CHAPTER 209: CHAPTER 209: ADVANTAGE

Marquis Dongxiang’s proposal is impeccable.

The Emperor was prepared to agree.

Then Duke Chong stood up and said, "Your Majesty, taking care of the Old Duke is my duty, how can I trouble Your Majesty? I will bring my father back immediately."

The Emperor frowned slightly.

Marquis Dongxiang looked at Duke Chong and said, "The Chong Mansion is truly capricious, using the Old Duke as a pretext for the Emperor to help preserve your mansion."

"Accepting defeat gracefully, the Emperor only, for the Old Duke’s sake, swallowed his pride to decree the division of your mansion."

"Now that the wall is repaired, you want to take the Old Duke again."

"So, do you mean that yesterday there was a risk to the Old Duke’s life if he moved, but today it’s fine?!"

"Is Duke Chong resentful that the Emperor didn’t help you reclaim your mansion, or is he distrustful of those the Emperor sent to care for the Old Duke?"

The voice of Marquis Dongxiang was resounding.

Many ministers’ hearts were trembling.

Truly.

No one has seen anyone more domineering than Marquis Dongxiang.

Someone wishes to take their father back home to care for him, yet he obstructs them.

Yet it’s no wonder Marquis Dongxiang is angry; if the Dongxiang Mansion really lost, would the Emperor intervene to secure one corner of it?

Even if the Emperor agreed, Duke Chong would not.

Marquis Dongxiang was courteous to the Emperor, and now Duke Chong stands out to embarrass the Emperor.

Even those ministers felt Duke Chong lacked tact.

With the Emperor valuing the Old Duke so highly, would he ever harm him?

Prince NanAn looked at Duke Chong and said, "For the sake of the Old Duke’s condition, it is best to let him continue to recuperate in the Chong Mansion. Marquis Dongxiang doesn’t trust Chong’s people, and Duke Chong may not trust Marquis Dongxiang’s people. The best course is for the Emperor to send someone personally."

The Emperor glanced at Duke Chong and said, "It is decided then; I will send some trusted individuals to care for Old Duke Chong. He is a pillar of our court, someone I deeply rely on, and I hope he can recover soon to serve my Daqi Dynasty once more."

Duke Chong gritted his teeth.

"I obey the decree!"

After the court session.

Marquis Dongxiang left the Political Discussion Hall, and Prince NanAn approached, saying, "These days, my son has been troubling you at your mansion."

Several from the Duke Dingguo Mansion came over as well.

Marquis Dongxiang smiled and said, "If you’re not worried that they’ll pick up bad habits at my mansion, they can stay as long as they like."

Marquis Dongxiang was so agreeable that Prince NanAn and the others felt a bit unaccustomed.

Should they broach the subject of gifts themselves?

A little eunuch came over and said, "Marquis, the Emperor wishes to speak to you in the Imperial Study."

Marquis Dongxiang patted Prince NanAn’s shoulder and smiled, "I’ll invite you for drinks another day."

Saying this, he stepped towards the Imperial Study.

Prince NanAn touched his shoulder where he’d been patted, feeling an unexpected familiarity arise.

As if, once upon a time, someone had patted his arm and said the same words.

Inside the Imperial Study.

The Emperor sat on the Dragon Chair, sipping tea to soothe his throat.

Marquis Dongxiang entered, paid his respects, and said, "Your Majesty, what do you wish to discuss with me?"

The Emperor looked at him and asked, "Why didn’t Marquis Jibei return with you?"

"Following me is too dangerous," replied Marquis Dongxiang.

"... ."

"He’s getting on in years, no need to rush on the road with me day and night."

"... ."

Quite considerate.

Why didn’t he straightforwardly say that Marquis Jibei’s age is a hindrance?

But transporting grain to the border, saving General Xie along the way, and returning via Nanliang was quite the endeavor.

The Emperor could scarcely imagine the harrowing time he had these days.

