Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 527 Planning
Inside the Qi family's study, the fragrance of sandalwood wafted through the air, yet it couldn't dispel the tense atmosphere that was simmering beneath the surface.

Seeing that Gu Qianfan had been aroused by his previous words, Qi Mu knew that the time was right. He lowered his voice further, leaned forward slightly, and adopted a sincere attitude, speaking in a voice so low that only the two of them could hear: "Good! My nephew has such ambition, worthy of being a descendant of the Gu family! I have not misjudged you!"

He first gave a firm affirmation and patted Gu Qianfan's arm to encourage him. Then, his expression became more serious, his brows furrowed, and he said with concern, "However, my dear nephew also knows that Xiao Qinyan is not someone to be trifled with."

"He is cunning and ruthless. He has cultivated his influence in the court for many years, and his cronies are spread throughout key positions. Now he has even risen to the ranks of cabinet ministers, enjoying the emperor's favor and his power is unparalleled. Although we, the upright officials, occupy the moral orthodoxy and have a highly respected elder like Grand Secretary Han in charge, the Second Grand Secretary Qian is from the Jiangnan faction, and his thoughts are hard to fathom."

Qi Mu shook his head, his face even more somber: "And the noble and military group behind Minister Shen has never been of one mind with us civil officials, and their attitude on this matter is even more ambiguous."

He observed Gu Qianfan's expression and saw that he was listening attentively, with hatred for the "great villain" and a longing for the "righteous path" flashing in his eyes. He continued to guide him, his tone sharp and suggesting that he had found the key to breaking the deadlock.

"Therefore, if we rely solely on conventional memorials for impeachment, it will be like scratching an itch through a boot. Not only will it be difficult to shake them in the slightest, but it may also alert them and make them more prepared. At that time, it will be even more difficult to eliminate the traitor!"

Hearing this, Gu Qianfan became anxious and couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, what do you think we should do? Should we just let this scoundrel wreak havoc on the court?"

His young face was filled with resentment and impatience.

A glint flashed in Qi Mu's eyes, knowing that the fish had taken the bait.

He stroked his beard, leaned closer, and lowered his voice as if revealing a huge secret: "Nephew, don't worry, there's always a way out. Now, there's an excellent opportunity, though fraught with danger, that may strike at the heart of the matter and achieve victory in one fell swoop!"

"What opportunity?"

Gu Qianfan pressed for an answer, her eyes fixed on Qi Mu.

"Imperial City Guard!"

Qi Mu paused deliberately when he uttered those three words, observing Gu Qianfan's reaction.

As expected, Gu Qianfan's face showed astonishment and a hint of instinctive rejection.

This is normal. For scholars who have received orthodox Confucian education since childhood, the Imperial City Guard was indeed a notorious place of "lackeys" and "cruel officials".

Qi Mu had anticipated this and immediately explained, "Nephew, do not underestimate this because of his reputation."

"Although the Imperial City Guard is a henchman organization despised by the upright officials, it is the emperor's personal guard, in charge of guarding the palace, spying on intelligence in the capital and even the whole country, and has access to countless confidential secrets!"

"This is precisely the best way to expose Xiao Qinyan's faction's cronyism and illegal activities! Its importance is comparable to that of a scout in the army, and it concerns the overall outcome of the battle!"

Seeing that Gu Qianfan's expression had softened, he continued to analyze the key figures.

"Moreover, the envoy in charge of the Imperial City Guard, Lei Jing," Qi Mu's lips curled into a barely perceptible sneer, "is a eunuch by birth, greedy, short-sighted, and narrow-minded." "He holds this important position despite his disability, and what he craves most is the recognition and support of the civil officials of the outer court, especially those of us from the upright faction, in order to solidify his seemingly illustrious but actually precarious position of power."

"This person is extremely easy to exploit and control," Qi Mu asserted.

"If you, as a newly appointed scholar, were to voluntarily serve in the Imperial City Guard," Qi Mu's gaze deepened, deliberately emphasizing, "with your talent and knowledge, and... and your indelible blood relation with Xiao Qinyan..."

At this point, Qi Mu paused, looking at Gu Qianfan with an open and honest gaze, as if he had nothing to hide: "Nephew, it is not appropriate for your uncle to speak falsely about this matter."

“People like Lei Jing will definitely value your status. But this is not a bad thing! As the ancient saying goes, ‘Those who conduct themselves should not be concerned with lofty principles, and those who observe the world should not be concerned with corrupt practices.’ A great man should judge his actions by his deeds, not his intentions, for no one has ever been perfect in terms of intentions.”

"What matters is the righteousness you uphold! Use this identity as a stepping stone to infiltrate its core, gain its trust, and you will achieve great things!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Qianfan's expression changed slightly, and his lips moved as if he wanted to urgently explain that he had absolutely no connection with Xiao Qinyan.

Qi Mu, however, seemed to have anticipated this. He preemptively grabbed Qi Mu's wrist and interrupted him with utmost sincerity: "Nephew, do not say more! Your uncle trusts you!"

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have been so open with you! You have the pure blood of the Gu family flowing through your veins, and your mother is the daughter of a family friend of mine. How could your uncle not know your character? It is precisely because you and Xiao Qinyan are not on the same path that your uncle dares to entrust this important task to you!"

This combination of denial and attack not only highlighted the practical necessity of utilizing relationships but also provided ample "trust" and moral support, completely dispelling Gu Qianfan's concerns and resistance.

Qi Mu's voice became even more seductive, painting a magnificent picture for him: "Imagine that you will be in the heart of the Imperial City Guard, like a sharp blade piercing the enemy's heart!"

"Every move of the Xiao faction, their conspiracies, and their evidence will be continuously transmitted through your hands. When the time is ripe, we will mobilize the censors and officials outside to impeach them in succession, while you provide crucial and irrefutable evidence inside. With the help of both inside and outside, we will surely be able to uproot this treacherous and harmful pest in one fell swoop!"

"Although this act was fraught with peril, it is a great deed for the nation and will benefit future generations! It not only cleanses the court but also proves to the world and to your mother that you, Gu Qianfan, are a loyal and upright official, unlike your power-hungry biological father, and that you have taken completely different paths! This is the true way to prove the innocence of your Gu family!"

"This……"

These words perfectly combined the noble cause of "eliminating traitors for the country," the tragic heroism of "sacrificing oneself for righteousness," and the desire to "prove oneself," igniting Gu Qianfan's young and passionate heart like the most intense flame.

In particular, Qi Mu's mention of his mother reminded him of how Xiao Qinyan abandoned him and his mother for power!
"it is good!"

Gu Qianfan gritted his teeth and agreed, a determined look flashing in his eyes, and said, "Uncle, I... I'll go into... the Imperial City Guard..."

Qi Mu patted Gu Qianfan's shoulder with concern, but said nothing.

Gu Qianfan believed wholeheartedly in Qi Mu's perfect picture of "cooperation from within and without," and was completely enveloped by a noble sense of mission. However, he completely ignored the terrible nature of humanity.

They failed to see the enormous risks, the complex human calculations, and Qi Mu's deeper purpose in using this opportunity to infiltrate the Qingliu faction into the Imperial City Guard, thereby increasing his leverage in the struggle against the nobility group.