Chapter 10: 10. Chapter 10: I Forgot You Were Blind

Chapter 10: Forgot You’re Blind

Chu Chengye nodded, "Grand Tutor Cheng, please speak if you have anything to say."

Cheng Yishou bowed respectfully to Chu Chengye and produced the memorial he had prepared in advance.

"Your Majesty, I have recently heard that the flooding in Jiangtang is severe, leaving the common people displaced and homeless. I humbly request that Your Majesty dispatch someone to the south to manage the flood control."

Chu Chengye had also heard about the flooding in Jiangtang, but everyone beneath him kept telling him that everything was fine. Being confined to the palace, he was unaware of the actual situation.

If it were truly as Cheng Jin said—that because he was a poor judge of character, he had sent the wrong people to Jiangtang, causing the local people to be displaced and suffer—then he was truly an incompetent emperor.

"Then, Grand Tutor Cheng, who do you think is capable of taking on this great responsibility?"

[Minister of Works, Lord Li Yan.]

Cheng Jin answered for Cheng Yishou in her heart.

[This Li Yan is a rare talent.]

[While serving as an official in the capital, he was upright and incorruptible, dedicated to assisting Chu Chengye. However, he was never put to good use. He took his family back to his hometown in the Jiangnan region, where he happened to be encountered by the Fifth Prince, Chu Huai'an. Chu Huai'an put him to good use, the flooding in Jiangtang was resolved, and it provided a solid foundation of public support for Chu Huai'an’s eventual ascension to the throne.]

Cheng Yishou was stunned upon hearing these words.

He and Li Yan were both officials in the imperial court. Watching the civil and military officials form corrupt factions, Cheng Yishou had always despised such behavior. He had inadvertently struck up a pleasant conversation with Li Yan and befriended him, but he had never heard that Li Yan possessed the ability to manage flood control.

However, Cheng Yishou knew that Li Yan’s home was in the Jiangnan region and that he longed to be put to good use, so he had originally intended to recommend Li Yan today.

Now, hearing Cheng Jin’s inner voice, he realized his idea was indeed correct.

Chu Chengye rubbed the teacup in his hands, and then he heard Cheng Yishou speak.

"I believe the Minister of Works, Lord Li Yan, is the best candidate."

A smile curled at the corners of Chu Chengye’s mouth.

You father and daughter are truly of one mind.

Before Chu Chengye could respond, he heard Wei An announce that Lord Gao requested an audience.

[Why is it so lively today?]

Chu Chengye and Cheng Yishou frowned simultaneously. What was this Lord Gao doing here at this time?

However, his mind was currently occupied with the Jiangtang flooding, and he had no desire to deal with Gao Zhanghai. He waved his hand, "The Grand Tutor and I are discussing matters. Tell him to wait outside."

Wei An went out to relay the message. Chu Chengye was thinking about issuing an imperial decree to summon Li Yan to the palace when he saw Lord Gao swaggering into the room, with Wei An constantly trying to block him.

"Lord Gao, the Emperor has not summoned you yet. Please wait a moment longer."

"You dog of a slave, you dare to block me? I have urgent matters to discuss with the Emperor. If this is delayed, you wouldn't have enough heads to pay for the responsibility."

Cheng Jin watched this scene and clicked her tongue twice in her heart

[This Gao Zhanghai is truly worthy of being someone who constantly follows that Li Shen; his behavior is exactly the same. Entering the palace without an imperial decree—if this were anyone else, it would be a capital offense. But he just struts in and even berates Wei An, who serves by Chu Chengye’s side.]

[Then again, on the surface, he collects taxes for Chu Chengye and holds the power over the nation’s finances. Even Chu Chengye has to be a bit cautious of him; after all, he holds a lot of the country’s silver. I’m afraid the silver in his private treasury might even surpass Chu Chengye’s.]

