MTL - Harue Kagetsu-Chapter 131

The two stopped in front of the courtyard where Gao Qiao's study was located.

In the courtyard, Xia Mu was dense, the light was dim, a group of dim and weak lights were reflected in the doors and windows, and the shadows of the trees on the eaves and steps were mottled, showing the loneliness of this late night.

Gao Qiao was standing at the foot of the steps, with his back to Li Mu and Luoshen, his hands behind his back, he raised his head slightly, as if staring at the middle moon above his head, his back was thin and quiet.

"You are here?"

He turned his head, glanced at Li Mu and Luo Shen who were standing outside the courtyard gate, nodded to the two, then turned around and walked towards the study.

Luoshen and Li Mu looked at each other and followed him.

Gao Qiao got on the couch, sat behind the desk, and turned on the lights.

The dim light in the study room suddenly became much brighter.

As soon as Luoshen came in, he found that his father's study was a little different from usual.

These days, my father was ill, and the court was not too old, but at home, he refused to rest. Most of the time, I was alone in the study, burying my head and papers, and couldn't move an inch. The lights were often on until late at night, and I couldn't relax for a moment.

When Luoshen accompanied him in the study, most of the files he dealt with were unresolved for many years, involving all aspects. Since it's an old thing, I'm not in a hurry to think about it, so I often persuade him to let go and rest first.

He didn't even show up for today's Rewarding Army Ceremony.

In the evening, Luoshen came to deliver medicine to his father, and when he saw this bookcase, there were piles of various writings and files.

But at this moment, it was cleaned up and there was nothing left. There were two large rattan boxes on the ground with neat lids.

He sat down and looked at Li Mu and Luoshen. His face was a little pale, but he seemed to be in good spirits, his expression was gentle, and he motioned for the two of them to sit down.

Luo Shen hesitated: "Aye, have you finished all your busy work these days?"

Gao Qiao smiled slightly, nodded and said, "Yes, it's all over. Just pack it up and send it to the government office tomorrow."

Luoshen glanced at the box, and then looked at his father, a sense of unease suddenly appeared in his heart.

Gao Qiao, who was on the opposite side, had already looked at Li Mu and said with a smile, "It's almost three watch and you two are still not sleeping, why are you here looking for me?"

Li Mu turned to Gao Qiao, sat up straight, and said respectfully, "It's so late, and I rashly came here to disturb my father-in-law, but I have something to tell my father-in-law."

"What's the matter?"

"The position of the Great Sima is of high power and authority, and only a person with both virtue and conduct will be able to convince the public. I come from a humble background, and I don't dare to assume such a high position. I just discussed it with Ami, and I will meet tomorrow. Please leave. Knowing that my father-in-law is still in the study, I came here to tell you so that my father-in-law would know about it earlier."

The smile on Gao Qiao's face gradually disappeared. At first, he didn't say a word and stared at Li Mu.

Weng and son-in-law looked at each other for a moment, and Gao Qiao suddenly said word by word: "Jingchen, the post of Grand Sima is none other than you. Tomorrow will be the ceremony of awarding the seal and the ribbon, and I will also go to the DPRK. , and even more eagerly waiting. Such a big event, you can't make a rash decision just because of your mood."

"It's getting late, it's going to be early tomorrow, you two should go and rest."

Luo Shen was in a hurry, and immediately knelt down to his father's side: "Aye! Lang Jun's decision was definitely not out of a whim. The position of the Great Sima is high, although Rongxian is high, but because of Rongxian, he is in his position and goes to After every move, everyone sees it, there are many constraints, this is not what Langjun wants! Why does my father not allow Langjun to resign?"

"Ami, Aye asks you, in your opinion, with the power of a respected minister, is he capable of taking the position of Grand Sima?"

Luo Shen hesitated.

This is a question that she is very difficult to answer.

In her opinion, Li Mu is naturally competent.

But being competent and willing to do it are two different things.

