N-A-A Chapter 985 Even sons are a handful!
Chapter 985 Even sons are a handful!
He approached Hu Hai too late; Hu Hai, already intoxicated by Zhao Gao's influence, was indulging in pleasure, becoming eccentric, suspicious, and harsh. Winning the trust of such a ruler and guiding him to become a wise monarch was no less difficult than recreating the world. Time, opportunity, and the right person—none of these were present; this path was once again blocked.
Time and again he tried, only to be met with setbacks. From Qin Shi Huang to Fusu, and then to Huhai, his efforts to find a foothold within the existing power framework all ended in failure. The torrent of fate pushed him, a man unwilling to board the ship, step by step, with utter helplessness, toward the path he initially wanted to avoid most—the road to imperial power. This was not the result of growing ambition, but rather the only choice he was forced to make under the oppressive pressure of reality, for survival, and for that sliver of possibility of realizing his own value.
However, the higher Gao Yao's position, the more he felt a deep-seated trouble and constraint. The core of imperial power politics lies in "checks and balances." The court today appears calm under his iron fist, with officials working together in harmony, but how many undercurrents lurk beneath this tranquil surface?
Civil officials like Xiao He and Cao Can were exceptionally capable and pillars of the state, but had new interest groups formed behind them? Military generals, having distinguished themselves in battle, were inevitably arrogant and domineering; how could he ensure they could both defend the country and protect the borders without becoming too powerful to control? And what about the remnants of the six former states? Though they outwardly submitted, were they truly willing? These considerations constantly drained his energy.
He shook his head slightly, temporarily suppressing these chaotic thoughts. Having chosen this path, he had no choice but to continue. He called out in a deep voice, "Duan Wei."
Steady footsteps immediately echoed outside the hall, and Duan Wei, the commander of the personal guards, entered in response. His armor clanged slightly against the ground. He knelt on one knee, head bowed, and obeyed the order: "Your Majesty."
Gao Yao's gaze regained its usual sharpness and composure. He instructed, "Give the order that I will be going hunting outside the city in three days. All matters, large and small, in the palace will be handled by the Queen as appropriate. Prepare the personal guards and ensure that everything is in perfect order. Also..." He paused, lowering his voice slightly, "Go to the armory and allocate ten shi of gunpowder. This matter must be handled personally, without any intermediaries, and absolutely no information should be leaked to anyone else."
"Yes, sir!" Duan Wei accepted the order without hesitation, rising quickly to carry it out. Gunpowder was a crucial trump card in Gao Yao's hand, one of his pillars of strength in surpassing this era. This hunt was a pretext; the real purpose was to secretly test the power of the new formula and find suitable storage and transportation methods. Some preparations had to be made ahead of everyone else.
Having given his instructions, Gao Yao strolled out of the Bright Hall and arrived at the converted school area on the outskirts of the palace. He wasn't wearing his elaborate royal robes, but rather a simple everyday garment made of fine materials with slightly ornate patterns, making him inconspicuous in the crowd. From afar, he saw a group of children of similar age playing and chasing each other on the level ground. Among these children were the offspring of current high-ranking officials, but most were Gao Yao's own flesh and blood.
His gaze involuntarily fell on the boy surrounded by everyone like a star around the moon—his eldest son, Gao Lin. As the eldest son of Empress Lü, Gao Lin was naturally the center of attention among these children.
As the children played, they subtly sided with him, vying to please him or cautiously observing his expression. This "mini-court" that naturally formed around the succession of power caused Gao Yao's brow to furrow slightly. The drama of royal succession, the allure and struggle for power, had already quietly begun at such a tender age.
To this, Gao Yao could only sigh helplessly once more. He knew all too well the high hopes Empress Lü had placed on Gao Lin, and how much effort she had poured into cultivating him into a qualified successor. To be fair, Gao Lin was not dull-witted. Under Empress Lü's strict supervision, he was well-versed in poetry and literature, and could speak eloquently about classical texts; in terms of scholarship, he was already among the best of his peers. However, what Gao Yao saw was an undeniable, even fatal, flaw in Gao Lin's character—cowardice.
Gao Yao believed he bore an undeniable responsibility for this cowardice. From Gao Lin's birth to his adulthood, despite Gao Yao's best efforts to find time amidst his busy military campaigns and heavy political duties, he ultimately missed too many important moments. Gao Lin's upbringing was almost entirely handled by Empress Lü.
Empress Lü was an extremely shrewd, assertive, and opinionated woman. Growing up in the shadow of such a strong mother, Gao Lin's situation bore a striking resemblance to that of Emperor Hui of Han, Liu Ying, in another timeline that Gao Yao knew of.
No matter what problems Gao Lin encountered, from major questions about reading and writing to minor details of interpersonal interactions, Empress Lü would give him clear and unambiguous instructions, telling him what he "should" do. However, when Gao Lin occasionally tried to act based on his own judgment, the results were often unsatisfactory, followed by Empress Lü's stern reprimands, who meticulously pointed out the many shortcomings and oversights in his decision-making.
Over time, Gao Lin gradually lost the courage and confidence to make independent judgments. He was used to seeking his mother's approval or guidance before making any decisions; once he was away from his mother's protection, he became hesitant and lacked his own opinions.
If Gao Lin were merely a carefree young master enjoying wealth and privilege, this personality trait might be harmless, even deserving of the name "submissive." However, if he were to become the ruler of a nation, facing a court full of meritorious and shrewd ministers, such weakness and lack of self-confidence would be fatal.
The reason why the current court is able to think and act in unison largely depends on Gao Yao's absolute authority and strong leadership. He rose from humble beginnings, leading his people through numerous life-or-death battles, repeatedly turning the tide in dire situations, thus establishing unparalleled prestige. Even if some harbor doubts about his decisions, no one dares to openly question them, because past events have repeatedly proven him right.
But what about Gao Lin? What would he rely on to control this group of arrogant soldiers, capable ministers, and efficient officials? Would they genuinely trust a young monarch who was weak-willed and indecisive? Could Gao Lin maintain order and control the court? These were undoubtedly huge questions. This was precisely the important reason why, although Gao Yao followed the trend of the times, making Lü Zhi empress and taking in many concubines, he consistently hesitated to clearly designate an heir. He needed time to observe and to find a possible turning point.
His gaze then turned to his second son, Gao Xu, born to Yu Shu, who was quietly watching his elder brothers play in the corner. Due to his mother's status and his non-primogeniture position, Yu Shu's only wish for Gao Xu was for him to live a peaceful and smooth life, far away from the center of the power struggle.