Chapter 44

Looking at Gu Jinnian's gloomy face.

Su Huaiyu explained in detail.

"I am very serious."

"My uncle promised me meals when he invited me."

"This is my principle."

Su Huaiyu was very serious, seemingly not just to annoy Gu Jinnian.

"You can rest assured."

"I won't let you go hungry."

Gu Jinnian didn't know why this guy was so obsessed with food, but he still went along with it.

"Thank you, Young Master."

Su Huaiyu nodded.

And Gu Jinnian didn't waste time, looking directly at the other person.

"What do you think about me being pushed into the water?"

Gu Jinnian got straight to the point, not wasting any time.

He hadn't forgotten that his sixth uncle had invited Su Huaiyu to investigate this matter.

"Your Highness."

"After several days of investigation, your drowning incident seems far from simple."

"If I'm not mistaken, the key lies before the drowning, not after."

Su Huaiyu's words made Gu Jinnian's eyes light up.

Before the drowning?

"What do you mean?"

Gu Jinnian became interested. His focus had always been on the drowning, but he had overlooked this point.

"Although Your Highness is not a martial artist, you have been well-nourished since childhood, and your physique is much stronger than the average person."

"Moreover, the Gu family has trained you in martial arts."

"A mere drowning should not have nearly killed you, which means something was wrong before you fell into the water."

"The drowning was just a cover-up."

"May I ask, did you eat or drink anything before the drowning?"

Su Huaiyu analyzed seriously.

"Eat? Drink?"

Gu Jinnian frowned.

He couldn't recall at the moment.

"Are you saying someone poisoned me before I fell into the water?"

Gu Jinnian asked curiously.

"There is a possibility."

"Otherwise, it's hard to explain why Your Highness nearly drowned."

Su Huaiyu nodded.

"Poisoned?"

"What was the purpose?"

Gu Jinnian frowned. He hadn't thought about the poisoning, mainly because he couldn't understand the purpose.

"Actually, it's quite simple. Just think in reverse."

"Your Highness, as the grandson of a Duke and the son of a Marquis, very few people in the world dare to harm you."

"Killing you would cause a lot of trouble."

"The Duke would be enraged, and the Gu family would go mad. At that time, no one in the court could withstand such anger. You are the only male heir in three generations. If you die, the Gu family would be half gone."

"Regardless of the reason, Grandfather would slaughter all the scholars and officials in the court, even if it means incurring the wrath of heaven. Grandfather would never stop."

"Once this happens, the political landscape would collapse instantly. To suppress Grandfather, the Emperor would have to take drastic measures."

"Either suppress the Gu family."

"Or offer a great compensation."

"Given the Emperor's benevolence, he would choose the second option, unless the situation becomes extremely severe."

"What compensation do you think the Emperor would offer?"

Su Huaiyu's analysis was clear and insightful, leaving Gu Jinnian speechless.

"Enhance the Gu family's status and grant significant power. But to silence the court, a war would be initiated, allowing my grandfather to vent his anger abroad and calm down, while also securing the Gu family with great benefits."

"After all, although I am important, the Gu family cannot completely break ties with the Emperor. The Gu family does not have the power to challenge the imperial authority."

"Bang."

Gu Jinnian stood up, looking at Su Huaiyu from a third-person perspective.

"The person who wanted to kill me, wanted to start a war?"

Gu Jinnian suddenly realized.

At first, he thought his drowning was not a plot, given the unusual celestial phenomena and the ancient tree. But after hearing Su Huaiyu's analysis, he found it reasonable.

"Indeed."

"Someone wants to start a war."

"But I don't know who wants to start the war or what the purpose is."

"If it's just to enhance the status of military officials, that's unlikely. Although it's a peaceful era, the status of military officials has not been overly diminished."

"Even in a sense, as long as the thirteen border cities are not recovered, the status of military officials will not decline."

"Forcing a war, I can't think of who in the court would benefit."

"This is what I find strange and can't understand."

"But I have a suspect in mind."

Su Huaiyu raised a new question.

Currently, it can be confirmed that if Gu Jinnian were killed, domestic turmoil would ensue. The Gu family is a powerful lion, and once enraged, the imperial authority could suppress them, but at a great cost.

Reconciliation is better than suppression.

Reconciling with the Gu family means giving up power, a life for a life, to ensure peace.

But who could benefit from this?

The military group? Other dukes and marquises? This is clearly impossible. If the Gu family is not appeased, they will suffer, and if the Gu family is appeased, they will suffer even more. When the Emperor and the Gu family join forces to investigate, they will use all means necessary to uncover the truth.

So the people in the court dare not do this.

This means the person who wants to kill Gu Jinnian is not a minister or official in the court.

"Who?"

Gu Jinnian asked.

