freenovelworld Chapter 623 Who would have thought that the Great General would have to compete for favor with his o
Chapter 623 Who would have thought that the Great General would have to compete for favor with his o
Gu Lu spoke casually, but Chu Ruohan and Gu Junze both understood the underlying meaning.
Ignore them!
This is a common tactic used by the court to wear down the arrogance of newcomers.
"Oh? The old archives of the Ministry of Revenue?" Gu Junze tapped his fingertips lightly on the chessboard, making a crisp sound.
A meaningful glint flashed in his eyes, "I'm sending you to look at old accounts, but what you're looking at isn't really accounts."
Gu Lu paused slightly as he placed his piece, then looked up at Gu Junze with a questioning gaze.
Gu Junze picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, and said slowly, "His Majesty sent you to that place not to gain seniority, nor to suffer cold treatment."
"He wants you to see what kind of people and what kind of things are hidden behind those dusty files."
"The accounts of the Ministry of Revenue are the lifeblood of the nation. Although the accounts from the time of the late emperor seem like old news now, those who handled them back then may not all be clean. Their descendants may still hold high positions in the court today."
Gu Junze put down his teacup, his gaze sharp.
"His Majesty has given you a knife, and you are to sharpen it yourself."
"The faster and sharper you grind, the more you can cut off some deeply entrenched old forces, share the Emperor's burdens, and pave the way for yourself."
"But if you become dull or worn out, then you, the second-place scholar, will only be able to spend your whole life in the old archives, surrounded by piles of old papers."
His words were like a wake-up call.
Gu Lu understood instantly.
He originally thought that this was a deliberate attempt by the head of the academy to make things difficult for him, a way to intimidate newcomers in officialdom.
Little did they know that this was actually the emperor's deeper intention.
This is a test, but also an opportunity.
He looked at the chessboard, and the game that had been so close just moments before suddenly became crystal clear in his eyes.
Those seemingly scattered black pieces can be connected into a single group and turn defense into offense once a key position is found.
That crucial location is hidden within the mountain of old case files in the Ministry of Revenue.
"I understand," Gu Lu said in a deep voice.
The last trace of confusion on his face vanished, replaced by a sharp and piercing aura.
Without further hesitation, he pressed the black stone in his hand heavily onto the center point of the chessboard.
One move can bring the whole game to life.
Gu Junze looked at his move and burst into loud laughter.
"Excellent! Excellent move!"
He threw the white piece back into the chess box, saying, "I'm not playing anymore, you win."
Looking at the uncle and nephew, one offering guidance and the other having an epiphany, Chu Ruohan felt a sense of clarity in her heart.
She knew that Gu Lu, this dormant eagle, was finally about to unleash his sharp claws.
He's probably going to stir up the waters of the capital even more.
Gu Lu stood up and bowed deeply to Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan.
"Thank you for your advice, Uncle. I'll take my leave now."
His uncle was too outstanding, whether in literary or military matters, he could not match him, but Gu Lu was very fortunate to have such a guiding light...
"Go ahead." Gu Junze waved his hand. "Remember, haste makes waste. And don't underestimate those old officials."
Gu Lu nodded again, turned around and strode away.
His back was straight and his steps were firm, like a general about to step onto the battlefield.
As night deepened, the main courtyard returned to tranquility after Gu Lu left.
Chu Ruohan picked up the chess pieces one by one and put them back in the chess box, while Gu Junze was still looking in the direction of the door, lost in thought.
"What are you thinking about?" Chu Ruohan asked casually.
Gu Junze withdrew his gaze and landed on her face. In the candlelight, her profile was gentle, which softened his heart as well.
He suddenly spoke up: "Ruohan, let's go for a walk."
Chu Ruohan stopped picking up the chess pieces. She looked up, somewhat surprised: "Now? It's already dark. Go to the back garden?"
Gu Junze shook his head, his deep eyes gazing at her in the candlelight, filled with emotions she couldn't understand.
“I mean, a long trip.” He paused, then added, “just the two of us.”
Chu Ruohan was completely stunned.
At this time, is he going to leave the capital?
Gu Lu had just begun to make a name for himself, and the political situation in the court was turbulent. How could he, as the Duke of Zhenguo, just leave like that?
Gu Junze seemed to see through her thoughts. He walked to her side, took her hand, took the last chess piece from her fingertips, and put it back in the box.
“When I was in the capital, they were like a group of rabbits being watched by eagles, only daring to peek out of their holes and do some underhanded tricks.”
His voice was calm, yet it carried an air of all-knowing indifference.
“I have to give them a chance to stick their heads out completely.”
Chu Ruohan was startled and instantly understood.
"You're paving the way for Lawyer Gu."
“Paving the way is also a form of training.” Gu Junze pulled her to her feet, walked to the window, and looked at the deep night outside.
"The emperor gave him a knife, but no matter how sharp the knife is, if no blood is drawn, it will always be just a piece of scrap metal. The real battlefield is not in the dusty archives, but in the treacherous court."
When he's not around, those lurking ghosts and demons will truly surface and reach out their claws to Gu Lu.
At that time, Gu Lu will face the real test.
Chu Ruohan had to admit that he had thought much deeper and further ahead.
“Okay.” She nodded. “But how long will it take? I need to prepare some things. Also, what about Xuan-ge’er and Qing-chen? I can’t just leave them at the manor, can I?”
The thought of going on a long trip triggered her maternal instincts, and she began to plan for the luggage, manpower, and the food, clothing, and accommodation for her two children along the way.
"No, I won't take it." Gu Junze interrupted her decisively.
"Just the two of us."
He turned around, gently wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, rested his chin on her shoulder, and his voice carried a hint of grievance and dependence that he would never normally show.
"You haven't spent much time with me in ages. All you do is worry about Xuan-ge'er's studies or what trouble Qing-chen has gotten into. And now, you have another one to worry about: Lawyer Gu."
"And me?"
Chu Ruohan was both amused and exasperated by his sudden display of affection.
She turned her head and reached out to squeeze his hand resting on her waist. "Oh, our majestic Duke Zhenguo, are you feeling neglected?"
She joked, "If this gets out and those ministers in the court who are terrified of you hear it, their eyes will probably pop out of their sockets."
"Who would have thought that the general would have to compete for favor with his own child at home?"
Gu Junze let her laugh, but tightened his grip on her arm even more.
“They can’t hear me,” he muttered. “I’ve already made the arrangements.”
Chu Ruohan turned around and faced him directly: "What have you arranged?"
Gu Junze looked at her with a serious expression. "We're leaving. Those who want to arrange marriages for Gu Lu can save themselves the trouble of bothering you again."
"As for Xuan-ge'er, that kid is simply not cut out for studying. You're just making things difficult for him by forcing him to sit in the study every day."
“I sent him to Dongying a few days ago and had Cheng’an take care of him.”