Chapter 362: On the Road
Chapter 362: Chapter 362: On the Road
Xu Zitian, "If you have time to complain here, you might as well hurry up and get to work."
"No, I mean, are you just going to let it go like this?" Wu Xingshun slammed the dossier on the table, "I can’t believe you can swallow this anger."
Xu Zitian knew that if he didn’t explain clearly today, this guy definitely wouldn’t be willing to work. If all this work was dumped on him, wouldn’t he be exhausted? Taking a moment to explain to him didn’t seem like a loss.
"What do you want to do? Roll up your sleeves and go have a fight?
Back then, when they left, why didn’t I see you take action?"
Wu Xingshun, "That wasn’t aiming for the stronger, I wasn’t that stupid."
"You know that and still ask. They are the ruler; we are the ministers. If you really dare to go at it, even our master couldn’t protect us."
"But..." Despite knowing this is true, I still can’t accept it.
"Do you think that his departure this time means he would easily let this matter slide?"
Xu Zitian shook his head, and no wonder the master was unwilling to accept him as a direct disciple, even having him as an affiliate is considered an injustice to the master.
Forget it, I better explain it to him slowly, "We haven’t done anything now, yet we’ve suffered a great grievance.
All of those in the court know this, and the master’s reputation for protecting his own has been renowned for years, you know?
The emperor probably doesn’t need our master to intervene and still wants accountability.
After all, punishment himself still has some measure, if it really comes to the master intervening, his supported successor would have to be discarded."
Don’t say we don’t vie for power with the emperor, it depends on whether you have enough strength.
"So you’re saying the emperor will give us an explanation?"
Xu Zitian shook his head, Wu Xingshun got anxious again, "Isn’t that the case?" His comprehension isn’t that poor.
Xu Zitian pointed at himself, "Give me an explanation."
Wu Xingshun, "..."
Though factually true, it stings.
Nonetheless, couldn’t stifle curiosity, "What kind of explanation will he give?"
Xu Zitian sneered, "Naturally, granting an official position, and the matter will be considered over."
Offering a sweet reward to settle it, that’s also what the royal family loves to do most.
"So are you saying we won’t stay here for long?" Wu Xingshun was dissatisfied, "What’s the point? We finally achieved political results here, how can we just leave?
This is simply taking advantage of revenge."
"Enough, stop shouting," Xu Zitian doesn’t like people hovering around when he works, so it’s just the two of them here. "All been promoted, what more do you want?"
Wu Xingshun muttered, "That’s you getting promoted, what does it have to do with me even half a penny?
At that time replacing to another place, I’ll have to be your servant again, even more workload and toil, unless he compensates some silver for it, it feels adapting to this place already..."
"Do you want me to let you have that position?" Xu Zitian replied irritably, "As if I’m just having it easy.
Besides it was initially our political achievement, now others take the credit, that doesn’t sit well with me."
"Shall we consult the master then?"
"Do you think the master isn’t aware of the circumstances here?" He sends letters every month like clockwork, whether about the situation in the capital or changes here, it’s all reflected in the letters."
"Rest assured, the master won’t let us suffer losses."
Having said that, Xu Zitian continued his work, he’s a thorough individual. Although I’ve said so just now, in mind there’s a speculation, as current capital situation is uncertain, master might request other benefits, not end up disadvantageous to himself.
"Master definitely won’t let you suffer..." Wu Xingshun felt a bit sour, "I’m not too sure myself..."
"Do you want me to write this off to the master?"
Wu Xingshun’s eyes immediately cleared, quickly went behind him to offer a shoulder rub, "I mean you’re right, the master will definitely not let you suffer any loss, you’ve been busy all this time, why don’t you take a break, I’ll handle the rest..."
...
☆
Gu Antong felt as if she was going to fall apart, hurtling along this way, she sat inside the carriage, which is different from when they came, pulled by two horses versus the previous ox cart, it’s vastly different at such a fast speed, almost shaking the internal organs out of place.
"Grandfather, when can we stop to rest?" Outside it was already dark, yet the carriage kept moving at full speed, are we going to travel all night again?
Gu Baijiang was buried deep in thick blankets, but unfortunately, the hideous face couldn’t tell if his complexion had changed.
Gu Antong thought she wouldn’t get a response this time, when Gu Baijiang spoke, "Next up we’ll likely keep rushing this way, brace yourselves and don’t complain."
The crucial point is the boys are more useful, look at the two grandsons, gritting their teeth following him, never complaining.
Liu Yun quickly nodded, recalling there are guards outside the cart, maybe the words just said had been overheard.
Gu Antong’s face grew paler, "Yes, Grandfather."
Only Gu Kaiping was consistently resting with eyes shut, but everyone knew he definitely wasn’t asleep, being able to sleep under these circumstances, you’d be a myth.
The carriage fell into silence, expecting another night of late travel as before, unexpectedly, they stopped after a short time.
The Gu Family breathed a sigh of relief, finally a chance for respite.
Quickly tidied up appearances, readying clothes, they first disembarked to welcome Rong Ruiyuan.
Rong Ruiyuan, regardless of inner displeasure, faced Gu Baijiang still with a smile, after all, it’s tens of thousands of taels of silver, even if unpleasant, he must put on a proper face.
"Sir Gu, you’ve suffered along this journey."
While Rong Ruiyuan rode in a carriage, it’s when he wished to rest, and certainly progressed steadily.
But once rested enough, he’d race his horse recklessly, as for companions suffering? Might they catch up? That’s not his concern.
He also knew the Gu Family surely endured hardships, had Gu Baijiang not consistently excused himself, he wouldn’t have driven to Lingnan.
Seeing such potential in Lingnan, only then did he contemplate sending his people to develop influence here.
Rong Ruiyuan didn’t blame himself, though directed all blame towards the Gu Family.
Unexpectedly, Xu Zitian was so cunning, despite his thorough preparation, the news was still spread.
He knew this couldn’t be detached from handiwork of his few brothers, despite not capturing them, frustration targeted one point.
Aware this journey back is unlikely favorable, yet hurried on regardless.
Who knows, delay of a day results in whispers in father’s ear from those men.
Opposing other brothers doesn’t faze him, as father hasn’t clarified the heir to be Crown Prince, they mutually restrained each other.
What bothers him is Lu Taifu, as Lu Taifu is a revered tutor of both father and imperial grandfather, highly esteemed in the court.
Most crucially, his disciples are spread wide, his trained students are capable ministers, generals in various regions, solely loyal to the emperor, emperor doesn’t need to fear them either.