Chapter 1086: Chapter 922: Lateral Transfer to Yingnan Mansion?

The imperial envoy entered the city quietly, fearing that people might find out and ruin his plans. But Lu Chen’s display is quite grand. Is he going to personally greet me?

Gu Chengyu sneered, Lu Chen surely didn’t come for friendship this time. Previously, having outsmarted him, Lu Chen might harbor quite a resentment against me!

Why does the Emperor insist on pairing Lu Chen with me? Doesn’t he know that Lu Chen and I are not compatible? This person only likes to steal my credit.

He sighed, "Let’s go welcome Lord Lu!"

Even though Gu Chengyu’s rank is the same as Lu Chen’s, considering Lu Chen has come from afar, not going out to greet him wouldn’t be appropriate.

"But is Commander Lord Lu coming to Yingnan Mansion? As a subordinate, I should go welcome him as well!"

Guo Haoshou’s eyes instantly lit up upon hearing about Lu Chen’s arrival.

Lu Chen is the legitimate younger son of Marquis Zhan’s Mansion and is also a maternal nephew of Princess Consort Jing, a cousin to Prince Gong!

He is genuinely of the royal family; Marquis Zhan’s Mansion has significant influence in the Capital. If he could connect with Marquis Zhan’s Mansion, wouldn’t a promotion be promising?

Li Taixing offended Gu Chengyu and had so much Silver found in his private residence. With all this Silver, Li Taixing couldn’t make a comeback.

Having served as Deputy in Yingnan Mansion for over a decade, when the previous Magistrate was promoted, he had been certain that he would ascend to the position of Magistrate.

Who would’ve thought Li Taixing would suddenly appear and seize his position, causing him significant frustration along with deep helplessness.

Now that Li Taixing has committed an offense, his opportunity has arrived. He must connect with Marquis Zhan’s Mansion, even though Marquis Zhan’s Mansion is Prince Gong’s maternal family. He wouldn’t spare efforts.

He has stayed in the Deputy position for too long; just having his seat moved would make him satisfied.

His expectations are not high, only aspiring for the position of Magistrate in Yingnan Mansion.

Gu Chengyu could immediately see through Guo Haoshou’s thoughts, holding a merely passable impression of him. Though somewhat cunning, he isn’t intrinsically bad, just inclined to maneuver.

Nevertheless, as it stands, having no connections in the officialdom, doesn’t one have to flatter the superiors or find a capable patron if aiming to climb upwards?

Previously Guo Haoshou had shown goodwill to me, perhaps due to the Emperor’s favor towards me. Now with Lu Chen here, Guo Haoshou would most likely align himself with Lu Chen.

For imperial favor, it’s the most unreliable. Maybe today the Emperor favors you, making your career smooth and promoting quickly.

But once you’ve lost the Emperor’s favor, any courtier you’ve ever offended could step up to step on you.

At that time, you’d be like a dead crab, thoroughly beaten.

Thus, one must cultivate one’s own influence, growing powerful enough to be recognized by the Emperor, like Grand Secretary Xia Qing.

No matter the reason the Emperor indulges him, it’s Xia Qing’s skill.

Lu Chen is much more stable than I am; being part of the Capital’s aristocratic family with vast networks ensures safety, provided they don’t commit usurpation or complicity with foreign countries, typically they won’t be easily overturned.

Lu Chen instructed the carriage to move slower as they were nearing the city gate; he lifted the curtain and looked toward the gate.

Due to presenting a post and tooth card, the guarding officials and soldiers were aware a high-ranking court official was being dispatched.

They dispersed the civilians entering and exiting the city, currently rendering the gate desolate compared to the lively scene before.

"Do you see? That’s the court’s dispatched disaster relief Silver Taels. The victims won’t fear starving anymore. With so many boxes, how much silver could that be?"

Observing the grand spectacle at the city gate, a civilian quickly stepped aside, enjoying the scene.

"Hey? Don’t be fooled by all these boxes. It’s actually not much silver. Didn’t they say only fifty thousand taels? Feeding the victims with fifty thousand taels is unlikely, let alone reinforcing the river embankment. Mr. Gu recruited many victims to redirect Yingnan Mansion’s river embankment, which required quite a bit of silver—could fifty thousand taels suffice? Plus, there’s also Hangtian Prefecture! These are major projects."

One civilian, quite informed about political affairs, spoke eloquently.

"Indeed! Mr. Gu is truly a good official! For the people’s sake, he even humbled himself to seek donations from wealthy merchants, controlling grain prices. For our uninterrupted food supply, he tirelessly purchased grains from other states. Compared to those heartless merchants, Mr. Gu is genuinely an upright official devoted to the country and its people."

"Yes! It’s said Mr. Gu keeps detailed records of every Silver Tael on the accounts, providing exhaustive documentation for each expenditure. Not only does he refrain from embezzling, but he also keeps the subordinate officials in check. Who among the disaster victims wouldn’t respect Mr. Gu? If Mr. Gu became Yingnan Mansion’s Magistrate, wouldn’t it be excellent?"

"That seems unlikely. Mr. Gu is a Capital Official, once the disaster relief concludes, surely he will return to the Capital."

Several individuals held high regard for Gu Chengyu, their discussions were loud, and constantly others joined in, debating together.

Qingquan rode ahead, listening to the civilians’ praises for Gu Chengyu, he couldn’t help but glance at them with surprise.

Although Mr. Gu had only arrived in Jiangnan recently, he was so loved by the people; he wondered how it was accomplished.

Gu Chengyu sat in his carriage, moved slowly forward, deep in thought. With Lu Chen coming, his actions became very inconvenient.

The granary’s grain has yet to be replenished and continues to deplete daily.

He wondered if Lu Chen would write a memorial to the Capital, reporting on him to the Emperor.

...

"Crown Prince, I believe the Chamber of Commerce matter is currently inadvisable, I request your reconsideration! Furthermore, though Yingnan Mansion Magistrate Li Taixing’s crimes are irrefutably proven, Yingnan Mansion now lacks a Magistrate in charge, does it conform? The Ministry of Personnel must immediately draft a list for the Crown Prince’s decision!"

Xia Qing, abandoning his usual reserved style until key moments, began discussing affairs promptly upon entering the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace.

The Crown Prince nodded, "Regarding Yingnan Mansion Magistrate Li Taixing involved in tax extortion and bribery, once Junior Minister Gu returns the person to the Capital, decisions will be concluded. Yingnan Mansion mustn’t remain without governance, naturally unfit. However, I’ve heard Vice Governor Guo Haoshou has served in Yingnan Mansion for over ten years, understanding its situation adequately. Perhaps he could succeed the position, what do you all think?"

The Crown Prince skipped the Chamber of Commerce matter, first addressing the Yingnan Mansion Magistrate issue.

"Highness! If Vice Governor Guo could adequately fulfill the Yingnan Mansion Magistrate position, the previous Magistrate’s promotion wouldn’t have led to Li Taixing’s appointment. I believe Junior Minister Gu might be a suitable choice. He seems to grasp Jiangnan’s circumstances well and has adept management over waterways; wouldn’t assigning Junior Minister Gu be fitting, what do you think?"

Xia Qing stroked his beard, nodding after speaking, indicating thoughtful consideration before offering his opinion.