When I and Wu Min Jun heard about the assassination of the little Marquis, we naturally thought of one woman.
When it was announced that the little Marquis had died, as per instructions from Wu Min Jun, he did not wait for the Bei people to react and secretly brought Wu Hao along with the army and returned to Xi.
The people left behind were dumbfounded - Wu Hao actually went back.
This was all based on Wu Min Jun's considerations, which are naturally very reasonable. Although He Qin helped the Bei people, he was still a general of Xi, if he really stupidly stayed there with them, the Bei people will get angry in the future about He Qin being in their Imperial city, how can he stay there?
As Wu Hao had already left, the people of Bei could not do anything about He Qin, so they could only ask Xi to return Wu Hao. Currently, there was no one qualified to sit on the position of regent other than Wu Hao, otherwise, whoever else ends up in that sit will probably meet the same end as the little Marquis.
Of course, they phrased it differently. They said it was useless for us to keep Wu Hao, He Qin has worked so laboriously on their behalf --although not so laboriously, but they must say these words. Either way, Xi has exhausted manpower and resources and so it was impossible to just casually express that and so Bei said that they were willing to give us two more cities.
Because the last time my royal brother wrote to me, expressing concern over how the border towns of Dong were frequently being provoked by Bei, and the trade deals were also very unfair, I took the opportunity to express my hope that Bei can also be on good terms with Dong country, and promise not to attack Dong. In fact, I felt a little bitterness regarding this situation, Beiyuan is already very weak, yet Dong is still being bullied by them...Even though now was the time to recuperate, it really has been for too long...
I asked Wu Min Jun if he could let Bei pay the tribute of money, silk, cattle, sheep, and gold on behalf of Dong, Wu Min Jun happily agreed, so there was one more thing for Bei country to bear.
In fact, apart from Wu Hao, the main reason Bei was being so submissive was mostly because they had seen the prowess of He Qin. They were currently in a mess, if we chose to attack right now, I am afraid it will not be just a matter of two cities...
I looked at Wu Min Jun, knowing he must be tempted, but we have not switched our bodies back, if we want to go to war there are too many inconveniences, even more...I don't like war. If we can use this method to deal with Bei, it was better than going straight to war to waste lives.
Wu Min Jun knows my intention but did not protest. I think he has changed a lot, I felt happy and proud.
He Qin triumphantly returned, and the country was full of joy. Even the TaiFu, who had been ill, was suddenly in good spirit, I was very happy as TaiFu was the right hand of the ruler.
After Court, many officials surrounded the TaiFu, after all, he has been gone for a while and he was in better spirits than usual and was smiling like an ordinary grandfather.
After other officials left, TaiFu said that he wanted to speak to me alone. I quickly agreed.
TaiFu and I went to the Imperial garden and settled in the pavilion there. The surrounding flowers were very fragrant and the air was very clean. Now it's spring, so it was still a bit cold outside. TaiFu and I were sitting down holding hand warmers to chat.
TaiFu spoke first: "Emperor, the matters in the past, in fact, the old minister also did wrong."
I was confused, I didn't know what the TaiFu is talking about.
TaiFu continued: "When the late emperor had such an idea in the past, this official knew about it and thought of stopping it, but in the end, I did nothing... I have been a minister for three dynasties. I saw the struggles of the late emperor and knew in order to compete for the throne, the extent brothers will go to and how it will affect the Court causing chaos in the world."
I: "... mm, mm."
What exactly was he talking about? Is it related to the scars on Wu Min Jun's body?
Probably feeling my answers were showing a lack of interest, the TaiFu smiled and said: "This official knows that you are still very bothered about the matters from the past...Yes, your elder brother...Oh, maybe you don't want to admit that he was your brother, hmm, he really did too much. At that time, he was still small, but yet he used such vicious methods on you..."
I: "..."
It must be as I thought, it was really related to the scars on Wu Min Jun? What was this about a brother? but I have only known that the late Emperor of Xi only had one son, that was Wu Min Jun, the crown prince, where did an elder brother come from?!
TaiFu didn't notice my thoughts but was looking at the clear sky and said: "Oh, it must all have been destined for him to suddenly meet a violent end... at that time, when I took you out of the secret room, you were badly hurt, I didn't know, really..."
I saw that the TaiFu was actually shedding tears and quickly said: "I don't blame you, I don't blame you, I don't think you were not to blame... "
TaiFu looked at me and smiled: "It seems that after you married Princess Changyi, your temperament is much better...I know you must hate the late Emperor most... He always knew you were suffering but always turned a blind eye..."
TaiFu sighed and said: "The relationship between the father and son was so alienated, it was also expected for you to become a scary tyrant, it really is Xi's good fortune...perhaps this is also related to Princess Changyi."
He continued as though he were lost in his memories: "At that time, when you launched the attack on Dong country. In the beginning, the reasoning was sufficient, but it seemed you were consumed with the intent to keep killing, I was very worried... fortunately, now you no longer have a bloodthirsty aura."
I said: "Yes... at that time, my head was not clear..."
TaiFu smiled and said: "One cannot say, in the end, it is still all for the sake of Xi, but to govern the world, one cannot only rely on force alone. Your martial prowess is outstanding, you can lead an expedition to conquer Bei now, but rather you had them surrender land using other means... similar to the last time Bei handed over cities, the common people of those ten cities handed over are now disappointed in Bei, and if you treat them kindly, they will eventually pledge allegiance, right?..."
"... Although the enemy handed us the land, even though it is a small achievement, it is enough to let people know your intention to govern the world with both morality and force. This time, He Qin returned victoriously, although it was not a direct attack, our soldiers did not suffer many casualties, this is unprecedented and is a result of the wise decisions of the emperor ah..."
I nodded and said: "As TaiFu said... I never use force needlessly."
I noted down the words of TaiFu in my brain and intended to repeat them to Wu Min Jun.
TaiFu nodded: "Emperor, you are already very good now. In the future, the four countries will be Xi's, you must not be troubled and bound by things from the past."
Although I didn't know what "past things" TaiFu was referring to, I could hear the seriousness and sorrow in his voice, I nodded and said: "Certainly, Certainly."
TaiFu pointed at the surroundings of the garden: "These flowers, after the cold winter, are finally growing, just like the Emperor, even though you have experienced such a painful past, aren't you growing today? Unfortunately, I won't be able to see the day when you unify the four kingdoms..."
I somewhat felt teary and I quickly looked toward the flowers he is pointing at. The flowers blooming in spring, it was the most beautiful and most luxuriant time, the Imperial garden was very large, with bright yellow silk drapes hanging around on the pavilion swaying gently in the wind.
I gently wiped away the tears and said: "TaiFu, what are you saying?... You will definitely see that day."
TaiFu did not answer.
I turned my head slowly and saw him resting back on the chair, with his eyes closed, as if he had just suddenly fallen asleep.
In the first year of Feng Shun, the first TaiFu who has assisted three emperors died.