This was the first urgent summons from the Crown Prince, and no one dared to delay.
Gu Yanxi encountered Duke Dingguo at the palace gate. After exchanging courtesies, they walked side by side.
"Does the Regent know the reason for this summons?"
"I heard it's an urgent report from the front lines."
They exchanged glances, and Duke Dingguo sighed, "The tree may prefer calm, but the wind will not subside."
Gu Yanxi stopped walking, and Duke Dingguo followed suit. "Uncle, I have a request."
Duke Dingguo was taken aback. It had been many years since he last heard this form of address from the Heir. "Speak your mind."
Gu Yanxi gazed at the imperial palace steeped in history. It wasn't newly built at the founding of Daqing; it had been passed down for centuries. Even after a hundred years of Chao Li Tribe rule, it remained undamaged. Regardless of dynastic changes or the ravages of wind, frost, rain, and snow, it stood silently here. Though its colors might not be as vibrant as before, every brick and tile carried an ancient charm.
This place now belonged to Daqing.
He hoped it would remain so for many years to come.
"When I'm away from the capital, I beg you to look after the Grand Tutor."
Duke Dingguo's eyes sharpened. "You need to leave the capital?"
"Even when the late emperor was alive, I had to travel extensively. Now, how can the Seven Constellation Bureau remain confined to the capital? Leaving is only a matter of time."
Duke Dingguo fell silent. Indeed, the head of the Seven Constellation Bureau had always been destined for a life of toil.
"You needn't worry. The Crown Prince is one who remembers favors."
"I trust him completely, but sometimes he's more constrained than anyone. Being part of the royal family, you should understand this better than anyone, Uncle." Gu Yanxi looked at him. "I'm not asking for much—just lend her a hand if she encounters any trouble. She comes from the Hua family, possessing their loyal spirit to the sovereign. As the Grand Tutor, she shares a teacher-student bond with the Crown Prince. She and I have made promises to each other. She's already inextricably linked to the royal family. If she makes any decisions, they certainly won't harm the royal house. When that time comes, please assist her."
"I understand your meaning." Duke Dingguo clasped his hands behind his back, looking at him with a faint smile. "In this vast court, we must rely on the Grand Tutor in times of trouble."
Gu Yanxi lowered his head with a slight smile. "All officials in the capital have their strengths. Those who securely hold high positions are all shrewd. But if I may speak frankly without offending you, no one can match her quick wit, and no one enjoys the Crown Prince's trust more than she does. I will entrust all my personnel from the Heir Apparent Residence to her. If such a time truly comes, with this support, half the battle is already won. If you can then assist her further, what difficulty could remain unresolved?"
"Are you so certain such a time will come?"
"The Seven Constellation Bureau doesn't require absolute certainty to act. With thirty percent assurance, we dare to strive. It's the same for me in this matter. The Chao Li Tribe's intentions are clear as day; war between the two nations is inevitable. Yet, remnants of the Chao Li Tribe still lurk in the capital, undiscovered. I don't know what they plan or whether they'll cause disturbances."
Gu Yanxi moved closer to Duke Dingguo, lowering his voice. "The Crown Prince has just been established, and people's hearts are unsettled. Who would you dare trust completely? Even my maternal grandfather, Duke Anguo—can you feel at ease with him?"
Duke Dingguo certainly didn't dare trust anyone fully. Because of the incident with Princess Ling in the past, he still had to guard against Duke Anguo taking advantage of others' misfortunes. How could he place complete trust?
Now he fully understood the Heir's meaning. All these circuitous words were merely to ensure that he, the Crown Prince, and the Grand Tutor stood united, and that he wouldn't guard against the Grand Tutor as if she were a thief.
Footsteps approached from behind. They both turned to see the six Ministers of the Board arriving together.The group exchanged distant bows from afar, while two men cupped their hands in salute before turning to continue toward the palace.
