Inside the governor’s mansion of Donghai City, capital of the Southeast Province!
Gui Xingfu had originally come to persuade Yan Wuzhi, the foremost civil official of the Southeast Province, to pledge allegiance to Suo Lun. He had not expected to see Ling Ao instead.
His first reaction was indeed one of shock. Why had Ling Ao appeared here?
Seeing Gui Xingfu’s surprise, Ling Ao repeated himself. “His Highness Qi Li said that everything you have done was forced upon you by Suo Lun, not of your own volition. As long as you are willing to return to the righteous path, he will certainly let bygones be bygones and continue to employ you in important positions.”
Having spoken, Ling Ao gazed at Gui Xingfu with burning eyes.
For Ling Ao, Gui Xingfu was not merely a backer, but practically a spiritual pillar.
Without Gui Xingfu, Ling Ao felt like duckweed upon the water’s surface, without support or refuge. Therefore, he desperately hoped that Gui Xingfu could return to Qi Li’s service.
Gui Xingfu had originally come as Suo Lun’s special envoy to persuade Yan Wuzhi to pledge allegiance. He had not expected the other side to send his own adopted son to persuade him instead.
Hearing Ling Ao’s words, Gui Xingfu’s heart could not help but stir.
To say he was unmoved would be a lie. After all, the most painful thing in Gui Xingfu’s life was being captured by Suo Lun and forced to betray Qi Li in order to preserve his own life.
The former Gui Xingfu had been Qi Li’s trusted confidant of the inner circle, ranking first in political standing among the numerous feudal lords of the Furious Wave Kingdom.
In an instant, he had fallen from heaven into hell, becoming Suo Lun’s prisoner.
Now, Qi Li had actually sent Ling Ao to lobby him, saying he could be reaccepted. How could Gui Xingfu not be moved?
After pondering for a long while, Gui Xingfu let out a deep sigh.
Chief Secretary Yan Wuzhi of the Southeast Province governor’s mansion, seeing this, said, “You father and son-in-law talk. I shall withdraw.”
“There is no need!” Gui Xingfu said. “There are some words that Lord Chief Secretary might as well hear as well.”
Then he turned his gaze to Ling Ao. “Xiao Ao, there is one matter for which you must prepare yourself mentally.”
Ling Ao’s face trembled. “Father-in-law, please speak.”
Gui Xingfu said, “From now on, you should still call me adoptive father. There is no need to call me father-in-law anymore. Because, Gui Qinshao has already married Suo Lun.”
Ling Ao instantly shot to his feet, his face twitching violently. But soon he calmed down again, for he had already prepared himself for this outcome in his heart.
Yet when he truly heard this news, Ling Ao still felt his heart twist with pain.
Gui Xingfu said, “Xiao Ao, how has your adoptive father treated you?”
“You have shown me kindness as weighty as a mountain,” Ling Ao said.
Indeed, kindness as weighty as a mountain. During the scandal of the assassination case exposed here, Gui Xingfu had pushed all the ugly accusations onto his own head, claiming that it was he who had greedily sought power and sent his daughter to be violated by Qi Li. He had not mentioned Ling Ao in a single word, and had even subtly portrayed him as something of a victim.
In the most original text, Gui Xingfu’s testimony even mentioned that he had first used medicine to knock Ling Ao unconscious, then allowed Qi Li to enter Gui Qinshao’s bridal chamber.
In short, he had used every possible method to beautify Ling Ao.
That Gui Xingfu treated Ling Ao so well was truly surprising, even incomprehensible. He was clearly a man who sought profit above all else, harsh and ungrateful. Why would he treat an adopted son so well? He had not even been this good to his own biological son!
After thinking for a long while, Gui Xingfu raised his head. “It is impossible for me to return to Qi Li’s service.”
Ling Ao said urgently, “Why?”
Gui Xingfu said, “Firstly, I no longer hold any value for His Highness Qi Li. The hope of the Gui Clan now rests upon Gui Qinshao and Suo Lun’s child.”
Ling Ao’s face trembled. “Qinshao’s position as city lord of Linhai does not count. You are the true city lord of Linhai. Although Linhai City has been captured by Suo Lun, this is only temporary. One day we shall reclaim it.”