But on Marquis Dongxiang’s face, there was no sign of weariness, only vigor and spirit.

"What about the grain at Wangzhou?" the Emperor inquired.

He meant to ask this yesterday.

Only Marquis Dongxiang had stormed out of the Political Discussion Hall in anger yesterday.

He thought reprimanding unfilial sons more crucial than asking about the Wangzhou grain, so he hadn’t summoned him for questioning.

Moreover, the Emperor was somewhat hesitant himself.

Not trusting Marquis Dongxiang, he had sent the Chief Grain Transport Officer, and had even arranged for a Hidden Guard to monitor.

Yet the Hidden Guard was somehow persuaded by Marquis Dongxiang to assist in transporting the grain!

A lack of strict oversight.

Yet curiosity was inescapable.

Marquis Dongxiang looked at the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I sent double the grain to the border. What do you plan to reward me with?"

A reward?!

"I’ll reward you with fifty big boards, do you want them?!" The Emperor glared.

"... ."

Such wit from the Emperor!

Eunuch Fu was delighted inside; it was rare for the Emperor to have the upper hand.

No gold or silver plates, but there was plenty of big boards in the Imperial Palace.

Marquis Dongxiang became solemn.

"Your Majesty, we’re discussing serious matters, don’t joke. I just moved into a new residence, there are many things to do, and a whole family waiting for me to return and oversee them," said Marquis Dongxiang.

The Emperor, "... ."

Eunuch Fu, "... ."

The Emperor, in frustration, placed the tea cup on the Dragon Desk.

He’s busy?

As an Emperor, was he not busy too?!

The Emperor stared angrily at Marquis Dongxiang.

Marquis Dongxiang said, "The grain I sent to the border was twice what Your Majesty entrusted to me. This extra grain was looted from the Wangzhou government office; Wangzhou didn’t lodge a complaint with Your Majesty, and Duke Chong even told me not to slander myself."

"I racked my brains but couldn’t find a good source for this grain, and it couldn’t have come from the sky, so let’s say I financed it myself and sent it to the camp," said Marquis Dongxiang earnestly.

"This can be considered sacrificing one’s family wealth for the nation’s crisis."

The Emperor, "... ."

Eunuch Fu, "... ."

Sacrificing family wealth for a crisis?

Such an admirable phrase, yet it sounds so different coming from Marquis Dongxiang’s mouth?

His family was sustained by plundering!

And the most plundered was the court!

After years of stealing grain from the court, finally supporting the border once, and yet he seeks a reward...

This is unheard of.

The Emperor was fuming.

Marquis Dongxiang raised an eyebrow, "Is the Emperor moved?"

Moved, my foot!

The Emperor nearly cursed.

"This matter will wait until Marquis Jibei returns to the Capital!" the Emperor gritted out.

Sacrificing family wealth for a crisis—

The court must lavishly commend and even sing praises.

If he really looted the Wangzhou government office, officially, the Emperor must scold him and dock his salary for half a year, then reward him privately.

"Then, Your Majesty will have to wait, Marquis Jibei only recently likely set off from the camp to return to the Capital," said Marquis Dongxiang.

The Emperor stared at him and said, "You dismantle the Chongguo Duke Mansion’s Observation Tower, I don’t oppose it, but don’t go dismantling and building elsewhere wilfully."

Marquis Dongxiang laughed.

"Does the Emperor wish to remove Duke Chong yet retain the Chong Mansion because He still sees a successor for the Chong Mansion in his heart?" Marquis Dongxiang asked.

This question.

Directly left the Emperor dumbfounded.

The Old Duke Chong’s illness was severe enough; surviving was already a blessing.

The Chong Mansion’s main branch had no one left...

The Empress’s eyes dimmed.

"Even if the eldest son who vanished over a cliff, with his life or death unknown, is still alive, without removing Duke Chong, can he reclaim his heritage?" asked Marquis Dongxiang.