If it hadn’t been for Yuchi Yan and his family being grounded in the palace, that old thing would probably still be hanging onto it!
The Great Zhou emperor forced himself to keep calm and swallowed the knot of irritation with great effort.
“So the treasure map is now with the Lus?” rumbled Li Qitian.
Any discord between the Great Zhou emperor and his officials would delight Gu Shixiong. He wiped away his tears and answered in a shaking voice, “Y-yes. It was taken by a general who said he answers to the Lu second master.”
Li Qitian naturally knew of Lu Heng’s web of connections at court. The Lu patriarch had a seat on the council, the clan was a powerful behemoth, and Minister Cheng of the Bureau of Military Affairs was also part of the Lu faction.
Great Zhou lacked the most wonderful resource that was money. The Lus had offered quite a bit of it to help Li Qitian fight Northern Ji back in the day. Naturally, the emperor’s first thought upon hearing of the treasure was to offset his pressing shortfall of silver.
If the treasure landed in the hands of the Lus, he would never see it again.
“Li Guanwen!” Li Qitian’s voice brimmed with heretofore unheard enthusiasm.
Standing guard at the door, the shout sent the eunuch scrambling to answer the summons. “Your Majesty!”
“Have men go to the Division of the Three Thousand to bring Lu Heng back here. We have questions to ask of him.”
“Understood.” Li Guanwen flew out with a solemn expression after hearing his orders.
Kneeling on the ground with his head down, Gu Shixiong sniggered inwardly to himself.
Lu Heng was no fool. Would he ever give up the ‘treasure map’ after obtaining it?
Now that the old official thought about it, the Qin girl’s scheme was truly vicious. Not only did it protect the real treasure, it guided disaster elsewhere and set Li Qitian at odds with an aristocratic house. The surrendered Yan officials were absolutely clear of trouble.
Most importantly, the girl had pulled a fast one over him!
If he recalled correctly, Qin Huaiyuan had also been grounded in the palace these days. That meant that all of this had been planned and executed by herself.
The old man couldn’t help but cluck his tongue in amazement. She boasts of such methods at only sixteen years of age! What will she be like in the future?
It would be a boost to Yuchi Yan to have such an intelligent girl by his side. As it was, the former Great Yan emperor really had no aptitude for politics.
It was a pity that Qin Yining had already been bestowed onto the Faithful Prince of the First Rank.
Well, it was also good for Pang. Having a smart wife would enable him to square off against Li Qitian with peace of mind.
All of that passed through Gu Shixiong’s mind in the span of a second. It put him in a much better mood and greatly lessened his resentment of the Qin fourth miss setting him up.
Li Qitian however, was nowhere near as calm as the old official.
He looked downwards in deep thought, at times looking at the kneeling Gu Shixiong, at times at the front door.
After a long moment, he picked up the conversation again. “Old Master Gu, it is still preferable for you to summarize the contents of the map for Us.”
The old man had foreseen such a request would come. He shook his head. “In response to Your Majesty, this humble commoner has never looked at the treasure map. I don’t know the contents at all.”
An imperial brow shot up. “Oh?”
“Your Majesty, although this commoner is incompetent, I was still once the teacher of the emperor emeritus of Great Yan. I would naturally put both all of my efforts to anything he assigned to me. Not to mention, one must obey an imperial decree. This humble one had no right to look at the map, and neither was I interested in the treasure. Naturally, I wouldn’t sneak a peek at all.”
Li Qitian looked suspiciously at Gu Shixiong. The gaunt old man sported a head full of white hair and neared the end of his lifespan. He’d also brought his entire family to Great Zhou. If he dared deceive his liege, all of the Gus would pay the price.
The Great Zhou emperor was quite certain that the old man wouldn’t dare lie.
A treasure map had finally popped up, but Gu Shixiong didn’t know its contents, and it’d even been taken by a rival aristocratic family!
This really is…
Li Qitian took in a few deep breaths and continued waiting for good news from Li Guanwen.
