Chapter 791 - 793: An Audience with the Emperor
Chapter 791: Chapter 793: An Audience with the Emperor
Jin Qianqian stopped what she was doing and looked at Gu Wenheng. "Weren’t you thinking about being transferred back to Shangjing before? Now that you have the chance, you’re actually complaining?
"In truth, we can never really escape it. Although you’ve served as an official outside the capital for so many years, we still have unbreakable ties to Shangjing.
"It’s just as well that we return. Luo Luo is preparing to take this upcoming special imperial examination, and our whole family can accompany him."
"Ah, ever since the Holy Emperor’s health issues surfaced a couple of years ago, and with no Crown Prince appointed, the Princes below have been fighting like cats and dogs," Gu Wenheng sighed.
"These people have tried to rope me in both overtly and covertly countless times, but I’ve always managed to play dumb and brush them off.
"Brother Zhou, on the other hand, has quieted down these past few years and kept his distance from us. I know he’s just avoiding arousing the Emperor’s suspicions.
"Tell me, returning at a time like this, what good could possibly come of it for us?
"Sometimes I truly wish I were a few years older so I could just submit a memorial requesting to retire..."
Jin Qianqian laughed. "What nonsense are you sprouting? You know perfectly well that’s impossible, yet you still bring it up just to add to your own worries.
"Don’t just stand there idly. Have someone pack up that mountain of books in your study immediately. I’ve already had the escort team wait; once everything is packed, we’ll send it back first.
"But do you have any idea what post you’ll be taking over upon returning this time?"
"The older officials from before have mostly retired by now," Gu Wenheng replied. "The ones taking over are all people the Emperor has slowly promoted over the years. I genuinely can’t figure it out.
"However, since a Holy Decree was issued to summon me back, there will definitely be an arrangement. If I can be assigned to a provincial post again, that would be a true blessing."
Although the couple complained verbally, their speed in packing their luggage didn’t slow down. After all, they only had to move their lips while their subordinates ran their legs off.
`「Time flew by, and soon they had relocated to Shangjing.」`
Hua Shunming summoned him into the palace at the very first opportunity.
Looking at the thin, sickly Emperor, Gu Wenheng lowered his head even further.
"Gu Aiqing, it has been many years since we last met. You haven’t changed much, though you do look a lot more robust."
Gu Wenheng quietly reached out to touch his round belly. He hadn’t expected the Emperor to be so considerate of his pride and speak so euphemistically. He knew this wasn’t called being robust; it was called getting fat.
"This subject just has a rather good appetite," Gu Wenheng said with a dry laugh.
"You must be very confused as to why I summoned you to the capital this time," Hua Shunming said, reaching out to support himself against the desk.
"This subject does not know."
"You served as the governor of the Southern Province for many years. Under your governance, the Southern Province has become a major tax-paying region. I certainly did not misjudge you."
Hua Shunming genuinely admired Gu Wenheng from the bottom of his heart and had granted him the most authority and freedom.
"It was entirely due to the Holy Emperor’s trust that this subject could carry out those drastic reforms," Gu Wenheng said respectfully.
"Without the Holy Emperor’s wisdom, this subject could not have achieved such results.
"Having a wise ruler like the Holy Emperor is the true blessing of the common people."
Gu Wenheng spoke these words with utmost sincerity. Over the years, Hua Shunming had shown exceptional trust in him, saving him a lot of trouble and allowing him to do several good deeds that benefited the people.
"I didn’t expect that after a few years apart, you would have also learned from them how to sweet-talk and coax me." Hua Shunming was nevertheless pleased, a smile gracing his face. "Do you blame me for continuously sending you to provincial posts all these years, and throwing you wherever the situation was most difficult every single time?"
Gu Wenheng was momentarily speechless, realizing the Emperor had known everything all along, yet still did whatever he pleased without giving him a moment to catch his breath.
