Chapter 7 This Love Will Never End 8. End of the Song

In the third year of Yongping, Liu Zhuang started to think about tearing down the North Palace and rebuilding it, using it as a harem . At that time, there was a severe drought, and Shangshu Pushe Zhongli Yi risked his life to advise Liu Zhuang, but Liu Zhuang would not listen. When I learned about it, I called him to the West Palace and gave him a lecture.

"The late emperor was frugal throughout his life and did not enjoy pleasure. Although the country is now improving, it cannot afford such turmoil. How can the emperor squander money for his own selfish desires?"

Liu Zhuang was ashamed and fell to the ground to admit his mistake, and the reconstruction of Beigong was shelved.

At the end of that year, I took him to Zhangling to pay homage to Liu's ancestors. After returning from Zhangling, my legs and feet were no longer in good condition, and later, even daily walking was very difficult, so I stayed in the palace most of the time, but because of the shadow man, I was still well aware of some of Liu Zhuang's actions.

In the spring of the fourth year of Yongping, Liu Zhuang left the palace to inspect the city and planned to go hunting in Henei County. Liu Cang wrote to dissuade him. After Liu Zhuang learned about it, he immediately realized his mistake and returned.

I have observed him for several years and found that although this kid is not a creator emperor, he is also a capable ruler in maintaining the status quo. Although he has a too strong temper, the country's economy and people's livelihood have indeed made great progress under his leadership.

I felt that my health had been getting worse and worse in the past few years, and my mind was not as active as before, so I found an opportunity, called Liu Zhuang, and carefully handed the Exorcism Order to him. Liu Zhuang didn't know the ins and outs of the Shadows Agency, and I was vague about it, just pretending that it was something left by his father, and considering his good governance, I gave it to him to take full charge.

I don't know what consequences will be caused by handing Yingshi over to Liu Zhuang, but he is my son, the successor that Liu Xiu and I both have high hopes for. The beautiful country depends on him, and the future of the country depends on him!

As Deng Yu said, I have to believe in him and learn to let go, because he is the son of Liu Xiu and me - Liu Xiu and I have completed our mission, and the rest depends on his own efforts.

In the summer of that year, Yangxu Hou Ma Wu died. Not long after that, Qiancheng Wang Liu Jian died young. At the end of the year, Liang Song, who had been dismissed from office two years ago for asking for bribes from the local government, was arrested for spreading anonymous books. The man who made a cocoon finally got himself caught. Although the King of Yi cried and begged me and Liu Zhuang, Liang Song still died in prison.

After Liang Song died, Liu Cang resigned from the post of General of the Cavalry, hoping to return to his fiefdom. Although I was reluctant to let my son go, I also knew that if he stayed in such an important position, his great achievements would always be a disaster, so I reluctantly let him go. However, Liu Zhuang still kept the post of General of the Cavalry for his brother, waiting for him to take over.

On February 16, the fifth year of Yongping, King Liu Cang of Dongping returned to his fiefdom and the emperor gave him 50 million yuan and 100,000 pieces of cloth. My youngest son Liu Jing also returned to his fiefdom at the same time as Liu Cang.

In the winter of that year, three years after Yin Jiu's death, Liu Zhuang specially summoned Yin Jiu's daughter into the palace and made her a noble lady.

In February of the sixth year of Yongping, Wang Luoshan dug out the tripod and someone presented it to the emperor, taking the opportunity to flatter him, but was reprimanded by Liu Zhuang instead.

Although Liu Zhuang's political skills as an emperor were tough, which were very different from Liu Xiu's lenient methods, I believe he was a good emperor and lived up to Liu Xiu's expectations of him.

In the first month of the seventh year of Yongping, Liu Cang and Liu Jing returned to Luoyang to celebrate the New Year's Day. Liu Zhuang was grateful to the heroes who had made contributions to the restoration of the country in his previous life, so he issued an edict to paint portraits of the 28 heroes, which were then hung in the Yuntai Hall.

Some people also said that the 28 generals of Yuntai were stars from heaven who came down to earth to save the people and help Emperor Guangwu, creating great achievements. Although this was false, it was the result of the admiration and envy of the ignorant people for the heroes.

