Finest Servant

Chapter 502 The Emperor's Tutor

Capture the Khan of the Turks? Lin Wanrong was troubled. "Old man, isn't this a bit too difficult? General Li Tai has fought on the battlefield his entire life and killed countless nomads, yet even he has never laid eyes on the Khan of the Turks. This will be my first expedition there! Forget about capturing their Khan, if I can manage not to be captured myself, I'll be reciting prayers of gratitude!"

He looked pitiable, wearing a woeful expression. The Emperor shook his head and chuckled, "You haven't even left for battle yet, and already you speak such disheartening words. Catching the Turkic Khan may be difficult for you, but isn't it equally difficult for them to catch you? What I hope for is that you show the valor and prestige of our great nation, ensuring the safety of our borders and a decade free from war. Do you have the confidence to accomplish this?"

A decade without war? That was a high bar! If it were that easy, General Li Tai wouldn't have grown old yearning for it. Lin Wanrong forced a smile, "I do have confidence, but whether I can truly achieve this, I can't say for sure. After all, the Turks are not the White Lotus Sect."

"No matter," the Emperor graciously waved his hand. "I have faith that you will be able to do it. You have never let me down before."

Lin Wanrong sighed inwardly, thinking to himself, ‘You've simply grown accustomed to my excellence, so you've never tasted the bitterness of disappointment.’

The Emperor, seemingly ignoring Lin Wanrong's troubled expression, continued, "I have already generously rewarded Hu Bugui, Du Xiuyuan, Li Sheng, and Xu Zhen under your command. You can use them with full confidence."

Lin Wanrong sensed something else in the Emperor's words and frowned, "Your Majesty, are you suggesting that there are others I should not trust?"

"I did not say that. That is your own interpretation," the Emperor responded calmly. "I just hope that you will always remain cautious, do not easily trust others. Don't wait for calamity to strike before you regret it."

What did that mean? Lin Wanrong wanted to ask further, but it appeared the Emperor wasn't willing to elaborate, so he felt helpless.

Upon leaving the palace, the moon was high in the sky. Gao Qiu was still waiting for him at the gate. Lin Wanrong stretched lazily and smiled, "Brother Gao, let's go home quickly. My family must be getting anxious waiting for me. I'll treat you to tea and cakes later!"

"Yes," Gao Qiu acknowledged, before hesitating, "Brother Lin, there's an elderly gentleman who wishes to meet you."

Lin Wanrong was eager to get home and shook his head impatiently, "What elderly gentleman?! I don't want to meet anyone right now, just want to go home. Brother Gao, you tell him that I'm busy and we can schedule another time."

Before his words fell, a hearty laughter rang out from nearby, "Master Lin, you're young but quite haughty!"

Next to the palace gate, a small palanquin was parked against the wall. As the curtains lifted, Gu Shunzhang slowly stepped out, elegant and composed, nodding and smiling at Lin Wanrong.

"Ah, it's Mr. Gu! My apologies, my apologies!" Lin Wanrong hurriedly cupped his fists in greeting, then winked at Gao Qiu, "Brother Gao, why didn't you say so earlier?! If I had known the Emperor's tutor wanted to see me, even if I had to crawl, I would have come rushing. Making you wait, I am truly ashamed, truly ashamed!"

Gu Shunzhang smiled faintly, "Master Lin, you speak politely, but I fear that in your heart you're annoyed that this old man doesn't know better and has interrupted your reunion with your family. If anyone should apologize, it should be me."

"It's nothing like that; you're being too polite, Master Gu." Lin Wanrong hurriedly chuckled, adopting an exceedingly humble demeanor. "May I ask why you've summoned me, and what guidance you wish to offer? Please, feel free to speak."

Gu Shunzhang slowly took a few steps forward, coming close to Lin Wanrong. He stared at him intently but said nothing.

Feeling uncomfortable under the old man's inscrutable gaze, Lin Wanrong pulled Gao Qiu in front of him, "Brother Gao, the moon tonight is too intense. Would you mind blocking it for me?"

The imperial tutor nodded slightly and suddenly burst into laughter, "Master Lin, I have a question, though I don't know whether it's appropriate to ask."

"Why so formal, Master Gu?" Irritated by the old man's scrutinizing gaze, Lin Wanrong let out a few forced laughs, "You are a famous tutor revered by even the Emperor. If you have a question, how could I dare not to answer?"

Shaking his head with a smile, Gu Shunzhang said, "Master Lin, although I've traveled extensively over the past year, your story has been told far and wide. I've heard a lot about you in teahouses and taverns. I'm very curious—on this vast land of ours, who could have taught such an exceptional talent as you? May I ask where you are from?"

"I am originally from Jingchu, though my family has fallen on hard times and I'm the only one left. I set off to travel at a young age and haven't returned to my hometown for many years. I'm ashamed to admit that I've even forgotten its name and appearance." Lin Wanrong sighed theatrically. He had long memorized this script; he had told the same story to his wife when he first entered the Xiao family.

"I see, so you're from Jingchu," Gu Shunzhang nodded, "I initially thought you were from the foot of Mount Tai—"

"What, what did you say?" Lin Wanrong paled in shock, "Master Gu, what do you mean by the foot of Mount Tai? Be clear!"