Before she could answer, Gao Qiao had already said: "You know in your heart that a respected minister is competent. Aye also thinks so. The post of Grand Sima, externally in charge of military affairs, internal counseling in Shangshutai's political affairs, and in charge of cardinals, is precisely because it is important. Aye will be cautious and cautious, and will not dare to be sloppy. Looking at the court, Aye really can't find out, except him, who else is qualified for this position."

"At a time when this country is in such a difficult time, and those who are capable do not rise to the top, do you still want to see the court continue to be dominated by those incompetent people, the wind and rain are precarious, and the people are uneasy?"

Luoshen was speechless for a while.

Gao Qiao had turned to Li Mu with a serious expression.

"Since the imperial court crossed to the south, not to mention the northern expedition to recover the two capitals, even to the south of the great river, there has been no peace. Over the years, those who live in temples have mostly relied on their family backgrounds, and they all wear gold and purple, and enjoy the glory. , where can you see the glory of the country? Or mediocrity and cowardice, or the ambition of a wolf child. The wind is rising, and it has accumulated over time, so that today's catastrophe is caused, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it will be destroyed, and it will almost cause the country to overturn..."

When he mentioned the chaos that had just ended not long ago, which had affected half of the Southern Dynasty, his emotions seemed to be agitated.

"Although the rebellion has now been quelled, the domestic and foreign troubles in the country have not diminished! When you returned to the rescue, the Murong Clan attacked the Xia people, and the melee in the Central Plains continued, like a slaughterhouse. Not long ago, the Murong Clan had already conquered Luoyang. After many years of forbearance, they would take advantage of the chaos and the momentum would only become more ferocious than before. Besides, with the Murong Clan's traditional ambitions and means, how could it be possible to settle down in the Central Plains in the future? Once there is a chance, it will definitely plan to go south."

"Jie people are like wolves, Xianbei are like tigers, I'm afraid I will do more harm in the future!"

Gao Qiao suddenly coughed.

Luoshen hurriedly stroked his father's back.

Gao Qiao reluctantly suppressed his cough, waved his hand towards his daughter who was worried and looked at him, and continued: "Although foreign affairs are not peaceful, there are still many worries in the middle school. In the past few years, the wind and rain have been uneven, and before the chaos, there were no granaries in various places. How much grain is saved, the southeast is an important source of taxation for the imperial court. Every year, every year, we eat mao grains and try our best to support the national coffers. Now, when there is chaos in the heavenly teachers, thousands of miles south of the Yangtze River are barren, people's livelihood is in ruins, and the world's granaries are unsustainable. There is not a year or two. It's hard to recover."

He stared at Li Mu.

"The imperial court has tried its best to maintain it. After this chaos, the vitality has been greatly damaged. If there is no one who can stand up to take charge of the overall situation, how should we deal with internal and external troubles?"

"When the late emperor named you as the Grand Sima, it seemed that he was impulsive at the time. Now, when I think about it, it might not be the most sensible move he has done in the two years since he ascended the throne?"

He shook his head slightly, a wry smile on his lips.

The father's tone made Luo Shen feel more and more uneasy.

"Aye, what do you mean? Where are you going..."

She paused.

Gao Qiao was silent for a long time, then slowly said: "Ami, Aye is incompetent, with decades of high-ranking officials and wealth, not only did he achieve nothing, but in the end he almost destroyed the Southern Dynasty by my hands. Even your A-niang, Aye didn't do anything. protect her..."

His voice trembled slightly and stopped abruptly.

After a while, he calmed down and continued: "You can't regain lost territory outside, and you can't stabilize the people and settle chaos inside. In the future, hand over this country and court to someone who can really do things, and I'll go look for your auntie."

In Luoshen's childhood memories, his father's eyebrows were like paintings, his eyes were drawn like a drawing, and his appearance was elegant, like a man like a fairy.

Later, his face was stained with wind and frost, and he didn't know when he began to climb the Sichuan character pattern. Because it couldn't be resolved all the year round, it never disappeared.

Tonight, under the lights, in front of the father in front of him, in his eyes, Luo Shen can't even see half of his former expression.

When he mentioned his mother, in his father's eyes, the only thing left was the deep self-blame and inescapable grief.

