Chapter 1115: Resignation? Denied!

Generally speaking, to show closeness to his ministers, Liu Chengyou would do so by sharing a table to eat or sharing a bed to sleep. Over so many years, quite a few civil and military officials had indeed received such treatment, and this had gradually become a symbol of status among the court officials.

If you had never eaten with His Majesty the Emperor or slept with him, you seemed to lack sufficient confidence when speaking. However, compared to others, Guo Rong had clearly gone one step further—he was permitted to share a bath pool with the Emperor and bathe together.

The kind with nourishing herbal bath water, and there were also beautiful palace maids specially assigned for massage, and generally speaking, afterwards the maids could be taken home...

The two met each other in complete openness, soaking in the comfortable medicinal bath while enjoying the gentle service of the palace maids, along with imperial court-brewed wine, fruits, and pastries. At some point, the royal household's standard of living had risen sharply—though frugality was still advocated, they no longer denied themselves as they had in the past.

Liu Chengyou and Guo Rong chatted about everything under the sun in a very relaxed mood and posture. But upon hearing one sentence from Guo Rong, he suddenly sat up, stared at him, and said with slight surprise: "Chai Qing wishes to resign and return home to care for his parents?"

Liu Chengyou truly had no psychological preparation for Guo Rong's sudden request to resign.

Meeting the Emperor's gaze, Guo Rong appeared completely composed and said calmly: "Your subject was elevated by Your Majesty, assisting the sage court, spreading my meager talents under the wings of an enlightened ruler. For eighteen years, I have enjoyed long-standing trust and been repeatedly entrusted with heavy responsibilities. I am both moved to tears and filled with awe and trepidation. Now that the realm has been pacified and the four seas submit, I can be said to have achieved merit and fame..."

Guo Rong spouted the standard rhetoric of a meritorious official retiring, but before he could finish, Liu Chengyou directly interrupted him: "How can Qing bear to abandon Us? I do not accept what you say. The realm has just been pacified, but internally and externally it is not yet secure. The Dingnan Army and the Tangut people occupy the northwest, still unresolved. The Khitan in the north are still recuperating and restoring their strength. Liaodong remains sunken under the iron hooves of the barbarians, never seeing the light of day.

The Great Han is still far from the point of putting weapons into storage and letting horses graze on the southern mountains. To the south there are still Dali and Annam, and overseas there is still Ryukyu. Now is precisely the time for ruler and ministers to be of one mind, for civil and military to work together for the benefit of the realm. Qing is also a man of ambition—how can you speak lightly of retirement!"

In response to Emperor Liu's words, Guo Rong still said calmly: "The court lacks no worthy chancellors, and the Great Han lacks no generals and marshals—enough to govern the state and pacify the realm. A peaceful and prosperous era can be anticipated. The only formidable enemy is none other than the Khitan Liao. However, after the northern expedition, the Khitan have been wounded to their very foundation and cannot contend with the Great Han. As for the small barbarian states in the four directions, they are even less worth mentioning—a single detached force can pacify them, take their lands and cities, and plant the Han banner..."

Guo Rong's argument was clearly unable to convince Emperor Liu, but after this exchange, he also calmed down. And the result of calming down was that he couldn't help but speculate—why did Guo Rong want to resign, and what was the purpose of his resignation?

So instinctively, he connected it with the recent turmoil at court. Guo Rong was only in his early forties now—still young. How could he so easily speak of retiring? And given his pursuit of merit and fame, there was no way he would go home to retire at this age. When it came to being "an old fox," Guo Rong was far behind Guo Wei.

Could this be his tactic of retreating in order to advance? This thought began to surface in Emperor Liu's mind.

After pondering for a while, he calmed down and said in a composed manner: "Is Chai Qing harboring misgivings because of those baseless rumors at court?"

Noticing Emperor Liu's deliberation and his furrowed brow, Guo Rong immediately said: "Of course not!"

However, Liu Chengyou followed up closely: "If so, then I tell you, those shallow rumors can be treated as the buzzing of mosquitoes and flies—no need to pay them any heed. You are my limbs and arms, the golden pillar of the Great Han, a meritorious official of Qianyou..."

Emperor Liu's words were candid and sincere. Naturally, Guo Rong put on a display of being moved to tears, cupping his hands and responding: "Your Majesty shows such deep affection—your subject could never repay it in this life or the next!"

Having said that, he still firmly declined: "Your subject's desire to retire is also due to my health—I truly cannot bear the toil of desk work. Over these years, leading troops in the field and managing affairs at court, though I dare not claim to have neglected sleep and food, I do consider myself to have been diligent and dutiful. My body has long harbored hidden ailments.

