This woman is remarkable.
The words "military weapon" caused an uproar in the Imperial Garden, like ice water poured into boiling oil.
Gongsun Cheyuan stood up abruptly, his face pale, and said urgently, "Your Majesty, please be wise! Jinghong is just a woman who usually runs some trivial business. How could she be involved in military weapons? This is slander!"
Everyone turned to look at Gu Jinghong.
Sitting to the side, Xiao Chengyan subconsciously gripped the teacup with two fingers and slowly picked it up.
Gu Jinghong remained calm, as if she had not heard anyone criticizing her. She sat upright at the table, her back straight, like an unyielding bamboo in the wind and snow.
The emperor's face was ashen: "Gu, what is your explanation for what the censor said?"
Gu Jinghong got up from her seat, walked to the center, and slowly knelt down.
The Imperial Censor Li pressed his advantage, his words sharp and aggressive: "Gu, you have close ties with the Hu merchant Ba Lie. His caravans have frequently entered and exited the northern border. Although the goods are registered as silk and porcelain in the Ministry of Revenue, you know perfectly well what they are actually transporting! If it weren't for military equipment, why would the Northern Di be willing to pay such a high price to buy it?"
Lady Gu? Not the Crown Prince's Consort?
Gu Jinghong raised his head, his eyes clear and bright, neither humble nor arrogant: "Your Majesty, the Censor is mistaken. When trading with Hu merchants, all goods are inspected at the border markets, and there are records to prove it. Your Excellency makes baseless accusations about military equipment, but where is the evidence? Does trading with the Northern Di equate to aiding the enemy? Does that mean that our Great Yong's opening of border markets constitutes a policy of aiding the enemy?"
Censor Li was speechless at her question, his face flushing red: "This is sophistry! There are often strange noises in your Jinghongwu, and the artifacts produced there have bizarre structures that are beyond the capabilities of ordinary craftsmen. This is common knowledge! If it were not for forging military equipment, why would you need to be so secretive?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Jinghong's lips curled into a very faint smile.
"Since you have mentioned the artifacts produced by my Jinghongwu, may I ask what kind of artifact you are referring to that makes you so certain that it is a weapon? Jinghongwu produces a wide variety of items, from water-powered waterwheels to looms, and their structures are naturally different from ordinary objects. Do you perhaps think that improving agricultural tools and looms is a crime?"
Xiao Chengyan sat at the table, observing coldly. He noticed the subtle change in Gu Jinghong's expression in that instant and understood—she was guiding the other party.
Censor Li was indeed cornered. Eager to solidify his guilt, he blurted out, "You're just being glib! I have witnesses who saw you transport a huge shipment of goods covered in tarpaulin from your Jinghongwu three nights ago and hand it over to the Hu merchant Ba Lie! The goods were long and narrow, with grotesque parts, clearly resembling large crossbow bolts! If you didn't have something to hide, why would you transport them at night?"
A cold glint flashed in Gu Jinghong's eyes; the fox's tail had finally been revealed.
She feigned surprise: "Oh? Your Excellency knows so much about the comings and goings of goods from my Jinghong Dock? You even know when they are transported and what they look like? Forgive my bluntness, but since it's a nighttime transport, how do you know so much, Your Excellency? My Jinghong Dock is right next to Zhuoyue Tower. If you're not intentionally monitoring me, then..."
The unfinished words, however, dragged Imperial Censor Li into the trap.
What kind of place is Zhuoyue Tower that even an "upright official" like Imperial Censor Li, who used to say "places of pleasure should be eliminated," frequents it every day? If not, how could he know what Jinghongwu across the street is doing late at night?
Imperial Censor Li realized he had spoken out of turn, and immediately felt as if all the court officials were shining their rays directly at him, making him extremely embarrassed.
But since things had come to this, he could only grit his teeth and kowtow to the emperor: "Your Majesty! What I said is true! The Gu family is eloquent and persuasive, but they cannot change the facts no matter what."
Then, she looked directly at Gu Jinghong and said, "Gu family, do you dare say you haven't been selling crossbows privately?!"
Gu Jinghong kowtowed again: "Your Majesty, I did not sell any crossbows."
