Gu Yuchen glanced at Zhao Xi and saw that his face was wrinkled from smiling so much that he couldn't help but click his tongue: "Summon Qi Chengjun for me."
Just as Zhao Xi was about to leave, he heard him continue, "Oh, right, there's also the Minister of Revenue."
Qi Chengjun was the heir of the Duke of Qi and had also served as the emperor's study companion. He was the emperor's most trusted confidant. After the emperor ascended the throne, he appointed Qi Chengjun to a position in the Hanlin Academy, clearly indicating that the emperor intended to groom Qi Chengjun for the position of Grand Secretary.
This time, His Majesty received a letter from His Highness addressed as Prince Qi, which must be related to Guard Qi.
Zhao Xi quickly understood the reason and immediately sent someone out to give the order.
When Qi Chengjun arrived at the Imperial Study, the Minister of Revenue had not yet arrived. He knelt down respectfully and said, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
"Rise," Gu Yuchen said softly. "I've received news from Chief Secretary Xie that he wants to establish a security escort agency to communicate with me. Qi Chenglang is the tentative head of the agency. What are your thoughts on this?"
What are you thinking? Qi Chengjun wants to beat Xie Changshi to death!
He truly hadn't expected Chief Secretary Xie to be so capable of stirring things up, even establishing a security escort agency. His face immediately darkened: "Your Majesty, I will write to Cheng Lang and have him refuse."
Putting aside how ridiculous it is that the third young master of a noble family, a royal guard with a sword in front of the palace, would become a镖头 (bodyguard/escort) for a镖局 (escort agency), Xie Changshi's decision to leave the guards scattered throughout the镖局 is irresponsible towards the safety of Prince Wen and a great test of the Emperor's trust.
Before he could speak, Gu Yuchen said, "But I think this is a good thing."
Qi Chengjun looked up at him, full of surprise, then hurriedly lowered his head: "Please reconsider, Your Majesty."
"Don't even mention thinking it over three times, you've already thought it over four or five times." Gu Yuchen seemed to be teasing Qi Chengjun, and he was reluctant to reveal the reason, which made Qi Chengjun sweat profusely.
After he had enjoyed the letter enough, he raised his chin and said, "Zhao Xi, show Xiao Liu's letter to our Prince Qi."
Qi Chengjun took the letter with both hands and read it quickly. The more he read, the more shocked he became. What kind of bandits were actually villagers from the same village? And this Northern Barbarian bypassed the Northern Army and directly attacked the village? Wasn't this a joke?
If the Northern Di people are this powerful, then the Great Sang Kingdom might as well just lie down and accept their fate. After all, the Northern Di people can enter the northern desert defense line as if they were in an empty land. The northern desert army, which has been trained for many years, is blind and can't see them, allowing the entire village to be burned, killed, and looted.
Qi Chengjun breathed a sigh of relief only after seeing the letter stating that all the imperial gifts had been retrieved and all the bandits had been brought back. At the same time, he understood why Chief Secretary Xie had made such a bold decision.
He believed that the emperor must have seen Xie Changshi's probing just like him, which made him think more about what to do if Xie Changshi really became powerful and influential in the future.
He knew his younger brother too well; he was the typical "all brawn and no brains." If Chief Secretary Xie really led Prince Wen down a path of no return, his younger brother would be the sharpest knife by Prince Wen's side.
Qi Chengjun racked his brains, nearly tearing his hair out, but still couldn't figure out how to persuade him. After all, the Emperor must have already analyzed the pros and cons of this matter...
Seeing Qi Chengjun's face full of resignation, Gu Yuchen found it somewhat amusing: "Alright, stop looking so gloomy. If things really get out of control, that's something for many years to come. Right now, the most important thing is Mobei. News has come from the army that the division of the Northern Di is about to end. If we still can't find that person, the fall of Mobei is only a matter of time."
He took a deep breath: "Your Majesty, I will obey Your Majesty's arrangements."
At worst, I'll write a letter to Qi Chenglang and ask that brainless idiot to pay more attention...
Gu Yuchen hummed in agreement: "Qi Chenglang is currently in the outskirts of Beijing..."
Before he could finish speaking, Qi Chengjun suddenly knelt down, his eyes filled with terror, and said, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
It turns out that Chief Secretary Xie is not the most daring, but only more daring!
What is Qi Chenglang's status? He is Prince Wen's personal bodyguard and is not allowed to enter the capital without being summoned. But he is good enough to use the excuse of escorting goods to get to the outskirts of the capital. Will he be able to enter the capital directly under the pretext of escorting goods next time?
The situation in the northern desert is urgent. The Emperor may not hold it against you now, but there's no guarantee he won't settle scores later.
Qi Chengjun grew increasingly alarmed as he thought about it, and sweat poured down his back until it was almost completely soaked.
The reason for recommending Qi Chenglang to go to the northern desert was to let him get rid of his family background and make meritorious contributions. Only in this way could he stand firm in the court in the future, instead of the third young master of the Duke of Qi's mansion being said in the capital to have become a palace guard with a sword by relying on his family's protection.
If I had known it would turn out this way, I would have preferred to let him live a peaceful and uneventful life right under my nose.
Qi Chengjun was about to speak when Gu Yuchen said, "Alright, in times of emergency, we must act expediently. I haven't held a grudge against you, so why should you? Besides, am I the kind of person who seeks revenge later? That person dared to openly send people to steal the imperial gift, which clearly shows that they were prepared to break ties with me at any time. Now, all that's needed is an opportunity."
A perfectly legitimate opportunity!
If his father hadn't passed away so suddenly, and if he hadn't been the crown prince, it's hard to say who would have gotten the throne.
Now that things have come to this, there's no point in saying anything more. Qi Chengjun bowed and said, "Your humble servant is filled with fear."
"You wait outside the palace. Once the Minister of Revenue arrives and the rewards are agreed upon, take the gifts and deliver them to Qi Chenglang, telling him that I have agreed."
Qi Chengjun then left the imperial study. The sunlight outside the hall was dazzling, and it should have felt warm on a person, but he felt a chill rising from the soles of his feet, enveloping his entire body.
Only then did he have to admit Xie Changshi's prowess. It seemed that every single thing he did had offended the emperor, but he still managed to get the emperor to lower his standards a little.
I hope that Chief Secretary Xie will always be so cautious and never have any improper thoughts.
A moment later, the Minister of Revenue entered the Imperial Study, then quickly emerged with a frown. Upon seeing Qi Chengjun, he sighed without saying a word, "Registrar Qi, let's go."
The Imperial Study returned to silence. Gu Yuchen rubbed his chin. The sixth child had sent return gifts to all the palaces, and it seemed a bit inappropriate for them not to reciprocate...
The ladies-in-waiting were all bewildered when they saw the return gifts piled up in the courtyard. They had given out many Mid-Autumn Festival gifts, but this was the first time they had received return gifts.
Although the local specialties sent were not anything expensive, they were all sent with great care and avoided taboos. Just as they were about to be moved, the palace servants informed them that there was a reply. The ladies of the palace were immediately moved to tears. How could this child be so sensible!
No, I have to give a return gift, but what should I give...?
That afternoon, all the imperial concubines went to Kunning Palace without prior arrangement. The first thing they said upon meeting was, as always, to boast. But this time, they were not boasting about the Emperor's reward, but about the Prince Wen's return gift.
Upon learning that their return gifts were not unique, the ladies of the palace were furious. They insisted on writing to Xiao Liu and demanding that next time they would give unique return gifts!
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