In the past, the Emperor naturally didn’t want Zhou Gu to join the court at an early age. However, times have changed, and now the central government is in desperate need of personnel. Especially with internal and external problems and unfavorable circumstances, he needed to rely on the Crown Prince, so naturally, he had to employ those from the Crown Prince’s faction.
Zhou Gu was both a scholar and a warrior. If he could join the court after the examination this year, he would definitely be of great use.
But now Zhou Gu wanted to travel for three years.
The Emperor could not understand why and said to Zhou Gu, "Even if you have never been out of the capital for training, it will not affect your joining the government. If worst comes to worst, I could give you a position to train outside for three years. Why wouldn’t you even participate in the Palace Examination?"
Zhou Gu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, a training position is only about understanding local affairs. I want to travel around the world in three years to understand more about the lives of people in various places."
The Emperor nodded, "That makes some sense."
He asked, "Have you made up your mind?"
Zhou Gu nodded.
The Emperor asked again, "Apart from traveling around to understand more about local affairs, do you have any other purpose?"
Zhou Gu knew what the Emperor was referring to, he wet his lips and said, "First, I will travel around Daliang, and maybe I will also go to Dawei and Nanchu."
The Emperor said, "A good idea indeed."
He looked at the old Duke, "Since both the old Duke and the Crown Prince have agreed, I have no objections. While young, it is good to get more experience. Let that be the case!"
The old Duke gave thanks, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhou Gu also said thanks, "Thank you, Your Majesty." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
The emperor waved his hand and said to Zhou Gu, "After three years, when you return to the capital, I will examine you once, to see the outcomes of your three years, before appointing you to a government position."
Zhou Gu responded in affirmation.
After reporting to the Emperor, the old Duke and Zhou Gu left the Imperial Palace. The two shared a carriage. In the carriage, the old Duke looked at Zhou Gu and said, "Damn brat, what are you thinking? Don’t think that I’m old and clueless. I’m telling you, as long as I am not dead, you better not think about not coming back."
Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow, "Grandfather, when did I think about not coming back?"
The old Duke snorted coldly, "You haven’t given up on that little girl, Su Rong, have you? Don’t think I don’t know, are you planning to follow her to Nanchu under the guise of traveling? I must tell you, things in Nanchu are in chaos. If you run over to intervene haphazardly, watch your own life. If you lose your life, I would not be sad for the loss of you but your grandmother and your mother, they would not be able to take it. You must not be unfilial."
Zhou Gu knew that even if he hid his intentions, his old grandfather would guess a few things after eating salt for a lifetime. He simply admitted, "Rest assured."
The old Duke glared at him, "If I were to prevent you from going, you would likely not be satisfied for the rest of your life. However, if I let you go, then you will understand. In the face of all major situations, romances are just a small matter; insignificant. It doesn’t matter at all."
Zhou Gu remained silent.
The old Duke continued, "Don’t think that being born into the Duke Residence is a constraint, making you feel tied down, thinking that everything will be better if you leave. But you don’t know that once you leave, you will know that your identity is something you can never erase in your entire life. Your upbringing, your learning, your etiquette, are all deeply ingrained in you, something that you can never abandon, for the rest of your life. Even if you have a wild spirit, just your last name Zhou is enough to tether you."
Zhou Gu remained silent.
"Don’t be dissatisfied in your heart. You will understand in the future." The old Duke looked at him, "Do you know why I agreed so readily when that girl came to the Duke Residence to call off the marriage? Because I saw that the two of you are too different in all aspects; you are not on the same path. Since their paths are different, they should not conspire. But now you are stubbornly pursuing her, you must be prepared to accept that you may pursue but never get her, but you cannot ruin her path. Men of the Duke Residence do not behave in such a manner, harassing without consideration, harming themselves and others, and being oblivious of self-insight."
Finally, Zhou Gu spoke: "Grandfather, I understand."
The old Duke stroked his beard, "It’s good that you understand. Don’t use your youthful vigor to think that you are better than everyone else. You have to admit that there is always someone better than you, and there is heaven beyond heaven. Some people just have more advantages than you. If you can’t reach them, you just can’t reach them. One has to learn to give up to gain something. If you can’t even learn to let go, and want to hold everything in your hand, you won’t end up with anything."
Zhou Gu took this to heart, "Grandson will remember."
Although the old Duke was not satisfied in his heart, seeing Zhou Gu sincerely accepting his instruction, he nodded, "Your grandmother has repeatedly told me not to interfere with you, so I will let you go. Just keep one last thing in mind: you are Zhou, a descendant of the Duke Residence. No matter where you go, do not bring shame upon our family. Whether it is in actions or character, just strive to have a clear conscience."
Zhou Gu lowered his head, "Grandson will ingrain this, grandfather may rest his worries."
The old Duke cursed, "Damn boy, you cause so much worry."
Zhou Gu raised his head, there was some redness in his eyes and a sense of reluctance in his heart. At this moment, facing his white-haired grandfather who had spent countless hours on him since he was a child, he was feeling rather uneasy.
He didn’t know if his decision was right or wrong, but he knew that because he had support, with three brothers above him and little nephews beneath him, he could resolutely go to Nanchu, a faraway place, and seek an unregretted life.
"Since the emperor has agreed, you can set off tomorrow!" The old Duke seemed rather carefree, "Take all of your guards with you. I heard that your mother has transferred some people from Qinghe, if you go to Nanchu, that might not be enough, I can get some from the residence..."
"Grandfather, there is no need." Zhou Gu interrupted him, "The Crown Prince has given me all the secret agents in Nanchu."
The old Duke was stunned, "He gave you all of them? All the secret agents in Nanchu?"
Zhou Gu nodded, "Yes."
The old Duke exclaimed, "The Crown Prince trusts you very much. If that’s the case, I won’t assign any more people to you."
Zhou Gu had the same idea, he already had enough personnel with him.
As grandfather and grandson discussed, time seemed to fly and before they knew it, they had returned to the Duke Residence.
The Princess of Sheng’an had heard about the Emperor’s ready consent and learned that Zhou Gu was leaving tomorrow. She was very reluctant to part with him and pulled Zhou Gu to give him a lot of advice.
Upon hearing that Zhou Gu was leaving today, his three brothers in the military also returned to the residence. The whole family sat together and had dinner, as a farewell for Zhou Gu.
Zhou Gu remembered Su Rong’s words about visiting her before leaving the capital, so after dinner, he changed into nighttime clothes and, imitating Su Rong, climbed over the wall into the Xie Residence on East Fourth Hutong.
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