Chapter 905: Topic
The next day at court, the admission quotas once again became a hot topic of discussion.
“Mr. Gu, the imperial court’s Ministry of Revenue cannot stoop to the affairs of merchants.” Before the morning assembly even began, Gu Wenheng was met with cynical remarks. “First a treasure exhibition, and now an auction? What do you take the Imperial Palace for? Are the palace gates some kind of bustling market?”
Watching Liao Weidong spitting as he ranted, Gu Wenheng couldn’t understand why the man always had it out for him.
He hadn’t stolen the position of Minister of Revenue; it was a direct appointment by the Holy Emperor. If Liao had a problem, he should take it up with the Emperor instead of throwing his weight around here. Gu Wenheng had absolutely no mercy for this kind of person—someone who couldn’t get what they wanted and thus resented the success of others.
“Mr. Liao, do you feel I am handling this matter inappropriately? It’s a bit of a pity, as the Supreme Emperor personally issued this Holy Decree to me. Why don’t you go speak to the Supreme Emperor and have the Holy Emperor retract the Holy Decree? I would actually enjoy the peace and quiet.”
“I’m just telling you not to be too ostentatious,” Liao Weidong coldly snorted. “The palace gates are perfectly fine, yet now they’re noisy all day long. If you disturb the Supreme Emperor, you won’t be able to bear the consequences.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Liao,” Gu Wenheng replied. “In a moment, I will submit a memorial to the Holy Emperor, stating that I’ve decided to follow your advice, terminate all activities outside the palace, and restore peace to the Imperial Palace.”
Liao Weidong stiffened. “I… I meant no such thing. I simply wanted Mr. Gu to show some restraint and not take things too far.”
Gu Wenheng’s attitude grew even more earnest. “I am newly appointed as the Minister of Revenue. Please enlighten me, Mr. Liao, on how exactly I should show more restraint.”
Seeing Liao Weidong defeated, some officials shot Gu Wenheng disapproving looks, as if he had committed some treasonous act.
Gu Wenheng cupped his hands toward the crowd and said, “I understand everyone’s intentions. I will definitely report this to the Supreme Emperor and the Holy Emperor.”
The crowd was bewildered. What had they said? None of them had even spoken a word.
While everyone was still dumbfounded, a loud announcement of “The Holy Emperor has arrived!” officially commenced the day’s morning assembly.
Gu Wenheng knew a new round of arguments was about to begin. He felt helpless against this endlessly repeating daily routine, but he had no choice but to accept it. Even if he wanted to enact change, he could only take it slowly. He wasn’t arrogant enough to think he could alter these ancient systems all by himself.
The outcome was as expected. Once again, he overcame the opposition and achieved his goal.
In just one short month, the Supreme Emperor’s crammed private storehouses were completely cleared out, and the National Treasury’s coffers overflowed with wealth as a result. Before anyone had time to react, the Supreme Emperor and the Holy Emperor simultaneously issued a Holy Decree granting a general amnesty across the land.
The entire nation was exempted from taxes for a year, and all the remaining silver was officially recorded to be used for future disaster relief and poverty alleviation.
In the deep winter of that year, Hua Shunming closed his eyes with a smile as he looked at the countless letters of gratitude submitted from all over the land. That same year, many retired veteran ministers also failed to survive the winter, accompanying the Supreme Emperor to the ultimate bliss of the afterlife.
Gu Wenheng wrapped his robes tightly around himself as he stood at the palace gates. Along with his sigh, a flicker of worry flashed through his eyes.
The Holy Emperor had many shortcomings. Previously, the Supreme Emperor had kept him in check, so he hadn’t made any major blunders. Now that a new dynamic between sovereign and subjects was forming—without the Supreme Emperor backing him up—the future imperial court would become an entirely different landscape.
“Mr. Gu, the Holy Emperor is already waiting in the Imperial Study Room. Please follow me.”
The new Chief Eunuch had surprisingly come to the palace gates in person to welcome him, making Gu Wenheng feel even more uneasy.
“Gu Aiqing, before the Supreme Emperor passed away, he left a posthumous Holy Decree for you.” Hua Zhang had the Chief Eunuch beside him deliver the Holy Decree into Gu Wenheng’s hands.
