Chapter 120 Making Empty Promises [Bonus Chapter]
“It is normal to like fame and fortune. I have told you before that I do not care about it.”
Guan Zhiwei spoke in a gentle and kind tone, casually saying, "Now that you have become Empress, according to custom, I should confer upon your father the title of Marquis. However, I feel that would be too unfair to you. I want to give you a unique privilege, so I will confer upon your father the title of King of a different surname!"
If Zhi Junyuan had eyes that could see into souls, he would discover that Guan Zhiwei's soul had been twisted.
It went from a person to a cartoon character, then the lines became chaotic, all the curves turned into straight lines, and it became bizarre and grotesque. You could barely make out a human figure. The colorful clothes on its body were mixed with black, like a child scribbling something on with their hand, filling in a messy jumble of characters.
Her mouth became like a crow's, opening and closing, cawing for a long time, neither like a human nor acting like one, nor speaking human language.
He didn't see anything.
He was overjoyed: "Your Majesty, such a generous reward may displease the officials."
"As long as you are satisfied, I will grant a general amnesty and let the whole world celebrate for you and me."
Zhi Junyuan was flattered and asked, "Your Majesty has really forgiven my father?"
"Of course it's true."
The soul became even more twisted.
Guan Zhiwei carefully examined Zhi Junyuan. He was quite good-looking, innocent, and very likable. The youthful energy emanating from him was like a yang energy that replenished her aging heart.
She reached out and rubbed his cheek, saying casually, "Your mother died early, and your father raised you with great difficulty. He is your father, and therefore my father. I will definitely treat him well. Now that you have decided to get married, on the day of the ceremony to establish your empress, you should invite your father to the capital to watch. Don't let him miss this important event in your life."
Zhi Junyuan was so overjoyed that he completely forgot how Guan Zhiwei treated her father.
He said happily, "I will write to my father right away and ask him to come to the capital."
Guan Zhiwei smiled sincerely: "I will immediately write an edict to inform the world that I intend to make you empress."
This time, Junyuan wrote a very long letter.
—Father, if you want to be emperor, you should pass the throne to me, and I should pass it to my son.
If I become Your Majesty's empress and have a child, it's simply a matter of skipping one step: making you emperor.
Since you're thinking of your descendants, you should surrender to His Majesty as soon as possible.
His Majesty is very magnanimous and is willing to forgive all your mistakes, and even wants to bestow upon you the title of a prince of a different surname. Father, this is the third time His Majesty has invited you; please come to the capital quickly!
Stop now!
If you continue to be so stubborn, your son will truly be unable to fulfill both loyalty to the country and filial piety.
If Father is truly unwilling to attend my coronation ceremony, I will not force you. I dare not disrespect Your Majesty, nor do I dare to disrespect you. I have already resolved to hang myself.
Your unfilial son respectfully presents this.
When Zhi Fang received this letter, his mind went blank, and he immediately took two concubines.
It's not like he can't have children!
However, not long after, he received news that Guan Zhiwei had granted a general amnesty because of his upcoming wedding.
The imperial edict is a declaration known to all under heaven and cannot be faked.
The imperial court even sent an official to personally deliver the imperial edict to him.
This man was the Commandant of the Capital Region, whose job was to oversee the capital and the surrounding counties.
He also did something quite famous: he went to arrest the unlicensed doctor Guan who was conducting disaster relief without authorization.
Guan Zhiwei has now ascended the throne as emperor.
That's really awkward.
The entire court unanimously ostracized him. Although His Majesty did not say anything, isn't the way of the world to understand the unspoken meaning behind a word?
After much thought, he decided to give Gao Huan a gift, "because he had given me guidance in the past."
"He's already helped you once, will he help you a second time?" the wife asked worriedly.
Liu Zhihua said meaningfully, "You don't understand, do you? The best way to build relationships is not to make the other person owe you a favor, but to make you owe them something. When you do your best to repay their kindness, they will be least defensive."
As expected, he repeatedly sent gifts under the guise of repaying a debt of gratitude, which Gao Huan accepted. Gao Huan then pointed him in the right direction: "Now His Majesty values Zhi Junyuan the most. If you handle his affairs well, you will have no worries about not having a position in the court."
He happily accepted the task of delivering the imperial edict to Zhifang and immediately began praising him.
Praise your father, he has a good son.
Praising his son won the emperor's favor.
"His Majesty invites you to attend the coronation ceremony. After that, you should go to the Ministry of Personnel to report and have your information entered into your file. Then you will be a true king of a different surname. Throughout history, you are the first person to be granted a title because of marrying off his son. With such a son, what more could a husband ask for?"
Zhi Fang looked at the imperial edict and accepted it without saying a word.
Even when Yuan Qiuhe wasn't openly rebelling against the emperor, he still had to accept the emperor's decrees.
They were all in a state of rebellion, but one step away from declaring themselves emperors; they still considered themselves subjects.
This position offers both offensive and defensive advantages.
He summoned his advisors and confidants for a small meeting to discuss the matter.
Zhi Fang thought in disbelief, "Is she really blind to have fallen for my stupid son?"
"I think His Majesty is pursuing a policy of appeasement, hoping to ease tensions with the general without firing a single shot."
"If relations can truly be eased, it would be a wonderful thing. Your Majesty is a woman, and if she can give birth to the little general's child in the future, the throne will eventually come back to the rightful family."
Both advisors thought it was a good thing.
"I have accompanied the general on many campaigns and have had the honor of going on campaigns with His Majesty. I have witnessed His Majesty's bravery on the battlefield and do not believe that she is a woman capable of using appeasement." The confidant looked worried and objected: "General, you should not go back rashly."
Zhi Fang stroked the imperial edict in his hand.
According to his original plan, Guan Zhiwei should have been besieged and killed. In the end, he didn't die, but instead became emperor, forcing him to live in seclusion and dare not make any moves.
In this situation, the appointment of a king of a different surname is extremely tempting.
Not a marquis, not an earl, but a true prince.
"I have to go to the capital. Only then can I receive the title and reward from the king who is not of the same surname."
"What if His Majesty uses this as bait to lure the general there and kill him on the spot?"
Zhi Fang patted his confidant on the shoulder, "And you too. If she really uses a policy of appeasement, I will indeed bestow the title of king upon someone of a different surname and enjoy wealth and honor. Then, if I prosper, you will too."
His face suddenly darkened, and he said, word by word, "If she tries to lure me to the capital to kill me, I will arrange for someone to come forward and inform me as soon as I die. You help me slaughter everyone in these cities, leaving no one alive. On the road to the underworld, they will still be my subjects."
The confidant's expression hardened. "General, please rest assured."
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