Even setting aside his official career, Zhou Yinghuai's character is still admirable and trustworthy.
The right-hand man was quite satisfied with him. It was a pity that the grandfather and grandson had mentioned it to him many times, both openly and secretly, but Zhou Yinghuai was like a teapot without a spout, unable to pour out even a drop of tea.
"It is only natural for a man to marry before he establishes his career. If you don't marry now, is there any other man in the world who is worthy of marrying a wife?"
To be honest, no matter what position you are in, I have always treated you like my own child. I also know that you have no parents and no one to rely on, which is why I want to become family with you even more.
Now that Your Majesty is the ruler of the world, she is no longer the golden girl from the small village in the northern frontier. Naturally, I would not dare to say such things to her again.
To be honest, compared to today, I actually miss those days when everyone sat around the stove on cold nights in northern Xinjiang, eating dumplings, drinking wine, and discussing important matters.
A high official career often leads to weak family ties. I don't want our friendship from back then to be affected by power, status, or other such things in the future.
That's why I want to be family with you. Do you understand what I mean?
At this point, the Right Chancellor's eyes involuntarily reddened.
Although those days were tough, they rekindled his youthful passion and ambition.
At this time, the northern kingdom was larger than the Great Zhou, and its development was rapid. It was inevitable that Jin Shu would rule the world. The most difficult days were over, and the remaining tasks could only be handled by the young people.
He returned to his original state: old, decaying, and helpless.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yinghuai remained silent for a long time.
“Your Excellency, I understand what you are thinking. Her Majesty is not the late emperor, nor is she the current emperor of the Great Zhou. She has always been herself and will never change.”
Right Chancellor, you should have faith in our Emperor.
The Right Chancellor looked at him and suddenly smiled helplessly.
“Child, I have long seen through your thoughts. You must heed the words of your elders. If either of you oversteps the bounds between you and His Majesty, you will never be able to return to the relationship you once had.”
"I know."
Zhou Yinghuai looked at him quietly, his tone indifferent.
"I know all that you're saying, so it's fine for His Majesty and I to stay like this forever, and the things you're worried about won't happen."
"Whatever you want, you child, you really won't turn back until you hit a brick wall."
The Right Chancellor turned and left, leaving Zhou Yinghuai in his official robes standing in front of the council hall, slowly turning around and silently looking towards the highest point.
"Jin Shu..."
He has never called out that name all these years.
We can't shout now, and we'll never have the chance to shout again.
——
With the establishment of the Northern Kingdom, the other major powers in the world began to gather their advisors to discuss the matter.
As the closest neighboring major power, the Great Zhou was naturally more panicked and vigilant than any other country.
"The Northern Kingdom is too arrogant. Not content with annexing Qi Yuan, they have now swallowed up thirteen small kingdoms in the Northern Frontier! They are about to break the balance of the world!"
The one who spoke was the current Left Chancellor, and a group of ministers below him offered their advice, their words quite vehement.
"Your Majesty, we cannot allow this situation to continue! As a great power, how can the Great Zhou sit idly by in the face of such injustice and barbarity!"
"His Majesty……"
Huangfu Rong's brows were so furrowed they could almost trap a fly.
He had just recovered from a serious illness, which had nearly cost him his life. It was only thanks to the gathering of renowned doctors from all over the country at the palace that he was finally saved.
But others weren't so lucky. Almost everyone who took the medicine prepared by Liang Qingqing died.
Initially, the symptoms of dizziness and fever did lessen considerably, but in less than two days, accompanied by a bout of violent vomiting, those who had been infected suddenly withered away like reeds in winter, beyond medical help, and died tragically and painfully.
Of the 50,000 troops, 30,000 were killed, and the remaining 20,000 did not even make it back before dying in the cold northern frontier.
The remaining soldiers who hadn't taken their medicine found Huangfu Rong, who was on the verge of death on the ice of the northern frontier, and stumbled their way back to the palace.
Looking back, Huangfu Rong still felt lingering fear.
What was originally just a non-fatal epidemic turned into a nightmare for the entire Great Zhou Dynasty because of Liang Qingqing's research on the so-called "oxytetracycline," causing countless deaths and injuries, and making life unbearable for the people.
Huangfu Rong was a wise ruler who wanted to govern the country well and lead it to prosperity and strength, but he didn't know how to deal with the culprit Liang Qingqing in the face of this accident.
That was his empress, the true goddess he publicly declared to the world. If she really admitted that this was Liang Qingqing's fault, wouldn't that be the same as trampling on his face?
So he forcefully suppressed the matter and reduced taxes for three years in the counties most severely affected by the epidemic, but this was clearly far from enough to make up for the loss of labor during the epidemic.
Just as internal troubles were brewing, the external threat from the northern kingdoms emerged.
All the ministers in the court were discussing the matter, with some advocating for peace and others advocating for direct military suppression.
No matter how powerful the Northern Kingdom is, it is still a newly established country. No matter how much it boasts of its strength, it can never challenge the majesty of the Great Zhou.
As one of the three great powers in the Central Plains, all the surrounding small countries bowed down to the Great Zhou and paid tribute every year. The Northern Kingdom was no exception.
"Your Majesty, why not use the pretext of hosting a banquet for the surrounding vassal states to invite the ruler of the Northern Kingdom as well? We can then sound out his intentions."
If she knows what's good for her, then we won't have to go to such lengths.
If she doesn't know what's good for her, then she'll never leave alive!
The suggestion was immediately approved by everyone.
Huangfu Rong frowned, and a deep "川" character between his brows made him look more than ten years older.
However, only a little over a year has passed since he ascended the throne, but in this year, Huangfu Rong has encountered more things that have worried him than in the first half of his life combined!
His physical condition and energy are not what they used to be. Sometimes, when he listens to the group of old men arguing, he even gets distracted and falls asleep.
It wasn't that he didn't want to listen, but he simply couldn't take it in. He was listless, and everyone in the court had noticed his condition.
This is no longer the spirited Huangfu Rong who ascended the throne back then! His mental state is even worse than when the late emperor was about to pass away!
But of course, no one dared to say these things in front of Huangfu Rong.
Who told him to be the emperor, and an emperor whose word was law and who did not tolerate any questioning?
So Huangfu Rong himself was unaware of how much he had changed until one day he woke up and looked in the mirror.
He usually disliked looking in the mirror, but today, when he suddenly stood in front of it, the haggard-looking man with lifeless eyes startled him. (End of Chapter)
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