Gu Yun hurriedly put on his clothes and got up. When he came out of the room, he was surprised to find Changgeng in the outer room. He was not asleep and seemed to have just put on his outer coat. There was a pocket-sized gas lamp beside his hand and there was a half-read book on his lap.
The outer room was usually where the servants who served at night lived. Gu Yun was used to living a simple life and did not leave anyone to keep watch at night. Only the old housekeeper would occasionally come over in the middle of the night to add some charcoal to the fire in the room.
"Changgeng?" Gu Yun was stunned, "Why are you here? I thought it was Uncle Wang … "
Changgeng: "I will wait for you to fall asleep before leaving."
"You are the dignified Junwang who is on the Jade Disk," Gu Yun frowned and said pointedly, "How can you suffer in a servant's place?"
"It's just a false reputation. It's better to be Adoptive Father's servant and be at ease," Changgeng said indifferently. He got up and took down the small pot that was drying on the stove. He poured a bowl of medicinal tea and handed it to Gu Yun, "Are you entering the palace? If you don't want to wear a fur coat, at least drink something warm to fill your stomach. "
Gu Yun: "…"
He felt very stifled. Even if he married a wife, she would probably not be as good as Changgeng. As soon as this thought appeared in his mind, he slapped himself in his heart and thought to himself, "Bastard, have I gone mad?"
Gu Yun took the cup of medicinal tea and drank it in one gulp. When they were returning the cup, their fingers accidentally touched. Changgeng seemed to have been pricked by a needle and quickly retracted his hand. Then, he turned around and put the small pot back in its original position as if nothing had happened.
Gu Yun looked at his back and his eyes dimmed slightly. He thought, "I can't go on like this. When I return from the palace, I have to have a good talk with him no matter what."
The palace servants outside were urging him. Gu Yun could not delay any longer and could only leave in a hurry.
In the first month of the lunar year, there was heavy frost and dew. Gu Yun's head, which was already a little dizzy, was blown by the cold wind. She woke up as if she was pricked by needles.
The chamberlain leading the way didn't even dare to raise his head as he walked under the palace walls. Kirin crossbows were lined up neatly on both sides of the walls. Their faces were ferocious, and white steam was faintly coming out of their fangs. The gears in their necks were slowly turning, producing a screeching grinding sound, making the vermillion walls and glazed tiles all the more so that it was impossible to look at them directly.
The huge palace lantern floated in the air, shrouded in a hazy layer of mist. There was no Immortal Qi, but instead, it was gloomy, as if there was Ghost Qi.
The Emperor Long An's personal chamberlain, Zhu Xiaojiao, led a few people out of the West Warm Pavilion and happened to meet Gu Yun. They were a few westerners. The leader had a head full of white hair. He was thin and tall, and his facial features were very similar to a falcon's. He had threatening eyes, a high and curved nose, and his lips were almost invisible, only a narrow slit that looked like a knife mark.
Zhu Xiaojiao hurriedly took a step forward and saluted Gu Yun, "Marquis — — These are the emissaries sent by the Pope from the West."
The white-haired man carefully sized up Gu Yun and asked, "Could this be His Excellency the Marquis of Stability?"
A layer of snow fell on Gu Yun's eyelashes, and his entire body was wrapped in a layer of cold air. He coldly cupped his hands.
The white-haired man very solemnly placed his hand on his chest and bowed to him, "I didn't expect the Marquis of Stability to be such a young and handsome man. Nice to meet you."
Gu Yun, "You flatter me."
The two groups of people passed by each other. After the westerners walked away, Gu Yun glanced at Zhu Xiaojiao.
Zhu Xiaojiao winked at him, "I don't know what those westerners talked about with His Majesty, but His Majesty is very happy now. He repeatedly asked them to invite Marquis over. Marquis, don't worry, it's not a bad thing."
