After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 635 - 629 Drastic Change in Personality

The attendant’s reaction was not quick enough, and he didn’t immediately comprehend, but that didn’t prevent him from first remembering it, then passing the message to Zhao Ju, and finally pondering over it to a moment of sudden realization.

Zhao Ming had already begun preparing a contingency plan. He immediately submitted a memorial to the Emperor impeaching Gou Chun, while also reporting the matter to Zhao Hanzhang.

When it came to the Emperor and Gou Xi, it was Zhao Hanzhang who had to deal with them, as Zhao Ming was not yet qualified.

Moreover, Zhao Zhongyu was still in Yan State.

It was precisely because Zhao Zhongyu was in Yan State that Zhao Hanzhang found herself somewhat restrained, but also because he was there, many of the things she wanted to do could possibly become reality.

For example, with Zhao Zhongyu in Yan State, Zhao Hanzhang could not completely sever ties with Gou Xi, which also made Gou Xi exercise some restraint.

Once Ming Yu left, Zhao Zhongyu went to the palace to seek the Emperor, as it was the Emperor who could protect him and his son amidst Gou Xi’s wrath.

As long as they got past the peak of Gou Xi’s rage, it would then depend on Zhao Hanzhang’s strategies.

Zhao Zhongyu first went to a side hall, glanced around, and asked, "Where is Imperial Attendant Zhao?"

Immediately, an official stood up, bowed and said, "Shangcai Marquis has not entered the palace today."

Zhao Zhongyu pressed his lips together, politely saying to him, "When conducting affairs in the palace, rank matters more than title; just call him Imperial Attendant Zhao next time."

He instructed, "Have someone call him to the palace to take over the shift, while the rest of you can take a break for now."

The officials agreed, and after Zhao Zhongyu left, they packed up their things leisurely, waiting for Zhao Ji to enter the palace before they departed.

Everyone knew that Zhao Zhongyu was angry and intended to punish Zhao Ji by making him work overtime.

Previous, Zhao Ji often relied on his father’s and niece’s influence to push his workload onto others, but today he finally got his comeuppance outright.

Who doesn’t prefer leisure with a paycheck to working?

Humans inherently possess a tendency towards laziness, but intelligent people overcome it, and particularly smart individuals transform it, turning learning and work into hobbies.

Only the officials of Great Jin, without a second thought, abandon themselves to idleness, casually acquiescing to their nature, dubbing it as following the will of Heaven, hahaha...

In any case, they naturally slacked off, placing all work on Zhao Ji’s desk. Once he was called into the palace, they all rose to bid farewell and happily went off to drink together.

Zhao Ji: ...

Even he wished he could toss his work aside, but he didn’t have the guts; as long as Zhao Zhongyu was around, the weight on his shoulders remained.

Zhao Ji, feeling resentful, processed the tasks while cursing internally, his eyes clouded with frustration.

Zhao Zhongyu knew nothing of this and, ensuring his son had entered the palace, periodically assigned him more tasks, forbidding him from leaving until he finished.

Thus, Zhao Ji was left to work the night shift, while Zhao Zhongyu stayed in the palace, enjoying a pleasant conversation with the Emperor, leading to him staying overnight.

That day, Gou Xi did not notice that Ming Yu had fled, as he was lost in the tender company of beauties.

When Zhao Zhongyu heard the news in the palace, he sighed gently; such indulgence in the rewards of power was no different from Prince East Sea.

The Emperor didn’t know of Ming Yu’s escape but, noticing Zhao Zhongyu’s sigh, asked about it.

Zhao Zhongyu said, "I heard General Gou recently took in a hundred maidservants, among whom are many of great beauty, and today he hosted a dance banquet in the garden. He’s already drunk by now."

He sighed again, "Such indulgence in wine and meat is not beneficial in the long run, Your Majesty. The extravagance of General Gou depletes the resources of Yan State and the court."

Do servants not need food and clothing?

The maidservants who serve closely, and the performers who dance and sing, require fine clothing and ornaments, not to mention the fine wine and delicacies they consume. Doesn’t all this cost money?

Where does the money come from?

It naturally comes from the financial resources of Yan State and what can be squeezed from the Emperor.

The finances of Yan State come from its people, while the Emperor is supported by contributions from various quarters.

Since moving the capital to Yun City, all the states and counties have sent funds and materials, even Luoyang, which recently suffered war, Zhoa Hanzhang was sparing enough to send some to the Emperor, to sustain him and the court officials.

These funds, flowing in and out, inevitably pass through the hands of officials allied with Gou Xi, with some of them scheming to divert a portion to appease him.

Now, even the Emperor felt their increasing embezzlement.

The Emperor’s gaze was deep, but he knew his wings were not yet fully grown, and any rash move now would mean either a meaningless death or confinement, better then to maintain apparent peace for the time being, until one day...

The Emperor gazed solemnly at Zhao Zhongyu; does every man who becomes a powerful minister lose reason, and abandon his former virtues?

The Prince of East Sea was like this, and now Gou Xi too. What about the future Zhao Hanzhang?

The Prince of East Sea was known in his youth for his humility and affability. The Emperor had interacted with the Prince before and found his humility and commoner’s virtues to be genuine. That’s why, when he left the capital, so many followed him in his flight.

Power was one thing, but his good reputation was the foundation of the trust he garnered.

Yet, since becoming the Regent King, the Emperor was oppressed by his power, his autocracy was troubling, and even his direct management of state affairs could incur his displeasure. He quarreled with Gou Xi, never regaining his former humility and gentleness.

And Gou Xi, once known for his integrity and incorruptibility, celebrated by the entire court, maintained his character until he arrived in Luoyang, but why did he transform into a harsh and indulgent tyrant after the capital move?

The Emperor lowered his eyes, a pang of sadness in his heart, "Minister Zhao, does everyone beside me eventually become unrecognizable?"

Zhao Zhongyu also felt a pang of sadness; while he wished Zhao Hanzhang to wield more power and strengthen the Zhao Family, his greater wish was for peace in the realm.

If the court’s situation were stable and the world at peace, why would he risk his life for this bit of power?

If only Gou Xi had been more humble and just, without a brother like Gou Chun who harbored murderous intent towards Zhao Hanzhang and eyed the Yu State, he would have advised Zhao Hanzhang to take a step back for greater freedom.

Thus, if chaos were inevitable, he needed to ensure the Zhao Family would not fall.

Given the choice between the world and his kin, he was powerless to change the former, but he could choose the latter.

Zhao Zhongyu closed his eyes, and when he opened them, he began gently reassuring the Emperor, "Your Majesty, why focus only on those like Prince East Sea and Gou Xi and not on loyal ministers and generals like Fu Zhongshu?"

In the current court, there are many officials loyal to the Emperor and Great Jin, steadfastly supporting orthodoxy since Emperor Hui’s time until now.

In fact, Zhao Changyu and Zhao Zhongyu could be counted among them.

Regardless of how they schemed for their family, they never thought of surpassing the Emperor, nor do they now. Zhao Zhongyu still aims to help Zhao Hanzhang control Luoyang and Yu State, ensuring the Zhao Family’s survival in tumultuous times.

If the Emperor were endangered, the Zhao Family would of course have to rescue him, and failing that, they would still support another Sima heir to inherit.

Apart from a few outliers, no normal minister thinks of replacing the Emperor with a different family name.