Gu Helian was somewhat surprised by Xiao Yan’s candor, but after a moment, he felt it was only logical. Having revealed his identity today, Xiao Yan knew some things couldn’t be hidden, so he might as well be upfront to gain a bit of favor.
Gu Helian watched Xiao Yan’s practiced tea-making, slowly saying, “What do you plan to do next?”
Seeing Xiao Yan glance at him, Gu Helian leaned back on the cushion. “Don’t look at me like that. I have no interest in your imperial affairs or why you seek revenge. But since Tangning has chosen you, and she’s someone Rong Yue would protect with her life, whatever you do will affect her and Rong Yue.”
“Since you’re not guarding against me and have openly shared your identity, it seems you have some plans for me, or rather, for the Gu family behind me.”
Xiao Yan chuckled lightly. “Master Gu is perceptive.”
Gu Helian rolled his eyes. “Don’t flatter me so falsely. Flattery won’t get you any silver.”
Xiao Yan didn’t argue, instead pouring the first batch of boiling tea, scalding the cups by the stove.
After emptying the tea from the cups and adding fresh water to the pot with a small ladle, Xiao Yan said seriously, “I want to clear my father’s name, reopen the old rebellion case, and seek justice for the thousand lives of the He family. Recruiting soldiers and buying horses can be handled by others, but I do have a request for Master Gu…”
As Gu Helian opened his mouth to speak, Xiao Yan continued calmly, “Of course, I won’t ask for the Gu family’s help for nothing.”
“Your relationship with Lady Rong is your own matter, and my bond with Tangning isn’t enough to make you risk the entire Gu family to aid me. Your fondness for Tangning stems from past ties with the Rong family. If I used that to coerce the Gu family into helping me, I’d truly be shameless.”
“How about a deal with Master Gu?”
Gu Helian narrowed his eyes. “What kind of deal?”
Xiao Yan said evenly, “The Gu family, based in Zuozhou, may be an uncrowned king, but lacks formal legitimacy.”
“If you assist me, once I succeed, the Gu family will be granted a noble title, and Zuozhou, along with the nearby Heta and Ximin regions, will be your fief. The Gu family can also become imperial merchants, permitted to use the imperial trade routes for foreign commerce, paying only standard trade taxes beyond normal profits.”
Gu Helian’s heart stirred.
Having been part of the Gu family for years, he knew their situation well. Though immensely wealthy and well-connected, they were surrounded by dangers.
Despite a century of heritage, matching noble families, the Gu family’s merchant status kept them low in standing, their foundation far weaker than prestigious clans. They couldn’t openly maintain soldiers, only hiring guards and keeping secret forces, which were vulnerable to scrutiny. Their vast wealth attracted countless covetous eyes.
The Gu family’s hold on Zuozhou was their only protection. Leaving it would make them a golden prize everyone wanted to seize.
But if the Gu family gained a noble title and Zuozhou, Heta, and Ximin as their fief, they could legitimately maintain a modest force, enough to fend off reckless power grabs.
Most importantly, the imperial trade routes.
Backed by Wei’s formidable military, these routes would shield Gu family caravans from the constant dangers of trade. With the backing of the Wei empire, the Gu family’s business opportunities would multiply.
However, aligning with the imperial family would tie the Gu family’s fate to it.
A wise, tolerant emperor would ensure their prosperity, but a narrow-minded, paranoid one, or an unstable Wei dynasty, could turn their wealth into a noose around their necks.
Gu Helian hid his thoughts, frowning. “The Gu family doesn’t need titles. The merit of supporting a new ruler isn’t so easily earned. With what we have now, there’s no need to wade into this mess.”
Xiao Yan’s sharp eyes lifted. “When the nest falls, can any egg remain unbroken? If Wei collapses, can the Gu family hold onto its wealth?”
Gu Helian’s eyelid twitched. “Don’t be alarmist.”
“Whether it’s alarmist, Master Gu can judge for himself.”
Xiao Yan’s expression was calm. “When I went to the northwest, I learned Beiling’s new emperor has ascended. Their state preceptor, Xiahou Ling, has long coveted Wei. Previously, Beiling’s internal strife and princely power struggles distracted them, but now, unified, they’ll surely muster their army and march south come spring.”
“I’ve already set plans to stir up the old matters of the Crown Prince and the He family. Within a month, the south will be in chaos, and it’ll spread to the capital.”
“Emperor An’s grip on the court is weak. The noble families watch eagerly, and regional lords, ambitious and restless, only lack a legitimate excuse.”
“Once the old rebellion case is reopened, many will seize the chance to fish in troubled waters. If I can’t establish myself in court within six months, or legitimately suppress those with ill intentions…”
“Before Beiling’s army even marches south, Wei will already be riddled with holes. Amid a chaotic court and unstable throne, with noble families fighting each other, how can the Gu family, guarding its gold mountain, stay safe?”
Gu Helian’s face chilled. “Are you threatening me?”
Xiao Yan shook his head. “I’m merely stating facts. Whether the Gu family helps me or not, I’ll proceed. But with your support, things might move faster.”
Gu Helian glared. “You dream big. Six months to seize power? In your dreams.”
He said bluntly, “When the Crown Prince died, his East Palace allies were nearly wiped out. In today’s Wei court, besides the noble families’ officials, how many even remember him? If your identity is exposed, Emperor An won’t sit idly. With his bad reputation already, he’ll stop at nothing to kill you.”
“Emperor An has ruled for years, with many loyal to him. And the noble families, involved in the Crown Prince’s fall, won’t want you to rise.”
“Even if you secure northwest military power and the Di family’s support, you said Beiling is stirring. The border army can’t be moved. What will you use to fight Emperor An?”
Gu Helian thought Xiao Yan was delusional. Reopening old cases would chaos the court, but this former imperial grandson might not outmatch Emperor An.
Since ancient times, it’s winner takes all. If Emperor An, desperate to kill him, ignored his reputation and the risk of rebellion, willing to drag Xiao Yan down with him, what could Xiao Yan do?
Could he stop Emperor An then?
Xiao Yan said, “So Emperor An will only know me as a He family survivor.”
Gu Helian froze. “What do you mean?”
Xiao Yan looked at him. “The He family was exterminated, but a bloodline escaped. Once the old case is reopened, I’ll only seek justice for the He family.”
He stirred the tea, pouring the boiling liquid into a cup, the soft trickle underscoring his words.
“Emperor An might go all out to kill the Crown Prince’s heir, but he won’t risk everything for a He family member.”
“If the old case is pinned on others, a He family survivor won’t threaten his throne. If he offers concessions and admits fault, the He family could compromise. What do you think Emperor An will do?”
Gu Helian’s eyes widened.
If the Crown Prince’s son lived, Emperor An’s throne would be unstable, and he’d fight to the death.
But if it’s just a He family member, he’d weigh the costs, hesitant to risk his throne and reputation to destroy Xiao Yan.
But…
“Are you mad? If you claim to be a He family member, how will you reclaim your true identity later?” Gu Helian glared.
Xiao Yan, holding the tea-filled cup, gave a faint smile. “I want to return to court legitimately, force Emperor An to admit the old case’s wrongs, and clear my father’s name without plunging Wei into chaos.”
The cup landed softly on the table before Gu Helian.
“As long as the case is reopened and I force Emperor An’s concessions, getting what I want legitimately, what does it matter if I’m a He family member or the imperial grandson?”
“When Beiling is repelled and I hold Wei’s reins, I’ll decide which ancestor is worshipped in the imperial temple.”
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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