Chapter 63: Council Before the Emperor

Just past the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), the night was as dark as ink, but the gates of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion were already brightly lit.

Gu Yangui, dressed in a purple court robe and with a gold and jade belt around his waist, stood before the steps. The morning dew had not yet dried, and the chill was penetrating to the bone, yet he stood as straight as a mountain, his gaze fixed on the direction of the imperial city, unfathomable in its depths.

"Your Excellency, the carriages and horses are ready," the steward, Gu Zhong, reported in a low voice.

Su Wanrou stood half a step behind him, holding a dark cloak in her hands. She hadn't slept all night, and there were faint dark circles under her eyes, but she forced herself to stay awake, draped the cloak over Gu Yangui's shoulders, and carefully tied the silk ribbons.

"The dew is heavy as the night deepens; my husband, please be careful not to catch a cold." Her voice was soft, but filled with undisguised worry.

Gu Yangui glanced back at her. The soft glow of the lanterns under the eaves illuminated her slightly pale face, and her almond-shaped eyes, which always held a smile, were now filled with a concern that seemed incongruous with his status. His heart stirred slightly as he recalled her promise from the previous night, "I'll take care of everything at home," and his hardened heart seemed to be gently struck by something.

He raised his hand, as if to touch her cheek, but in the end he only tucked a strand of hair that had been ruffled by the wind behind her ear.

"Go back, no need to see me off." His voice was still deep, but less cold and hard than usual.

Su Wanrou nodded and watched him board the carriage. The curtain fell, blocking her view, and the only sound was the clatter of hooves as they rolled over the cobblestone road, gradually fading into the darkness before dawn.

She stood alone on the cold stone steps until the light had completely disappeared, then she exhaled a soft breath and turned to return to the mansion. The vast Duke's mansion was eerily quiet at that moment, as if even the air itself had frozen. She knew that from this moment on, the burden on her shoulders would be as heavy as a thousand pounds.

two

The Imperial Palace, Xuanzheng Hall.

As the clock struck Mao (5-7 AM), officials entered the hall in order. Inside the vast hall, the floor was paved with gold bricks, and towering dragon pillars created a solemn and dignified atmosphere, even carrying a hint of oppressive tension.

On the dragon throne, the nearly fifty-year-old Emperor Yongxi sat with a somber expression, his brow furrowed with lingering worry. Though not a powerful ruler who expanded the territory, he was considered diligent and caring towards his people, and for twenty years since his ascension to the throne, the Great Zhou Dynasty had enjoyed relative peace and prosperity. However, the sudden outbreak of war in the northern border shattered this tranquility.

"All of you, rise." The emperor's voice carried a hint of weariness as he raised his hand to signal.

After the officials rose, he cut straight to the point, his gaze sweeping over the few at the front of the military ranks: "I'm sure you all know about the urgent military report from the northern border. The Left Wise King of the Northern Barbarians, Luandi Modu, has personally led 50,000 cavalry in a surprise attack on Yunzhou. The Yunzhou garrison commander, Zhao Polu, fought valiantly and died for his country. The city... is in imminent danger."

Despite being mentally prepared, the emperor's words "on the verge of collapse" still caused a subtle stir in the court. Yunzhou was the gateway to the north; if it fell, the northern barbarian cavalry could advance unimpeded and their forces would reach the heart of the Central Plains.

"The Northern Barbarians have betrayed our trust and brazenly invaded our borders, slaughtering our cities and killing our people. This enmity is irreconcilable!" The emperor's voice suddenly rose, filled with imperial rage. "However, the most urgent task is to select a capable general to quickly relieve the siege of Yunzhou and keep the enemy out of our borders! Today, I will decide on the commander-in-chief of this northern expedition! What are your thoughts, my ministers?"

After the words were spoken, the court was silent for a moment, then erupted like boiling water.

"Your Majesty!" Minister of War Li Chongwen stepped forward first, his voice booming, "The Northern Barbarians are coming with overwhelming force, and Yunzhou is in grave danger. We must send elite troops and strong generals immediately! I believe that Duke Gu Yangui, a veteran of many battles, is a formidable figure among the Northern Barbarians. He once decisively defeated the enemy army at Yinshan five years ago. He is truly the only choice to lead the northern expedition!"

