stonecrandall Chapter 772: Gongzi Gao has let it go and still has some brains!
Chapter 772: Gongzi Gao has let it go and still has some brains!
Gao Yao's words, which sounded almost like a verdict, were like cold molten iron, pouring on the already chilled heart of Master Gao.
As soon as the words fell, there was only a dead silence in the huge courtyard. Gongzi Gao's face was frozen with an extremely complicated bitter smile, which was mixed with the numbness of resignation, a trace of absurd gratitude, and the resentment that was buried deep in his heart but had long been unable to ignite.
He opened his mouth, his Adam's apple rolled with difficulty, but in the end he couldn't even utter a complete syllable. Should he be grateful for Gao Yao's "honesty"? Or should he hate him for using him to this extent? These thoughts circled in his mind, but they seemed so pale and powerless. After experiencing these long and depressing years, his ambition and unwillingness that once flickered like sparks had long been ground into ashes by reality and drifted away with the wind.
Feng Quji played an indispensable role in this complete depression. The influence exerted by this old minister without making a sound was like water dripping through a stone, which gradually disintegrated the remaining will of Gongzi Gao. And there was another iron-clad fact that weighed heavily on his heart, forcing him to bow his head: the unprecedented prosperity and stability of this land in the southern border was indeed brought by the powerful minister Gao Yao in front of him.
Without Gao Yao's powerful means and shocking reforms, how could the Southern Territory be what it is today? Gongzi Gao admitted bitterly that if it was him who was in charge of the Southern Territory at the beginning, let alone the development to this point, he would probably have been beheaded when the imperial army first came to the city, and become a certain person mentioned in history books.
Gao Yao's ability was something he could not reach, let alone deny.
"Thank you, Prime Minister... for being frank." Gongzi Gao's voice was dry and hoarse, as if it had been rubbed by sandpaper. "I... understand. I will follow the Prime Minister's orders." He paused, as if he had used up all his strength to squeeze out the next sentence, "But... I don't know how long these last days will last?" He raised his eyes, with a hint of humble inquiry in his eyes, as if he still wanted to grasp something.
However, Gao Yao did not answer. He slowly stood up, his tall figure casting a long shadow under the candlelight, and walked step by step to Gongzi Gao. The heavy footsteps were extremely clear in the silent hall, and every step stepped on Gongzi Gao's tense heartstrings.
Gao Yao's palm landed heavily on Gongzi Gao's shoulder with unquestionable strength. The slap was both a comfort and a warning, causing Gongzi Gao's body to sink slightly.
"This kind of thing is not something you should worry about." Gao Yao's voice was low and calm, with a kind of condescending indifference, "When the time comes, you will naturally know. This is also my last promise to you." His eyes were as sharp as a knife, stabbing at Gongzi Gao, "Draft the edict in advance."
Gao Yao didn't want to cause any trouble. At this moment, Gongzi Gao was like a trapped beast with its claws plucked out and its eyes blindfolded. Ignorance was actually a kind of safety - safe for himself and even safer for Gao Yao's plan. It saved him from unnecessary worries and also prevented him from a possible crazy counterattack before his death.
Although in Gao Yao's eyes, Gongzi Gao no longer had any ability to turn the tables, his years of political career had cultivated a cautiousness that made him habitually guard against any slight risk. Gongzi Gao was nothing more than a puppet he carefully set up, a high-sounding signboard. He was kept alive only because his signboard of "bloodline of the First Emperor" was still useful at a certain moment, and could help him recruit those old people who still had a lingering attachment to the old Qin.
Today, the world is as solid as a rock, with the various powerful factions already separatist, and it is difficult to stir up a huge wave that sweeps across the world. The role of this signboard is already minimal.
In other words, the "name value" of Gongzi Gao has reached the bottom. Gao Yao chose to show his hand at this time, which is more of a cold "reward" than mercy - considering that you have cooperated honestly and let me use you for so long, I will let you die with a clear mind.
Just as Gao Yao was about to end the conversation, Gongzi Gao suddenly raised his head, with a gleam of determination in his eyes: "Prime Minister!" He raised his voice a little, with a sense of risking his life, "I... have another request, I hope the Prime Minister will agree!"
Gao Yao paused, raised his eyebrows, and a trace of genuine surprise flashed across his face. This dying man actually dared to make a request? "Oh?" He turned around and looked at Gongzi Gao with interest, "Tell me about it!"
Gongzi Gao took a deep breath, as if he had used up all his strength, and spoke clearly word by word: "I... want to see with my own eyes what the Prime Minister has arranged for my children! Only when I see it with my own eyes can I... close my eyes in peace!"
"So..." The playfulness on Gao Yao's face disappeared instantly, replaced by cold anger, and his eyes suddenly became as sharp as ice cones, "You don't believe me?"
Gao Yao's voice was not loud, but it contained a strong sense of oppression. In his opinion, he was very grateful for his words. How dare the other party go even further and make such a questioning request? It was simply shameless!
"Prime Minister, calm down! It's not that I don't trust you!" Gongzi Gao hurriedly explained, leaning forward slightly, speaking in a hurried and earnest tone.
"The Prime Minister's words are as good as gold. He said he would not kill them. He will definitely save their lives! I... I don't trust Xiao He and Zhang Liang!" His eyes revealed deep fear and helplessness. "Please forgive me for being frank, Prime Minister. If they... if they take the initiative and kill my whole family, when it's too late... Prime Minister, will you severely punish your loyal ministers for us who are no longer useful?"
Gongzi Gao's confession was like thunder from a clear sky, which made Gao Yao speechless for a moment. The anger on his face froze, and a barely perceptible shock flashed in his eyes.
He had indeed never expected that this cowardly and mediocre puppet prince in his eyes could see so clearly and express such naked yet extremely realistic concerns in the last moments of his life.
Gao Yao was silent. The air in the hall seemed to freeze. The candlelight flickered, casting a light and dark shadow on his deep face. Gongzi Gao's worry was like an ice-cold needle, accurately piercing the darkest and most disgraceful corner of the power game - killing the donkey after it has done its work, cutting the grass and eradicating the roots, is the norm in the power game.
Gao Yao might not bother to attack a few children, but what about those subordinates who were eager to show their loyalty, guess the intentions of their superiors, or had old grudges against Gongzi Gao? Even Gao Yao could not be 100% sure of their thoughts. Gongzi Gao's words left him speechless for a moment.
It is definitely impossible to punish someone who is of great use to you just for a few people who are going to disappear. At most, a few scoldings are the most. It is impossible to really punish them severely.