My Wife Is A Sword Immortal
Chapter 562 - 362: Rumored First Beauty of the Great Li, Dugu Clan

Chapter 562: Chapter 362: Rumored First Beauty of the Great Li, Dugu Clan

Zhao Rong took a sip of tea and, seeing the puzzled look on Gu Yiwu’s face, smiled and said,

"Brother Yiwu, do you have a grudge against Zhou Dufu? Have you come into contact with his men and they have affronted you?"

Gu Yiwu shook his head.

"No. We have been waiting here for a few days, following your advice, enjoying dances and melodies, and in addition to drinking flower wine, we’ve tried all sorts of entertainment and delicacies. There has not been a single anomaly... Ziyu, from what you’re saying... are we waiting for them to come to us directly?"

Zhao Rong neither confirmed nor denied, but he said with a smile,

"Then why does Brother Yiwu’s speech seem somewhat biased? Zhou Dufu may indeed have his difficulties for not surrendering military power. Perhaps he is truly loyal to the late Emperor."

After some thought, Gu Yiwu nodded.

"That could indeed be the case. However, I’ve heard almost everyone in Xingzi Town say this, and the public opinion is generally the same, labeling him as a military governor who keeps his troops for his own weight."

"Hmm, public opinion can be misled, and what everybody believes cannot always be trusted, but some things can’t be hidden from those with discerning eyes; everyone knows what’s really going on."

He paused in his speech, then he shared his own analysis.

"Ziyu, based on the information I’ve gathered these past few days, I am leaning towards the idea that the young Emperor and the Empress Dowager Dugu behind him are not puppets supported by some faction, but are truly exercising the powers of the Emperor of Great Li."

Inside the Xuan character box, there was silence.

Everyone’s attention was focused on Gu Yiwu and Zhao Rong, who were analyzing the situation.

Holding the warm teacup in both hands, Zhao Rong walked to the viewing platform on the inner side of the private room.

The private rooms on the third floor of Zuixian Building each had a viewing platform, similar to a floor-to-ceiling transparent glass, offering a view of the hall on the first floor of Zuixian Building.

The private rooms were isolated from one another by sound-proof arrays, not disturbing each other.

Zhao Rong took a sip of hot tea, his back to the others, his thoughts unknown, and he nodded.

"Continue, Brother Yiwu."

Gu Yiwu, with a serious nod, rolled up his sleeves and began pacing the room.

"A month ago, when the Emperor of Great Li had just passed away, in those days when imperial power was suspended, that was the most dangerous time. What exactly happened then is unknown, but we can look at the outcome."

"The little Crown Prince ascended to the throne as he wished and inherited the great authority, while Empress Dowager Dugu gained the power to govern from behind the curtains as Regent. As for the noble Prince Li Mingyi, he has become the Regent King. This was likely an exchange of interests back then, and now that the turbulent times are over, the court has stabilized."

"Only the Great General Zhou Dufu seems to have gained nothing, but instead, appears to have been jointly dealt with. Now he is isolated within the western army, facing pressure from all sides. Perhaps this also reflects the limitations of a martial artist, not seizing the moment to properly align his troops."

Gu Yiwu said earnestly,

"The current Emperor Li is the Crown Prince designated by the late Emperor of Great Li long ago. Although he is young, he is the most legitimate heir. Among his generation of imperial kin, there is not a single competitor. In any case, the ascension of the little Crown Prince is rightful both in name and reality."

"Only his uncle Li Mingyi poses some threat, potentially plotting a drama of a brother’s death followed by a younger brother’s succession. Yet at the critical moment of imperial succession, Li Mingyi also chose to make concessions, which now seems to be a wise move."

"Because this is the situation that suits the interests of most in the Li Dynasty court, both high and low. It is also the optimal solution for such a vast empire as Great Li."

He stated forcefully, "The general trend is irresistible."

"Li Mingyi and Zhou Dufu, the two martial artists, indeed have great power. They have military authority and martial strength; after the late Emperor’s demise, leaving behind an orphan and a widow was indeed dangerous. Yet we should not overlook some not insignificant forces."

"In the court of Great Li, there still exists a great number of able ministers and famous generals left by the late Emperor, all of whom came from troubled times, not just idlers or gluttons, and Great Li governs its nation with our Confucian rites, with the Imperial Family practicing filial piety themselves, rites deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of Great Li."

"Due to the late Emperor’s deliberate efforts, there are exceedingly many Confucian scholars in government and the civil service system; nearly all are Confucian scholars from our circle. Coupled with the masses of Great Li who adore the late Emperor and sympathize with the orphan and widow he left, they are naturally inclined to see the legitimate young Crown Prince ascend the throne. The former group wants to defend the teachings of the Saint and can assist the young Emperor, earning a noble name in history. It is clear what choice these forces and individuals ought to make."

The robust Confucian Scholar shook his head.

"Furthermore, Great Li has only just emerged from chaotic times, and the dynasty has not yet stabilized for many years. If Zhou Dufu and Li Mingyi again sense an opportunistic and promising moment to vie for the throne and take arms, then Great Li can forget about peace. And none of us can hope to dine in peace at a table that was hardly easy to set up. Chaotic times will be upon us once again, and the landscape will be shattered, oceans of blood and mountains of corpses."

"Presumably, this is something that many people would not allow to happen."

"Aside from those staunch followers of Zhou Dufu and Li Mingyi who might take a gamble, those who have already made their name on the court, the beneficiaries of the status quo, why would they be willing to take the risk of reshuffling the deck again?"

"Isn’t it safer and more in line with righteousness to assist the young Emperor in governing this stable and vast empire? One may also earn a name in history. Heh, some teachers and senior classmates from Linlu Academy are currently compiling history on the seventh floor of the Academy."