Chapter 877: Germination of Thought, Legislation Enters People's Hearts

Chapter 877: Chapter 78: Germination of Thought, Legislation Enters People’s Hearts

The tent was deathly silent.

Mr. Qin stared blankly at Gu Hui, unable to utter a single word even after a long silence.

This simple sentence was too much of a blow to him.

So much so that it filled him with fear.

Of course, he knew whether or not Gu Hui was speaking the truth.

When Zhao Gou decided to have him deliver the edict, everything had already been determined.

Whether Zhao Gou or his former political allies, none intended for him to return alive.

He was a discarded pawn.

A discarded pawn abandoned by everyone.

He slowly raised his head, looking at Gu Hui, who was still calmly sitting there. The eyes that once wielded power in the court now only reflected emptiness and fatigue after being seen through.

He had been silent for too long, his throat dry to the point of pain, and finally, with all his strength, he forced out a fractured sentence through gritted teeth:

“Young Master Gu… what exactly… do you want me… to do?”

Asking this question meant he had completely given up struggling, admitting his identity as a “discarded pawn,” and surrendered his fate to this terrifying young man before him.

Zhao Gou’s name had already been mentioned aloud.

Mr. Qin did not believe that Gu Hui would simply return to the court.

And he could only go with the flow, heeding any of the other’s commands.

He must be of use.

This was Mr. Qin’s own judgment.

Gu Hui looked at his appearance, and that faint smile on his face became more apparent, yet it remained cold, without a trace of warmth.

“Mr. Qin is a clever man,” he said calmly. “You are well aware of every filthy corner of the Zhao Song court, how they exploit the people, how they form cliques for selfish ends, how they count the vast lands and millions of citizens as personal property in that Chuigong Hall.”

“These, you know better than anyone.”

Mr. Qin’s heart suddenly contracted, as if sensing something.

Gu Hui’s voice was low and clear, carrying an undeniable tone: “So, there’s no need to pledge loyalty to me or to think of Yingtian’s edict any longer.”

“Go out.”

“Go among those people outside.”

“Tell them exactly what you’ve just heard, seen, and what you know in your heart… the things about the Imperial Family, about the court, about how you officials have governed this realm…”

“Tell them everything.”

Mr. Qin’s eyes widened suddenly, looking at Gu Hui in disbelief.

“Young Master! This…” Mr. Qin instinctively wanted to refuse.

This was completely upending the table.

He knew all too well the kind of anger these people harbored against their group.

And now Gu Hui wanted him to clarify everything.

Wasn’t this making him inherit this anger entirely, even implicate the household?

Perhaps others didn’t know, but how could he not?

Over the years, how many benefits were funneled into the palace?

And how many matters were handled for that household?

His body trembled uncontrollably, but he couldn’t utter a single word.

Mr. Qin’s first thought was about his own fate. If he did this, he couldn’t avoid death in any way, and most crucially, there would be the overwhelming infamy.

There was no room to talk about sudden repentance or the like.

For someone of his status, people would only remember his defection at the last minute and he would face the consequences for what he had done before.

But what choice did he have?

Respond to Yingtian?

Having failed to recall Gu Hui, what outcome could he expect?

Mr. Qin was utterly stunned.

His body trembled uncontrollably. He wanted to plead with Gu Hui, to utter something in righteousness.

But when the words came to his mouth, he had no idea how to begin.

He couldn’t plead!

In other words, he had no right to plead with Gu Hui!

And Gu Hui was obviously uninterested in wasting words with him. He simply gestured, letting someone take him away.

He wasn’t afraid that Mr. Qin wouldn’t cooperate with him.

The people’s anger had already been fully aroused.

And driven by the instinct to survive, Mr. Qin would always make the most correct choice when facing that anger.

This was certain.

Of course, Gu Hui himself wouldn’t remain idle either.

Mr. Qin could tear down the court’s last veil of shame for him.

And he was to spread ideas!

Between thoughts, Gu Hui took out the books he had authored over these days and handed them to a guard who was already prepared.

These were his works over the years.

They encapsulated all his ideas.

Of course, these were not specific systems but related thoughts.

They were the seedlings of reform!

This path was far too difficult; he certainly couldn’t walk it alone.

Now even with Yue Fei, it wasn’t enough!

He needed to create a trend, thereby fully establishing everything!

….

Mr. Qin was almost half-pushed, half-shoved back to the open space.

The people who had just been listening to the guards talk about the injustice of the ruling system now focused their gaze on the former chancellor, dressed in a purple robe but as pale as a ghost.

In those eyes, there was curiosity, scrutiny, but more, there was suppressed suspicion and hidden anger.

They might not recognize Mr. Qin.

But they recognized the official robe he wore.

The soldier who led him there spoke loudly and expressionlessly, “Folks, this man is Mr. Qin from Yingtian! He has something from the court to tell you himself!”

The crowd immediately stirred.