A Fight One Way or Another
He doesn't agree to this divorce!
The Emperor sighed and said, "I understand. In the end, the two young children are in love. It's just that because of the reforms, the Chief Grand Secretary and Xu Weibei have developed a rift. I also understand that Xu Weibei cherishes the generals who have risked their lives for you, so he can't bear to reduce their treatment, however..."
He paused, then continued, "Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice, and the national treasury doesn't have much silver left. Protecting the country is important, but ensuring the people are well-fed and clothed is also my duty. The war has ended, and I've been thinking these past few days about where would be a suitable place to put you..."
Xu Weibei felt a chill run down his spine.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor was waiting for him here.
In ancient times, emperors would "release their military power over a cup of wine," but this emperor didn't even bother with a cup of wine; he simply moved his lips and began to plot against his military power.
This day came earlier than Xu Weibei had anticipated.
Moreover, they even mentioned it together with the matter of divorce.
Good, good, as expected of the Emperor.
Chapter 76 A Fight Between High and Low
Sure enough, the Emperor chuckled and said, "I've seen through you. You're all talk and no action, and you and your wife are inseparable. It's just that your mouth has caused your father-in-law to misunderstand. Come, let me be the peacemaker today and settle things between you two."
He glanced at the two of them; he was smiling, but his words were decisive and brooked no dissent.
"Go to the Ministry of Revenue in Xu Weibei and experience the hardships of poverty firsthand. Minister Gu was already in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, so now you two, father-in-law and son-in-law, will work together seamlessly and understand each other well. You are both my right-hand men, and I don't want you to have any disagreements over family matters."
Gu Yuanshi and Xu Weibei remained silent, each lost in thought.
"As for the Northwest, don't worry about Xu Weibei for now. I'll consider who to send to guard it. Xu Weibei, your aunt is getting old, spend more time with her and give her a grandson... Don't cause any more trouble outside... Minister Gu, as the saying goes, a prodigal son's return is more precious than gold, just watch Xu Weibei's behavior. If he misbehaves again, I'll deal with him."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I accept the decree and thank you." Xu Weibei spoke first.
Gu Yuanshi was not satisfied with this result; it was not the purpose of his visit today at all.
Today, all he wanted to do was, as a father, plead with the Emperor to help him annul his daughter's engagement.
Unexpectedly, because Xu Weibei was involved, the emperor used this incident to directly strip Xu Weibei of his military power.
Such is the way of the emperor.
He couldn't bring up the matter that the Emperor had already decided on for the time being, because since the Emperor had "wronged" Xu Weibei, he would make it up to him in other small matters—such as his marriage.
With no other choice, Gu Yuanshi could only accept the order.
Today, he was wrong.
Gu Wanning, I'm so sorry.
Wait a little longer, Dad will never give up!
The Emperor rubbed his temples and said, "You two, father-in-law and son-in-law, may leave now. Xu Weibei, find a tavern and treat your father-in-law to a few drinks. From now on, you'll be not only father-in-law and son-in-law, but also superior and subordinate. I'd like to have a couple of drinks with you, but unfortunately, I have to summon several governors today. Go ahead."
When Xu Weibei first entered, he saw a large group of officials standing outside.
When the emperor summons the governor-general, the governor-general must also bring along officials from various departments—after all, they are coming to the capital to report on their duties. If the emperor asks a question, the governor-general cannot possibly know everything. If he does not know the answer, he must go out and find someone to go in and explain it to the emperor in detail.
So there are a lot of people outside the Imperial Study right now.
The Emperor is doing you a favor—look at all the important things I don't do, I let you cut in line and listen to your trivial family squabbles, isn't that a great act of imperial grace?
Shouldn't you be extremely grateful and willing to sacrifice your lives for me?
When they went out, Xu Weibei rudely walked ahead without making way for Gu Yuanshi.
The emperor shook his head at the sight.
Then the people outside saw the father-in-law and son-in-law come out one after the other.
Those who knew Xu Weibei would at most nod slightly as a greeting.
However, the governors all bowed and stepped forward to speak with Gu Yuanshi.
Seeing this, Xu Weibei cursed inwardly as a "sycophant" and strode out.
"Marquis, please wait!" Gu Yuanshi called out to him in front of everyone.
Xu Weibei remained cold and aloof. "What are you doing?"
The reforms were causing trouble for his soldiers, and the divorce plotted against his family; he and the old man were irreconcilable enemies!
Unexpectedly, Gu Yuanshi bowed to him sincerely and said, "My daughter is unruly; it is my fault. I apologize to the Marquis on her behalf, and I hope that the Marquis will be magnanimous and forgiving, and not hold it against her."
Since they can't bring their daughter home in the short term, they have no choice but to give in.
Otherwise, Xu Weibei would eventually vent all the anger he suffered at his hands on his daughter.
He was unwavering in his commitment to reform, and he was sorry that he could not back down for his daughter's sake.
But as for the rest... Gu Yuanshi felt there was nothing he couldn't bring himself to do.
Yes, he did it on purpose.
He knew that the emperor could hear him now, and with so many important court officials in front of him, he was losing face by doing this.
But it was because he didn't take good care of his daughter that she was taken away.
His daughter suffered so much afterward, what did this little humiliation matter to him?
He only hoped that his daughter would have her wishes fulfilled and live a fulfilling life in the future.
Gu Wanning, please forgive your father for not being able to do it. Please give your father some more time.
Xu Weibei is the kind of person who responds better to gentle persuasion than force.
He was initially furious, having even drawn his forty-meter-long sword, ready for a fierce battle, but instead, the enemy routed them, surrendering their weapons and armor?
Hypocritical!
Xu Weibei thought about Gu Wanning and immediately looked down on Gu Yuanshi's behavior—he had always believed that Gu Wanning had been intentionally abandoned by the Gu family.
"Between you and me, you know perfectly well who hasn't been tolerant of her," Xu Weibei sneered. "If you used even a little of that pretentious pretense on your wife, you'd be better off doing it."
After saying that, he turned and left, leaving everyone with only a tall and unruly back view.
Xu Weibei: My wife, my wife, my wife... The ancients were quite wise in how they addressed each other, making it pleasant to say.