Chapter 855 - 69: The Heart of Yue Fei, Game of Power

In front of the camp tent.

Gu Hui stood with his hands behind his back, quietly examining the orderly military camp. His gaze swept over the neatly arranged barracks and the motionless sentry posts, finally resting on the soldiers training on the distant parade ground, and he nodded slightly.

Clearly quite approving of Yue Fei’s actions in enforcing military discipline.

If, previously, Gu Hui could not hide his scholarly ambitions, as sharp and exposed as a drawn sword, then now Gu Hui is like the sword returned to its sheath, restrained in his brilliance, deep as still waters.

This is a calm and steadfastness that has settled after the tempering of ideals and family decisions, seemingly tranquil yet containing a boundless power.

At this moment, a sudden yet steady sound of footsteps approached.

Yue Fei had already walked briskly out of the camp gate. When he clearly saw that familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar figure, his steps suddenly halted, and the gloom and fatigue on his face were instantly dispelled by incredulous joy.

"Young Master! What brings you here?"

His voice carried an uncontrollable excitement, yet adhered strictly to decorum.

Gu Hui smiled faintly and gestured modestly: "Pengju, there’s no need for formalities. The war situation at the Northern Border is tense, I came to have a look."

Gu Hui looked at Yue Fei, whose appearance was more weathered and whose brow carried hidden worries, and his eyes also showed genuine smiles. He patted Yue Fei’s sturdy arm with the back of his hand, his tone still gentle: "Pengju, I hope you’ve been well."

"This is no place for conversation." Yue Fei also smiled, quickly stepping aside to lead the way: "Young Master, please to the tent for a talk."

Thus, the two made their way toward the commanding tent.

Throughout the process, everything in the military camp remained so orderly, the military discipline unchanged.

Entering the command tent, after the personal guards withdrew, Yue Fei personally served tea to Gu Hui. Watching his dust-covered old friend, Yue Fei finally found someone to confide in about the frustrations pressed within his heart these days.

"Young Master," Yue Fei’s voice lowered, "This humble servant... feels guilty."

He clenched his fist and then loosened it: "The Northern Border could have long been stabilized, but there are too many constraints within the army. Today I discovered the enemy’s main force hiding in Heishui Valley; it is a perfect opportunity to defeat them, but Governor Zhang..."

He spoke to Gu Hui about the current situation at the Northern Border, and his tone grew heavier: "This humble servant harbors the ambition to serve the country, yet I find it difficult to act even in the current battle situation. I truly feel ashamed of not living up to your teaching, Young Master, and the nurturing by the Gu Clan!"

Although it has been nearly two years since leaving the Gu Clan.

Yet, Yue Fei’s character hasn’t changed.

He remains steadfast in his principles, always striving toward his ideals.

Upon finishing, Yue Fei couldn’t help but slam his fist on the table: "I truly don’t understand, with the opportunity for victory right in front of us, why do people always put personal gain ahead of the lives of countless soldiers!"

Gu Hui quietly watched Yue Fei, his gaze as deep as a pool, and after contemplating for a moment, he slowly asked: "Pengju, do you know the true meaning of ’no destruction, no construction’?"

He didn’t even need Yue Fei to speak to basically guess Yue Fei’s situation.

The current state of the Great Song.

In essence, it is somewhat sick.

The excessively advanced economy has created more interest groups, and once the Gu Clan, the overpowering presence that could subdue everyone, was gone, the internal strife naturally arose.

Even the imperial power cannot restrict everyone.

Hearing this, Yue Fei involuntarily was taken aback.

—He certainly couldn’t comprehend the true meaning behind Gu Hui’s words.

Instinctively recalling that Gu Hui’s words pointed toward the Song court, his expression immediately stiffened.

He didn’t speak right away, instead walking toward the front of the tent for a look, and only after having the guards at the entrance withdraw a few more meters did he return, speaking seriously: "Young Master!"

"I just heard rumors of the Gu Clan withdrawing from the world—"

"Has the situation today truly reached such an extent?"

"Has the court really lost the people’s faith to such a degree?"

"Even the Gu Clan is going to give up?"

He spoke very directly.

The phrase ’no destruction, no construction’ is indeed quite sensitive.

Yue Fei of course wouldn’t think the Gu Clan would overstep their bounds to aim for the throne.

But he would feel that this is the Gu Clan abandoning the Great Song!

Yue Fei knew Gu Hui’s abilities well, from every perspective, the Gu Clan should not be retreating from the world at this time.

Looking at Yue Fei in front of him, Gu Hui didn’t speak immediately.

He wasn’t surprised by Yue Fei’s thoughts.

And likewise—

He could sense Yue Fei’s intentions.

Yue Fei wanted to set things right!

Not out of blind loyalty, after the education from Gu Academy, it was impossible for the current Yue Fei to be so, he merely felt that the world today hadn’t reached that point.

And indeed, it hadn’t.

The Great Song is indeed still salvageable, after all, the foundational basis remains, but there simply isn’t the necessity.

But this is only Gu Hui’s personal view.

In the world today, there are many with thoughts like Yue Fei, even within the Gu Clan itself.

He weighed this carefully, and shook his head slightly to indicate denial.

Seeing this, Yue Fei also breathed a sigh of relief, gently sighing: "Though the current world situation is perilous, it is by no means a time of great upheaval. Why say ’no destruction, no construction’, Young Master."

His tone paused slightly, then he saluted toward Gu Hui again: "With you entering the world now, with your talents, Young Master."

"Surely you would do as the Gu ancestors did generation by generation."

"And once again, set things right!"

Hearing this, Gu Hui hesitated not at all, shaking his head again immediately: "I will not enter officialdom."

He stopped himself from revealing everything to Yue Fei.