Your Highness, do you not want your dignity anymore?
____
The reason for this delay was that although Gu Yun had rushed back and forth between the capital city and Jiangbei, there were still many things to be done in the front line, just in time to let Chang Geng rest until his daily routines were no longer hindered by the injuries, only then did the two men depart for their return.
On the way back, they happened to run into a busy area along the canal.
The factories under construction were always not very pleasant-looking, dust was everywhere. Coming in and out, whether it was the craftsmen working hard, or the officials and merchants who were sent down, everyone’s faces were dirty, but they were still in order.
The workers had two meals a day. After noon, a group of young and vigorous refugees who had just laid down their butcher knives gathered together and fished out cakes from the tin cart to eat.
Gu Yun once wore disguises and walked around anonymously. He saw that after being broken apart, the filling of those cakes was very good, with proper millet and felt heavy in the hand. It was not comparable to the precious and rare delicacy on Qi Yuan Tower from the capital city in that year. It could not even be described as a simple meal, but a group of strong men who had just finished their work gathered together, each held one piece of dry food, dipped in soy sauce brought from the foreman’s home, eating together, it could make one feel a peace of mind.
Near the outskirts of the capital, Gu Yun rode along with Chang Geng’s carriage and chatted about this along the way. Chang Geng laughed and said, “The craftsmen may be invited from outside. They come to work as foremen to lead everyone in working. Most of the remaining workers are directly recruited by Master Du from the refugees. In the future, where they had carried the bricks is where they will make a living. For this reason, I heard that Master Du asked for a decree from the Canal Department, guaranteeing in the name of the court that unless one wanted to go, the factory would not drive people out. They will belong to this place for the rest of their lives.”
No one was more eager to take root and build their own new homes than the refugees who had drifted away. In order to build their new families, they can do their work steadily and quickly without any trickery. Du Wan Quan only needed to manage their meals, even saving a lot of money for labor. Oftentimes, there were old grandmothers who would call him ‘Charitable Du’ behind his back, when they worshipped Bodhisattvas, there was always with his share. This God of Wealth was truly smart.
“This is a good thing,” Gu Yun thought for a moment, and asked, “except for not reducing taxes, It’s a bit like a military household. It’s just that civilians are not the same as the army. What if there is someone who doesn’t do their job or commits a crime?”
“Regulations have been issued by the Grand Council,” Chang Geng said. “Before I left, I had instructed Jiang Han Shi. It has been sent along with the imperial decree. There are thirteen rules in it. After they finish their work every night, someone in charge will come to explain this to them. If the evidence proves to be correct, the local branch of the Canal Department can fire them… Why, do you still worry about workers being bullied in case of collusion between government and business in the future?”
Gu Yun was dumbfounded, then laughed and said, “What, there even is a solution for that?”
“Yes,” said Chang Geng, “For people who have worked for the factory for over ten years, if half the amount of workers are willing to guarantee, the person can stay, moreover, they can bring it up to the Canal Department at the next level. In fact, even if we do this, after a long time problems are inevitable. When that happens, we can slowly make changes, it is impossible to finish in one time.”
Gu Yun: “How long have you planned this?”
“It was not me who came up with it,” Chang Geng laughed. “It’s only when I first came into contact with Master Du that I had a vague idea. After a long time of paving the way and discussing, negotiating nonstop with them, it took me more than a year to polish it. Master Du and his group have traveled south and north all their lives, taking many trips across the Western Ocean. Their knowledge is vast and they are quick in reaction, they only lack a ladder. I only needed to set up a ladder for him, he can handle the rest.”
Scholars have the meticulousness and sentiment of scholars, businessmen have the cunning and skills of businessmen. Essentially there was no good or bad, one could only see which way the upper people were willing to lead them according to the situation.
