The seventh year of Jingming, spring.
The weather this year is very abnormal.
In March and April, the weather is sometimes cold and sometimes hot.
It was so hot a few days ago that you had to wear light summer clothes, but in the blink of an eye it became so cold that you had to take out your winter cotton-padded jacket and wear it.
There are twelve hours between winter and summer.
The weather is unpredictable and people are falling ill one after another.
The pharmacies in the capital were bustling with customers as never before, busy with seeing patients and prescribing medicine.
The imperial doctors were also very busy.
Because Empress Dowager Pei was ill.
I have been sick for several days. I took medicine three times a day, but my condition did not improve. Instead, it got worse.
None of the prescriptions written by Gu Jiu himself worked.
Liu Zhao was anxious and took out his anger on the imperial physician.
He said that if the empress dowager couldn't be cured, something would happen.
Gu Jiu didn't stop him because she knew he was anxious and angry.
No matter how big the conflict between mother and son was, when the critical moment came, Liu Zhao's mind was full of thoughts about how to cure Empress Dowager Pei's illness.
He can be an unfilial son.
But you can't be an unfilial son at this time.
It's not that I'm afraid of criticism from court officials or rumors from the world.
But I can't get over the hurdle of conscience.
Prince Duan Liu Yi also went to the Weiyang Palace every day to serve medicine to Empress Dowager Pei.
Empress Dowager Pei was tired of taking medicine and didn't want to continue following the doctor's advice.
She asked the palace maid to help her up and chatted with Liu Zhao.
"When does Ruyang leave?"
Empress Dowager Pei was very weak and spoke in a feeble voice. It was obvious that she had not recovered from her illness and was lacking in energy.
Liu Zhao said softly, "She was originally scheduled to go south to Jiangnan for training on the first day of next month, but I have asked her to postpone it."
Queen Mother Pei laughed, "You're worried that something bad might happen to me, right?"
"My Queen Mother will surely live a long life."
Queen Mother Pei waved her hand. "Every day they say people live a hundred years, but who can really live a hundred years? It's just nonsense. Ruyang is making trouble, why are you following her? She wants to go to sea, are you really going to let her go to sea?"
"Of course I don't want to let her go to sea." Liu Zhao also had a lot to say, "But this girl is stubborn and will not give up until she achieves her goal. If I don't let her go out and see the world, she will be thinking about it for the rest of her life. Even though I'm reluctant, I can only arrange for her to go to sea. I hope that after she fulfills her wish to go to sea, she will lose interest in the outside world and return to the capital to live a peaceful life."
Empress Dowager Pei laughed upon hearing this. "Ruyang's temper is just like yours. You were like this when you were young, too. Once you'd made up your mind, no one could change it. That's why I didn't like you back then, because no matter how much I tried to persuade you, you wouldn't listen. My words fell on deaf ears, like nonsense, like an ignorant old stubborn man. But God has mercy on you, and now I'm letting you experience the bitterness I felt back then."
Liu Zhao's eyebrows twitched, "Was I like that when I was young?"
Queen Mother Pei chuckled, "Don't you know what you were like when you were young?"
Liu Zhao pinched his nose and said, "I thought I wasn't such a jerk when I was young."
Queen Mother Pei shook her head and laughed at him. "When you were young, you were even more stubborn than Ruyang and refused to listen to advice. Ruyang at least listened to other people's opinions, but you, on the other hand, can't even listen to the well-intentioned suggestions of others. Why do I like the fourth prince? Because he is obedient. Whether he is really obedient or not, at least he is obedient in front of me."
Liu Zhao nodded. "As expected, no matter who they are as parents, they all like obedient children. I am no exception. If a child is disobedient, I will be so angry that I want to hang him up and beat him. However, even so, I will try my best to treat him equally, unlike the Queen Mother who is so partial."
Empress Dowager Pei didn't take it seriously when she heard this. Instead, she smiled and said, "I'm a woman, and women tend to be partial. If I like someone, I like them, and if I don't like someone, I don't like them. Treating someone equally even if I don't like them is really a test of my self-control. I come from a family of military commanders, so I'm straightforward in what I say and do. I don't have the good temper and self-control of the ladies from official families."
Although the mother and son were talking about serious topics, the atmosphere was very harmonious.
Both of them were calm and matter-of-fact, with no signs of quarreling at all.
"I am also straightforward in what I say and do. It seems I inherited this from my mother."
Empress Dowager Pei said, "You were born to me, and my blood flows in your veins. It's no surprise that you resemble me in some ways. But you're not close to the Pei family at all. Do you dislike your uncle?"
"I have so many uncles, which one are you referring to, mother?"
"Your fifth uncle, of course."
The fifth uncle was Liu Zhao's biological uncle and the brother of Empress Dowager Pei from the same mother.
Liu Zhao admitted generously, "I do look down on my fifth uncle. Among so many uncles, he is the most useless and incompetent."
"I don't like to hear that," said Queen Mother Pei, displeased. "No matter how useless he is, he's still your uncle."
"Even if he is my uncle, it cannot change the fact that I look down on him."
Queen Mother Pei sighed upon hearing this, "You are simply too stubborn. If the Fourth Prince were here, he would surely say a few nice words to coax me. But you, on the other hand, have never even considered coaxing me."
"If I were to try to appease the Queen Mother, would she dare to respond?"