Seeing his tense expression, Gu Shunzhang apologized with a smile, "I've merely heard it said in passing; it shouldn't be taken as truth. Don't take it to heart."

Lin Wanrong's face turned as white as a sheet, and his palms were sweaty. Struggling to regain his composure, he said, "Master Gu, what do you mean by 'heard in passing'? Could you elaborate? I've never heard of this before."

Nodding, Gu Shunzhang elaborated, "While traveling in Goryeo, I heard of your achievements, which had just reached that land. The political strategy you proposed caused quite an uproar there. As for your background, there were many speculations—some said you're a prodigy secretly nurtured by our great empire, some claimed you are a wanderer returning from the West, and some even said you're a water monster from Jinling's Xuanwu Lake transformed into human form. How could I believe such stories? Later, I spoke with an intriguing person from Goryeo about this. That person calculated a bit and claimed you were born at the foot of Mount Tai!"

‘Could it be a fortune-teller? Are such coincidences even possible?’ Lin Wanrong had never believed in such things, but he cautiously asked, "Master Gu, this intriguing person from Goryeo you're talking about, is he a Goryeo person?"

"I never asked about that," Gu Shunzhang shook his head.

"Was the mysterious person male or female? How old? What's their name?" Lin Wanrong pressed.

Gu Shunzhang pondered for a moment. "I didn't notice that either—" Seeing Lin Wanrong's eyes widen, he hurriedly added, "Don't get me wrong. When I spoke with this mysterious person, it was through a curtain, messages conveyed by others. I haven't even seen their face!"

‘Really? What sort of enigmatic figure commands such grandeur?’ Lin Wanrong seemed a bit disappointed. "Master Gu, if you haven't even seen their face, how can you be sure they are a Goryeo people enigma?"

"This individual is said to have divine knowledge, aware of five hundred years into the past and future. Such rumors have long circulated in Goryeo, and I went there out of admiration," Master Gu nodded. "I consider myself well-read, but in the face of this mysterious individual, I am at no advantage; in fact, I often find myself stumped by their questions. At that time, your reputation was at its peak in Goryeo, so I inquired about your background. Initially, they were reluctant but later, upon learning I was from the Great Hua Empire, they consulted the I Ching and told me you were born at the foot of Mount Tai. Yet, they refused to elaborate further."

"A divine person, perhaps?" Lin Wanrong let out a sigh. "Once I return from the North, I plan to visit Goryeo to meet this enigmatic figure, to see if their divinations hold any weight."

"I doubt you'd be disappointed," Gu Shunzhang nodded and smiled. "However, you should hurry, lest you find Goryeo conquered by Dongyin and it's too late."

"I understand, I understand," Lin Wanrong chuckled. "As the commander of Great Hua's Loyal and Brave Army, if Goryeo were to fall, I'd be even more anxious than you."

"Anxious?" Gu Shunzhang laughed enigmatically. "Master Lin, you are too modest! The Goryeo people are anxious, the Dongyin people are anxious, but you? You'd be the one benefiting from it all! Where else could you find such a windfall?"

True to his reputation as the Imperial Tutor, Gu Shunzhang's insights were penetrating. Lin Wanrong chuckled and looked slightly smug.

The smile gradually faded from Gu Shunzhang's face, replaced by a serious demeanor. "Master Lin, there's something I would like you to answer honestly."

The old man's quick change in temperament was almost as rapid as that of the old man Emperor. Lin Wanrong nodded, "Please go ahead, Master Gu."

Gu Shunzhang let out a sigh, his gaze distant. "In this upcoming battle with the Turks, what are the chances of victory?"

Who could answer such a question? Lin Wanrong shrugged. "Master Gu, are you setting me up for failure? You should be asking General Li Tai about this!"

Gu Shunzhang shook his head silently, a bitter smile on his face. "I've been asking him this question for over thirty years, and you've seen the results. However, your participation in this military campaign has given me renewed hope. Given your talents, even if we don't secure a resounding victory, the Turks will have no easy path either. I just want you to tell me: how confident are you in this battle?"

"You want an honest answer?" Lin Wanrong spread his hands helplessly. "Master Gu, to tell you the truth, I have zero confidence. This is my first time confronting the nomads—give me ten years, and perhaps there'll be some hope!"

Gu Shunzhang shook his head in disappointment. "Ten years is not possible; you only have five months! This military expedition is unlike any other; the rise and fall of our Great Hua hinges on it. If we win, our nation's glory will be sung for generations. If we lose, our country will fragment and cease to exist."

"Is it really that dire?" Lin Wanrong hummed skeptically. Over the past few decades, battles between Great Hua and the Turks had often ended in defeat. Why would this time be any different?

"Do you know why His Majesty was in such a hurry to take action against Prince Cheng?" Gu Shunzhang sighed softly, stopping himself midsentence with a sense of lament.

"Mr. Gu, I think you have it backwards. Prince Cheng was clearly the one rebelling. Everyone in the palace saw it. How can you say His Majesty took action against him?" Lin Wanrong retorted.

