Chapter 832 - 60: Facing Enemies Worldwide, the Gu Clan Unsheathes Its Sword

And it is precisely because of this that these people can no longer force the Gu Clan into the situation of the past.

In the face of the collective actions of the Imperial Censorate.

The atmosphere of the entire world has not changed in the slightest.

This is the extraordinary aspect of their actions this time.

They are manipulating public opinion and scholars while hiding behind the scenes.

And the most critical point is—

Among these people, there are obviously figures who have some remaining influence within the Imperial Censorate. In the face of an investigation by the Imperial Censorate, these people managed to maintain their stance in the open, leaving the Imperial Censorate without any gains.

This obviously also relates to the relatively enlightened governance of the current Great Song dynasty.

All these situations indicate that at least in the short term, it is impossible for the Imperial Censorate to uncover various issues.

Chuigong Hall.

This place is the residence of the Emperor.

As the newly built Imperial Palace in the new capital, this place is in no way inferior to the former Kaifeng Palace, and even surpasses it in terms of style and coverage.

And today, the Emperor Zhao Hanyin resides here.

Indulging in pleasures day by day.

The Gu Clan is actually very helpless regarding the current state of the Zhao Song Emperor.

Although the Gu Clan manages the country.

But over five generations, none of the patriarchs ever abandoned the nurturing of the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Unfortunately, the Zhao Song emperors seem to be cursed; their abilities are lacking, and they have no intention of striving.

Gu Yi even wondered if this might be due to the influence of amendments.

After all, these emperors of Great Song, even in original history, were unreasonable one after another. Even with the full support of the Gu Clan, it seems difficult to completely correct the declining fortune.

At this moment, within Chuigong Hall.

The sound of strings and pipes is enchanting, dancers’ sleeves flutter, and the mingling scents of rouge and wine waft through the ornate halls.

The current Emperor Zhao Hanyin sits on the throne, his face flushed, his eyes a bit hazy, lightly tapping his knee to the rhythm, completely absorbed in the flourishing dances and songs.

At this moment, Gu Lin’s solemn voice comes from outside the hall,

"Minister—Gu Lin, greets Your Majesty."

His voice penetrated the music with clarity and strength.

Instantly, the musicians and dancers paused, their eyes cautiously glancing toward the tall and imposing figure outside the hall.

Zhao Hanyin laughed heartily and waved his wide sleeves indifferently, "No matter, no matter! Continue the music, continue the dance!"

As he spoke, he shuffled in silk slippers, somewhat staggering as he stood, walking through the stiff dancers toward the door with an enthusiastic yet slightly extravagant smile on his face, "The Grand Tutor has arrived?"

"Quickly, join Us in enjoying this music!"

"This newly composed ’Song Army’s Victory Music,’ Grand Tutor, have a look, how does it compare to the past dynasty’s tunes?"

"Does it possess a bit of the heroic spirit of the great ancestor Emperor?"

This Zhao Hanyin truly lives up to his name; he has some talent in music, composing pieces every now and then.

But for an emperor, this is clearly not much of an achievement.

Looking at Zhao Hanyin in front of him, a glimmer of disappointment flashed in Gu Lin’s eyes.

As the Emperor he has watched grow up with his own eyes.

His feelings for this emperor are nothing short of complex.

He remembers the past when he personally tutored this emperor, only to find him turn out this way in the end.

Yet he did not say much.

He didn’t even, as before, have the dancers dismissed, but calmly walked into the hall with Zhao Hanyin and, just as Zhao Hanyin suggested, sat quietly aside, expressionless, watching the singing and dancing.

The singing and dancing continued.

Zhao Hanyin, though surprised by Gu Lin’s unusual behavior this time, did not question it further.

Gu Lin has indeed been too exhausted; he often thought of letting Gu Lin rest for a while to enjoy pleasures with him. Thinking now... Gu Lin must be seeing the stability of the world and wants to relax a bit.

Time passed quietly with the notes of the music.

After a while, another voice came, but this time it was the voice of a eunuch. The visitor clearly could not enter the Central Hub like Gu Lin.

"Your Majesty, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Langzhong Zhao Wenyuan, seeks an audience."

Zhao Hanyin was taken aback at hearing this, instinctively turning to Gu Lin, "Is he not here for the Grand Tutor?"

He knew what these officials were like.

Except for formal court discussions, no one would ever come to Chuigong Hall to seek him.

"Your Majesty might as well see him," Gu Lin said calmly, his expression unchanged.

Seeing the Grand Tutor say so, Zhao Hanyin, though unwilling, had to wave his hand, "Let him in."

The eunuch quickly trotted out to convey the message.

At that moment, outside the hall, Zhao Wenyuan was extremely tense.

Recollecting all the discussions of recent days.

He couldn’t help but imagine how to behave upon meeting the Emperor.

"Do not directly sow discord!"

"You should subtly evoke the Emperor’s suspicions about the Grand Tutor, only this way, can you discreetly drive a wedge between the two, aiming to dismantle the entire Gu Clan!"

He kept reminding himself inwardly.

When the eunuch came trotting to meet him, he took a deep breath and followed the eunuch into the palace.

Step, step, step....

The sound of his heartbeat and footsteps overlapped, accompanied by the continuous music.

Zhao Wenyuan not only wasn’t dissatisfied but buried his head lower; the moment he entered the hall, he bowed deeply in homage, "Minister Zhao Wenyuan of the Ministry of Personnel, greets Your Majesty!"

His voice was exceptionally sonorous, attempting to demonstrate loyalty and win the Emperor’s favor.

"Why the need for such formalities, Minister Zhao?"

The Emperor’s voice came almost immediately.

Zhao Wenyuan, without thinking, without raising his head, was about to seize the opportunity to express more loyalty.

But in the next moment, the Emperor’s casual words left him frozen in place.

"The Grand Tutor is also here, Minister Zhao, if you have any important matters, feel free to speak."

"Your Majesty’s wisdom...."

—The words blurted out halted abruptly.

Zhao Wenyuan’s body inexplicably trembled, then he quickly raised his head to look at the indifferent Gu Lin watching him nearby, and instantly, it was as if he withered like an eggplant after frost, his body inexplicably weakening.

"Grand Tutor...."

"I... I...." His voice quivered, instinctively trying to organize his words to smooth things over.

But perhaps due to excessive tension, he couldn’t utter a single word!...

...

(Ps: At the beginning of the month, humbly asking for monthly votes, hoping brothers can support more, Yu is very grateful.)