Qian Yuanbao remained silent.
Li An was patient and did not urge him, merely staring at Qian Yuanbao.
"Young Master Qian, I'm not asking you to do anything treasonous. I only need your help in managing some businesses. Of course, I'm asking for your assistance because I want to make money. That's all!" Li An spoke.
If only things were as simple as Li An described.
He clearly coveted that position, and Qian Yuanbao was Emperor Chongwen's man. Agreeing to Li An's request would be equivalent to betraying Emperor Chongwen.
Setting aside whether Li An's ambitions could succeed, even if he knew they could, Qian Yuanbao did not wish to betray Emperor Chongwen.
His grandmother was Emperor Chongwen's wet nurse, and Emperor Chongwen had a very good relationship with his father. He had always treated Qian Yuanbao very well, no different from a nephew.
Setting aside his imperial identity, in Qian Yuanbao's eyes, he was also a member of the Qian family, a close relative.
"Lord Li, the Emperor feels indebted to you. You don't need to walk this path," Qian Yuanbao advised.
Li An sneered, "What do you know? In his eyes, my status is low. The fact that he allowed me to serve as an official was the greatest compensation he could offer. But I don't want a mere position as Minister of Justice. I want the throne. If he can be a good emperor, so can I. I will govern with diligence and strengthen the power of Da Feng."
"Lord Li, if you turn back now, I will keep quiet about Qin Lang's matter."
Li An's lips curved into a mocking smile. "What does Qin Lang have to do with me? It's clearly you, Young Master Qian, who harbored ill intentions and colluded with a fugitive the court has been pursuing for years. I discovered it. Young Master Qian, haven't you made up your mind yet? Will you join me, or will you entangle yourself with Qin Lang? Young Master Qian, don't forget, you are not alone. You have a grandmother who dotes on you, and a wife who is with child. If you get involved with Qin Lang, they will all be implicated by you!"
Qian Yuanbao faltered, "What do you want to do?"
"I am very sincere in wanting to win over Young Master Qian. Before I do so, I naturally need to understand your background thoroughly. Although you have a very powerful蛊 user by your side, he cannot hold out alone. While she is from Southern Xinjiang, and it is inconvenient for me to move against her easily, people from Northern Xinjiang have always been at odds with Southern Xinjiang. Do you think a young girl can withstand the experts from Northern Xinjiang?" Li An spoke unhurriedly.
This meant that Bai Su was not taken seriously by him. Furthermore, he was not only colluding with Qin Lang but also with people from Northern Xinjiang.
He knew a little about Southern and Northern Xinjiang. Years ago, these two regions were independent, neither respecting the other, and both wanting to annex the other. Later, Southern Xinjiang became close to Da Feng, and Da Feng provided considerable support to Southern Xinjiang. With Da Feng's involvement, Southern Xinjiang gradually gained the upper hand in the conflict. Northern Xinjiang could only retreat to its harsh lands, not daring to easily provoke conflict with Southern Xinjiang again.
So, was Northern Xinjiang thinking that by aligning with Li An, they could eventually overpower Southern Xinjiang?
"Well, have you decided?"
Qian Yuanbao couldn't fathom how many cards Li An held. In the current situation, if he refused, he might not be able to leave this place easily.
"I have a feud with Qin Lang. Therefore, if Lord Li wants me to serve you, Qin Lang must be handed over to me for disposal," Qian Yuanbao stated.
"As long as Young Master Qian keeps his word, Qin Lang will naturally be at your disposal," Li An replied casually.
Just moments ago, Li An had said that Qin Lang raised him, speaking of how nurturing surpasses birth. Now it seemed Qin Lang was merely a pawn to be used by him. This person was deeply hidden and terrifying. Dealing with him would likely not be easy.