No sooner had the Crown Prince's southern inspection tour been finalized than Fan Xuan secretly issued orders to urgently dispatch five thousand elite troops from his personal forces to the Eastern Capital.
Since these were all his own trusted troops, the outside world remained unaware. Thus, while Fan Xuan covertly mobilized his men, he overtly directed the Censorate to expedite Gu Jiusi's case.
On the very day the Censorate received the order, Ye Shi'an immediately submitted a memorial enumerating the Ministry of Justice's various shortcomings in handling the case and demanding the transfer of the case to the Censorate. The Ministry of Justice officials, however, did not back down and the next day accused Ye Shi'an of bending the law for personal gain and colluding with Gu Jiusi.
The Ministry of Justice could afford to attack Gu Jiusi, given his isolated position, but when they targeted Ye Shi'an in this manner, the Censorate retaliated the following day by impeaching the entire Ministry of Justice for various minor infractions.
After several days of verbal sparring, with accusations flying back and forth in the imperial court, Fan Xuan's five thousand elite troops finally arrived in the Eastern Capital.
On the night the troops arrived, Fan Xuan summoned Lu Yong to the palace.
During this period, Lu Yong had been extremely anxious. He had used all his resources to maintain relations with the Ministry of Justice, preventing them from transferring Gu Jiusi to the Censorate. He knew perfectly well that if the Ministry of Justice handed Gu Jiusi over to the Censorate, Liu Chun's death would inevitably be exposed. He wasn't sure how much Fan Xuan knew about the matter, nor could he gauge Fan Xuan's tolerance regarding it. Thus, he lived in constant fear—both afraid that Fan Xuan would summon him and afraid that he wouldn't. Now that Fan Xuan had finally called for him, Lu Yong suddenly felt a strange sense of calm.
He asked the eunuch who had come to deliver the decree to wait briefly, then changed into his official robes and followed him into Fan Xuan's palace.
Instead of receiving him in the imperial study, the eunuch brought him to Fan Xuan's bedchamber. When Lu Yong entered, Fan Xuan was washing his feet. Dressed in simple white undergarments, with his hair loose and no attendants around, he used an ordinary basin to wash his feet alone. For a moment, Lu Yong felt as if they were back in Youzhou, before Fan Xuan had risen to high office. In those days, Fan Xuan would often meet with him at night, discussing official matters or playing chess and chatting.
Lu Yong felt a pang of discomfort in his heart. Unable to decipher Fan Xuan's intentions, he could only kneel respectfully and pay his respects.
Fan Xuan did not immediately tell him to rise. Gazing blankly at the palace doors, his feet soaking in the warm water, he said slowly, "When I was young, people told me that nothing in this world remains unchanged, and that brotherly bonds are the most unreliable of human relationships. I never believed that. I always thought that between people, whatever heart you give, you'll receive in return."
Then he turned to look at Lu Yong and changed the subject abruptly. "Old Lu, we've known each other for twenty years, haven't we?"
"Twenty-four years," Lu Yong replied, kneeling on the ground, his voice choked. "We passed the imperial examinations in the same year."
Fan Xuan nodded, his expression somewhat distant.
He fell silent, and Lu Yong remained kneeling. After a long while, Fan Xuan suddenly said, "Is money really that good?"
Hearing these words, Lu Yong's heart suddenly settled.
All his anxiety vanished, and he felt as if everything had been decided. If his head were to roll, it would only leave a scar the size of a bowl—nothing to fuss over. Fan Xuan seemed to be waiting for a response, remaining silent for a long time. Finally, Lu Yong took a deep breath, looked up at Fan Xuan, and asked, "Why did you become emperor?"Fan Xuan was taken aback. Lu Yong looked at him and said earnestly, "If not for wealth and power, why did you become emperor?"
Fan Xuan fell silent. After a long while, he suddenly let out a bitter laugh.
"If I told you I never wanted to be emperor, would you believe me?"
"Then why did you contend with Prince Liang?"
Lu Yong spoke calmly. Fan Xuan lowered his head, picked up a handkerchief from the side, and said slowly, "He was not a good emperor."
"Are you one?"
Lu Yong pressed further. Fan Xuan's movements froze. He furrowed his brow and looked up at Lu Yong. "What do you mean? Have I not done well enough?"
Lu Yong smiled but said nothing. He bowed respectfully and said, "I acknowledge my mistake."