This old eunuch was notorious for cursing and was a veritable flatterer. However, his relationship with Gu Yun was not bad. He could be considered to have watched Gu Yun grow up. Once, he somehow angered the late Emperor, and Gu Yun happened to meet him. He said a few good words to the late Emperor, which could be considered to have saved his life.
Although Zhu Xiaojiao's character was vile, he unexpectedly knew how to repay kindness. He had always remembered this kindness. It was also thanks to him that they saved Zhang Fenghan a few days ago.
However, when he said this, Gu Yun didn't dare to feel relieved.
If the Emperor wasn't very happy, he probably had some confidence in his heart. Most likely, there was ginseng that he had privately bought the purple gold from the black market.
In any case, Gu Yun had already asked people to clean it up. There was no evidence. At most, it would just be a war of words … But why was the Emperor "very happy"?
Gu Yun's eyelids twitched even more violently.
When he entered, Li Feng was looking down at a memorial. Under the light, the Emperor Long An didn't look very dignified. He was even more haggard than Gu Yun, who had just recovered from a headache. Without waiting for him to greet him, Li Feng waved his hand and said pleasantly, "There's no one else here. Imperial Uncle doesn't need to be so courteous with me."
Li Feng then turned to Zhu Xiaojiao and said, "Go and ask if there's any more ginseng soup for tomorrow. Bring a bowl for Imperial Uncle to warm his hands."
"He's unaccountably solicitous," Gu Yun sighed in his heart, "He's hiding evil intentions."
Li Feng didn't know what he was thinking about. With a rather light expression, he asked, "I remember Imperial Uncle said last time that a portion of the purple gold obtained by the traitor Fu Zhi Cheng came from Nanyang?"
Gu Yun: "Yes. Forgive this official for being incompetent and not being able to find out the source of this batch of purple gold."
Li Feng didn't mind at all, "There's no harm. Those traitors are very cunning. Imperial Uncle is unfamiliar with the place and people. To be able to break the traitor's secret passage in a hurry and capture him in one fell swoop is already a great merit. If you claim to be incompetent, wouldn't Zhen throw out all the civil and military officials in the court?"
Gu Yun couldn't figure out what he was selling in his gourd and hurriedly said he didn't dare.
"The purple gold black market in Daliang is really too rampant," Li Feng's tone changed and he quickly got to the main topic, "Zhen has been sending people to investigate and found that a large portion of the supply actually comes from outside the country."
Gu Yun understood as soon as he heard this. The people in the country who leaked the goods from the government had probably gotten the news through various channels and stopped moving. Jiang Chong and the others only found small fish and shrimps who dug up private mines, so they didn't say anything.
Li Feng: "Imperial Uncle often walks around the borders, so he's much more knowledgeable than us who live in the capital all day long. Do you know where these private miners usually appear?"
Gu Yun: "Replying to Your Majesty, they usually appear in Bei Man's grasslands."
"That's right," Li Feng smiled, "But I didn't say everything — — Imperial Uncle, quickly look at this."
Gu Yun hesitantly took the secret memorial that Li Feng threw to him. He skimmed through it ten lines at a glance, and his mind immediately buzzed.
The secret memorial listed in detail a few routes for mining and selling purple gold. Gu Yun knew most of them, except for the last one — — where the words "Loulan Kingdom" were written.
How could there be a Loulan Kingdom?
Gu Yun's Black Iron Battalion at the entrance of Gu Si Road was stationed next to Loulan Kingdom. He had never heard of those idiots who only knew how to drink and sing having purple gold at home …
Where did this secret memorial come from?
What was the purpose of the messenger who wrote it?
Li Feng: "What's wrong?"
Countless thoughts flashed through Gu Yun's mind in an instant, and he almost broke out in cold sweat, "Your Majesty, the Black Iron Battalion and Loulan Kingdom have lived next to each other for many years. They never knew that there was purple gold in Loulan Kingdom. Forgive this official for being rude, but may I ask who wrote this memorial? What's the basis for this memorial? "
"Ai, Imperial Uncle, why are you thinking too much?" Li Feng smiled, "Zhen didn't say that you were in contact with the thieves who mined the mines. But it's not strange that you didn't know about this."
