Chapter 30

"It's impossible."

"How could the last heavenly mandate fall upon the Gu family?"

"Is it Gu Jinnian? This is impossible. How could a mere playboy receive the heavenly mandate?"

"Absolutely impossible, this is absolutely impossible. Gu Jinnian is neither a scholar nor a warrior, and he can receive the heavenly mandate?"

Almost instantly, numerous voices echoed throughout the capital.

Who could have imagined that the last heavenly mandate of the Daxia Dynasty would fall upon the Gu family?

Not only that, but it was given to Gu Jinnian?

Who is Gu Jinnian?

In the eyes of most people in the capital, he is nothing more than a super-rich aristocrat, born into the best possible circumstances.

When it comes to martial arts, Gu Jinnian is not good. Born into a family of warriors, he is just average.

When it comes to Confucianism, Gu Jinnian is even worse. Even if you compare him to the scholars of the capital, he falls short. Even if you find the best scholars from remote areas, they would still surpass Gu Jinnian by a wide margin.

Such a person, yet he is favored by heaven. How can they accept it? How can they believe it?

But the fact is, it is so.

They are truly stunned.

However, as countless eyes fell upon the Gu family,

In the side courtyard,

The main gate opened at this moment.

A figure appeared in the eyes of some powerful individuals.

They possess supernatural abilities, with the ability to see far, and they can see this scene, but their presence cannot be hidden, and their aura will be sensed by others.

Ordinarily, no one dares to look at the Marquis of Zhen Guo's residence, but today is different. The heavenly mandate has appeared, and they cannot help but watch.

As the main gate opened,

A figure appeared, accompanied by layers of golden light, appearing like a deity, and emitting a terrifying aura.

"Is it Old Master Gu?"

"The Marquis of Zhen Guo?"

"The heavenly mandate did not choose Gu Jinnian, but the Marquis of Zhen Guo?"

"Good, it's the Marquis of Zhen Guo, then there's no problem."

"Indeed, I said it, how could the heavenly mandate choose Gu Jinnian?"

"But that's not right. Isn't the heavenly mandate supposed to choose a Confucian scholar? How did Old Master Gu get it?"

"Who said it must be a Confucian scholar? Perhaps it chose a warrior. That's not impossible."

"Nonsense, it must be a Confucian scholar."

"Ha."

At this moment, the capital of Daxia is in an uproar.

Countless people are amazed, and the nobles in the capital are discussing endlessly. Many officials are frowning, with extremely complex feelings.

But everyone has one thought: it's a good thing the heavenly mandate did not choose Gu Jinnian.

Choosing Gu Jinnian, they truly cannot understand or accept.

The heavenly mandate choosing Old Master Gu, they can accept, it is reasonable.

However, for the officials, they suddenly feel immense pressure.

Old Master Gu is the Marquis of Zhen Guo, the foremost warrior, and already has great authority and status in the court.

Now, with the heavenly mandate, the future court will likely become even more intense.

For some nobles, Old Master Gu's appearance brings both joy and worry.

There is an old saying:

The highest honor for a warrior is to be granted death.

For a scholar, surpassing the emperor in reputation is not a bad thing, but for a warrior, it is.

Warriors truly hold military power, and if they rebel, it is a terrifying thing.

These nobles are happy because Old Master Gu receiving the heavenly mandate means their warrior group will rise to a new level.

The worry is that the Gu family has already reached a very high point, and the emperor does not suppress the Gu family because of various interests.

But now, the entire Daxia Dynasty has only received three heavenly mandates.

And the Gu family alone has one.

It's hard not to speculate.

At this moment,

The Daxia Imperial Palace.

Emperor Yongsheng quietly observed everything.

His eyes were calm like water.

His gaze was fixed on the Gu family, and he was unusually silent.

No one knew what the emperor was thinking, or whether he was happy or angry. Even the most intimate eunuch could not guess the attitude of the most noble person in Daxia.

It can be said that

Old Master Gu receiving the heavenly mandate is reasonable and even exciting for the people of the capital.

There is Su Wenjing for Confucianism, and the Marquis of Zhen Guo for martial arts.

Both are excellent, and with the Daxia Dynasty receiving nine heavenly mandates, it is destined to rise and enter a glorious era.

But for many officials and nobles,

Old Master Gu receiving the heavenly mandate brings many variables, making the already turbulent court even more terrifying.

After all, turbulent waves are far less frightening than a calm lake hiding danger.

"I am Gu Yuan, the Marquis of Zhen Guo. Today, I have received the heavenly mandate. I thank heaven and earth, the divine, the Daxia Dynasty, and the emperor, and I wish for the prosperity of the people."

Soon, Old Master Gu's voice echoed throughout the Daxia capital.

His voice was full of energy, and he first bowed to heaven and earth, then to the Daxia Dynasty, and finally to the center.

He thanked heaven, the emperor, and the people of Daxia.

His words were flawless and also showed his attitude.

But after these words, there was no response.

The officials and warriors were all silent, watching from their homes or hearing the voice but not daring to respond.