Fan Xuan felt somewhat uncomfortable. Suppressing his emotions, he handed the handkerchief to Zhang Fengxiang, who was waiting nearby, and said slowly, "Actually, I know what you've done. Ten million taels—just make it up. If you can't repay it yourself, give me a list, and I'll handle it."
"I would never take your life," Fan Xuan sighed. "Why resort to killing?"
Lu Yong understood. Tonight, Fan Xuan had come to outline his path forward. Lu Yong pondered silently, weighing the truth in Fan Xuan's words. After a long while, he finally said, "I understand."
"You are, after all, my brother," Fan Xuan advised. "Don't stray down the wrong path, and don't let your heart drift away."
"I have been foolish."
"Old Lu," Fan Xuan hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Gu Jiusi is a promising talent. You're not young anymore—it's time to enjoy your remaining years in peace. Hand over the Ministry of Revenue affairs to him, and mentor him well."
Lu Yong did not respond. He knelt on the ground, his spine stiff. It wasn't that he couldn't accept it—he had expected this—but facing it head-on was still somewhat humiliating.
Fan Xuan looked at the gray hairs mixed in Lu Yong's black hair and felt a pang of pity. He sighed and said, "Old Lu, as long as I am here, I will ensure your later years are worry-free.""
These words forced Lu Yong to confront the reality. He slowly clenched his fists and said while kneeling, "So, Your Majesty means for me to resign from my post?"
"Old Lu," Fan Xuan lowered his head, took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, and then said, "You should know what your crime is."
After a long while, Lu Yong took a deep breath, bowed, and said, "Thank you for your great mercy."
"Find a time to take Gu Jiusi to dine with your friends."
Fan Xuan instructed, "Treat him as your own disciple and nurture him."
"Your Majesty," Lu Yong processed Fan Xuan's meaning and frowned, "Do you want Gu Jiusi to become the Minister of Revenue?"
Fan Xuan nodded. He reached out his hand, and Lu Yong hurried forward to support him. Leaning on Lu Yong, Fan Xuan stood up and said, "Though he is young, he has his talents."
Lu Yong helped Fan Xuan walk toward the courtyard. Fan Xuan spoke as if it were an ordinary conversation, saying slowly, "I am not at ease with Jiang He. Though Gu Jiusi's qualifications may make it difficult for him to establish himself, a position like Minister of Revenue cannot be filled carelessly. Besides," Fan Xuan turned to look at Lu Yong and smiled, "aren't you still here?"
These words stunned Lu Yong. "Your Majesty...""Old Lu," Fan Xuan paused in the courtyard and sighed, "don't disappoint my earnest efforts. You and I are ruler and subject, friends, but also brothers. It's not easy for two people to weather decades of storms together."
Lu Yong listened, feeling a pang of sorrow in his heart.
He stepped back and instinctively wanted to kneel, but Fan Xuan reached out to stop him, shaking his head as he said, "Don't do this."
"I don't have many years left," Fan Xuan smiled bitterly. "Let me be Fan Xuan a little longer, not Your Majesty."
Lu Yong's eyes reddened, but he didn't insist. Fan Xuan walked through the courtyard with him, seeming somewhat weary, allowing Lu Yong to support him the entire time. Gathering his energy, he continued, "Actually, I understand what you're saying. You ask me why I became emperor - in my youth it was for the people, but if I say that now, you wouldn't believe me. I've thought about it - money, I don't care about. But power, for people like us, is probably something we can't let go of. Actually, you're better off, Old Lu. You've known poverty and fear, and don't care much about power. As long as your pockets are full, your heart is content. But Old Zhou and I are different. Our hearts hold too much, never satisfied. When we were military governors, we wanted to be emperors; when we became emperors, we wanted to unite the world. Talk about doing it for the people, but when war comes, isn't it always the people who suffer whether we rise or fall?"
Fan Xuan gave a light laugh and continued, "I know why you think I'm not a good emperor - isn't it because of Yu'er? No matter how good or capable I am, with only Yu'er as my son, handing the empire to him leaves all of you dissatisfied. But what can I do? He's my only son."
"But..." Lu Yong urgently tried to speak, but Fan Xuan continued, "As for taking more consorts into the Imperial Harem, I neither have the energy nor capability anymore. Even if I had another child now, it would only mean more fraternal strife, without changing anything."
