Stepping into Hanshan, the autumn atmosphere becomes even more intense.
Since the Wuchao Wenhui seven years ago, Fu Xiaoguan had only come to the halfway point of Hanshan once, on the day when Eunuch Jia was buried. He did not enter Hanling Temple.
It was not because Emperor Wen died at the hands of the leader of the Buddhist sect that he resented Buddhism, but simply because he did not believe in Buddhism.
But today he came.
It wasn't that he had changed his beliefs, but that he was a little upset - about the enthronement of the crown prince, about the future of Daxia, and about whether he really wanted to give up the throne and pursue the life he wanted like his mother.
He had no intention of discussing Buddhism with the abbot of Hanling Temple, Zen Master Huijue. He just wanted to think about those problems quietly in the Yunqing Villa on the back mountain of Hanling Temple.
So he didn't bring many people with him. Apart from the Zhou Hui father and daughter he picked up, there were only two eunuchs, Liu Jin and Zhao Hou, as well as two masters, Bei Wangchuan and Ning Siyan, and his wife Susu.
Coming to the back mountain, he stood in the huge square and looked up at the Buddha statue for a long time. After a few years, the once glorious Buddha had begun to become mottled, with traces of time on its body.
The square was very quiet, with only the occasional bird calls and nothing else.
This place may have become quiet since the lively literary gathering. I wonder if the monks in the temple will hold a ceremony here.
Thinking so, the group followed him towards the secluded path and arrived at the pear garden.
The pavilion is still there. It was where he first met Nangong Piaoxue, and of course, it was also where he first met Queen Mother Xi.
He walked in and sat down, waving to Zhou Hui and the others, "Come, take a break."
Zhou Hui was thinking about one question all the way - what kind of person is this Majesty?
He had done a lot of research on Fu Xiaoguan and collected many stories about him. He thought he already knew what kind of person this Majesty was, but when he actually stood in front of Fu Xiaoguan, he realized that he knew nothing about this Majesty.
Zhou Hui walked over, but Lu'er followed Susu to the open space outside the Pear Garden, and the two of them started practicing against each other there.
Zhao Hou went to Yunqing Villa under Liu Jin's instructions. There were still palace maids staying in Yunqing Villa. The emperor's sudden arrival required the villa to be tidied up again.
Liu Jin took the tea set and placed it on the tea table in the pavilion, then took a pot of water and stood respectfully behind Fu Xiaoguan.
Zhou Hui lit the fire with a tinder and started to make tea.
Fu Xiaoguan looked at the spring in the mountain stream and suddenly said, "Seven years... Seven years have passed. Everything has changed, but the mountains remain eternal and the water remains unchanged."
"You've traveled extensively for over a decade, and you've witnessed the changes in the world. Let me ask you, after more than a decade of travel, what are your thoughts on the world today?"
Zhou Hui looked at Fu Xiaoguan in surprise, bowed, and replied, "Daxia enjoys a harmonious government and a world-class military. I have the audacity to say something I shouldn't. It all depends on your Majesty's heart."
"With the unification of the five kingdoms, Your Majesty has forged the vast territory of Great Xia. If Your Majesty wishes, this territory can be even greater. From my humble position, I have observed the navy of Great Xia... If Your Majesty wishes, even the other side of the ocean can become Great Xia's territory."
Fu Xiaoguan didn't deny it. He even nodded, but he sighed, "Yes, if I want to, I can definitely conquer a bigger kingdom."
He retracted his gaze and looked at Zhou Hui. "Life is a hundred years long, and it seems natural to be able to achieve greater achievements, but have you ever thought about how to govern this country after you conquer it?"
"Even now, Daxia still has many shortcomings. A country is like a building. While Daxia's foundation may seem solid, it's actually not. I don't mean to say that Daxia's officials aren't working hard, but Daxia's foundation is built on the fact that I am still the emperor of Daxia."
"If I retreat, do you think Daxia will remain stable? Or how many years will it remain stable?"
Zhou Hui's hand holding the teapot suddenly trembled. He quickly said, "Your Majesty is at the peak of his power. How can you say you are retreating?"
"Your Majesty has implemented a very logical national policy in Daxia, whether it's the economy, politics, the military, or people's livelihood. I have seen it all. Daxia's rapid development has attracted worldwide attention!"
"I have always thought that after the implementation of Your Majesty's second five-year plan, Daxia will surely reach a higher level!"
"Your Majesty, if you govern Daxia for another hundred years, the foundation of Daxia will be as solid as a rock!"
Fu Xiaoguan grinned and didn't respond to Zhou Hui's question. Instead, he asked, "Do you still want to travel around and tell stories?"
"Your Majesty, what I'm thinking of doing now is to settle down in Guanyun City and tell stories."
"Why don't you leave anymore?"
"...First, Lu'er has taken the Empress as his teacher. Second, Lu'er also needs to learn. Third... after so many years of walking, I'm tired."
"Yes, if a person repeats doing something for a long time, his heart will become tired. You said it was like this in books, and it was also the same when I was an emperor."
Fu Xiaoguan stood up, walked two steps in the pavilion with his hands behind his back, and then looked at the sunset in the sky.
"Since you know me well, you should know that I was originally a small landowner in Linjiang. In fact, when I occasionally think back over the years, I feel that the days in Linjiang and Xishan were my happiest times."
He suddenly turned and looked at Zhou Hui again, "Tell me...what would happen if I gave up the throne just like that?"
Zhou Hui was startled. He quickly put down his teacup, stood up, and bowed, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not allowed!"
"Why not?"
"Although Your Majesty has pointed out the direction for Daxia's future, it is Your Majesty who must be the one to steer this giant ship of Daxia into that direction!"
"I believe that the princes are still young, and Your Majesty has not yet appointed a crown prince. If Your Majesty really leaves, I'm afraid, I'm afraid that the great ship of Daxia will deviate from its course, and eventually, eventually..."
In the end, Zhou Hui didn't dare to say what would happen in the end.
He raised his head and looked at Fu Xiaoguan. "The people of Daxia have just started to live a good life. Your Majesty, I dare not say that if you really leave, the people's lives will become worse, but I'm afraid it will not be easy to get better."
Fu Xiaoguan took a deep breath and looked at the sunset again.
This was also one of the points the three prime ministers advised him against.
"Jiangshan... I originally wanted to have some fun, but I didn't expect it to become a heavy burden tied to me."
"I thought you would see it differently, but you're just like them."
"Actually, you've all overlooked one thing: this planet will continue to rotate regardless of who's gone."
"Even if I don't become the emperor, the sun will still rise and set at dusk."
"Forget about this matter and don't mention it to anyone."
"Pour some tea, I'm a little thirsty."
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