"Someone must be instigating this!"
These words were resounding and decisive, as if a definitive conclusion had been reached.
"Just as Your Highness said."
Ling Yan maintained her smile and casually echoed her words.
Gu Yang remained silent for a moment, then took a step back and bowed deeply to Ling Yan. Ling Yan quickly stepped aside. After standing up, Gu Yang looked at her with a complicated expression for a few moments, then sighed and left.
The statement just made was based on facts witnessed by the Prince of Qinghe, facts following the failure of the new policies.
A wise and virtuous ruler cannot tolerate flaws; someone must bear all the consequences of failure, such as the wrath of powerful families or the causes of war.
When Lingyan suggested to Gu Zhong that she should submit the memorial, she had already left this path open.
On these issues, Gu Zhong's understanding was not as thorough as Gu Yang's.
Perhaps she never even considered the possibility of failure.
To repay your kindness, I would gladly die for you. I will faithfully uphold the principles of loyalty between ruler and subject; having given my life, I am of no use whatsoever.
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Author's Note:
This is a quick transmigration story! This is a quick transmigration story! Ahhhhh, fast forward to the ascension to the throne…
Chapter 20 The Imperial Tutor and the Crown Princess (19)
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As expected, the implementation of the new policy encountered considerable resistance. The powerful families, who failed to stop it at the court meeting, made frequent underhanded moves, with many outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant. At the county level, there was even less progress.
The daily reports Gu Zhong received from various regions were all complaints about the difficulties in implementing the new policies. This infuriated her, and she slammed her hand on the table, immediately deciding to personally inspect and supervise the situation.
That morning's court session was a chaotic affair, as these noble families had never before dealt with a monarch who would set out on a royal procession at the slightest provocation.
Emperors have always been concerned about safety, especially now that the new dynasty has only been established for a short time and the rebels of the previous dynasty are frequently causing trouble.
Logically speaking, most people who have recently been assassinated should cherish their lives even more, but Gu Zhong is not afraid of such things.
It would be even more unbearable to keep her motionless in the capital, blinded by the truth of the country's situation.
Those old scholars who adhered to the established etiquette vehemently opposed the plan devised by the aristocratic families, talking until their throats were dry, but Gu Zhong remained unmoved.
With no other options, the crowd turned their attention to Lingyan, the imperial tutor. Surely the emperor would listen to his teacher?
Unexpectedly, Ling Yan echoed Gu Zhong's sentiments, and they realized that they had forgotten that this man was the emperor's loyal supporter and the proposer of the new policies, and could not be relied upon at all.
Amidst widespread reluctance, the emperor's tour was thus decided.
This time, Gu Zhong didn't forget to include Ling Yan, because otherwise, the Prime Minister in court wouldn't stand on her side.
As for the imperial court, Gu Zhong left Gu Yang in the capital to oversee the country, which amazed everyone with her trust in her younger sister. Wasn't she afraid that the Prince of Qinghe would harbor wolfish ambitions, undermine her power, and directly usurp the throne to become emperor?
Among all the prefectures, Qinghe Prefecture was the most troublesome. This was because it was the fiefdom of a prince, and the princes were arrogant and self-important. With Gu Yang not around, those aristocratic families were even more disdainful of others. However, Qinghe was the capital of Guanzhong, and nearly a quarter of the national treasury's annual tax revenue came from there.
Gu Zhong's primary destination was this place. It was already early summer, and traveling down the waterway from Xijing, the current was swift, and in less than ten days, one could reach Qinghe Wharf directly.
The water glistens, the blue waves meet the sky, and under a clear sky, a huge red ship sails on the waves, with a black royal flag flying on its side, fluttering in the wind, surrounded by warships on both sides, making a grand and imposing sight.
Perhaps having learned from the assassination attempt in the North years ago, Gu Zhong did not go on any incognito visits as depicted in the stories, nor did he openly reveal his whereabouts to the world, making him appear as an emperor on an imperial tour. This made those rebels who wanted to secretly plot against him think twice.
The journey was uneventful. When they arrived in Qinghe County, the prefect of Qinghe County was already waiting at the dock with the noble families and dignitaries of the county. They had been waiting for a long time under the scorching sun, and their foreheads were covered in sweat and their clothes were soaked.
