Chapter 44: Forerunner to the Sovereign

Stationed in the Eastern Side Hall, Feng Bao wore an expression of astonishment and reverence.

The Crown Prince had only recently begun his studies in the imperial pavilion and had spent mere days participating in state affairs.

Yet these veteran civil officials of the court were already placing their bets early, kowtowing and pledging allegiance with absolute surrender.

Judging solely by Gao Gong's words and actions today,

even though he was currently no more than a humble Reader-in-Waiting of the Hanlin Academy,

Feng Bao could already be certain that this man would inevitably become a heavyweight minister in the imperial court before long!

With these thoughts in mind, Feng Bao cautiously glanced at the Crown Prince, who wore a contemplative expression.

If officials from the outer court could treat the Crown Prince this way now, what about himself, who had served the Prince since his days in the princely residence? What would his future hold?

If he could keep His Imperial Highness comfortable, would he too one day shine with boundless glory, just like Grand Eunuch Huang in the Longevity Palace?

While Feng Bao was busy scheming and calculating in his heart,

Zhu Zaiyu quietly let out a breath and a smile appeared on his face.

Without a word, he gently rose from his seat and walked over to Gao Gong.

He bent forward, lowered his posture, raised his arms, and extended his hands.

"Master Gao is rich in learning and possesses noble character. Though you have been instructing Us for a short time, you have poured your heart and soul into it without holding anything back. You are truly Our esteemed teacher and mentor. Why would you speak such words?"

With that,

Zhu Zaiyu reached out to take Gao Gong's arm, applying a slight lift.

At that moment, Gao Gong's heart was still fluttering with anxiety.

As the saying goes, when the gentleman has intent and the lady has desire, a good union is formed.

But what if there was no intent or desire?

Or what if he had misread the situation entirely?

For a moment,

this man destined to control the imperial court in the future found himself trapped in doubt and hesitation, rising mechanically from his seat as Zhu Zaiyu exerted pressure on his arm.

Zhu Zaiyu, however, simply smiled as he looked at the bewildered Gao Gong, nodding inwardly.

To make a man of Gao Gong's caliber lower his head and pledge allegiance was asking quite a lot of him.

With a warm tone, the Prince asked, "Master Gao?"

Gao Gong's eyes flickered as he gradually regained his composure. Then, his expression tightening, he hurriedly raised his arms in a salute, bowed, and took two steps back. "This subject has overstepped."

Zhu Zaiyu stepped forward with a calm and relaxed expression. "Everything Master Gao has said, We have noted down. There is no need for you to harbor worries in your heart."

Hearing this, Gao Gong slowly raised his head and cast a glance at the Crown Prince before him.

Taking a deep breath, a smile finally broke across his face. "This subject is dull-witted and knows not how to properly advise Your Highness. However, His Majesty has now issued an imperial decree to pilot the opening of the seas in Laizhou Prefecture. This subject humbly believes that this measure will open new financial sources for the country and increase tax revenues. Yet, this policy will inevitably invite slander, and even malicious actors plotting in the dark to sabotage the maritime pilot program. It was out of these anxieties that this subject just now spoke rashly and overstepped in advising Your Highness."

This was his way of covering for himself and trying to salvage a bit of dignity,

ensuring he did not appear overly sycophantic or as though he were merely chasing after high office and great power.

Zhu Zaiyu understood the subtext perfectly while feigning ignorance on the surface. "Why would Master Gao say such a thing?"

As he spoke, he invited Gao Gong to sit down nearby.

Feng Bao, showing great agility, stepped forward to serve tea.

Gao Gong drank his tea in a single gulp, and seeing that the Crown Prince showed no adverse reaction, his heart finally settled.

"Does Your Highness know where the crux of our dynasty's maritime ban lies?"

Zhu Zaiyu smiled faintly. "While the maritime ban originated during the reign of the Founding Emperor, its roots and knots now lie in the Southeast."

Gao Gong cast a few more approving looks, confirming inwardly that the crown prince before him truly possessed the bearing of an enlightened ruler, which only strengthened his resolve. "Just as Your Highness has said, the maritime ban and the Southeast are inextricably entangled."

At this point,

Gao Gong's expression suddenly shifted, suffused with a touch of anger, while a bright gleam flashed in his eyes.

He said with bitter resentment, "Your Highness may have heard whispers of it, but surely you do not know that the so-called maritime ban of our dynasty has long since become mere window dressing. The southeastern provinces have long turned a blind eye to the ban. Throughout the court and the country, which official originating from the Southeast does not engage in private maritime trade in their own household? Who does not cover for one another, act as each other's backing, collude in secret, and gang up together to plunder the nation's wealth? They are all scoundrels deserving of death!"

Having calmed down, Gao Gong finally revealed his deeply ingrained, fiery temper.

