Liu Zhao slipped away to Chang'an Palace for dinner.
She couldn't help but complain to Gu Jiu, "None of you children are considerate. You have a palace inside the palace, but you insist on living in a mansion outside the palace. Of course, the mansion you supervised is beautiful. But as children, shouldn't we accompany our parents for meals and show our filial piety?"
Gu Jiu laughed at him, "They eat with you, yet you find them annoying. They're sensible and don't bother you. And yet you find them annoying because they don't live in the palace and don't eat with you. You're such a hard-to-please person."
"I just casually complained a few words, but you have provoked a series of counterattacks. You are really biased, and you only favor the children. You built a mansion for them, but refused to build Xingqing Palace for me. Humph!"
Liu Zhao was like a little child, jealous and vying for favors.
Gu Jiu was so angry that he laughed.
She stretched out her finger and poked his forehead. "That's all you can do. Tomorrow, I'll use my own money to renovate Xingqing Palace for you, okay?"
Liu Zhao smiled happily, "That's not necessary! It was renovated once when my grandfather was alive, so it's still habitable for now. No matter how much money we have, we can't just waste it."
It’s amazing that he is still polite to her.
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, "Are you sure Xingqing Palace doesn't need to be repaired?"
Um……
Liu Zhao hesitated for a long time. "It's hard to refuse such a kind offer! You insist on renovating Xingqing Palace. How can I refuse your kindness? I will listen to you. The renovation of Xingqing Palace is your responsibility."
Gu Jiu laughed.
Liu Zhao drank two sips of soup and frowned again.
she asked. "The soup tasted bad."
"No! I remembered something unpleasant. Do you know who Ruyang is attracted to?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "I know!"
"You already know? Why don't you tell me?"
"I was going to tell you after dinner, but I didn't expect you to bring it up so early."
"Trouble! The person Ruyang has his eyes on is actually Chen Zhuangshi's eldest son. If they get married, Chen Zhuangshi will have to be transferred out of the overseas camp as soon as possible. I hate this situation!"
In order to prevent one company from dominating overseas, if Ruyang marries General Chen Xiao, Chen Zhuangshi must be transferred from the overseas camp.
Otherwise, with the help of Ruyang's identity, the Chen family could easily become a hegemon overseas.
Even the second prince Liu Heng could not suppress the Chen family.
Just one overseas camp can bring countless conveniences to the Chen family.
The tens of thousands of soldiers in the overseas camps were all veterans of hundreds of battles and were by no means comparable to the soldiers under Liu Heng.
That's the difference!
It’s not about what will happen to the Chen family, nor is it about whether the Chen family will rebel.
But it must be done this way as a check and balance of power.
Power must be restrained and checked, just like the checks and balances between the three provinces and six ministries.
The chief steward of an overseas camp is already extremely powerful and has astonishing authority.
If the family has another prince consort and a daughter-in-law who owns more than a dozen cities, then any accident can happen.
We must not give people the opportunity to expand their desires.
Gu Jiu said, "I was just about to ask you, between Ruyang and the Overseas Camp, what do you choose?"
"Need I say more? Of course I'll choose Ruyang." Liu Zhao really doted on Ruyang as always.
I am your only daughter, so it’s never too much to spoil her.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Since you have chosen to help Ruyang, then think carefully about who the candidates are to replace Chen Zhuangshi."
"What do you think of my brother-in-law?" Liu Zhao asked directly.
Gu Ting?
Gu Jiu bit her lip, looking hesitant.
"Brother can be a general, but he's not up to the task of being a commander. He doesn't have Yang Ji's talent, nor does he have Chen Zhuangshi's overall perspective. To be honest, if it weren't for Ruyang, I really wouldn't want to replace Chen Zhuangshi."
"I don't want to replace him, but for Ruyang's happiness, I must make a choice."
Liu Zhao sighed, being a father is a burden!
Gu Jiu screened all the candidates and said, "Actually, there is someone who is suitable."
"who?"
"Your son Liu Heng!"
Huh?
Liu Zhao suddenly became alert.
"Is the second one suitable? He has never led troops in battle. Is he really suitable?"
