Chapter 1576: A Golden Opportunity

"Refusing this post would certainly make my life easier, and perhaps I really could turn it down. But since His Highness the Crown Prince has already made up his mind, even if I adamantly refuse, do you think he won't find someone else willing to take it?" Li Ke smiled bitterly. "In the end, won't things still go his way? Is there really anyone else more suited than me to bridge the two nations and serve our country wholeheartedly? In my view, I might as well just do it. As long as I can help our nation preserve more of its lifeblood, I won't hesitate to shoulder a little infamy."

His words did not move Jin Jinguo; instead, they suddenly ignited a fire of anger in his heart.

He talks a fine game, but in the end, isn't he just unwilling to part with that scrap of power and position?

"Lord of Jingcheng, though your firm refusal may not necessarily change His Highness's mind, you could at least make the effort. If you won't even try, how can you demonstrate your heartfelt devotion to the nation?" Jin Jinguo's eyes widened, his expression carrying an unnatural hint of menace. "And even if you, Lord of Jingcheng, fail to alter the outcome and His Highness the Crown Prince appoints someone else as Governor of Gyeongsang Province, wouldn't that still be better than you, a member of the royal clan, taking the post directly? There are degrees of bad precedent, great and small. I implore you, Lord of Jingcheng, to think thrice!"

"Lord Jin, how do you figure that my taking the post is a great evil, while someone else taking it is a small one?" Li Ke was growing angry himself now and immediately shot back. "Could it be that after years of serving my country, I've somehow become a heinous villain? Yes, I am of the royal clan, but does that mean a royal clansman cannot serve his country? As a clansman of the Li dynasty, I ought to be more zealous than others in safeguarding Goryeo's interests. Why then do His Majesty and you, my lord, harbor such suspicion against me? For so many years, the court has always guarded against me as if I were a rebel. Is that reasonable? I am merely a distant branch of the clan. I have never enjoyed the privileges of the royal house, but I have suffered plenty of its disadvantages. I live a life free as drifting clouds and wild cranes, and I have never harbored any presumptuous ambitions. Do His Majesty and you, my lord, truly suspect me of some other designs?"

In just a short while, the two had reached an impasse, and the sound of their argument drifted out of the hall. However, Li Ke kept strict discipline over his household, so no one came running over.

Seeing his counterpart so enraged, Jin Jinguo couldn't help but soften his attitude.

"As a member of the royal clan, the Lord of Jingcheng should indeed serve the country, but surely there are many ways to serve? I do not doubt your loyalty to the nation and His Majesty, nor does our sovereign. Yet there are too many situations where suspicion easily arises, and it's hard to avoid gossip… Furthermore, though you, Lord of Jingcheng, are utterly loyal, if great power rests in your hands, petty men will inevitably stir up trouble behind the scenes, framing you for disloyalty. And once a precedent is set, what happens when future royal clansmen also seek to seize power and position? Surely not every clansman is without ambition?"

"So, Lord Jin, you will not support my appointment as Governor under any circumstances?" Li Ke smiled bitterly. "Am I doomed to idle at home, my fervent passion with nowhere to pour, watching helplessly as our nation's fortunes decline step by step? I fear I cannot comply. If you, Lord Jin, can personally persuade His Highness the Crown Prince to change his mind, I will have nothing to say. But if you expect me to go and firmly request my own withdrawal, I must still refuse! I… I cannot disregard the people of Goryeo just because I fear public opinion."

"Don't sound so tragically compassionate, Lord of Jingcheng…" Jin Jinguo suddenly chuckled leisurely, his tone laced with even more sarcasm. "If you can't bear to part with this fame and profit, I won't do anything to you. After all, you've now latched onto the Crown Prince of the Middle Kingdom, haven't you?"

"My sincerity is genuine. If Lord Jin doesn't believe it, so be it." Li Ke's face flushed slightly with anger. "There's no need for you to vent your spleen here. Why not think of a way to persuade His Highness the Crown Prince to change his mind?"

