When the first dish was served, Chu Fan said, "Lord Changsun, I apologize for disturbing you. Let's all start eating now."
After Chu Fan finished speaking, he picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth to taste. He knew that in this world where imperial power was supreme, if he didn't pick up his chopsticks first, the people of the Changsun family would not dare to pick up their chopsticks.
At this moment, Changsun Dechong and everyone in the Changsun family stared at Chu Fan with wide eyes. They were filled with shock, thinking: Doesn't His Majesty need a eunuch to taste the food first and confirm that it is correct before eating it?
Seeing this, Chang Sun Dechong was deeply moved. However, he did not say much and just silently asked his family to start eating, as if everything was natural.
Seeing His Majesty dining so harmoniously in their home, Changsun Pinting and her sister were incredibly happy. Changsun Pinting whispered to her sister, "Your Majesty is so approachable; it's truly a blessing for us all."
After Chu Fan had dinner at the Changsun family, he returned to the palace. No matter how lively the Changsun family was, it was still just the Changsun family, not his own home, and he couldn't help feeling a little lonely.
Back in the palace, Chu Fan stood alone by his bedroom window, gazing at the twinkling stars in the night sky, his mind racing. The palace's silence contrasted sharply with the bustling atmosphere of the Changsun household, and a sense of loneliness washed over him. Meanwhile, the Changsun family sat together, discussing why His Majesty had come to their residence today.
Zhangsun Dechong's eldest son, Zhangsun Liangzhe, asked with a puzzled tone, "Why would Your Majesty think of coming to our Zhangsun family for a meal during the New Year? Is there some hidden meaning behind this?"
Changsun Dechong didn't really understand. After all, who would have thought that His Majesty would come to their house just to eat because he was lonely? He secretly speculated that perhaps there was some unknown purpose behind this.
Changsun Liangzhong pondered for a moment, then said, "I have an idea, but I don't know if it's right."
Changsun Dechong nodded to his second son, Changsun Liangzhong, and motioned him to continue. He expected his son to say something insightful.
Changsun Liangzhong said slowly, "Perhaps His Majesty wants to use this opportunity to tell our Changsun family and the ministers in the court that his father's demotion wasn't because he lost his trust, but simply because he made a mistake. That's why he was removed from his position as Minister of War."
After Chang Sun Dechong was demoted by Chu Fan from the first-rank Minister of War to the third-rank Minister of Energy because of his poor supervision of the three citadels, many ministers in the court believed that Chang Sun Dechong was not appreciated by the emperor. After all, Chang Sun Dechong had made considerable contributions before making the mistake.
Changsun Dechong was responsible for the rescue of the disaster victims and the construction of the three citadels. Even if he had made no contributions, he had made some contributions. His Majesty's direct demotion of Changsun Dechong to the third rank surprised many and made them think twice. People couldn't help but wonder if this meant that Changsun Dechong's status in His Majesty's heart had declined significantly.
Changsun Liangzhong continued, "And today, His Majesty came to the Changsun family to eat the New Year's Eve dinner. Since His Majesty did not ask anyone to test for poison and ate the food cooked by his family directly, it is undoubtedly a great trust in the Changsun family."
After hearing this, Changsun Dechong's eyes flashed with understanding, and he nodded. "If that's the case, Your Majesty's move is not only a sign of trust in me personally, but also an affirmation of the Changsun family. Perhaps this is also Your Majesty's way of declaring to the world that although I, Changsun Dechong, have made mistakes in the past, my family is still trustworthy."
Changsun Liangzhong's analysis was unanimously recognized by the Changsun family. They deeply understood the good intentions behind His Majesty's decision, and this trust and affirmation from the royal family made them feel extremely honored and proud.
Changsun Dechong firmly expressed his resolve: "From now on, the Changsun family will do its utmost to assist Your Majesty and live up to His Majesty's deep trust and earnest expectations of the Changsun family."
The members of the Changsun family nodded one after another, their hearts filled with loyalty and respect for His Majesty.
However, Chu Fan was completely unaware of these events. He was unaware that his actions had inadvertently deepened the Changsun family's loyalty to the imperial family and strengthened their resolve to serve the court. This, in turn, made it even more difficult for him to complete his mission.
After Chu Fan's visit to the Changsun family, rumors of what had transpired spread among the Changsun family's servants. Ministers at court began to reassess their own family's relationship with the Changsun family. They gradually realized that despite the demotion, the Changsun family's position had not been shaken, but rather solidified by the emperor's trust.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, two days have passed. Mu Xi and other girls have also entered the palace and played with Chu Fan. Chu Fan's life has returned to the former bustle and laughter.
Of course, Chu Fan didn't spend his days playing. On the third day of the Lunar New Year, he organized all civil and military officials to visit the Martyrs' Cemetery and hold a grand memorial ceremony to commemorate the heroes who had sacrificed their lives for their country. This act not only demonstrated Chu Fan's deep respect for the sacrificed civilians, but also invisibly strengthened the cohesion and patriotic sentiment of the people of Wei.
In the days that followed, Chu Fan stayed in the palace without leaving. However, during this period, Kaifeng City in Wei State welcomed an endless stream of visitors, and people from other cities and even other countries flocked to Kaifeng City.
Of course, with the increase in the flow of people, some incidents are inevitable. At this time, a young man from a noble family from the State of Gan arrived in Kaifeng. The State of Gan had lost hundreds of thousands of elite troops in the previous invasion of the State of Wei.
Therefore, this prince from the State of Gan always harbored deep resentment towards the State of Wei. When he saw with his own eyes that the soldier who had killed their general from the State of Gan was buried in the Martyrs' Cemetery in Kaifeng City, and that the soldier's achievements were even recorded in detail on the tombstone, he was extremely indignant.
He knew clearly that he was currently in the State of Wei and could not easily take drastic actions. However, when he saw the first twenty-one names engraved on the Hero Tower, he could not help but smile ironically.
The prince of the Gan Kingdom pointed at the names on the Hero Tower and said to his companions, "Look! The Emperor of Wei is so lowly that he actually built a martyrs' cemetery next to the imperial mausoleum. Such a nonsensical thing, burying these lowly people next to the imperial mausoleum?"
He continued to question, "Doesn't the Emperor of Wei know that the royal family is supreme? He actually allowed these lowly people to be buried with the previous emperors. This is simply absurd."
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