Chapter 4, Unexpected Gains

Another unexpected development was the posthumous exoneration of General Ge Shuhan, who was said to have been trapped by the enemy at Tongguan. This surprised the emperor greatly. However, after my solemn assurances and the favors shown to General Ge Shuhan (as everyone knows, he was there), the emperor hesitated for a long time. He seemed to appreciate this individual, leaving an impression of loyalty and gratitude. Finally, he said meaningfully, "You truly are a remarkable person; I shall grant your request."

During this period, the old emperor also finished listening to the report from Wei Jiansu, whose head was still wrapped in bandages. The Xuanzong Emperor, who had regained his spirit and momentum after a hearty meal, was almost unrecognizable compared to the sorrowful old man he had been in the garden, mourning the separation of life and death. This was the Tang Minghuang, known in historical texts for his decisive character, diverse talents, profound understanding of music, skill in cursive script, elegant demeanor, and extraordinary appearance.

"That being said, Liang Qingping's merit in rescuing the emperor is significant for the state, and he has also saved members of the royal family. What rewards do you desire? I grant you two requests," the emperor said. At this, I finally came to my senses, and the crowd present was in an uproar, astonished and bewildered. Such casual requests were indeed a tremendous favor, and to have two of them was even more extraordinary. Even the beautiful women behind the screen and the bookshelves leaned out to see who this person was. As our gazes met, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of desire; if I were to ask for one, the emperor would likely not refuse. However, I quickly dismissed that thought, as it did not seem like the right time. I was still uncertain about my own situation, let alone thinking of bringing someone along to support.

This is indeed the unparalleled figure who, despite his grand and tumultuous reign, almost lost his kingdom. It is evident that he truly adored Yang Taizhen, which inadvertently allowed me to witness this rare moment of genuine tenderness from a once-great emperor. However, this may not necessarily be a good thing, as it is said that the more powerful those in authority are, the more they fear revealing their vulnerable side.

However, the flower is made of heavy gold inlaid with precious stones, and this sword is indeed exquisitely crafted, inlaid with gold and jade, with even the tassels made of purple silk and gold. When drawn, it emits a chilling blue light, clear enough to reflect a person's image. Those who have seen it all say it is a treasure. I also secretly found a few copper coins, and indeed everything was very useful. I quickly put it away; in the future, if there is nothing to do, it can still be sold for a good price. It can be considered a worthwhile gain.

Ge Shuhan... Jingjie Guoyong, entered the Loyal and Righteous Temple, honored with the title of Grand Tutor and Duke of Chengguo posthumously... At the same time, the entire army was commended for their efforts in eliminating the rebels without guilt, and the issuance of two imperial edicts caused a strong reaction throughout the ranks, with cheers echoing like thunder. The soldiers involved in the mutiny expressed their gratitude, and many officers who sympathized with Ge Shuhan's plight also felt a sense of respect. After all, not everyone can forsake the temptations of fame and fortune to advocate for the rightful name of their former commander.

In fact, the last request was something I came up with out of sheer boredom. I have only heard of the name Ge Shuhan, but it seems that I have made the right move this time. I have already gained considerable respect from the soldiers, including the former subordinates of Marshal Ge Shuhan. In the future, it will be much easier to command these troops. The other ministers who managed to survive the chaos have naturally adapted to the situation and are singing my praises. Even the crown prince and others, who might have instigated a mutiny, have expressed their gratitude for my timely resolution of the rebellion, which preserved the royal family. The rebellion ultimately spiraled out of control, affecting not only the princes and ministers unrelated to the Yang family but also the royal relatives and even the princesses, who were also in danger, and I was fortunate to have saved them. I have already gained considerable respect from the soldiers, including the former subordinates of Marshal Ge Shuhan. In the future, it will be much easier to command these troops. The other ministers who managed to survive the chaos have naturally adapted to the situation and are singing my praises. Even the crown prince and others, who might have instigated a mutiny, have expressed their gratitude for my timely resolution of the rebellion, which preserved the royal family. The rebellion ultimately spiraled out of control, affecting not only the princes and ministers unrelated to the Yang family but also the royal relatives and even the princesses, who were also in danger, and I was fortunate to have saved them. They were very sincere and polite, showing a clear intention to win me over. Since I know that this fellow will be the future emperor, I also responded politely, and for a time, it seemed that I had become the most favored person.

One request was for the emperor to grant amnesty to all soldiers involved in the mutiny, which was unexpected yet aligned with his intentions. With so many participants in the mutiny, it was impossible to hold them all accountable. It would be better to take this opportunity to step down and stabilize public sentiment, and thus it was promptly approved.

The appearance of the heavenly court is quite different from what I had imagined; it is rather lean and handsome, exuding a certain demeanor reminiscent of the legendary cultivators. In contrast, Prince Li Heng, with his slightly plump and auspicious features, reveals a hint of the youthful vigor and elegance he possessed in his younger years, presenting a striking figure.

Later, I realized that I had actually made a significant mistake. In fact, at that time, the information they had received from the general Wang Silu, who had escaped, was about Ge Shuhan being captured and not dead, but rather disgracefully surrendering to An Lushan, and being rumored to have been appointed as the Minister of Works. They were merely concerned that this would shake the morale of the troops and chose to keep it under wraps. Although this could be a strategy of the enemy and had not been verified, my erroneous proposal, which was a miscalculation, provided the court with a relatively acceptable solution. Moreover, assuming he was already dead and posthumously bestowing honors was not without merit as a means to stabilize public sentiment. At the very least, it maximally mitigated the impact of the news of Ge Shuhan's defection on the overall situation in the world in the days to come.

The renowned Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty savored a large portion of roasted lamb chops, followed by two substantial bowls of mutton jelly and thick millet porridge, before he finally caught his breath, still wanting more. Meanwhile, I kept my head down, discreetly glancing at the group of graceful and elegant beauties hiding behind the screen. Without any utensils, with such small mouths and slender waists, they silently devoured two whole roasted lambs, leaving nothing behind, which truly impressed me.

Earlier, when we barged in, it indeed caused a great commotion among the eunuchs, leaving them in a state of panic. Even the old emperor turned pale, losing his imperial dignity, and was about to scold us, saying, "You all are so brazen even at this moment..." However, his stomach betrayed him; upon catching the aroma of the roasted lamb being brought in, it rumbled like thunder in protest. This made the soldiers carrying the lamb want to laugh but they dared not, forcing themselves to maintain a strange expression. I, however, could not help but burst into hearty laughter, which in turn made the others unable to hold back, resulting in a chorus of laughter. This laughter dissipated the atmosphere of sorrow and tension.

Moreover, these monarchs are particularly fond of playing intricate games; what they express verbally may not necessarily align with their true desires, so it is best to refrain from being too casual. In that moment, everyone instinctively perked up their ears to hear my intentions.

Merely saving a little girl could equate to a request, this princess truly holds significant weight, could she be the old emperor's XXXX. Although I murmured to myself, I did not hold much hope for the promises made by this fallen emperor. I had to follow the tropes seen in films and spoke at length about how protecting the emperor and serving him is the duty of a minister and does not require any rewards. After much insistence and feigned reluctance, I finally managed to propose two requests that were of little consequence to myself.

In the end, although my request was fulfilled, it was not without its gains, as I picked out a pair of gold flowers from the jewelry I carried with me to reward my accompanying sword. Although the outcome left those present greatly disappointed, they also lamented the lost opportunity.