Gu Yun took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. He made a gesture of listening attentively.
Li Feng: "It's a long story. Last year in September, Imperial Uncle brought people to Nan Jiang. When you weren't here, Loulan Kingdom asked for help from the Black Iron Battalion. They wanted to encircle and suppress a group of desert bandits. At that time, General Qiu Wenshan sent troops and won a great victory. They killed more than a hundred bandits and rescued a group of Indian merchants who were detained by the bandits. Because this group of merchants had our Daliang's customs clearance documents, General Qiu escorted them to the West Pass Relay Station. Unexpectedly, the Relay Station discovered that this group of merchants' customs clearance documents were fake. "
Li Feng's mood was very good. When he said this, he deliberately paused, as if he wanted to deliberately keep people in suspense. Unexpectedly, when he turned around, he saw that Gu Yun was listening with an inexplicable solemn expression. He didn't have any intention of asking. The Emperor couldn't help but feel a little depressed.
He could only continue without interest, "According to the law, those who forged customs clearance documents should be handed over to the Protectorate for investigation and punishment. The Protectorate of the Northwest investigated and found out that these Indian people weren't merchants. They were a group of 'Gold Dippers' from the black market of purple gold!"
"Gold Dippers" were fugitives who smuggled purple gold.
"It just so happened that Zhen's secret envoy had just arrived in the Western Regions. Before his feet landed, he was caught by this group of 'Gold Dippers'. According to this group of bandits' confession, they were originally operating in a private mine outside the Northern Pass. Recently, they had just obtained a 'treasure map' that indicated that there was a large amount of purple gold under the Loulan Kingdom. Thus, they came to try their luck. Don't you think this is strange? Zhen actually found out what was underground before the people of Loulan Kingdom themselves. "
Gu Yun suddenly thought of the group of bandits he caught four years ago. His hair stood on end.
That group of bandits had long been secretly killed by him and Shen Yi. After that, Gu Yun sent people to secretly investigate the Loulan Kingdom more than once. However, he didn't find the so-called "purple gold," nor did he encounter any similar incidents again.
Unexpectedly, after a few years, just as he gradually threw this matter to the back of his mind, it was brought up in such a situation!
And … why was Qiu Wenshan the one who gave the order to send troops?
Qiu Wenshan was a Brigadier General in charge of the defense of the Black Iron Battalion. He didn't know much about the trade route. Otherwise, if it was someone with experience, they definitely wouldn't have directly handed people over to the Protectorate of the Northwest without verifying the authenticity of the documents. The Protectorate of the Northwest was directly under the central government. Once it was handed over, the Black Iron Battalion had no right to ask about the follow-up matters.
Gu Yun took Shen Yi away, but the three Battalion Supervisors were all there. Where did they go at that time?
Gu Yun: "If I may be so bold as to ask Your Majesty, when did the bandits invade?"
Li Feng: "At the end of last year. Why?"
Gu Yun forced a smile: "Nothing. It's just that I feel a little strange. The bandits in the Western Region have been eliminated for a long time. Why did they suddenly appear again?"
His head hurt even more. It seemed that the medicine suppressed by Changgeng's acupuncture was coming back again. Yes, at the end of the year, there was a Grand Fair of All Countries at the entrance of the Ancient Silk Road. The Black Iron Battalion had to send more people to guard the entrance. The Northern Borderline escorted the annual tribute from the Northwest to the capital. Usually, they would also borrow some Black Cavalry … They were all sent away.
Why did it have to be at this time?
Why did the Emperor Long An's secret envoy arrive right after the Protectorate of the Northwest found out about the "Gold Dipper"? There was no room for negotiation.
And why didn't he receive any information before or after the event?
