Chapter 1311 - 1147: Harder Than Climbing to Heaven!
Chapter 1311: Chapter 1147: Harder Than Climbing to Heaven!
"The prince’s plan is indeed clever!" The rest nodded in agreement, although there was a hint of embarrassment on their faces, as they hadn’t thought of this before.
"Since everyone agrees, then let’s proceed as discussed!" Prince Jing was somewhat weary, his complexion significantly paler than before.
He wanted to see his guests off, but Tao Lei Yuan and others didn’t seem inclined to leave, instead bringing up the matter of Gu Chengyu.
"Your Highness! The Emperor has summoned Gu Siqing back to the Capital, and he will inevitably pass through Fengqing Prefecture. Why don’t we take this opportunity to eliminate him and prevent future trouble?"
Tao Lei Yuan deeply considered this person a threat and believed that eliminating him was indeed the most correct course.
"Oh? Why does Mr. Tao think so? Gu Siqing is a government official, and eliminating him would mean openly opposing the court."
Prince Jing was somewhat surprised; for someone as cautious as Mr. Tao, who calculates every step three times, proposing such a bold idea was out of character.
"Your Highness! If this person is not eliminated, he will become a major threat. The Emperor relies heavily on him, and eliminating him would be akin to cutting off one of the Emperor’s arms. You, Your Highness, should be more aware of his capabilities than I am!"
Prince Jing frowned and shook his head afterward, "Eliminating him is harder than reaching the heavens!"
"How would you know without trying? After all, he is human, not an Immortal, and he is bound to have moments of oversight. The last military equipment incident was due to him secretly setting us up. Otherwise, would we have directly confronted Prince Gong? He deliberately leaked information to us and then informed Prince Gong in advance, causing us significant losses. This account should rightly be settled with him."
Tao Lei Yuan understood his Prince’s attitude towards this person, but he felt the Prince valued him too highly. He admitted Gu Chengyu was capable, perhaps unmatched in a century.
However, a genius not serving us is a threat to keep. Gu Chengyu’s position is already quite clear—loyal to the Emperor. If the Prince continues to spare him, others won’t appreciate it, so why bother?
"You also know his martial arts are exceptional, and he’s cautious in his daily life. No stranger can approach him, so how would one make a move?" Prince Jing felt Tao Lei Yuan’s notion was fanciful; assassinating Gu Chengyu is even harder than assassinating the Emperor.
"Then target the people around him; doesn’t he have two close followers? Just bribe one of them, and promise them riches and honor afterwards. Surely someone will be tempted by this. Silver Coin, beauty, power—surely one of those can tempt them."
This time Guo Jing chimed in as well. This person alive is indeed a threat to others. In fact, he also had selfish motives; the current Emperor’s days are numbered, and if this person joins the prince, what future does he have otherwise? He fears he’d have to pack up and go home.
"The two followers beside him have been with him since childhood, their bond is deep. It seems impossible to bribe them. I have interacted with the two; they are steadfast and loyal to Gu Chengyu. They won’t betray him. Moreover, these two have no families, hence can’t be threatened. You should give up on this; this time, we will just quietly bear the loss."
Prince Jing felt this idea wasn’t sound; if the two followers disagreed, it would only alert the target.
"Besides, the first time, he gave us the information, allowing us to profit a batch of military supplies; perhaps that’s a balance."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the room looked over in surprise. A balance? The Prince, defending him when it was clearly a ploy against him?
"Moreover, you also know the Emperor won’t live more than two or three years. Eventually, Gu Chengyu will have to choose sides, and if he can be of use to me, wouldn’t it be adding wings to a tiger? If not, then we can consider removing him later, wouldn’t that be better?"
Prince Jing felt removing Gu Chengyu was too much of a waste; he planned to give him another chance. Actually eliminating Gu Chengyu was indeed challenging; his cherished schemes seemed insignificant to others.
Gu Chengyu’s only weakness was the burden of his family. If his close people were threatened, Gu Chengyu would naturally comply obediently.
But this isn’t something he hasn’t tried; if he genuinely threatens the other’s parents, he believes Gu Chengyu would certainly be furious, and it wouldn’t end without mutual destruction.
After all, this person is still observing the court situation, seemingly indifferent to who ascends the throne. His loyalty is to the Emperor alone, to be precise, only to that Dragon Throne.
"Is the Prince still not giving up?" Tao Lei Yuan was a bit helpless, increasingly feeling that it’s better to remove Gu Chengyu sooner.
"It’s not that I’m not giving up; it’s that we can’t do anything to him." Prince Jing shook his head; why don’t these people understand?
"We perhaps have no means, but that person is a different story." Tian Qi smiled mysteriously; they can’t manage, but that person might.
"Are you referring to the Emperor?" Prince Jing squinted, a hint of mockery in his eyes.
"Indeed! Your Highness is wise! You know the Emperor’s nature, with how easily swayed he is!" Tian Qi smiled smugly, believing his idea was brilliant.
"That was in the past; now the Emperor relies on Gu Chengyu to assist the new Emperor. It’s too late to incite anything now!"
Prince Jing had long considered this; the Emperor hastened Gu Chengyu’s return primarily for preparing for the next Emperor.
"The Eldest Prince is blind, the Crown Prince position is uncertain. The other Princes are still young, and the Emperor currently has no successor, all thanks to the third son!"
"What? Blind? What happened?" The room exclaimed in shock, overwhelmed.
...
"Senior brother! This time returning, the roads are snowy and hard to traverse; we might miss the New Year." Gu Chengyu climbed into the carriage, speaking to Yin Kun.
"Indeed!" Yin Kun sighed, this time coming to the border not only failed to complete the Emperor’s orders, he almost risked himself entirely, which was truly ironic!
"With the National Mourning just past, officials must observe mourning for a full year. You and Miss Yao’s wedding might be delayed once more." Yin Kun gazed at the graceful young man, recalling the equally striking Yao Mengxian.
The two were at the prime of their youth and exceptionally well-suited, a perfect match. It’s a pity about the untimely National Mourning; otherwise, their wedding date might have been set long ago.
"You missed Miss Yao’s hairpin ceremony too; it’s rather a pity!" Yin Kun found this young brother too mature, and used this occasion to tease him several times.