Jiangshan Fengwuzhi

Chapter 289 Passionate
The lobby was silent for a long time, so quiet that the only sound was the tapping of fingers on the table.

Pei Wugou, who was sitting there, was just an ordinary mortal. His stiff neck looked quite thick, but it could be cut off with a single stroke, causing his good-looking head to roll to the ground.

Not to mention, Gu Jize and Liang Xin are both extraordinary individuals, so killing them wouldn't require using a knife at all.

Pei Wugou remained calm and composed, certain that they would not kill him.

Because he understands all too well how to motivate others with benefits, even if the other party is a hundred times stronger than him.

Sure enough, at this moment, Gu Jize was already attracted by the benefits he offered, and only had strong curiosity left, without any murderous intent.

"Say it."

Gu Jize stared intently at Liang Xin and asked.

“It’s Womin.” Liang Xin’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he made his judgment.

Before this, he wasn't sure either.

But under the pressure of his gaze, he sensed the atmosphere; only the allure of immortality could bring about such fervor, which excited him as well.

"Womin?" Gu Jize asked, "If he refines it... he can also achieve immortality?"

As the question progressed, his voice became somewhat uncertain and hoarse.

"Yes."

Gu Jize then asked, "Does Shiyilang have Womin?"

"Yes."

This was the answer Pei Wugou was waiting for.

He hadn't expected to find out the truth directly from Liang Xin. He had originally planned that if Liang Xin didn't know, he would release the information himself. This was a bit of a surprise.

The ease with which he obtained it made him suspicious again.

"Imperial Physician Liang, did you see that Womin?"

Liang Xin hesitated for a moment, then said, "I saw him."

"Gu Jingnian said that was Womin?" Pei Wugou asked, "How can you prove it?"

He was still struggling with this issue because it was indeed difficult to prove whether Womin was involved.

However, Liang Xin's answer was not what he had expected.

"The Eleventh Young Master never said who the old man was."

"Then how do you know he is Womin?"

“It’s clear that the Eleventh Young Master values ​​that old man highly. He didn’t hand him over to us, but instead personally looked after him every time,” Liang Xin said. “I also have a feeling that the Eleventh Young Master deliberately pretends not to care about the old man, not wanting us to notice that he is different.”

Rather than going to great lengths to prove it, this avoidance actually makes Pei Wugou more likely to believe it.

"But you still figured out he was Womin? How did you figure it out?"

"Young Master Eleven has no idea that I was spying on him, but I was just too curious."

So Liang Xin recounted what he had seen that day, listing out all the suspicious points.

Pei Wugou listened, stroked his beard and pondered, and finally believed it a little more.

But he was an extremely stubborn person, and because of his initial intuition, he still harbored some doubts.

He pondered for a long time, remaining silent.

Gu Jize was a young man, and although he was shrewd, he was no match for Pei Wugou. He broke the silence first.

“I don’t want Womin.”

With a decisive and clear statement, Gu Jize expressed his attitude, and his eyes gradually became clearer.

The shock, astonishment, greed, and many other complex emotions I felt earlier vanished completely.

"That's the truth. I don't have enough strength to protect myself. Even if I obtain the Womin and achieve immortality, I will only become prey for others."

At this point, Gu Jize paused, his eyes darting around quickly, and his tone changed slightly, becoming more forceful and resolute.

"But since my eleventh brother has the ability, I will help him..."

“This is not in the interest of Jusai City,” Pei Wugou sighed, interrupting Gu Jize, and then said, “Fourth Young Master, there’s no need to frighten this old man. Wouldn’t it be better if we treated each other with sincerity?”

Gu Jize remained silent, but still acted like an older brother protecting his younger brother.

Pei Wugou said, "The immortality gained by refining the fertile people is only for one person. It brings no benefit to the soldiers in Jusai City, but only a hundred harms. I don't think I need to explain this to the Fourth Prince in detail." Gu Jize countered, "Since Lord Pei knows this principle, why bother toiling for the sake of the Emperor of Rui?"

Pei Wugou did not deny that he was working for Emperor Rui. He patted his knee with a matter-of-fact attitude and said, "Your Majesty governs all people, your benevolence extends to all living beings, and your merits will last for generations. You are not comparable to Gu Jingnian."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jize chuckled slightly and said, "A foolish ruler who cannot tolerate meritorious officials."

