By the time Liu Xu resigned to Emperor Liu and left the palace to return to his residence, it was already late at night. Thick darkness shrouded Kaifeng City, and wisps of mist were faintly visible in the air. The coolness could almost penetrate into the heart.
The spring night is quiet and peaceful, but the lights of thousands of houses are dotted with stars, dotting the city of Tokyo, especially in the squares near the Imperial City and Tianjie, where nobles from rich families gather together. Most of the lights are extinguished at midnight, and some stay on all night long. Or, the city that never sleeps is the most intuitive description of Tokyo.
However, Liu Xu didn't have any interest in paying attention to the night view of Tokyo. No matter how beautiful the scenery was, he couldn't bear the worry about gain and loss. On the way back home, sitting in the car, Liu Xu's mind flashed repeatedly with the scenes of Shicai and Chongzheng Palace. scene, recalling the conversation with Emperor Liu.
It was the second heart-to-heart talk between father and son after so many years. However, even though they were sitting across from each other, Liu Xu looked at Emperor Liu as if he were separated by a mountain, and the mountains were still shrouded in mist, making him elusive.
What made Liu Xu worry about gain and loss the most was Emperor Liu's meaningful attitude and meaningful questions. Throughout the conversation, Emperor Liu did not say much about Anton's situation or Liu Xu's actions, and the report on Anton's situation, internal and external issues, and future development prepared by Liu Xu in advance did not come out.
For Liu Xu, he was also faced with an extremely important problem, a choice that was crucial to his future life and even to his lineage.
Although the words were not so straightforward, Liu Xu still had a vague glimpse of Emperor Liu's thoughts. Do you want to be the King of Qin or the King of Anton?
Is this a choice that Emperor Liu placed in front of Liu Xu? For most people, this is an easy choice.
King of Qin, this is one of the most important titles of the King of Qin in the Han Dynasty. It is a super-grade prince title and cannot be conferred except by direct royal relatives. King Andong is neither fish nor fowl, he can barely be regarded as a county king, and the gap between the two is clear at a glance.
But Liu Xu was not an ordinary person after all. What he could see was not only the difference in status between the two princes, but also the political significance behind it.
King Andong, perhaps also known as King Andong, if his title is changed, then he can become a "monarch" and will truly have all the military and political power in the Andong region, without having to be criticized as he has been for so many years. and accusations.
Emperor Liu didn't say it explicitly, but Liu Xu understood the meaning. However, the problem lies here. He has worked so hard and diligently for so many years, just for a mere King Anton?
It is estimated that Emperor Liu is still hesitant about the idea of enfeoffing the king to this day, so he did not make it clear to Liu Xu. But Liu Xu also realized deeply that if things were as he suspected, once he accepted this arrangement, he, not even his eldest son, would have any chance of getting involved in the supreme throne of the Han Dynasty.
Of course, even without this incident, the possibility of his inheritance is very slim, but no matter how slim it is, there is still a slight possibility. What if something unexpected happens? What if something happens in the court?
Liu Xu had probably had this slight expectation in his heart before. It could be said to be an assumption or even a delusion, but he was willing to work hard and had enough patience to wait.
However, if Emperor Liu really crowned him King Andong, then there is no doubt that he would be completely legally cut off from the possibility of competing for the throne.
In the past, Liu Xu worked so conscientiously and diligently in Anton, what was his purpose? He was raising hopes, gathering momentum, and waiting for the opportunity. Although the stability of the imperial court was terrifying and Liu Yang's position as prince was hopelessly stable, Liu Xu's reputation, strength, and power had all been significantly improved.
However, a mere Anton, even if he had military and political power, compared with the throne of the Han Dynasty, the gap was still the difference between the light of a firefly and the brightness of a bright moon.
Being King Andong, even if all the barbarians in the territory are counted, the population may not be one million. The place is remote and bitterly cold. Compared with being the king of Andong and ruling the billions of people in the Han Dynasty, the difference is huge. The disparity was really difficult for Liu Xu to accept calmly.
