Gu Huaiyu looked over. Though the characters were not as neat as usual, they were orderly and easily legible. However, what was more eye-catching was the white gauze wrapped around his right hand; a bright, vivid stain of red was blooming through the fabric.
Yuan Zhuo held the paper high. Fine beads of sweat from the pain broke out on his pale face, yet he stared directly at Gu Huaiyu.
Gu Huaiyu’s eyes flickered. To avoid being marginalized, to keep even a small grip on imperial power, the little brat could actually endure such pain. He truly showed signs of the person Gu Huaiyu had trained him to be.
Yuan Zhuo lowered the paper and sat upright once more. In a soft voice, he said, “I will not disappoint you.”
He watched Gu Huaiyu again, a cautious light shining in his eyes as if he were waiting for something.
Gu Huaiyu did not bother to expose the boy’s inner machinations. He lifted his teacup and took a sip. “Your Majesty should still rest your hand. I will handle the affairs of the court.”
Yuan Zhuo’s expression faltered. “Is the Chancellor concerned for me?” he blurted out.
Gu Huaiyu glanced at him and said coolly, “Of course I am concerned for Your Majesty. If anything were to happen to you, whom would the officials rely on? Whom would the people depend on?”
Yuan Zhuo could not hide his disappointment. He forced a smile. “I understand.”
Gu Huaiyu set down his teacup and moved to the main topic. “Your Majesty has seen the secret report? The Eastern Liao delegation is coming to the capital seeking a marriage alliance.”
Yuan Zhuo looked up sharply, a flash of panic in his eyes. “I will not marry!”
He leaned forward urgently, his voice anxious as if explaining to someone. “I will not even see that princess!”
Realizing his loss of composure, Yuan Zhuo straightened his back and coughed lightly. “I have considered this. This marriage alliance proposal must not be permitted to succeed.”
Gu Huaiyu nodded slightly. Yuan Zhuo’s attitude was within his expectations. Setting aside the fact that Princess Mingzhu was much older than the young Emperor, the reality was that a war between the two nations was inevitable. They could never allow an enemy princess to reside in the inner palace.
Furthermore, Gu Huaiyu glanced at the stiffly seated Yuan Zhuo. The young Emperor still had a lingering childishness in his face; he probably hadn’t even finished growing his first hairs down there. To be this terrified at the mention of a wife, how could he possibly understand the affairs of men and women?
Since they were in agreement regarding the Eastern Liao delegation, Gu Huaiyu began his analysis methodically. “Your Majesty should be aware that Eastern Liao comes under the name of a marriage alliance, but in truth, they come for the Annual Tribute.”
“Those wastes—”
Gu Huaiyu tapped his finger lightly on the armrest, a mocking smile on his lips. “They take Great Chen’s tribute to build palaces on the grasslands, learning to wear crowns and silken robes like the Han people until they are too lazy to even ride horses. Last year, a secret report claimed the Yelü family’s personal guards can’t even draw a bow. They’ve grown so fat they have to be carried on palanquins by slaves.”
Yuan Zhuo’s gaze unconsciously followed the movement of Gu Huaiyu’s lips. They were not thin, but perfectly full and moist with a hint of red. When he spoke, the tips of his white teeth were occasionally visible. When he smiled, those soft lips would spread across his sickly pale face, creating a soul-stirring allure.
Gu Huaiyu leaned forward, smiling carelessly. “They spent this year’s tribute as soon as autumn began. They have come this time for nothing more than another payment. If they can secure an ‘Annual Bride’ while they’re at it, all the better.”
Gu Huaiyu decided it wasn’t yet the time to tell Yuan Zhuo that the Regent of Eastern Liao, Yelü Chi, was likely hiding within the delegation in disguise. As a military man, Commander Zhou’s status in Great Chen was lower than a dog’s, meaning he couldn’t obtain much internal information. Eastern Liao likely had more than just one spy.
Yuan Zhuo instinctively licked his lips, his voice deepening. “In the Chancellor’s opinion, what should be done?”
Gu Huaiyu lowered his eyelashes. He knew the Ministry of Revenue’s books better than anyone; they couldn’t even scrounge up the funds for the Jiangzhou disaster relief. Now that Eastern Liao was coming to demand tribute, the court was at its wit’s end. They were utterly broke.
They either had to raise taxes and bleed the people dry, or they had to take the path of turning against Eastern Liao.
If it were a matter of being a “war hawk,” Gu Huaiyu was hardly alone. He had countless associates in court who fit that description. Those members of the Pure Stream faction, who prided themselves on their integrity, were all pro-war. They frequently delivered passionate speeches in court about “vowing to wash away the national humiliation” and “returning our mountains and rivers,” shouting louder than anyone.
The scholars of the Hanlin Academy were even more prolific, writing battle manifestos that boiled the blood, as if they were ready to take up swords and annihilate Eastern Liao tomorrow.
But the irony was…
As soon as they actually saw an Eastern Liao envoy, these same people were the first to lose their nerve. A few years ago, when the envoys entered the capital, that “unyielding” Minister Qin didn’t even dare to raise his head. Grand Preceptor Dong, who had claimed he would “drink their blood and eat their flesh,” didn’t even dare to leave his estate, fearing he would be dragged into a welcoming banquet.