Minister Li was a staunch advocate of war and an old acquaintance of Gu Yangui, who was well aware of Gu's military talent.

"I second that!" Several military officers immediately stepped forward to support the proposal. "The Duke's military strategy is divine, and the Northern Di are terrified at the mere mention of his name. Only with the Duke in command can we stabilize the morale of the army and intimidate the enemy!"

"I second that opinion! Your Excellency the Duke is a pillar of our dynasty, and it is only right that you step forward in this time of crisis!"

The pro-war faction and military generals were in high spirits, as if Gu Yangui's appointment as commander-in-chief was a foregone conclusion.

However, dissenting voices immediately arose from the civil servants' ranks.

“Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate!” An elderly minister with white hair and beard stepped forward shakily. He was Zhou Zhengqing, the Vice Minister of Rites, who was known for his strict adherence to etiquette and his conservative and prudent approach.

"Oh? What are your thoughts, Minister Zhou?" The emperor turned his gaze to him.

Zhou Zhengqing cleared his throat and said loudly, "The Duke of Zhenguo is indeed brave, but he has only been married for a few months. It is a pity to send him on a distant expedition at this time. It is not only unreasonable, but also contrary to the Emperor's compassion for his subjects. Moreover, the Duke's heir is young, and there is no adult male in charge of the household. If the Duke leaves the capital, there will be inconveniences both inside and outside the mansion."

His words sounded grand and seemingly concerned for Gu Yangui, but in reality, they implied that Gu Yangui might be distracted by family matters and pointed out the potential danger of an empty household.

"Lord Zhou, you are mistaken!" A middle-aged censor immediately retorted. "With the country in crisis, how can we let personal matters interfere with public affairs? The Duke of Zhenguo is a pillar of the nation and should naturally prioritize national matters! Moreover, although the Duchess is young, she is already in charge of the household affairs, and the Dowager Lady is also there to oversee things. How can there be any inconvenience?"

Not to be outdone, Zhou Zhengqing quoted classical texts: "The Book of Rites says, 'Cultivate oneself, regulate one's family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.' How can one bring peace to the world if one's family is not yet in order? The Duke of Zhenguo has only recently been married, and his household is not yet stable. If he were to hastily go on a campaign, his mind would be unsettled, which would likely be detrimental to the war effort!"

"Absurd! Under the iron hooves of the Northern Barbarians, how dare you speak of etiquette and law? If the Northern Barbarians conquer Yunzhou and besiege the city, how can you talk about peace and tranquility in your home?"

"Exactly! When a general is in the field, he may disobey the emperor's orders. If the commander-in-chief is preoccupied with family matters, how can he concentrate on fighting the enemy?"

"You warriors only know how to display your brute strength! Have you not heard the saying, 'An army marches on its stomach'? This battle concerns the fate of the nation; how can we not be careful in choosing our commander?"

The imperial court was immediately divided into two distinct factions. One faction, mainly composed of military generals and some pragmatic civil officials, strongly advocated for Gu Yangui to take command; the other faction, mainly composed of some upright civil officials and experienced and prudent individuals, opposed the move on the grounds that "the family is not yet stable" and "newly married is not advisable."

Both sides quoted classical texts, arguing heatedly until their faces were red and spittle flew everywhere. Emperor Yongxi, sitting on the dragon throne, frowned more and more deeply, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest of the throne.

three

Gu Yangui stood silently at the head of the military officers' ranks, like a calm oasis in the eye of a storm. His expression was serene, as if the heated debate in the court, which had been sparked by him, had nothing to do with him. Only those who knew him well could see the impatience and cynicism in his slightly pursed lips.

These civil officials, so full of lofty pronouncements in ordinary times, would only get bogged down in trivial matters when it came to actual combat. A precarious household? When had Gu Yangui ever needed outsiders to worry about his home? As for Su Wanrou… thinking of his seemingly delicate yet resilient wife, a complex mix of emotions flashed through his mind. She might be young, but she was by no means incapable of handling heavy responsibilities.

Just as the debate was escalating, a slightly effeminate voice rang out, instantly silencing the noisy court.

"Your Majesty, this old minister has something to say, but I am not sure if I should say it."