“By the way, Zi Xi, I also heard Master Du say that Westerners have this type of very long and large car,” Chang Geng said excitedly, looking out from the window of the carriage. “It runs very fast on metal rails, but it is unlike the Large Eagle and the Giant Kite, it can pull many sections behind it. Won’t it carry as many things as you want? It’s much better than the canal waterway, but its size was rather large and runs on a long distance, it is not easy to coordinate, just in time for us to use this opportunity of land acquisition for factory construction to leave a space for that thing.”
“I really have to thank the Yang-Lu Party for its diligence in buying houses and land, saving me a lot of work. Master Du planned to start with the path along the canal and invite someone to build one for trial. Right now with the struggle in Jiangnan’s frontline, rations, Ziliujin, and machine from the capital would be troublesome to transport, if it could be built one day…”
Gu Yun did not have much bright ideas on the matter of the national economy and people’s livelihood, but he was extremely keen on defense and military affairs. He understood Chang Geng’s meaning with just one word and quickly said, “Can you elaborate more on it?”
But Chang Geng did not continue, he waved at him as if he intended to whisper. Gu Yun urged his horse to catch up a little, bent down slightly and asked, “What’s the matter, is there something that can’t be revealed now?”
“It’s not that I can’t tell you, just…” Chang Geng hesitated slightly.
Gu Yun was at a loss for a moment. He didn’t reflect on the reason for this confidentiality. At that moment, Chang Geng popped his head out of the carriage and quickly took advantage of his lips.
Gu Yun: “…”
Chang Geng swept a glance around and saw that with the carriage blocking, nobody was paying attention. He whispered, “After we are home tonight, go along with me once more and I’ll show you the drawings.”
Gu Yun took the reins and leaned back gently. “How many times have I went along with you? If it wasn’t acting spoiled using the injuries then it is playing tricks on me — no way.”
Chang Geng was good in every aspect, only that he had a strong desire for control, especially towards Gu Yun, wishing that he could do such things as changing his clothes for him and feeding him food. In regular days, he would deliberately restrain himself and try not to make Gu Yun uncomfortable. But when they get to bed, he was no longer able to pay that much attention.
Chang Geng whispered softly, “Yifu, if I did not serve you well, I can put my heart into learning more.”
Gu Yun: “… Son, you don’t have to work so hard.”
Having passed where Jiangbei Camp was stationed, Gu Yun did not wear armor, he had on only a casual gown, the sleeves were even wider than his waist.
Chang Geng grabbed his sleeve and shook it silently from side to side.
On their way through a village and town, they happened to see a three or four-year-old child pulling its parents sleeve crying for candy. Ever since then, no one knew which nerve of Chang Geng was fried, he copied the action exactly, seemingly wanted to bring it to the next level.
When he was a child, there was no sleeve in the world for him to pull. Now, even if he was already a grown man standing tall, he always seemed to have regrets and wanted to make up for all of it with Gu Yun.
Gu Yun laughed and felt goosebumps raised up: “I already said no, just let go. Your Highness, do you not want your dignity anymore?”
Chang Geng refused to let go, and there was a tendency that he would not rest until his sleeve was served in public.
When Shen Yi and Jiang Chong led people out of the city to welcome them, they saw Yan Wang sitting in his carriage, poking his head out talking to Gu Yun. Gu Yun let his steed wander lazily, with a little hint of a smile in his eyes and lips tightened in indifference.
Yan Wang first said something. Gu Yun knocked on the back of his hand, forcing him to release his hand involuntarily.
Yan Wang seemed to have not given up, he said something again. Gu Yun pulled down the curtain of his carriage as if to put him out of sight, out of mind.
The third time Yan Wang lifted up the curtain and poked his head out, Gu Yun finally could not help but burst into laughter, waving his hand as if already defeated, he seemed to have compromised.
Jiang Chong was stunned.
Shen Yi sighed, “It is fortunate that the Marshal has no blood-related children. Otherwise, he would have created a mischievous devil from his spoiling. I don’t think he can say no three times to His Highness Yan Wang. If he does not agree in the first two times he was asked, he would in the third.”
Jiang Chong has not yet returned to his senses, “I thought that since the Marquis was not in the capital for a long time, there is only the title of adoptive father and son between him and Yan Wang, but it seems that their affection is really deep.”
