Chapter 2 A Thunderclap from Jiangnan
The next day, an urgent dispatch from Jiangnan arrived like a depth charge, turning the morning court into a complete mess.
Led by the Duke of Cao, the Empress's faction immediately condemned Situ Jue, with several censors passionately listing numerous charges against him, aiming to cripple him even if they couldn't kill him.
Gu Yanchen, however, remained low-key, content to watch the two factions clash from his position, as if he were just there to munch on melon seeds.
Alas, Emperor Changwu couldn't stand seeing him idle: "Minister Gu, you have the most dealings with the Japanese pirates. What are your thoughts on this matter?"
Gu Yanchen replied, "Reporting to His Majesty, it is a minister's duty to govern according to his position. I am currently serving in the Grand Court of Revision, so I am naturally only concerned with investigating and adjudicating cases. As for matters of warfare, they are a thousand miles away, and I am truly unable to assist."
Upon hearing this, the entire court was stunned, looking at him with awe and instinctively wanting to distance themselves from him.
Everyone knew he had personally established the Yangzhou garrison and the recruited soldier camps, and he had always performed excellently in fighting Japanese pirates. However, the Noble Consort's faction was ruthless, seizing his merits and military power at will. Anyone would have felt resentful, and everyone knew this. But no one had expected him to openly express it in the morning court, before the Emperor himself.
This was no longer just audacious; it was outright defiance. He was disregarding the Emperor's authority, as if his neck was too firmly attached to his head.
Emperor Changwu was also taken aback, and after a long pause, he said, "Audacious, what is this attitude of yours?"
Here it comes.
Just as everyone expected Gu Yanchen to confront the Emperor, he suddenly became timid. Without a word, he knelt down and said with extreme sincerity, "Your Majesty, please quell your anger. This minister is merely speaking the truth. I have resigned as Commander for over two months. I am unaware of the maritime situation, nor do I know Prince Ning's troop deployments. I truly dare not offer any opinions on this matter."
Emperor Changwu was so angry he didn't want to deal with him.
As a military man, to claim no opinion on a war? Had his battles over the years been fought in vain? If this weren't his own son, he would have had him dragged out and flogged.
A censor stepped forward: "Minister Gu, this is not right. Even if you are no longer Commander, you are still an official of Da Yin. How can you disregard Prince Ning and the people of Jiangnan for personal grudges?"
Gu Yanchen looked genuinely puzzled: "One can eat whatever they want, but one cannot speak carelessly. How have I disregarded the people of Jiangnan?"
The censor faltered, unwilling to suggest he go to Jiangnan to command troops, as that would be openly offending the Noble Consort's faction.
As a minor censor, he could not afford to do that.
The Emperor slammed the dragon table, silencing them. He then sternly summoned the Duke of Cao, the Minister of Revenue, and several princes to the Imperial Study for a discussion, and then announced the adjournment of court. As Gu Yanchen left the Golden Palace, he was called back by Gu Rong: "Yanchen, what are you doing?"
"Son hasn't done anything."
"What kind of attitude was that towards His Majesty? I'm telling you, don't let favor make you arrogant. Angering the Emperor can lead to beheading."
Gu Yanchen was perplexed: "What favor do I have?"
Gu Rong: ...
"Never mind. What do you think about this Japanese pirate attack?"
"As I said, it's one's duty to govern according to their position. Prince Ning will handle this matter." After waiting for more than two months, the good show had finally arrived. He wouldn't be foolish enough to get involved.
"Don't play dumb with me," Gu Rong whispered, "This is a good opportunity to regain military power. Haven't you considered..."
"Father, you're thinking too much. Fighting in Jiangnan is nowhere near as comfortable as being an official in the capital, and there's no danger to life. Am I foolish enough to go suffer for a mere tens of thousands of military power?"
Gu Rong frantically tried to cover his mouth: "I'll call you ancestor, alright? Don't you see where we are? You dare to blurt out anything."
Gu Yanchen snorted and pried his hand away: "Father, don't you worry about this matter. If there's nothing else, I'll be going."
Gu Rong was helpless: "You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Let's eat together, father and son, and chat along the way."
"No, son is busy. You should eat breakfast yourself."
He waved his hand and slipped away faster than anyone. However, considering that the Minister of Rites also had to eat, he found a noodle stall outside the palace and ordered a bowl of beef noodles. After eating, he didn't go to the Grand Court of Revision but leisurely went to the Ministry of Rites, where he happened to run into Gu Rong again: "Yanchen? What are you doing here?"
Gu Yanchen slapped his forehead: "I forgot Father, you work at the Ministry of Rites. I remembered why I came here earlier. I could have handled this at home!"
"What did you come to do?"
"I just came to ask, when will my wife's enfeoffment patent be issued?"
Gu Rong was speechless for a while before regaining his voice: "Alright, I know. Go back and wait for news."
Gu Yanchen, without suspicion, cupped his hands and took his leave.
As soon as he left, cold sweat dripped from Gu Rong's forehead. The Emperor was contemplating having him remarry, so how could he possibly grant his wife an enfeoffment patent? However, now that the official rank was reached, the Ministry of Rites naturally had to process the enfeoffment patent for his wife, and his request was reasonable.
What was even more critical was that with the changing situation in Jiangnan, the Emperor's mind would surely be occupied with that. Going to him with such a trivial matter would only provoke his displeasure.