The 28 generals of Yuntai are headed by Deng Yu. According to their rank during their lifetime and the folk legends of the Four Symbols and the Twenty-Eight Mansions, they are ranked as follows:

Grand Tutor Gaomi Hou Deng Yu————————————————Qinglong Jiaosu

Grand Marshal Guangping Hou Wu Han————————————————Qinglong Kangsu

Left General, Jiaodong Marquis Jia Fu————————————————Qinglong Dixiu

General Jianwei, Marquis of Haozhi, Geng Yan—————————————Qinglong Fangxiu

Kou Xun, the Marquis of Yongnu, the Imperial Guard———————————————— Qinglong Xinsu

General of the Southern Expedition, Marquis of Wuyang Cen Peng—————————————Qinglongweisu

General Yang Xiahou Fengyi of the Western Expedition - Qinglong Jixiu

General Jianyi, Marquis Rong Zhu Hu——————————————Xuanwu Douxiu

General Conquering the Enemy, Yingyang Hou Ji Zun——————————————Xuanwu Niu Su

General of the Cavalry, Marquis of Liyang, Jingdan————————————Xuanwu Nusu

Tiger Tooth General Anping Hou Gai Yan————————————Xuanwu Xusu

Weiwei Anchenghou Xiaqi————————————————Xuanwu Weisu

Geng Chun, Marquis of Leguang, the governor of Dongjun——————————————Xuanwu Room

The city gate commander, Langling Hou Zang Gong——————————————Xuanwu Bi Su

Capturing General Yang Xuhou Ma Wu——————————————White Tiger Kuixiu

General of the Cavalry, Marquis of Shen, Liu Long———————————————White Tiger Lousu

Ma Cheng, the governor of Zhongshan and the Marquis of Quanjiao——————————————Baihuweisu

Wang Liang, the Marquis of Fucheng, Henan Province——————————————————White Tiger Pleiades

Langye Taishou Zhu Ahou Chen Jun——————————————White Tiger Bixiu

General of the Cavalry, Marquis of Canqu, Du Mao - White Tiger Cangsu

General Jinu, Marquis of Kunyang, Fu Jun————————————————White Tiger Zi Su

Zuo Cao Hefei Hou Jianhan————————————————Suzakujingsu

Shanggu Taishou Huaiyang Hou Wang Ba——————————————Suzaku Guisu

Xindu Taishou A Ling Hou Ren Guang——————————————Suzakuliu Su

Yuzhang Taishou Zhongshui Hou Li Zhong——————————————Suzaku Constellation

Right General Huaili Hou Wanxiu ———————————— ———Zhang Su of Zhuque

Taishou Lingshou Hou Pi Tong————————————————Suzakuyisu

General of Cavalry, Marquis of Changcheng Liu Zhi——————————————Suzaku Zhensu

This year's New Year's Day court meeting is more lively than any previous year. All my descendants gathered together. My son, my grandson, my great-grandson, everyone surrounded me and sat on my lap... As an old man, it is a happy thing to be able to enjoy the company of my grandchildren in my later years.

I remember a long time ago when I was chatting with Liu Xiu, we once talked about what kind of death we would like to have. When we were young, we joked that a good woman should be as good as a man and die on the battlefield.

How did Liu Xiu answer at that time? Well... it's been so long that I can't remember the exact words, but I understand what he meant. He said that I was a blessed person, and even if I die in the future, I will die of old age, lying in bed, surrounded by my children, and then leave without regrets amid the nostalgia and deep blessings of everyone.

The topic of life and death is a joke for young people without any taboos, but a taboo that people in middle age fear and revere. As people grow older, their views on this topic vary, with some people avoiding it or being open about it.

I looked helplessly at Liu Zhuang who was crying in front of me, and my gaze moved behind him. King Yi, Zhongli, Hongfu, Li Liu, Liu Cang, Liu Jing... and even grandchildren and great-grandchildren, big and small, were kneeling on the ground at the head of my bed.

Shanan supported my back, helped me up and fed me a mouthful of medicine. I felt a tightness in my chest and the medicine was so bitter that it made me nauseous. I couldn't swallow it in my throat and it overflowed from the corners of my mouth.