Luoshen finally understood why his father suddenly became so abnormal after hearing the news that the Tianshi Revolt and the Jingzhou Rebellion had been quelled.

He has worked hard for this court for decades, and now he wants to leave to find the whereabouts of A-Niang.

She couldn't hold it any longer, she choked and called out "Aye", holding her father's sleeves tightly with both hands, tears flashing.

Gao Qiao patted her daughter's hand comfortingly, turned her head slowly, and looked at Li Mu, who remained silent.

"Jingchen, I am also a mediocre person. This court is the same with me and without me, but you are different. The Southern Dynasty is already riddled with holes, and it can no longer stand up to another chaos of the Heavenly Teachers. Mi rebelled. The court needs you to be this big Sima, and the people are willing to see you in the court as a big Sima. If you don't do it, who else can I trust?"

Li Mudao: "If the country is useful, I will be thousands of miles away, and I don't dare to answer the call. But for the position of the Great Sima, please don't embarrass me, father-in-law. I really have no intention of taking it."

Gao Qiao shook his head.

"It's not my choice for you to take the position today, but the push of the times. After I leave, Feng Wei will take my place. He is peaceful and upright and can take charge of the situation, but he is mediocre. If there is nothing in the country, he can do something. Prime Minister Taiping, the Southern Dynasty like this today cannot be supported by him alone!"

"Jingchen, apart from you, no one else can rule the Southern Dynasty today. I tell you this not only because it is only your own business, but also about state affairs and civil affairs, don't you know?"

Li Mu frowned: "Serving the country and the people, I dare not refuse, but is the position of the Great Sima really essential?"

"Yes! Essential!"

Gao Qiao's tone was decisive.

"When I started the dynasty in Dayu and laid the foundation, Emperor Wu made the Great Sima as the first rank, standing above the hundred officials. Since the founding of the country, a total of five Great Sima have been sealed. The merits you have made are compared to the previous five People, there is nothing worse than that. The only thing that is worse is as you said just now, your background is limited. If you don't have the post of the Great Sima, how can you intimidate hundreds of officials in the future, and make government decrees passable and effective?"

"If you're not in your position, you don't seek government affairs. Conversely, if you want to do something, you must be justified! You will be able to achieve today's achievements in just a few years. You must know this truth. Do you want me to say more?"

Li Mu was silent.

Gao Qiao stared at him, suddenly got up from behind the case, straightened his clothes and tucked his sleeves, facing Li Mu, and bowed down in awe.

"I am Gao Qiao on behalf of the Southern Dynasty, on behalf of the common people, I pray to you!"

Luo Shen was startled.

Li Mu was also surprised, and hurried to the side, grabbed it, and helped Gao Qiao up.

Gao Qiao held his hand tightly.

"Jingchen, in an extraordinary period, only you can hold up this court! Thousands of people in the Southern Dynasty know that you are the great Sima of the court, and the people respect you. Although I haven't been to the eastern suburbs today, I know how many times. Don't let the people down on you!"

His tone was very solemn.

Li Mu knew that from the moment Gao Qiao knelt down to him, he had no choice.

In other words, time goes back forward.

In this lifetime, from the moment he tried his best to finally marry the daughter of the person in front of him as his wife, it was doomed that there would be a scene like today.

He was confused, turned his face slowly, looked at Luoshen, and looked at her.

Finally, he withdrew his gaze and said slowly: "I hope in the future, I will not disappoint my father-in-law."

…

At the fifth watch the next day, Luoshen got up early, served Li Mu to dress, and prepared to go to court.

When she helped him put on his robe piece by piece, fasten his belt, put on the crown, and finally tied the band of the crown for him, he suddenly stretched his arms into his arms and hugged him tightly.

After returning from his father's study last night, he didn't mention it again in front of her, and he looked very relaxed, but it seemed that this move at the moment was a bit sudden.

She hesitated for a moment, then put her hands down slowly, and wrapped her arms around his waist.

The two hugged each other like this, hugging each other quietly for a moment, Li Mu lowered his head, kissed her forehead, released her, and turned to open the door.