Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 827 - 663: Bring the Treasure Map Back

If he were to say that he was already finishing up, wouldn’t that offend his colleagues once again?

Chou Yifan, who shares a room with him, hasn’t even completed half yet! However, the contents of the Ministry of Rites section Chou Yifan is working on are even more complex than his own.

"Oh? Then you must hurry, but I heard from Zhang Aiqing that you work swiftly. After returning from leave, you devoted yourself wholeheartedly to the compilation of the classics, so you must have completed quite a bit."

The officials of the Hanlin Academy not only compile classics, but also handle numerous other matters. Finding even an hour a day for compilation is considered fortunate.

Sometimes other books or writings need to be compiled first, and several days might pass before touching the classics again.

Zhang Hai didn’t assign him any other tasks, only the compilation of the classics, and did not rush him to complete it.

With just this thought, Gu Chengyu felt that Zhang Hai had taken good care of him.

"You have returned to the Capital. Have you heard about the assassination attempt on the Eldest Prince?"

The Emperor had only been casually chatting just now. He did not summon Gu Chengyu merely for small talk.

Gu Chengyu had already prepared a mental draft before arriving, knowing that the Emperor would not summon him without purpose.

He guessed the Emperor would definitely discuss this matter. The biggest event recently was the assassination attempt on the Eldest Prince.

"In response to Your Majesty, I have heard about it before. To think that in broad daylight, under a clear sky, someone would dare to assassinate Prince, truly shows audacity, disregarding the Royal Family’s authority!" Gu Chengyu feigned righteous indignation.

The Emperor opened his mouth to prophesy, but Gu Chengyu continued to say, "But fortunately, Prince’s auspicious fate has seen him through the danger."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor glanced at Gu Chengyu and suddenly smiled.

This Gu Chengyu truly pretends to be muddled when he actually understands; who’s unaware that this is about establishing the Crown Prince? Can Gu Chengyu not comprehend?

"Then who do you think wants to assassinate the Eldest Prince?" the Emperor turned around, asking lightly.

Gu Chengyu frowned lightly, "This? I truly do not know, perhaps some desperate renegades!"

Gu Chengyu inwardly sighed, knowing the Emperor summoned him for no good reason. This is a contest for the Crown Prince, what does it have to do with a small fry like him?

"Desperate renegades? Well said!" The Emperor sneered, looking at Gu Chengyu with dissatisfaction.

This Gu Chengyu indeed has talent, but his temperament is too slippery, like an eel that’s hard to grasp.

Gu Chengyu’s heart tightened, his mind racing to determine the Emperor’s purpose in summoning him today.

Just as Gu Chengyu was pondering the Emperor’s intentions, the Emperor sighed.

"Jinyu! They say all lands under heaven belong to the King, yet these renegades disregard Me. The Eldest Prince might have survived this time, but what about next? Will there be such luck again?"

When the Emperor called him by his courtesy name, Gu Chengyu’s heart thudded.

Gu Chengyu also wanted to sigh, this matter is evident, yet the Emperor pretends not to understand. Isn’t it all due to the actions of his sons?

"Your Majesty! To wear the crown, one must bear its weight. Being born into the Royal Family, while enjoying glory and wealth, must also endure the pain ordinary people need not face."

"Oh? To wear the crown, one must bear its weight? Well said; worthy of a scholarly Champion Scholar!"

The Emperor silently recited Gu Chengyu’s words, feeling that they are especially fitting for his Royal Family.

Even himself, he paid no small price back then to ascend to the Dragon Throne.

Now it’s his sons’ turn, they must naturally pay a price too.

There is only one throne, everyone wants it, and one must strive to claim it.

If one lacks even this ability, the throne may be in hand yet won’t sit firmly.

From ancient times, succession has been full of bloodshed, who has smoothly ascended the throne?

"No storm, no rainbow?" Gu Chengyu recalled a phrase from a previous life, which applies here too.

This is natural selection, to see who can persist to the end. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The Emperor was shaken by Gu Chengyu’s words — indeed, he’s grown old and soft-hearted.

Seeing his sons begin to kill each other, anger and heartache filled him, but so what? The victor becomes the king, the loser the bandit!

Back then, he went through the same; he should understand more deeply.

Yet now he has become like his father, an indecisive person, without realizing it until now.

The Emperor furrowed his brows, closed his eyes, and leaned back slowly in the round chair.

De’an seeing this, hurriedly began massaging the Emperor’s temples.

Gu Chengyu could feel the Emperor’s inner conflict, his exhaustion, bewilderment in expression and tone, demonstrating his struggle over the choice of heir.

But the Emperor missed the best timing; his sons have grown, now full of vitality. Yet the Emperor has aged, unable to suppress his sons anymore.

Like his father, the previous issues are irrelevant for now, but he undoubtedly erred in handling matters with the second brother.

As his father aged, he could no longer control his second brother.

"A treasure map appeared in Hejian Prefecture; are you aware?"

Immersed in thought, Gu Chengyu was surprised by the Emperor suddenly bringing up the treasure map.

His mind was shocked, how did the Emperor become aware so quickly? Ma Zhihong left only three days ago, just reaching Hejian Prefecture at best. How can the Emperor already know?

Did the Emperor send another imperial envoy, one who arrived earlier than Ma Zhihong? Otherwise, how to explain the knowledge?

Gu Chengyu was astonished that the treasure map had been uncovered. This imperial envoy is quite capable; he wondered which court official it was.

He was relieved not to have intervened; otherwise, the Emperor’s envoy might suspect ambitions of overthrowing the dynasty!

Gu Chengyu doubt lingered briefly, quickly responding in surprise: "Treasure map? What treasure map?"

His puzzled, astonished expression didn’t seem feigned.

The Emperor opened his eyes and gazed at Gu Chengyu’s face for a moment before shifting focus.

Gu Chengyu released a sigh of relief; such is the Emperor’s majesty, inducing immense pressure.

"It is said to be Wang Mang’s treasure. Wang Mang amassed much gold, but its whereabouts became unknown. Now, that map has surfaced, drawing many aristocratic families, swarming like bees to honey, including my sons."

The Emperor’s aged eyes remained sharp, though his voice carried a hint of helplessness, it held greater anger.

"Is it really Wang Mang’s Treasure?" Gu Chengyu skipped mentioning the Princes, showing appropriate doubt regarding the treasure.

"Indeed!" The Emperor nodded, face more somber than before, yet his gaze upon Gu Chengyu was inquisitive.

"I want you to go to Hejian Prefecture and bring back the treasure map!"