For the arrival of Emperor Liu, the Duke of Yu's palace was obviously caught off guard and had no preparations. Therefore, after Emperor Liu slowly stepped into the door of the palace, the palace was still busy and disorderly, just like a leader who encountered a surprise inspection.
Since there were no preparations, we just didn't deal with it deliberately. As the guards skillfully occupied the entrance, all the disturbances calmed down, and the Duke Yu's mansion was immersed in the tranquility of winter.
Wei Renpu was very old, and was personally helped out of the palace by his third son Wei Xianxin. He was indeed suffering from old age and illness, and even bowing down seemed particularly difficult.
"Hurry and help Mr. Yu up!" Emperor Liu ordered Chong Yantuo.
Yantuo also quickly stepped forward and helped Wei Renpu up together with Wei Xianxin. Emperor Liu said: "If your body is against your will, you don't have to go through such trouble to welcome him personally. Why should you and I, the monarch and our ministers, stick to this common etiquette?"
Even though Emperor Liu said this, Wei Renpu did the due etiquette and was respectful as usual: "His Majesty's presence is already an honor for the whole family. It is a neglect for not coming to welcome him in time. How dare I delay my old age and complain about my illness?" ..."
Looking at Wei Renpu's old and frail appearance, Emperor Liu's cold shell seemed to have been cracked open, and he said to him with some emotion: "Daoji, you are really old, and your complexion is much worse than it was three months ago. too much!"
Wei Renpu was still present at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet three months ago. Although he was old at that time, he was not as old as he is now. At this time, Wei Renpu's face was covered with old spots, and he was even thinner. He was not as wealthy as before, almost frail, but his eyes were still calm and full of wisdom, and his demeanor was still calm and ordinary.
Emperor Liu had already stepped forward and held Wei Renpu's hand. This affectionate feeling was probably too unreal in the eyes of "insiders".
"Everyone is destined to die, and I am no exception. I have been crazy for more than sixty years and am already content. How can I dare to fight against the natural laws of heaven?" Wei Renpu said with an old voice and smiled calmly.
Wei Renpu's hands were as thin as bones and a little cold. Seeing his expression as calm as water, Emperor Liu immediately praised him: "With such magnanimity, among the ministers in the court, I am afraid that only Daoji is the only one!"
"Your Majesty has given you too much praise, how dare I accept it?" Wei Renpu shook his head.
Emperor Liu's words were of course just for the occasion, but he had indeed seen too many elders who were still infatuated with the world even to death, and Wang Pu was the most notable one. His ten posthumous notes were: The last lingering love for the big man is still there.
Of course, Emperor Liu also selectively adopted Wang Pu's ten points.
Entering the hall, there was another round of greetings, and Emperor Liu said with emotion: "In recent years, old friends have gradually withered away, and many elders have left me. It is quite sad. You have spent more than 20 years with me. We have weathered many hardships and dangers, but today it is peaceful and just when you are enjoying your blessings, your blessings will not last forever. It is sad to think about it!"
Hearing this, Wei Renpu also sighed and said: "Your Majesty's care for me, I am really grateful. However, I am in troubled times and wandering around the world. I can meet the saint king, follow the British Lord, unify the world, settle the troubled times, and establish immortality." With these achievements, I can still enjoy this peaceful and prosperous age that is rare in a hundred years, and gain the glory of today. This life is enough!
His Majesty once said that there are talented people from generation to generation, and I deeply believe that. If I am an old man who can tide over the difficulties with Your Majesty and make great achievements among the great men, when I grow old, I should retire and give up my throne. later.
Nowadays, there is no shortage of loyal people in the court, not to mention capable officials. They all gather under His Majesty's command and follow His Majesty, bringing the Han Dynasty to the pinnacle that attracts world attention. It is so magnificent and full of pride that it is a pleasure for the veteran officials to watch from the side.
This is the ambition and goal that has been pursued diligently and hard for many years. The achievements are accomplished and the prosperous age has arrived. It can be said that there are no regrets. If there is any regret, it is probably that I am suffering from old age and illness, and am about to die. I am unable to accompany His Majesty for a longer journey, and cannot witness the Han's more glorious future..."
