In February, the streets of Beijing have regained some vitality. However, a megacity that used to have a population of more than one million now has only half a million people left, so it looks empty no matter how you look at it.
However, the ability of the Chinese nation to overcome disasters is indeed very strong. In just over half a year, the city of Beijing has turned into a large construction site, and nearby construction materials such as wood, bricks and stones have also been continuously transported to the capital.
The people also began to rebuild after the disaster. Since the city required more labor, the unemployed people also found work, and all walks of life in the capital were gradually recovering.
Today, Wu Shigong also had half a day to spare. He was dressed in plain clothes and escorted by a group of plainclothes guards as he sent his friend Sun Chengxiu back home.
"Brother Yao! When I was in the Imperial College, I had to take care of you a lot, but in so many years, we have been separated in two places. It is not easy for us brothers to meet each other, but you have to return home again. Time flies!" Wu Shigong sighed.
Sun Chengxiu looked at the busy newly built houses on both sides of the road and had mixed feelings: "Brother Wei, I have only learned one sentence in my life - Bai Wuyi is a scholar! Brother Wei was familiar with the sages when he was a child, and he always felt that he had knowledge of the world and the world.
I never imagined that I would spend my whole life in a daze. But that year, when Wang Gongchang was in great catastrophe, all the houses of the common people were built by the emperor. At that time, my brother realized that the emperor’s house was different from ordinary people.
Today, after the great changes in the capital, it is the emperor who is presiding over the reconstruction. From what I can see, the emperor will definitely be the king of Yao and Shun. I am actually very happy in my heart."
"In that case, why don't you, Brother Yao, stay by my side and contribute to the people of the world? You can also use your talents?" Wu Shigong persuaded him again.
"No!" Sun Chengxiu smiled bitterly and shook his head, "I have passed the age of knowing my destiny. For the rest of my life, I just want to work, study and have fun at home. Watch my roots grow up. To tell the truth, I have been in chaos for so many years.
I'm still frightened and don't want to stay in the officialdom any longer."
In fact, Sun Chengxiu knew in his heart that although Wu Shigong was his childhood friend, when Wu Shigong was in decline, he had been avoiding him and never sent even a letter of comfort and concern. Even after the power of the Runing Army expanded to Liu'an.
Sun Chengxiu did not fully support him and kept dragging his feet.
So today, although Wu Shigong is still nostalgic for the past, once Sun Chengxiu stays in the court, the official position assigned to him will definitely not be too high, and it will inevitably be ridiculed by others behind his back, which will make it difficult for Wu Shigong to be a good person. Therefore, Sun Chengxiu decided to give up.
An official position can at least maintain the friendship with Wu Shigong.
In fact, Wu Shigong also knew what Sun Chengxiu was thinking. He frowned and thought for a moment, then tried to persuade him again: "Even if brother Yao doesn't want to be an official, he can still settle in the capital. He is about the same age as my Lin'er."
, you can let him read with Lin'er."
Although it was awkward to arrange for Sun Chengxiu, Wu Shigong also wanted to take care of Sun Chengxiu's only son, which was considered a friendship between the two.
Sun Chengxiu's face froze. Then he smiled bitterly and declined politely: "I miss my son. I don't want him to leave me. As a brother, I have been away from home for a long time and want to return to my roots. Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
Then, Sun Chengxiu hesitated again, turned around and whispered: "Chang Jing! As a brother, we only talk about brotherhood here, regardless of the friendship between monarch and minister. Chang Jing! You should think twice, your surname is Wu! The prince's surname is
Xue! Afraid of causing disputes between the DPRK and China!"
Sun Chengxiu's meaning is very clear. Although Wu Shigong had good intentions in letting Sun Chengxiu's only son be the companion of Prince Xue Chenglin, due to the inheritance of the surname, the status of Prince Xue Chenglin is not very stable. If Wu Shigong's heir changes in the future, then
As the only son of Sun Chengxiu, who is the prince's companion, the end will definitely not be good. Therefore, Sun Chengxiu did not dare to gamble, and also reminded Wu Shigong to pay attention.
After hearing this, Wu Shigong also paused. In fact, around this issue, there has been a surge of trend in the court. Among them, the two main backstages are Wu Shigong's father Wu Weizhong and father-in-law Xue Lian. In this regard, Wu Shigong himself also
I'm scratching my head. I just hope that by relying on my own prestige, I can suppress this matter temporarily so as to delay the resolution.
"Then you will often come to see me and talk to me. I didn't have many friends when I was young, so I was lonely in the palace! When the time comes, bring Gen'er here with you," Wu Shigong said.
Since Sun Chengxiu has concerns, Wu Shigong will do the next best thing. As long as Sun Chengxiu and his only son keep visiting Wu Shigong in the future and let outsiders know about the good relationship between them, then no matter who inherits Wu Shigong's throne, there will be no threat to the couple.
Yes, Wu Shigong's father and son, who are old friends, will always take care of him, and at least he can keep his wealth for the rest of his life.
"This kindness... I accept it because of my brother's heart." Sun Chengxiu saluted Wu Shigong solemnly. He only felt guilty in his heart for Wu Shigong's care.
…
Wu Shigong had a lot of emotions after sending away the only friend he had ever had a pure friendship with in this life. When one person achieves enlightenment, chickens and dogs ascend to heaven, Wu Shigong is also willing to take care of the people he knows. But after leaving the Imperial College, Sun Chengxiu and Wu Shigong also became more and more separated.
The farther they get, the more distance they have become now.
On the contrary, there are some people who have a small friendship, such as Eunuch Qin, Li Zuopeng, Zhang Chunyu of Tongzhou and others. After Wu Shigong ascended the throne, they have been working around Wu Shigong. Therefore, Wu Shigong either gave him or his family a well-off position.
The junior official is worthy of the friendship he once had.
As soon as he returned to the palace, a guard came to report: "Your Majesty! There are two grandsons and grandsons outside the palace gate who came to pay their respects. They said they were the emperor's old acquaintances in Guide. Li Shuban had already visited and said it was Yuan Ning.
They are waiting at the palace gate for the instructions from the mausoleum."
"Oh?" Wu Shigong, who was feeling a little depressed, suddenly had a smile on his face, "Please come in quickly. Tell the imperial kitchen to bring the wine and food as soon as possible. I will have dinner with Mr. Gong today."
Wu Shigong was also very happy when he heard that Gong Haoran, the former Ningling County magistrate, had come. After more than ten years of separation, Gong Haoran should be over seventy. It is not easy to survive this period of natural disaster, and it is even more difficult.
Needless to say, at such an advanced age, he went to the capital to visit himself.
So when Gong Haoran entered the palace, Wu Shigong personally greeted him at the entrance of the hall. He also ignored that Gong Haoran's ancestors and grandchildren did not salute him, and greeted him with a smile: "Mr. Gong! I am happy that you are in good health!"
Unexpectedly, Gong Haoran slammed the crutch he was holding on the ground and cursed: "Wu Shigong! I didn't expect you to be that person with a human face and a beast's heart! You dared to steal the emperor's artifact. Today, I will risk my life to settle the score with you."