I Rely on Beauty to Stabilize the Country - Chap 65
Chapter 65
Xue Yuan possessed something that Gu Yuanbai envied greatly, and that was the freedom that others did not have in this era. He had the ability to do as he pleased and a body that matched his talents.
His emotions and temperament were like fire. If Gu Yuanbai were a bystander, he would appreciate Xue Yuan’s personality. In modern times, perhaps he would have become friends with Xue Yuan, sharing drinks and enjoying each other’s company.
But in ancient times, in a feudal dynasty, his intense emotions were seen as madness.
Gu Yuanbai forcefully pulled his hand away.
“Your disrespect and deficient words,” Gu Yuanbai said, “Xue Yuan, I have forgiven you many times. Considering your efforts in securing South Jing and Jiangnan for me, and your disregard for everything in order to save me, as well as your father’s dedicated service to me, I can turn a blind eye to some of the transgressions you have committed on regular days.”
“Others understand how to take advantage of this opportunity to show respect, to have proper discretion, and to please me,” Gu Yuanbai’s voice grew colder. “But you, not only do you lack restraint, but you also repeatedly challenge the boundaries in my heart.”
“If I want your life, why would I need to be kind to you? There is no shortage of people who are willing to sacrifice themselves for me, and you are not the only one.”
A vague anger rose in Gu Yuanbai’s heart. This anger surged to his chest, and with a swift wave of his robe, he reached out and grabbed Xue Yuan’s chin, exerting pressure as he spoke in a suppressed tone. “Any one of them would be more obedient than you.”
Xue Yuan’s breathing became heavier, his body tense, and the newly bandaged wound began to bleed again.
He struggled to suppress the gloom in his heart and pretended to smile indifferently. “Your Majesty, they are not as useful as I am.”
“This boast makes me want to laugh,” Gu Yuanbai curled his lips and sneered coldly. “All the geniuses and talents flock to the imperial court. Xue Yuan, how great is your talent? Great enough that no one in the world can compare to you?”
“And how confident are you? Confident that they will be more loyal to me than you?”
Xue Yuan fell silent.
After a long while, he sighed softly.
Gu Yuanbai thought he had admitted his mistake and released his grip. “These fifty lashes today are a punishment for Xue Qing’s arrogant actions.”
“I only hope you understand,” Gu Yuanbai’s voice became soft and gentle, as if it could melt anyone’s heart, but the chill in his words froze everyone’s hearts. “The laws of Da Heng cannot be surpassed just because you have talent.”
Gu Yuanbai was not a narrow-minded person. His thoughts were even more advanced than anyone else in this world.
However, the ancient laws, the power of an emperor, absolutely did not allow anyone to trespass.
As the emperor, Gu Yuanbai upheld the supremacy of imperial authority. If someone made a mistake and couldn’t be punished, what kind of deterrent would the emperor have?
Regardless of the reasons for today’s actions, if they could cut off the little finger of the Marquis of Anle’s heir, then tomorrow, for some other reason, could they take the lives of others?
The Emperor’s final words were, “If fifty lashes are not enough, then continue until it is.”
After saying that, Gu Yuanbai turned and walked out.
His expression was devoid of emotion, and his oppressive presence prevented anyone inside or outside the room from daring to lift their heads. As he stepped over the threshold, Xue Yuan spoke from behind.
“Your Majesty, even if my abilities are insufficient, there is something that they cannot afford to give or dare to give,” Xue Yuan’s voice was calm. “I—”
“Shut up,” Gu Yuanbai interrupted.
Xue Yuan smiled subtly.
The air in the stuffy room was humid, soaking the bedding. The scent of blood grew stronger, but Xue Yuan appeared even calmer than before.
He propped himself up and looked at Gu Yuanbai from the stifling and steamy air of the room. His voice was neither loud nor soft, steady and composed. “Your Majesty asked earlier why I refused the transfer. I can answer now because I want to stay by your side.”
“My heart desires you,” his voice suddenly lowered, as if coming from a distant, distorted place. “Devoted to Your Majesty, this heart is not given to anyone else.”
Because others would fear death.
