Chapter 94: Gu Huaiyu, the Dog Lover Part 3

There was no money in this world that Wei Qingya couldn’t make.

When he first heard that a million troops were being stationed at the border, he didn’t see clashing blades in his mind—he saw a million walking mountains of gold.

While other officials saw a million-man army and were either awed by their power or worried about the cost of grain, Wei Qingya had done the math. A million hot-blooded men stationed at the border for years… where else would they spend their pay besides drinking and gambling?

Before leaving the capital, he had specially hired the best woodblock artists in the city at a high price. He brought an entire printing team and over a dozen crates of the most fashionable erotica templates.

How could the border soldiers have ever seen such exquisite work? The beauties in those drawings had skin that looked real and eyes that seemed to move; even the folds in their clothes screamed of romance.

“Ten coins a book! Buy three, get one free!”

Wei Qingya had people set up stalls in every camp. In less than three days, they were sold out.

Now, in every tent, these erotic books were more popular than military manuals. At night, one could always hear the rustling sound of pages turning.

Gu Huaiyu listened, pressing his fingers to his brow. This matter… seemed to violate the court’s decorum?

Wei Qingya, however, was like a roundworm in his stomach. He immediately pulled a stack of banknotes from his sleeve and offered them respectfully with both hands. “This is the net profit after costs. Please take a look, Chancellor.”

Gu Huaiyu’s peripheral vision caught the amount on the notes, and in the next heartbeat, he couldn’t look away. His hands moved with lightning speed to take them, his fingertips fluttering as he counted the sum.

His slightly furrowed brow gradually smoothed out. The corners of his mouth twitched upward uncontrollably, looking like a little fox that had successfully stolen a treat.

Since entering the court, when had the Chancellor of Great Chen ever seen such a thick pile of income?

Usually, he was either worrying about military funds or disaster relief. Now, holding this stack of silver, he felt a sense of surreal disorientation.

I’ve never fought a war with such a full treasury in my life.

Gu Huaiyu slammed the stack of notes onto the desk and looked up at Wei Qingya. “Qingya, why didn’t you discuss such a business with me first?”

He tapped the banknotes lightly—a clear sign he wanted Wei Qingya to expand the operation.

Seeing that expression, Wei Qingya felt a surge of sweetness in his heart. Nothing in this world was more joyful than being appreciated by the person he admired.

He immediately bowed deeply. “I thank the Chancellor for his cultivation. This official will do his utmost to bring in mountains of gold for you every day.”

As they spoke, a report came from outside that Shen Jun was seeking an audience.

As soon as Shen Jun had returned to camp and saw the soldiers holding erotica, he knew it was Wei Qingya’s handiwork.

In the entire court, only this Minister of Revenue could do something so wicked—finding a way to earn back the army’s own pay!

Gu Huaiyu was in a grand mood. “What is it, Master Shen?” he asked with a smile.

Shen Jun’s gaze swept over Wei Qingya, then landed on the stack of silver on the desk. He suddenly revealed a smile that made one’s spine tingle. “This official has a plan.”

Gu Huaiyu raised an eyebrow and gave a soft “Hmm?” for him to continue.

Shen Jun stepped forward, his voice dropping an octave. “Since Master Wei’s erotica is so popular in our army, why not let the Eastern Liao people broaden their horizons as well?”

Wei Qingya frowned slightly. “Wouldn’t that be doing those barbarians a favor?”

Shen Jun’s lips curled, his handsome face taking on a sinister, cunning shadow. “Master Wei worries too much. The erotica sent into the Eastern Liao camps won’t be ordinary goods.”

He dipped his finger in tea and drew a line on the desk. “These must be released in batches. The first batch should depict ordinary romance to make the Eastern Liao soldiers lower their guard.”

“Starting with the second batch, we add ‘special’ content. For instance, humans coupled with ghosts, making those barbarians feel a chill down their spines just by looking at them.”

“The third batch can depict bestiality, paired with bloody scenes… like eating human flesh while in the act?”

“The most important part is…”

Shen Jun lowered his voice, his bright eyes fixed on Gu Huaiyu. “All the characters must be drawn to look like the Eastern Liao nobility. Specifically, the likenesses of Yelü Chi’s inner circle of generals…”

Wei Qingya fell silent. He had always thought he was the most unscrupulous member of the “Gu Faction.” Today, he realized there was always a higher mountain.

Gu Huaiyu nodded his approval. He swept the silver notes into his drawer and nodded appreciatively at Wei Qingya. “Qingya is truly my Deng Tong.”

Shen Jun continued to watch him intently, as if expecting something.

Gu Huaiyu pondered for a moment and, spreading the grace evenly, said, “As for Shen Jun, you are my Jia Xu.”

A shallow smile appeared on Shen Jun’s lips, seemingly satisfied with the comparison to the famous strategist.

But then, he changed the subject. “Then what about Commander Pei? What is he to the Chancellor?”

Gu Huaiyu froze.

Wei Qingya, for some reason, followed suit. “That’s right, Chancellor. What does Commander Pei count as to you?”

Gu Huaiyu was actually stumped. His brow furrowed as he suddenly realized—

Pei Jingyi wasn’t his “something.” He couldn’t be easily summarized by the anecdote of some famous official.

As the thought arose, his heart gave a heavy thud, as if he had accidentally touched a secret he wasn’t supposed to find.

Pei Jingyi… was just Pei Jingyi.