"Old Lu," Fan Xuan said as they climbed the steps together. Fan Xuan's steps were somewhat unsteady - he had been injured in the battle for Eastern Capital, Lu Yong knew. He wanted to advise against it, but remained silent due to Fan Xuan's stubborn temperament. They climbed the steps together until Fan Xuan grew tired and sat down to rest on the long corridor. Gazing at the courtyard scenery from above without turning back, he said slowly, "Yu'er means no harm. You've watched him grow up. If he does anything wrong in the future, you must be more tolerant."
Lu Yong pressed his lips together and finally said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject understands."
Fan Xuan sat on the long corridor without responding. A long time later, as the wind slowly blew past, he finally stood up again and said quietly, "Let's go."
The morning court session after Fan Xuan summoned Lu Yong to the palace, Lu Yong resigned from his official position.
This news shocked the entire court. Fan Xuan and Lu Yong went back and forth three times in the court - one saying he wanted to leave, the other saying he should stay. After several rounds of this performance, Fan Xuan finally showed a reluctant expression, personally descending from the golden throne to accept Lu Yong's resignation memorial.
This was the first important news of the day. Immediately after, Fan Xuan announced that the Ministry of Justice had performed inadequately and was transferring Liu Chun's case to the Censorate for handling, with suspect Gu Jiusi to be transferred as well.
The Ministry of Justice naturally refused to agree. After the morning court session concluded, the Ministry of Justice along with many veteran officials - nearly half the court - knelt outside the door of the imperial study.
When Liu Yu Ru heard this news, she was looking at her new shop with Ye Yun.This shop was rented together with the Floral Visage store to sell grain transported from Wangdu.
In these troubled times, Liu Yu Ru deeply understood the importance of grain. Even though the profit margin wasn't the highest, she insisted on continuing this business.
She had viewed the shop together with the Floral Visage store. Ye Yun had offered to handle the decoration, and Liu Yu Ru had left it to her. However, when Liu Yu Ru came to see the store on its opening day, she discovered that Ye Yun had decorated the grain shop in a distinct northern style. Bold red and green colors were spread throughout, with strings of chili peppers hanging under the eaves as decoration, creating an indescribable northern charm.
After walking around inside and out several times, Liu Yu Ru found it quite pleasing. But Yun Yun, who was experienced in business, expressed concern: "Boss, if you make a grain store this extravagant, people might assume the rice is expensive and hesitate to buy."
Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru paused. Gazing at the swaying chili peppers ahead, she slowly responded: "Seeing the store might make them think the rice is expensive, but wouldn't they also think this is northern rice?"
Yun Yun looked puzzled: "What do you mean, Boss?"
"Northern rice is always somewhat different," Liu Yu Ru smiled. "For different rice, it shouldn't matter if it's a bit more expensive, right?"
"Boss wants to raise the price?"
"When selling rouge, there are good and bad qualities. The same goes for selling rice."
Liu Yu Ru contemplated: "The transportation cost for our grain this time was extremely high, and we don't have much stock. If we sell it using ordinary methods as before, the profit would likely be minimal."
Yun Yun gradually understood the reasoning and finally said: "You want to increase the price of this batch, making it the premium grade of rice. Is that what you mean?"
Seeing Yun Yun grasp the concept, Liu Yu Ru couldn't help but smile: "Exactly. Northern rice is richer and more fragrant. If people buy it casually, wouldn't that diminish its value? We should distinguish it from other rice and make it the best rice in the Eastern Capital."
Yun Yun nodded, fully comprehending. Beside them, Ye Yun also understood Liu Yu Ru's intention. Just as Liu Yu Ru was about to continue, news arrived from the palace that officials from the Ministry of Justice had surrounded the Censorate gate, refusing to transfer Gu Jiusi's case.
Upon hearing this, Liu Yu Ru thought carefully and finally said: "Once His Majesty visits the Empress Dowager, these people will naturally leave."
As Liu Yu Ru predicted, that afternoon Fan Xuan made a trip to the Yeyang Palace, and by evening, the officials from the Ministry of Justice had all left. However, Gu Jiusi's case still wasn't transferred.
By noon the next day, a eunuch suddenly arrived from the palace.
The eunuch was thin and small, looking quite anxious as he said: "Young Madam Gu, please come with us to the palace!"
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