Chapter 726: A Plea from the Sickbed

Four years had passed since Liu Chengyou last set foot in the Guo residence, and he was surprised to find that little had changed throughout the estate—the furnishings were still the same, merely showing new patches of wear atop old, a fresh look that was simply the mark of time. As emperor, he had not visited the mansions of his ministers all that often over the years, but by any count, the Guo residence ranked among his more frequent destinations.

Over a hundred Inner Palace guards, turning guests into masters, forcefully and swiftly took up positions in the front and rear courtyards and passageways of the mansion, guarding against any contingency. When the emperor toured, safety was always the first priority, no matter the occasion.

This time, the one leading the welcoming party was Guo Wei's wife, Lady Zhang. As for Guo Wei himself—perhaps he was truly too ill to rise from his bed, or perhaps he was feeling somewhat displeased; since the emperor had deigned to visit in person, he would make a proper show of it.

The smell of medicinal broth hung in the air—not strong, but unmistakably present, and none too pleasant. Guo Wei lay on his couch, wrapped in a quilt, his face indeed bearing the marks of illness. When he caught sight of Liu Chengyou's figure, he hurriedly struggled to prop himself up, intending to pay his respects.

"Since you are unwell, there is no need for such formalities!" Liu Chengyou raised a hand in a gesture of restraint.

Guo Wei shook his head, a trace of unease showing through his sickly countenance: "How could I trouble Your Majesty to come in person? Failing to greet you at the central gate is already inexcusable—how could I dare neglect the rites further!"

"We are sovereign and subject, but also father-in-law and son-in-law, and now we are in your home—no need for such stiffness!" Liu Chengyou said with a slight smile.

He gave Guo Ning a look, and the young lady hurried forward to support Guo Wei, taking the backrest a maidservant had fetched and helping him sit up. Her beautiful eyes were full of concern: "Father, how could you be so careless? When I heard you had fallen ill, I was truly worried!"

As she spoke, her eyes actually reddened slightly, and her voice took on a tearful tone.

"You are an imperial consort now, with His Majesty present—weeping and wailing, what sort of conduct is that?" Seeing this, Guo Wei scolded her, and Guo Ning immediately fell silent.

Liu Chengyou stepped forward, gently patting Guo Ning's slender shoulder, and consoled her: "No need to worry too much! Go to the inner quarters and talk with your mother!"

"Yes!" Clearly, Liu Chengyou wanted to send Guo Ning away, and the young lady understood, obediently taking her leave.

With ample space for conversation between sovereign and subject, Liu Chengyou lifted his robes and sat on the folding chair before the couch, studying Guo Wei. Though the man lay ill in bed, he still asked: "How is your condition, Minister Guo?"

Guo Wei answered with a bitter smile: "Your servant is advanced in years, and has accumulated many old wounds over time. My body has suffered its losses, and now I have been felled by an autumn chill—I fear I have made a spectacle of myself before Your Majesty!"

"Illness strikes like a mountain falling—you must take care!" Liu Chengyou said, a rather empty remark.

After a brief pause, Liu Chengyou asked again: "When was it that Minister Guo first followed the late emperor?"

At this question, a look of reminiscence crossed Guo Wei's face, and he sighed: "If this old servant's memory serves, it was the first year of Tianfu. The Jin state had just been established, and the late emperor was appointed Military Governor of Shanzhou and Chief Inspector of the Imperial Guard Cavalry and Infantry, summoning me to serve under his banner. From that time on, the late emperor successively held command over frontier regions, and never cast me aside—always entrusting me as a confidant, consulting me on matters of state, treating me with exceptional favor. Even now, thinking back on it, it seems like only yesterday!"

Hearing his account, Liu Chengyou said: "By that reckoning, Minister Guo has served the Liu clan loyally for nearly twenty years!"

"The kindness and trust that the late emperor and Your Majesty have shown this old servant are as heavy as mountains, as deep as the sea—a lifetime would not suffice to repay them!" Guo Wei's gaze was calm as he met Liu Chengyou's eyes, and spoke with a wistful air.

Liu Chengyou shook his head slightly: "The late emperor and I have indeed bestowed some favor, but for twenty years you have devoted yourself wholeheartedly, offering counsel and strategies, doing all that you knew to be done, never once slacking. The glory and prominence the Guo clan enjoys today are all things you have earned. If anything, I often reflect on whether I have treated Minister Guo too thinly!"

"For Your Majesty to say such things truly makes this old servant ashamed! Without the wise leadership of the late emperor and Your Majesty, how could this servant have had any room to make a modest contribution? And now Your Majesty showers me with boundless grace—this old servant can only feel trepidation!" Guo Wei said.

"......"

And so, sovereign and subject spent the time—half sincere, half perfunctory—reminiscing about the past and discussing their achievements, passing roughly two quarters of an hour in this manner.

Gradually, it became apparent: given how talkative Guo Wei was at present, both of them knew full well the true state of his illness.

Soon, composing himself, Liu Chengyou's body grew increasingly relaxed, and he said with a light laugh: "I still remember that the last time I came to your door, it was to seek Minister Guo's counsel on the northern expedition and the southern campaign. Now, Huainan has been won in a great victory, Qinfeng was recovered afterward, and Jinghu has been entirely taken—time passes quickly indeed!"

