Of course, how it should be done in detail, the Emperor may not necessarily heed his advice; it is still up to the Emperor to decide.
Given the situation in the court, even if the Emperor wants to find more trustworthy officials, he fears he may have the will but not the power, so there is no need to worry too much. Simply put, Gu Chengyu wants to gain so benefits in front of the Emperor while also ensuring his rights in the future.
"Oh?" The Emperor glanced at Gu Chengyu with a half-smile. The Emperor was inherently very shrewd, so how could he not see through Gu Chengyu’s intentions?
Gu Chengyu’s heart was startled; he dared not underestimate the Emperor. However, his purpose was not hidden; after all, he was to express his loyalty, and it was just as well that the Emperor saw through it.
"This humble servant wishes to volunteer only in hopes of alleviating so of the Emperor’s worries and contributing what little I can."
Gu Chengyu respectfully knelt on the ground, lowered his head, and awaited the Emperor’s response.
Although the Emperor seed displeased, Gu Chengyu was not worried, having pledged his loyalty twice before. If the Emperor did not trust him, no amount he said would matter. Moreover, the matter of the secret morial was initiated by him, and to keep him steady, the Emperor’s likelihood of agreeing was high.
His rank was too low; if sothing happened, he could only wait for the Emperor to summon him. But who knows when the Emperor would summon him? There were too many capital officials to count, and he did not think the Emperor would rember him constantly.
Therefore, what he sought was the privilege to submit secret morials.
The Emperor pondered for a mont and then agreed to Gu Chengyu’s request. After all, Gu Chengyu was considered a confidant; to prevent him from leaking secrets, the Emperor had to fulfill his small request. Moreover, Gu Chengyu’s mind was very agile, and agreeing to him was more beneficial than harmful.
But then he hesitated, rembering the recomndation of Gu Chengyu by the second in the Imperial Study Room that day, and suspicion arose in his heart. Finally, the Emperor deliberated for a mont, looking at the respectful Gu Chengyu kneeling below.
Fine! Just a Secondary Sixth Rank, even if he has already taken sides, he does not worry that Gu Chengyu can stir up a major storm.
"Since you are so loyal, I can’t deny you the opportunity," the Emperor nodded and said.
Gu Chengyu was secretly delighted; the Emperor seed to have agreed. Today’s visit to the Imperial Study Room brought quite a few benefits.
"In the future, this humble servant will definitely spare no effort and be dutiful and loyal to the Emperor!" Gu Chengyu quickly picked those pleasing words, waving them again.
Hearing this, the Emperor pointed at Gu Chengyu and jokingly scolded, "Your tongue is quite sharp, always good at sweet-talking . Enough! Don’t bring that flattery set, say how do you want to present that secret morial?"
The Emperor always thought this person had a nimble mind, articulate, and was very skilled at coaxing others. This was also why he often kept Gu Chengyu around for conversations; who doesn’t like to hear good words?
Gu Chengyu secretly pursed his lips; he could see through it. How could the Emperor not like to hear these things? Throughout history, which Emperor didn’t like ministers to flatter him? So how could the Emperor’s words be taken seriously?
"Every word is sincerely from this humble servant’s heart! But as for how to proceed! The Emperor must already have a plan, yet seeks this humble servant’s advice. Then let this humble servant take a guess and see if it aligns with the Emperor’s thoughts."
Gu Chengyu had already laid out the general idea in his previous words; what remained were details. Of course, he couldn’t take full credit; wouldn’t this make the Emperor seem incapable?
But since the Emperor wanted to ask, naturally, he had to give so suggestions. He planned to casually fob it off, answer the Emperor’s questions, and not let the Emperor lose face.
The Emperor couldn’t help but praise Gu Chengyu for his eloquence, feeling cheered by his words.
"Originally, morials were first submitted to the Ministry of Communication, but now with secret morials, why not set up another governnt office or appoint a favored official to directly present those secret morials to you, Emperor? Or perhaps, the Emperor has another plan; this humble servant can only think of this much for now, surely the Emperor already has a decision in mind."
The Emperor felt a bit embarrassed, as previously he enjoyed Gu Chengyu’s thorough analysis and hadn’t bothered to think more. But now, this flattery from Gu Chengyu made his heart a bit uneasy.
However, Gu Chengyu’s idea wasn’t bad, but creating another governnt office was troubleso. The officials in the Cabinet would never agree; they would overturn his Taihe Palace.
The Emperor considered in his heart and thought it safer to find a trusted official. He glanced at Gu Chengyu; this person wouldn’t do, as he couldn’t discern his nature, needing more ti to think when he was free.
Gu Chengyu knew the Emperor still couldn’t fully trust him, and for his previous suggestion, the Emperor did not disclose his decision. Gu Chengyu wasn’t disappointed, as he would find out eventually, and perhaps the Emperor couldn’t decide at that mont either.
"I have my judgnt on this matter, so return and carefully ponder the matter of the compiled code. If you are diligent, I have always been fair with rewards and punishnts, do you understand?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu had a thought; the Emperor, though not giving him a promise, hinted otherwise. Could it be that the position of Imperial Academy Attendant was also within his reach?
However, this was still like the moon reflected in water, the flower in a mirror; to gain substantial benefits, his achievents so far might not suffice.
"This humble servant thanks the Emperor for his recognition, and will be even more diligent in the future."
The conversation reached this point, and the Emperor began to focus on the matter of secret morials, planning to think of a strategy once he had ti. He waved his hand, instructing Gu Chengyu to return to Hanlin Academy for his duties and to notify Xiao Quanzi to summon Xia Qing from outside.
Gu Chengyu respectfully withdrew, and as he left the Imperial Study Room, he saw Xia Qing standing outside with a gloomy face.
"This official greets the Pri Minister!" Gu Chengyu smiled and saluted Xia Qing.
Faced with Xia Qing, who sought to usurp his credit, Gu Chengyu ntally cursed him a hundred tis but remained outwardly calm, with his respectful deanor and words clear to all, causing De’an, waiting outside, to have a twitch in his eyelid.
This Mr. Gu was really able to maintain his composure! Seeing one’s rival in person, yet remaining unfazed, with such temperant and intelligence, De’an couldn’t help but admire him.
"So it’s Gu Xiu, this official often hears about Gu Xiu’s remarkable talent, even the Emperor regards Gu Xiu favorably. So day, when ti allows, this official would like to invite Gu Xiu to write a few poems, so I may broaden my horizons."
Gu Chengyu could restrain his temper, and of course, Xia Qing could too. Previously, he underestimated Gu Chengyu and looked down on him, but now that Gu Chengyu had gained montum and the Emperor valued him highly, Xia Qing had to regard him seriously.
"Pri Minister overpraises; Min Bianxiu’s literary talent is not below mine. He is your protégé, so you probably admire his works daily, how could you have ti for my ager efforts?"
Gu Chengyu said with a half-smile, then proposed to take his leave first.
Hearing Gu Chengyu’s words, Xia Qing’s smile froze on his face; he felt that Gu Chengyu was insinuating sothing. He glanced over Gu Chengyu’s face, the feeling becoming even clearer.
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