However, the eunuch brought back bad news.
“Your Majesty, when our men reached the Division of the Three Thousand, the Lu second master had already left.” Keeping his head down, Li Guanwen didn’t dare look at Li Qitian. If this wasn’t handled properly, he’d lose his own life as well.
As expected, the emperor’s face sank. He remained silent for a very long while. “Where did he go?”
“Your Majesty, the Division of the Three Thousand says that he left in the middle of the night with several confidants.”
Li Qitian’s hand tightened imperceptibly.
It looked like the map was real. Otherwise, with Lu Heng’s dependable nature, why would he leave with no thought of anything else?
The emperor was both furious and regretful. Why hadn’t he brought back this old man earlier? Why had he wanted to watch a good show?
If it wasn’t for his self-indulgence, the old man wouldn’t have taken the map to the Lus in his time of need.
A small ray of hope had finally dawned after so long, but it’d gone right back out!
Glee flooded Gu Shixiong’s heart to see the long face on Li Qitian. It felt more comfortable than eating a bowl of chilled plum soup on the hottest day of summer!
However, his good mood didn’t last long. “Old Master Gu is an old official of Great Yan. Your qualifications are impeccable. And yet, you must rest well in your old age. If there’s not much business to be done, you should stay home and rest these days.”
This was grounding him!
Gu Shixiong flashed an indifferent smile. “Understood. Many thanks for Your Majesty’s care. This humble commoner hopes for a day in which I can stand by your side.”
Li Qitian smiled and instructed servants to help the old man away to rest. It looked like the Lus would bring their full power to bear, now that the treasure map was in their hands.
“Li Guanwen, summon Secretariat Lu. Also, release Yuchi Yan and the Qins. The Qins are to join the Pangs in matrimony. We shouldn’t delay their wedding preparations.”
Li Qitian’s tone was too troubled and negative, but the eunuch didn’t dare speak a word of comfort, despite thinking things inappropriate. He had to settle for a murmured “understood” and solemnly carry out his orders.
Secretariat Lu quickly entered the palace.
There were only so many Grand Secretaries on the council, and Li Qitian hated Secretariat Lu most of all. The Lu elders were all too exemplary and difficult to manipulate. Secretariat Lu in particular played a decisive role on the council. He could affect Li Qitian’s policies to begin with, but could also impact the momentum of court. The slightest excuse would give him an excuse to erupt in outrage.
The Lus were a far cry from the imperial family. They suffered no shortage of silver and didn’t need to scrimp and save their way through the days.
If they really wanted to take action, how to pay for it wouldn’t be a consideration at all.
Li Qitian shook his head. What an utter miscalculation! How could he have let things devolve to this step!
Chapter 406: Secretariat Lu
“Servants, present Secretariat Lu a seat,” ordered Li Qitian in a low voice.
Li Guanwen murmured in affirmation and bade the young eunuchs carry over a high-backed chair with a curved back, placing it in a lower head seat position. This particular design had a strip of wood running down the back and thin armrests.
Dressed in the scarlet red of an official, Secretariat Lu arranged the hem of his robes a
nd tottered down to the ground for a grand gesture of greeting. “This old official thanks Your Majesty.”
Such a respectful and cautious attitude irked the hell out of Li Qitian. Putting on this show when you don’t have a loyal bone in your body. What is this if not the crime of deceiving your liege??
“You are a senior official and Our right hand man. The Lu’s helping hand to benefit the greater good and end the chaos of war has ever been a point of great gratitude. How would there be no seat for Elder Lu before Us?”
Li Qitian’s smile shone with pleasant charisma.
A lean body over eighty years of age trembled with gratitude; Secretariat Lu’s whiskers shook as well. He bowed emotionally, “The old official is willing to brave fire and water to repay the kindness of meeting Your Majesty!”
He made to kneel to the ground again.
A quick look was all that was needed to have Li Guanwen help the old official up.
