Chapter 205: Using a Little to Move a Lot
Prince Rui’s Mansion Villa in Hangcheng.
Gu Yan and Wen Bin stood side-by-side, looking at the officials from the Liangzhe Circuit Cao Division lined up with their hands clasped at the entrance of the main hall.
“Have you read Pang Mingxuan’s memorial?” Wen Bin asked.
“Mm, it made quite an impression right from the start,” Gu Yan said calmly.
“It will be at most ten days before Old General Cheng’s letter arrives,” Wen Bin said with a wry smile, looking at Gu Yan. “How am I supposed to reply to this letter?”
Gu Yan glanced at Wen Bin, his eyebrows slightly raised.
“The Emperor is not young anymore; old people prefer peace and quiet. The Crown Prince is cautious and extremely filial. After ascending the throne, he likely won’t engage in major conflicts for two or three, or even three to five years. Old General Cheng has placed his hopes in you.”
Gu Yan glanced at Wen Bin, then after a moment, he snorted.
Did they place their hopes in him because he was impulsive and didn’t think things through?
“How are Old General Cheng’s grandsons? Are any of them promising?” Gu Yan asked.
“Mm, the second and fifth are both very good, especially the fifth. Compared to Old General Cheng, he might very well surpass his predecessor.” Wen Bin looked at Gu Yan.
The last time he saw Gu Yan was two years ago when he returned to the Capital City for his report. In just two years, Gu Yan had changed so much that he found it unbelievable and couldn’t understand it.
The innate arrogance and impatience Gu Yan once possessed were completely gone, replaced by an unfathomable depth.
Gu Yan had spent over a year in Jiangnan during these past two years. Jiangnan was truly a blessed land for their Prince Rui’s faction.
“Old General Cheng wants a significant military achievement to support his grandsons until they grow up. If he becomes too impatient, it’s not a good sign,” Gu Yan said slowly.
“What are your plans, exactly?” Wen Bin finally asked directly.
“If you truly want to plan for Old General Cheng, you shouldn’t ask me about my plans. You should consider Prime Minister Pang’s plans,” Gu Yan said bluntly.
Wen Bin frowned. “Give me some guidance.”
“Old General Cheng wants a substantial military achievement for the sake of his descendants. Prime Minister Pang is also planning for his descendants. However, among Prime Minister Pang’s descendants, his eldest son is the most accomplished, but he is still quite a bit behind him.
“Since Pang Mingxuan entered the Ministry of Rites, he has been promoting his policy of appeasement and assimilation for the border regions. At least seventy percent of Prime Minister Pang’s influence is likely being used for Pang Mingxuan’s appeasement policy. As long as he gets approval, Prime Minister Pang will undoubtedly go all out to make this appeasement policy appear extremely effective. Pang Mingxuan, by leveraging this major event, will naturally be able to take over the Ministry of Rites.
“Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Rites is old enough to request retirement.
“The Minister of Rites is a potential successor to the Prime Minister. Pang Mingxuan will then have the opportunity to enter the central government. Even if he doesn’t enter the central government, a ministerial position is enough to support the Pang family.”
Gu Yan fanned himself with his folding fan, speaking unhurriedly.
“Continue,” Wen Bin urged, his brow furrowed, seeing that Gu Yan had stopped speaking.
“I’m finished. Old General Cheng wants to fight a decisive battle. Having silver is important, but just having silver…”
Gu Yan let out a chuckle.
“Prime Minister Pang’s ancestors made their fortune through military achievements. His great-grandfather was a Grand Councilor, and he is not without influence in the military. If Old General Cheng wants to fight a war, it would mean cutting off Pang Mingxuan’s path to the Ministry of Rites. Can Prime Minister Pang allow him to win this war? Or even fight it?”
Wen Bin frowned, then after a moment, he grunted. “The court has appeased them before. Those in the north are like untamed wolf cubs. If they aren’t beaten into submission, the court’s appeasement will be seen as weakness and vulnerability.”