"He has led troops in battle, but never in a large-scale war. He's also too young, in his early twenties, and I'm afraid he can't hold the line. The generals under him don't obey him and pretend to obey. If there's chaos in the overseas camp, all our overseas plans will be wasted."
"This solution is easy. Let's follow the boss's example and send a veteran to lead the charge. Let my brother-in-law be the veteran to lead the charge."
Gu Jiu frowned, "I'm thinking about it!"
"It's settled. Tomorrow I will issue an edict to confer the title of prince upon the second and third sons. This way, the second son can legitimately lead the overseas camp."
Gu Jiu was still hesitant. "A few days ago, I had a talk with the second brother. He wants to establish vassal states overseas. If I appoint him as the chief officer of the overseas camp, aren't you worried? What if he turns the overseas camp into his own private army? It will be a big trouble!"
Liu Zhao frowned and thought deeply, and took out overseas maps to analyze them one by one.
He asked, "How ambitious is the second brother?"
Gu Jiu said carefully, "He wants to split the land and become king! He wants to occupy a large area and have the final say in everything. I can see that he is trying his best to avoid disputes with the eldest brother. The two brothers are in this position. Even if they don't have such ideas, the people around them will push them to become king. He is well aware of the dangers, so he chose to go overseas.
Once he arrived overseas, he wanted to let loose and do something big. He would never pass up this golden opportunity to be the chief of an overseas camp. So this decision could be a double-edged sword, and if he wasn't careful, it could hurt the child."
"It was you who proposed that the Second Brother be appointed as the Chief of Overseas Camps, and now it's you who are opposing it. I'm very confused. Could you please share your thoughts?"
"The second brother needs opportunities to gain experience, but also needs to be restrained!" Gu Jiu said in a loud voice.
Liu Zhao motioned for her to continue.
Gu Jiu was very straightforward. "The position of Chief Steward of the Overseas Camp is a gift from us as parents to him. At the same time, let Yang Ji send someone to check him. The purse of the Overseas Camp is always in the hands of the Shaofu, so this is our check on him. I will give him five years. After five years, the position of Chief Steward must be replaced. Five years is enough time for us to find the right candidate."
Liu Zhao nodded repeatedly. "A five-year period is excellent! Okay, let's do as you say. Will the leader still be my brother-in-law?"
Gu Jiu smiled bitterly and said, "I'm afraid he won't be willing to return to the capital after going overseas. Let's change someone!"
"Okay, let's change someone."
During a meal, the couple decided on the appointment and dismissal of officials.
…
Emperor Liu Zhao summoned General Chen Xiao, catching Ruyang off guard.
She hurried into the palace, stamped her feet, and chose to go to Chang'an Palace to meet her mother first.
"Mother, I have something to confess."
"Don't be anxious. Sit down first and wipe the sweat off your forehead. Did you come here in a hurry? You're still in a rush, just like when you were little."
Gu Jiu took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Ruyang was anxious, but suppressed his emotions.
After a few years abroad, she learned restraint.
"What have you been busy with these days? I haven't seen you come into the palace. A few days ago, your father was complaining that you refused to come into the palace to eat with him."
"If the emperor doesn't mind me, I will go to the palace every day to eat with him."
"That's not necessary. Your father is a difficult man to serve! If you come to the palace every day, he will find you an eyesore. If you don't come to the palace for a few days, he will start complaining. The older he gets, the more he acts like a child, always needing to be coaxed."
Ruyang laughed, "In this world, only the Queen Mother can control the Emperor. And the Emperor only listens to the Queen Mother."
Gu Jiu laughed. "Young couples stay together in old age. If you think about it carefully, it actually makes a lot of sense. Children grow up and eventually leave. Only husband and wife can stay together until old age. Even if there are quarrels, life is still full of joy. You are also of marriageable age. Do you have any ideas for returning to the capital this time? The Queen Mother has looked for a few suitable candidates for you."
Ruyang was speechless.
Gu Jiu looked at him with a smile.
Ruyang suddenly felt that he had been tricked.
She lowered her head and smiled shyly, "The Queen Mother should know everything!"
"Are you referring to General Chen?"
Ruyang nodded repeatedly, her eyes sparkling, rarely showing her little girlish demeanor.
