Chapter 955: Chapter 791: Monitoring the Crown Prince

When the Crown Prince’s power grows, even if the Emperor does not abdicate, the royal authority could still be hollowed out.

Perhaps every aging emperor has such concerns, and the older they get, the more these concerns increase, leading to increasingly absurd actions.

Because they are accustomed to wielding power, if one day they lose it, it would be a fate worse than death.

"The Chamberlain’s Office assists in guiding the Crown Prince; joining the Cabinet from there is not impossible. If you gain the favor of the Crown Prince, a future with high rank and great wealth is easily within reach. Why are you unwilling?"

The Emperor raised his eyebrows and smiled with deep implications.

Logically speaking, having the opportunity to get close to the Crown Prince should naturally pave the way for a bright future, shouldn’t it?

If the Crown Prince favors Gu Chengyu, why would Gu Chengyu worry about not having a good future when the Crown Prince ascends the throne?

Moreover, officials who enter the Chamberlain’s Office have practically one foot in the Cabinet, which is a shortcut to the Cabinet.

Gu Chengyu’s refusal surprised the Emperor somewhat.

Could it be that Gu Chengyu is truly a Pure Minister, refusing so firmly so as not to be misunderstood by me?

In fact, how could Gu Chengyu not be tempted? But whether he enters the Cabinet still depends on the Emperor’s intention, doesn’t it?

If the Emperor does not allow it, what can you do?

Besides, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future; there’s no need to take on this hot potato. Having just been promoted, he wants to keep a low profile for a few days!

It wouldn’t be right for him to solely reap all benefits, would it? Plenty in the court would be envious!

Although he is not afraid, being too ostentatious is not good.

Gu Chengyu prefers to let his political achievements speak for themselves. As long as he has the capability, entering the Cabinet is only a matter of time.

Unless the new Emperor dislikes him and does not want to employ him, or unless he makes a grave mistake and is banished from the center of power.

"To report to the Emperor, the affairs of the Hanlin Academy are busy, and this humble minister, being newly appointed, has many responsibilities yet unresolved, and I fear I lack the energy to assume the position in the Chamberlain’s Office."

Gu Chengyu almost rolled his eyes, as he wanted to say he was very busy; where would he find the time to handle those affairs?

He is still young and has many good years ahead; every day he works late at the Hanlin Academy. Where does he find the time to enjoy life?

He does not want to be an old scholar, living a boring life of to-and-fro!

"Moreover, this humble minister is merely an Assistant Lecturer. The Chancellor of the Chamberlain’s Office should prioritize the selection of an Assistant Reader. Your Majesty choosing this humble minister does not conform to convention, nor to the court system!"

Gu Chengyu appeared puzzled. The Emperor often liked to speak in circles, forcing him to ask directly before he would follow up on the topic.

It was already past the customary hour for idle affairs; he was a young man, and skipping a meal made him awfully hungry. Could he be released early to go home for dinner?

"I am the Emperor. Is it possible that I lack the authority to appoint just a minor Chancellor in the Chamberlain’s Office? Let’s see who in the court dares to question me?"

The Emperor dismissively curled his lip, somewhat dissatisfied with Gu Chengyu’s evasiveness.

Knowing that without offering benefits, Gu Chengyu certainly would not obediently comply.

The crucial point is that the Emperor wishes the task to be undertaken personally by Gu Chengyu. In both the court and outside, only Gu Chengyu is deemed most suitable.

Firstly, Gu Chengyu has the capability, and appointing him as the Chancellor in the Chamberlain’s Office will certainly please the Crown Prince.

Secondly, compared with other officials, the Emperor still holds some degree of trust in Gu Chengyu.

Of course, he cannot entirely trust Gu Chengyu, and thus he has other means to control him.

This is exactly the benefit he intends to promise Gu Chengyu shortly, and he’s certain that Gu Chengyu will find it irresistible to refuse.

In terms of scheming, Gu Chengyu is still somewhat naive compared to him. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Although the Chancellor of the Chamberlain’s Office is merely a Standard Sixth Rank, you hold a concurrent position, so it doesn’t conflict. Also, Qiu Yixue, the newly appointed Assistant Reader of the Hanlin Academy, has just assumed office and is yet unfamiliar with his domain. How can I trust him with a concurrent position?"

The Emperor glanced at Gu Chengyu, speaking earnestly.

Gu Chengyu inwardly retorted, Qiu Yixue may be newly appointed, but is he not an old minister? Although the latter has been at the Hanlin Academy for many years, he just joined the officialdom this year.

Moreover, the position of Chancellor in the Chamberlain’s Office entails managing the Eastern Palace’s affairs, a heavy responsibility. Compared to the Hanlin Academy’s tasks, it’s no less demanding.

He truly doesn’t have the energy for a concurrent role; while he can handle the tasks at Hanlin Academy proficiently, it doesn’t mean he wishes to become a workaholic.

If he were based in the Hanlin side, he couldn’t attend to the Chamberlain’s Office duties.

Furthermore, in previous dynasties, nobility relatives also served as Chancellor in the Chamberlain’s Office, yet it’s still a full-time job. Naturally, they could never enter the Cabinet afterwards.

After all, they only helped manage some of the Prince’s affairs; not coming from Hanlin, they lacked the qualifications to enter the Cabinet.

"The Crown Prince has already come of age; there are many around him to help manage affairs, so you’re just holding a nominal position!"

"Your Majesty! Previously, offspring of the nobility..."

Gu Chengyu wished to argue further, but the Emperor impatiently interrupted him.

"The position of Chancellor is not singular. I shall select an official from the Hanlin Academy to be transferred to the Chamberlain’s Office as Chancellor. You will simply hold the post concurrently whilst keeping your primary duties at the Hanlin Academy, but you must frequently consult on the Eastern Palace’s affairs. Have you any more excuses?"

The Emperor knew well the Hanlin Academy had plenty of work, and solely tasking Gu Chengyu would indeed be asking too much.

Gu Chengyu had a sudden realization, the Emperor seems determined not to let him decline.

But why is the Emperor so intent on the Chancellor’s post? Could it be to monitor the Crown Prince?

The more Gu Chengyu considered, the more likely it seemed, sensing that the other candidate for Chancellor might also be an old acquaintance.

Perhaps it’s meant for them to check and balance one another, having each other under surveillance.

Moreover, the person cannot be within the same faction as the Crown Prince, otherwise, how could the Emperor find peace of mind?

Indeed, calculating a hundred moves ahead; it’s no wonder, despite the late Emperor’s aversion, the current Emperor ascended the Dragon Throne.

It must be admitted that the Emperor is indeed a remarkably capable King.

It’s just unfortunate that so much cunning isn’t applied toward territorial expansion or fending off foreign enemies but instead is spent scheming against his own son and ministers; utterly misapplied talents.

The most suitable selection according to the Emperor must be Chou Yifan from his former office, as a matter of fact. The man fits perfectly since Chou Yifan is the son-in-law of Bian Shengrong, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

And whose faction is Bian Shengrong from? The Eldest Prince’s! This provides a perfect way to monitor the Crown Prince, does it not?

Moreover, since this person’s rank is lower than his own, naturally he couldn’t be directing him in tasks. Not only that, anything uncertain still requires his own judgment.

This naturally achieves the Emperor’s ultimate goal, allowing Gu Chengyu to frequently report the Crown Prince’s activities to him.

"I wonder who the Emperor favors for the Chancellor position?" Gu Chengyu did not directly answer, instead posing his query.

The Emperor paid it no mind because, after all, once he had spoken, Gu Chengyu could ultimately but agree.