Chapter 575: The Son of Heaven's Attitude

Seemingly not noticing the hesitation in Guo Rong's tone, Chang Si's aged face showed expectation as he said, "I hope Young Lord Guo can speak to the Emperor on my behalf, put in a good word for me, to avoid this disaster!"

"Elder Chang!" Guo Rong's brows furrowed slightly as he said in a deep voice, "Though I hold the Bureau of Military Affairs, I fear I am powerless in this matter! The court has its own system, and the Son of Heaven's mind is unfathomable—He deeply abhors acts that overstep authority and usurp power. If I rashly speak up, I fear it would only make things worse!"

Of course, Guo Rong's words could not convince Chang Si. His old face darkened as he said, "Young Lord Guo now holds high position and great power at court. Your achievements in the Huainan campaign were outstanding, and you are deeply trusted by the Son of Heaven. If you could speak for me, I imagine the Son of Heaven would grant you some face!"

Having said this, seeing Guo Rong remain silent, Chang Si continued, "If Wenzhong were here, I would seek him out myself, but he is currently serving in Xiangzhou—I can only come to you!"

With that, he rose and bowed deeply, saying, "The safety and honor of my entire family of dozens depend on you. For the sake of our past friendship, I beg you to speak on my behalf!"

Seeing Chang Si adopt this posture, Guo Rong could not help but heave a heavy sigh. Though he did not want to invite trouble, Chang Si had brought up Guo Wei, which put him in a difficult position that he had to consider.

This old man Chang Si had a deep friendship with Guo Wei and had shown him great kindness. When Guo Wei was young and orphaned, he had been clothed and fed in Chang Si's household. Even after rising to high position, he still called him Uncle and treated him as a father.

Therefore, with Guo Wei absent, Guo Rong was now the representative of the Guo family in the Eastern Capital. Chang Si, decrepit and aged, had humbled himself to beg at his doorstep—no matter what, he had to give some response.

Of course, from the moment Chang Si stepped into the Guo residence, Guo Rong had in truth already been forced to wade into this murky water. Moreover, Guo Rong harbored misgivings, feeling that beneath the murkiness lay hidden schemes and lurking danger.

In Guo Rong's impression, the Emperor had always been reasonable and wise. How could He allow Wang Jingchong to act so arbitrarily and recklessly? A military governor might have broken the law, but He truly should not have used the Wude Office to crack down so ostentatiously. Starting with Liu Zhu, and counting Chang Si who had secretly returned, that was already three military governors—not to mention other local officials and generals.

If Wang Jingchong kept this up, there would truly be chaos, and the court at the Eastern Capital was already seething with indignation, with many worried...

Various thoughts flashed through his mind. Guo Rong rose and helped Chang Si up, saying with a sigh, "Elder Chang, please rise. How could a junior like me deserve such courtesy? If word of this reached my father's ears, I fear I would not escape reproach!"

"Young Lord Guo, you've agreed!" Noticing Guo Rong's expression, the hope in Chang Si's old eyes grew stronger.

After thinking it over seriously for a while, Guo Rong said sternly to Chang Si, "Elder Chang, forgive me for speaking bluntly. Though Wang Jingchong is arrogant and overbearing, after Liu Zhu, he would not dare act rashly again. Even in Luzhou, your safety can be guaranteed. But now you have left your post without authorization, secretly come to the capital, and privately visited the Guo residence—this is already highly improper and most inappropriate. It makes you look guilty and gives others ammunition..."

Hearing Guo Rong say this, Chang Si's old face changed. He slapped his thigh and said ruefully, "I was so frightened I lost my head! Should I hurry back to Luzhou at once?"

Guo Rong directly shook his head and said, "Since you've already entered the capital, do you think you can hide it from prying eyes?"

A strange light flickered in his eyes as he said to Chang Si, "Very well. Tonight, Elder Chang, you may stay temporarily in my residence. Tomorrow morning, I will enter the palace with you to seek an audience with His Majesty. You may honestly confess your fault before His Majesty, and I will be by your side to speak for you. His Majesty may grant me some small measure of face!"

"Thank you, Young Lord Guo!" Receiving such assurance from Guo Rong, Chang Si finally relaxed.

Seeing his reaction, Guo Rong added quietly, "I hear Elder Chang has family wealth of a hundred thousand strings of cash and considerable property. You might offer it to the state treasury to resolve your family's difficulties..."

Chang Si was by nature miserly. In Luzhou he had made a career of amassing wealth, and over the years his family fortune had grown considerable. As the saying goes, flies do not bite seamless eggs—the military governors and officials Wang Jingchong targeted, when examined strictly, all had crimes enough to land them in prison.

As for Chang Si's reputation as an official, Guo Rong had also heard things, and in his heart he actually felt some disgust.

Hearing Guo Rong's words, Chang Si's face showed a pained expression. He hesitated for a moment, then meeting Guo Rong's gaze, gritted his teeth and said, "Fine!"