But the next moment, he suddenly thought of a possibility.

"Jiande?"

Gu Jinnian stared at Su Huaiyu, speaking the name in a low voice.

This was the only person he could think of.

Not in the court, yet hoping for internal turmoil in Daxia.

So it must be Jiande.

Su Huaiyu did not answer, nor did he deny.

Because there was no one else to think of.

As for Gu Jinnian, he sat silently on the stool.

Being targeted by the Emperor of Jiande.

That was really a mess.

After all, this was the former Emperor of Daxia. Although the Emperor of Jiande is now a fugitive, a dead camel is still bigger than a horse.

What is the Emperor of Jiande's greatest advantage?

Legitimacy.

The Emperor appointed by the founding emperor.

And Confucianism itself supports the eldest son.

In other words, as long as Daxia falls into great turmoil, the Emperor of Jiande's call to arms will ensure countless people are willing to join him.

Not to mention the feudal lords who can demand various benefits by helping the Emperor of Jiande, regardless of whether they are granted or not, as long as they are promised.

And the immortal world, some sects are not as honest as they seem. After all, becoming a loyal minister and using Daxia's power to develop into the first immortal sect is not impossible.

In short, the Emperor of Jiande's call to arms will not lack for helpers.

But the premise is that Daxia must be in turmoil.

If Daxia is not in turmoil, they dare not be the first to act, for fear of sacrificing in vain.

The balance of power is like this.

Su Huaiyu's reasoning made Gu Jinnian increasingly believe it was possible.

If I were to die.

Grandfather would definitely go mad, regardless of the consequences. My father, uncles, and cousins would also go berserk.

This would achieve some people's goals.

"What should we do?"

Gu Jinnian thought for a while, looking at Su Huaiyu with curiosity in his eyes.

"I'm not sure."

"I have no authority to investigate matters involving the Emperor and the Duke."

"But you need to think carefully about many things."

"For example, although Your Highness nearly drowned, the Duke seems very calm."

"Even the Emperor is very calm."

"Speaking of direct admission as an apology."

"May I ask, do you think that's possible?"

Su Huaiyu continued.

This reminded Gu Jinnian again.

Indeed.

Almost dying, and my grandfather showed no reaction.

This is not normal.

As for the direct admission?

What is that? Does the Gu family need it?

They really don't need it.

"Your Highness, remember, many things cannot be judged by their surface. The Duke is extremely intelligent, and the Emperor is a great hero."

"I don't know what is hidden behind this, but Your Highness doesn't need to worry too much."

"With them, Daxia will not fall into chaos."

Su Huaiyu spoke calmly, trying to calm Gu Jinnian.

"Alright."

"I understand."

"Brother Su, your words today have greatly benefited me."

"Please accept my gratitude."

Gu Jinnian took a deep breath.

He had been thinking too simply.

Indeed, the flaw of a穿越者 (穿越者 means someone who has traveled through time or dimensions) is that, with two lifetimes and a different civilization, there is a sense of superiority, which makes one act foolishly.

Today, Su Huaiyu's words, like a wake-up call, made Gu Jinnian more mature.

"No need for thanks."

"Seventy to you, thirty to me, how about that?"

Su Huaiyu asked seriously.

"That's not possible."

Gu Jinnian shook his head firmly.

Money is out of the question.

Meanwhile.

Daxia Academy.

In the main hall.

A voice sounded.

"Dean."

"Of the 188 tokens distributed, Su Huaiyu has taken 148, and Gu Jinnian has taken 22. Only 18 remain in the hands of the candidates."

In the hall, a middle-aged man spoke, looking at Su Wenjing.

"Only 18?"

In the hall.

Su Wenjing was surprised but his eyes were filled with interest.

188 tokens mean 188 people can pass the third round.

He thought some would hoard a few, but he didn't expect two people to control them all, disrupting the examination plan.

But he was not angry, finding it interesting. After all, the rules were set by him, and Gu Jinnian and Su Huaiyu did not break them.

"Alright."

"Do we need to remind the two of them?"

"Or add more tokens to the village?"

The other person asked.

"No more."

"No need to remind."

"As long as it's within the rules, it's fine."

Su Wenjing shook his head.

"But Dean, if this continues, the number of admissions this year will not exceed 20."

The other person frowned.

Daxia Academy usually admits more, but never as few as 20. Even in the worst case, it's around 150.

20 is too few, causing controversy and trouble.

"No problem. I will personally meet them, and the rest will follow the plan."

Su Wenjing stood up.

Leaving these words, he left the hall. Qi surged in his hand, forming a brush, and with a stroke, a crane appeared, flying under his feet, quickly heading to Xiaoxi Village.

This is the skill of a quasi-half-saint, where a brush stroke can create anything.

Envious indeed.

The next moment.

