Chapter 475: with translation of chapter title

"Who is it?" Gu Jiu Ling was really quite curious.

Imperial Envoy isn't as majestic as they're sung about in operas; take those unlucky Imperial Envoys sent to Jiangnan to inspect the salt merchants—whoever goes dies.

But Emperor Longqing can't just watch as the salt merchants in Jiangnan grow increasingly outrageous, even to the point of splitting into states within a state.

Is this still the Xiao Family's realm? How can we let those people control the nation's wealth?

Now that the Duan family has collapsed, the arrogance of several great clans has finally been suppressed a bit.

What is borrowing the east wind? This is borrowing the east wind.

Taking advantage of this momentum, directly settling accounts with the Jiangnan salt merchants is precisely the best opportunity.

But who will be sent as this Imperial Envoy is thought-provoking.

If this mission succeeds, then from now on he can walk sideways in the court.

Xiao Yin has been coming and going mysteriously these days; Gu Jiu Ling knows he must know some inside information.

Xiao Yin leaned back in his chair, looked at Gu Jiu Ling, and said slowly: "Looking over the court, the only one who could survive those salt merchants' hands is probably your brother Gu Kang."

Gu Jiu Ling's brows knotted tightly, and a more complex shade appeared in her eyes.

This brother is becoming increasingly hard to control, even though the present Gu Kang was shaped by her own hands.

As a result, Gu Kang now is completely racing toward an uncontrollable direction.

Challenging the Duan family was also thanks to Gu Kang's luck, aided by Xiao Yin and others' military influence, which finally sent the Duan family straight to hell.

But no matter what, it's still on home turf in Shang Jing.

Now if we go to Jiangnan, that's the salt merchants' home ground, and life or death is uncertain.

Perhaps seeing Gu Jiu Ling's worry, Xiao Yin said slowly: "This is also unavoidable; Gu Kang is now the most suitable choice."

"He surpasses the scope of the eight great clans; the emperor trusts him the most."

"Though young, he possesses extraordinary courage; he is absolutely an irreplaceable, second-to-none choice!"

"Moreover, for Gu Kang's trip to Jiangnan, it's likely the salt merchants who should be more afraid, not Gu Kang!"

Xiao Yin saying that, Gu Jiu Ling relaxed a bit; she was about to say something to Xiao Yin when suddenly a hurried footsteps came from outside.

The steward hurried to the outer room, bowed through the screen, and said: "Your Lordship, Eunuch Wang from the palace has arrived; please enter the palace, His Majesty has important matters to discuss."

At this late hour, Emperor Longqing suddenly summoned Xiao Yin to the palace, causing both the Prince Rui and his wife to feel surprised.

Usually Emperor Longqing's midnight summons signal major military or state affairs; having just suppressed the Duan family, Xiao Yin really couldn't think of what else would require his presence in the palace.

Xiao Yin rose, gently took Gu Jiu Ling's slightly cool hand, and whispered: "Go rest first; it's already late. I'll go to the palace and tell you whatever news there is."

Gu Jiu Ling could not help much at this moment; she nodded and saw Xiao Yin off.

Eunuch Wang had long been waiting at the gate of the Prince Rui's mansion; seeing Xiao Yin come out, he hurried forward, smiling: "Your Lordship, come with us to the palace."

Xiao Yin nodded, slipped into the palace carriage, and together with Eunuch Wang arrived at the Eastern Stable Gate, then quickly passed through the side passage to the Hall of Nurturing the Heart.

In the Hall of Nurturing the Heart stood a person—none other than Gu Kang, whom Xiao Yin had previously mentioned to Gu Jiu Ling.

At this moment Gu Kang still wore a dark purple official robe, his eyes downcast, standing there, his facial expression indiscernible.

Xiao Yin's steps steadied as he followed Eunuch Wang forward to stand before Emperor Longqing.

"Long live the emperor!" Xiao Yin lifted his robe's edge and knelt down.

Sitting on the Dragon Throne, Emperor Longqing's insomnia symptoms have worsened these past few nights; moreover, his son Xiao Wei previously launched a palace coup, nearly killing him in the inner palace.

After such a fright, Emperor Longqing's mood grew ever more unsettled, leaving him sleepless all night, and he took out his anger on the nearby serving palace staff.

These days, because of Emperor Longqing's insomnia, the number of palace people dead at his hands is countless.