Listening to Wei Renpu's slight words, Emperor Liu was also a little moved, his eyes seemed to be red, and he said: "Daoji spoke from the bottom of his heart, but the meaning behind his words, when I heard it, I did feel a little desolate and sad. ..."
"Your Majesty!" After hearing what Emperor Liu said, Wei Renpu immediately apologized with a wry smile: "People are old and affectionate, and I am also old and dim, and I can't speak anymore. Your Majesty has misunderstood..."
After hearing this, Emperor Liu also smiled. Wei Renpu's words were very clear in thought and full of emotion.
Looking at Wei Renpu who looked sick, Emperor Liu said: "Daoji, I have heard about your condition a long time ago and have always wanted to visit you personally. Unfortunately, due to concerns, I was unable to make the trip.
The reason is that those four words you said, people are sentimental. The clothes are not as good as new, the people are not as good as before, and I am even more unwilling to see an old minister and old friend farewell again.
In the past, I often felt sorry for myself and lamented my old age and frailty. To be honest, it was just pretentious and pretentious. In my heart, how could I really accept old age?
However, in recent years, it has become more and more deep in my heart, and I feel that the passage of time has become more and more unreliable. Take my legs as an example, they are becoming more and more unable to walk. Every time in autumn and winter, I feel even more tormented. .
Now I have a deeper understanding of Li Rugong's pain back then, and the more I realize how difficult it is for you ministers! "
"Your Majesty, compared with the twilight years of these winter-heated ministers, you are in the prime of spring and autumn, why do you say this!" Wei Renpu's tone already contained some comfort.
Emperor Liu shook his head: "The warmth and warmth of the world are known to one's own heart, and it is difficult to resonate with them! We are also emperors, and some people can reach seventy years old. Can I still be king for another thirty years?"
After hearing this, Wei Renpu fell silent. He seemed a little unsure of how to respond. He pondered for a while and then said: "Your Majesty has worked hard for the Han Dynasty. It is too hard and the sacrifice is too great!"
Hearing this, Emperor Liu laughed and said: "If this evaluation was made twenty years ago, I would be well-deserved, but if I say it nearly ten years ago, I would be ashamed of it! I have to say this to the prince and to the prince. Zhao Puna said go to the prime minister!"
Wei Renpu said: "If your Majesty had worked hard and worked hard for the past twenty years, how could the stability of today be achieved? Your Majesty is the pioneer and founder of the Han Dynasty. Without you, how could the Han Dynasty be today?"
"I have heard many compliments and praises, but when they come from the mouths of old ministers like you, I feel more cordial, like drinking fine wine!" Emperor Liu chuckled and said, "After all, you are the only ones who have truly accompanied me all the way. Yes. You always like to attribute all the great achievements to me, but I don’t know in my heart that I can defeat and defend such a huge world by myself?
As for you, Wei Daoji, you have followed me since you were a vassal, and your advice and suggestions are of great benefit. When the country is in trouble, you are also your heart and soul, helping me.
In this bright and peaceful world, your contribution and hard work are the greatest. If I am proud of my ability, I will not only deserve it, but also make me laugh!
I am not that Li Cunxu, nor should I be Li Cunxu! "
Wei Renpu echoed: "Zhuangzong of the Later Tang Dynasty can be regarded as a hero of a generation, but he is only a temporary hero. His good starts with evil and ends with evil. Compared with your Majesty's heroic talent who created eternal peace, he is really insignificant!"
"Haha!" Emperor Liu said: "What happened to Li Cunxu should be taken as a lesson. I always remind myself not to make the same mistake again. However, you still praise me too highly. To bring peace to all generations is something that even a saint cannot do." How could I be so virtuous that I can do it..."
A conversation quietly turned into Emperor Liu's emotion, Wei Renpu's careful echo, a little hypocritical, and quite boring. Emperor Liu wanted to find the harmony between the emperor and his ministers, but it was difficult to return to the original.
It wasn't that Wei Renpu and the others had betrayed Emperor Liu, it was just that Emperor Liu was already too aloof and aloof, so high that even these Yuan Congsujiu found it difficult and did not dare to approach him.
