Chapter 448 Can't You Just Be Waiting for Me?
Luo Jiu was in a dilemma. It would be impossible to tell the truth because it would be too ridiculous and he would be executed directly.
In order to get Li Shimin's consent, Luo Jiu had to give reasons that were in his favor and convincing enough for him.
So Luo Jiu replied: "Because I observed the sky at night and found two emperor stars in the direction of Chang'an, one bright and one dark. And there is a record in the ancient books: After the third generation of the Tang Dynasty, the female ruler Wu Wang will rule the world. I guess this prophecy refers to Wu Cairen.
Therefore, if I take her away, it will be like taking away the emperor star hidden beside your majesty, making her stay away from the Tang Dynasty forever, so that your majesty will never have any troubles again. "
When Luo Jiu mentioned the prophecy, it was a real blow to Li Shimin and it touched his heart.
Li Shimin couldn't help but nod slightly, but his intuition still felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't figure out what was wrong.
Li Shimin hesitated for a moment, "Do you have the blueprint and formula for this cannon?"
Luo Jiu said: "Everything is ready, Your Majesty can just order the birth."
"In that case, please bring the blueprint to me."
Luo Jiu smiled slightly, "Your Majesty, have you agreed?"
Li Shimin was stunned. He didn't expect Luo Jiu to react like this.
Most people would assume that he was the emperor and his word was final, so he had to agree. Although he really didn't want to agree, how could she confirm it with the emperor in front of so many people? Wasn't it clear that she didn't give him room to regret?
Li Shimin picked up the teacup and drank water to delay.
Luo Jiu secretly sneered in her heart. It wasn't that she was suspicious, but she often fooled others like this. Others gained experience by stepping into many traps, but she dug many traps for others, so she had to be careful when she walked.
Especially when dealing with a shrewd person like Li Shimin, you must be extremely alert.
Li Shimin drank half a bowl of tea and finally said, "It depends on whether she is willing or not."
Luo Jiu: "If Wu Cairen is willing, Your Majesty will never stop him?"
Li Shimin touched his chin and said, "Of course."
Luo Jiu bowed: "Then I will go now."
*
In the library, Luo Jiu met the fifteen-year-old Wu Zhao.
This empty library, far away from the hustle and bustle, has only a vast sea of books and dust floating in the air.
The young girl sat alone at her desk, copying books quietly, as if everything had nothing to do with her. But when she turned her head, she could see the grievance and unwillingness in her eyes.
The eunuch who led the way passed on the message, "Mr. Wu, stop writing now. A strange man has come and wants to take you away."
Wu Zhao lazily put down her pen and said, "The whole world belongs to the king. Who wants to take me away? Where can I go?"
Luo Jiu smiled and responded: "Since the world belongs to the king, we will go to the outer world."
Wu Zhao stretched her head out and saw a strange woman across the uneven bookshelves.
I saw her dark eyes, which seemed to be smiling but not smiling, and her wise eyes seemed to understand the secrets of heaven. She was not wearing any makeup, just like the bright moon and the breeze. She was romantic and suave, and must have a lot of knowledge. She was upright and imposing.
Wu Zhao secretly thought that this person was quite good, and quickly stood up and saluted, "I didn't know you were such a distinguished guest, I am here to pay my respects."
Luo Jiu said to the eunuch, "I want to talk to Lady Wu alone for a while. Please help me, eunuch."
The eunuch hesitated, "This..."
Luo Jiu took out a silver ingot and said, "Money makes the world go round." The eunuch immediately left happily.
The two sat opposite each other and began a conversation that would determine their fate.
Wu Zhao asked: "Why do you want to take me away?"
Luo Jiu said: "I will take you to do great things. The world is so vast. This part of the world belongs to King Tang, and we will go to another part of the world to be king. Isn't this the best of both worlds?"
"Where's the beauty?" Wu Zhao tried to lower her voice, "You're saying something that could cost you your head."
Luo Jiu said: "I have done things that cost me my life, so why should I be afraid of a few words? I know that you are in the palace and have to be cautious and trembling with fear.
But why should we be the one with the neck stretched out, ready to be chopped off at any time? Why can't we be the one holding the knife? "
Wu Zhao took a deep breath and asked, "You want to rebel?"