At this moment Emperor Longqing looked down at the kneeling Xiao Yin; since Gu Jiu Ling cured Xiao Yin's illness, his complexion has been improving.

Young and vigorous, in his prime, Emperor Longqing felt a heaviness in his chest and coughed violently.

This cough isn't serious, but it makes him ever more frail and weak.

Xiao Yin also didn't raise his head to speak; nowadays Emperor Longqing's mood is unpredictable, and he has become somewhat perverse—whatever those below say is wrong.

After a long while Emperor Longqing finally stopped coughing and, facing the kneeling Xiao Yin, said lightly: "Rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty's grace!" Xiao Yin slowly rose and stood to one side.

Emperor Longqing drew a breath, glanced at Gu Kang standing aside, and said: "Now the treasury of our Southern Qi state is empty, while those local parasites are growing ever more arrogant."

Xiao Yin's eyes flickered—this is about to rectify the Jiangnan salt merchants.

He said slowly: "Those people bully the weak and fear the strong; the dozen or so Imperial Envoys I've sent out have all come to nothing—they're simply a bunch of good-for-nothings!"

"But the Jiangnan salt merchants have reached a point where they must be rectified; I have appointed Gu Kang, Minister Gu, as Imperial Envoy to go to Jiangnan to oversee affairs, and it is imperative that this trip completely clean up the chaos of the Jiangnan salt merchants!"

Xiao Yin nodded without speaking; in fact, he had already guessed that Gu Kang would go to Jiangnan this time.

Gu Kang is now the most suitable candidate; however, speaking of it, if he succeeds in this mission, he will thereafter become the Prime Minister of Southern Qi.

But he doesn't understand: since they chose Gu Kang, why summon him to do what?

Emperor Longqing's tone eased a bit as he stared fixedly at Xiao Yin standing before him, and he said word by word: "However, Gu Kang's experience is still shallow; going to Jiangnan, he may not be able to suppress those people."

"In that case, I order you to accompany Minister Gu on a trip to Jiangnan."

Xiao Yin was stunned for a moment—how did it come to be that he too would be sent?

There has never been a case of sending two Imperial Envoys to Jiangnan at once; moreover, his power base is in the north, and Jiangnan is not Xiao Yin's home turf—sending him there now carries some implications.

Xiao Yin finally lifted his head to look at Gu Kang opposite him; Gu Kang remained downcast and obedient, utterly ignoring Xiao Yin's scrutinizing gaze.

Exactly, this proposal was something he had raised with Emperor Longqing.

Last time, when dealing with the Duan family, he nearly died.

As a result, the one who benefited was Xiao Yin; indeed, Xiao Yin, through the scheme he set up using Gu Kang, further strengthened his own power in the military.

In a lifetime of wandering the martial world, one always has to pay a price.

One cannot have Gu Kang fighting for life and death up front while Xiao Yin reaps the rewards in the back—where would such a good thing come from?

Moreover, this Jiangnan journey is extremely perilous; Gu Kang cannot guarantee his own survival there, but if Xiao Yin comes along, it becomes a sure path to survival.

Moreover, Xiao Yin's shamelessness and tactics, Gu Kang has indeed witnessed.

Furthermore, he and Gu Jiu Ling are blood siblings, so bringing Xiao Yin along this trip, he will surely live; if Xiao Yin does not go, he will surely die.

Originally, Mr. Wen told him he wanted to eradicate the eight great clans, to divide and conquer them one by one; the Duan clan is already gone, the next is the Cao Clan.

Mr. Wen also said his forces are weak; it would be good to borrow strength to fight strength.

Xiao Yin fiercely furrowed his brows, staring dead‑eyed at Gu Kang opposite, his gaze already turned into thousands of blades, wanting to stab Gu Kang to death.

Emperor Longqing kept chattering in his ear, saying many things, set the date for going to Jiangnan, and drove the two of them out together.

Emperor Longqing's body is becoming increasingly weary.

Xiao Yin strode out of the Hall of Nourishing the Heart; Gu Kang followed close behind, having just walked not far, but Xiao Yin stopped him under a tree.

Xiao Yin stared dead‑eyed at Gu Kang: "Your idea? What big nerve, daring to scheme against this prince's head!"

"Do you really think your elder sister will always be your get‑out‑of‑jail‑free card?"

"If this prince truly wanted to kill you, even your sister couldn't stop it."