Liu Xu even couldn't help but wonder, did he do something wrong that aroused Emperor Liu's suspicion, and why did he have the idea to send him to the border forever?
However, such speculation was quickly rejected by himself. Judging from Emperor Liu's attitude in the conversation, it was obviously not for this reason, nor was it because of his bold and radical policies and arbitrary and arbitrary practices in Anton.
Ever since he heard about the Drum Case, Liu Xu had not made any "little moves" anymore. He even faced Emperor Liu frankly and without any reservations. Liu Xu also knew that his intention to seize the heir could not be hidden from Emperor Liu's eyes. Since it can't be concealed, let's not hide it at all and show it to Emperor Liu openly and openly.
Liu Xu worked so hard and conscientiously in Anton to show Emperor Liu his abilities and talents, hoping to gain recognition and trust.
However, this conversation tonight made almost all of his assumptions and wishes come to nothing. After all, his efforts and achievements have a limit, and if this limit is King Anton, it will really make him sad.
Maybe he was thinking too much, but in his opinion, Emperor Liu was telling him that no matter how hard you struggle, there is no possibility of inheriting the throne, and no matter how hard you try, you can't compete with Liu Yang.
Although this was the reality, at least in the past, Emperor Liu had not "shown his cards" to him like this. In fact, this is also true. In the past, Emperor Liu still had great faith in Liu Xu and had no reservations about his training.
Thinking of this, Liu Xu couldn't help but feel sad.
Of course, given Liu Xu's understanding of Emperor Liu, it would be very difficult for him to make such a decision. Liu Xu didn't know what kind of inner journey Emperor Liu had gone through before he came up with the idea of enfeoffment, and he couldn't care about it. At this moment, he was just full of hesitation.
And even if it is enfeoffment, this result is also difficult for Liu Xu to accept. He is a prince. If he really wants to be enfeoffed, then the place where he should be stationed in the country should be within the pass and Qinlong. Who does Anton count? To say that he lives in a remote country is an exaggeration...
To compete in the world with one Anton? No one with a clear head would have such fanciful thoughts.
However, Liu Xu himself knew this well. It was impossible to enfeoff Qinlong, and it was said that it was impossible to enfeoff Qinlong within the pass, even in Hexi. That was also the core interest of the Han Empire, and related to the entire northwest border defense. In a safe place, the highly centralized Han Dynasty court must have strong control and influence.
Liu Xu has also been serving in the imperial court for many years, and he still has this understanding of Emperor Liu and the imperial court.
With his heart full of tangles and his mind a mess, Liu Xu knew that he had met the biggest hurdle in his life this time. Behind the hurdle, there were two roads, one was hazy and chaotic, full of unpredictable risks, and the other had a clear future but promising prospects. limited.
Liu Xu did not directly express his thoughts to Emperor Liu. When Emperor Liu asked him whether he wanted to be the King of Qin or the King of Anton, he just answered vaguely: No matter the King of Qin or the King of Anton, they are both his father's sons. He is a minister of the Han Dynasty...
Emperor Liu did not make a strong decision directly, but asked for his opinion and gave him a choice. However, from Liu Xu's perspective, this room was really insufficient.
Liu Xu was also thinking, if he refused, how would Emperor Liu arrange for him? He was also a little confused about this.
Although it was late at night, the palace of Prince Qin had not yet rested, and the servants who had returned to the capital were still making arrangements. When I return to Beijing this time, I don't know how long I will stay. Naturally, I have to do some careful and careful cleaning of the palace.
However, Liu Xu didn't care about this anymore. After returning home, he avoided everyone and locked himself in the study. He was alone. His uncle, cousin, wife, brother, etc. who couldn't wait to come to visit him were all gone. Even Princess Bai No one dared to disturb him.
Liu Xu really needs to think carefully about the future path.
