“I am from the Tribal Auxiliaries…”
“Lord Chancellor! I served in…”
“This official was at Longxi Road last year…”
Gu Huaiyu listened patiently, nodding occasionally. To everyone’s shock, he could accurately name the achievements and career paths of every man there, as if these officers weren’t forgotten men outside the halls of power, but talents he had long kept in his heart.
The soldiers were stunned. Some even wiped their eyes. These rough men had never imagined a Lord Chancellor would remember them.
Pei Jingyi stood at the back. Every time he tried to speak, he was shoved aside by his colleagues. His face darkened, his fists clenched. Fine, do I not exist?
Someone shouted emotionally, “If the Chancellor doesn’t mind, I am willing to lead your horse, carry your stirrups, and serve you like a beast of burden!”
Others immediately chimed in. “We’ll serve the Chancellor! We’re willing!”
“One word from the Chancellor, and we’ll give our heads!”
Gu Huaiyu raised a hand for silence, his gaze sweeping over every excited face. “I accept your sentiments.”
He remained calm, a faint smile on his lips. “But the job of leading my horse is already taken.”
Pei Jingyi knew he was referring to him, but Gu Huaiyu didn’t even give him a glance.
“Great Chen and Eastern Liao must eventually fight,” Gu Huaiyu’s voice turned somber. “You are all veterans, iron-boned men who can kill enemies and protect our people. I need you on the battlefield.”
“Good steel should be used for the blade.”
These words were like spirits poured onto embers. Lao Yan was the first to drop to one knee. “I am willing to die for the Chancellor!”
The other generals followed suit, their voices booming.
“I will go!”
“Count me in!”
“Kill them all!”
Pei Jingyi stood still, his expression grim. He watched Gu Huaiyu surrounded by the generals, unable to even see a corner of the man’s robe. A surge of stifling frustration rose in his chest. Why? Why does he remember everyone’s deeds except mine?
Does he think I don’t even have the right to be on the battlefield?
The thought gnawed at his pride like a venomous snake. He had joined the army at thirteen. At sixteen, he had “settled Mount Wu with three arrows.” At twenty, he was the vanguard of the Northern Frontier Army. His fame was carved out with a real blade! How had he become a mere “groom” in Gu Huaiyu’s eyes?
Just as Pei Jingyi reached his limit and was about to demand an explanation, a clear voice rang out from the Pure Stream side.
“This official, Dong Danyu, is willing to serve the Lord Chancellor.”
The court gasped. Dong Danyu stepped out from the Pure Stream ranks and gave Gu Huaiyu a deep bow in front of everyone.
Pei Jingyi’s brow twitched.
Gu Huaiyu studied him slowly. Ignoring the shock from the scholars, he gave a simple nod. “The essay you wrote for the palace exam was quite good.”
With those few words, he neither mentioned the boy’s Pure Stream background nor asked why he was defecting. He gave neither special favor nor humiliation. Yet those eight words made Dong Danyu feel as if a mountain had been lifted off his shoulders. His tense shoulders relaxed, and a flicker of joy appeared in his eyes. “I will report to the Chancellery tomorrow.”
Grand Preceptor Dong never expected this. His face went black as coal as he roared, “You traitorous son!”
“Father.” Dong Danyu turned and knelt, speaking clearly. “You taught me to serve the country and the people. Today, the Chancellor’s words are the path of righteousness. My heart is clear.”
The words were powerful. Several young Pure Stream officials exchanged glances, looking ready to follow.
Gu Huaiyu seized the moment, offering an olive branch to the rest. “Is there anyone else? I shall let bygones be bygones.”
After a brief silence, three more young officials stepped out, kowtowed to the Grand Preceptor, and said, “We have failed our teacher’s cultivation…” Then they walked to stand behind Gu Huaiyu.
The Grand Preceptor trembled with rage. Qin Zijin hurried to support him, whispering, “Master, take care. These traitors are selling their souls to a tyrant’s relative. They will surely bring ruin to the court.”
“And who is this?”
Gu Huaiyu spoke suddenly. This man had been speaking earlier, and what he said had annoyed him greatly.
Before Qin Zijin could answer, the Grand Preceptor snarled through gritted teeth, “This is Qin Zijin! The man who wrote the Treatise on Statecraft at age fifteen! A talent famous throughout the world!”
The pride in his voice contrasted sharply with his current wretched state.
“Treatise on Statecraft?”
Gu Huaiyu wanted to laugh, but a sudden coppery sweetness surged in his throat. He expertly drew a silk handkerchief from his sleeve and pressed it to his lips, coughing softly.
When he pulled the handkerchief away, the snowy white fabric was stained with bright, blooming red.
To him, this was no great event—he coughed like this every few days. But Shen Jun immediately braced his arm. “Chancellor, be careful…”
The Emperor on the Dragon Throne practically bolted upright. He rushed down the steps to Gu Huaiyu’s side, snatching the bloodied handkerchief away. “My Lord, you…”
His voice was actually trembling.
Dong Danyu hurriedly offered his own handkerchief. “Lord Chancellor…”
Pei Jingyi stood on the periphery, watching as Gu Huaiyu was swarmed by people, unable to see even a sliver of the man’s clothing. He suddenly turned and glared at Qin Zijin, his eyes so murderous they could kill.
It was this blind fool who upset him, wasn’t it?
Qin Zijin flinched at the gaze. He had only been telling the truth, hadn’t he?
