Reborn as Murong Fu: This Time I'm the Protagonist

Chapter 485 Tong Guan
Upon hearing the boy's answer, Zhao Xu was immediately taken aback. His lips twitched, as if he wanted to laugh but also seemed slightly helpless. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. After a long while, he inexplicably gave a thumbs up and said, "Good, good, you have character. You're loyal!"

Logically speaking, given Murong Fu's audacity, even if Emperor Zhao Xu didn't get angry, he should still uphold the dignity of the imperial family.

However, he was only an eighteen-year-old child, and his temperament was far from mature enough to be like those cunning and scheming conspirators.

Secondly, in recent years, although he has been nominally the Empress Dowager Regent, he has actually been a puppet under the shadow of his great-grandmother, living a life of utter misery. Not only are his words and actions constantly subject to criticism and admonition from those around him, but he also finds it difficult to even show favor to those close to him.

Even when he wanted to reward those around him, he would have to keep accounts because he was short of money, thus giving them virtual rewards.

In contrast, all the relatives of the Empress Dowager's family have amassed huge fortunes and made a fortune.

He then admonished himself that as an emperor, he needed to prioritize frugality.

Zhao Xu is just young; he's not stupid, on the contrary, he's quite clever.

Over the years, officials have only reported matters to the Empress Dowager, and they themselves are often only informed of the result.

Later on, even things like getting a stamp were no longer available to me.

It's no wonder that even a lowly eunuch in the Empress Dowager's Cisheng Palace was so arrogant and domineering.

Zhao Xu laughed from the bottom of his heart: "That man's audacity is simply beyond belief!"

The young boy quickly lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, please be careful what you say!"

If someone dares to be bolder than the heavens, wouldn't that mean they are even bolder than the emperor's father?
Zhao Xu was in an incredibly good mood at that moment, as if he could see the usually arrogant and domineering Eunuch Sun being beaten until his face was unrecognizable. He couldn't help but twitch his lips again and again, unable to hide his smile.

Zhao Xu said, "Since that's the case, little boy, there's no need to look for the people from Wenyuan Pavilion. Little boy, since you write so well, go and draft an imperial edict, affix my seal, and then make a trip to summon that person to the palace. Bring him to my palace first so I can see him."

The young boy was startled: "Your Majesty, this is not in accordance with the law!"

Drafting imperial edicts has always been the job of the Grand Secretary, to prevent favored officials from whispering in the emperor's ear and profiting from it, thus corrupting the court.

Zhao Xu curled his lip indifferently and said, "These people broke the rules first. So don't blame me for not following the rules. This power is called the Imperial Brush, and from now on you, little boy, will exercise it on my behalf. Of course, you mustn't abuse it, otherwise, hmph."

The little boy felt as if a huge pie had fallen from the sky and hit him hard on the head, making him dizzy. The immense sense of happiness gave him goosebumps all over his body.

"This servant will do his utmost and would be willing to die for Your Majesty!"

……

Inside Fanlou, after the commotion just now, more than a dozen imperial guards and eunuchs were completely bound to the same warship by Murong Fu.

Wang Jinqing's face was deathly pale, and he kept muttering, "Brother Murong, you've really tricked me to death this time!"

Murong Fu laughed and said, "Don't worry, I will take full responsibility. No matter what, you won't get a scratch on me, Brother Wang."

Wang Jinqing shook his head with a bitter smile: "What am I afraid of? Now that things have come to this, you were recommended by me. If something happens to you, do you think I can escape? Oh well, oh well. Anyway, my position as Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant isn't a proper post; I'm just a son-in-law of the Emperor. The Imperial Family can't and won't do anything to me."

Wang Jinqing's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally died completely at this moment.

Murong Fu laughed and said, "Don't worry, there won't be any trouble. And I assure you, within an hour, someone from the Emperor will come to deliver an imperial decree."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a drawn-out voice announced, "An imperial decree has arrived!"

Murong Fu smiled at Wang Jinqing, his eyes seeming to say, "See, here we are."

Sure enough, a young eunuch who looked to be no more than twenty years old, surrounded by seven or eight imperial guards and eunuchs, came to the two of them carrying a piece of yellow paper.

"By imperial decree, Murong Fu, the deputy commander of the Suzhou militia, is to accompany Wang Jinqing, the imperial son-in-law, to the palace to meet with the Emperor and discuss the Empress Dowager's condition. They must depart immediately without delay." Wang Jinqing glanced at Murong Fu in shock, seemingly still reeling from the earlier commotion.