Gu Yun's mind was in a mess. He suddenly felt a little breathless in the warm room that was like spring all year round.
Li Feng said: "The bandits in the Western Region usually patrol outside Daliang. It's inconvenient for you to send troops unless you receive a request for help. It's indeed difficult to deal with them. Today, I specially asked you to come here, not to ask how many bandits there are, but to give you an important task. "
Gu Yun raised his head and looked at him.
Li Feng's eyes were like fire: "My secret envoy has now entered the territory of Loulan in disguise. I'm afraid that there is indeed a rare purple gold mine under Loulan … Does Imperial Uncle understand what I mean?"
Gu Yun's heart slowly sank. He said word by word: "Forgive me for being slow-witted, but please enlighten me, Your Majesty."
Li Feng patted him on the shoulder. Gu Yun's body seemed to never be able to warm up. He was like a stone that had been frozen in ice for three days at any time.
"Imperial Uncle and I have a heart-to-heart talk. Imperial Uncle knows about the internal and external troubles of Daliang right now." Li Feng sighed and said, "I'm very worried and have no one to complain to. It's not easy to have such a country on my shoulders."
Gu Yun carefully considered his words and said tactfully: "Your Majesty has to deal with a myriad of affairs every day and is the hope of all the people. You must take care of your dragon body. I don't know much about government affairs, but in the past few years, I've seen the ancient silk road being built little by little. Every year, it becomes a little more active. The merchants in the northwest are starting to go out. The people of the Central Plains have always been diligent. I think that in three to five years, this prosperity will spread to the entire territory of Daliang. At that time … "
He said it tactfully, but Li Feng wasn't stupid. Of course, he could hear the rejection in his words.
The Emperor Long An had originally invited Gu Yun with great interest. Unexpectedly, he didn't even say a word of flattery. The moment he opened his mouth, he poured a basin of cold water.
"Gu Qing," Li Feng suddenly changed the way he addressed him and rudely interrupted him, "You really don't know much about government affairs. The trade routes have been making money these past few years, but can you guarantee that this will continue? Can you explain the business of buying and selling people clearly? I didn't know that other than being able to go into battle and kill enemies, the Marquis of Stability also knows how to trade. "
Gu Yun knew that when he heard the two words "Gu Qing," he should immediately shut up and accept the edict. He should do what he needed to do.
He fell silent for a moment. For some reason, the flame of the gas lamp behind the Emperor suddenly flickered unsteadily. There was a light sizzling sound.
Gu Yun thought that a while ago, he seemed to have solemnly vowed to the Lord Jiang that he didn't dare to belittle his body …
Li Feng raised his hand and rubbed the space between his eyebrows. He suppressed his anger and found a way out for the two of them. He said somewhat stiffly, "Forget it, you go back and rest first. I'll leave this matter to you. Go back and think about it carefully. It's not spring yet, and the northwest is cold and frozen. Beloved minister, you don't have to rush back …" "Your Majesty." Gu Yun closed his eyes slightly. Suddenly, he lifted his clothes and knelt down. He said that he wouldn't fight for his temper and loyalty, but how could this be a matter of temper and loyalty?
"Your Majesty, please forgive me," Gu Yun said slowly, "Although the purple gold is important, please forgive me for being slow-witted. I didn't understand the deeper meaning behind Your Majesty's actions. The peace and prosperity of the Ancient Silk Road didn't come easily. Does Your Majesty really want to abandon it for some purple gold that doesn't exist?"
"The Ancient Silk Road can be what it is today because of Gu Qing's contributions. I also know that you've worked hard for many years. You can't bear to part with it … Don't tell me that my heart doesn't ache?" Li Feng patiently argued with him, "But such a big country is like a broken house that leaks air everywhere. With just a little wind and rain, I have to work hard to tear down the east wall to repair the west wall. How can I not be stretched?"
Gu Yun sneered in his heart. It was inconvenient for him to show it on his face, so he could only look indifferent.
