Did he trick the young marshal into becoming sworn brothers and then go south to Huangpu Military Ac

After chatting for a while, the atmosphere in the hall eased up a bit.

Fujiwara and Heiji exchanged a determined, even fanatical, look.

They knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

If we could present a peerless talent like Lin Qi to Your Highness, it would be an unparalleled and monumental achievement!

Fujiwara took a deep breath, mustered all his courage, crawled two steps on his knees, placed his hands on the ground, and solemnly began to speak:

"Your Highness, I have a matter of great importance concerning the fate of the empire for the next hundred years, and I would like to discuss it with you privately."

The young man paused slightly, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

In such a setting, suggesting a private conversation would be abrupt.

However, due to the powerful clans behind the Fujiwara and Heiji families who could influence the cabinet, the young man ultimately nodded slightly.

He raised his hand and waved it casually.

"All of you, step back."

"Hi!"

Dozens of high-ranking officials, as if granted a pardon, quickly and silently withdrew from the hall, slamming the sliding doors shut behind them.

Only three people remained in the hall.

"Speak, what is it that you are taking so seriously?"

The young man sat back down at the low table and picked up his teacup.

Fujiwara and Heiji exchanged a glance, and then, as if they had been injected with chicken blood, they began to boast to His Highness about Lin Qi's awesomeness in an unreserved, even fanatical tone.

"Your Highness! I met a truly exceptional talent on the cruise ship bound for Shanghai!"

"He's from China! But he's not only a double PhD in mechanical engineering and chemistry from MIT, he's also a top-tier politician with connections to all levels of society, navigating the warlord world with ease!"

Heiji added impatiently, "Your Highness, this man's predictions about future industrial trends and the shift in naval warfare from battleships and heavy artillery to aircraft carriers are so accurate they're chilling! He even saw through the current Achilles' heel of the Empire's industry! His insight is at least a hundred years ahead of this era!"

"Your Highness, if such unparalleled geniuses could be put to use by the Empire, the Empire would truly take off!"

The two, working in unison, praised Lin Qi to an unparalleled, almost divine level, akin to a reincarnation of Zhuge Liang, while simultaneously making blatant insinuations:

"Your Highness, if you could spare the time to meet this man, you would absolutely not be disappointed! He is absolutely worthy of your personal audience!"

Listening to these two scions of the country's top aristocratic families, who are usually arrogant and look down on everyone else, using such a humble and fervent tone to desperately praise a Chinese person.

The young man, addressed as "Your Highness," abruptly stopped mid-air with his teacup in hand.

A flicker of shock and an almost overflowing curiosity flashed in his eyes, which were as still as an ancient well.

A double PhD?

Predicting industrial trends over the next century?

A warlord from the Dragon Kingdom who can see through the empire's fatal flaws?

Does such a monstrous talent truly exist in this world?

A deathly silence fell over the hall for half a minute.

The young man slowly put down his teacup, his eyes as deep as a bottomless black hole.

He looked at Fujiwara no Heiji, who was kneeling before him with an expectant expression, and nodded slightly.

"That's interesting."

A cold and dangerous smile curled at the corners of the young man's lips.

"Since you recommend him so highly, making him sound like a miracle worker."

"Then I'll make an exception..."

"Meet this Chinese man."

The phrase "Meet this Chinese man" was like an imperial edict breaking through the thick fog, instantly causing Fujiwara no Heiji, who was kneeling below, to tremble. Immediately afterwards, an indescribable joy surged through his limbs and bones like an electric current!

His Highness has agreed!

This means that they not only discovered an unprecedented genius for the empire, but also made a tremendous contribution that would allow their respective families to dominate the court in the future!

The two were so excited that they trembled and buried their heads in the tatami mats.

Fujiwara's mind raced. He took a deep breath, suppressing his elation, and, mustering his courage, pressed his forehead to the ground and cautiously probed:

"Your Highness is wise! However... there is something I am unsure whether I should say it."

The young man paused slightly in his teacup, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes, but he still uttered a single word indifferently: "Speak."

"Your Highness, this Mr. Lin, although he appears easygoing and righteous on the surface, is actually extremely proud and unyielding. After all, he is a top politician who can navigate the hundreds of thousands of troops of the Fengtian Army with ease."

Fujiwara swallowed hard, lowering his voice: "If we invite him in the name of an ordinary merchant group or zaibatsu, given his temperament, he might not be willing to condescend to come. If we force him to come, we might anger this genius, which would be counterproductive."

At this point, Fujiwara no Heiji's heart leaped into his throat, and cold sweat broke out on his back.

They're dancing on the edge of a knife!

You should know that His Highness's incognito visit to six European countries this time is an absolute top secret of the Empire.

Very few officials in the country knew the truth. The two of them were only able to learn the inside story because of their powerful families and special channels in the Kwantung State.

Your Highness is almost certain to become the Son of Heaven, ruling the world and controlling the fate of the empire in the next few years!

In Shanghai today, amidst the chaos of war and warlord conflicts, exposing His Highness's true identity would pose an immeasurable risk should the news leak out and attract assassins!

However, to their surprise, the young man sitting at the low rosewood table did not get angry or blame them for their recklessness.

He put down his teacup, a confident, even slightly arrogant, smile playing on his lips.

"Since he is the once-in-a-century genius you all speak of, then there's no need to hide it."

The young man's voice was soft, but it carried the air of someone in a superior position.

"Just tell him my real identity."

"If the Empire doesn't even dare to reveal its identity when recruiting a talent, wouldn't that make us look petty? Go, bring him to see me tomorrow morning. I want to see just how capable this Chinese man, whom you all praise to the skies, really is."

Upon hearing this, Taira and Fujiwara felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and were even more impressed by the prince's magnanimous spirit.

"Yes! Your Highness is wise! I will certainly bring Lord Lin here tomorrow!"

The two bowed deeply once more, then bowed respectfully and left the villa.

After leaving the villa, Fujiwara Heiji got into the car and impatiently ordered the driver to speed back to the Astor House Hotel.

In the luxurious suite on the top floor of the Astor House Hotel, Lin Qizheng sat leisurely on the sofa, holding a cup of freshly brewed premium Da Hong Pao tea.

The aroma of tea wafts through the air, and outside the window, cargo ships shuttle back and forth on the Huangpu River.

"Bang bang bang".

There was a rapid knocking on the suite door, and Fujiwara no Heiji, not even waiting to be announced, pushed the door open and came in, covered in sweat.

P.S.: Please leave a 5-star review! I'll add more chapters if the rating increases. I'll also add free gifts and extra chapters if I give a massage/massage.