Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 580 - 416: Any Good Strategies?

"Your humble servant thanks the Emperor for granting me a seat!" Gu Chengyu did not expect that the Emperor would grant him a seat today.

His superior was still kneeling outside, yet he was sitting in the Imperial Study Room; this feeling was truly odd!

Moreover, the Grand Secretary Xia Qing was about to arrive; when he came, would the Emperor grant him a seat?

If not, then a mere Secondary Sixth Rank official sitting while a First-Grade Official stands is somewhat unreasonable, isn’t it?

As soon as Gu Chengyu thought about this, he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

"Gu Aiqing, I have heard that you read especially many books on a daily basis; you indeed are widely knowledgeable. What’s more, you remember them all!"

The Emperor, looking at the memos with some distress, simply pushed them aside and began talking to Gu Chengyu.

Young people have vitality; while talking to Gu Chengyu, the Emperor felt rejuvenated, as if he had become much younger.

"In response to the Emperor, my memory is quite good. Reading a couple more times ensures I won’t forget."

Gu Chengyu was somewhat modest with these words; he only needed to read once to remember most things, and reading twice engraved them deeply into his mind.

Of course, if a few years pass without review, forgetting is likely. After one or two years, he would have to read twice again to consolidate.

"Oh? So you have a photographic memory?" The Emperor suddenly became interested; Gu Chengyu was indeed exceptionally talented.

"In response to the Emperor! I wouldn’t dare claim photographic memory; I still need to read a few times to remember." Gu Chengyu respectfully stood and answered.

He was somewhat uncertain; why did the Emperor call Xia Qing over and not let him leave, even granting him a seat? What does it mean?

It seems there is nothing for him here; the memos naturally have the Emperor’s instructions without him needing to worry.

So, why was he still in the Imperial Study Room? But the Emperor did not speak up yet, granting him a seat and chatting with him.

He hesitated, debating whether to take leave or continue waiting for Xia Qing’s arrival.

The Emperor chatted with Gu Chengyu a few more times, greatly lifting his spirits! He finally picked up the memos on the table again.

At a glance, they were trivial matters, and annoyingly, the Emperor felt a surge of frustration.

In recent days, the memos submitted by the Cabinet mostly consisted of minor affairs. Looking at the proposed decisions attached to them, he was tempted to disobey the Cabinet’s suggestions and issue his own imperial decree to dampen their zeal.

However, he had endured quite a lot these days. Already with poor health, competing with the Cabinet was somewhat punishing himself.

Seeing the Emperor’s tightly knitted brows, Gu Chengyu knew he was troubled by the memos. He wasn’t sure if it was trouble from a particular memo or simply the headache from the piled-up memos on the desk.

Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but feel a myriad of emotions; it seems the life of an Emperor is not easy.

From historical books, emperors were often depicted as exhausting themselves, reviewing memos late into the night, which often led to a short lifespan. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Of course, there were those who were merely figureheads, but such dynasties generally did not last long.

Not to mention those who were indulgent and only sought pleasure—those were marks of dying regimes.

"Gu Aiqing! Tell me, aren’t those Ministers in the court always deceiving me?"

The Emperor leaned his back against the chair, closed his eyes, remaining expressionless on his face.

But what he said startled Gu Chengyu, who promptly stood and said, "In response to the Emperor, Dare those Ministers have the guts of wild beasts to deceive the Emperor? You are the ruler of a nation; how is there anything unknown to you about the world?"

Uncertain why the Emperor suddenly asked this, Gu Chengyu wondered, had the Emperor detected something the court officials were keeping from him?

Though Xia Qing was powerful, surely the Emperor had a few confidants? Else, Xia Qing would have long overtaken him.

Even now, constrained by the Cabinet, the Emperor was not entirely powerless!

"Hmm! I see those people want me to abdicate for a worthy successor. Do they think I’ve grown old?"

Suddenly, the Emperor opened his eyes and looked directly at Gu Chengyu. The eyes full of unwillingness, anger, and deep-seated helplessness shocked Gu Chengyu.

He promptly stood and knelt, with Xiao Quanzi also startled, kneeling on the ground. The Emperor’s words showed the extent of his anger.

"Calm down, Emperor!" Gu Chengyu didn’t know how to console him; ultimately, the root cause was the Emperor’s advanced age, his vigor waned compared to past years, naturally leading the courtiers to make future plans.

"You do not dare, but they do! Gu Aiqing, tell me, is there any way to discern their loyalty?"

The Emperor leaned forward and waved his hand to dismiss Xiao Quanzi from the Imperial Study Room, instructing him to guard the door without disturbance unless told otherwise, then looked at the kneeling Gu Chengyu.

Gui Chengyu’s mouth curled with a hint of bitterness—indeed, it was never good to be kept back.

Earlier, he was granted a seat; now he might have to answer on his knees. If he failed to satisfy or upset the Emperor, the consequences would depend on the Emperor’s mood.

But the circumstances were evident—the Emperor was in a particularly foul mood.

Gu Chengyu thought for a moment; the Emperor wanted nothing more than the inability to fully supervise the court officials. His question was merely to salvage some pride!

Moreover, who could guarantee that the memos from the Cabinet were comprehensive?

Many memos were returned daily. Some entered the Cabinet and disappeared without a trace.

Ultimately, the Emperor wished only to understand every affair in the Capital and the provinces in detail, for better control of the court.

Gu Chengyu glanced at the memos on the table and suddenly conceived an idea.

Cautiously, he looked at the Emperor and found him staring back, waiting for a response.

Knowing this was a test, Gu Chengyu noted that the Emperor deemed Min Feng’s incident trivial; this was the main act.

If he answered well today to satisfy the Emperor, then there were good days ahead; otherwise, after today, the Emperor would not care about his life or death.

"Your humble servant, along with other officials, is utterly loyal to the Emperor, yearning to share your burdens and ease your labor. In the future, we shall strive to serve you tirelessly until death."

Gu Chengyu naturally could not reveal the solution so quickly; if easily obtained, the Emperor might not value it. A display of loyalty was necessary first.

The Emperor listened and, as Gu Chengyu predicted, showed some impatience.

He furrowed his brows, then acknowledged that Gu Chengyu had just entered the officialdom and could not have anticipated a good solution.

Those veteran officials were old foxes; Gu Chengyu was yet a novice and could not contend with them. His expectations were too high.

"Actually, it’s not like there isn’t a way..." Gu Chengyu said hesitantly.

"Oh? Gu Aiqing, do you have a good strategy? Why not share it!" The Emperor was initially disappointed but perked up as he realized Gu Chengyu had a solution, his eyes gleaming with hope.

The Emperor’s previously drooping eyes suddenly widened, his body sitting upright, showing keen interest in Gu Chengyu’s words.