"Since we've already reached this point, why should I go and court ill favor with His Highness the Crown Prince?" Jin Jinguo's face was still full of smiles. "It seems I can only watch helplessly as the Lord of Jingcheng gets his wish and becomes Governor of Gyeongsang Province. I only ask that afterwards, you do not forget your original heart and do your utmost to protect the vitality of Goryeo's scholars and people before the Great Han."

"Lord Jin…?" Jin Jinguo's sudden shift from anger to calm left Li Ke, who had been expecting a furious storm, momentarily at a loss. "What do you mean by this?"

"It means I have no choice but to accept reality. What else could it mean?" Jin Jinguo smiled as he slowly took another sip of tea, showing no sign of storming off after a disagreeable conversation. "Lord Li need not be afraid. I am not secretly mocking you, nor am I planning to settle scores later. I am offering my congratulations out of collegial friendship. After all, we will be serving as officials in the same court, and wholehearted cooperation should be our priority."

Li Ke kept his eyes fixed on the other man, unable to fathom what the Chief State Councillor was really plotting.

"In truth, I can guess a little of what's on your mind, Lord of Jingcheng. It's nothing more than protecting your own life and position." Jin Jinguo's smile grew a shade more sinister. "His Highness has never enjoyed popular support, and he is so advanced in age. Who knows how long he can hold the throne? Should any mishap befall him, you, Lord of Jingcheng, would need some capital to weather the coming chaos in the court."

Li Ke was even more astonished now. His eyes widened, but he still said nothing.

Seeing this reaction, Jin Jinguo felt even more certain in his heart.

The current monarch, Li Hun, was already in his twilight years and a cripple. Who knew how much longer he could live? He could fall critically ill and die at any moment. His only son had been killed in the previous coup, and he now had no heir. It was foreseeable that if he were to die unexpectedly, the struggle over an adopted heir and the throne would plunge the Goryeo royal clan into immense strife. As a distant branch clansman, although Li Ke had no claim to the throne, he would inevitably be drawn into this perilous vortex.

Goryeo had always kept a tight rein on its royal clan. If a distant clansman like him had no way to protect himself, who knew how he would be manipulated once a new monarch ascended? He might not even be able to keep his current post as envoy to the Middle Kingdom. No wonder Li Ke would rather take risks and seize the chance to secure the position of Governor of Gyeongsang Province first.

Although he might only hold the post temporarily, just occupying it for a time would add to his capital and better allow him to safely weather the storm that might come.

In the strange silence, Li Ke moved his lips as if to deny it, but in the end, he gave up the futile attempt and instead let out a sigh.

"If Lord Jin insists on thinking that way, there is nothing I can do. Time reveals a person's heart. My sincere devotion to country and people will one day be understood by the world."

"Your devotion can illuminate the sun and moon. Ah, it's just a pity that the world is usually not very good at understanding others' pains…" Jin Jinguo's smile grew increasingly strange. "Since this appointment is demanded by the Crown Prince of the Middle Kingdom, it will eventually be issued. The moment it is, no matter how much pain you've taken, you will be reviled by scholars and commoners alike. How many people can you explain yourself to, Lord of Jingcheng? Even if you can temporarily protect yourself with the authority of the Middle Kingdom and the Governor's office, in the eyes of a new monarch, you might well become a treacherous minister. Do you think the Middle Kingdom will protect you for a lifetime?"

"…" Li Ke suddenly sensed something strange in the other's smile. "Does Your Excellency have some other important matter to instruct me on?"

"Indeed, Lord Li." Jin Jinguo placed his teacup back on the table. "Since you are set on taking this position, we will be colleagues in the future. Not just colleagues, but ministers who will be reviled together. Don't you want to find some way to improve our situation, so we might meet a better end later on?"

"Speak plainly, Your Excellency." Li Ke kept his gaze fixed on Jin Jinguo, trying to read something from his face.