Shanan sobbed. The imperial physician looked at me, then looked back at the emperor. Finally, he hung his head and shook it dejectedly.

Everyone in the room was crying even more sadly, but I started to laugh. I raised my arm tremblingly, stroked his hair like I had done countless times before, and coaxed him softly, "Don't cry, Yang'er. Mother is very happy... Mother can finally keep her promise."

My vision became increasingly blurry, and my eyelids felt heavy and about to droop. I heard Liu Zhuang's heavy breathing as he cried, as well as the dull sobbing in the room. I suddenly felt sad, so I pretended to be relaxed and said, "Open the window and get some fresh air..."

Shanan looked at the emperor, then walked to the window and opened it. Cold air rushed in from the window. On a winter night, icicles hung on the window lattice, but the night sky was particularly bright.

I let out a breath, and tears silently slid down the corners of my eyes: "So beautiful..." As soon as I finished speaking, I saw a ray of light suddenly streak across the night sky, and a meteor fell rapidly from east to west.

I felt a little dazed, as if I had seen a meteor fall like this before in my memory.

The day when the twenty-eight stars return to their positions is the day to go back... I don't know why this sentence suddenly popped up in my mind. I turned my head, looked at Liu Zhuang who was crying, and said softly, "Don't cry, I know you can't bear to leave your mother, but your mother... can't bear to leave your father even more." I stroked his hair, glanced at Liu Cang and others, and sighed, "There is a god in the Western Regions, called 'Buddha'. Buddha said that the soul is immortal and there is reincarnation in life... If we are destined to be together, I hope to be your mother in the next life and take care of you for generations to come..."

"Mother——"

The sound of crying was heartbreaking. I opened my eyes and saw Ma Cheng leading Liu Jin to kneel behind the crowd, so I stretched out my hand to call her and her son to come forward. I looked at her for a long time , and I felt that I had thousands of words to say, but when the words came to my lips, I couldn't think of a single word.

Ma Cheng was a very smart person. Seeing me like this, he said with tears in his eyes, "I will live up to my mother's high expectations..."

I sighed deeply: "Child... It's not easy to be the queen. You... You have to take good care of yourself in the future..."

The young and sensible Liu Yan interrupted in a childish tone: "Grandma, don't cry, Yan'er will sing a song for you..."

I smiled slightly, and he stood up and sang softly: "The dark sky is low, and the bright stars follow..."

My heart was moved and I felt extremely comforted.

"The dark sky hangs low,

With bright stars following,

The insects are flying, the insects are flying,

Who are you missing...

The stars in the sky are crying,

The roses on the ground wither,

The cold wind blows, the cold wind blows,

As long as you are with me...

The insects fly, the flowers sleep,

A pair after a pair is beautiful,

I am not afraid of darkness, I am only afraid of heartbreak.

No matter tired or not,

No matter east, south, west or north..."

The vision in front of me was sometimes bright and sometimes dark. I turned my head to look at the night sky that seemed far away and yet within reach, and my vision gradually became blurred.

In the haze, the sky is full of twinkling stars, the light is dazzling, the night sky is twisting and spinning, the stars are moving, and gradually interweaving into magnificent pictures.

The green dragon is circling, with its claws spread out!

The white tiger roars and gallops like thunder!

The Xuanwus locked their limbs, entangled fiercely!

The Vermillion Bird soars, and flames burn the sky!

He was in a trance for a moment, the light of the four sacred beasts faded, and familiar figures appeared in the sky. Some of them were wearing long gowns, some were wearing short clothes, some were wearing armor, and some were carrying swords... Those familiar faces were all filled with happy smiles.

Deng Yu, Feng Yi, Geng Yan, Wu Han, Zhu Hu, Ma Wu, Ma Cheng, Zang Gong, Jia Fu, Kou Xun, Cen Peng...

Everyone's smile was so relaxed and comfortable, and silent laughter escaped from their mouths. Slowly, they parted to the sides, leaving a passage. At the end of the passage, a young man in white appeared. On his flawless face, his eyes were slightly narrowed, the corners of his mouth were raised, and his smile was slightly childish. He handed me a golden stalk of cassia bark in his hand...