Verbally, however, he spoke with deep earnestness, "In his heart, this subject is grateful to the Holy Emperor. It is the Holy Emperor’s trust that allowed this subject to realize his ambitions.
"What this subject seeks in life is simply to do everything in his power for the Holy Emperor and the common people of this world."
Hua Shunming felt comforted hearing this, knowing full well that Gu Wenheng had indeed acted in this manner over the years.
While others racked their brains trying to scrape benefits from officialdom, only Gu Wenheng could make him set aside such suspicions. Not to mention anything else, just his Madam’s businesses had now expanded across the north and south. Her enterprises were present throughout the entire Rong Dynasty, meaning he was definitely not lacking in Silver Taels.
Furthermore, according to reports from his dispatched spies, Mrs. Gu had already expanded her businesses into neighboring countries, unknowingly accumulating a massive fortune.
Gu Wenheng and his wife were not stingy either. Whenever the nation faced difficulties or local disasters occurred, they would always give generously. He mused that if his other officials possessed such awareness, he wouldn’t have to worry about not going down in history as a great emperor.
It was just a pity that those people only cared about their own petty interests. In recent years, they had even grown red-eyed fighting over the very throne beneath him.
Thinking of these unpleasant individuals, a hint of gloom surfaced in Hua Shunming’s eyes.
Catching a glimpse of the unpredictable Emperor out of the corner of his eye, Gu Wenheng complained bitterly in his heart. He only hoped that the Emperor had summoned him back to Shangjing on a whim and would immediately toss him another difficult provincial assignment.
If that happened, he certainly wouldn’t hesitate for a moment. He would immediately take his family and assume the new post. Showing even a hint of reluctance would mean he was being ungrateful.
It took a long while for Hua Shunming to snap out of his thoughts. He looked at Gu Wenheng, who was still standing to the side with his head bowed.
"Gu Aiqing, I imagine you are also wondering why I summoned you back to the capital this time."
"This subject hopes the Holy Emperor will enlighten him."
"I am getting older now, and my health is not what it used to be," Hua Shunming said. "I presume you have also received overtures from my Princes over the years, so you surely know it is time to establish a Crown Prince."
At this moment, Gu Wenheng wished he could cover his ears. He thought to himself that having just arrived in Shangjing, being told something so important meant the Emperor was perhaps being a bit too careless.
Hua Shunming chuckled. "You need not be afraid. Although we have rarely met as ruler and subject over the years, we understand each other to some extent.
"I know you are wholeheartedly devoted to the people and have no desire to participate in power struggles.
"It is just that I have too few capable people by my side. For the sake of the Rong Dynasty’s realm, I must make early preparations.
"I know you harbor great wisdom, Aiqing. For the sake of the common people of this world, you will certainly be able to assist the new ruler."
Hearing this, an ominous premonition surged in Gu Wenheng’s chest.
Just as he was trying to figure out how to politely decline this bitter chore, Hua Shunming continued, "I have long made up my mind regarding the matter of the Crown Prince. I just wanted to use this opportunity to see exactly who my good sons have managed to rope in under their wings.
"I originally wanted to watch them dance around for a while longer, but my body is increasingly failing me. I can no longer wait."
"May the Holy Emperor enjoy good health..." Gu Wenheng interjected softly.
"I have heard enough of these words." Hua Shunming raised his hand with difficulty to stop him. "I hope you can assist the new ruler, and only let go once he can take full control of this imperial court."
Gu Wenheng said with trepidation, "Holy Emperor, this subject fears he is not up to the task. You also know I have always been more adept at local government affairs. When it comes to court politics, this subject is truly clueless."
Hua Shunming looked at him with a light laugh. "Did you think I would just grab anyone at random to entrust with such a heavy responsibility?
"After all these years, I understand the kind of person you are. You always like to keep a trick up your sleeve. Even though you have been far away from the imperial court, I am confident you still know its affairs like the back of your hand."