"Minister Wei."
Wei Congwen stepped forward. "Your servant is here."
"The Ministry of Rites must pay extra attention to matters concerning the late emperor's funeral arrangements. Should I commit any breach of etiquette, you must remind me immediately."
"Yes, I dare not neglect my duties."
The Crown Prince glanced at him. Though he disliked Wei Congwen, he remembered the teachings of the Grand Tutor. Moreover, Wei had rendered some service previously, which could be considered as offsetting his faults.
"I hope all of you can set aside past prejudices, share resources, and unite to handle internal affairs properly during these turbulent times for Daqing. With external enemies at our gates, we cannot afford internal strife."
The officials responded in unison.
After dismissing them, the Crown Prince naturally dropped the formal demeanor he had just adopted in front of the two assisting ministers. He sat down and gestured for them to be seated as well. "Although I am not well-versed in military affairs, I understand that we must quickly appoint a replacement commander to prevent shaking the morale of the troops." However, there currently appears to be a shortage of qualified military officers. Do either of you have any suggestions?"
Duke Dingguo let out a long sigh. "Daqing has enjoyed peace for many years. Not only are there few seasoned military officers at court, but even most border commanders have never actually led troops in battle. The Chao Li Tribe has been preparing for years, and with their careful planning against our unpreparedness, if war breaks out, Daqing will be in grave danger."
This statement was essentially meaningless. Already agitated by the matter, the Crown Prince frowned and was about to retort when Hua Bolin swiftly handed him a cup of tea. Out of the Grand Tutor's sight, he signaled to him with his eyes.
This look calmed the Crown Prince. He lowered his head and took a few sips of tea. When he looked up again, he appeared composed on the surface, though he had lost the desire to continue the discussion. "You two are pillars of the state. Please give this matter careful thought after you return. We must decide on General Sun's replacement during tomorrow's court assembly."
"Yes."
Before leaving, Gu Yanxi glanced at Bolin, who gave him a slight nod in return. His recent lessons from his elder sister had focused on how to balance his relationship with the Crown Prince, and he was gradually getting the hang of it.
Lai Fu, perceptive as ever, led the others out of the room.
With no outsiders present, the Crown Prince's shoulders slumped. "I want to invite the Grand Tutor to the palace."
"By the late emperor's decree, my elder sister cannot participate in politics. Having her enter the palace would be useless." Hua Bolin put away the parts of the topographic map excluding the eastern region. "She now requires medicinal cuisine for all three daily meals, and the palace preparations are not nearly as comprehensive."
The Crown Prince's shoulders drooped further. "It's my fault the Grand Tutor is suffering. If I hadn't become the Crown Prince..."
Bolin paused in his actions, then set the map aside and sat opposite the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, that statement is both right and wrong. My elder sister acts for the sake of her student, not because of your position as Crown Prince. There's no need to say that it would be better without you as her student. Given her talents, wouldn't it be a pity if she had no student to inherit her knowledge?"
Bolin's pride was completely unconcealed. "Although I study under Mr. Mu, most of my education actually comes from my elder sister. It's not that Mr. Mu is inadequate, but what my sister teaches is more suited to Daqing's current situation. These are things other teachers cannot impart. The greater one's ability, the heavier one's responsibility—this generally refers to someone like my elder sister."The Crown Prince felt a warmth in his heart. As Berlin had said, even when he wasn't the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, the man had never spared effort in guiding him. To be so easily discouraged by setbacks would be unworthy of the Grand Tutor's teachings. In the decades to come, there would undoubtedly be matters far more severe than this awaiting him. If he couldn't withstand this now, how would he face the future? Would he simply hand over the kingdom?
Patting Berlin's shoulder in silent gratitude, the Crown Prince rose and approached the topographic map, gazing at the long border defense line before raising his voice to command, "Lai Fu, fetch the military roster for me."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Berlin, go to the Sun residence and inform my maternal grandmother of this matter. Also, bring a court physician along as a precaution."
"Yes." Hua Berlin let out a soft sigh, his gaze complex as he watched the Crown Prince's retreating figure. He hoped this childhood friend who had once shared a bed with him would forever remember this sense of guilt and concern for his Elder Sister, and never do anything to harm her.
………………
Gu Yanxi went straight to the Hua family residence.
Hua Zhi glanced at the water clock upon seeing him. "Finished your duties so early today?"
"I just returned from the palace. The Crown Prince summoned me urgently."
The words "urgent summons" immediately caught Hua Zhi's attention. "What happened?"
Sitting before her, Gu Yanxi met her gaze and found himself momentarily unable to speak. This person cared so deeply for everyone, wishing not a single hair would be harmed on anyone's head. Though she appeared shrewd and formidable, with her reputation for competence spreading throughout the capital and nearly all nine provinces, inwardly she remained so tender-hearted that she protected everyone she knew. She worried about this person and that, constantly fearing others might suffer.
Though she had never met General Sun, she had willingly allowed the late emperor to manipulate her because of the general's expectations, contributing large sums of silver to produce Dried Meat and Crisp Noodles. She had never concealed her admiration for General Sun, who guarded the borders. If possible, he would have preferred not to tell her this news.
But by tomorrow, the entire court would know of this matter. How could he keep it from her?
Taking her hand, Gu Yanxi spoke word by word, "General Sun was ambushed. He fell in battle."
Hua Zhi was stunned for a moment. "The Chao Li Tribe?"
"Yes."
"With the defending general fallen, what of Shou'ai Pass?"
"They're holding fast."
Almost instinctively, Hua Zhi asked, "Who will succeed him?"
Gu Yanxi shook his head gently. "There hasn't been time to train a successor."
Hua Zhi drank tea as if it were wine, downing it in one gulp. "Can't we promote from among the deputy generals?"
"The defending generals of Shou'ai Pass have always been personally selected by veteran generals, reported to the court, and then mentored closely until they can earn the respect of military officers through their own capabilities before receiving the commander's seal. This tradition has been passed down through generations. Deputy generals cannot command such authority."
"With such a succession tradition, who in the court can take up this responsibility?"
Indeed, no one could succeed him. Gu Yanxi lowered his head with a bitter smile. No one!
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Hua Zhi's mind. She stood up abruptly, the force of her movement making her vision darken momentarily. She swayed slightly before steadying herself, then gently but firmly pushed away Yanxi's helping hand. In a hoarse voice, she asked, "You intend to go, don't you?"
"A Zhi..."
"Don't you?"
Gu Yanxi's throat tightened, his heart aching, but he couldn't deceive her. He could only nod. "Yes, I intend to go."
Hua Zhi turned her back to him, closing her eyes. Her voice seemed forced through clenched teeth. "Return to your Heir Apparent Residence."
"A Zhi..."
"Go back!"Gu Yanxi hadn't expected A Zhi to discern his intentions before he even spoke, nor had he anticipated her reaction to be so intense. This was... the first time A Zhi had ever directed her anger at him. He attempted to explain, "A Zhi, I..."
"Will you leave, or shall I?"
Ying Chun, who had been waiting outside the door, entered and supported her mistress, casting a pleading look toward The Heir.
Gu Yanxi nodded. "Don't be angry. I'll go."
Watching A Zhi's back, which radiated rejection and fury, Gu Yanxi retreated step by step from the room. He heard A Zhi order the door shut, completely barring him from entry.
PS: Seeing the overwhelming number of rewards, especially the generous contribution from Miss Xuanji Qingchen—thank you, ladies. Love you all.
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