Gui Xingfu said, “Foolish child, do you truly believe His Highness Qi Li would dispatch troops to help us reclaim Linhai City?”
Ling Ao said, “He will not now, but after His Highness Qi Li ascends the throne as king, he will certainly destroy Suo Lun. At that time, Linhai City will naturally be reclaimed.”
Gui Xingfu said, “Setting aside whether His Highness Qi Li can reclaim Linhai City in the future, even if he can destroy Suo Lun and reclaim Linhai City, do you believe he would return it to the Gui Clan?”
Ling Ao fell silent. According to Qi Li’s character, it was certainly impossible. Meat that had entered his mouth, how could Qi Li possibly spit it out?
Gui Xingfu said, “But the child born of Suo Lun and Gui Qinshao’s union will bear the surname Gui. This child will inherit the position of city lord of Linhai! Therefore, by comparison, my allegiance to Suo Lun brings greater benefit to the Gui Clan.”
Ling Ao said hoarsely, “But after His Highness Qi Li ascends the throne as king, he will certainly destroy Suo Lun. And if you stand with Suo Lun, the Gui Clan will be exterminated.”
Gui Xingfu shook his head. “This brings me to the second reason. In this struggle between Qi Li and Suo Lun, Suo Lun’s chances of victory are greater than Qi Li’s. In the future, the one who may die without a burial place is likely Qi Li, not Suo Lun.”
At these words, Ling Ao’s face trembled. He stared at Gui Xingfu in disbelief.
And Yan Wuzhi also showed a slight start, his gaze falling upon Gui Xingfu’s face.
Ling Ao said, “How is this possible? At most, Suo Lun has obtained Rouran City, Tianshui City, and Linhai City. His forces are less than one tenth of His Highness Qi Li’s. How could he possibly win? He is certain to lose, certain to die!”
“Haha…” Gui Xingfu laughed. “If the feudal lords and nobles of the realm were completely united of one heart, and Qi Li could command them as easily as moving his own fingers and arms, then Suo Lun would certainly die without a doubt. But in reality? In this great war to destroy Suo, Qi Li suffered a crushing defeat. The feudal lords and nobles of the realm are all already sitting on the fence and observing. Even Tu Lingtuo has cunningly shrunk back. Qi Li nominally commands a million strong army, but which of them can he actually command? Suo Lun will soon have two hundred thousand troops, and every single soldier belongs to him.”
Ling Ao was stunned. He had not expected his adoptive father Gui Xingfu to speak such words.
Gui Xingfu continued, “In fact, once Suo Lun thoroughly annexes the Southeast Province, he will be nearly invincible.”
At these words, Yan Wuzhi beside him suddenly burst into loud laughter.
Gui Xingfu said, “Why does Lord Chief Secretary laugh?”
Yan Wuzhi said coldly, “Gui Xingfu, you are truly too arrogant in your contempt for others. I am the younger brother of the kingdom’s prime minister, chief secretary of the Southeast Province governor’s mansion, leader of the civil officials of the Southeast Province, and one of the leaders of the Yan Clique. Do you regard me as nothing?”
Before Gui Xingfu could respond, Yan Wuzhi continued, “Suo Lun appointed himself acting governor of the Southeast Province through his own words alone. But apart from Linhai City and Tianshui City, which commandery can he touch? Which county can he govern? All twelve thousand officials of the Southeast Province look to me as their leader. Can he command a single official of the Southeast Province? Even a minor clerk? Therefore, your repeated claims that Suo Lun will annex the Southeast Province are truly reckless nonsense, regarding me and the ten thousand officials of the Southeast Province as nothing.”
Yan Wuzhi was nearly ten years younger than his elder brother Yan Wuqi.
Prime Minister Yan Wuqi had a refined and cultured appearance, whereas this Yan Wuzhi before them was handsome and fierce. In his forties, he wore a thin black beard. His face was narrow and elongated, his eyes deep and sharp.
Although a civil official, he always wore a sword at his side. Combined with his unsmiling demeanour and cold expression, this made him appear extremely sharp and cutting.
And indeed, this man was truly difficult to deal with.