Hahaha……
Queen Mother Pei laughed. "That's true! If you really try to coax me with sweet words like the Fourth Prince did, I'll start to suspect you've got some kind of dirty secret on you."
"I am the Son of Heaven, no dirty thing can get close to me." Liu Zhao said in a resounding voice, which also made his attitude clear. He is who he is, and he will not change.
Queen Mother Pei smiled, her eyes a little weak.
"After falling ill this time, I truly realized how old I am. I don't know how many years I can live."
"Don't worry, mother. The imperial physician said that once the weather improves, your health will improve as well."
Empress Dowager Pei nodded. "I hope I can live a few more years. I heard years ago that Wuwang had become the Imperial Master of Xiliang and was highly skilled in Buddhist teachings. When he was with Huyang, he was known as the "Little Great Monk." Although his personal morals were flawed, it did not hinder his spiritual practice. I would like to meet him and have him pray for me. I wonder if the Emperor can fulfill this small request of mine."
Liu Zhao looked hesitant.
Empress Dowager Pei continued, "I heard that having a high monk pray for blessings will bring great blessings. This is my only request."
Liu Zhao considered carefully and asked, "Doesn't the Queen Mother dislike him?"
Empress Dowager Pei shook her head. "Are you talking about what happened between him and Hu Yang? You didn't care and still used him with confidence. Why should I care? As long as he is a true monk, all the past can be forgiven."
"Xiliang is a long way from the capital. It will probably take a year to send the letter and return."
"A year? I don't know if I can wait until then." Empress Dowager Pei sighed, looking very lonely and desolate.
At this moment, Liu Zhao made up his mind.
"I will issue an order today to summon Wuwang back to the capital."
Queen Mother Pei looked at him, "Is it appropriate?"
"As long as my mother needs it, it must be suitable even if it is not suitable." Liu Zhao was very firm.
Empress Dowager Pei laughed and said, "I hope I can hold on until the day when there is no hope of returning to the capital."
"My Queen Mother will surely live a long life."
…
As expected, Liu Zhao issued an edict, deciding that there was no hope of recalling him.
Gu Jiu did not stop it, but instead cooperated with Liu Zhao's decision and selected other Buddhist figures to go to Xiliang to preach Buddhism.
Liu Zhao held her hand tightly, "Am I very willful?"
"You are only doing what you should do! The Queen Mother wants to see Master Wuwang, and as the younger generation, we must do our best to satisfy her if we are able."
"Tell me, how is Mother's health? How long can she live?"
Gu Jiu said carefully: "With proper care, three to five years should be fine. However, the Queen Mother seems to be worried."
Liu Zhao shook his head, "I don't know what's on her mind."
Gu Jiu comforted him, "Don't worry too much! Mother will definitely get through this."
…
After a few days of cold weather, the weather gradually improved.
Empress Dowager Pei's health also began to improve.
Ruyang went to Jiangnan anyway, half a month later than originally planned. She only set off after confirming that Empress Dowager Pei was safe.
Liu Yuhe took his brother and personally escorted her out of the city.
The three brothers and sisters were reluctant to part.
No matter how reluctant she was, Ruyang left the capital without looking back, taking the first step in her magnificent life and writing her legendary life.
Princess Ruyang is destined to go down in history and be praised and admired by future generations.
…
After sending his daughter away, Liu Zhao was unhappy and depressed for several days.
Gu Jiu took him to Xiaozhu Hot Spring.
As he was soaking in the hot spring, he complained, "How could you think of soaking in a hot spring on such a hot day?"
Gu Jiu rolled his eyes at him.
As an old couple, their daily life is full of bickering with each other.
People who are not in the know would inevitably feel nervous when seeing the couple arguing with each other, and would think that the emperor and empress are not getting along.
When people who know the situation see this, they will just smile knowingly.
The emperor and empress bicker with each other, that's the fun.
I can't say sweet words, they're too corny.
Bickering with each other is the best way for the emperor and empress to express their affection.
After staying in Xiaozhu for a few days, Liu Zhao's mood improved.
As soon as he is in high spirits, he is ready to do a great job.
After so many years of preparation, it’s time to make some moves in the south.
One day in midsummer, the war broke out on the southern border.
The Great Zhou army was well prepared and advanced with absolute force, capturing dozens of cities in one go.
Then the attack speed gradually slowed down and advanced slowly.
Use military force to cooperate with civil officials to restore order in the city as soon as possible and reap the fruits of victory.
In conjunction with the land advance, the navy also launched operations at sea to deter the enemy's coastal areas.
With a two-pronged approach, I believe we can take over that piece of land.
As the Grand Marshal of the Jiangnan Grand Marshal's Office, Yang Ji was in charge of the military affairs in the south.
Become the absolute controller of this war.
Even Gu Ting, the Earl of Chengping, had to obey Yang Ji's orders.
Anyone who dares to disobey orders will be subject to military law.
Some people stood up for Gu Ting. He was the Earl of Chengping, the uncle of the emperor, yet he was inferior to Yang Ji.
What virtue and ability does Yang Ji have?
Gu Ting slapped back and told his men not to talk nonsense.
He knows himself well.
With his ability, he can only be a general, not a commander.
He was capable of charging into battle, but he was incapable of fighting a battle or formulating a detailed marching plan.
Yang Ji is different! He is a true child of destiny, a genius with extraordinary talent.
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