“Hurry and help Elder Lu into his seat.”
The eunuch smiled. “Please have a seat, elder. His Majesty cares most deeply about you.”
“My gratitude to Your Majesty, my deepest gratitude.” Moved to tears, Secretariat Lu sat on the front half of the chair.
When the old man lowered his head, Li Qitian rubbed his temples wearily, recovering his usual facade when the old man raised his head again.
“Does Elder Lu know the reason behind the summons today?”
Secretariat Lu nodded and responded sincerely, “Your Majesty must be concerned with the drought in the south. Your Majesty need not worry, you are the Son of Heaven and blessed with divine favor. Ever since Great Yan surrendered and their lands came under Great Zhou control, their drought has seen relief. This is all due to Your Majesty’s august fortune that the people benefit so!”
The official truly showed his advanced age. Though he spoke loudly with all his strength, his body trembled with every word. Li Guanwen watched apprehensively off to the side. If the old man used too much force in speaking and couldn’t find his next breath, how would the imperial family explain themselves to the Lus that something had happened to their elder in the imperial study?
The old man’s words were a barrel of oil to the fires of rage in Li Qitian’s heart. He clamped down on his teeth to prevent flames from spewing forth.
Such a loyal and patriotic subject, huh!
If he was such an exemplary subject, why had he let his grandson do such a thing!
If it’d been anyone else, imperial censure would’ve already broken the air.
But faced with Elder Lu’s expression full of sincerity and gratitude and the old man’s identity as the Lu patriarch, Li Qitian held his temper in with great effort. He sighed softly without a flicker of change in expression. Every wrinkle on this wily old fox brimmed with schemes and plots!
“Though We have the protection of the heavens, it is with the aid of able subjects that We completed our conquest. But you also know, Elder Lu, that We took over a Northern Ji full of pits and holes.”
“Ai, that is true. Your Majesty has weathered very difficult years.” Patriarch Lu sighed along with his liege.
“Our difficulties don’t matter, what matters is the people. The national treasury is empty now, and the rations and rewards promised to the Valiant Tigers for conquering Great Yan are yet unfulfilled. A drought rampages the south, the people are destitute and homeless. Tartars prowl covetously in the north. Devastation can be glimpsed everywhere in this country. Stratagems are needed for every nook and cranny, money needed for every crack wherewith. Secretariat Lu also knows of the state of the nation’s coffers.”
The old man raised cupped hands in response. “Your Majesty, this old official is willing to share your burdens. I will return home and think of ways to fundraise and gather funds.”
The response halted Li Qitian in his tracks. This made it seem like he was complaining about being poor to his subjects, and asking them for a handout!
Fundraise? Could he fundraise the sum of the treasure??
This old thing was playing dumb! He refused to admit to Lu Heng’s mistake no matter what he did!
Li Qitian’s patience teetered on the verge of nonexistence. If it wasn’t for his identity as an emperor and no longer that of a commoner buffoon, he would’ve long since pounced on the slippery old man and thrown a few hearty punches!
Even suppressed, the wave of imperial anger caused Li Guanwen to take a few steps back.
Secretariat Lu remained oblivious and seemed to be tearing up. He promised solemnly, “Your Majesty, this old subject will absolutely think of a way to gather the sufficient funds!”
This was the straw that broke the camel’s back!
Li Qitian shot to his feet and denounced, “Secretariat Lu, We respect you, so don’t you take a mile when given an inch!”
Patriarch Lu tottered to his knees and pressed his forehead to the ground.
“Please pull your anger, Your Majesty, this old subject, this old subject doesn’t understand…” His voice shook.
“You don’t understand?! We can tell you see with crystal clear clarity! We ask you, do you know that We are searching for the treasure of Great Yan!”
“This old subject knows.”
“Then how dare you let your grandson leave with Our treasure map!”
