The imperial study in Guanyun City.

The water in the pot was bubbling with steam. Fu Xiaoguan sat quietly and took a handful of tea leaves from a jar of mist to boil. He did not boil the pear blossoms he brought with him because he felt that they were indeed not tasty and were not as good as rose tea.

Emperor Wen finished reviewing the last memorial and sat down opposite Fu Xiaoguan.

"Did you pick these flowers?"

Fu Xiaoguan shook his head and said with a smile, "Shulan and Wenyun picked them."

"You don't like it?"

"It's okay to take a look, but drinking... is optional."

Emperor Wen nodded slightly. "Your poems and essays won first place last night. I'm sure they'll spread quickly throughout the Wu Dynasty. The students in Kyoto admire you greatly. Master Zhuang... the headmaster of the Lishan Academy, would like to invite you to give lectures to the students at your leisure. Wen Xingzhou would like you to recompile the 'Code of Neo-Confucianism'."

Fu Xiaoguan poured a cup of brewed tea and handed it to Emperor Wen. Emperor Wen took it, stroking the cup with both hands. He continued, "Wen Xingzhou said that he and you discussed it for a day a few days ago. He still has many questions about this "Law Code of Neo-Confucianism". He believes that you fully understand it, especially the legal part. If you can write it, this code will be almost perfect... What do you think?"

Emperor Wen's tone was very gentle. He did not mention Xu Yunqing again, nor did he say that Fu Xiaoguan was his son.

He gave two options, both of which belonged to the category of literature, but their meaning was very clear. Fu Xiaoguan had to stay and start familiarizing himself with the Wu Dynasty from these literary affairs.

Fu Xiaoguan smiled calmly and said, "Actually, I still hold the title of visiting professor at the Jixia Academy, but I came to the Wu Dynasty in a hurry, so I haven't taught a single class to those students yet."

He paused, then looked up at Emperor Wen. "Here's what I think. The Yu Dynasty still has a lot of things to accomplish. I need two years. What do you think?"

Emperor Wen was startled. "The war in the east?"

"That incident wasn't a big deal, but the real threat to the north. The real threat to the Yu Dynasty comes from the north. It's not just the barbarians, there's also a group of bandits there. Now that the climate is improving, they've become a cancer to the Yu Dynasty. I promised Emperor Xuan that I would go north after this trip. First, to eliminate those bandits, and second... to pilot projects in those two barren areas, to build some workshops, boost the local economy, and make life a little better for the people there."

Emperor Wen frowned, pondered for a moment, and shook his head, "It's too dangerous. I can't let you take that risk!"

Fu Xiaoguan did not refute this, but said something else:

"I also promised Emperor Xuan to implement a new economic policy. Now that Emperor Xuan has announced to the world that the national policy has changed to a combination of commerce and agriculture, the next step is to promote the revitalization of commerce. This matter, it's not that I'm arrogant, but I really must handle it personally, otherwise I'm afraid it will be counterproductive. I was born and raised in the Yu Dynasty. When I came to the Wu Dynasty, Emperor Xuan wrote me a letter saying, 'You must always remember that you are my son-in-law. If you don't make great achievements, it will be like I, the Queen, and Yan Beixi are blind. You should think about it!' So I have been thinking about this issue these days. If I give up halfway, I will really let them down."

This time Emperor Wen was silent even longer. He held the teacup and took a sip, thinking about whether there was a solution that would satisfy both parties.

"But your current status has changed. How about I write a letter to Emperor Xuan?"

"Your Majesty, the Wu Dynasty is now stable and prosperous, and Your Majesty is in the prime of your life. In fact, Your Majesty can have more children. I can be a military advisor or something like that. As for being the crown prince, or even the emperor in the future... I have to say something unpleasant, I think the dragon throne is too hard and hurts my butt."

Emperor Wen glared at Fu Xiaoguan. This kid was really used to being raised freely. Back then, for the throne, the water of the Ten-Li Ping Lake was almost dyed red, but he actually despised it!

"I'm telling you the truth, I... can't have any more children. I'll tell you one more thing, Wu Gan, the former crown prince, died last night on the way to Changning Mansion!"

Fu Xiaoguan was suddenly shocked. What the hell, does this mean that Emperor Wen has no son?

No, there is also his illegitimate son.

"Who is so bold?"

Emperor Wen smiled calmly and shook his head. "This is to ensure that there will be no disturbances when you enter the Eastern Palace. Wu Kun's death was to ensure Wu Gan's secure position in the Eastern Palace. And Wu Gan's death was to ensure that you can ascend to the throne safely. This is a very normal thing in the royal family. I was not overly surprised when I heard the news. Now the situation is that you are my only son left. Tell me, who else can I pass the throne to if not you?"

"Think carefully. You carry the blood of me and Yun Qing in your veins, and you bear the responsibility for the future of the Wu Dynasty. I understand your feelings for the Yu Dynasty, but you are undoubtedly the crown prince of the Wu Dynasty! If you go to suppress bandits, you'll be facing vicious bandits. If you implement new policies, the interests of many people will be affected, and they... are even more vicious than the bandits themselves. Tell me, how can I trust you to risk such unpredictable dangers?"

"If anything happens to you... I will not only let Yunqing down, but I will also let down all the ancestors in the Imperial Ancestral Temple!"

Fu Xiaoguan felt uncomfortable.

Emperor Wen was unable to have children!

What the hell, was it possible that Emperor Wen was too crazy when he was young?

But what should we do with the things left over from the Yu Dynasty?

Fu Xiaoguan did not doubt his ability to be emperor, but this job... was really hard!

Emperor Wen looked at Fu Xiaoguan's troubled face with loving care, thinking that his mother had killed Wu Gan just to prevent Fu Xiaoguan from giving up his responsibilities.

Now it seems to be working, but this kid is still struggling inside.

"On the ninth day of the fourth lunar month, you will accompany me in the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the Heaven. On the fifteenth day of the fourth lunar month, you will be honored at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Your name will be recorded in the Golden Book, and you will no longer be able to live in Jinghu Villa. You must move to the palace. I intend to find an auspicious day in May to enthrone you as Crown Prince. From then on, you will attend court and attend government affairs."

Fu Xiaoguan suddenly took a deep breath, raised his head and asked, "You haven't even asked me what I think about all these arrangements. What if I don't do it?"

Emperor Wen was stunned. If you don’t do it, who else can do it?

"You are my only son. If you don't do it, won't it ruin the five hundred years of the Wu Dynasty?"

"Your Majesty, I actually believe that if Wu Ling'er is properly trained, she will be able to inherit the Wu Dynasty."

"absurd!"

Emperor Wen stood up suddenly and said, "How can a woman be emperor? Your father summoned you to the Wu Dynasty. Your father set up a plan to banish the Empress to the cold palace and depose the Crown Prince, all so that you can smoothly take over this great country!"

"A man's ambition is to reach all corners of the world! You love farming. Before, you used the river as your farm. Now, if you use the whole world as your farm, wouldn't you be able to achieve even greater success?"

"Son, I only trust you with my life. If you really don't want to do it... then let this land of the Wu Dynasty go to waste!"