"Is that so?" Gu Shunzhang remained impassive. "Aren't you aware of who Zhao Wu really is?"

His question carried layers of implications. Lin Wanrong clenched his fists; sweat beads forming in his palms. Only the Emperor knew Zhao Wu's true identity, and possibly the belatedly enlightened Prince Cheng and himself—no more than three people. How could Gu Shunzhang know? Just who was this imperial tutor?

"Don't be surprised," Gu Shunzhang sighed. "Zhao Wu was recommended to His Majesty by me."

"You recommended him?" Lin Wanrong was speechless.

"To be precise, the previous Emperor chose him, and I was the one to recommend him to His Majesty," Gu Shunzhang corrected with a bitter smile.

"The previous Emperor?" Lin Wanrong inhaled sharply. The previous Emperor had plotted against his own son? This world had gone mad!

Gu Shunzhang sighed deeply, his graying beard fluttering in the wind, his eyes shining with intensity. "In reality, years ago, I was just like you, unable to understand the actions of the previous Emperor."

"It is difficult to understand," Lin Wanrong agreed involuntarily.

"When the previous Emperor was alive, he seemed to favor Prince Cheng, guiding him at every turn. Everyone thought that Prince Cheng would be the heir. The truth was different. The Emperor equally favored both princes, only in different ways. Prince Cheng was intelligent and ambitious, so the previous Emperor elevated him, observing his behavior. The other prince, who is now our Emperor, was circumspect and loyal. The previous Emperor arranged for him to quietly gain real power. His aim was to select the best from the two. And these princes, each with his unique characteristics, competed openly and covertly, leaving the Emperor unable to decide."

So that was how it was. Prince Cheng's past glory had merely been a façade created by the previous Emperor. The old Emperor's schemes were apparently all connected to him, Lin Wanrong mused.

"So, what does selecting the best prince have to do with sending spies?" Lin Wanrong asked, puzzled.

"Don't worry; let me continue," Gu Shunzhang shook his head and sighed lightly. "In those days, as the imperial tutor, I had a voice beside the previous Emperor. Because of this, both princes sought my favor. In this context, the previous Emperor secretly selected a few spies and had me recommend them to both princes. After scrutinizing these individuals, both princes were satisfied and subsequently placed these spies in each other’s camps."

Lin Wanrong listened, breaking into a cold sweat, and cautiously said, "So, Zhao Wu, who seems to be obeying the Emperor on the surface, is actually a spy planted by the previous Emperor?"

"Exactly," Gu Shunzhang lightly confirmed. "By the same token, there are covert agents sent by Prince Cheng around the second prince as well. In truth, these agents are all the eyes of the previous Emperor! Every move of the two princes, noble or despicable, falls under the watchful eye of the current Emperor."

Father and son? Brothers? Even mortal enemies couldn't be this ruthless! Lin Wanrong shook his head in disbelief.

"In such circumstances, it becomes immediately obvious who is superior. Prince Cheng is impulsive and lacks steadiness. It won't be long before he makes a move against the second prince. Meanwhile, the current Emperor has been biding his time, having placed Zhao Wu beside Prince Cheng for decades, without ever issuing him any directives. All of this naturally came to the attention of the previous Emperor," Gu Shunzhang let out a long sigh. "The Emperor's strategic depth is hundreds of times stronger than the previous Emperor had imagined."

"Ten years without issuing orders?" Lin Wanrong was lost in amazement. "The Emperor truly is extraordinary. He probably saw through Zhao Wu's true identity long ago!"

"That's your conclusion; I never said that," Gu Shunzhang said, his eyes flickering mysteriously.

"I’ll take responsibility for what I said! When it comes to cunning, Prince Cheng is definitely far behind the Emperor." Faced with the ultimate treachery among these fathers and brothers, Lin Wanrong could only sigh deeply. "The previous Emperor was kind enough. In the past, Prince Cheng conspired to rebel and planned to put the previous Emperor and his brother to death. On his deathbed, the previous Emperor passed the throne to the current Emperor but forbade him from making a move against Prince Cheng."

Gu Shunzhang suddenly burst into laughter. "Lin San, you're adorably naive!"

When a man calls another man adorable, it's borderline creepy. Lin Wanrong fumed, "Master Gu, what do you mean by that?"

Patting him on the shoulder, Gu Shunzhang nodded with a smile. "You're not an Emperor; you'll never understand an Emperor's thoughts. Do you think you understand what it means to rebel? Was Prince Cheng truly forgiven by the previous Emperor? Does the current Emperor really intend to pardon Prince Cheng? What is Zhao Wu doing then? You'll soon come to understand the true bearing of an Emperor!"

"An Emperor's bearing? Master Gu, are you saying that the Emperor will—" Lin Wanrong's face turned ashen as the dreadful implications struck him, overshadowing any joy he might have felt.

"Shh—" Gu Shunzhang slowly shook his head, his expression serene. "Master Lin, I didn't say anything."

Unable to help himself, Lin Wanrong nodded and bowed deeply, sincerely praising, "Master Gu, you truly are the tutor of emperors. I have learned much."

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