Gu Wenheng suddenly felt as though the scroll weighed a thousand pounds. “Holy Emperor, this…”
“Open it and take a look, Gu Aiqing!”
Gu Wenheng wanted to refuse, feeling an ominous premonition. When he saw the contents of the Holy Decree, he felt awful.
Although it was a life-saving charm, it also acted like an invisible tether binding him. A Crown Prince hadn’t even been established yet, but the decree had already appointed him as the Crown Prince’s Tutor. Were they planning to make him work his fingers to the bone for the rest of his life?
“Holy Emperor,” Gu Wenheng started. He hadn’t expected the Supreme Emperor to pull a fast one on him at the very end. A posthumous decree? That meant it was impossible to even ask for the order to be rescinded.
Through their interactions over this period, Hua Zhang knew that the Supreme Emperor had highly valued Gu Wenheng, even to the point of wanting to entrust the next sovereign into his hands.
Before becoming the Emperor, Hua Zhang had always coveted this position. But now, he felt somewhat lost. Being the Emperor was bitter, exhausting, and lacked freedom. Was he supposed to toil away his entire life in the Imperial Palace, just like the Supreme Emperor?
He looked at the Holy Decree in Gu Wenheng’s hands, his eyes flickering slightly. “Gu Aiqing, the Supreme Emperor trusted you, and I hope you will not disappoint me either. Once I establish a Crown Prince, I will hand him over to you to be personally taught.”
“Holy Emperor, I fear I am unable to shoulder such a great responsibility. Perhaps you should discuss this with the other ministers…” Gu Wenheng said.
“Gu Aiqing, do not forget that this is the Supreme Emperor’s posthumous Holy Decree.” Hua Zhang somewhat understood why the Supreme Emperor had played this move; he simply didn’t want to give Gu Wenheng any excuse or time to object.
If the court officials objected, it would be considered defying a decree and disrespecting the late Emperor. Based on this alone, Gu Wenheng’s position as the Crown Prince’s Tutor was set in stone.
“The Holy Emperor is in the prime of his life, and the Prince is still young. This matter can be considered slowly,” Gu Wenheng reasoned. Since he couldn’t refuse, he could only stall for time.
It seemed the oldest Little Prince was only five years old. As long as a Crown Prince wasn’t established, his title as Crown Prince’s Tutor would just be an empty name. Once he reached the right age, he would retire and go home, leaving them to play their own games.
Hua Zhang stroked his chin and said, “You have reminded me. Though the Prince is young, it’s time to invite a renowned teacher.”
Gu Wenheng kept a straight face. “Holy Emperor, I still have to manage the Ministry of Revenue. If I were to educate the Prince, I fear it would be difficult to handle both.”
“That is a problem. Then I shall hold off on establishing a Crown Prince for now. Let them study under renowned teachers, and Gu Aiqing can evaluate them before taking one as an apprentice.”
At that moment, Gu Wenheng wanted to slam the table. “Holy Emperor, the Crown Prince is the heir apparent, and this matter is no trifling thing. It should be discussed together with the ministers.”
They had posthumously appointed him as the Crown Prince’s Tutor and were now making him choose his own apprentice. Wasn’t this just digging a massive pit for him? If word of this got out, he could forget about ever having a peaceful day again. He had known for a long time that the Holy Emperor was unreliable, but he hadn’t expected it to be exposed so quickly.
Hua Zhang also realized his words were a bit inappropriate at this point. He coughed lightly before saying, “We will discuss it when the time comes. Yes, when the time comes. Gu Aiqing, the Ministry of Revenue still requires your dedication.”
Originally, his imperial father had considered adding a special imperial examination next year to have father and son serve together, but it seemed this matter would have to be delayed. With the three-year national mourning period, he was truly lacking in talent. He couldn’t afford to push Gu Wenheng too hard at a time like this.
Holding the Holy Decree, Gu Wenheng left the Imperial Palace with an expressionless face. From that day on, he seemed like a changed man, becoming even more ruthless when rebuking others.
Yet, the Emperor was very accommodating, even actively taking his side. If it weren’t for the fact that everything he did was fair and impartial, he would have drawn a torrent of curses long ago.