When Shen Yi heard the word ‘affection’, his train of thought deviated, his feelings as to how Gu Yun was unable to act as a strict father had made a turn. He scolded in his heart, “This Gu Zi Xi blinded by beauty could never be proper for his entire life, what on earth is he doing in broad daylight?”
Gu Yun ‘blinded by beauty’ felt his nose itch, he twisted his head and sneezed. As soon as he turned back, he saw Master Jiang with a face full of the sentiment ‘watching the two officers* at peace, my heart rejoices’, and Governor Shen with the words ‘paying attention to your image, are you not afraid of losing your dignity’ written angrily on his forehead.
*referring to the two highest positions in civil and military.
The once again dignified Yan Wang was invited into the palace before he could get out of the carriage.
Shen Yi constantly gave Gu Yun a condemning glare. Gu Yun, who had just promised a very humiliating and disgraceful deed, was currently regretting it. He asked angrily, “What are you looking at?”
Governor Shen, an old scholar, reproached with righteousness, “It’s not that I want to be lengthy, but you can be so improper sometimes!”
Gu Yun: “What’s wrong with me?”
Shen Yi: “Like a lecher who had his soul hooked by a fox spirit.”
Gu Yun: “…”
It was a general injustice of ‘thunder rumbling in winter’ and ‘snow falling in summer’, it was impossible to justify himself even with a hundred mouths…he truly wanted to sever ties with this Shen.
Fortunately, before he had time to lay a murderous hand against Governor Shen, Shen Yi had blocked his mouth with business: “I thought you would arrive here in a few days, so I didn’t send a messenger. There are two important things needed to be said to you. First, Jia Lai Ying Huo of the Northern Man had sent an envoy.”
Gu Yun’s face changed.
Since the Black Iron Camp slowed down and calmed down the western turmoil, it had been stationed eagerly northward, which has largely relieved the pressure of defense in the Northern Frontier. The Black Iron Camp was a lifelong nightmare of Jia Lai Ying Huo. With them there, the Wolf King of the Eighteen Tribes dared not move recklessly.
But the Northern Frontier had always been barren, even raising cattle and sheep had to depend on the gods. In this battle, even Great Liang used up all their resources, let alone that Jia Lai whose thought was full of vengeance and neglected producing.
In the long run, it’s natural that they could no longer hold on.
Gu Yun: “Came for a peace treaty?”
“Yeah,” said Shen Yi, nodding, “This matter had not been brought up to the Grand Court Meeting yet. The Emperor called us into the palace to discuss the terms of the other side. Do you know how I feel?”
Gu Yun eyebrows twitched.
Shen Yi said, “It was the same as when the old Wolf King offered Ziliujin and proposed to be the hostage back then. It was well-spoken, humble, and sincere. The conditions are very pleasant. Zi Xi, do you trust them?
Gu Yun was silent for a moment and slowly said, “I don’t. The Barbarians are different from the Westerners. The Westerners are just greedy, but the Barbarians had harbored hatred for generations — especially Jia Lai.”
Shen Yi asked hurriedly, “What do you mean?”
“Since Jia Lai took over the Eighteen Tribes, he has done nothing but seek vengeance on the Central Plains,” Gu Yun said. “There are only two possibilities for them to come for a truce now. Either Jia Lai has been usurped by someone from inside their Eighteen Tribes, or he has ulterior motives.”
Shen Yi: “We can’t rule out the possibility that the Eighteen Tribes can no longer survive…”
“No, it’s not winter yet. I don’t believe they’re on their last leg,” Gu Yun said. “Listen to me, Jia Lai is a mad dog. Mad dogs don’t care whether they eat meat or grass. They only bite people. By the way, what did the Emperor say?”
“The Emperor…” Shen Yi paused and lowered his voice. “This is the second thing I want to tell you. the Emperor did not seem very healthy recently.”
Gu Yun was stunned.
