I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 245 - 173: I’m Still Alive

"Killing him will only make the cowardly tribes even more cowardly, but it will make the tribes supporting Jiang Qu hate Yan Country to the core, with endless hostility," the Minister of War cautiously spoke.

Rong Jing’s eyes grew darker, but he knew the Minister of War was right.

At this moment, the usually timid Crown Prince Rong Qichun, seeing Rong Jing’s furrowed brow, suddenly had a flash of insight and said:

"Why not let Gongbu return to the Snowfield, but keep his wife and children detained in the Capital City, forcing him to serve Yan Country for generations."

Rong Jing frowned; the Crown Prince’s words made some sense. Under normal circumstances, he might have made such a decision.

However, after interacting with Gongbu these past few days, Rong Jing realized that the old man didn’t care about the life and death of his wife and children at all. Letting him go back would be like releasing a tiger back to the mountain. By then, if he and Jiang Qu joined forces, it would be even harder to handle.

"Gongbu is ruthless and callous, his wife and children cannot bind him."

The Marquis Gu looked at the helpless officials in the hall and leisurely said:

"The Emperor doesn’t want to release Gongbu but wants to deal with Jiang Qu. Ah, in that case, we’ll have to wait until spring when I can lead the army to the Snowfield again. By the way, Your Majesty, my son, Gu Lan, is already fifteen. I’d like him to serve as a Military Captain; what do you think?"

Rong Jing twitched his mouth. Is this the time to discuss this?

He’s worried about how to resolve the situation with Jiang Qu and deal with Gongbu, and Gu Chengzhao is vying for an official position for his son?

And it sounds like a threat that only he can defeat Jiang Qu, but wants you to appoint his son as an officer.

A trace of coldness passed through Rong Jing’s narrow, phoenix eyes.

When he was the Crown Prince, this man ignored royal authority and showed no respect for the Imperial Family. Now, having won a victory, he is becoming increasingly arrogant, but coincidentally, Yan Country is currently lacking competent generals. If there is truly a war, it will still rely on Gu Chengzhao to lead the army.

Rong Jing took a deep breath and slowly said:

"Gu Lan is the Heir of Duke Dingyuan, and sooner or later, he will have to take over the Dingyuan Army. Since Marquis Dingyuan has said so, I can certainly let her first be trained in your army.

However, she is still young. I remember Marquis Dingyuan was officially appointed as a military general only after you came of age and cleared two mountain bandit groups in the Capital Suburbs."

This means Gu Lan lacks military achievements, and being rewarded without merit would draw criticism.

Marquis Gu said, "Lan also contributed by discovering Qian Zhen’s family’s collusion with the Alien Clan, which helped Dayan eliminate treacherous ministers and distinguish loyal ones."

"She was just a catalyst in this matter. The Ministry of Justice solved the case, the Capital City Governor made the arrests, and the decree was issued by Your Majesty," Lu Bingxin spoke softly from the side, a hint of resentment hidden in his eyes.

Since the Lu family’s failed marriage alliance with Marquis Dingyuan, Lu Bingxin had been avoiding Marquis Gu after he returned to the Capital City. This time was the first time they met in Qianyuan Hall.

Marquis Gu looked at him, and his leisurely voice turned cold:

"I haven’t even addressed you, and you’re rushing to get in my way. Minister Lu, dare you answer, who let Jiang Qu go in the first place? If you hadn’t let Jiang Qu go, how would this situation have arisen now?"

Lu Bingxin’s expression changed as if his sore spot had been hit.

He gritted his teeth and immediately said, "It was my mistake to let Jiang Qu go, but don’t forget, Marquis Gu, Young Master Gu wanted to release both the Eldest Prince Duoji and the Second Prince Jiang Qu back then!"

Marquis Gu crossed his legs, proudly questioning:

"Yes, what mistake is there in my son’s decision? If both of them had been released, I would have found another way to provoke Gongbu into action, and still won."

"..."

"You, that’s sophistry. Can your words solve Jiang Qu? Can they solve Gongbu?"

In Qianyuan Hall, as Lu Bingxin roared in anger, everyone’s eyes involuntarily turned to Gu Chengzhao.

But Gu Chengzhao’s expression remained calm, though his gaze grew sharper:

"Is the Emperor saying that Lan’s contributions aren’t enough?"

"Gu Lan lacks seniority," Rong Jing replied, suppressing his anger. He didn’t understand why Marquis Dingyuan was fixated on this issue now.

Gu Chengzhao then laughed, his eyes as deep and enchanting as the spring waters, brimming with undisguised pride: "I may not be able to resolve this matter, but if Lan does, wouldn’t it be considered a major achievement? Wouldn’t it give her the necessary experience?"

"What do you mean?"

At this moment, Zhang Fengcai walked into the hall, with a somewhat strange expression.

"Your Majesty, the Heir of Duke Dingyuan, Gu Lan, requests an audience, and with him is... the Eldest Prince of Qiangrong, Duoji."