As everyone looked, they saw that the one stepping forward was Cui Wenyuan, the Minister of Revenue and concurrently the Second Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. Grand Secretary Cui was about sixty years old, with a clear face and sharp eyes. He was a very important figure in the court, and also... the elder brother of Princess An.

Gu Yangui's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Please speak freely, Minister Cui," the emperor gestured.

Cui Wenyuan slowly said, "The Duke of Zhenguo's abilities are known to all in the court and among the people; he is indeed a talented commander. However, Lord Zhou's concerns are not without merit. The commander-in-chief's mind is related to the morale of the entire army, and cannot be ignored. Furthermore..."

He changed the subject, his gaze seemingly sweeping over Gu Yangui, "Military affairs in the Northern Border are complex and multifaceted. The defeat at Yunzhou was certainly due to the enemy's superior strength, but did the defending general Zhao Polu underestimate the enemy and advance recklessly? Are there any internal collaborators within the city? Are the supplies sufficient? These all need to be investigated. If the new commander-in-chief is not familiar enough with the situation in the Northern Border, it may be difficult to quickly turn the tide."

His words were extremely cunning. On the surface, he did not directly oppose Gu Yangui, and even acknowledged his talent, but he implied that the situation in the northern border was complex, suggesting that Gu Yangui might not be "familiar" with the current situation. More insidiously, he subtly shifted the blame for the defeat in Yunzhou to potential problems within the military.

Immediately, officials from Cui's faction understood and stepped forward to echo his sentiments:

"What Grand Secretary Cui said is absolutely right! There are many suspicious points about the defeat at Yunzhou. We need to send a steady and reliable official who is knowledgeable in military affairs and familiar with the local customs and politics in the north to take overall control, find out the cause, and proceed with a steady and pragmatic approach."

"I believe that Marquis Jingbei, who has been stationed in Jizhou for many years, knows the northern border very well and may be able to take on this important task!"

"General Pingxi also participated in the Battle of Yinshan five years ago and is familiar with the Northern Di's tactics, making him a suitable candidate!"

These nominated candidates were either senior generals with close ties to the Cui family, or relatively conservative and difficult-to-control border generals. Clearly, Cui Wenyuan's faction was not genuinely recommending capable generals, but rather willing to delay and even use secondary candidates to prevent Gu Yangui from easily gaining military power.

Gu Yangui sneered inwardly. Cui Wenyuan's actions were probably not just due to court infighting. Princess An had run into a brick wall with him over the Ci'en Nunnery matter, and the Cui family was trying to use this opportunity to put him in a bad light, or even to get a share of the spoils in the upcoming northern expedition and plant their own people there.

As the debate was about to reach another stalemate, Emperor Yongxi on the dragon throne finally lost his patience.

"Enough!" the emperor shouted in a low voice, which, though not loud, carried an undeniable authority that instantly silenced all the noise.

All the officials fell silent, heads bowed, listening to the instructions.

The emperor's gaze slowly swept over everyone, finally settling on Gu Yangui, who had remained silent all along.

"Minister Gu."

"Your subject is here." Gu Yangui stepped forward and bowed.

"You have heard what my ministers have said." The emperor's voice regained its calmness, but carried a heavy pressure. "The commander-in-chief of the northern expedition is a matter of life and death for the nation. I want to hear your opinion."

In an instant, all eyes were on Gu Yangui. Supporters hoped he would volunteer generously, while opponents waited to see how he would respond to the accusations of "unstable home life" and Cui Wenyuan's subtly barbed words.

Gu Yangui straightened up, his gaze calmly meeting that of the monarch on the throne. He did not answer immediately, but instead turned to the civil officials who had been arguing most fiercely, finally fixing his gaze on Cui Wenyuan, a faint yet icy smile curving his lips.

Four

“Your Majesty,” Gu Yangui began, his voice steady and clear, echoing in the silent hall, “I did indeed remarry several months ago.”

He first admitted the truth, which pleased those who used "newlywed" as an excuse, making them think that he was going to back down.

However, his next words caused everyone's expression to change.

"However, my wife, Lady Su, though born into the Yongchang Marquis's household and young and inexperienced, has been dutiful to her grandmother, raised her young son, and managed the household affairs diligently and conscientiously since entering the household, never making a mistake. At the recent Dragon Boat Festival banquet, Her Majesty the Empress also praised her for her 'well-mannered demeanor and quick wit.'" His tone was calm, yet every word carried immense weight, directly quoting the Empress's praise and silencing those who questioned Su Wanrou's abilities.