After the northern expedition, I fell ill and could not rise from bed—I nearly lost my life then. It took over a year of recuperation before I improved, and Your Majesty knows of this matter. Now, after the assignment in the northwest, I have suffered even more from the torment of illness. This time, leading troops to recover Hexi was also undertaken under heavy responsibility—I gritted my teeth and persevered only to fulfill a long-cherished wish.

Now, I only wish to shed official duties, cultivate my body and nature, and seek tranquility and far-reaching vision..."

Just as Guo Rong only dared to believe half of Emperor Liu's words, Liu Chengyou likewise only believed half of Guo Rong's words. Guo Rong's health was indeed afflicted, but that it was severe enough to reach such a state—he did not think so.

While Liu Chengyou was pondering, Guo Rong continued: "For over twenty years, your subject has constantly been away on campaigns, with no time to care for my family. Especially my elderly father at home—he is now past seventy, yet I have struggled to see him even once in years. This time upon returning to the capital, I saw my father with hair already white and appearance aged. I cannot serve him at his knees, and I feel both ashamed and truly unable to bear it. What I request now is all from the bottom of my heart—I hope Your Majesty will grant it!"

Faced with such sincere and earnest words from Guo Rong, Emperor Liu fell silent. Of course, it was not that he was moved by Guo Rong—he was not so easily moved. What he was pondering was still the reason behind Guo Rong's request to resign.

But after thinking it over, the only thing that could explain it was this recent upheaval at court. Liu Chengyou suddenly realized that perhaps his thinking had entered a mistaken path—some matters and some words meant nothing to him, but to others they were different. Though rumors cease before the wise, many times words truly can pierce the heart and kill.

He was the Emperor, exalted above all and holding great power—he could be unrestrained in many matters and treat things lightly. But Guo Rong and these other ministers were not the same. Guo Rong could be considered an outstanding politician, and political figures must be more cautious when considering matters—gains and losses, life and death, safety and danger.

Seeing Emperor Liu lost in thought, Guo Rong also stopped speaking, silently waiting for him to finish his deliberations. The atmosphere in the bath suddenly turned cold, faintly oppressive.

After a long while, Liu Chengyou snapped back to attention, looked at Guo Rong again, and with a calm smile restored on his face, said peacefully: "It seems I have not been considerate enough of my ministers!"

"Your Majesty must not say such a thing!" Guo Rong hurriedly said.

Liu Chengyou raised his hand to stop him and said with a light laugh: "Chai Qing wishes to resign, but I absolutely will not permit it. If it were so, it would not only mean I lose an arm, and the Great Han loses a pillar—others would also criticize me, saying I cast aside the bow once the birds are gone, and boil the hounds once the rabbits are dead."

"Your Majesty! This is your subject's own initiative to resign—the world would never make such baseless speculations!" Guo Rong's voice already carried a hint of fear.

Shaking his head, Liu Chengyou continued: "However, Chai Qing's problems must also be considered. If your body has ailments, then recuperate. If you cannot bear the burden of official duties, I will give you a different position and assign you assistants. In short, you are only just past forty—how could I allow a worthy talent to be obscured by dust? That would be wasting heaven's gifts. As for father-son affection, simply bring the old lord back to the residence to be cared for..."

Having said this, Liu Chengyou directly announced his decision: "Very well, I will make you the Defender of the Western Capital, guarding Luoyang on my behalf!"

Emperor Liu's words could not have shown more intent to retain him, and they gave Guo Rong ample respect. Under the intimidation of his gaze, Guo Rong ultimately could not utter words of refusal. Instead, he sighed, cupped his hands, and said: "Your Majesty has considered everything so thoroughly for your subject—how dare I decline again and betray Your Majesty's great kindness! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou finally broke into a smile and laughed heartily: "That's right! If you, Duke of Ying, were to retire, it would be a major loss to the court. The days of ruler and minister are still long—we must continue for at least another twenty years..."

It must be said that Guo Rong's request to resign still left Emperor Liu feeling rather displeased inside. Whatever the reason, I didn't tell you to leave—if you actively want to leave, that is a kind of "abandonment" of the Emperor...

Of course, this emotion would never appear on his face.

With the serious matters concluded, they turned to private affairs. Liu Chengyou asked: "Chai Qing still has several young sons at home, doesn't he?"

"Indeed!" Guo Rong replied.

"Liu Xu is about to marry. What a pity—you have no daughters, otherwise I would definitely seek a daughter-in-law from you!" Liu Chengyou said with a laugh.

Upon hearing this, Guo Rong immediately said: "This is joyous news! The Duke of Qin is marrying—which family's virtuous lady has such good fortune?"

"The granddaughter of Old Duke Bai. The Empress Dowager personally chose her, and I have also met her—her appearance and character are both excellent!" A smile spread across Emperor Liu's lips as well.

Then he said: "Very well, I currently have seven princesses. When they grow a bit older, your sons should be about grown as well. If it's suitable then, we'll become in-laws..."