Although Duke Qi Wei was governor of the Southeast Province, he was after all of royal blood and had little patience for daily political affairs. Normally he only controlled military power and the general direction of the entire province, delegating all other political matters to Chief Secretary Yan Wuzhi.
And this Yan Wuzhi was indeed extraordinarily talented, governing the entire Southeast Province in perfect order. Although the second-in-command, he was practically like a local emperor. The fates of the Southeast Province officials all lay in his hands.
Moreover, his character was cold and cruel, and he was arrogant due to his talent. The officials of the Southeast Province all feared him as they would a tiger, trembling with apprehension.
Gui Xingfu, as a feudal lord within the jurisdiction of the Southeast Province, also frequently dealt with Yan Wuzhi. Perhaps because he had held power over a province for too long, Yan Wuzhi was born with an overbearing air. Even when facing a kingdom feudal lord like himself, he assumed the posture of a superior.
So this Yan Wuzhi was indeed very talented. His flaw was that he was too arrogant, even stubbornly self-opinionated.
His elder brother Yan Wuqi, although prime minister of the kingdom and leader of the Yan Clique, was not as overbearing and coldly severe in demeanour as Yan Wuzhi.
What Gui Xingfu had just said to Ling Ao was, rather than persuading Ling Ao, more like persuading Yan Wuzhi.
“Lord Chief Secretary, no family can place all their eggs in one basket, and the Yan Clan is even more so,” Gui Xingfu said. “If Yan Tingyi had not been executed, he would already be serving under Suo Lun’s banner at this very moment.”
Yan Wuzhi’s gaze contracted, and he did not speak.
Gui Xingfu continued, “Before Lord Chief Secretary lies a completely once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If Qi Li ascends the throne, the future prime minister can only be the legitimate son of Yan Wuqi, your nephew Yan Tinglu. But if you pledge allegiance to Princess Qi Yan and Suo Lun, then the future prime minister will be you, Lord Yan Wuzhi. Your talent is as vast as the ocean, your bearing far surpasses that of your elder brother Yan Wuqi. You are the one suited to become leader of the Yan Clique. Could it be you are willing to forever remain beneath others? In the future, must you still obey the commands of your nephew Yan Tinglu?”
Gui Xingfu was exploiting Yan Wuzhi’s arrogance and stubborn self-opinion.
This man had always harboured ambitions higher than the heavens, believing his talent far surpassed his elder brother Yan Wuqi. He did not even place the Yan Clique successor Yan Tinglu in his eyes.
Once he discovered an opportunity to defeat his elder brother Yan Wuqi and become the new leader of the Yan Clique, Yan Wuzhi would certainly be moved. And Suo Lun was practically his only opportunity.
As for the comparison of forces between Suo Lun and Qi Li, there was no need for Gui Xingfu to say anything. Yan Wuzhi could see through it at a glance.
Yan Wuzhi remained silent. Gui Xingfu’s heart rejoiced greatly, believing he had already moved the other party.
But at this moment, Yan Wuzhi let out a cold laugh. “Do you know what Suo Lun lacks most?”
“Please instruct me,” Gui Xingfu said.
“Broad-mindedness, wisdom,” Yan Wuzhi said. “It appears he is invincible in battle, but he relies entirely on quick wits. Look at those around him. Are there any outstanding talents? Yan Nai’er is his woman, Yan Yan is his father-in-law, Yan Chuo’er was his father’s lover, Ashi Liren is his paramour. His side is full of women, not a single great talent. What kind of dogshit path of kingship and hegemony can such a person speak of? At most, he is a shallow child with petty cleverness.”
Gui Xingfu said, “It is precisely because there are no great talents around him that your value becomes priceless and irreplaceable! Suo Lun is also impatient with political affairs. In the future, when Princess Qi Yan ascends the throne, she will certainly concern herself with nothing. And Suo Lun, as regent, will probably have only one interest: training troops and expanding territory. All internal affairs will likely be delegated to the prime minister. If you go to his side, would you not be filling his weakest link? In the future, apart from you, who else could serve as prime minister?”
“Hahahaha…” Yan Wuzhi laughed loudly. “I am a talent of qilin calibre, meant to assist a hegemon who dominates the world. A mere shallow child like Suo Lun is not qualified.”