"Lord of Jingcheng, finding a good position to protect yourself in the coming succession struggle is certainly a good plan, but why not take a step further? The succession struggle is perilous, true, but by participating in it, one can reap immense rewards." Jin Jinguo casually flicked his sleeves, as if he were speaking of some trivial matter. "As long as you have the merit of supporting the new monarch's ascension, no matter how many mistakes you've made, protecting your life, family, and position shouldn't be difficult, right?"

"…Your Excellency… you…" Li Ke could not remain as calm as the other man. He stared at him, dumbfounded, unable to believe his ears. "What are you saying?"

"Isn't what I'm saying easy enough for you to see, Lord of Jingcheng?" Jin Jinguo remained perfectly composed. "Since we are bound to be reviled by the people, we should think of ways to make the scholars and commoners feel that we are, after all, still thinking of the nation's good. Our current sovereign, though divinely brilliant, has never enjoyed popular support. If we can find a way to establish an heir, on one hand we can stabilize the foundation of the state and gain the merit of supporting the ascension; on the other, we can win the people's praise and offset their prior anger. Two birds with one stone. That way, not only will we no longer be reviled by the people, we might even be thanked by them…"

Li Ke was frozen. He stared fixedly at the other man, his whole body rigid, unable to even move.

Though Jin Jinguo spoke as if it were nothing, for ministers to privately discuss the sovereign and the matter of appointing an heir was blatant, brazen lèse-majesté — outright rebellion!

"At this point, why be so alarmed, Lord of Jingcheng?" Seeing Li Ke's fidgeting, on-edge reaction, Jin Jinguo's smile added a touch more mockery. "When I questioned you earlier, you were quite impassioned, with the bearing of a royal scion. What, you can't hold up now? Lord of Jingcheng, let me ask you, do you have a better way?"

This was not a spur-of-the-moment idea for Jin Jinguo; it was a thought that had long been circling in his mind, only voiced today because an opportunity presented itself.

He was a minister of the Northern Faction, which had already suffered grievous wounds in the years of factional strife. After Li Hun's restoration, the purge of ministers from the Westerner Faction had vacated a large number of posts, and he had been promoted all the way up to Chief State Councillor. Although he now held the highest ministerial rank, known as Chief Councillor, his foundations were not deep. On the contrary, because he was appointed by Li Hun, he was disliked by the nation's scholars and commoners.

Thus, his greatest fear was that once Li Hun died, he himself would be plunged into turmoil and very likely lose his power and position. Given that, the logical next step was to find a way to support the ascension of an heir and use that merit to further consolidate his power.

This idea was indeed treasonous, and difficult to carry out alone, so he had always kept it buried in his heart, never speaking of it openly.

Previously, he had wanted to persuade Li Hun to adopt an heir, but Li Hun had only ever agreed on the surface while taking no real action. He knew Li Hun feared that once an heir was established, he, as a cripple, would be sidelined. To cling to the throne he had risked his life to reclaim, he would rather let his twilight years pass without naming an heir.

Since that was the case, he might as well go all the way. Recently, he had abandoned the approach of relying on Li Hun and instead sought to find his own allies to support an heir.

This matter was of immense consequence and required help from people of sufficient weight. But people of weight were generally hard to trust, so although he had been searching in secret, he had not revealed his plans to anyone until now. It was only when the Crown Prince of the Middle Kingdom demanded Li Ke's appointment as Governor of Gyeongsang Province that he finally identified Li Ke as a potential ally.

Li Ke wanted to protect his own life and position, so he was desperate to seek power at all costs, yet he also faced a precarious situation where he might not last a day, and his foundations were far more unstable than his own. Thus, Li Ke had every motive to do whatever it took to protect himself. Moreover, he had the ability: he was of royal clan blood, and he was so close to the Crown Prince of the Middle Kingdom that he seemed to have gained his trust. As long as he could persuade His Highness the Crown Prince, and with the cooperation of himself, the Chief State Councillor, the matter of establishing an heir could be definitively accomplished.