It wasn't until they neared the imperial study that Duke Dingguo softly made his promise, "I have taken note of these words. Should such a time truly come, I will give it careful consideration."
Gu Yanxi could ask for no more than this. All he sought was for Duke Dingguo to stand by A Zhi's side when matters arose, and now he had managed to sway him somewhat.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince."
Before the two could complete their bows, the Crown Prince reached out and raised them up one by one, then excused the six ministers who followed from paying formal respects. His gaze swept over them as he said hoarsely, "General Sun... has fallen in battle."
A low gasp escaped someone's lips—this was something they had never anticipated!
Duke Dingguo frowned deeply, "Was it an invasion by the Chao Li Tribe? What is the current situation at Shou'ai Pass?"
"Indeed, it was the Chao Li Tribe invading our borders. The troops have now retreated within Shou'ai Pass, following General Sun's final orders." The Crown Prince looked at the topographic map, focusing on the eastern region. "According to the messenger, the enemy was extremely familiar with General Sun. I had not known that General Sun typically led the left vanguard himself, yet they were aware of it. They were targeting him specifically."
"Could there be a traitor among us?"
"That remains to be verified." The Crown Prince turned around. "The problem now is... the east has no commanding general."
Silence fell over the room. Any other pass would be manageable, but Shou'ai Pass was different.
Shou'ai Pass was known as the foremost pass under heaven not because of any remarkable or treacherous features—it had none. It was utterly ordinary. What made it special was its exceptionally long defensive line, and because of its length, it was extremely difficult to defend.
Moreover, since the Chao Li Tribe had retreated to the islands, the soldiers stationed at Shou'ai Pass, as a defensive outpost, considered proficiency in water a basic skill. While the court could still scrape together a couple of generals skilled in mounted combat, finding one who could both navigate waters and lead troops on land was exceedingly rare.
Minister of War Chen Yuanqing spoke with a strained tone, "Old General Zhu Lin... is already seventy-seven."
Old General Zhu Lin was the previous commander of Shou'ai Pass, and at this moment, he was the only one they could recall.
Minister of Revenue Zhu Bowen shook his head, "The old general's health is failing. He fell ill just before the New Year and has only recently been able to leave his bed."
For a moment, no one spoke.
The Crown Prince's lips moved several times before he finally managed to say, "I recall that General Sun was personally trained by Old General Zhu for four years before he felt assured enough to retire. By that count, General Sun was nearly of that age himself. Was there no one to take over?"
"General Sun once submitted a memorial to the late Emperor, but..." Chen Yuanqing left his sentence unfinished, yet everyone in the room understood: the late Emperor had seen it but withheld it, giving General Sun no response.
The Crown Prince abruptly turned his back, feeling deeply aggrieved on behalf of his maternal grandfather. Yet, what his grandfather had defended was the very realm of the Gu family!
It was the Gu family who had failed General Sun!
"This matter can be discussed further at tomorrow's court session." Gu Yanxi broke the silence. "Losing their commander has already severely dampened the troops' morale. Moreover, it is common knowledge that Shou'ai Pass is difficult to defend. We do not know how long they can hold out. Reinforcements must be dispatched as quickly as possible. Minister Chen, what is the status of this year's recruitment and replenishment of new soldiers?"
Chen Yuanqing was taken aback, "There are new recruits, but sending them to Shou'ai Pass would likely..."
"They are not needed at Shou'ai Pass. Transfer troops from other regions, such as Jingzhou. I recall the people there are also adept in water. The new recruits can fill the vacancies there."
"Yes, I understand, Your Excellency."Gu Yanxi did not continue further but instead looked toward the Crown Prince. "Does Your Highness have anything to add?"
The Crown Prince composed his emotions and nodded. "Provisions must precede troops movement. Minister Zhu, the Ministry of Revenue must make arrangements promptly."
"Yes, this old subject obeys the decree."
PS: I'll try to update daily these days. It's been too busy during the New Year period, just a few more days to go. Ladies, please be patient.
OpenNovel