Imperial Censor Li continued, “Your Majesty! To prove that what I said is true, I have requested permission to send men to transport the intercepted evidence outside the Imperial Garden! The items are currently outside the garden. I urge Your Majesty and all the imperial relatives and ministers to personally examine their authenticity! Let us see whether the Gu family is manufacturing agricultural tools that benefit the country and its people, or weapons that will wreak havoc on the border!”
The emperor's sharp gaze swept between Gu Jinghong and Imperial Censor Li, and he said in a deep voice, "Granted! Bring up the evidence!"
Soon, four guards carried a huge wooden box into the center of the imperial garden.
Everyone's hearts were in their throats, and Gongsun Cheyuan clenched his fists nervously.
The emperor on the high throne looked at Gu Jinghong again: "Gu, do you have anything else to say?"
Meeting the emperor's gaze, Gu Jinghong continued, "Indeed, I sold a batch of 'objects' to the Northern Di through Hu merchants."
Everyone was shocked by these words.
Gongsun Cheyuan was so anxious that he was sweating profusely, wanting to stop him but unable to utter a sound.
The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly: "Oh? What kind of object is it?"
Gu Jinghong said frankly, "They are farm tools."
"Farm tools?" The emperor was taken aback.
The censor immediately seized on the matter and shouted, "Absurd! Your Majesty, do not listen to her sophistry! All the court officials and relatives have seen it. This object is huge and complex in structure. It is definitely not an ordinary farm tool! It is clearly... a powerful crossbow for siege!"
Xiao Chengyan's gaze was fixed on Gu Jinghong. He saw that she remained calm, and even just before the oilcloth was lifted, a faint, composed smile seemed to flicker across her lips.
Gu Jinghong: "In that case, why doesn't Your Excellency open it and take a look?"
At this moment, Imperial Censor Li was already somewhat uneasy. Logically speaking, if the Gu family was really selling military equipment, they should be in a state of panic. Why were they so calm? He had heard that she had once been a disciple of Xiao Chengyan. Sure enough, the King of Jin did not keep idle people under his command. Even if his second daughter was married, she was not to be underestimated.
But now that things have come to this, Imperial Censor Li cannot afford to be cowardly.
The emperor said in a deep voice, "Open it and take a look."
The tarpaulin was lifted, revealing a complex "object" inside, composed of numerous wooden components and some metal parts. Its ingenuity far surpasses that of ordinary farm tools.
The imperial censor pointed at the object, his voice impassioned: "Your Majesty, please look! This object has a complex structure, with its joints reinforced with fine iron. If it were not a weapon of the military and the nation, why would such a great deal of effort be required?!"
All eyes turned to Gu Jinghong, waiting to see how she would defend herself.
At this moment, Gu Jinghong slowly stood up and bowed to the emperor: "Your Majesty, may I come closer to take a look and give a brief demonstration?"
The emperor nodded.
Gu Jinghong walked calmly to the enormous "evidence." She extended her slender hand and gently manipulated, rotated, and fastened the intricate components...
Xiao Chengyan stared at her movements. After Gu Jinghong disassembled and reassembled several key parts, the shock and worry in his eyes instantly turned into understanding. Then, a very faint smile, almost imperceptible to anyone, swept across the corner of his lips.
In the blink of an eye, the huge structure that originally resembled a crossbow arm and exuded a chilling murderous aura was transformed in Gu Jinghong's hands as if by magic. The joints flipped and the structure was reorganized, and it actually... became a plow that no one had ever seen before, with a curved shaft and a peculiar plowshare!
"This object is called a 'curved plow'."
Gu Jinghong's voice clearly echoed throughout the scene. She gently stroked the plow body and said, "Compared to the straight-shaft plow, it is more flexible in turning and goes deeper into the soil. It can save most of the oxen's strength and increase the reclamation efficiency several times. Beizhai is bitterly cold and the land is particularly difficult to cultivate. This thing is indeed a 'powerful tool' for them. It is a powerful tool for reclaiming wasteland, planting grain, and saving lives."