With a thud, everyone who heard these words fell to their knees, their backs chilled, cold sweat dripping from their foreheads. Listening to Xue Yuan’s words of defiance, they wished they hadn’t witnessed this scene.
Gu Yuanbai remained silent.
In the small courtyard, despite the presence of so many people, not a single sound was uttered. The incessant chirping of cicadas seemed to be a reminder of mortality, one sound after another.
The people in the courtyard were afraid that they would lose their lives for hearing those words.
Even Tian Fusheng felt anxious and nervous.
After a while, Gu Yuanbai spoke in a calm tone, “Tian Fusheng, take these people away.”
Some individuals in the courtyard were already trembling uncontrollably, their expressions filled with fear as if they were about to lose their lives at any moment.
The Emperor continued, “Let them understand what they should remember and what they should forget.”
Tian Fusheng rose unsteadily, his voice trembling, “Yes.”
Gu Yuanbai, without glancing sideways, as if nothing had happened, as if he hadn’t heard anything, continued to stride away from this small courtyard, his expression unchanged.
In modern times, Gu Yuanbai had also received numerous love confessions.
However, Xue Yuan stood out, especially because Gu Yuanbai didn’t know if it was his own bewildering kiss that had swayed Xue Yuan.
If it was, he felt guilty in his heart. But after the guilt, what else could Gu Yuanbai do?
No matter whom Xue Yuan liked, it was better than liking him. No matter who it was, they would have more time to spend with him than Gu Yuanbai.
Once the Emperor left, the people in the courtyard breathed a sigh of relief. They sat on the ground, grateful that they still had their lives.
Inside the room, Xue Yuan closed his eyes, lying on the pillow. After a while, traces of blood seeped from the palm of his hand.
In the evening, Chang Yuyan came to see Xue Yuan personally.
He reassured him, “Your father knows about what your younger brother did. Before leaving, he caused quite a scene. General Xue didn’t look good. I guess he’s going to use the family’s disciplinary measures again, just as you mentioned.”
Xue Yuan, whether asleep or awake, responded lazily with a nasal tone after a while.
Chang Yuyan opened his folding fan, gracefully fanning himself a few times, and wondered, “Xue Jiuyao, you actually did this for your younger brother. With your abilities, you still fell into his trap. To be honest, were you deliberate?”
“Deliberate?” Xue Yuan moved his mouth. “The mind of a top scholar is truly extraordinary.”
Chang Yuyan had once boasted in front of Xue Yuan about his ambition to become the top scholar, but ended up becoming the second-place scholar instead. Every time Xue Yuan addressed him as top scholar, it sounded like mockery to Chang Yuyan’s ears.
Chang Yuyan angrily tapped the edge of the bed, saying, “Even if you didn’t say it, I could have guessed it.”
He was partly enjoying the misfortune and partly sincere, “The Marquis of Anle never spares anyone with his words. Although the Emperor hasn’t sent anyone to spread this matter, the Marquis of Anle has already made a big fuss about it. But apart from our family, not many people are criticizing you. Compared to you, your younger brother has received much more controversy.”
Xue Er Gongzi’s reputation was completely ruined, carrying the title of being both foolish and poisonous.
Xue Yuan ignored him. After a while, he said, “Write me a poem.”
Chang Yuyan was taken aback. “What?”
“Praise my elegance,” Xue Yuan finally opened his eyes, bloodshot veins overflowing, giving a terrifying impression as if his eyes were filled with blood. It startled Chang Yuyan. Xue Yuan looked at him and calmly continued, “Appearance, family background, experiences, military achievements… Write it well.”
“What does this mean?”
“If I tell you to write, then write,” Xue Yuan smirked, a cold and sinister smile. “If you write well, I will reward you with something good.”
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. On the third day, the various government offices officially began operating within the summer palace as they would in the capital city.
Gu Yuanbai and the other officials attended the morning court. During the morning court, following the Emperor’s instructions, the Minister of Revenue reported to the entire court that three-tenths of the tax revenue from the regions of South Jing and Jiangnan would be accounted for.
The ministers were in an uproar.
