After Lu Chengyong settled Zhou Xian, he had one more thing to do: send another woman away: Liu Liuyao.
He often helped to look after Guo Shao's women outside, but he felt that there was nothing wrong with this job. It was relatively easy, and he felt that the emperor trusted him. Imagine that the emperor even let him look after his own women, firstly because he believed in his loyalty and secondly because he believed in his character. This made Lu Chengyong very happy, but he was also very cautious.
The Liu Mansion is located in the inner city of Tokyo. According to Guo Shao's previous intention, Lu Chengyong would naturally give Liu Liuyao to her father.
Liu Renzhan was not treated badly in Tokyo, but he was under house arrest. He could not leave the house at will, as the door was full of people sent by Zhou Jun. So Lu Chengyong went up to say hello and took Liu Liuyao in.
After the Huainan Campaign, Liu Renzhan had been staying here, eating and drinking well. When Lu Chengyong saw him, he found that he was a little paler than the last time he saw him, and his health had improved.
Liu Liuyao burst into tears as soon as she saw him. She ran forward and knelt down in front of Liu Renzhan, calling him "Dad" with both joy and sadness.
Unexpectedly, Liu Renzhan was furious. He glanced at Lu Chengyong who was standing at the door, and said angrily to Liu Liuyao: "You have brought shame to our family. It's all my fault that I indulged you too much and didn't understand the greater good."
The woman was usually quite stubborn, but in front of Liu Renzhan she looked aggrieved: Didn’t I misunderstand that my father was murdered? And we are the people of Southern Tang, and that person wants to destroy our country. This national hatred and family feud, how can I not understand the righteousness
Liu Renzhan paced for a moment and sighed: "When Shouzhou fell, I was completely defeated. I asked General Guo, the current emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, to come to the top of the city to have a talk." His subordinates persuaded Liu Renzhan to come down and accept the surrender, but General Guo said that Liu Gong was too disdainful to do such a thing. In the military, there are successes and failures, and everyone has his own master, but I am not someone who can afford to lose. What did you do to the person who used despicable means
The woman said aggrievedly: I was wrong.
Of course you are wrong. It's all my fault for not teaching my daughter well. You can't even tell right from wrong in this world. No matter we are rich or poor, alive or dead, as long as we are upright, we will be worthy of heaven and earth. Liu Renzhan said earnestly, even if you use such means, you can't do it to Marshal Guo. He is the enemy of the Southern Tang Kingdom, but he is not a bad person. Fighting against each other to end the war is not a loss of justice. Even if I died fighting for the Southern Tang Kingdom, you can't treat him like that.
Liu Liuyao said sadly: Father, if you continue to speak like this to me, I will have no face to live.
Liu Renzhan sighed and said thoughtfully: You were originally meant to serve the emperor. We let you go even though you committed a serious crime. It was only because of this old man that we owe you this favor.
Lu Chengyong observed Liu Renzhan carefully. His eyes were indeed filled with some loss and sadness, which might be his emotions towards the King of Southern Tang. Seeing this, Lu Chengyong was very satisfied and immediately clasped his fists and said: "I am only responsible for escorting Madam Liu, and I will take my leave now."
Liu Renzhan hurriedly asked someone to escort Lu Chengyong, and the matter was finally settled.
Fu Jinzhan took the initiative to move to the Zide Hall at the back that day, but she continued to move around in the Wansui Hall in the name of taking care of her sister. Just to avoid suspicion, she also deliberately kept many palace servants around her, and there were already rumors.
Guo Shao hinted that he wanted to talk to Fu Jinzhan alone, after all, there were still some things in and outside the palace that needed to be discussed with her. So when they sat together for tea after dinner, he sent Fu Ermei and the palace maids away and talked with Fu Jinzhan in the dining room.
It is very luxurious here. Guo Shao felt that the daily life in the palace was not very comfortable, but he did not deny that the furnishings and expenses of the royal family were really exquisite and luxurious. If you pay attention, even the smallest things are carefully crafted and very sophisticated. And it is these countless exquisite and luxurious details that make up the vast palace, and the value here is indeed incalculable.
The palace servants left one after another, leaving only Guo Shao and Jinzhan. The two looked at each other in silence, and he was speechless for a moment, only sighing, perhaps with a little sigh.
In my memory, it has been eleven years since the young man first met Fu Jinzhan in Hebei; even for Guo Shao himself, it has been five or six years since he first met Fu Jinzhan at Longjin Bridge in Tokyo. The person he could only look up to from a distance back then, now sits opposite him on an equal footing, and the distance between them has been shortened to a minimum.