“Now the Grand Court Meeting will be changed to be held once every fifteen days, on the first and fifteenth of each month, all the other important matters that need to be discussed will be taken to the Small Court Meeting and handed over to the Grand Council to be brought up to the West Warm Pavilion and wait for the Emperor’s approval. I feel that the Emperor can no longer stand the loudmouth people arguing on the court meeting.”
Shen Yi said in a small voice. “On the court meeting this month, as soon as the servant announced that the court was dismissed, the Emperor stood up and stepped on his own dragon robe, almost rolled down from the throne hall on the spot and was quickly caught by the attendants. As a result, here…”
Shen Yi pointed to his leg: “Directly broke it and has not been able to get up from bed even now. I think that might be the reason why he hurried to call Yan Wang into the palace.”
Gu Yun was surprised: “Can one fall break a bone? How fragile. This is too much of a coincidence.”
“The doctors dared not speak. Later, they asked Miss Chen to come take a look. Miss Chen said that after many years of overwork and irregular diet, the bones have softened, breaking easily with just one fall. Some people said that the former Emperor was also…”
No wonder the doctors kept silent. Only Chen Qing Xu, who often traveled to the border, dared to tell the truth.
The country had truly worn a person out.
Shen Yi looked around and saw that all the people and horses who came to greet Yan Wang had followed after Jiang Chong, Gu Yun left his guards in the Northern Camp. There were only a few generals around him. He lowered his voice and said to Gu Yun in an almost whisper, “Because of the Lu family incident, the consort was also implicated and was directly stripped off of the position. There was nothing wrong on the outside, but in fact, she was basically sent to the Cold Palace. The prince is so small, his mother’s family is not of much help, if the Emperor really… say, what is he eagerly calling Yan Wang into the palace for? Is he entrusting his child or…”
Gu Yun looked at him, Shen Yi shut up automatically.
When the imperial city was about to break down, Li Feng did mention the matter of passing on the throne, not to the prince, but to Yan Wang.
In the case of the collapsing country of that time, the little prince truly did not have the power to undertake the responsibility of the Li family. Now, although the country had not yet recovered, the Man has sent an envoy to seek peace. After several years of recuperation, they could go out to battle. Will the Emperor still pass on the throne to his brother and not his son?
Gu Yun suddenly remembered the unrelated words Li Feng suddenly mentioned to him when the imperial army rebelled — “Yan Wang was abused by the barbarian woman when he was a child”——
Li Feng didn’t seem to be the type of person who would take the initiative and ask him, there’s a chance that Chang Geng told him on his own will. What kind of occasion would it be?
Although Chang Geng and Li Feng were brothers, they were not close. Gu Yun understood that wolf cub Chang Geng well, if it was not a loved one, he would not let anyone pet even a hair. It was impossible for him to take the initiative to confess his childhood wounds to win sympathy, unless…
Gu Yun’s mind flashed and suddenly thought of a possibility: That’s right, Yan Wang had come of age and has been crowned for several years, why did nobody care about his marriage? Even if it’s inconvenient for others to mention it, would Li Feng also forget?
So the second half of Emperor Long An’s mindless remark on that day may have been: “He’s not willing to marry a wife and have children due to this problem.”
If Yan Wang had no offspring, it would mean that no matter what happens in the future, nothing could shake the position of the little prince, there was a possibility that Li Feng would truly entrust his orphan child to Chang Geng.
And Li Feng had always let the little prince interact with him. On one hand, it was to ease their relationship, on the other hand, it was to pave the way for his son!
The minds of these people…
Shen Yi: “Do you think it is possible for the Emperor to pass on the throne to Yan Wang?”
“Shh – don’t mention it anymore,” Gu Yun said. “Don’t get mixed up in this. Remember what our job is.”
Shen Yi hurriedly agreed, “In fact, I have one more thing… uhm, it’s a private matter.”
Gu Yun looked at Shen Yi in surprise. “What?”
Shen Yi scratched his head for a moment. “Are you close with Miss Chen?”
☻☻☻