With this merit of supporting the ascension, he felt he could maintain his power indefinitely, using the time to cultivate his own trusted faction in court, truly realize the authority of the Chief Councillor, and elevate his family to the ranks of Goryeo's most illustrious clans.

Jin Jinguo's questioning made Li Ke even more restless. His face paled and flushed by turns; he was clearly terrified.

Jin Jinguo could see the conflict and struggle in the other man's heart, so he was in no hurry. He continued to sit upright, savoring his tea, as if nothing had happened.

"This matter… it's too… too shocking. Lord Jin, why drag me into it?" Beads of sweat appeared on Li Ke's forehead. "How… how could I do such a thing?"

"Such a thing? What's wrong with such a thing? The sovereign is advanced in years and has long delayed naming a primary heir. The foundation of the state is unsteady. As ministers, shouldn't we do everything in our power to shore up the realm?" Jin Jinguo immediately countered. "Since you, Lord of Jingcheng, are unafraid of public opinion and care so deeply for the myriad people of Goryeo, why do you not dare involve yourself in this matter?"

Li Ke remained silent, clearly still hesitating.

"Enough, Lord of Jingcheng. At this point, do you still think you have many paths of retreat?" Jin Jinguo grew impatient. He stood up abruptly, glaring straight at the other man, bringing immense pressure to bear. "Do you think that by relying on the Middle Kingdom to get a Governor's post, you can protect yourself? Secure your wealth and rank? I fear you're thinking too simply! Once the war with Japan is over, your official position will be neither legitimate nor orthodox. At that time, you will absolutely become the target of universal condemnation. Do you think the Middle Kingdom will go to any lengths to protect you? I'm afraid you'll just be packed off back to the Great Han capital, never to return."

At this roar, Li Ke panicked even more. He fell back against his chair, his whole body trembling slightly.

Yet, in his heart, he knew the other man's words were very reasonable. These were indeed the crises he now faced.

"Lord of Jingcheng, think it over carefully. Don't miss this golden opportunity." Seeing how useless he was at the critical moment, Jin Jinguo felt a slight contempt. He lowered his gaze and sat back down. "If a ruined reputation can be compensated, then let it be ruined. But if you exhaust every scheme and still end up with a bad outcome, you'll just make yourself a laughingstock…"

Soon, silence fell over the hall once more.

As time passed, Li Ke slowly regained his composure.

The Chief State Councillor was right. He was indeed facing an extremely difficult situation and needed to find some way to break the deadlock. He had originally thought that receiving the Governor's post would put him in a proactive position, but after the other man's scolding, he truly felt it was not enough.

He glanced at Jin Jinguo. This fellow was indeed a crafty old fox. He appeared more loyal to Li Hun than anyone, yet silently, he had plotted so much.

If he followed the other man's idea, he would probably deeply offend the sovereign as well.

But it seemed he had no choice but to do it.

Although he was a royal clansman, Li Ke did not like Li Hun. During Li Hun's first reign, he had been harsh and exacting towards both ministers and the royal clan, practically perverse in his actions, and deeply repellent. Naturally, he had no affection for the current monarch. His previous mission in the Great Han capital was solely to protect Goryeo's interests.

His hesitation now was not out of loyalty to the monarch, but simply out of fear of the consequences of failure.

"Lord of Jingcheng, hesitate no longer." As if reading his mind, Jin Jinguo spoke again. "Since ancient times, who among those who achieved great things never took some risk? If the Lord of Jingcheng wishes to preserve his wealth and rank for the long term, then show a little sincerity. To gain what one desires without doing anything — there is no such good deal in this world. Moreover... as for risk, is the risk the Lord of Jingcheng faces any greater than mine, your humble official's? I must plan and rush about as an intermediary, and even come in person to preside over this matter, while you, Lord of Jingcheng, need only speak a few words to His Highness... If the matter succeeds, the Lord of Jingcheng is the benefactor of the new sovereign. If it fails, no one will know what part the Lord of Jingcheng played in it. Compared to the merit of supporting an enthronement, this bit of risk can hardly be considered great, can it?"