Chapter 602

Gu Jiu Ling looked at Xiao Yin in disbelief, never expecting that the candidate for Prime Minister mentioned by Xiao Yin would actually be Gu Kang.

Logically, Gu Kang is her younger brother, so choosing Gu Kang would also be somewhat advantageous for her.

But Xiao Yin and Gu Kang have always been at odds, and the position of Prime Minister is truly special; once they become estranged from Xiao Yin, later when his power grows strong, even suppressing him would be difficult.

Gu Jiu Ling pondered, then slowly said, 'Using him is also fine; this kid has some talent.'

"But..."

"But what?" Xiao Yin raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at Gu Jiu Ling.

A hint of coldness flashed across Gu Jiu Ling's eyes as she slowly said, 'Your Highness must have a trump card to control him; if one day he opposes Your Highness, producing it will make him absolutely submit.'

Xiao Yin was momentarily stunned.

Gu Jiu Ling held up three fingers, looking at Xiao Yin, and said, 'Gu Kang now has few things or people he cares about.'

"Money is like dirt to him, beautiful women fail to catch his eye; this kid is ruthless and impervious to bribes."

"The people he cares about in his life are no more than these few."

"I might be the sister he cares about, a blood relative, but if Your Highness uses my life to threaten him, that would be a joke; Your Highness, you wouldn't bear to kill me, would you?"

"Heh! Do you think I can bring myself to lay a hand on you?" Xiao Yin slowly reached toward Gu Jiu Ling's neck.

Gu Jiu Ling dodged quickly and laughed: 'The second is Mr. Wen; however, Mr. Wen is old and in poor health, I estimate he has only a year or two left. Once Mr. Wen passes away, my brother will have no one who can control him.'

"So..." Gu Jiu Ling raised two fingers, leaving only one, and looked at Xiao Yin, asking, 'Your Highness, do you understand?'

Xiao Yin suddenly understood, nodded, and smiled at Gu Jiu Ling: "You, as an older sister, are truly ruthless."

Gu Jiu Ling sighed: "Gu Kang has been spoiled by the adults at home since childhood; after growing up he has endured so many setbacks. As long as his future path stays straight, everything will be fine."

Xiao Yin pondered briefly: "Very well, tomorrow I will propose Gu Kang as Prime Minister of Southern Qi."

"Ling Feng, first deliver this news to the Gu family, so that Lord Gu can be mentally prepared."

"Yes!" Ling Feng turned and left the study.

Gu Jiu Ling stared steadily at Xiao Yin: "Prince, the students of the Imperial Academy have now settled down; we should consider the matter of Qi Sha Gu."

Xiao Yin, when the matter was raised, felt exasperated; it had been fine, but unexpectedly many twists arose.

This time he dealt a heavy blow to the civil officials; if he breaks the ancestors' rules now, those people will likely cause trouble again.

Xiao Yin is not afraid of their uproar, but the people's hearts are unpredictable.

If the earlier civil officials' disturbances had not occurred, Xiao Yin would have naturally let Jinzhi deliver the petition to Bai Xiaosheng.

He would use Bai Xiaosheng's mouth to redress the injustice of Qi Sha Gu.

Now that the civil officials are making such a fuss, this matter has become even more impactful.

After all, when Jinzhi first struck the Peace Drum, Chen Zhuo was killed by a head‑on collision before the drum; if he lets Jinzhi strike the Peace Drum again now, he must consider public sentiment.

Gu Jiu Ling saw Xiao Yin's difficulty, gently grasped his hand back: "Why not have Yun Duo make a trip, deliver this news to General Zhao's residence, so Jinzhi can be prepared."

"After all, the Qi Sha Gu issue cannot be postponed forever; now that the Prince finally holds power, if we do nothing, how can we answer the wronged souls who died unjustly?"

Xiao Yin nodded.

Soon, Ling Feng and Yun Duo each left Rui Wang Fu, spreading the news.

The night grew ever deeper.

The manor where Gu Kang lives is enveloped in a clear moonlit glow, further highlighting its profound tranquility.

Throughout Shang Jing, perhaps only Gu Kang, the current powerful minister, stands out as especially unique.

Not to mention he is a third‑rank senior official; even minor officials in the capital lavishly decorate their residences, regularly inviting singing courtesans and dancing maidens to perform for entertainment.

Only Gu Kang feels unlike a court official, more like a wandering ascetic monk.

He is extremely austere toward his own life: meals are plain tea and simple rice, clothing is just a few official robes swapped back and forth, the inner garments patched many times.

He uses his surplus salary to open a charity hall in the outskirts, supporting the poor and orphans.

Gu Kang's reputation in Shang Jing keeps improving.

Gu Kang spends the most on treating Mr. Wen; although his elder sister provides medicines to Mr. Wen for free every day, Mr. Wen's health is poor and requires very expensive tonics.

At this moment Gu Kang had just received news from Rui Wang Fu; he did not expect Xiao Yin to want to nominate him as Prime Minister.

After seeing Ling Feng off, Gu Kang turned toward the back courtyard.

Entering the courtyard, Gu Kang's steps steadied then turned eastward, heading toward Mr. Wen's room.

Recently in Shang Jing the temperature difference has caused a great commotion; moreover, after the death of Mr. Chen Zhuo, Mr. Wen descended from Nan Shan Shu Yuan and moved directly into Gu Kang's courtyard. Lately Mr. Wen's movements on the playground have been frequent, and many matters require Gu Kang to discuss with Mr. Wen.

Gu Kang arrived at the courtyard outside Mr. Wen's doorway; the serving junior attendants hurried to greet him. Although Gu Kang lives frugally, his rewards for the next generation are still generous, and his eye for selecting people becomes ever more discerning. These servants each work wholeheartedly, especially those around Mr. Wen, who, having learned from past mistakes, now seek loyal, good‑natured youths to serve Mr. Wang.

"Has your mind settled?"

"Lord Hui hasn't slept yet; tonight Rui Wang Fu has guests visiting, and the gentleman is waiting for a dignitary to arrive."

The modest Mr. Wen already knows that Rui Wang Fu sent someone to deliver the news; he also intends to report to Mr. Weng.

After all, the matter of being a prime minister who makes men's shoes. For him, that is today's feeling yet also a deadly abyss.

Gu Kang's steps steadied, then he entered the courtyard, lifted the curtain of the pillow, the reality seemed to fade, he wore a two‑colored garment, and then pulled aside the inner hall's curtain and went inside.

It was the time of a chilly spring, and in a few days a new village committee would arrive.

Nowadays scholars gathering in Shang Jing increase; this year's Spring Festival Gala may have big moves, because Xiao Yin's great path has forced disobedient students to exhaust their spirit, leaving great opportunities for children of bitter families; now that Chun Wei is together, the implication is clear, using this chance as snow to promote his happiness, completing the team's reorganization.

During this period, inevitably the core prime minister who faces unresolved problems, he is the one pushed to the forefront.

Mr. Wen sits by the bedside while his father's elegant zither music plays; the western creek weather carries a swift wind, metallic iron horse, and a little third.

"Sir, haven't you slept yet?" Gu Kang raised his fist in greeting to Mr. Wen—does that work?

The welcoming family's son, Mr. Wen, slowly lifted his eyes, looking at his most prized student, a set that had been completed.

"What does the Yue Wangfu want you to do?" the gentleman raised a cup of tea from one side.

In a tone like Kangxi: "Prince Wei's intention is to promote me to the heating position."

Mr. Wen's baby hair pin stared.