Emperor Chu Xuan also said bluntly:
"We've all been through that time. I know they'll all have this day eventually, but I haven't decided on the final one yet. So I have to let you two down."
The two looked confused. What did it have to do with them?
Emperor Chu Xuan called out to the eunuchs guarding outside:
"Fulin, announce the decree!"
A group of small steps came in and picked up an imperial edict from the emperor's desk:
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims! General Gu Shengmo has made numerous military achievements and for many years has defended the northern border of our Great Chu Dynasty from foreign invasion. He is hereby appointed a First-Rank General, commanding the entire northern army. He is also granted a bounty of 10,000 taels and a residence. Gu Shengjian is hereby appointed a Second-Rank General of the Biaoqi Cavalry, with a bounty of 1,000 taels and a residence. Gu Wenxi is hereby appointed a Second-Rank General of the Wei Guard, with a bounty of 1,000 taels and a residence. I decree this!"
The two of them didn't understand what was going on. They thought, "Isn't this a good reward?" They both thanked him profusely.
Emperor Chu Xuan waved his hand and asked the two to stand up.
"Are you satisfied with the reward?"
Seeing the two of them looking so dumb, I could only say frankly
"The reward is good, but there is a condition. You may have to live in the capital permanently until the crown prince ascends the throne."
Wen Xi cried out:
"House arrest?"
Emperor Chu Xuan suddenly felt annoyed with Wen Xi's bluntness and had the urge to hit him with a stick:
"Don't be so harsh. You know that the power of over 300,000 soldiers in the entire northern part of Xinjiang is in your hands. I am also thinking about you. Otherwise, even if I let you go, others may not necessarily let you go."
Well, it really is a piece of thorny meat. Wen Xi really hates this feeling. Looking at A-di who was standing next to him without saying a word, Wen Xi could only feel sorry for him.
"Ahem, Your Majesty, I actually have something to report!"
"Oh, what's the matter? Why don't you tell me?"
"Well, it's like this. Where's the military power in northern Xinjiang? Actually, most of it is in my brother's hands. I don't have much."
Gu Shengmo didn't expect that his elder sister would choose this time to trick him, and he immediately felt unwell.
Wen Xi gritted her teeth and pretended not to see it:
"Besides, my reason for coming to the capital this time was to see His Majesty and to tender my resignation. After so many years of fighting, my body is no longer able to sustain it. I may not be able to fight at all. Especially since I'm involved in the toilet, it's better to make room for newcomers to serve the court! I only have one request, which is that I can return to northern Xinjiang and spend my old age in peace."
Emperor Chu Xuan watched the performance of the brother and sister falling out, and suddenly his mood became better. He stroked his beard and said:
"Can you really let go of the power you've fought for half your life?"
"It's just something you can't bring with you when you're born, but you can take with you when you die!"
Emperor Chu Xuan lowered his head and pondered for a while:
"If I don't leave you anything, it would seem that I, as an emperor, am too stingy. Others would think I'm just killing the donkey after it's done its work! How about this? Your title will remain the same, but your military power and position will be taken away. Since you want to return to the northern part of the border, I will be a good person to the end and give you another thousand acres of fertile land and a house in the northern part of the border. Whatever you want, just report to the Ministry of Works when you have time."
Wen Xi knelt down:
"Thank you, Lord Dragon!"
"This is what you deserve. We can't let the soldiers down."
Emperor Chu Xuan turned to Gu Shengmo again:
"As for you, there is only one way. I need you, so you must stand by my side. I want to guarantee your absolute loyalty. Because more than half of the military forces of the Great Chu Dynasty are in your hands. Don't worry, I won't keep you trapped in the capital. After all, the borders of the Great Chu still need you."
As the brother and sister came out of the Grand Council Hall, Gu Shengmo walked in front of them angrily.
Seeing A-di, who has become a middle-aged uncle, still act so childish, it is actually a little cute.
"Oh, this temper is really good."
Gu Shengmo said angrily:
"Why did you abandon me? I fought so hard to earn those little military merits, why would you give them away?"
Seeing that A-di was indeed very angry, Wen Xi put away the joking intention and replied:
"Mo'er, you've grown up and become a father. I can't stay with you forever. And as I said, I made this choice first to get over the past, and second for your and Gu Shengjian's future. And this future is not suitable for me. You have to know that I'm just a woman. An ordinary woman. Military merit is worthless to me. Besides, I'm not a child anymore, and my body is really not suitable for going to the battlefield. I wasn't forced to bring this up today. It's just a coincidence that happened to be in front of me."
Gu Shengmo stood there in a daze, staring at his older sister's now youthful and energetic appearance. Yes, when he was little, he always thought his older sister was as powerful as a deity, that there was nothing she couldn't do. Now he knew she was just an ordinary person. The only difference was her purity. She sacrificed her life for her family, for her friends, and for herself.
Gu Shengmo did not hesitate any longer, but said sullenly:
"Come to my house for dinner tonight. Yuan'er misses you. Don't make excuses. Wait until you return to northern Xinjiang. You don't know when you'll be able to come again!"
Wen Xi said straightforwardly this time:
"Okay, I promise to go."
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