She looked up, her gaze calm as she met the pale-faced censor: "The northern nomads, driven by famine, have marched south on their iron cavalry. Wherever their plows have reached, barren lands have been transformed into fields, and hunger and cold have gradually receded. Our Great Yong has given them a way to survive, which is to build the strongest wall for ourselves."
"Your Majesty, the trade between border markets should not only involve silk and porcelain, but also the wisdom to ensure the well-being of the people. Only with the support of the people can the border be secure forever; only with full granaries can we have an invincible army! May I ask Imperial Censor Li, what crime is there in using this 'powerful weapon' to quell the calamity of war before it even begins?"
Inside the Imperial Garden, there was complete silence.
All the previous skeptical and disdainful looks now turned into shock and disbelief. Who could have imagined that the seemingly menacing "weapon" was actually a masterpiece of agricultural craftsmanship!
Who would have thought that a woman would have such insight into the war between the two places? It is truly rare!
Then look at the clear and proud look in Gongsun Cheyuan's eyes, who is dressed in the same scarlet color as her... As a noble young master of the Duke's mansion, I originally thought that the Gu family was marrying above their station, but I never expected that the Duke would never do a losing deal!
The emperor looked at the uniquely shaped curved plow, his eyes flashing with intense interest and admiration.
He has been paying close attention to agriculture for many years and knows what an efficient agricultural tool means to a country's strength.
"Excellent! What a brilliant idea to 'eliminate border troubles through agriculture'!" The emperor clapped his hands, his face beaming with delight. "The Gu family is ingenious, concerned about the people's livelihood, and even more commendable for their magnanimity! This is a great achievement for the country and its people! Imperial Censor Li, what else do you have to say?"
The censor was already sweating profusely and collapsed to the ground, repeatedly saying, "I failed in my duty, I am guilty."
The crisis was averted in an instant, and it turned into a personal highlight for Gu Jinghong.
Gu Jinghong slightly curtsied: "Thank you for your wise judgment, Your Majesty. Furthermore, since Jinghong is willing to engage in trade with the Northern Di, it naturally hopes to do practical things for the people of Dayong. Jinghong Village will donate three thousand of these plows to the northeastern region of Dayong for farming purposes."
"Good!" The emperor clapped his hands. "From now on, the Gu family will be the imperial merchants of my Great Yong. If any of you wish to investigate Jinghongwu, you must obtain official documents from the court."
The crowd clapped in agreement—this woman was truly remarkable. Merchants value profit above all else, and no one in Dayong had ever been willing to donate so many agricultural items. She was just a woman, yet she possessed such courage!
The emperor was delighted and was about to say a few more words of encouragement when Xiao Chengyan stood up again.
Holding a cup of wine, he faced the throne and said in a clear voice, "Your subject congratulates Your Majesty and the Great Yong Dynasty for acquiring such a powerful tool and talented individuals."
He tilted his head back and drank it all, then changed the subject slightly, his gaze calmly sweeping over the many relatives and officials present, each with their own thoughts: "The Gu family, with their own intelligence, has made this contribution to the country and the people. Since His Majesty has already designated them as imperial merchants and bestowed upon them honors, then the safety of Jinghongwu is a matter of national dignity and the face of the Emperor."
"From now on, if anyone attempts to frame, harass, or spy on us under fabricated charges, they are disregarding the laws of the land and the imperial authority of our father. The Xuanjia Guards of Dayong will swear to serve our father and Dayong to the death!"
As soon as he uttered those words, the entire garden fell silent.
This is not the Jinghongwu of the Crown Prince's Consort Gu Jinghong, but the "Imperial Merchant" Jinghongwu personally bestowed by the Emperor, and a red line drawn in public by Prince Jin, Xiao Chengyan.
The emperor was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter. The singing and dancing resumed, and the Peony Banquet officially began…
At that moment, a palace maid was refilling Gu Jinghong's tea while the singers were dancing. She spoke in a very low voice, barely audible to Gu Jinghong, "His Highness sent word that 'loquat is cooling, and you have a cold stomach, so drink less. Tonight's events may not be over yet.'"
Gu Jinghong looked up at Xiao Chengyan and saw him talking to someone next to him, his eyes glancing at her almost imperceptibly.
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