In Xiaoxi Village.

Su Wenjing appeared, the crane under his feet instantly turning into ink, dissipating into the air.

In the tavern.

Gu Jinnian looked at the darkening sky, somewhat conflicted.

It had been about an hour.

Logically, Su Wenjing should know about the tokens being taken.

But his delay made Gu Jinnian puzzled.

Could it be that he just doesn't care?

In the private room, Su Huaiyu was meditating.

At this moment.

Su Wenjing appeared.

Suddenly.

He walked directly into the private room.

"You two seem quite at ease."

His voice carried a hint of amusement.

With Su Wenjing's voice.

Su Huaiyu immediately drew his sword.

Gu Jinnian was startled, turning around to look.

At the door of the private room.

Su Wenjing stood with his hands behind his back, in his sixties, but full of energy, wearing a simple scholar's robe, nothing particularly outstanding.

He gave the impression of an elderly scholar, just very energetic, with no other notable features.

His demeanor was restrained.

"Brother Su, don't act rashly."

Gu Jinnian immediately pulled Su Huaiyu. He didn't know who the other person was, but he could guess.

"Please forgive me, Mr. Wenjing. I was ordered to protect the Young Master, and I have offended you."

Gu Jinnian didn't recognize him, but Su Huaiyu did, speaking very politely.

He wasn't stupid; a quasi-half-saint was not to be provoked and could not be defeated.

"No problem."

"It was my fault for being abrupt."

Su Wenjing was not angry, smiling gently.

"Meeting Mr. Wenjing."

"May I ask why you have come?"

Confirming it was Su Wenjing, Gu Jinnian was filled with joy.

He had been waiting for news from Su Wenjing.

He thought Su Wenjing would send someone, but it was the man himself, which surprised Gu Jinnian.

"I'm here for something you two should know."

"Do I need to be clear?"

Su Wenjing chuckled, sitting down casually, looking at Gu Jinnian.

"Mr. Wenjing."

"I am a bit dull, I don't understand. Please speak directly. Whatever you need us to do, just say it, and I will do my best to serve the literary world of Daxia."

Gu Jinnian spoke righteously.

But clearly, he was pretending to be ignorant.

"Ha ha."

"Truly the grandson of the Duke, surpassing even the Duke."

"Alright, I'll be direct."

"All the tokens are in your hands."

"You obtained them within the rules, so I shouldn't interfere."

"But Daxia Academy needs to admit students, so I propose a deal."

"If you are willing to release the extra tokens, I will tell you a secret after you enroll."

"How about that?"

Su Wenjing was patient, showing great interest in Gu Jinnian and Su Huaiyu, not blaming them and willing to make a deal.

"Secret?"

"May I ask, what secret?"

"Is it about the imperial examination answers?"

Gu Jinnian asked curiously.

"Ha ha, Gu, you are truly witty."

"I don't know about the imperial examination answers."

"But this secret is a hundred times more important."

"See if you are interested."

Su Wenjing laughed, not at all angry.

A secret from a quasi-half-saint is definitely valuable, a good deal.

But Gu Jinnian didn't forget about making money.

He had invested, and not making a profit would make him uncomfortable.

"Mr. Wenjing, we are willing to hand over the tokens, but we spent time, effort, and silver to obtain them."

"My point is."

"Can we sell them?"

Gu Jinnian smiled warmly.

Hearing this, Su Wenjing thought for a moment and nodded.

"That's possible."

"But the price should not be too high, 500 taels of silver per token."

Su Wenjing set a price.

He allowed it but limited the price.

"500 taels?"

"Mr. Wenjing, these tokens cost me a lot, 500 taels is not enough. But I won't set the price too high, 5000 taels per token, how about that?"

Gu Jinnian was a bit frustrated.

He paid 500 taels per token, selling for 500 taels?

Isn't that just working for free?

From ancient times to now, he always made others work for him, not the other way around.

"170 tokens, that's over 80,000 taels of silver."

"The Duke's household spends about 80,000 taels a year, right?"

Su Wenjing smiled, still refusing.

"Mr. Wenjing, if you say that, I'd rather not sell."

Gu Jinnian used a retreat strategy.

"Alright."

"Since you insist, I have no choice but to make an exception."

"I will take out the extra tokens from the warehouse, not many, but a few hundred are available."

"You can continue to participate, just for collection."

Su Wenjing still smiled, but his face was confident.

Clearly, he was not afraid of Gu Jinnian's retreat strategy.

After all, the final say was in his hands.

"Mr. Wenjing."

"I'll sell."

"500 taels, fine."

"For the sake of Daxia's Confucianism, this sacrifice is nothing."

"But Mr. Wenjing, once I enter Daxia Academy, I hope you will take care of me."

Gu Jinnian knew when to yield.