Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 604 - 440: Seriously Talking Nonsense

"Indeed! Could it be that Gu Aiqing also possesses medical skills?" the Emperor casually jested.

Gu Chengyu shook his head, observing the Emperor’s spiritless eyes, the bluish bruises beneath them, and the dark circles—clear signs of excessive indulgence and sleeplessness.

However, such words could not be spoken.

"Your Majesty, I am not adept in medical arts, but I’ve heard that constant fatigue is not only due to physical reasons; it may also be due to psychological pressure. Perhaps Your Majesty could regulate your emotions and balance work with rest, and your health would surely improve."

Gu Chengyu stated solemnly, causing De An nearby to roll his eyes, while thinking internally that Mr. Gu possessed quite the talent for speaking nonsensically with a serious demeanor.

"Oh? You’re suggesting that I should relax and rest more for better health?"

In fact, the Imperial Physician had advised similar things, but the Emperor had grown tired of hearing such advice repeatedly and naturally became impatient. As the ruler of a nation, even if the Emperor wished to relax, the courtiers would not permit it.

However, Gu Chengyu phrased it differently, which piqued the Emperor’s interest and made him listen. Unfortunately, listening does not necessarily mean acting.

Gu Chengyu was actually trying to change the topic with the Emperor. If the Emperor insisted on discussing the matter of age, he feared he might say something inappropriate.

Moreover, isn’t the root cause simply the relentless passage of time? No one can escape aging. If it were up to him, establishing a Crown Prince early would select an heir for the throne and save the courtiers a lot of trouble.

Nowadays, one fears the Princes may be impatient, each making secret moves, potentially causing too much chaos. He, a minor official, couldn’t withstand such turmoil!

"Alas, I wish for ease, but ease eludes me! There are too many matters for me to worry about, Gu Aiqing, what do you suggest we do?"

This question almost made Gu Chengyu roll his eyes. Why beat around the bush? Wouldn’t it be better to speak directly? Does the Emperor need him to willingly fall into a trap to demonstrate his own superior intelligence and strategic acumen?

"Your Majesty! You can consult your ministers! Aren’t the court officials supposed to resolve your troubles? As your ministers, this is our duty. The Prime Minister and those Ministers are all eager to serve you diligently!"

Gu Chengyu saw that the Emperor had yet to mention the purpose of summoning him today and had no choice but to play along. In fact, he was very busy, still needing to revise two volumes of records!

"Hmph! Those people, when it comes to benefits, they certainly run faster than anyone. But when it comes to real work or making decisions, they all shrink back."

The Emperor had long been dissatisfied with them. These high-ranking officials above Second Rank often quarreled till they turned red in morning assemblies yet never reached any conclusions.

Gu Chengyu felt awkward upon hearing this; the Emperor criticized those high officials in front of him, leaving him at a loss for words.

Fortunately, the Emperor had no intention of needing Gu Chengyu’s response, merely criticizing them further.

"Gu Aiqing! As one of my ministers, shouldn’t you also help relieve my burdens?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu knew it was time to get to the main topic, feeling relieved inside, realizing the Emperor indeed had too much idle time. It seemed there were still too few memorials.

The Emperor spoke in such a roundabout way because the matter at hand was difficult for him to broach.

"If I could relieve Your Majesty’s burdens, it would indeed be my honor. However, I am concerned that my abilities are insufficient and that I may be lacking in strength."

Gu Chengyu sensed that the Emperor’s roundabout way of speaking today could mean the topic was either troublesome for him or difficult for the Emperor himself, which required his cautious handling.

The Emperor knew at once that this man was slippery and cunning.

"Gu Aiqing! I’ve heard that your family became wealthy from your soap recipe, is this true?" The Emperor paced to the Imperial Desk, fixing his gaze on Gu Chengyu standing before him.

Gu Chengyu was somewhat astonished. Why would the Emperor suddenly show interest in his family’s history of wealth? In an instant, he thought of the sum extorted from Xia Qing.

His heart trembled; could it be that the Emperor had his eyes on his small fortune? Xia Qing’s kin had embezzled quite a bit, but he didn’t have that much. Although the recent years had brought him considerable profits from taverns and pastry shops, and the cosmetics business had started to turn a profit, his amount of money was insignificant for the National Treasury.

Evaluating mentally, Gu Chengyu realized they had indeed made considerable gains over the past few years, totaling more than two hundred thousand taels.

"Ahem!"

The Emperor’s cough instantly brought Gu Chengyu’s wandering thoughts back.

"To answer Your Majesty! Soap merely yields small profits! My family earns some Silver Coin from a small soap workshop, but those who sell soap at high prices are the merchants who reap the benefits."

Publicly, his family shouldn’t engage in business, so such an explanation sufficed, as the Emperor wasn’t aware of his deals with Mr. Wang.

The Emperor suddenly chuckled and mockingly reprimanded Gu Chengyu, "What? You thought I would care for such minor gains?"

The Emperor had no interest in those small sums. The soap recipe was a good asset; if soap could be sold in more places, the proceeds would be substantial. Yet Gu Chengyu held a Secondary Sixth Rank; even those merchants wanting to sell more soap using Gu Chengyu would hesitate.

Nonetheless, this wasn’t his agenda today; should there be no other options in the future, he might indeed consider it.

"Hehe! Surely, Your Majesty wouldn’t care for such profits. It’s just a family’s recipe to make ends meet," Gu Chengyu didn’t believe for a second that the Emperor hadn’t considered the soap recipe.

Indeed, if the Emperor demanded the recipe, sharing the meat while he drank the soup wouldn’t be unacceptable. However, the soap recipe contained essential oils used widely in cosmetics, something he couldn’t relinquish.

"Given all know the National Treasury’s dire state, isn’t it due to my inadequacies?"

Saying this, the Emperor sighed, eyebrows knitted, mood low.

Gu Chengyu hurriedly responded, "Your Majesty, you cannot be blamed! It was the previous wars that depleted the National Treasury. Since the founding of this dynasty, the populace has recuperated, and taxes have not been onerous. Under your rule, people live in peace and prosperity, the nation and its people flourishing; we aren’t far from a golden age."

De An today finally witnessed Mr. Gu’s rhetoric, able to breathe life into the dead with words.

The Emperor, hearing these words, indeed relaxed, highly satisfied.

Actually, Gu Chengyu’s words weren’t entirely flattery; Dayan’s low taxes were a fact.

The constant warfare of the previous dynasty left the National Treasury depleted, still unrecuperated. After a latter dynastic transition, the populace had just begun living beyond mere subsistence.

As for prosperity, with unlocked doors and all, presently seemed distant.

Gu Chengyu’s words, albeit exaggerated, couldn’t genuinely blame Emperor Huiming for the empty National Treasury.