The Choice Queen's
TCQ 68: Questioning Loyalty
“Your Highness, the one who has been in frequent communication with the Great Lord of Zichuan lately is the Minister of Administration, Gu Jinshan. They said that the two had also met frequently in brothels lately,” reported Mo We while facing Nangong Zirui.
Nangong Zirui followed the instructions Su Min had left behind and came to the conclusion that Shen Jinglang was the one who killed him secretly. He had Mo Wei and the Supreme Court conduct a secret investigation, and today Mo Wei came to report.
It was fortunate that Li Fengran was not here. Nangong Zirui deliberately told him to conduct inspections to several ministries to keep him away.
He did not want Li Fengran to know that Su Min was cruelly killed by Shen Jinglang. Enough Nangong Zirui knew and Li Fengran only needed to wait until his sentencing decision was dropped.
“Heh, the old man was impatient apparently. Call him here to see me!”
“Good, Your Highness.”
Mo Wei then went to carry out the order. Nangong Zirui looked at his favorite fish pond, which was now overgrown with flowers. He hated betrayal the most.
His ministers have been sworn to be loyal to him and must not side with any of the territories. But, it seemed like the Minister of Administration was very impatient and chose to betray him.
Long ago, the King was most wary of his own officials. The desired loyalty must remain until he dies. If his officials are unfaithful, then the Kings of Donghao will use their own means to get rid of the traitors.
Before punishing others who became his new master, then Nangong Zirui will clean up first the person who became his subordinate. It is fine to get rid of one pestle to save another plant. After all, he had also long been suspicious of the Minister of Administration.
An hour later, Administration Minister – Gu Jinshan, came with Mo Wei. When Mo Wei came to pick her up, Gu Jinshan turned out to be playing around with her new concubine.
Like Shen Jinglang, Gu Jinshan also really liked playing with the women. Even at his age who had already stepped on the head of five, he was still so excited.
Gu Jinshan bowed in greeting. Nangong Zirui responded lightly by sitting back in his chair. He took out a brush, then scratched the ink on the paper. He wrote a character in large measure.
“Gu Jinshan, do you know why I called you here?”
“Dumb lamba, Your Grace. Please Your Majesty tell.”
“You're a fool or I'm senile?”
Gu Jinshan immediately knelt down. He really did not know the intent of the King, but hearing his words, he slowly began to understand. The king called him because there was something.
Nangong Zirui picked up the paper, then showed it to Gu Jinshan. He said, “You know what this word means?”
“To-fidelity, Your Highness.”
“Your tongue speaks so eloquently. Then do you know what loyalty means?”
“Serving the people, subject to orders, obeying and loyal to the King for up to seven generations,” Gu Jinshan replied with a quivering voice.
“Seven generations, if not faithful, then those seven generations will also be lost, right?”
“True, Your Highness.”
Nangong Zirui put the paper back on the table. He focused his emotions on the eyes, which focused on the figure of the Minister of Administration who had served for decades.
Gu Jinshan is a senior minister, he is the one Nangong Zirui's father prepared for him. But, it seemed Gu Jinshan had already forgotten the trust given to him.
“My father said that you are from Zichuan and your family is a family of officials who have served the dynasty for generations,” said Nangong Zirui.
“I remember when I was Crown Prince, you were one of the ministers who taught me how to manage the country. You taught me how to be King with some other ministers.”
Gu Jinshan was sweating coldly. His heart is racing. The King must have known that he had recently communicated with Shen Jinglang and the King was not happy.
“It is my duty to teach the Crown Prince of the Country, Your Majesty.”
“You are very responsible. I appreciate your hard work. I heard, you added a new concubine to your residence?”
“Su-since it is a shame that Your Majesty knows this affair, I am very ashamed.”
He was afraid to see Nangong Zirui. This time when he saw it, he was like looking at the late King Nangong of the previous generation. His eyes were just as sharp, his words were as profound. No one knew the direction of his thoughts, so Gu Jinshan could only guess in his own heart.
“Wang Bi, Minister of Administration is in a hurry to come here. She must be thirsty. Get him a cup of tea.”
Gu Jinshan trembled even more in fear as Nangong Zirui said that. Instantly he prostrated and kowtowed. Gu Jinshan even flailed his forehead to the floor until it rang ‘tuk-tuk-tuk’.
“Your Majesty, please forgive. Servant pleaded guilty, Your Honor.”
Nangong Zirui smiled, then he pretended not to understand.
“My Minister, what are you doing? Did you misunderstand me? I had Wang Bi give you tea, not poison.”
“Hamba knows the guilty servant, Your Majesty. Please forgive me.”
“What's your mistake?”
Gu Jinshan ventured to raise his head. He looked at Nangong Zirui guiltily. “Your Majesty has just reminded the servant and questioned the meaning of loyalty to the servant. The servant is the minister of His Majesty, the servant of the state who lives to serve the state. But, I am guilty of betraying His Majesty.”
“What betrayal do you mean? I just asked you what loyalty means, and you still remember it. Do you remember how old I was this year? It seems like if you remember, you will think that I am not too young either. What if you find me a wife who can give birth to royal offspring and pass on the throne?”
“Ah, it won't work. What if you find a successor and choose from one of the overlords of the territory, then make him the new King of Donghao? They will be happy to support you.”
Gu Jinshan's heart was like it was being pulled from the chest cavity until all of his blood vessels were severed. His body trembled violently, cold sweat soaking all over his body. His head lowered again touching the floor and he banged it many times.
“Your Majesty please forgive this sinful servant. The servant knows the fault of the servant, the servant will bear it himself. Please Your Highness be merciful and forgive the servant family,” Gu Jinshan browtow again and banging his head many times until his forehead turns blue.
Nangong Zirui responded without showing his true emotions. If it was anyone else, he would have definitely sentenced her to death along with his entire family. But, Gu Jinshan was the senior minister and also the one his father arranged to help him.
His mistake of betraying the King was unforgivable, but Nangong Zirui had other thoughts. Humans cannot be truly heartless.
“My minister, how many years are you now? Are you interested in going back to your hometown?” asked Nangong Zirui.
Knowing what the King wanted, Gu Jinshan immediately nodded and said, “Your Majesty, I thank you for Your Majesty's generosity and compassion.”
Nangong Zirui got up, picked up a paper containing his ‘loyalty’ character and walked over to Gu Jinshan. “After all, we belong to old friends. I won't kill you and your whole family.”
Nangong Zirui slipped the paper into the office hat worn by Gu Jinshan, then he walked back to his seat. Gu Jinshan turned his head, looking at his King who had just said he would not kill him. His heart could be relieved, but his mind said something else.
He had already betrayed the King, and the King's mercy would not make him live in peace. Gu Jinshan will forever be haunted by guilt.
He said with respect. At the palace gate, he took off his official hat and placed it there as a symbol of his resignation.
Gu Jinshan suddenly snatched the sword of one of the soldiers who was on guard and slit his own throat. The guard soldiers were shocked, they shouted for help. But at that moment, Gu Jinshan's life was already beyond help. He died with his eyes open and his body covered in blood.
Nangong Zirui who heard the news of Gu Jinshan killing himself after leaving his palace only closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. That old man, was stubborn indeed. The path of life given by him was not used well.