Gu Zhong had always disliked such useless formalities, so he scolded him and then recounted his hard work and achievements to appease him. He used both kindness and severity, which made the Prefect of Qinghe feel ashamed and immediately kneel down to beg for forgiveness.
As a rogue monarch who was always adept at taking advantage of others and readily accepting "advice," Gu Zhong readily accepted the advice and removed his official hat, temporarily appointing Lingyan as the prefect of Qinghe County to investigate and rectify the implementation of the new policies.
His arrival was a show of force, which intimidated many with their own ulterior motives. Those who wanted to continue fooling around would have to reconsider whether their official positions were truly worth it.
Immediately, Qinghe County was in a state of high alert, and local agencies began to operate efficiently. The emperor personally supervised the work, and no one wanted to lose their position due to poor performance.
Several minor noble families were used as scapegoats to test Gu Zhong's attitude, and were directly stripped of their titles and reduced to commoners.
Although for a powerful clan like the Yuan family, unless it involves a serious crime like treason, even the emperor cannot easily take action, it is still feasible to prudently punish them.
There were many conflicts of interest among the various families in the prefecture, and they restrained each other. No one dared to act rashly and could only watch helplessly as Gu Zhong reduced their land quotas to conform to the new rites and then redistributed them to the common people.
Those powerful families instantly lost half of their real estate. Even though there was still room for maneuver, such as discarding those useless wastelands, they still felt a great pain in their pockets.
The new policies were implemented as smoothly as ever in Qinghe County. In accordance with the equal-field system, every household in Qinghe had land to cultivate, and the practice of large clans seizing land was prohibited. This was a major event that benefited the people's livelihood, and for a time everyone praised the current emperor's virtue.
As for the noble families who were making concessions, they dared not speak out, thinking that how could mere commoners compare to the born nobles? Yet they were also afraid of the emperor's power and dared not openly oppose Gu Zhong. They were truly bullying the weak and fearing the strong.
Seeing the excellent situation at the place of her first inspection, Gu Zhong was very pleased. The frustration she had felt in previous years, when she couldn't stand the powerful families, had dissipated considerably. Now, the world was hers to write as she pleased, and the decline of the powerful families was an inevitable trend. This also relieved her of a worry.
It happened to be the day of the summer festival in Qinghe County, which was bustling with activity. Gu Zhong thought he should share the joy with the people, so he happily invited a few close friends and family members to go out and enjoy the festivities together.
She has always been a person who loves to join in the fun, but she has suppressed herself a lot in the past two years. Lingyan is not one to be an annoying old scholar and try to dissuade her.
Moreover, Qinghe County has always been known for its excellent public security, so it's unlikely that anything major will happen.
"Today's scene reminds me of two years ago when I traveled with A-Yang and Mr. Xi'an. Now it's not Xi'an, and A-Yang is not here either. It really leaves a bad taste in my mouth."
Looking at the dazzling fireworks blooming in the night sky, Gu Zhong sighed with melancholy.
As we gaze together at the magnificent sky, Lingyan reminisces about the past, recalling our youthful days of companionship, close friendship, and unwavering bond. A touch of melancholy, a sense of things having changed, inevitably arises, and a bittersweet feeling wells up within me.
"Why should you take it to heart, young master? Different scenery, different people, but the same prosperous era."
Concealing her sadness, she gently raised her folding fan and pointed at the crowd cheering for the celebration ahead.
"I only wish for this prosperous age to be filled with glory, and for the world to be peaceful and tranquil. Even if the road is long and arduous, I will still go there, and I will not regret it even if I die."
Looking at the peaceful scene under his rule, Gu Zhong smiled gently, his words firm and resolute.
Lingyan closed her folding fan, folding it one fold at a time, listening to the person beside her make a grand vow.
—This prosperous era will surely be as you wished.
Ultimately, Lingyan placed too much trust in Qinghe's security and underestimated the ruthlessness of the treacherous officials.
—Next time, we must not let Gu Zhong leave the capital.
As a cannon barrel disguised as a firework rolled to their feet, Lingyan pushed Gu Zhong away, thinking to herself.
The deafening explosions and fireworks in the sky rang out simultaneously. People who had not had time to dodge were mangled and bloodied in the explosions, and the panicked crowd began to push and trample.
The guards drew their swords and surrounded Gu Zhong, creating a vacuum around her, but this only revealed her location.