After the discussion, Guo Rong ordered a servant to escort Chang Si away. He then paced about the room, his expression far from relaxed. Stopping before the window, he gazed through the lattice at the courtyard—the plants were withered and sparse, and as cool wind stirred, shadows flickered everywhere. He stood for a long time, then could not help but sigh: "What a trouble!"

"Husband, you've labored all day and it's already late. Why not return to the bedchamber and rest!" Lady Liu entered and said to Guo Rong.

Hearing his virtuous wife's gentle voice, Guo Rong's emotions could not help but settle. Turning around, not a trace of gravity remained on his face as he asked softly, "Where are Dayi and Erlang?"

"They've both gone to sleep!"

In Chongzheng Hall, Guo Rong and Chang Si stood respectfully below. After Chang Si finished his confession and plea, Liu Chengyou appraised him with an amused look. Under the Emperor's gaze, Chang Si appeared extremely ill at ease. His eyes involuntarily darted toward Guo Rong, signaling him with glances, but Guo Rong seemed not to notice.

Somewhat panicked, but meeting the Emperor's gaze, Chang Si said submissively, "Your Majesty, your old minister resides in Luzhou. The people of Luzhou owe me sixty thousand strings in silk interest. I wish to present the debt certificates to Your Majesty!"

With that, he pulled a stack of debt certificates from his sleeve and handed them to Zhang Dejun to present to Liu Chengyou. As soon as he said this, both Liu Chengyou and Guo Rong frowned. Taking them and glancing through them briefly, Liu Chengyou thought to himself—this Chang Si truly lived up to his reputation for "amassing wealth," with quite a few tricks up his sleeve.

"I shall gladly accept Elder Chang's kind offering!" With a faint smile, Liu Chengyou rose but walked instead to the brazier in the hall, placing the stack of certificates into the coals. The flames quickly devoured them.

Turning around, Liu Chengyou stared at Chang Si, whose old face had turned somewhat pale, and said in a deep voice, "Elder Chang is advanced in years. To spare you the hardship of traveling back and forth, since you have come to the capital to report on your duties this time, you shall take up a post here in the Eastern Capital. This will relieve you of your toils. Thus, I appoint you Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works. The Eastern Capital is currently undergoing major construction—you may assist in managing this matter!"

Having dismissed Chang Si directly, Liu Chengyou glanced at Guo Rong and saw that his expression remained steady as ever. Though from start to finish Guo Rong had not spoken a single word on Chang Si's behalf, the very fact that he stood there was itself an attitude. Liu Chengyou perceived this, and so he granted him face as well.

"Thank you for Your Majesty's benevolence!" After Chang Si withdrew, Guo Rong bowed and said.

Liu Chengyou looked at Guo Rong, understanding his meaning, and said flatly, "I can understand your cherishing old ties! However, let me speak plainly about the poverty of Luzhou's people—Chang Si has committed great faults! Though he is an elder statesman, some of his practices are truly intolerable!"

Guo Rong replied, "Your minister understands!"

"Does Guo Qing know why I had Chang Si remain in the capital to participate in the city construction matters?" Liu Chengyou stared at Guo Rong and asked.

"Your minister understands!" Guo Rong said again.

"He is old after all. I fear his mind has grown muddled and he cannot discern the meaning!" Liu Chengyou said.

Guo Rong gave the same answer: "Your minister understands!"

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou finally revealed a hint of a reserved smile: "Then I shall leave it to Guo Qing to enlighten Chang Si!"

"Yes!"

After Guo Rong withdrew, Liu Chengyou's expression gradually turned wooden. He summoned Li Fang and asked, "How many memorials impeaching Wang Jingchong have there been during this period?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, one hundred and seventy-six in total!" Li Fang said. "Officials from all departments and offices throughout the court have submitted memorials!"

"They've coordinated together to pressure me, have they!" Liu Chengyou said coldly.

Hearing these piercing words, Li Fang lowered his head and dared not respond.

After considering for a moment, Liu Chengyou asked Li Fang: "Mingyuan, do you think I should heed the request of the various ministers and recall Wang Jingchong for disposition?"

At the question, Li Fang thought for a moment, then replied somewhat cautiously, "Your Majesty, the fact that all officials jointly petition for one matter is by no means ordinary—this is the first time since the founding of the Great Han. Regardless, Your Majesty should take this seriously. There is reason in the courtiers unanimously requesting this, and I hope Your Majesty will consider it carefully!"

Glancing at Li Fang, Liu Chengyou's indifferent expression gained a hint of gravity. Even his close minister held this attitude—Li Fang had not spoken directly, but his words carried implicit criticism.

This was the first time Liu Chengyou truly felt the backlash from the civil officials. All because of a Wang Jingchong? No, it was more than that...

"Perhaps it is time to put this matter to rest..." Liu Chengyou murmured in a voice only he could hear.