"The ground is cold. I see that Imperial Uncle doesn't look well. The smell of medicine still lingers on your body. Don't keep kneeling." Li Feng's expression eased and he tried to reason with Gu Yun, "I remember that when I was young, Grand Tutor Lin said that the power of a country is nothing more than the two arms of 'Heaven' and 'man'. Does Imperial Uncle still remember?"
Gu Yun said, "I remember. He said, 'Heaven's gift is the mountains, rivers, grass and trees, the soil breeds fish and livestock, and the underground flows with gold. Man's gift is the sage's saying,' Engineering skills, fire engines, and steel armor. 'These two are like beams and pillars. They can be relied on alone, but they cannot be broken. As a monarch, he must remember this in his heart.'"
"Imperial Uncle really has a photographic memory." Li Feng lowered his eyes and looked at him, "Now that these two beams and pillars have been eaten away by worms, what should I do?"
Gu Yun actually wanted to say, "If you didn't implement that ridiculous decree, there might not be so many worms." However, it was useless to say that. Duke Feng was holding his dog son and reflecting on his mistakes in seclusion.
This question and answer reminded Li Feng of the times when they studied together when they were young. Gu Yun's health wasn't good when he was young. He fell sick and had to take medicine every two to three days. He had a bad temper and didn't like to talk to others. However, he was very conscious of being an 'uncle' to his brothers. Even though he was younger than the Prince of Wei, he would leave anything delicious and fun for them. He never fought for it. Moreover, he would answer every question and grant every request. Li Feng had always liked him very much.
"Quickly get up." The last bit of anger on Li Feng's face faded, "Imperial Uncle is the sharp blade of the country. I still need you to stabilize the country."
When Gu Yun heard this, he slowly bent down and his forehead slightly touched his fingertips that were propped up on the ground.
Li Feng breathed a sigh of relief. He felt that this person finally made sense. Gu Yun had become more and more tactful over the years and was able to adapt to the situation. He was no longer like a few years ago when he exploded at the slightest provocation. Just now, he didn't talk back lightly or heavily. It was probably because he overreacted when he heard the words' Loulan '…
As for Loulan, Gu Yun had been there for more than five years. He must have a deep relationship with them. It wasn't impossible to understand.
Thinking of this, Li Feng's heart softened a lot. He even wanted to reach out to help Gu Yun personally.
Unexpectedly, before he reached out his hand, Gu Yun had already straightened up and calmly said, "Your Majesty, although Loulan is small, it has always been friendly with our dynasty. Back then, many countries in the Western Region rebelled. Our army was besieged in the yellow sand and barren hills for more than twenty days. The only ones who leaked information to me and smuggled food and medicine were the people of Loulan. Later, many countries in the Western Region, the Western Region, India, and other countries established a new Ancient Silk Road with our Daliang. Loulan was also one of them …"
Li Feng's outstretched hand froze in midair. He was stunned at first, but then he became furious and shouted, "Enough!"
"Because you covet the things of other countries, you send troops to invade. That is heartless. Abandoning old kindness and breaking a promise is unrighteous!" Gu Yun didn't seem to have the slightest intention of having enough. Every word was like a knife that slammed into the floor of the warm room in the golden palace hall.
Li Feng was so angry that he trembled, "Shut up!"
He swept his hand across the four treasures of the study on the table, picked up an inkstone, and threw it out fiercely. Gu Yun didn't dodge and let the inkstone hit the light armor on his shoulder. With a crisp sound, the ink that hadn't dried yet flowed down the chest of the Marquis of Stability's embroidered imperial robes.
Li Feng asked, "Gu Yun, what are you trying to do?"
Gu Yun finished his words without changing his expression, "A heartless and unrighteous army is inauspicious. Although the fifty thousand soldiers of the Black Iron Battalion aren't afraid of death, they don't dare to accept this summons. Your Majesty, please take back your order."
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