Zhu Zaiyu was not unaccustomed to this and maintained his smile. "We know the principle that cutting off a man's livelihood is akin to murdering his parents. Is Master Gao worried that the pilot opening of the seas in Laizhou Prefecture will drive those in the Southeast to commit treasonous acts?"

Raising his head, Gao Gong spoke with absolute certainty. "What is there that they would dare not do! To call them rebellious subjects and traitors is no exaggeration at all!"

The corners of Zhu Zaiyu's eyes twitched.

Well then,

Gao Gong truly refused to let his persona slip for even a moment.

Having finished calling them rebellious traitors,

Gao Gong paused, glanced at the Crown Prince, and then reined himself in slightly. "Your Highness, once Laizhou Prefecture truly succeeds in opening the seas, it will completely cut off the financial lifeline of those in the Southeast. This subject has heard that during the court deliberations a few days ago, Your Highness also proposed that if the Laizhou Prefecture venture succeeds, additional pilot ports for maritime trade should be established in Tianjinwei or Dengzhou Prefecture in Shandong. How could the people of the Southeast, who have entrenched themselves and feigned on maritime profits for over a century, ever agree to such a thing?"

Zhu Zaiyu replied with a smile, "When We had these worries in our heart that day, We memorialized the Imperial Father, requesting permission to transfer the naval forces northward to garrison Laizhou Prefecture, and additionally to select and drill defense garrisons specifically designated to protect the maritime opening."

As he spoke,

Gao Gong shook his head repeatedly.

Then, seemingly sensing that the Crown Prince might not fully understand,

he explained, "Your Highness has long resided in the Inner Court and does not know the wicked deeds of the corrupt officials of the former court, nor do you understand the malicious intentions of such scoundrels. The navy has existed for a century and has long been unfit for service. Even if transferred north to Laizhou, it would require the allocation of funds and provisions to properly reorganize and drill for a year or two before it could be of any use. As for the maritime defense garrisons, they currently exist only on paper; selecting generals and dispatching troops will take time. But if chaos erupts in Laizhou Prefecture right now, how will the imperial court handle the maritime opening policy?"

Zhu Zaiyu's gaze shifted.

He already understood precisely what Gao Gong was aiming for.

With a smile, he asked directly, "Is Master Gao here today to ask Us for an official post?"

Over the past few days, the court had been locked in endless disputes over the maritime opening in Laizhou Prefecture,

the core of the debate being precisely which faction would control the endeavor.

Gao Gong's expression startled, secretly thinking that his hidden motives had been seen through, yet he still maintained a solemn demeanor as he replied, "This subject dares not speak presumptuously. Serving as an official in the court, one receives commands from above, and all rewards and punishments are granted by imperial grace. However, the pilot opening of the seas in Laizhou Prefecture was requested by Supervising Secretary Zhang and championed wholeheartedly by Your Highness, which is why His Majesty granted permission. If this undertaking is ruined by villains, not only will Secretary Zhang's official reputation be stained, but Your Highness himself will likely become the target of slander. This subject cannot eat the ruler's stipend and simply sit idly by."

Having said this,

Gao Gong bowed deeply with folded hands. "Your Highness has not long left the imperial pavilion, yet your reputation for wisdom already precedes you. Though this subject lacks the talent to be a grand counselor, I am unwilling to see Your Highness's virtuous name smeared. The opening of the seas in Laizhou Prefecture is heavier than Mount Tai; its duty is to expand revenue for the country and the people. This subject has eaten the imperial stipend for nine years without merit or achievement. If Your Highness trusts this subject, I am willing to serve as the vanguard before the Crown Prince's horse. Even if I must endure slander, vilification, and public abuse, I will never let the maritime opening enterprise be severed!"

At that moment,

Zhu Zaiyu truly put aside all playfulness and scrutiny, looking upon Gao Gong with a newfound sense of importance and respect.

Granted, Gao Gong's words were intended to secure the position of overseeing the pilot maritime opening in Laizhou Prefecture.

Granted, the Laizhou maritime opening was the court's top priority at present, attracting immense attention; whoever was appointed to it would hold regional authority and inevitably soar to great heights in the future.

Yet opportunity and risk have always walked hand in hand.

The greater the power, the deeper the danger.

Should anything go wrong with the maritime opening, he, Gao Gong, would become the ultimate sinner.

Instead of remaining in the pristine and prestigious Hanlin Academy, he was choosing to head to Laizhou and walk into the jaws of danger.

Zhu Zaiyu asked solemnly, "If Master Gao takes charge of the maritime opening affairs in Laizhou Prefecture, how do you plan to proceed?"

Seeing the Crown Prince ask this, Gao Gong's hanging heart finally settled firmly in place.

In an instant,

a fierce expression surfaced on his face as he pronounced with absolute finality, "If this subject takes charge of the maritime opening in Laizhou, I shall first request the execution blade, sit in judgment at Laizhou, and exterminate every last scoundrel!"