Chapter 406.2: Secretariat Lu
“Ah?” Patriarch Lu lifted his head with stunned shock, then seemed to feel it inappropriate to look directly upon the imperial visage. He hastily ducked his head and shook his head rapidly. “Impossible, how could this be? If my grandson really did obtain the treasure map, he would report it to Your Majesty immediately. How would he…”
“So you mean that We falsely accuse Lu Heng?”
“This old subject wouldn’t dare!” Secretariat Lu kowtowed. “Your Majesty, is there a misunderstanding in any of this?”
“Misunderstanding? We just learned of the map’s existence and sent men to retrieve it, but received word that your precious grandson left the capital on the back of fast horses, along with an escort!”
“This, this… I don’t know of this. My grandson didn’t report this at all. That brat! How dare he do so! If I learn of where he’s gone, I’ll give him a piece of my mind!”
“So beloved subject Lu means to say that you don’t know of any of this?”
“Of course not!” Tears streaked down an anxious Patriarch Lu’s face. “How dare that little bastard do this! What a travesty, oh the shame!”
The old official wept until he became short of breath. He fell sideways to the ground with shaking hands.
Li Guanwen hastily ran up to support the Lu patriarch. “Secretariat Lu, are you alright?” He looked questioningly at his master. If they didn’t want to create an enormous disaster, they needed to summon an imperial physician.
Li Qitian gnashed his teeth as he looked at the old man. I should just let him die here!
But it wouldn’t sound good if word got out that something happened to the Lu patriarch when he was in the imperial study. The consequences would also be quite disastrous.
When his thoughts travelled here, Li Qitian could only ask in a worried, hushed tone, “Are you alright, Elder Lu? Hurry, summon the imperial physician!”
“This old subject, old subject, is fine. This old subject really is, that unfilial boy, really will be the death of me!”
It was Li Qitian who almost spat out a mouthful of blood when he saw his loyal subject still remember to curse his unfilial grandson in the midst of his pain. The emperor decisively turned around and decided that out of sight was out of mind.
An imperial physician quickly rushed to the imperial study to conduct his diagnosis.
“In response to Your Majesty, Secretariat Lu is advanced in age and just suffered from shock and fright. Anger shot straight to his heart and overly agitated emotions caused an excess of internal fires. This is why he momentarily endured dizzy spells. This subject will write a prescription for the elder, and t
he elder needs to mind his emotions and refrain from becoming unduly worked up.”
The imperial physician was an exceedingly honest and kind person. He didn’t even dare gaze upon the imperial visage directly, so he had no idea that Li Qitian’s face darkened with each word he spoke.
Li Guanwen had already shrank in on himself, trying with all of his might to decrease the footprint of his existence. He was deathly afraid of being embroiled in flames of imperial rage.
Li Qitian compressed his lips, looking silently at Secretariat Lu.
Cold shudders ran down the old man’s back and he hastily knelt. “Mercy, Your Majesty. This old subject will send servants to immediately bring that unfilial child home. His punishment shall be as Your Majesty decrees!”
Could he really bear to hand over his most beloved grandson?
This was obviously just a show to back Li Qitian into a corner!
If the emperor responded too harshly, then the Lu would officially be on guard.
Being on guard was of only secondary importance.
If the Lus acted on their fear and allied with other aristocratic houses in rebellion, Li Qitian wasn’t so confident that he’d be unable to quell this uprising.
Therefore, even though he had a belly full of anger, he could only uselessly swallow it all.
“Forget it, this matter isn’t Elder Lu’s fault to begin with. We did not properly control our emotions just now in our anger.”
“Your Majesty, the old subject is fearful. This old subject is ashamed!” Secretariat Lu pressed himself into the ground, sobbing loudly.
Absolute irritation washed over Li Qitian to see the old man thus, but he couldn’t do anything other than offer words of comfort.
The final results were: Li Qitian unable to censure and interrogate his subject, instead having to soothe his target’s emotions instead. His closest eunuch personally sending the old official home, and a cartload of medicinal ingredients and nutritional goods gifted as well.
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