Luo Jiu said calmly: "The current emperor is a wise ruler, and it is not easy to rebel during the prosperous Tang Dynasty. There is no need to rebel against him. That's why I want to take you away. Otherwise, if you stay here and copy these books every day, isn't it a waste of time? You are so young, you should go and travel the world."
Wu Zhao: "I have no choice."
Luo Jiu: "I am your second choice now."
Wu Zhao was silent for a moment, "I'm not wasting time here, I'm just waiting."
Luo Jiu asked anxiously: "Wait for that prophecy to come true?"
Wu Zhao did not give a direct answer, but said cautiously: "Anyway, I'm not waiting for you."
Luo Jiu: "I know you weren't waiting for me originally, but couldn't you be waiting for me?"
Wu Zhao looked into Luo Jiu's deep eyes, not knowing how to answer.
Luo Jiu paused, "Perhaps, I know what you are thinking. You are now in the palace, beside the emperor, the place closest to the pinnacle of power. You are afraid that going with me is a waste of time.
But think about it, a prophecy can make you lose favor, I am afraid there will be more difficult days in the future. "
Wu Zhao smiled bitterly, "I have never relied on your majesty's favor to live, so I will not die because of losing your favor. No matter how difficult the days are, I can grit my teeth and get through it. But... I really don't know how that prophecy came about.
At first, I felt very wronged, thinking that someone must be trying to harm me. But I am not afraid of death. I hope the prophecy is true, so that I will not suffer these injustices in vain. "
Luo Jiu came closer, "I can see the past and present, and I tell you, the prophecy is true."
Wu Zhao's eyes widened instantly, "Really?"
"yes."
Wu Zhao happily spread her hands, "Then...then why should I leave?"
Luo Jiu smiled and said, "Don't be happy yet, there are two reasons why you have to leave.
First, you have to wait until you are over 60 to become emperor here. Not to mention the many twists and turns you have to go through in the early stages, you have to become a nun, then marry the son of the current emperor, and rise from Zhaoyi to Empress, fighting wits and courage with those stubborn ministers, and you can only officially become the founding emperor when you are 66 years old. "
When Wu Zhao heard these words, her expression changed again and again. After a long while, she said, "So, am I doing a good job as an emperor?"
Luo Jiu hurriedly said: "Well, even if those historians are particularly harsh on you, you are still a good emperor who is beyond reproach.
Although you were officially emperor for only a dozen years, you actually held power for more than 40 years. Your reign was extremely important, as it inherited the Zhenguan Reign and ushered in the Kaiyuan Prosperity.
You created the palace examination and military examination, subdued the Turks, cracked down on the powerful families, supported the common people, rectified the administration of officials, opened up channels for people to express their opinions, improved the status of women, established female officials to participate in politics, and so on. Your achievements are truly remarkable."
Wu Zhao couldn't help but laugh, "I don't believe it, so there won't be any criticism?"
Luo Jiu said: "Of course there will be criticism, but why should we care too much about what the historians say? They just can't stand seeing a woman as the emperor."
When Luo Jiu said this, he shared with her a story mentioned by Professor Wang Liqun on the "One Hundred Schools of Thought" program.
"The conjunction of five planets is an auspicious sign of following the will of heaven. According to historians, the conjunction of five planets occurred in the year when Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, became emperor.
But thousands of years later, after precise scientific deduction and demonstration, it was found that the conjunction of five planets occurred in the second year of Emperor Gaozu's reign, but the historians deliberately recorded it as the first year of Emperor Gaozu's reign. Wasn't it just to prove that he was following the will of heaven?
During this process, later generations discovered that there were two other instances of five planets conjuncting in history, but these events were not recorded in history books.”
Wu Zhao leaned forward curiously, "Why?"
Luo Jiu told her, “Because those two times women were in power, they didn’t want to admit that women in power were in accordance with destiny, so they simply didn’t remember it.
I don’t remember the two times when the five planets aligned. The first time was when Empress Lü proclaimed herself emperor, and the second time was when Empress Wu Zetian proclaimed herself emperor.”
Wu Zhao asked in surprise: "Wu Zetian is..."
Luo Jiu answered confidently: "Yes, it's you."
Wu Zhao nodded, "If that's the case, I can't leave anymore."
Luo Jiu: "You have to go because of the second reason."
Wu Zhao: “What?”
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