Royal Gold Magistrate

Seeing Li Yuanzhao’s agitated state, Emperor Jing furrowed his brow and said, “Is there anything else? If not, you should retire and rest.”

“Oh, one more thing. Liu Jin went to speak with Eunuch Guo this evening, and midway through their conversation, Guo fainted.”

“The Imperial Physicians have examined him, and he’s been sent back to his quarters to recuperate.”

Emperor Jing asked, puzzled, “When did this happen? Why wasn’t I informed?”

Li Yuanzhao responded nonchalantly, “It occurred not long ago. I heard about it from Liu Jin on my way here.”

Liu Jin corroborated, “Yes, Eunuch Guo was speaking with this servant when he suddenly lost consciousness due to exhaustion. However, it’s not a serious matter.”

Emperor Jing pondered for a moment, then sighed.

“Indeed, Guo is getting on in years. Have the Imperial Physicians prepare some tonics for him. Let him rest for a few days.”

“Imperial Father, someone recently gifted me some premium ginseng at the Eastern Palace. I find it unpalatable, so why don’t we give it to him instead?”

“There’s no need to trouble the Imperial Physicians. I’ll have someone brew it and send it to him directly. Otherwise, it would go to waste.”

Emperor Jing looked at Li Yuanzhao with approval, “Very well, do as you’ve suggested. The Crown Prince has learned to be considerate of others. Master Fang has taught you well. Don’t worry about him; once things settle down, I’ll summon him back. If there’s nothing else, you may go now. I still have work to do.”

Li Yuanzhao grinned, “Your son takes his leave!”

After paying his respects, Li Yuanzhao hurriedly returned to his bedchamber with Liu Jin.

Upon arriving, they found Guo Tianyang awake, tied up like a dumpling.

Seeing Li Yuanzhao enter, Guo looked at him with terrified eyes, making muffled sounds through his gag.

Li Yuanzhao casually drew a guard’s sword and placed it against Guo Tianyang’s chest, smiling, “I’ll let you speak, but don’t you dare shout. If anyone hears, this blade goes in!”

“Mmph! Mmph!” Guo Tianyang was on the verge of tears, nodding vigorously, resembling a writhing silkworm cocoon.

To suffer such indignity at his age! The imperial seal must have been stolen by the Crown Prince!

Such audacity! To think he’d dare commit such a brazen act!

The gag was removed, and Guo Tianyang immediately gasped for air.

Pleading, he said, “Your Highness! Crown Prince, what are you doing? What has this old servant done wrong?”

With the blade still at his chest, Li Yuanzhao revealed a devilish grin, “Help me write a few imperial edicts.”

What! Forge imperial edicts?!

Guo Tianyang felt as if he’d been struck by lightning, wishing the Crown Prince would just end his life then and there.

Shaking his head frantically, he said, “Impossible! Absolutely not! Without His Majesty’s verbal command, it cannot be done. Your Highness, you might as well kill me!”

“A scholar can be killed but not humiliated!”

Li Yuanzhao sneered, unfazed, “Wrong. Someone once told me, ‘A scholar can be humiliated, but not killed!'”

“If you’re not afraid of death, then I’ll humiliate you to your dying breath!”

“First, I’ll pluck out every hair on your body, then strip you naked and hang you on the city wall! And I’ll announce it in the newspaper!”

Guo Tianyang’s heart sank, his eyes losing focus.

It must have been that bastard Fang Zheng who could say such shameless things. He’s gone, yet he still manages to be so vexing! The Crown Prince has truly strayed from the right path!

Gradually, tears began to roll down Guo Tianyang’s cheeks.

He pleaded, “Your Highness! Have you considered His Majesty in all this?”

Li Yuanzhao replied shamelessly, “Of course! This is all for his benefit. With no wars to fight, Imperial Father has lost his former vigor!”

“If I don’t push him, he’ll never realize his true potential!”

Such filial piety!

Guo Tianyang closed his eyes in anguish.

“Alright, untie him. Eunuch Guo isn’t as young as he used to be. You’ve bound him far too tightly. Show some consideration!”

The guards reluctantly went to untie Guo Tianyang.

As the ropes fell away, Guo Tianyang’s wrinkled face scrunched up like a chrysanthemum. The cold sensation on his neck told him that the Crown Prince wasn’t bluffing.

Damn it! Fang Zheng is to blame! The Crown Prince has gone completely off the rails!

Playing with tigers and leopards was one thing, but now he’s bold enough to forge imperial edicts!

With a blade at his neck, Guo Tianyang was ushered to the table and obediently sat down.

On the table, the imperial seal and blank edicts were already laid out, along with several sheets of blank paper.

“Whether I write or not, I’m dead either way. What’s left to consider at this point!”

“Write, and pin everything on me. I’ve already told Imperial Father that you’re gravely ill and resting in your quarters.”

“I’ll say I forged your handwriting for the edicts! And that I stole the imperial seal alone! You needn’t worry!”

Guo Tianyang swallowed bitterly, his voice hoarse, “What am I to write?”

“Write that Jianjiang Prefecture, Lin Prefecture, and Yunlu Prefecture are ordered to renovate government offices, extensively build temples, and engage in large-scale construction.”

“Also, encourage feasting and entertainment, and promote house-building among the common people! You can polish the details, as long as the main points are conveyed.”

Guo Tianyang closed his eyes and said in a trembling voice, “Your Highness, this cannot be done. It will cause widespread controversy. His Majesty has already spoken against this in court!”

“Moreover, His Majesty has never favored Buddhism. Ordering extensive temple construction now… His Majesty will surely be enraged! Crown Prince, this old servant’s life doesn’t matter! But you must consider the consequences for yourself!”

Li Yuanzhao’s face remained expressionless as he snorted coldly, “Consider? Consider what!”

“If there are too many temples in the world, I can have them built, and I can make them disappear overnight!”

“A bad reputation can be mended! The newspaper is in my hands. If the people are momentarily confused, I’ll make them understand!”

“But a lost life is gone forever. Even with Imperial Father’s supreme power, can he bring the dead back to life?”

“Write, now!”

Guo Tianyang stared at Li Yuanzhao, a glimmer of recognition appearing in his eyes.

The resemblance was uncanny! The Crown Prince’s current demeanor was identical to His Majesty in his youth.

Unrestrained, dismissive of everything, as if no worldly etiquette could confine him…

But this Crown Prince was taking it even further, pushing the boundaries of audacity!

Guo Tianyang let out a long sigh and silently lowered his head to begin writing.

Soon, one imperial edict was completed, with only the imperial seal left to be stamped. Guo Tianyang was about to stamp it out of habit when Li Yuanzhao immediately stopped him.

“No need! I’ll stamp the seal myself. You write a few more identical copies!”

Guo Tianyang was dumbfounded, “But why?”

Li Yuanzhao flashed a wide grin, “One edict isn’t enough. We need to issue three in succession! This way, local officials won’t doubt Imperial Father’s resolve. Otherwise, they might send inquiries, wasting precious time with back-and-forth communications.”

Guo Tianyang had given up struggling and began writing again.

What difference does it make if it’s one edict or a hundred? Death awaits either way! Might as well write!

After completing several edicts, an exhausted Guo Tianyang looked at Li Yuanzhao, “Is this sufficient?”

Li Yuanzhao examined the completed edicts with satisfaction.

He then took the imperial seal and stamped each edict with a resounding “duang duang duang!”

After rolling up the edicts, Li Yuanzhao pushed the blank papers in front of Guo Tianyang.

“Keep writing… Make each one a bit messier, try to imitate my handwriting. This way, Imperial Father won’t suspect you…”