Chapter 587: Chapter 72: Killing the Chicken and the Monkey, a Bloody Reckoning

The twelfth year of Da’an, winter.

The cold wind was bleak.

Luoyang, at the city gate, the masses gathered.

Countless ordinary people and officials stood outside the city, staring blankly at the silhouette hunched but firmly mounted on a warhorse.

Gu Jing has left the capital!

No one could have predicted things would become like this in such a short time.

Gu Jing, without any warning, announced all his offenses and declared his impending journey to Mingzhou and other places, expressing his stance on the matter completely.

Shock, fear, and various emotions surged instantly.

Although when Gu Jing was mobilizing the troops, the ministers speculated about the current situation, it felt somewhat surreal when it truly unfolded.

How could this be?

Has Gu Jing truly gone mad?

To make such a choice?

This was no longer a matter of involvement, but because it was too significant; if it went wrong, it could shake the foundations of Great Tang.

But no matter what they thought, they couldn’t stop Gu Jing.

There was no way; there was too much evidence of his crimes.

Moreover, Gu Jing’s expedition was not just a solitary act; whether it was the Empress Dowager Wu Zetian or the Empress Dowager Mrs. Pei, or even the Emperor himself, they all supported Gu Jing.

He even brought along the dragon bow used by Emperor Taizong in the past.

This was the weight of great force behind him; who could resist?

But how this matter would eventually conclude was beyond what they could foresee.

"Grand Tutor, remember to take good care of your health!"

Outside the city gate of the Eastern Capital Luoyang, Li Longji’s expression was grim as he gazed at Gu Jing, his words full of concern, "No matter what, do not harm the root. I’ll be here in the Eastern Capital, waiting quietly for your triumphant return."

——As he aged, in such formal occasions, Li Longji had changed the way he referred to himself.

This was at Gu Jing’s request.

Because it involved the Emperor’s dignity.

Gazing at Gu Jing’s completely snow-white temples, Li Longji only felt his eyes sting with heat.

He had grown up in the Champion Marquis Mansion, his feelings for Gu Jing immeasurably deep, like both a mentor and a father.

Now seeing the aged Gu Jing still having to travel to distant lands, his heart felt heavy, inevitably thinking of the records of monarchs and ministers in history books.

If he let down this venerable teacher and minister, was he even worthy of being the Emperor?

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Gu Jing nodded slightly, cupping his hand in a salute.

Without further words, he mounted his horse and rode off in a cloud of dust.

His purpose was simple, to rely on the Gu Clan’s formidable reputation to resolve everything.

Similarly—

It was also to pave the way for Li Longji’s direct involvement in politics; during this period, regardless of any issues that arose, as long as he survived and returned to Luoyang, everything could be perfectly resolved.

This was the last thing Gu Jing could do for Great Tang.

Although others might have seen him as still robust, Gu Jing knew well his own health was declining day by day.

If not for Gu Yi secretly using several miraculous healing charms on him.

He might have already passed away by now.

Watching Gu Jing’s departing figure, tears involuntarily rolled down Li Longji’s cheeks; without any superfluous words, he bowed to Gu Jing before everyone.

Following Li Longji’s gesture, the officials behind him also bowed to Gu Jing in unison at this moment.

Regardless of the decision made by Gu Jing with this action.

At least in everyone’s eyes, no one doubted Gu Jing’s contribution to the whole of Great Tang.

.....

Mingzhou State.

Although Mingzhou developed a bit later, it was now one of the cities where maritime trade flourished the most.

The reason was equally simple.

——It was because of Mingzhou’s geographical position; over the years, continuous expansion of the canal had made transportation in the already waterway-rich Jiangnan region even more convenient.

And compared to Donglai and Panyu, Jiangnan was closer.

With such advantageous conditions, the development of Mingzhou was naturally rapid.

The Wu Clan’s chamber of commerce was also rooted here.

At this moment, an invisible despair permeated throughout Mingzhou; soldiers from various regions had long been moved here, and although they hadn’t acted yet, people couldn’t settle their hearts.

This was also why Wu Sansi kept writing to Wu Zetian to plead for mercy.

The Wu Clan truly no longer sought power; now, they just wished to live honestly as wealthy landowners through their relationship with Wu Zetian.

They thought catching the wave of maritime trade would ensure future prosperity without worry.

But they hadn’t expected things to develop to this point.

Although there wasn’t yet a clear decree, who couldn’t see the knife now resting on their throat?

Inside the Wu Mansion.

Sighs echoed continuously; besides Wu Sansi, other Wu descendants and major merchants in Mingzhou were all deeply worried.

If the court had a clear decree, they wouldn’t have to be like this.

No matter how unwilling they were.

But if it really came to the worst-case scenario, these big merchants had the courage to go overseas; as long as they brought enough money, they could utilize maritime trade to rise again anywhere.

Rather than being caught in limbo like now.

Before there was a definitive answer, they couldn’t make such a choice.

Not only because maritime trade was risky.

But also because they looked down on the life abroad; even though they hadn’t personally been overseas, just from the news sent back in succession, they knew how backward it was overseas.