"With Your Majesty's surpassing talent and bold vision, there is no longer any need for this servant to offer his humble opinions!" Guo Wei's gaze grew ever more sincere.

"And so Minister Guo has repeatedly submitted his resignation?" Liu Chengyou regarded Guo Wei with an amused look.

The two locked eyes, their gazes nearly sparking in the air between them. After a long silence, Guo Wei finally said with a melancholy air: "Your Majesty, the court is now filled with worthy ministers, and the army abounds with fierce warriors. The great trend toward unifying the realm is already set. This old servant is aged, infirm, and useless—I truly have no face to continue occupying a place at court, let alone the high seat of chancellor."

Liu Chengyou smiled faintly: "If I remember correctly, Minister Guo is only just past fifty—how can you speak of being old? If the veteran ministers and old generals of the Great Han were to hear this, how would they feel?"

Guo Wei clasped his hands and said: "This servant, of humble stature, was fortunate enough to encounter an enlightened sovereign, to help stir martial achievements and assist in founding a great enterprise. I have reached the pinnacle of officialdom, achieved fame and success, and been laden with honor and emolument—I can say this life is fulfilled! Now my body and mind are both weary, and I wish only to shed all burdens and return to tend a garden in the countryside. I beg Your Majesty to grant this wish!"

With the conversation having reached this point, Guo Wei's words were earnest, his face solemn, and his gaze so frank that it actually made Liu Chengyou feel somewhat apologetic. Of course, he would not truly feel guilt—it was merely a slight stir of emotion.

Liu Chengyou fell silent as well, wearing an expression of serious consideration. After a moment, he said: "You are now the foremost minister of the Great Han, a founding meritorious statesman. Every move you make carries great weight. To retire in the prime of your years would only invite criticism and provoke unnecessary speculation!"

With the emperor having said this much, Guo Wei's attitude naturally grew all the more resolute. He clasped his hands and replied: "Your Majesty has always been considerate of your subjects. This old servant has fallen ill and seeks to retire to recuperate—what is there to criticize? If any do criticize, they are but petty men with ill intentions, and they ought to be dealt with sternly!"

Hearing this appeal, Liu Chengyou's eyes showed no fluctuation whatsoever, but a smile spread across his lips as he said to him: "This matter, I still need to consider!"

"Since Minister Guo is unwell, you should rest properly—I shall not disturb you further!" Liu Chengyou rose as he spoke, adding: "I will return to the palace now!"

Seeing Liu Chengyou about to leave, Guo Wei also sat up, intending to see him off.

"No need—stay lying down!" Liu Chengyou's smile did not diminish.

"Your Majesty, go slowly!" Guo Wei, from his couch, gazed at Liu Chengyou's tall, straight back and bowed with both hands.

As he left the Guo residence, Liu Chengyou's mood was quite light. Through this series of probing, he was now largely convinced that Guo Wei truly harbored no treacherous intentions. Of course, the possibility that Guo Wei was putting on an act could not be entirely ruled out—but then again, throughout this entire court, including the emperor himself, who was not acting?

At the same time, Liu Chengyou was also confirmed in his belief that Guo Wei had indeed understood the purpose behind his recent maneuvers, and was cooperating fully.

"You need not worry too much—a good man is blessed by heaven, and your father's health will recover!" On the imperial carriage returning to the palace, seeing the worried look on Guo Ning's delicate face, Liu Chengyou gently pressed her hand and consoled her.

Hearing this, Consort Guo Ning looked up at Liu Chengyou and said softly: "Father is getting on in years after all. Mother told me he has accumulated many old wounds, with chronic ailments clinging to him that have never fully healed......"

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou's eyes flickered. He gently drew the young lady into his embrace, softly stroking her jade-like back, and said: "Rest assured! He will recover! I am the Son of Heaven, bearing heaven's mandate in my mouth—if I say your father will get better, then he will get better!"

Hearing such a forceful declaration from the emperor, the young Lady Guo was somewhat taken aback, a hint of surprise in her clear eyes. But gazing at Liu Chengyou's sharply defined features, she still nodded instinctively. An autumn breeze slipped through the carriage curtain, and seeming to feel a chill, the young lady curled a little closer into Liu Chengyou's arms.

One hand wandered unconsciously between Consort Guo Ning's firm waist and hips. Liu Chengyou's expression remained composed, but his gaze gradually deepened, like the autumn pond in the rear garden of the Guo residence.

Guo Wei was indeed a very clever man—he understood the times, discerned the sovereign's heart, and knew when to advance and when to retreat. His deference was so thorough that Liu Chengyou could not help but wonder whether there was deception beneath it. Of course, sometimes Liu Chengyou would also ask himself whether he was being too suspicious, whether his wariness of the man had gone too far.

But these stray thoughts were quickly banished from Liu Chengyou's mind. The actions of these past days were not aimed at Guo Wei himself, but at his influence and the forces he represented—it had nothing to do with his personal loyalty or deference.

Regardless, his influence over the court's military and political affairs was real and substantial—so much so that Liu Chengyou had to take action, for the sake of the state, the court, and the imperial house, to eliminate the hidden threat. And the best way to eliminate those adverse influences was to start with Guo Wei himself.