The Prodigal Son

On the way home, Gao Dan's face was gloomy in the carriage.

Although Xue Chengdao was careful in his actions, being beaten in public by Xue Chengdao still made him feel utterly humiliated.

The key point is that Xue Chengdao was only fined one year's salary?

Once someone reaches Xue Chengdao's position, a year's salary deduction has absolutely no impact!

"Father, are we just going to let this go?"

Gao Dan rubbed his swollen cheeks and asked indignantly.

"So what do you want to do next?"

Gao Yi's expression was also not good. He scolded his son impatiently, "Look at you! You're such a grown man, don't you know any manners? You've only been in court for a few days, and you dare to attack Xue Chengdao?"

"I……"

Gao Dan was extremely frustrated. "I was just thinking... because Xue Chengdao and Qin Yu have different opinions..."

"You want to sow discord between them and give His Majesty an excuse to attack Xue Chengdao, right?"

Gao Yi directly saw through his son's little scheme.

Gao Dan slightly opened his mouth, then silently nodded.

"madness!"

Gao Yi glared at his son, his face dark. "Do you think anyone can't see through your little scheme? Do you think this little thing can drive a wedge between the Qin and Xue families?"

Why?

Gao Dan retorted, unconvinced, "Xue Chengdao is clearly negating Qin Yu!"

"So that beating you took really wasn't for nothing!"

Gao Yi shook his head in disappointment. "Who told you that disagreement means rejecting the other person? Does that mean that if I agree with Qin Yu, I'm on Qin Yu's side?"

"this……"

Faced with Gao Yi's question, Gao Dan was speechless.

Gao Yi glanced at him disdainfully and asked again, "Who do you think is right and who is wrong?"

Gao Dan pondered silently for a moment, then replied, "Currently, Qin Yu's strategy is more correct!"

"fart!"

Gao Yi was even more disappointed. "Let me tell you, none of them are wrong; they're just in different positions!"

"what?"

Gao Dan looked at his father in astonishment, not understanding what was going on.

Nobody is at fault?

Meeting Gao Dan's gaze, Gao Yi couldn't help but secretly shake his head.

He used to think that his son was talented and learned, but lacked experience in court politics.

Now it seems I overestimated him!

He couldn't even understand such a simple question.

This is utterly disappointing!

Gao Yi took a few deep breaths, suppressing the urge to unleash a torrent of abuse on his son, and explained, "Xue Chengdao is the Minister of War, a commander-in-chief! Qin Yu, on the other hand, is currently only the Grand General of Wuwei, a general! A general and a commander-in-chief have different perspectives..."

A general only needs to consider one battle.

But a leader must consider the overall situation!

Qin Yu wants to wage a war of attrition, and that's right!

Xue Chengdao didn't want to fight a war of attrition, and that's not wrong!

Qin Yu focused on the present, while Xue Chengdao focused on the future!

Qin Yu saw Shuozhou, while Xue Chengdao saw the whole world!

Bei Qi probably wouldn't dare to engage in an endless war of attrition with Da Ning at this time.

Qin Yu's strategy might indeed be able to recover Shuozhou, but that's all it will ever be!

For Xue Chengdao, a mere Shuozhou was not worth sacrificing the lives of tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of soldiers!

It's easy to fill in the gaps, but it's difficult to rebuild so many troops.

Qin Yu was determined to fight for every inch of land!

Xue Chengdao, however, thought there was plenty of time in the future!

There's no right or wrong!

It's just a difference of opinion!

Gao Dan was stunned.

After a long while, Gao Dan finally came to his senses. "From what Father is saying, you seem to agree more with Xue Chengdao and Su Yu's opinions, but why do you support Qin Yu's opinion?"

"Because His Majesty needs my support!"

Gao Yi suddenly raised his voice, wishing he could kick Gao Dan off the carriage.

His Majesty has made his intention to fight quite clear. If I, the prime minister, the minister of war, and Su Yu, the regent, all oppose it, then there is basically no room for discussion!

Under these circumstances, he had no choice but to agree to go to war!

Gao Dan was speechless, glanced at his father with shame, and lowered his head without saying a word.

He suddenly realized that he was indeed too inexperienced.

Even now, I still don't understand the true nature of the imperial court.

"A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit!"

Gao Yi sighed softly, "His Majesty has already punished Xue Chengdao, so don't keep bringing this up!"

"Remember this: in the imperial court, it's never about arguing for short-term gains, but about who can stand the longest!"

"Before clarifying the situation, observe and think more, argue and speak less!"

"His Majesty's trust in Xue Chengdao is beyond your imagination. You can't persuade His Majesty to abandon Xue Chengdao with just a few words..."

Gao Yi patiently taught his son.

At first, Xue Chengdao was very angry when he hit Gao Dan.

After talking with Gao Dan, even he had to say that he played well!

He dared to provoke Xue Chengdao in public without even seeing anything?

Do you really think Xue Chengdao has been Minister of War for so many years for nothing?

After being reprimanded by his father, Gao Dan immediately became much more obedient, but he was still indignant.

Xue Chengdao said, "We've really settled this score with each other!"

"Achoo..."

Xue Chengdao, who was standing with Su Yu in the palace corridor, sneezed.

"Looks like someone's been talking about you behind your back!"

Su Yu, who was standing to the side, laughed and teased.

"Let them scold me! It's not the first time I've been scolded!"

Xue Chengdao didn't take it seriously. "Let's go. We've finished discussing things; it's about time we went to see the Empress Dowager!"

They called it a discussion, but in reality, the two of them were just standing in the palace corridor pretending to be worried.

Ugh!

I traveled all this way back, and before I even got home, I was just playing along with their act.

That was exhausting!

Fortunately, I beat Gao Dan up, which made me feel much better.

"Um."

Su Yu nodded slightly, and as she followed Xue Chengdao to find the Empress Dowager, she chuckled softly, "Do you think Gao Yi will hold a grudge against you because of this?"

"He should thank me!"

Xue Chengdao sneered, "If I don't teach his son a lesson, that dim-witted son will really think he's a high-ranking official!"

They are so arrogant and ignorant!

They dare to jump out and play without even understanding the rules of the game?

Did he think he was a remnant of the ancient dynasty?

Su Yu smiled and said with a sigh, "It's so nice to be a martial artist like you! You can beat someone up whenever you don't like them."

"You can go and beat them up too!"

Xue Chengdao smiled nonchalantly, "Gao Dan seems pretty tough, no need to worry about him getting hurt."

Su Yu shook his head slightly, "With my old arms and legs, I didn't manage to hit anyone, but instead broke my own back."

"Too!"

Xue Chengdao wholeheartedly agreed.

The two talked as they headed toward Cixi Palace.

Whenever they encountered someone on the road, the two immediately put on a worried and distressed expression.

After walking for a while, both of their faces were a little stiff.

After receiving the notification, the two finally met the Empress Dowager.

"Your humble servant greets the Empress Dowager!"

The two bowed.

The Empress Dowager looked the two of them up and down. "Why have you two come to see me?"

Su Yu sighed, "Your Majesty, this humble servant and Lord Xue have come to earnestly request the Empress Dowager to help us persuade His Majesty..."