When Gu Jiusi returned home, Liu Yu Ru was taking stock of their household belongings. Seeing this, he couldn't help but feel curious: "What are you doing?"
"Old Man Lu has agreed to fund me," Liu Yu Ru smiled, then continued, "Along with my uncle and some wealthy merchants in the city, I now have sufficient capital to pursue some ventures. Your timing is perfect—I was just about to discuss this with you. I'm planning a long journey."
"Another long journey?"
Gu Jiusi frowned, but quickly realized what Liu Yu Ru intended to do and said, "Are you going to buy ships?"
"I'm not skilled at purchasing ships," Liu Yu Ru approached him, took the official robe he had removed, and followed behind him while explaining in detail, "I've entrusted this matter to your parents. Your father has bought several ships before and has more experience than I do."
"Then what are you going to do?"
Gu Jiusi was somewhat confused. Liu Yu Ru handed him tea and said with a smile, "I'm going to build warehouses."
Gu Jiusi was momentarily stunned before recalling that establishing warehouse points in strategic locations to facilitate goods distribution and transportation was the most critical component of Liu Yu Ru's plan.
Running through the eleven locations she had designated in his mind, he immediately understood and said cheerfully, "Excellent! This aligns perfectly with my route."
Liu Yu Ru looked puzzled. Gu Jiusi turned around and embraced her: "His Majesty has assigned me to repair the Yellow River. The areas along the Yellow River on your map largely coincide with my route. Will you accompany me?"
"You're repairing the Yellow River?" Liu Yu Ru exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't that Luo Zishang's responsibility?"
"It was the Emperor's decision," Gu Jiusi smiled wryly. He explained Fan Xuan's calculations to Liu Yu Ru, who grew concerned. Noticing her expression, Gu Jiusi asked, "Why do you look so worried? What's troubling you?"
"Luo Zishang has contributed so much effort," Liu Yu Ru frowned deeply, twisting her handkerchief, "Yet His Majesty has undermined him like this. Given his temperament, I fear he won't accept this quietly."
"He has always been our mortal enemy anyway," Gu Jiusi said indifferently, "Should I really fear his retaliation? What concerns me isn't Luo Zishang."
As he pondered, Gu Jiusi walked with Liu Yu Ru toward the dining hall.
"Then what are you worried about?"
Liu Yu Ru asked curiously. Gu Jiusi sighed: "I'm concerned that His Majesty's current actions are too rash."
"My promotion has been too rapid, and His Majesty is too eager to build my faction. First, he forcibly elevated me to the position of Minister, then pressured Old Man Lu to become my supporter, and now he's entrusting me with the Yellow River project. If I'm not mistaken, I'll likely be appointed chief examiner for the Autumn Examination."
As the chief examiner for Great Xia's first Autumn Examination, Gu Jiusi would gain his first group of protégés.
"Now that you mention it, His Majesty's actions do seem rather hasty."
Enlightened by Gu Jiusi's explanation, Liu Yu Ru also grew concerned: "What do you think His Majesty is planning?"
"I'm worried His Majesty doesn't have much time left."
Gu Jiusi sighed and continued, "Actually, I've known about His Majesty's poor health since I came to the Eastern Capital. His current efforts to promote me suggest his condition is worse than any of us imagined. The Crown Prince isn't reliable, so His Majesty probably wants to establish a foundation for him. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, this foundation would continue governing Great Xia."Gu Jiusi spoke as he came to a halt in the courtyard.
Butterflies in the yard alighted on the summer flowers that had just bloomed. Gu Jiusi gazed at the blossoms and said slowly, "Lu Yong's greed was too great, and he was a staunch supporter of deposing the Crown Prince. That's why His Majesty removed him and now promotes me, hoping I can take over Lu Yong's position. His Majesty has now dealt with the Empress Dowager's faction, purged the court, assigned Lord Zhou to handle external military affairs, left the internal coordination to Left Minister Zhang Yu, entrusted finances to me, and placed civil administration in the hands of Cao Wenchang and Liao Yanli. With such a structure, as long as the Crown Prince doesn't act recklessly, Great Xia can continue to develop steadily. When the time comes for the southern campaign in the future, unification will be within reach."
"His Majesty treats you so well now, it can be considered an act of grace."
Gu Jiusi remained silent. After a long while, he sighed softly, pulled Liu Yuru into his arms, and raised his voice, "Enough, enough, let's not talk about these matters anymore. Let's go have our meal. His Majesty has ordered me to set off the day after tomorrow, just in time to celebrate the Qixi Festival."
Hearing this, Liu Yuru pursed her lips and smiled. "What time is it, and you're still thinking about the Qixi Festival?"
As she spoke, she reached out and gently poked Gu Jiusi's forehead. "So improper."
"After court sessions, one must have a personal life too," Gu Jiusi argued earnestly. "The nation and the family are intertwined. One cannot forget one's wife while caring for the people."
Liu Yuru couldn't help but laugh at his twisted logic.
The two walked hand in hand into the dining hall, where Shen Ming was already waiting. Seeing Gu Jiusi enter, he cheerfully said, "Ninth Brother, come, let's enjoy a few good meals these two days. We'll soon be on our way."
"What nonsense are you talking?" Su Wan couldn't help interjecting upon hearing this. "What do you mean 'on your way'?"
"My apologies," Shen Ming quickly said, slapping his own mouth lightly and addressing Su Wan. "Look at my careless tongue, spouting nonsense. We're setting off. We'll soon be setting off to repair the Yellow River."
