Gu Chuan slightly raised his eyebrows, but said nothing.
Luo Bingsheng finally managed to calm the anger in his heart and slowly said, "Hundred Households Gu, there's no outsider here, so I'll speak plainly. There are no conflicts of interest between you and me.
Your goal is to become Thousand Households, earn some prestige, and return to the Capital City. I just want to spend my remaining two years peacefully before I retire to the Yunzhou Garrison. I can give you the position of Thousand Households, but you must ensure that my last two years are calm.
Although you are slightly less experienced, with your abilities and background, you have the chance to compete with the other Hundred Households. And with my recommendation, your chances of success will greatly increase, practically guaranteed.
And you don't need to pay anything. Just hand over Gu Zhan to calm this storm. A mere Small Banner Officer you pushed forward as a blade—using this blade now can easily get what you want. This deal is quite beneficial for you."
Having said that, Luo Bingsheng wore a confident smile.
He couldn't think of any reasons Gu Chuan would refuse.
"Indeed, it's quite beneficial, and I have no reason to refuse." Gu Chuan said.
Luo Bingsheng's smile grew even wider.
Gu Chuan also smiled, but with a hint of sarcasm, he slowly said, "However, I refuse."
Luo Bingsheng's smile froze.
Nearby, Gao Jun and several advisors were all taken aback,
looking at Gu Chuan with surprise, unable to understand why he would refuse,
as this was completely beneficial for him—an easy path to becoming Thousand Households, sacrificing nothing more than a dispensable Small Banner.
Gu Chuan coldly glanced at everyone and said, "Honestly, your understanding and actions disgust me. I, disdain being associated with you!"
Luo Bingsheng's expression stiffened as he said, "Hundred Households Gu, think carefully, three years ago you were unsuccessful, do you think you can succeed now?"
"Let's wait and see!" Gu Chuan said disdainfully.
Gao Jun took a deep breath and said, "Hundred Households Gu, you need to think this through. Your obstinance isn't just against the Celestial Water Gang, but also the forces behind them, and others who are apprehensive of you—you're opposing half of Linjiang Prefecture!"
Gu Chuan let out a cold humph and said, "When the world turns vile, innocence becomes a crime. Just this crime, I, Gu Chuan, accept!"
The hall fell into a deathly silence.
Gu Chuan waved his hand and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving... oh, by the way, I want Gu Zhan to take the vacant Chief Banner position under me. Lord Luo, is that okay?"
"What if I say no?" Luo Bingsheng said with a somber face.
Gu Chuan's smile instantly vanished, coldly declaring, "No problem, but don't blame me for overturning the table. I can follow the rules, but I also can break them. In Changning Fang, there should be traces of quite a few dignitaries, if exposed, hehe…"
Luo Bingsheng's face darkened, glaring at Gu Chuan for a long time before saying slowly, "Approved!"
"Thank you, Lord Luo, I take my leave!"
Casually, Gu Chuan cupped his hands and swung his sleeve, heading out the door.
"Hundred Households Gu!"
Luo Bingsheng suddenly called out to Gu Chuan, saying, "In this world, often there's one today and another tomorrow. Today, Gu Zhan blocked Lei Yun's path and killed his superior. Are you not worried that he will block your path tomorrow?"
"No need for Lord Luo to worry, the brothers I accept—whether they are human or ghosts, I'll support them!"
After leaving the Hundred Households Office,
The trusted aide who had been following Gu Chuan hesitated and said, "Sir, this choice of yours isn't very beneficial."
Gu Chuan mounted his horse and said, "In life, you don't calculate every gain and loss. Moreover, some things are not as simple as they seem."
The aide cupped his hands and said, "Please enlighten me, Sir."
Gu Chuan chuckled lightly and said, "Three years ago the situation was similar to today. Why didn't Luo Bingsheng use the Thousand Households position to tempt me back then? Because at that time, I possibly had support, but now I truly have it.
The aide was surprised and said, "Does Small Banner Gu's presence make them wary? That's not possible, right? Although Small Banner Gu has risen rapidly, he shouldn't make them all fearful?"
"You don't understand," Gu Chuan said, "Compared to three years ago, my foundations have accumulated, but I've always lacked someone daring enough to go crazy with me. Now, with Gu Zhan's arrival, they are concerned.
Because Gu Zhan is someone who acts without hesitation. Three years ago I lost because I faced obstacles alone, without support. For example, my final charge against the Celestial Water Gang was thwarted by the Thousand Households Office cutting off reinforcements, forcing me to withdraw. But now, if reinforcements are cut, there will be a Gu Zhan with a blade helping me,
When I left the Hundred Households Office back then, no one dared defy the Thousand Households Office's orders, but now, with Gu Zhan, there's someone willing to treat those orders like nonsense!"
The aide was enlightened and said, "I understand now, Sir."
"Moreover," Gu Chuan smiled and said, "I promised Gu Zhan that if the sky falls, I'll stand under it for him, so I must keep my word."
The aide hesitated and said, "Just that Gu Zhan's emergence is too rapid, and he's decisively ruthless, killing superiors without hesitation. Should anything happen in the future…"
Gu Chuan interrupted with a wave, "I won't doubt my people because of something that hasn't happened. Furthermore, I won't block his path. If he has the ability, I'll make way and support him."
"But, Sir…"
"No need to say more, I bet I haven't misjudged him." Gu Chuan said firmly, "I see a certain spirit in him—a disdain for this world. Such a person, if I don't betray him, how could he betray me?"
...
In the Thousand Households Office, in the discussion hall.
Luo Bingsheng looked quite grim.
Everyone around was also very serious,
"Sir, Gu Chuan's stance is clear. He's determined to change the long-established structure of Linjiang Prefecture!" Gao Jun said.
"Humph," Luo Bingsheng snorted coldly and said, "Pompous, I've been here for decades and witnessed countless such ambitious young men. In the end, didn't they all obediently follow the established rules?"
After saying that, Luo Bingsheng's pupils narrowed and he said, "Isn't he relying on Gu Zhan to support him, act as his right-hand man? Then let's first disable this arm and then deal with him."
"How does sir intend to proceed?" Gao Jun asked.
"You go personally to Gu Zhan and see if he understands the situation!"