Guo Shao said: I really didn't think I would go this far at first. He sighed slightly. At that time, I thought it was quite simple. In this world, I still have some people I care about. As a strong man, I have to fulfill some responsibilities. I want those people I care about to live a good life, to make up for some regrets caused by my own powerlessness, and to make myself live a better life. But as I walked step by step, I couldn't stop.
Jinzhan listened to his narration very quietly. Even if he put aside the entangled favors and emotions, Guo Shao really loved this woman from the bottom of his heart. She seemed to be unique in the world. She was very wise and patient, and would listen to him; she was also very elegant and charming, and she was so beautiful in her posture, tone, words and deeds. In short, Guo Shao felt that communicating with her was very enjoyable.
She kissed him with her red lips and asked softly: I understand your previous thoughts. So what do you think about being the emperor now
Guo Shao pondered and said: Responsibility, desire and dream.
"Oh," Fu Jinzhan uttered only one word, but it had a gentle change of tone.
Guo Shao said: When I first sat in that position, I did feel the pride of being the king of the world. I felt very powerful and could hold the country in my hands. But with that came an inexplicable sense of responsibility. Because I can control the operation of this country, I have to be responsible for the fate of the country; it's like I am the head of a family, my wife and children are weaker than me, and I always feel that I should take on some responsibility to contribute to the family, so that I will have a sense of accomplishment and self-identity, and I am willing to do so, because I think it should be done that way, and it is right to do so.
Fu Jinzhan's beautiful eyes seemed to brighten a little, and she said softly: Maybe it is unfortunate for some people that you are the emperor, but at least it is fortunate for people all over the world.
Guo Shaodao: Yes, I care about people the most. At first, I only cared about my family, brothers and friends, but now, I may not be able to see how some people live, but I can imagine that they may be poor, have a hard life and suffer humiliation. They have been persecuted and hurt, and endured inhuman suffering, but for various reasons, they can only endure it. When I think of these, I feel a little bit sorry, and I have to try my best to change and help them.
Jinzhan bit her red lips and said: Of course you can do it, you are a real man, the emperor
Guo Shao added: "Besides that, I became self-inflated in that position, and always felt that I was omnipotent and could do whatever I wanted. But I couldn't explain how to express this power, so I wanted to achieve great achievements and do great things, so that I could truly feel such a powerful force. My dream was expanding uncontrollably. Since I was the number one person in the world, I should be able to do great things without restraint. I dreamed of building a powerful empire that surpassed the past and present, and let the glory of this empire shine throughout the world, surpassing the present and the past and forever praising it."
As he spoke, he became excited himself.
Fu Jinzhan did not pour cold water on him, but encouraged him: Mencius said, "Born in sorrow and die in comfort." You became the emperor, but you only took the first step. This country is not peaceful yet. If you stagnate, there will still be many hidden dangers.
You have to help me, Guo Shao, look at Fu Jinzhan seriously.
Fu Jinzhan opened his mouth slightly and said softly: My time in power is over.
Guo Shao said: I will make Jinzhan and my second sister queens, and you will continue to hold some power. I am the emperor, I can do whatever I want.
No, Fu Jinzhan refused flatly. Shao Ge'er can't do whatever he wants now. You just became the emperor, and the world is watching. If you do something wrong right after you come, the world will be disappointed and alienated. You don't have to give me any status, at least not now, it will harm you; not only that, you have to continue to pay attention to etiquette and stay away from me. The world is ruled by those with virtue. Shao Ge'er should not only have military power, but also virtue.
Guo Shao frowned and said: I was impulsive just now
I know you lost your composure for a moment, Fu Jinzhan said softly.
Guo Shaodao: That would not be good for you either. It would be uncomfortable if Jinzhan had a bad reputation in the world. Her prestige in the palace and the imperial court would be damaged, which would make it even more difficult for her to control the situation.
He thought about it, and his slightly lost mood was rekindled. His eyes sparkled as he said: If one day my prestige reaches its peak and I become a powerful ruler, then it would be a big deal for me to make my sister-in-law the queen.
In Fu Jinzhan's eyes, Guo Shao's performance was as if he was going to take his heart out. Her face was also a little moved, tears seemed to be flashing in her eyes, and her voice changed a little: In fact, you have this heart, why do I need anything else? But you are right, I look forward to that day.
The two of them fell silent, immersed in a feeling that was both light and deep.
After a while, Fu Jinzhan smiled slightly and said with relief: You haven't mentioned desires yet. The most direct thing is, when you enter this palace and become the master of the palace, don't you think that there are three thousand beauties here? If you are not satisfied, you can also select from all over the world. What do you think? Are you interested
Guo Shao's face was slightly embarrassed when he found that Fu Jinzhan's expression was half-smile, and her bright and clear eyes were very penetrating, as if they could see through people's hearts.