Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity

Chapter 1104 - 940: Colluding with Foreign Countries

Whenever midnight dreams return, the images of those clan members—some numb, some struggling, some resentful, some begging—turn and twist in Xue Miao’s heart, nearly driving him to collapse.The Xue family was exterminated, all its members executed. Six hundred and eighty-one lives, as Gu Chengyu said, a river of blood!

Xue Miao cried with his face full of tears, and Gu Chengyu didn’t care. He opened the wounds in Xue Miao’s heart and had to give him some time to recover.

After a long while, Xue Miao finally stopped crying. He calmed the sadness in his heart before looking toward Gu Chengyu, who was leisurely drinking soup in front of him.

"May I ask Mr. Gu, why do you want to get involved in this? Is it merely for political achievement, or is it for justice?"

Xue Miao looked at Gu Chengyu with a touch of sarcasm in his eyes. Such a young court official who dared to seek benefits from such a major case was naive and overconfident.

He admitted that Gu Chengyu had some abilities, but this matter was no trivial thing, not something Gu Chengyu could touch.

Even his cousin, who was so remarkable back then, couldn’t reverse the situation and ended up with the fate of having his entire family executed.

Could this adult, who had yet to reach his twentieth year, accomplish this?

"For justice!" Gu Chengyu placed the jade bowl in his hand down, speaking righteously.

Xue Miao, upon hearing, immediately had more disdain in his eyes than the previous sarcasm.

"To say so is hypocritical. Why join the imperial examination to become an official? Perhaps initially there was indeed ambition for the country and people, but more so to become superior, to dominate others’ destinies. I’m a mundane person, so naturally, I can’t avoid being such."

Gu Chengyu wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, knowing that Xue Miao had the intention to speak further.

It’s just like buying something; one must compare and criticize, complaining about the price and lack of value.

Actually, such people are the real buyers, for those who don’t buy can’t even bother to compare and criticize.

Now Xue Miao is despising himself, maybe thinking he’s young and incapable, unable to bear such a heavy burden.

Gu Chengyu’s words softened Xue Miao’s expression a bit, realizing that Gu Chengyu is definitely not in league with those people; otherwise, he wouldn’t possibly spare him.

Xue Miao sighed, his eyes showing some sorrow.

"Mr. Gu is a good official, but I can’t harm you! Those people’s powers are vast; even my cousin couldn’t take them down, and instead met such an end. Mr. Gu, I advise you to stay away, lest you bring disaster upon yourself!"

Xue Miao’s words now are heartfelt; these people are extremely brutal, never hesitating to use any means.

"What? Do you not believe me?" Gu Chengyu, upon hearing Xue Miao mention his cousin, knew it must be Xue Haozhen.

He somewhat admired Xue Haozhen and was also curious about him.

"I heard that Mr. Gu is not only talented but also accomplished. Since becoming an official, he’s done considerable good for the people and the court. Just look at the disaster relief this time; who doesn’t say Mr. Gu is a good official?"

Xue Miao suddenly changed his tone and began praising Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu raised his eyebrows; this man is cunning. Gu Chengyu knew he had more to say.

"Mr. Gu’s future prospects are bound to be smooth, so why trouble yourself with this matter? These demons, once entangled, can’t be shaken off. In the end, you may not only fail to gain but also ruin your great future. I speak to the end, and I ask Mr. Gu to consider carefully."

Gu Chengyu pondered for a moment. "Uncle Xue’s reminder is clear in my heart, but as a court official, since I’ve encountered this matter and know there are hidden truths from years ago, how can I not investigate further? Don’t you want the truth to be revealed to the world, to clear the Xue family’s name?"

When Gu Chengyu first entered the Hanlin Academy, he was once assigned to the Wenhua Pavilion to organize books.

At that time, he came across unofficial history about the Xue family’s extermination case, where the records differed greatly from those in official history.

He became interested in the matter and later specifically examined related book and historical records. Even using the compilation of the codex, he reviewed cases.

Xue Miao, originally Xue Haogui, was a cousin within Xue Haozhen’s extended family, ranked seventh in the clan.

Gu Chengyu knew this precisely because Xue Haogui always resided in the Xue Mansion, managing business for it.

Xue Haogui’s parents passed away early, and he studied at the clan school for a few years but had little talent.

Later, Xue Haozhen saw him as very clever, and as a cousin living a bitter life, he invited him to manage business for the Xue Mansion.

Xue Haogui often represented the Xue Mansion outside, and Xue Haozhen and his father were highly influential at the time, so naturally, others gave Xue Haogui some respect.

Hence, many in the Capital knew Xue Haogui and understood his high status at the Xue Mansion. But during the imposition, the court didn’t find Xue Haogui.

Later it was said that Xue Haogui knew the Xue family’s downfall and fled with lots of their Silver Coin.

Some unofficial histories recorded that he died from a severe illness, lacking a definitive answer.

This led Gu Chengyu to suspect that this person might still be alive and could be knowledgeable about foreign alliance issues.

Gu Chengyu always believed there were significant hidden truths here, but unfortunately, he couldn’t see the detailed files of the Three Ministries. Based solely on historical records, there were numerous doubts.

"The case has been closed for seventeen years, and now, the Xue family no longer exists. Since Mr. Gu does not fear authority, then I shall talk about this matter. But my knowledge is limited, and I ask Mr. Gu for understanding."

Gu Chengyu gestured for Xue Miao to sit and speak.

"Our Xue family was considered a scholarly aristocratic family. My cousin Xue Haozhen was the third-place scholar in the twenty-eighth year of Emperor Jia Ren, serving for twenty-three years. Before being charged, he held the post of Chief Minister in the Cabinet. His son Xue Shiqian just reached twenty, had passed the Advanced Scholar exam, making the Xue family two scholars—a moment of unmatched glory."

Xue Miao immersed himself in his memories, eyes flashing with proud light, representing their Xue family.

"After my cousin became Chief Minister of the Cabinet, his power in the court was at its peak. Even today’s Chief Minister Xia can’t compare. Unfortunately, good times were short-lived, and just after the Xue family enjoyed decades of prosperity, disaster struck. The court accused my cousin of colluding with foreign countries, particularly Da Xing."

At this point, Xue Miao became emotional, with eyes full of indignation, hands tightly clenched.

Though seventeen years have passed, he still remembers vividly.

"Who accused him?" Gu Chengyu asked the most vital question.

"Who? None other than the current Chief Minister Xia Qing, wasn’t it?" Xue Miao’s face of hatred startled Ming Mo, indicating a grievous vendetta indeed.

Gu Chengyu was unsurprised by this, knowing Xia Qing’s significant influence is inseparable from his ruthless methods.

"It wasn’t just him; back then, many were involved, including the former Chief Minister Liang Zhirui."