"Do you really like it?"
Ruyang nodded.
"Mutual affection?"
Ruyang nodded again.
"Have you ever shared your true feelings with each other?"
Ruyang looked embarrassed.
"Was he the first to break the window paper, or you..."
"It's like provoking each other!"
My daughter is quite proactive.
As the lord of dozens of cities, he naturally had to be proactive. The same was true in relationships.
Good!
Gu Jiu asked again: "What do you think is good about him?"
Ruyang's eyes lit up. "He's good in every way! He can fight, train soldiers, is handsome, and can read. He's already passed the exam for a scholar. Given time to prepare, he should have no problem passing the exam for a juren or jinshi. He also has a long-term vision, doesn't care about the gains and losses of the moment, and can let go. He's good at dancing, can fight on horseback, and can also govern the people on foot! Many people say he has the demeanor of Yang Xianggong, and he's worthy of being Yang Xianggong's student."
"Thanks to your reminder, I just remembered that General Chen once studied under Master Yang Jiyang. A great teacher produces a great student, that's true. But if your father hears you praising him like that, he'll definitely be upset and complain about his daughter being extroverted for days. So, tell me, what are his shortcomings?"
Ruyang was a little embarrassed and shook his head slightly, "He has no shortcomings."
Gu Jiu looked at her with a half-smile. "Everyone has flaws. People without flaws are either saints or hypocrites. Do you think he is a saint or a hypocrite?"
"He's certainly not a hypocrite, and he's certainly not a saint."
"Then tell me about his shortcomings."
"He also has his shortcomings. He is too scattered and cannot accumulate wealth. He cares more about his subordinates than his family. He is quite strategic and good at calculating people's hearts."
"From what you said, he's a very ambitious man. He should know that marrying a princess would hinder his career. How can someone who is so focused on pursuing a career in the government be willing to be the princess's consort?"
"Does the Queen suspect that his intentions are not pure?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "Have you also suspected him?"
Ruyang admitted generously, "Yes, my daughter also suspected him."
"Then why are you willing to choose him as your consort?"
Ruyang said solemnly, "My daughter knows he is very ambitious. I told him that with his family background and upbringing, when he is in his fifties or sixties, he will probably have a chance to become an official. However, it is just a chance, not a guarantee. He is not a Jinshi, so if he wants to become an official, he will have to spend a few more years taking the imperial examinations. To become an official, one must slowly accumulate experience. By the time he is in his fifties or sixties, there might be another Yang Xianggong emerging, and his efforts will be in vain.
But if you marry me, within ten years, I will establish a vassal state, and he will be my consort, a vassal king. I will share his glory! I presented him with two futures to choose from: a career in government or working with me to build a vassal state. He chose the latter.
Gu Jiu said, "He has a third option. He can choose to be a military commander, like his father."
Ruyang said, "As a military commander, you will always be outshined by civil officials. He said, either don't do it, or do it to the best of your ability. I had a deep talk with him. Our marriage, with interests mixed in with our feelings, can never be pure. But we can work towards the same goal, just like my father and mother.
There's nothing wrong with being open with each other, revealing our selfish sides and ambitions. I accept his ambitions, and he accepts mine. Let's seek common ground while reserving differences, without looking down on each other or being hypocritical. Let's discuss any issues, without any pretense or pretense.
He's not a good person, and I'm certainly not a good person either. We both have blood on our hands, so let's not play tricks on each other. We'll be the ones who understand each other best, equally bad, equally ambitious, and equally full of evil. We're a perfect match!
Gu Jiu wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.
What kind of hardship made Ruyang see through the world and human nature at such a young age?
She hugged her tightly and said, "I'm sorry for wronging you!"
Ruyang was confused. She didn't understand why her mother was crying and why she was so excited.
"My daughter doesn't feel wronged!"
"Silly child!" Gu Jiu controlled her emotions and secretly wiped away her tears. "I want to see him and see if he is what you said."
"Mother, can you please promise your daughter not to embarrass her?"
"If I don't make things difficult for him, how can I force out his true nature?"
"When Queen Mother embarrasses him, please be merciful and don't be too harsh."
"That depends on my mood."
"I'll massage my mother's shoulders and legs!"
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