Then, Yan Wuzhi violently flicked his sleeve. “Suo Lun wants the Southeast Province? Very well, let him come and speak with me in person! Of course, I may not necessarily have the time. I must handle internal affairs, play the zither, paint, and meditate. When I have time, I shall see him.”
Gui Xingfu was speechless. He could clearly see that this Yan Wuzhi was already moved, yet his heart was so lofty and proud that he wanted Suo Lun to adopt the posture of serving an ancestor before giving him the slightest opportunity.
And in fact, Suo Lun was even more arrogant, and completely lacking in patience.
Taking a deep breath, Gui Xingfu said, “I shall report back to Count Suo Lun immediately, and ensure he comes to pay his respects to you in person.”
“Then let him first obtain my forgiveness,” Yan Wuzhi said coldly.
“Forgiveness?” Gui Xingfu was puzzled.
Yan Wuzhi said, “Do you know who Yan Tingyi was? He was not merely my nephew, but also my student. And Suo Lun actually killed him with a single blade. To obtain my forgiveness, he must build a clothing-and-cap tomb for Yan Tingyi, then kneel and kowtow, and cut his hair as atonement! After completing these matters, then he may come and speak with me about the Southeast Province.”
Gui Xingfu’s gaze contracted. “Lord Yan Wuzhi, know your limits! Although the entire Southeast Province is currently in your hands, Count Suo Lun commands tens of thousands of troops. He is a man whose killing aura pierces the heavens.”
Yan Wuzhi said, “Are you threatening me? Behind me stand twelve thousand officials of the Southeast Province. Without us, what does he use to govern the Southeast Province? And at this moment, the nobles, feudal lords, and civil official cliques of the entire realm are all observing. If he acts foolishly, he will only push all forces to Qi Li’s side. If he is this stupid, His Highness Qi Li will probably celebrate with glee.”
Gui Xingfu sighed helplessly. “Very well, I shall convey your words to Count Suo Lun. Farewell!”
Then, Gui Xingfu turned to depart.
“Wait!” Yan Wuzhi said. “Send a single person to inform Suo Lun. You must remain.”
Gui Xingfu’s face changed. “You intend to hold me as a hostage?”
Yan Wuzhi said, “That is not the case. If my transaction with Suo Lun fails, I can also present you to His Highness Qi Li as a gift. It would be no small merit!”
Gui Xingfu said tremulously, “Lord Yan Wuzhi, Count Suo Lun’s patience is far worse than you imagine. Your actions are very dangerous.”
Yan Wuzhi said disdainfully, “The entire realm is watching him now. If he wishes to push all nobles, feudal lords, and civil official cliques to Qi Li’s side, let him act recklessly to his heart’s content.”
Then, he issued a command. “Men, detain Gui Xingfu and all his people!”
“As you command!”
…
One day later.
A Suo Clan warrior, travel-worn and galloping at full speed, charged into the Tianshui City Lord’s mansion. Upon seeing Suo Lun, he immediately fell to the ground, kowtowing and saying, “Master, Chief Secretary Yan Wuzhi of the Southeast Province governor’s mansion has detained Gui Xingfu and all his people, and asked me to deliver a message.”
“What message?” Suo Lun said.
The Suo Clan warrior said, “He asks you to build a clothing-and-cap tomb for Yan Tingyi, then kneel and kowtow, and cut your hair as atonement. Then, personally go to the governor’s mansion in Donghai City and beg for his forgiveness. After completing these matters, he is willing to speak with you about the Southeast Province.”
Suo Lun’s gaze contracted, and he said coldly, “What a bloody fool, thinking I have the patience to play the role of a humble seeker of talent, paying three visits to a thatched cottage?”
Then, he issued a command. “Go invite City Lord Ashi Liren!”
Two hours later, Suo Lun and Ashi Liren led fifteen thousand cavalry, charging mightily towards Donghai City, capital of the Southeast Province.
Yan Wuzhi was clearly moved, yet he still put on such airs. He was truly seeking his own death.
In order to seize the initiative in his dealings with Suo Lun, he had actually done something so infuriating.
Once Suo Lun’s anger was roused, I fear it would be rivers of blood!