"Haha, why would the Fourth Prince deliberately slander the Emperor?" Pei Wugou said. "Presumably, your father has already told you the reason why he feigned surrender to Yong. Your father has always been His Majesty's most trusted loyal minister, and the preferential treatment of being related to the country and the family will not change."

These words did not improve Gu Jize's expression; on the contrary, his brows furrowed and a stern look appeared in his eyes.

"So, for the sake of the emperor's immortality, my father was willing to feign surrender to the Yong Kingdom, resulting in the loss of thousands of miles of border territory, the deaths of countless soldiers, and the displacement of countless civilians. The road you traveled here is still littered with white bones. This is what Lord Pei meant by 'benefiting all people and achieving lasting merit.' Such an emperor still wants to live forever?!"

As Gu Jize spoke, he became increasingly agitated, pointing his finger forcefully, almost touching Pei Wugou's face.

Pei Wugou looked up and could see the undying generosity and anger in Gu Jize's eyes.

Just like when he was young, he was full of passion.

“I hear people talk about the common people every day, but it’s been a long time since anyone has truly expressed anger for them,” Pei Wugou sighed with deep feeling.

For a long time, the court officials have been devoted to serving the country of Rui with all their loyalty and wisdom, but few have looked back to see the people who have been sacrificed along the way.

Whenever the topic comes up, he only says it's a grand strategy.

"I really didn't expect that my father and His Majesty were such people."

Gu Jize had never said it before, but today he finally vented his disappointment.

“I have revered them since I was a child, and I grew up to be this kind of person under their teachings. I was raised to be their enemy. In order not to betray the kindness of the emperor and my father, I have no choice but to be their enemy!”

After saying that, Gu Jize pointed to himself.

“My blood is still hot, and I am ashamed to associate with you greedy and selfish old bastards. We should overthrow you old fogies.”

Pei Wugou nodded and said, "Your passion hasn't cooled down, but how much has it cooled? When you and Gu Jingnian first imprisoned your father, you were full of passion, but is half of it still left? If you don't want to serve His Majesty, then who are you serving? The Yin family? Do you really know that the Yin family is better than His Majesty? You've also seen how different Gu Jingnian has become from Gu Beiming since he returned this time."

Gu Jize did not answer these questions.

Pei Wugou added another sentence.

"The Fourth Young Master himself changes very quickly."

Upon hearing this, Liang Xin's expression immediately changed. He realized that it was precisely his desperate pleas and constant temptations that had led Gu Jize down the path of refinement.

He was filled with pride, but also felt he should act ashamed. Unable to control his expression, he simply lowered his head.

"I did it to protect Jusai City," Gu Jize said. "I have a clear conscience."

Pei Wugou said, "I know that the Fourth Prince is very enthusiastic, but shouldn't the Fourth Prince also understand His Majesty?"

Silence fell over the hall once more.

Some things changed quietly in this silence.

“Jusai City should also return to Rui Kingdom,” Pei Wugou said. “This is the best way out for the soldiers of the Xiaoyi Army. His Majesty has always treated the Gu family members in Zhuojing well. As long as you, General, nod your head, everything can go back to the way it was before.”

This time, he didn't call him "Fourth Young Master," but "General." This seemingly minor detail in address made Gu Jize feel the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

When a person has heavy responsibilities, they cannot make decisions too impulsively.

Gu Jize asked, "Can we still go back?"

“Yes, we can go back,” Pei Wugou answered confidently.

But Gu Jize wasn't persuaded by him; from the beginning, Gu Jize knew exactly what he wanted.

He wanted to ensure the continued prosperity of his family, his elite army, and the fortified city, and for this, he was willing to exchange a fertile citizen for it.

"Very well, I do not trust Yong Kingdom, nor do I trust Rui Kingdom. Jusai City will nominally return to Rui Kingdom, but the court shall not interfere in any matters therein."

Gu Jize no longer concealed his ambitions and revealed his desire to be granted a fiefdom.

Pei Wugou smiled and said, "I will report to the court as quickly as possible."

That smile belonged to Gu Jingnian.

Gu Jingnian only wanted to save Gu Caiwei, but he didn't know that handing over Womin could save the entire Gu family. This boy was too extreme. Pei Wugou should talk to Gu Jize instead of him.

Having persuaded Gu Jize, Womin could be easily obtained in this Jusai city.

(End of this chapter)