[The wool comes from the sheep’s back. One can only imagine how much money this Gao Zhanghai has embezzled behind the scenes. In the book, this Gao Zhanghai voluntarily petitions to go to Jiangtang to manage the flood. He takes the allocated funds, and just by loosening his belt, the silver that falls out is enough to handle the Jiangtang flooding, and he is greatly rewarded by Chu Chengye.]

[Damn it, I was thinking about staying alive, but I forgot that Chu Chengye is blind.]

[He trusts someone who wants to kill him, and rewards someone who embezzles countless amounts of money. With this kind of luck, he should go play Minesweeper—one click and he’s gone without a sound.]

Listening to these inner thoughts of Cheng Jin, the hand Chu Chengye used to hold his teacup slowly tightened, and his breathing became uneven.

He had no time to dwell on Cheng Jin calling him blind just now; he was only thinking about how to execute the man before him and force him to spit out all the money he had swallowed.

Compared to Chu Chengye’s anger, Cheng Yishou looked at Cheng Jin with some worry. He really hadn't expected his daughter to know these things so clearly.

Fortunately, he was the only one in the world who could hear Cheng Jin’s inner voice; otherwise, Cheng Jin’s insults toward the Emperor and her knowledge of these matters would inevitably lead to a fatal disaster sooner or later.

Gao Zhanghai, standing before them, did not notice the change in Chu Chengye’s expression at all. He bowed slightly as a gesture of greeting, "I truly have an urgent matter to report. I feared missing the time, which is why I entered the palace without the Emperor’s decree. I beg the Emperor’s forgiveness."

"Forgiveness?" Chu Chengye sneered, looking at the pot-bellied Lord Gao before him.

He had previously thought that even though Gao Zhanghai was stout and clearly had difficulty moving, he was willing to work hard for the court, which was truly diligent. Now, it seemed laughable.

No wonder he was so busy in court yet never lost a bit of weight. It wasn't that he was working hard on official business, but that he was stuffing all the money into his own belly.

The veins on Chu Chengye’s forehead throbbed. He used all his strength to suppress his rage by three parts, gritting his teeth

"I would like to see what matter is so urgent that Lord Gao cannot even be bothered with etiquette."

Seeing that Chu Chengye didn't say anything, Gao Zhanghai’s face brightened. It was no wonder people said Chu Chengye grew up in an army camp and didn't understand the rules; it seemed that was indeed the case.

He was just a vicious prince who had usurped the throne through a coup. Let alone calling him "Your Majesty," his conduct was enough for the whole world to despise him.

"I have recently heard that the flooding in Jiangtang is critical and the people are suffering. To relieve the Emperor’s worries, I volunteer to go to Jiangtang to manage the flood."

When Gao Zhanghai said this, there was not a hint of concern for the people on his face; instead, his eyes shone as if he had caught the scent of fat meat.

Sure enough.

Chu Chengye was so angry his breathing became labored, but he suppressed his temper and said calmly, "I happen to be discussing this matter with Grand Tutor Cheng. I have already decided to send the Minister of Works, Li Yan."

"What!" Hearing that the lucrative position he had painstakingly schemed for had been snatched away, Gao Zhanghai could no longer keep up the act. "That won't do! Your Majesty."

Gao Zhanghai’s gaze finally fell upon Cheng Yishou and his daughter.

He had never held Cheng Yishou in high regard. So what if his daughter was the Emperor’s concubine?

She wasn't favored; she probably didn't even have the chance to speak to the Emperor.

And as for Cheng Yishou, he didn't know how he had even obtained the position of Grand Tutor. He didn't take bribes, didn't form factions, and every day at court, he only knew how to contradict the Emperor and speak without regard for royal dignity. The Emperor had long since detested him; why would he ever trust his words?

Gao Zhanghai looked at Cheng Yishou, then turned to Chu Chengye, feigning a sudden realization.

"Your Majesty, the words of this Grand Tutor Cheng cannot be trusted."