By the time Liu Xu resigned to Emperor Liu and left the palace to return to his mansion, 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 thousands of lights dot the city of Tokyo, especially in the squares near the Imperial City and Tianjie, where wealthy nobles live together. Most of the lights are turned off 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 gains and losses. On the way back home, sitting in the car, Liu Xu's mind flashed repeatedly with the scenes of Shicai and Chongzheng Palace. The scene reminds me of 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 feel worried 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, but Liu Xu said in advance The prepared report on Anton's situation, internal and external issues, and future development has not been revealed.
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. Should he 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 to make.
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, and can barely be regarded as a county prince. 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 called 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 clearly, but Liu Xu understood the meaning. However, the problem is also here. Did he work 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 has not made it clear to Liu Xu. However, Liu Xu also deeply realized that if things were as he suspected, once he accepted this arrangement, then In this life, there is no possibility for him, not even his eldest son, to get involved in the supreme throne of the great Han Dynasty.
Of course, even without this incident, the possibility of his inheritance is very small, but no matter how small 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 such a 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 crowns him King Andong, then there is no doubt that the possibility of him competing for the heir apparent will be completely cut off from a legal perspective.
In the past, Liu Xu worked so conscientiously and diligently in Anton. What was his purpose? To raise hopes, gather momentum, and wait for the opportunity. Although the stability of the court was terrifying and Liu Yang's position as prince was hopelessly stable, Liu Xu's reputation was
, strength and power have 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 the 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 Han Dynasty and hundreds of millions of people, the difference is
The disparity was really difficult for Liu Xu to accept calmly.
Liu Xu even couldn't help but wonder, had he done something wrong to arouse 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 obvious that it was 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, 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 legitimate son could not be hidden from Emperor Liu's eyes.
Since I can't hide it, I might as well not hide it and show it to Emperor Liu openly and openly.
Liu Xu worked so hard and conscientiously in Anton to show Emperor Liu his capabilities 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, you have no chance of inheriting the throne, and no matter how hard you try, you can't compete with Liu Yang.
Although this is the reality, at least in the past, Emperor Liu did not "showdown" with him like this. In fact, this was also the case. 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. What kind of psychological journey Emperor Liu went through before he came up with the idea of enfeoffment, Liu Xu didn't know, and he couldn't take it into consideration.
At this moment, he was just full of hesitation.
Even if it is a confederation, this result is also difficult for Liu Xu to accept. He is a prince. If it is really necessary to confederate, then the place where he should be stationed should be within the pass, and Qinlong should be the one. Who does Anton count? Talk about him
Being in a remote and remote area can be regarded as being elevated...
Relying on one Anton to conquer the world? No one with a clear head would have such a whimsical idea.
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 had also been serving in the imperial court for many years, and he still had some 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 were two roads, one was hazy and chaotic, full of unpredictable risks, and the other had a clear future but a bright future.
limited.
Liu Xu did not express his thoughts directly to Emperor Liu. When Emperor Liu asked him whether he wanted to be the King of Qin or the King of Anton, he just replied vaguely: No matter whether the King of Qin or the King of Anton, they are both his father's sons.
They are all ministers 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 Prince of Qin's palace had not yet rested. The servants who had returned to the capital were still making arrangements. This time they returned to the capital, and they knew how long they would stay. Naturally, they had 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.