Dugu Jie was so angry that he didn't order the horse to stop.
Just as the horse's hoof was about to step on Dugu Sheng's back, Dugu Jie finally reined in the horse in time. The horse raised its front hooves high, and Dugu Jie held on to the reins tightly, but he was still thrown off the horse.
He climbed up, pulled the whip off his horse, and lashed Dugu Sheng hard on the back. "Get out of here! Unfilial son!"
Dugu Sheng knelt down and responded in a resounding voice, "Father, I will not leave. Father, you cannot leave the capital for Shu now!"
Dugu Jie was just in good health, but he was frightened and vomited blood today. If he doesn't seek treatment from the imperial physician, he will die on the way!
Dugu Sheng clenched his fists and said stubbornly, "If your Majesty insists on going to Shu, then fine!" Dugu Sheng raised his head, straightened his back, and said loudly, "Then please, your Majesty, step over my body!"
Dugu Jie stared at Dugu Sheng with a flickering look, filled with sorrow. "You also know that she's dead?"
Dugu Sheng certainly knew who this 'she' was referring to.
Dugu Sheng said, "I know."
"Even you hid it from me..." Dugu Jie's tone sounded full of sadness.
Dugu Sheng glanced at Dugu Jie, and seeing his father on the verge of tears, he felt bad too. Dugu Sheng said, "Deceiving the emperor is indeed a crime, but I don't think I've done anything wrong."
"The Luo Dynasty has already lost a general who defended the country. We cannot afford to lose the emperor again! Father, the Luo Dynasty is a land that Master risked his life to protect! Now that Master is gone, Father, if you truly love Master, you should also deeply love the country that Master loves and the subjects that he loves!"
"Father, your life was earned by Master at all costs. You must not let Master down!"
"Your Majesty, I beg you to stay in the capital, govern the country, and create a peaceful and prosperous world for Master to see!"
Dugu Jie stared in amazement at the adopted son he had raised. After hearing these words from his adopted son, he realized his identity and his responsibilities.
He was the ruler of a country, the god that stood tall above the Luo Dynasty. The God of War had fallen, and the emperor could not fall with him!
But...
But the thought of Nangong Xian's passing made Dugu Jie's heart ache. He pounded his chest hard, tearfully asking Dugu Sheng, "I created a peaceful and prosperous world for your master to see... But my dear, your master won't be able to see it!"
"She'll never see it again!"
Another mouthful of blood spurted out of Dugu Jie's mouth, and this time, the blood sprayed directly onto Dugu Sheng's face.
Dugu Sheng wiped the blood from his face and supported his father's fallen body. He hugged Dugu Jie and murmured, "Teacher can't see, but future generations will be proud of you!"
-
Dugu Jie fell ill and was carefully cared for by the imperial physician for more than half a year before he fully recovered. After his recovery, Dugu Jie became even more diligent, holding morning court sessions every day and making two incognito tours each year to secretly assess the people's sentiments.
During his 39 years in power, Dugu Jie made 65 incognito tours, built two canals, and thousands of granaries.
The northern states of Chen, Jiang, and Qiang were affected by the war and needed nearly twenty years to recover. However, during these twenty years, Emperor Taiping had developed the Luo Dynasty into the most powerful state in the East, and the small northern states could no longer stir up trouble.
During those years, the Luo Dynasty was a truly prosperous and peaceful era with people from all over the world coming to pay tribute!
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