"As for my household," he said, his gaze sweeping over Zhou Zhengqing and the others with a hint of barely perceptible mockery, "with my venerable grandmother in charge, loyal stewards and servants managing things, and His Majesty's divine protection, how can you say that 'the household is not stable'? Do you, my colleagues, think that my Zhenguo Duke's Mansion would collapse in an instant without me?"

These words were quite impolite, and Zhou Zhengqing and the others immediately blushed, yet they were unable to refute them.

Gu Yangui ignored them, turned to face the emperor, and raised his voice sharply, with the resolute and decisive tone characteristic of a soldier:

"Your Majesty! The Northern Barbarian Modu is a defeated general under my command! Five years ago, in the Battle of Yinshan, I was able to kill his father and brothers and destroy his royal court. Today, I can still crush his iron hooves beyond the borders of my Great Zhou!"

He surveyed his surroundings with lightning-fast eyes, sweeping over the officials who had suggested other candidates: "Yunzhou is where I was once stationed! I know every blade of grass, every ditch, and every ravine like the back of my hand! No one knows better than me whether there are any spies in the city, whether the supply lines are open, and what the morale of the border troops is like!"

Finally, he looked at the emperor again, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a salute, and spoke in a resolute voice that shook the entire Xuanzheng Hall:

"With the nation in peril, how can personal feelings prevail? Your subject, Gu Yangui, requests permission to lead the northern expedition! I swear I will not return to the capital until the Northern Barbarians are defeated! If I cannot reclaim Yunzhou and drive out the barbarians, I am willing to offer my head to you!"

"boom--!"

These words resounded like thunder in the imperial court! There was no explanation, no retreat, only absolute confidence and the determination to perish with the enemy! The murderous aura forged in mountains of corpses and seas of blood swept over them, making those civil officials who only knew how to talk a good game tremble with fear and speechless for a long time.

Even Cui Wenyuan's expression turned extremely grim. He hadn't expected Gu Yangui to be so resolute, directly crushing all doubts and offering his military merits and life as collateral to volunteer for the campaign!

Emperor Yongxi looked at the minister kneeling before the imperial throne, at his upright, pine-like back, and a complex light flashed in his eyes. There was admiration, reliance, and perhaps even a trace of an emperor's instinctive fear of a powerful minister. But at this moment, the flames of war in the north left him no room for hesitation.

He slowly stood up and said in a deep voice, "Good! Minister Gu is commendable for his loyalty and courage. He is truly my right-hand man and a pillar of the nation!"

"Issue my decree!" The emperor's voice resounded throughout the hall. "Effective immediately, Duke Zhenguo Gu Yangui is hereby appointed Grand Marshal of the Northern Expedition, in charge of all military and political affairs in the northern border! He is granted the Imperial Sword, and officials below the third rank are authorized to execute first and report later! 100,000 troops are to be mobilized and march on Yunzhou in three days!"

"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses gratitude! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Gu Yangui kowtowed, his voice firm.

The dust has settled.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the court session, and the officials left the Xuanzheng Hall with varying expressions. Gu Yangui walked at the front, ignoring the gazes behind him that held either admiration, jealousy, worry, or resentment.

As Cui Wenyuan walked past him, he paused slightly and said with a forced smile, "Your Excellency has great ambition. I hope... you will achieve a resounding victory and return in triumph soon."

Gu Yangui didn't even glance at him, only coldly tossing out, "No need for Grand Secretary Cui to trouble himself."

Sunlight pierced through the clouds, shining brightly on the glazed tiles of the palace. Gu Yangui strode out of the palace gates, his heart now free of the gloom of court intrigue, filled only with the sandstorms of the northern border and the impending clash of swords.

However, unseen by him, a carrier pigeon fluttered up from a secluded residence near the capital, carrying the latest court decisions, and flew north. Meanwhile, another message—that "the Duke has defied public opinion and forcefully taken command"—reached the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion even faster, reaching Su Wanrou's ears, as well as Liu Yiyi of Jinse Courtyard and Madam Qin of the Marquis of Weiyuan's residence.

A new undercurrent began to surge even more fiercely with the confirmation of the head coach.