The young Emperor only recognized civil officials above the fifth rank, let alone a military officer who had no say in court. “Who is he? I have never heard of him.”
Beside them, Eunuch Xu hurried to interject. “Your Majesty, General Pei is a household name among the common people! Legend says he pacified Mount Wu with three arrows, terrifying the Eastern Liao so much they knelt and hailed him as a Heavenly God!”
The Emperor instinctively looked toward Gu Huaiyu, his eyes asking: There is such a figure in the Chen Dynasty? Why did I not know?
Gu Huaiyu said calmly, “That was ten years ago. Your Majesty was but a young child then.”
Eunuch Xu nodded along. “Indeed! I only heard of it a few years ago. That year, the Eastern Liao dogs attacked Mount Wu. General Pei drew his bow and fired only three arrows. The first arrow pierced through the Eastern Liao cavalry formation, the second ignited their grain supplies, and the third struck the Eastern Liao commander dead!”
The Emperor listened with rapt attention, half-sitting up in bed. “Is he truly that divine?”
Eunuch Xu spoke with a smile, sounding quite proud. “I haven’t even finished! That Eastern Liao commander was an Imperial Uncle! General Pei’s three arrows scared the Eastern Liao so badly they pissed themselves, thinking a God of War had descended. They retreated back to Eastern Liao overnight! It was a great boost to our prestige!”
Gu Huaiyu sneered inwardly. The protagonist is indeed the protagonist; even before they’ve met, he already has others falling over themselves in admiration.
For a hundred years, the Chen Dynasty and Eastern Liao had been like fire and water. But because of the “ancestral rules,” the people of Chen looked down on soldiers. Unless a commoner had no other way to survive, they wouldn’t consider joining the army.
Consequently, Chen’s army was weak and its generals few. For a century, they had endured humiliation, forced to pay tribute to Eastern Liao to beg for peace. The “opening of markets” mentioned in the Bingzhou Governor’s memorial was actually the day Chen paid its annual tribute.
Gu Huaiyu had already sent the tribute for this year at the beginning of the year. It wasn’t even year-end yet, and Eastern Liao was already reaching out for more money. It was a blatant breach of faith—simply pushing too far!
The common folk delighted in the story of “The General who Pacified Mount Wu with Three Arrows.” He was the only general who made the people feel they could hold their heads high. Adapted scripts and plays about him were endless; the name Pei Jingyi was known by everyone.
The Emperor blinked slowly. The student Gu Huaiyu had raised was not stupid. “If that is the case, why is he an official in the capital?”
Eunuch Xu was momentarily speechless and looked to Gu Huaiyu for help.
Gu Huaiyu didn’t want to bring up the late Emperor Rui. He asked instead, “Does Your Majesty wish to learn riding and archery from General Pei?”
The Emperor’s eyes suddenly lit up. He was a teenager, after all, and could not hide his admiration for the hero of legend. “I am willing.”
Gu Huaiyu settled the matter then and there, lightly patting the Emperor’s hand. “Then once Your Majesty has recovered, I shall summon Pei Jingyi to the palace to teach you.”
The Emperor loosely gripped his fingers, the light in his eyes brightening. “Will you come then, Chancellor?”
Gu Huaiyu tilted his chin. “Of course.”
During these days since his awakening, he had often pondered how to make Pei Jingyi a compliant and controllable “blood pack.”
If he were to show his hand directly, using power to intimidate or kidnapping a few of Pei Jingyi’s friends to coerce him, it would be straightforward, but far too crude.
He disdained such barbaric methods. Besides, a man like Pei Jingyi would only bite back harder if pushed too far.
According to the physician, if he wanted to completely purge the Cold Poison from his body, he had to drink a bowl of Nine Li blood every month for a full twelve months to reach a total cure.
A whole year was a long time for things to go wrong. The protagonist’s “charm radiation” was everywhere; Gu feared he would be dead before he’d finished even a few bowls of blood.
As for pleading?
Pei Jingyi might be willing to bleed to save someone, but it certainly wouldn’t be for Gu Huaiyu.
Who didn’t know the Chancellor’s crimes were mountain-high? He was notorious, his sins numerous. Who would pity him?
Gu Huaiyu had never considered that path from the start, which was why he had broken Zhou Ruian so completely.
Since the hard way wouldn’t work and the soft way wouldn’t work, he would use both the carrot and the stick. He intended to tame this wolf that was Pei Jingyi.
If one wanted to turn a wild wolf into an obedient dog, one had to prepare a whip and a cage.
The bait to lure the wolf into the cage had already been cast. Now, he simply had to wait for the wolf to take the hook.