It was inevitable that there would be hidden fields among the various aristocratic families. As the families behind the officials grew richer, it meant that the Emperor was becoming weaker. When the Emperor became weak enough, a powerful figure would emerge, seizing power on behalf of the Emperor, leading to the change of dynasties.
Many people didn’t understand this principle, but those who did began to speak cautiously under the powerful Emperor.
They knew that the usual tax revenue was definitely not the actual amount, but three-tenths? That was too alarming!
Gu Yuanbai simply wanted these officials to know about this matter. After the Minister of Revenue finished speaking, the ministers looked at each other in astonishment. Suddenly, the Minister of Personnel stepped forward, bowing deeply and even apologizing to Gu Yuanbai.
Gu Yuanbai narrowed his eyes slightly, meaningfully asking, “What crime has the Minister of Personnel committed?”
The Minister of Personnel’s lips twitched, and he clasped his hands in front of him, bowing deeply. “I am ashamed.”
The governor of Lizhou had already fallen into the trap carefully arranged by Kong Yilin and others half a month ago.
Just as the anti-corruption officials left, they were followed by a convoy carrying grain and tax money, which was meticulously prepared by Kong Yilin and his group. The enticing convoy proved too tempting for the governor of Lizhou to resist. After enduring the temptation for over ten days, he couldn’t bear it any longer and divulged detailed information about the “big fat sheep” that would pass through Lizhou to various bandit hideouts.
This led to the complete eradication of the bandits surrounding Lizhou and the capture of the governor, who had been a great scourge to the region.
Due to the large number of bandits, the forces of the Eastern Feather Guard were insufficient. Fortunately, they had made prior arrangements and contacted the local garrison. The garrison concealed themselves in the shadows without alerting the enemy. In the end, they successfully apprehended the governor of Lizhou.
These individuals had been restrained and were being escorted back. The Minister of Personnel, as per Gu Yuanbai’s orders, accompanied them to deal with the governor’s case of forming factions and engaging in private activities. As a result, he had heard some rumors.
The Minister of Personnel’s face looked haggard, and there was an expression of resignation on his face.
Gu Yuanbai naturally understood why he was like this. As a high-ranking official in the “Double Accomplishment School,” the Minister of Personnel was an important figure and a representative. Now that he had been ordered by the Emperor to investigate the governor of Lizhou, he had already sensed the unease. At this point, there was no hope left.
This was one of the reasons why Gu Yuanbai detested factionalism and private activities.
“The Minister of Personnel has not made any mistakes. You have diligently served in government affairs throughout the year. So why do you apologize?” Gu Yuanbai said. “Or is it that within your school of thought, when one person makes a mistake, the rest, regardless of right or wrong, must stand together and face life and death, unconditionally supporting each other without distinguishing between right and wrong?”
Once these words were spoken, some members of the “Double Accomplishment School” who were about to step forward to speak on behalf of the Minister of Personnel stopped in their tracks, beads of cold sweat forming on their foreheads.
The Emperor detested factionalism because it compelled the factions to stand on the same front due to mutual interests and moral obligations, regardless of the consequences. They had to do so, even if they knew it would be a losing proposition, risking their positions or even their lives, but they had to stand with their own people, gritting their teeth and enduring the hardship.
This had been the subconscious behavior of people throughout history, and no one thought it was wrong. They only knew that they should speak up for their own faction.
That’s why the Minister of Personnel stepped forward on his own, even though Gu Yuanbai had no intention of pursuing him and was about to speak for him.
The Minister of Personnel remained silent, keeping his head lowered and not daring to speak.
Gu Yuanbai said indifferently, “You may leave.”
That meant there would be no further investigation. The Minister of Personnel obeyed and withdrew. Gu Yuanbai turned the jade thumb ring on his thumb and thought to himself that after internal and external stability, it was necessary to put the school of thought reform on the table.
There were two things that could have a significant impact on the factions. One was the student enrollment records, as seen in the modern era. The other was the unified punctuation system throughout the country.
Only when all students were required to have government enrollment records and could only obtain them by entering official schools, similar to the modern system, would these factional alliances and the outdated elements in culture face a fierce impact.
