Chapter 602 - 604: Sounding Each Other Out

Chapter 602: Chapter 604: Sounding Each Other Out

This peace and stability was also what the Zhou Family had wished to see for generations.

Now that it had been achieved under his command, Zhou Shixiong had no lingering regrets.

Seeing their indignant expressions on his behalf, Zhou Shixiong smiled. "This is a good thing. It means the border city is secure. Besides, with the Zhou Family’s military merits, I certainly won’t be treated poorly upon my return.

Then I can finally take a break, become a wealthy idler, and enjoy a few comfortable days."

Gu Wenheng didn’t believe for a second that the Emperor was summoning him back just to let him go on vacation. "Brother Zhou, aren’t you being a bit too optimistic?"

"You know, there’s a pack of old foxes waiting in Shangjing."

’To be honest, I really don’t want to go back,’ he thought. ’And even if I do, I don’t want to hold a position in Shangjing.

Bickering with those powerful old foxes is far less appealing than going to a local post and getting some real work done.’

Zhou Shixiong already knew this deep down. He was just saying it to comfort himself as much as the others.

"Today, let’s just enjoy our gathering as brothers and not talk about these other matters.

Our terms of office are ending around the same time, so we can travel back to the capital together."

Gu Wenheng knew there would be many advantages to that, but he still refused. "I’d rather not burden you, Brother Zhou. I’ll be traveling with my family and we’ll have a lot of miscellaneous things. Our journey will be much slower, and it wouldn’t be right to delay you."

Zhou Shixiong replied, "What’s there to delay? I’ve always been rushing back and forth in the past and never had a chance to see the beautiful scenery along the way. Since we have plenty of time for this trip back to report on my duties, we can take our time and enjoy the sights."

The others were speechless. ’...General Zhou must misunderstand the timeframe for reporting his duties. How could there possibly be time for sightseeing?’

But Gu Wenheng guessed the real issue. "Brother Zhou, the speed of a horse-drawn carriage is a world apart from that of a swift horse.

If we travel at that pace, stopping and starting, we’ll barely have enough time as it is."

It dawned on Zhou Shixiong then. "What was I thinking? I completely forgot about that.

But it doesn’t matter. Slow is fine. After returning to the capital this time, who knows when I’ll get to leave again? We might as well arrive just in the nick of time."

He even had a premonition that he would rarely have the chance to travel this far again in his lifetime.

Even for the sake of the two princes in the palace, it wasn’t appropriate for him, an Imperial Uncle, to hold military power.

Once a man figures things out, he becomes much more carefree. "I’ll take my two boys and we’ll ride horses the whole way. Who knows, by the time we reach Shangjing, those two rascals might be able to gallop on their own."

"Those two would probably go crazy with joy," Gu Wenheng said, his tone sour. "And I, the good-for-nothing scholar in their eyes, will probably be pushed even further down the list."

His mock-doleful performance made everyone laugh.

"Who would have thought the ever-just and strict Lord Prefect had such a petty side?" Zhou Si Xiong said, pointing at him with a laugh. "If we weren’t already sworn brothers, I’d really want to take your two sons as my godsons.

Those two boys are much more agreeable than you."

Gu Wenheng retorted, "You can just forget that idea. When you get back to the capital, there will be plenty of well-bred young ladies for you to choose from. If you want sons, go have your own."

Zhou Shixiong chuckled and pointed at him. "Look at this petty display. Everyone, eat and drink your fill today! Later, we can all watch Mr. Gu’s mood do a complete turnaround."

Everyone present laughed. Many years later, they would still remember this gathering with a knowing smile.

After everyone had left, Gu Wenheng went with Zhou Shixiong to the General Mansion.

Looking at the much sparser furnishings, Gu Wenheng knew that arrangements had already been made here long ago.

"No wonder you’re in the mood for sightseeing, Brother Zhou. It seems you’ve already packed up and sent your baggage away."

Zhou Shixiong replied, "Actually, I had a feeling this was coming. Over the past two years, I’ve been gradually sending my things to my residence in the Shangjing Prefecture.

But about this return trip... Brother Gu, do you have a plan in mind?"

Gu Wenheng answered, "After analyzing it with my wife, we believe the chances of me staying in Shangjing are slim."

Over the years, they had analyzed the personality of the current Holy Emperor, as well as the ongoing struggles among several ministers at court. Whether for the sake of the Emperor’s will or for their own private interests, they did not want to remain in a place as fraught with conflict as Shangjing.

Zhou Shixiong said, "Although I would also like to continue working with you, Brother Gu, I know that for you, leaving the capital is the best choice.

Never mind that for now. Let me be frank with you: my chances of leaving the capital in the future are slim, but I hope you can get out and see more of the world."

Gu Wenheng understood the double meaning in his words. ’I just didn’t expect the struggle to begin so soon.’

"I know you’re very smart, so you’ve probably guessed some of it," Zhou Shixiong said, looking at him. "Sometimes, even if we have no intention of fighting, others won’t necessarily believe it.

If my sister hadn’t entered the palace, I wouldn’t be on this trip back to the capital.

I’m not afraid to scare you by saying this: the Emperor does not want military power to fall into the hands of an imperial in-law."

The very reason he was sharing these thoughts with Gu Wenheng was because they had cooperated so well over the past two years. Combined with their close private friendship, the entire world probably already saw them as being in the same faction.

Laying everything bare now was also for Brother Gu’s own good.

Gu Wenheng asked, "Then, Brother Zhou, do you want to contend for power?"

Zhou Shixiong looked at him with a complicated expression. "It’s not about whether I want to contend or not. It’s about whether others believe I will."

The two legitimate princes were growing up day by day. If they wanted a stable future, a struggle for power was inevitable.

"...In that case, what position will you be able to secure when you return this time, Brother Zhou?"

Zhou Shixiong replied, "Minister Cao’s position."

Gu Wenheng was truly surprised now. He had never expected it to be that position. "Has Mr. Cao reached the age of retirement?"

Zhou Shixiong shook his head. "Mr. Cao requested to step down himself. The Holy Emperor has other arrangements for him."

Although Gu Wenheng had his doubts, he didn’t press the matter.

"Then let me congratulate you in advance, Brother Zhou." ’It’s true that having connections in the court makes things easier,’ Gu Wenheng thought. ’My wife and I were just making all sorts of guesses, and he already knew the outcome.’

Zhou Shixiong said, "Your performance these past few years has been truly outstanding. The Holy Emperor will likely dispatch you to another local post, so you must be mentally prepared. It might be another great challenge."

Gu Wenheng had already prepared for the worst. He and Jin Qianqian had even marked out several problematic regions. He figured he was bound to be sent to one of them.

"To eat the lord’s bread is to do the lord’s bidding. I am clear on this. No matter where I go, my duty to serve the people remains."

Gu Wenheng’s words had a double meaning, and Zhou Shixiong understood.

He felt a sense of relief. "That’s good. Our Rong Dynasty needs more good officials like you.

I’ll be in Shangjing, waiting for your good news."

Gu Wenheng didn’t want to pick a side at this moment, and Zhou Shixiong could understand that.

Besides, this was just the beginning. If Gu Wenheng were to rashly take his side out of a sense of brotherhood, Zhou Shixiong would have been even more worried.

"I will. Doing my part for the people of this world is my lifelong wish."

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