This time, Murong Fu abandoned his pretense and bowed decisively: "Your subject Murong Fu receives the imperial decree."

In order to have an official status, Murong Fu directly spent several thousand strings of cash to donate a sinecure as deputy commander of the militia, so he didn't need to resort to tricks like calling himself a commoner.

After getting up, Murong Fu naturally began to use his invincible money-making ability again.

Each accompanying eunuch and imperial guard received a gold leaf worth seventy or eighty strings of cash, and was then led to a private room on the second floor to enjoy the prepared delicacies of Fanlou. The head eunuch who delivered the imperial decree even received a valuable Eastern pearl, and had a private conversation with Murong Fu on the third floor.

The saying goes, "Money can move mountains," and even gods can be bought off with gold and silver; how much more so a few inexperienced eunuchs and imperial guards? Instantly, everyone treated Murong Fu with heartfelt sincerity and respect.

The head eunuch delivering the imperial edict was beaming with joy. It was his first time delivering an imperial edict on behalf of the emperor, and he had been quite nervous beforehand. After all, he had never heard of anyone daring to beat up a palace official in so many years; this was too audacious.

He had expected this trip to be a thankless and arduous task, but he never expected the other party to be so approachable and kind.

As the emperor's personal eunuch, he naturally had a much higher perspective and knew clearly how valuable this pearl was among the high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital. It was no exaggeration to say that even if it cost five thousand strings of cash, there would be plenty of people willing to pay for it.

Five thousand strings of cash would be enough to buy a fine three-courtyard mansion in Bianliang, a place where land is incredibly valuable.

The boy thought that the other party had offered a house in the capital, and he felt that this young man, who looked only a few years older than him, was so handsome, elegant and well-mannered.

Under Murong Fu's subtle flattery, the young boy wished he could call him "brother" on the spot.

Murong Fu smiled and asked, "May I ask your name, sir? And your age?"

The young boy said with a grin, "Young Master Murong, you are too kind. I am just a lowly eunuch who runs errands for the Emperor. I am not worthy of your deep kindness. Before I entered the palace, my surname was Tong and my given name was Guan. The Emperor just calls me 'Little Boy' because it sounds natural to him."

Murong Fu's eyes lit up slightly: Tong Guan!

This eunuch, who later led troops to conquer Western Xia, Liao, and quell Fang La, and was arguably the most powerful eunuch during Emperor Huizong's reign, was now standing right in front of him.

There is a door!

Later generations often categorized Tong Guan as a treacherous minister who brought disaster to the country and its people because of his failed campaign against the Liao. However, in Murong Fu's view, this is a typical case of attribution after the fact, and it has a somewhat scoundrel-like quality.

It should be noted that Tong Guan led his exhausted Western Army soldiers, who had just fought against Fang La and had not yet had time to rest, to rush from Jiangnan to the Yan-Yun region to fight in an unfamiliar environment.

This in itself has a somewhat forced, unrealistic feel to it.

If we really talk about it, Emperor Taizong of Song led the Imperial Guard, which had just pacified the Northern Han and was at its peak, built by Emperor Taizu of Song. However, he made a ridiculous mistake by drifting a donkey cart over the Gaoliang River, which led to him being given the title of "God of Carts" by later generations. Wouldn't that be even more disgraceful?

At least the eunuch returned safely, and he also withdrew most of the main force of the Song army.

In retrospect, Eunuch Tong had at least won more often than he lost before.

In the end, Grandpa Tong was indeed quite learned; he had some skills, but the bristles on those skills were a bit worn out.

Thinking about how powerful this legendary figure, who was once a eunuch and was granted the title of Prince, would become in the future, Murong Fu felt it was necessary to cultivate a good relationship with him in advance.

In the midst of laughter and conversation, flattery was readily offered without restraint. After a few drinks, Tong Guan felt dizzy and as if floating on clouds.

"If Young Master Murong doesn't mind, we have no siblings and are all alone. We would like to ask Young Master Murong to be our sworn brother. What do you think?"

Murong Fu was overjoyed: "That's excellent."

Upon hearing this, Tong Guan was overjoyed and immediately bowed, saying, "Tong Guan greets my sworn brother Murong. From now on, I am willing to go through fire and water for you without hesitation!"