Under the clear moonlight, a fleeting glint of cold light caught Ling Yan's eye. Dozens of masked men in black leaped out from the surrounding taverns and teahouses, ignoring the terrified people around them, and charged straight at them.
In an instant, the two sides were locked in a fierce battle. The assassins' moves were deadly and unrestrained, while the guards had to consider the civilians and keep an eye on Gu Zhong, and gradually they were at a disadvantage.
The city guards, who should have arrived promptly, were nowhere to be seen. Even though Lingyan was highly skilled in martial arts, she was held back by a fighting formation. Gu Zhong was increasingly alone and was gradually forced away.
In a moment of panic, Ling Yan abandoned all thoughts of leaving any survivors. She relaxed her defenses, threw her folding fan, and flew straight towards Gu Zhong, letting the blades strike her body. Using her hand as a sword, her footwork became increasingly unpredictable as she aimed for the assassins' throats. In an instant, most of the assassins fell, all killed in a single blow.
Just as the battle was about to end, another group of men in black leaped onto the roof, armed with rockets, and fired them without regard for friend or foe.
The assassins who were fighting them hurriedly raised their knives to dodge.
—They don't seem to be a group of people?
Finding an opening, Lingyan led the remaining guards to protect Gu Zhong and quickly moved, trying to break out of the ambush street, but they were blocked by another group of assassins at the intersection.
Ling Yan barely managed to exchange a few blows with the leader when, on her third look at those incredibly bright and ruthless eyes, a sudden inspiration struck her.
"In the clouds?"
The masked man paused, and Lingyan knew she hadn't guessed wrong.
I just didn't expect Chen Muxian to be involved in today's assassination. Why would he do this?
It would be a mistake to abandon all the meticulous planning just because the wedding is postponed due to concerns about the future.
Or has something gone wrong?
Is Chen Muxian no longer the one loyal to Yunzhong?
"Chen Muxian lied to you. Perhaps you should go back to Xijing and visit your mother in Mozi Lane in the east of the city."
Amidst a jumble of thoughts, Lingyan tentatively spoke.
Those eyes, which had been filled with hatred, widened instantly, filled with disbelief.
Seeing this reaction, Lingyan knew that nothing had changed and was relieved.
Chen Muxian still managed to replace Yunzhong midway through, but the news of Yunzhong's mother's death that he received was a smokescreen orchestrated by Lingyan, all to acquire Yunzhong as a decisive move.
How can I trust you?
Yun Zhong spoke, his hoarse and rough voice extremely grating.
“If His Majesty and I perish here today, you will never see your mother again.”
Ling Yan sneered, saying that she was no kind person and had already prepared a complete backup plan.
At this moment, the sound of orderly running gradually approached, presumably the city guards had arrived late, but it was unclear whether they were there to rescue or to collect the bodies.
Yun Zhong's men continued their attacks, but with much less force. She remained silent for a moment, then coldly glanced at Gu Zhong to the side, let out a whistle, and suddenly retreated.
The well-trained assassins vanished into the darkness in an instant. Everyone was exhausted and dared not give chase, so they could only watch helplessly.
"Your Majesty, please forgive your late arrival!"
The county commandant in charge of the city guards was a burly, dark-skinned middle-aged man. Upon seeing Gu Zhong and the others in their disheveled state, he hurriedly stepped forward to apologize.
"I was unaware that there could be anything more important than the security of the city? How long has it been since the incident? Countless people have died or been injured, and this is how you protect Qinghe?"
Gu Zhong gritted his teeth and rushed forward, kicking the county magistrate to the ground.
"I am aware of my guilt."
The county magistrate then got up again and knelt down at Gu Zhong's feet with his head bowed.
Lingyan couldn't see his expression, but a warning bell rang in her mind—something was wrong! She had an inexplicable intuition that this person was suspicious.
"Watch out!" She quickly rushed in front of Gu Zhong, pushed her aside, unfolded her folding fan, blocked the fiercely slashing blade, and used the force to deflect the impact.
However, this strike was delivered with all one's might; an ordinary person would have been cleaved in two. In the end, Lingyan had no choice but to endure the blow on her left shoulder, the wound so deep that the bone was visible.
No one could have predicted that a mere county magistrate would suddenly rise up and attempt to assassinate the emperor in public.