Pri Minister Fan walked out of the Qianqing Palace, standing on the plaza. The howling north wind swept through, sending a bone-chilling cold down his back. He realized with a start that his back was already damp.
He glanced back and pressed his lips together.
The Emperor was increasingly unwilling to be patient with his old ministers.
Pri Minister Fan felt a chill rise in his heart.
"Why is Pri Minister Fan still standing here? The wind is strong here; Pri Minister Fan should take care of his health." Song Zhiyuan ca out, stood beside him, and made a gesture of invitation, "Let escort Pri Minister Fan."
Pri Minister Fan snorted and walked with him.
"The Emperor wants to use Lu Ming, what do you think?" Pri Minister Fan glanced at the person beside him.
Song Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow and said, "Whover the Emperor wants to employ, he has his reasons. As ministers, we should obey without question."
Pri Minister Fan sneered, "I know, you and the Emperor have connections from your youth..."
"Pri Minister Fan, I earned my top scholar position through genuine ability, appointed by the late Emperor, not through connections!" Song Zhiyuan interrupted him.
Pri Minister Fan: "No need to jest, I know your scholar title was earned through genuine ability, and I know that you were cultivated by the late Emperor to support the current Emperor’s administration."
Song Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.
"In my day, I was as impressive as you are now, and still am." Pri Minister Fan chuckled, "One reign, one set of ministers, I’ve always believed in this saying."
Song Zhiyuan laughed, "What, is Pri Minister Fan considering retirent because of the Emperor’s recent scolding?"
Pri Minister Fan: "..."
"That would not do, Pri Minister Fan, you are an elder minister, a pillar of Great Qing, you can still serve for several more years!" Song Zhiyuan glanced at his bulky official robe and said, "As long as your health permits."
Pri Minister Fan’s beard bristled with anger.
He looked at Song Zhiyuan, excessive indeed, under the sa sky, this fellow wears so little, isn’t he cold?
Oh, right, they ca up with so softly-woven clothes, especially light and warm, I hear they were even presented to the Emperor, such sycophancy.
Pri Minister Fan darkened his face and said, "I once swore that in my lifeti, I would serve Great Qing diligently until death, as long as I am able, I will not retire."
Retirent is impossible, in this life ever impossible.
Song Zhiyuan naturally understood that those in high positions find it harder to withdraw at the right ti, and said, "In reality, when old, one should accept it. Pri Minister Fan, sotis a graceful retreat is not a bad thing."
Pri Minister Fan swiftly turned his gaze, sharp-eyed.
Song Zhiyuan stood unflinching, with a calm expression.
His words were not jest, but serious.
A graceful retreat is not a bad thing, the fear is that when you wish to retreat, you may no longer be able to.
Pri Minister Fan laughed and said, "I hope when Pri Minister Song reaches my age, you will rember this sentence."
He took two steps forward and coldly said, "The late Emperor cultivated you to contend with ; now, whom does the Emperor cultivate Lu Ming for? Pri Minister Song, one day you’ll be just like !"
Song Zhiyuan’s eyes half-narrowed, and as he was about to leave, he said lightly, "No matter whom the Emperor cultivates, they are all pillars of Great Qing. I am not afraid of anyone contending with , because everyone ages, and the Yangtze River waves push forward continuously, one wave surpassing the last. This is why I say a graceful retreat is not a bad thing. Pri Minister Fan, you’ve grown old."
Growing old, and thus becoming an eyesore for that one.
Pri Minister Fan trembled all over, said nothing, and continued walking.
Song Zhiyuan watched him depart, suddenly, white speckles fell before his eyes. He extended his hand, catching the crystalline snowflakes in his palm, which lted away in a mont.
"Why force what cannot be retained!"
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