Rong Jing’s pupils contracted: "Duoji is still alive!?"

Zhang Fengcai said, "Young Master Gu claimed he accidentally saved him."

Rong Jing frowned, unable to discern the emotions in his eyes: "Summon them in."

Yet Zhang Fengcai did not withdraw, hesitating as he stood to the side. Rong Jing asked, "What else is there?"

"The Heir also said to summon Gongbu for a reunion with his sons."

"Summon them!"

Everyone in Qianyuan Hall, except for Gu Chengzhao, and Xie Yun, who had previously had suspicions about the identity of the injured man in the back courtyard of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, were utterly shocked.

Duoji is still alive?

But, how is his survival related to this matter?

Lu Bingxin murmured with disbelief: "Duoji, Duoji was clearly dead, he died for Jiang Qu, or rather, killed by Jiang Qu. How could it be... a false death... actually saved by Gu Lan."

The Marquis Gu leisurely sat in his chair, crossing one leg over the other, and hummed happily.

All eyes fell upon the entrance of Qianyuan Hall.

The first to arrive was Gongbu, the chanyu captured from the Qiangrong Royal Court.

Gongbu was in rags, his head full of white hair making him appear weathered, much like an ordinary old man, yet his stance was unusually casual.

Gongbu raised his head, gazing at faces both familiar and strange. Upon seeing Gu Chengzhao seated, he quickly lowered his head, his elderly eyes appearing rather murky.

He knew that for the past few days, the Dayan court had been deliberating on how to deal with him, yet no conclusion had been reached.

Gongbu sneered, standing there with a resigned demeanor.

Now, he lives with his wives and children in a long-unused sleeping palace, having meals and drinks as needed, though without the care of palace attendants, they have not starved.

He has lost, becoming a captive, but he fears no outcome, embracing a reckless abandon.

Gongbu long noticed that neither the ministers of Yan Country nor the Emperor could handle him.

At worst, it would mean death.

His death would only further ignite Jiang Qu to rally the snowfield forces and restore the Royal Court’s glory sooner.

At this moment, Gu Lan entered, composedly accepting the gaze of the crowd, followed by a tall man in a black robe, wearing a black hat that concealed his face.

Gongbu looked at Gu Lan, internally pondering the identity of this young man.

Previously, he had been left aside, but now being brought forth, the key apparently lies with this person.

Gongbu’s gaze briefly swept over the black-robed man behind Gu Lan, a wave of inexplicable familiarity made his heart tremble.

"Gu Lan, I have brought the person you wanted, what do you have to say?" Rong Jing’s long eyes narrowed slightly.

"Gu Lan... you are Gu Lan!"

Gongbu snapped back, abruptly turning to the tall, jade-like boy, his weathered face contorted with rage.

"You should call me... in terms of seniority, you should call me brother, but let’s not go there; at our age, it might shorten my life hearing it."

Gu Lan smirked, unrestrainedly sizing up this elderly man, already past his prime.

"It’s you, you caused Duoji’s death, you killed him." Gongbu, upon seeing her, could no longer maintain composure, his eyes brimming with deep-seated hatred. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Duoji was the son he cared for the most, the most perfect heir to the Royal Court, even to the extent that in some ways, Duoji’s prestige in the Royal Court almost matched Gongbu’s as Chanyu.

This stemmed from Gongbu’s long-held plan—

He knew he could never defeat Dayan in his lifetime, so he humbled himself, enduring disgrace, serving as Yan Country’s dog, in exchange for decades of tribe dormancy, but once the Dingyuan Marquis died, once his son became Chanyu, the time ripe, the Royal Court would overturn Dayan.

But Duoji died.

Duoji died in a mundane diplomatic mission, and the one who survived was his always disdained second son Jiang Qu.

Gongbu countless times fantasized, if Duoji were still alive, if the one escaping now were Duoji, surely Yan Country’s northern territory would have been breached, and he would have returned home!

Therefore, how could he not hate Gu Lan?

Gu Lan looked at Gongbu, achieving the reaction she wanted, and said: "Now you all know how much Brother Gong cares about Duoji. If he were still around, Jiang Qu would be nothing."

She did not observe others’ reactions, and Brother Gong’s address made Gu Chengzhao want to laugh.

Gu Lan glanced at the black-robed man behind her, then lightly said:

"Duoji, your father says I caused your death."

The black-robed man raised a hand to remove his hat.

A head of red hair cascaded down, like burning flames, lighting up the solemn atmosphere of Qianyuan Hall.

Under the hat lay a face as ruggedly handsome as a sculpture, brown eyes exuding a gentle hue by day, thin lips pressed tight, expression cold.

Duoji gazed at his father, clasping his right hand over his left shoulder, a unique Qiangrong gesture.

He said:

"I am still alive, what does the future of the Royal Court have to do with Jiang Qu?"