"Repair the Yellow River?" Jiang Rou exclaimed in surprise, looking at Gu Jiusi. "Is it true?"
Gu Jiusi smiled, sat down beside Jiang Rou, and nodded. "It's true. I set off the day after tomorrow, together with Yuru."
"Repairing the Yellow River is no small matter," Gu Langhua cleared his throat and instructed. "Don't be too frivolous. Be steady and composed."
Just as they were speaking, Jiang He walked in, holding a handkerchief clearly given by a young lady. He glanced at everyone, smiled, and took his seat. "What, discussing young Jiusi's assignment to repair the Yellow River?"
"You know about it too?" Jiang Rou looked up at Jiang He, who tucked the handkerchief into his robe and shrugged. "It's hard not to know with His Majesty's decree circulating throughout the court."
"Is this a good thing?" Jiang Rou asked Jiang He anxiously. Jiang He thought for a moment, lowered his head to pick up food, and said casually, "It's a good thing if it succeeds, and not if it fails."
"Then it must be a good thing," Liu Yuru said with a smile. "With my husband's capabilities, how could there be anything he can't accomplish?"
Upon hearing this, the room fell silent. After a moment, Su Wan awkwardly laughed and said, "Let's eat, let's eat."
While the Gu family was happily dining together, at the Luo residence, Luo Zishang stood in his study, gazing at a landscape painting on the wall.
Behind him, his strategists were engaged in heated discussions."We've spent so much silver to repair the Yellow River—isn't it all to build our master's reputation? Now the funds came from our master, the plans were drawn by our master, yet this Gu Jiusi suddenly emerges to take a share of the credit? What kind of scheme is this?! Fan Xuan is going too far!" one strategist indignantly spoke up, while others nodded in apparent agreement.
"The situation isn't entirely unfavorable," another strategist slowly countered. "Though Gu Jiusi oversees the project, the actual execution still falls to our master, doesn't it? As long as our master is the one directing the Yellow River repairs, that should suffice."
"Spending ten million taels on such an endeavor," the first strategist retorted, "isn't the price too steep?"
"But once Yangzhou's transportation becomes convenient, goods costs will decrease. With thriving commerce, tax revenues will naturally increase. Advisor Zhang, we must take a long-term view."
"Still..."
"Enough."
Luo Zishang finally lost patience. Turning around, he calmly said, "Cease this bickering."
All arguments immediately halted as everyone turned to stand respectfully before Luo Zishang.
Returning to his desk, Luo Zishang idly toyed with a jade sphere and remarked, "You all make valid points. Being entrusted with the Yellow River repairs already ensures we don't lose out. Their suppression of me hasn't gone unnoticed by the Crown Prince. As the Crown Prince's man, targeting me is tantamount to slapping the Crown Prince's face. Every move Fan Xuan makes against me pushes Fan Yu closer to our side. This realm will ultimately belong to Fan Yu," Luo Zishang's voice remained composed. "The ten million will be recouped. Moreover, repairing the Yellow River is a virtuous deed. Let's not be so agitated."
His words silenced the room. Deftly rotating the jade sphere, Luo Zishang continued, "Though Advisor Zhang isn't wrong—with ten million at stake, I don't just want to break even. I want substantial returns. That Gu Jiusi... he's far too obstructive."
"What does the master intend?" Advisor Zhang cautiously inquired.
Luo Zishang glanced at the assembled men, smiled faintly, then propped his head on his hand. "Wait awhile."
No one dared speak. The waiting stretched on as everyone stood in silence, not daring to disturb Luo Zishang who appeared to be taking an afternoon nap.
When sunset approached, someone finally hurried in, bowed respectfully to Luo Zishang, and reported, "Master, we've confirmed the details."
Without opening his eyes, Luo Zishang responded, "Proceed."
"Tomorrow, Gu Jiusi will serve as chief officiant at the Deity Pleasing Ceremony. The crowd will be large and chaotic—an ideal opportunity."
The Qixi Deity Pleasing Ceremony was one of the Eastern Capital's grandest annual rituals, organized primarily by the Ministry of Rites. Selected individuals would perform ceremonial dances along the moat to please the deities.
Such occasions typically featured handsome young talents, so Gu Jiusi's selection this year raised no eyebrows.
Upon receiving the information, Luo Zishang slowly opened his eyes. "Have we contacted the Empress Dowager's faction?"
"We have," the subordinate replied without lifting his head. "The message has been delivered."
"Good."
Luo Zishang nodded. "Proceed."
"Master," a guard who had been standing nearby spoke softly, "should we prepare our men?"
Luo Zishang pondered briefly. "Has the Northern Liang contingent been brought over?"
"Yes," the guard confirmed. "They've been kept in hiding."
"Then it's settled."Luo Zishang smiled, a cold glint in his eyes. "If the Empress Dowager hasn't made a move, it doesn't matter. We can personally send him on his final journey instead."
Upon hearing this, the guard immediately knelt and responded, "Understood."
Luo Zishang had everything arranged, while Gu Jiusi left home at dawn on the day of the Qixi Festival.
He seemed particularly cheerful and said to Liu Yuru before departing, "Stay home today and wait for my signal. Don't come out until I call for you."
Knowing he must be planning something again, Liu Yuru smiled and replied, "Alright."
Gu Jiusi cheerfully stepped out, only to find Jiang He leaning against the doorway with crossed arms, lightly tapping a fan against his own shoulder.
"Little Jiusi," Jiang He curved his lips, "Your uncle cast a divination for you today. The signs say it's inauspicious to go out."
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