It's impossible to be an official without offending people; everyone in the court has several rivals," Anguo replied in a low voice. "As long as His Majesty values me, I'm not afraid of offending anyone."

"That's good!"

Zhang Xuezhou knew what was going on and signaled to Anguo to calm down.

His extremely serious attitude in asking about the matter pleased Anguo, who felt that Zhang Xuezhou was a truly honest person who would do things for money. The other party even asked some detailed questions, which were questions that none of the people he had given gifts to before had ever asked.

"The carriage from the Marquis of Pingyang's residence has arrived. It seems you have important guests?"

Zhang Xuezhou's house was located in the wealthy district of Chang'an City. For ordinary people, owning a house in Chang'an City was a sign of success, but in the eyes of the powerful and wealthy, it was just an inconspicuous and dilapidated dwelling.

Zhang Xuezhou spoke eloquently, but as they continued to walk into the alley, Anguo couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

The reason for this is simple: those who are close to the emperor would not live in such a place.

At times, he even had the feeling that he might have been scammed.

But this thought came quickly and went just as fast.

When the carriage in front stopped, Anguo only peeked out before quickly pulling his head back.

Living in such a place may not demonstrate one's status or position, but having the carriage of the Marquis of Pingyang parked outside the gate is a skill in itself.

Having been in the business for many years, Anguo didn't believe that Zhang Xuezhou could go to the Jingzhao Yin Mansion to witness the sale of the house, happen to run into him, and arrange for a carriage from the Marquis of Pingyang's Mansion to wait outside the door in advance.

If the other party did all this just for his five hundred taels of gold, then this scene is a waste of talent.

"It seems today is indeed a bit unfortunate," Zhang Xuezhou said sincerely after glancing at the sky. "I will visit Brother Anguo at the Fuqilai Inn tomorrow!"

The new emperor usually leaves the palace in the evening or even at night. Zhang Xuezhou knew that the emperor might come in the next couple of days, but he didn't make any special arrangements.

If he could arrange for Anguo and the new emperor to meet by chance, he might as well arrange for Li Shaojun to meet the new emperor.

"Young man, you have the air of a wealthy family, but upon closer inspection, this old Daoist priest says you're oblivious to the impending doom!"

Zhang Xuezhou's mind raced.

But when he heard the sounds coming from inside the house, his heart skipped a beat.

Before he could make any arrangements, Li Shaojun had already met with the new emperor and was still using the same methods he used to fool ordinary people to scare him.