Chapter 29: I Am Favoring You, Why Have You Not Expressed Your Gratitude? Part 4

This was the reason he had come. He recounted every word he had overheard that night at the Drunk Immortal Pavilion.

Gu Huaiyu’s expression didn’t change. He simply nodded. “I am aware.”

Seeing his lack of reaction, Xie Shaoling grew anxious. “If their plan succeeds—”

“Do you think this Chancellor is a saint?” Gu Huaiyu looked at him with a smile, tapping his finger lightly against the desk. “I expected them to move. I have already handed the matter to Shen Jun.”

“Director Shen?” Xie Shaoling was young and spirited; he couldn’t imagine a way to stop the Pure Stream’s plot.

Gu Huaiyu hadn’t intended to say much, but seeing the boy’s interest, he explained leisurely, “Since they want to use public grievance as a fuse, I will fulfill their wish.”

Shen Jun had already arranged a group of “refugees.” In reality, they were a band of desperate criminals handpicked from the Great Prison. They were dressed in rags and had various regional accents, but every one of them was ruthless and quick. They would pose as genuine disaster victims and cause trouble throughout the capital—stealing, brawling, harassing women, and shouting obscenities. They would even “accidentally” clash with the academies and residences associated with the Pure Stream faction.

Afterward, “employment contracts from Lord Qin” and “grain vouchers from Grand Preceptor Dong” would be found on their persons. It was a flawless setup. Within three days, the citizens of the capital would be consumed by rage. They would no longer curse the “refugees”; they would only curse the “Pure Stream.”

Gu Huaiyu finished and leaned back against the pillow with a sneer. “Do you see now? This Chancellor is not a good person.”

Manipulating hearts? They chose the wrong opponent.

The hardest thing in the world to control was the human heart, yet it was also the easiest thing to ignite. The tides of public opinion could be a boat, or they could be a blade. If one could tame the waves, one could kill cleanly without spilling a single drop of one’s own blood. Grand Preceptor Dong and his ilk claimed to be the righteous path, yet they used “the people” as a tool. In this game, Gu Huaiyu played far more ruthlessly than they ever could.

Listening to this, the cake in Xie Shaoling’s hand suddenly felt incredibly heavy. He had thought court politics were as simple as they were described in the Treatise on Statecraft—that if every official simply did their duty, the world would be at peace. But now, those refugees who were already suffering were being dragged into this filthy game, used as mere gunpowder and fuses.

“Does it hurt?” Gu Huaiyu suddenly beckoned to him. “Come here.”

Xie Shaoling set the plate down and walked over obediently. Before he could even stand still, Gu Huaiyu’s toe tapped the back of his knee, forcing him to drop into a half-kneel. Cool fingertips brushed against the top of his head, as if soothing a dejected puppy.

“Silly child.” Gu Huaiyu’s voice finally lost its mockery, turning into a soft murmur. “Court politics have always been like this. Either the people are used as a spear by them, or they are used as a shield by me.”

Xie Shaoling looked up. In the morning light, Gu Huaiyu’s face looked as translucent as amber. He couldn’t stop himself from leaning closer. “My Lord… I only believe in you.”

Gu Huaiyu didn’t know where this trust came from. He teased, “Oh? Are you not afraid I’ll sell you off?”

Xie Shaoling suddenly grabbed the hand that was about to pull away, pressing it against his own burning cheek. His breath was shallow and trembling. “Even if Your Lordship wanted to sell me…” His voice was so quiet it was almost inaudible, yet it carried the resolve of a moth flying into a flame. “I would accept it.”

The Top Scholar personally chosen by the Emperor, the champion of the golden list who should have been the most sought-after rising star, was now prostrating himself at the Chancellor’s feet, his tone so humble it bordered on sacrifice. If the scholars of the Pure Stream could see this, their jaws would surely hit the floor.

Gu Huaiyu took the opportunity to pinch his cheek, his slender, pale finger shaking him playfully. “This Chancellor doesn’t lack money, but I do lack people.”

Xie Shaoling saw him pull a scroll from the desk and hold it before his eyes. It was a transfer order to Jiangzhou.

Gu Huaiyu released his cheek and said succinctly, “Jiangzhou has just been stabilized after the disaster, but everything remains to be rebuilt. Go and handle this for me. Let me see… if you are truly fit to be my man.”

Xie Shaoling’s hands trembled as he took the order. This was exactly what he had dreamed of—not the empty moralizing of the Pure Stream, but actual power to do something for the people. He kowtowed deeply, his forehead touching the tip of Gu Huaiyu’s boot. “Shaoling will not fail Your Lordship’s trust.”

Gu Huaiyu patted his back, signaling him to rise.

Xie Shaoling stood up, his face flushed. After a moment of hesitation, he whispered, “May I borrow a handkerchief from Your Lordship?”

Gu Huaiyu casually pulled a plain white silk handkerchief from his sleeve and tossed it to him. Xie Shaoling caught it and carefully wrapped the piece of Osmanthus Cake that bore the bite mark. He handled it as if it were a rare treasure, making sure not even a single crumb was lost.

Gu Huaiyu narrowed his eyes, unable to comprehend. In the story of “sharing clothes and pushing food,” Emperor Gaozu had given his leftovers to Han Xin. Had Han Xin acted this strangely about it? He didn’t remember that part being in the classics.