“Once Pang Mingxuan takes the position of Minister of Rites, Prime Minister Pang will likely agree with your words. But not now,” Gu Yan said with a cold smile.
“Prime Minister Zhang is consistently cautious and fair, only seeking to maintain balance. What about Minister Wang?” Wen Bin looked at Gu Yan.
“Talents from Jiangnan tend to value achievements too highly,” Gu Yan replied vaguely.
“The first time I met Minister Wang, he was still in the Ministry of Personnel. The sentence I remember most clearly was: ‘Regardless of damage, regardless of reputation before or after death.’”
“Mm, to contend is not to contend, and not to contend is to contend,” Gu Yan said with a cold smile.
“Mm.” Wen Bin was silent for a moment, then looked at Gu Yan and asked, “How do the three Prime Ministers view your cleanup of the Maritime Tax Bureau?”
“I have my father,” Gu Yan said with a smile.
Wen Bin’s eyebrows shot up, and after a moment, he laughed. “It seems I need to write a good letter to Old General Cheng.”
Gu Yan smiled without speaking.
The silk guild’s accounts involved too many parties. He had to be meticulous in dispersing these involvements, ensuring each party had something to consider.
Wei Educational Commissioner emerged from the main hall and walked towards Gu Yan and Wen Bin.
After chatting with Wei Educational Commissioner for a while, Wen Bin smiled and took his leave, leaving Wei Educational Commissioner and his nephew, Gu Yan, to talk.
“Your aunt mentioned that Madam Shi has come to terms with things and is planning to return?”
Gu Yan glanced sideways at his uncle, ignoring his question.
“Alas, forget it, let’s not mention it. Your aunt said that Yang Family’s fifth young master has become much more sensible. Alas.” Wei Educational Commissioner sighed deeply.
He was very dissatisfied with Yang Family’s fifth young master; a mere brute!
“Hmm?” Gu Yan was taken aback.
He didn’t know about this matter yet. Fourth Sister was clearly unhappy when Yang Qifan arrived at the villa.
“You don’t know?” Wei Educational Commissioner was surprised.
“I was busy with the Maritime Tax Bureau matters during those days and didn’t pay attention. Has your aunt agreed already?” Gu Yan replied.
“Mm, alas!” Wei Educational Commissioner sighed again.
“The Wei family and the Yang family marrying is perfect, combining civil and military talents. How good,” Gu Yan said with a smile, then asked, “How is the person I asked you to look for coming along?”
“Take a look at these few. They are all good scholars, from humble backgrounds,” Wei Educational Commissioner said, pulling a thin memorial from his sleeve pocket and handing it to Gu Yan.
Gu Yan opened it and scanned the seven or eight people listed. At the sixth name, his gaze stopped.
Zhou Shennian. He had finally found him.
The last time, when he had shown his prowess at the Maritime Tax Bureau, Zhou Shennian had approached him. From offering advice to denouncing him and then cursing him loudly, in his rage, he had broken Zhou Shennian’s leg.
Later, sitting in prison, walking on the road of exile, he had reviewed his past bit by bit and remembered Zhou Shennian’s advice, his angry scolding, and his words. Even the curse of a terrible death had not been wrong.
“I asked them to help me organize some scattered rare books, keeping them here for a few extra days. They are all in Hangcheng. Shall I have them come over?” Wei Educational Commissioner asked.
“If I invite them over, the matter of me looking for staff members will likely spread, which would be too troublesome. I’ll go over myself,” Gu Yan said, refolding the memorial and putting it back into his sleeve pocket.
“That’s true.” Wei Educational Commissioner hesitated. “Your aunt…”
“Aunt needs to be busy here for a few days. Uncle, please go back. This villa is currently the Crown Prince’s temporary palace. You hold an official position, so it’s not appropriate for you to stay here,” Gu Yan said bluntly.
“Look at you, child. That’s not what I meant. Alas, your aunt came here directly after returning from Pingjiang City, without even going home. The house is cold and unwelcoming. Never mind, I’m leaving,” Wei Educational Commissioner said, walking out with his hands behind his back.