"By my command, the Marquis of Zhen Guo, Su Wenjing, and Su Huaiyu, have shown respect to heaven and earth and protected the people, thus receiving the heavenly mandate, which is a blessing for the Daxia Dynasty. I grant the Marquis of Zhen Guo ten thousand acres of land, ten thousand taels of gold, twelve red jade belts, a Daxia golden robe, a horse, and two thousand additional guards."

"Furthermore, I grant the great Confucian scholar Su Wenjing a Daxia golden token, allowing him free access to the imperial palace. The Ministry of Rites will create a special Daxia Confucian robe, granting him the title of Wen Zheng and Qingliu, the position of Grand Secretary of the Literary Pavilion, a baron title, ten thousand acres of land, ten thousand taels of gold, and various precious pearls and treasures."

"Additionally, I grant the Minister of Justice Su Huaiyu a Daxia golden token, three ancient martial arts scrolls, various elixirs, the position of Deputy Commander of the Lantern Corps, ten thousand acres of land, ten thousand taels of gold, and various precious pearls and treasures."

"This time, I wish for a virtuous relationship between the emperor and his ministers, to be remembered for generations."

The voice echoed.

From the Daxia Imperial Palace.

It was Emperor Yongsheng's voice.

He did not hesitate, granting gold, silver, pearls, and treasures, land, and most importantly, a horse and two thousand additional guards.

The Marquis of Zhen Guo travels with seven horses.

The emperor travels with nine horses.

Now, with an additional horse, this is the treatment of a non-royal prince, the highest honor second only to the emperor.

And the addition of two thousand guards means he can expand his guard force in the capital.

This indirectly represents infinite trust and recognition.

At this moment,

Voices echoed one after another.

"Congratulations to the Marquis of Zhen Guo."

"Congratulations to the Marquis of Zhen Guo."

These were the voices of the officials, who, after the emperor spoke, also offered their congratulations.

But no one was foolish.

No one knew what the emperor was thinking.

If he was happy, the treatment of a non-royal prince is correct.

But the question is, how many non-royal princes have had good endings throughout history?

If he was unhappy, what is the meaning of adding two thousand guards? If he truly had issues with the Gu family, would he give Old Master Gu two thousand more cavalry?

This is clearly impossible.

The emperor's heart is hard to fathom, and serving the emperor is like serving a tiger.

At this moment, it is thoroughly revealed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"The old minister bows."

"The old minister wishes to expand the territory of the Daxia Dynasty and sweep away all obstacles for the emperor, wishing the Daxia Dynasty to last forever."

In the Marquis of Zhen Guo's residence,

Old Master Gu's expression was solemn. He bowed towards the imperial palace, showing deep respect.

The Daxia Dynasty does not have a kneeling ceremony, except for religious rituals.

But Old Master Gu bowed, which was a different signal in the eyes of many.

It was a sign of submission and a statement.

"The old minister thanks Your Majesty. Except for the Daxia golden token, the old minister wishes to exchange the other rewards for gold and silver to donate to the suffering people."

Su Wenjing responded, refusing the rewards, which was reasonable in the eyes of many, as he is a near-saint and destined to become a saint.

These honors and riches mean nothing to him.

Su Huaiyu, however, stood there, seemingly still in shock, and remained silent.

"High-minded."

Emperor Yongsheng spoke, then looked at the Marquis of Zhen Guo's residence and spoke again.

"The Marquis is too modest."

"In a few days, on the Lantern Festival, come to the palace. I have some matters to discuss with you."

"Today, the heavenly mandate has appeared, and the Daxia Dynasty has received nine heavenly mandates, which is a cause for celebration. I announce that, except for Jiangnan, Huai West, Yan North, and Jinling, all other regions will be exempt from half a year's grain tax, and a general amnesty will be granted to the people."

Emperor Yongsheng's voice echoed again.

Perhaps he was in a very good mood.

He immediately exempted half a year's grain tax, mainly in poorer regions.

And the general amnesty was a good thing in the eyes of Confucian scholars.

However, soon,

The attention of the capital once again fell on one person.

Su Huaiyu.

The Marquis of Zhen Guo receiving the heavenly mandate was surprising, but no one had any doubts.

Some even thought it was unexpected but reasonable.

But Su Huaiyu was different.

He had just been released from prison, and most people did not recognize him. Even those who did recognize him could not believe that he received the heavenly mandate.

Although no one knew what it meant,

But something given by heaven, how could it be bad?

Therefore, many people began to see Su Huaiyu as a valuable asset, and many noble families in the capital immediately thought of forming alliances.

It can be said that Su Huaiyu instantly became the most popular person in the capital.

Before Su Huaiyu could react,

Someone had already come to him.

However,

At this moment,

In the Gu family,

As all the auras disappeared,

Old Master Gu slowly returned to his room.

In the room,

Gu Jinnian looked at his grandfather, unsure of what to say.

He was about to speak,

But Old Master Gu shook his head slightly and then picked up a brush, writing a line on the paper.

"Everything remains the same, speak less."

After writing, Old Master Gu picked up the paper and placed it in the candle flame, burning it.

He did not say a word.

In the silence, he said much that could not be heard.

Indeed,

The heavenly mandate did not choose Old Master Gu.

It chose Gu Jinnian.

Old Master Gu