Chapter 344: Summon Him to the Capital

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a death‑like silence.

All the officials' gazes were fixed on the secret letter in Prince Yinzhen's hand.

The lingering demonic aura on it, together with Cui Yuandao's unique Inspector's private seal, struck like a resounding slap, slamming into the faces of the aristocratic officials led by Cui Hong.

Cui Hong's expression turned sour: "Gu Yuan, a poor‑born scholar, how could he possibly slay three hundred thousand demon troops in a single night? Even a second‑rank great scholar could not achieve that! This is clearly a fabricated lie he concocted to cover up the massacre of officials in Youzhou!"

"A lie?"

Yinzhen sneered, turned, faced the Great Yinzhen Emperor seated on the dragon throne, and spoke loudly:

"Father, when I was in Youzhou I personally witnessed Governor Gu's peerless bearing. Though he lacks deep official prestige, the righteous vigor in his chest already reaches heaven and earth!"

"A saint born of nature cannot be judged by ordinary reasoning. Moreover, the annihilation of three hundred thousand demon troops, witnessed by the border commanders, is a staggering feat that cannot be fabricated from thin air."

The Great Yinzhen Emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, his profound gaze sweeping back and forth between Cui Hong and Yinzhen.

He knew well that Gu Yuan had wiped out thirteen aristocratic families in one night; his methods were indeed ruthless, even bordering on the limits of imperial law.

But so what?

This is precisely the result he wanted to see!

The aristocratic families in Youzhou were tangled like a festering sore; without such thunderous measures, how could they be uprooted completely?

Moreover, with the three hundred thousand demon troops eliminated, the Youzhou border could enjoy at least a century of peace.

Such a sky‑splitting achievement is enough to silence everyone in the world.

Of course… if not for the latter's merit.

At worst, it would just mean sacrificing a Gu Yuan.

"Cui, my dear minister."

The Emperor spoke slowly, his voice low yet bearing undeniable imperial authority,

"You keep claiming Gu Yuan slaughtered the innocent, but now the evidence is as solid as a mountain. Cui Yuandao colluded with the demons, plotting rebellion, deserving death! The thirteen families aided tyrants, sharing the same guilt!"

Governor Gu, acting on Heaven's behalf, remained calm in crisis, not only quelling the rebellion but also slaying demons and securing our Great Yinzhen borders.

Such world‑shaking merit, you refuse to reward and instead frame the loyal here—what is your true intention?!

As the Emperor's words fell, a massive imperial aura of the Purple Star surged from him, instantly enveloping the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The supreme imperial pressure weighed down Cui Hong and the other aristocratic officials, leaving them almost breathless.

"I… I dare not!"

Cui Hong's knees gave way, crashing heavily onto the golden bricks, cold sweat pouring from his forehead.

He knew the Emperor was determined to protect Gu Yuan, even using this chance to eradicate the Youzhou aristocratic power completely.

"Father, your wisdom shines!"

Yinzhen timely shouted, then shifted his tone and offered his suggestion:

"Father, Governor Gu, though he achieved remarkable feats in Youzhou, has also utterly offended the local magnates.

The situation in Youzhou has just settled; if he remains there, trouble may arise.

Moreover, Gu possesses talent that can span heaven and earth; keeping him in the region is a waste of his abilities.

'I humbly request, Father, that you issue an edict to summon Governor Gu back to the capital, appoint him to the cabinet as Prime Minister, or employ him at the central administration, thereby demonstrating our Great Yinzhen love for talent and allowing him to better share your burdens.'

With those words, another wave rippled through the court.

Summon Gu Yuan to the capital?

The aristocratic officials felt a chill in their hearts.

Gu Yuan had already become a killing god in Youzhou; letting him enter the capital and the central court would be like wielding a slaughter blade right before their eyes.

But when the Emperor heard the suggestion, a glint flashed in his eyes.

He took a deep look at his second son, who usually kept a low profile, and silently praised himself.

The second son's move can truly be called measured in advance and retreat.

Gu Yuan in Youzhou was already an extremely sharp blade, but a blade too sharp without a sheath can easily wound its wielder.

Summoning Gu Yuan to the capital, keeping him under his watchful eye, would allow continued use against the aristocracy, prevent him from amassing troops and becoming untouchable, and also recover Youzhou—a triple win!

"The second prince speaks truly."

The Emperor nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the ministers,

"Gu Yuan possesses the talent to stabilize the nation; he should enter the court to assist governance. Convey my decree, propose to reward Gu Yuan's achievement in quelling rebellion and slaying demons, grant him a purple‑golden crown and the title of Junior Protector to the Crown Prince! Summon him to the capital immediately, admit him to the cabinet, and await his deployment!"

"Your Majesty's wisdom!"

With the eunuch's shout, the court's clash ended with an overwhelming imperial victory.

Cui Hong and the other aristocratic officials looked ashen; they knew the dreaded star named Gu Yuan would soon descend upon the capital.

After the court adjourned, Prince Yinzhen returned to his residence.

Passing through countless corridors, he arrived at a secret chamber deep within the residence.

As soon as the secret room's door closed, the jade‑like warmth on his face vanished, replaced by an extremely cold, profound calculation.

"Your Highness, why did you devote all effort today in the court to protect that Gu Yuan? You even proposed his entry into the capital?"

A trusted aide hidden in the shadows asked, bewildered,

"His actions are erratic and his methods ruthless; wiping out thirteen families and slaying three hundred thousand demons in a night, his terrifying power is far beyond what he claimed in Youzhou, not merely relying on some ancestral treasure."

Yinzhen walked to the desk, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and drank it in one gulp.

"You think I, the prince, do not know?"

"Eradicating a clan in one night and slaying hundreds of thousands of demon troops—such strength likely reaches the threshold of a second‑rank great scholar, perhaps even higher. The stronger he is, the more advantageous for me, the prince."

"Your Highness means…"

"Gu Yuan was too ruthless in Youzhou; he uprooted Cui Yuandao and the thirteen families, essentially offending every aristocratic house in the world."

Yinzhen's mouth curled into a smug smile.

"Now he, isolated and unaided in the court, has only the Prince supporting him besides the Father Emperor. The Prince's support for him in the court is a declaration to the world that Gu Ziyuan belongs to the Prince!"

Yinzhen turned around, his gaze looking toward the Purple Forbidden City through the vent of the secret room.

"As long as he enters the capital, he can only turn to the Prince! Because only the Prince can protect him amidst the aristocracy's open and hidden attacks!"

He wants to continue climbing, to realize his so-called ideal of a sage for Great Harmony under Heaven, and must rely on the Prince's strength.

"And the Prince just happens to need his knife, to cut off the heads of my elder brother and third brother for me, to sweep away all obstacles on my path to the throne!"

The advisor, hearing this, suddenly understood, but then immediately felt some worry:

"But Your Highness, this Gu Ziyuan is unruly and uncontrollable; if he enters the capital and is not controlled, how will we deal with his backlash? His strength..."

"Strength?"

Yinzhen, hearing these two words, suddenly let out a low laugh.

"Even if he is a second-rank scholar, even if he is a natural sage, what then?"

He didn't say the words that followed.

But the Second Prince knew in his heart.

This is the capital city.

It is the Master's territory.

As long as one steps in.

Give him some time, and even a second-rank scholar will be used by him.

Becoming the final piece in his struggle for the throne!