Chapter 122: Sir, the State of the World Has Changed

Resting against a soft pillow prevents injury, avoids making a loud noise, and allows emotions to be vented.

When he felt a bit dizzy from the bumping, he stopped this strange way of venting, rested for a moment, and then the Eldest Young Master Zhuo called over the household steward to ask questions and understand the family's situation for the day.

Afterwards, he checked the time, waited for the redness on his forehead from hitting the wall to fade, then stood up, straightened his robes, and headed to the courtyard where his father lived.

The former Prime Minister, Old Master Zhuo, had been bedridden ever since arriving in Xinzhou; whether it was the doctors kept by their own family or the famous physicians invited by the Head of the Family Zhao, the diagnostic results were all similar. He had taken plenty of medicine, but there had been no improvement, and he likely could not hold on much longer.

With so many days having passed, the Eldest Young Master Zhuo had also made various mental preparations.

But all in all, he remained in a relatively negative state.

He was currently in a state of lying flat, strictly adhering to the boundaries of his authority and not interfering in matters outside his duties.

If some people are willing to court death, then let them die; at worst, we shall all perish together!

Life and death are fated!

Thinking of the idiots he had seen among his colleagues today, the Eldest Young Master Zhuo adjusted his breathing once more to steady his emotions before stepping into the old man's room.

The former Prime Minister, Old Master Zhuo, had just woken up and it was time for his medicine; the room was filled with a heavy medicinal scent.

Seeing that the old man had finished his medicine, the Eldest Young Master Zhuo stepped forward quickly to help him lie down.

"Father, how are you feeling today?" he asked.

"Much better."

Old Master Zhuo answered listlessly, and it was the same answer every time.

The Eldest Young Master Zhuo forced a smile, wanting to say something, but remained silent instead.

Old Master Zhuo looked at his heir. After many days of lying ill, his gaze had become somewhat cloudy, but the remaining sharpness in his eyes could still discern problems.

The Eldest Young Master Zhuo had tidied his appearance before coming, but the old man could still see the strangeness at a glance, though he did not rebuke him, sighing with helplessness instead.

The world is cold and indifferent, the family has suffered changes, and the once upright gentleman has also become sharp and caustic.

How could one not lament?

The Eldest Young Master Zhuo sensed the old man's gaze and, knowing what the other wanted to hear, briefly spoke about the day's government affairs.

Although he did not mention those moronic Clerks and idiot colleagues, he could not help but carry a hint of emotion when speaking of the matters.

He also knew he could not hide his thoughts from his own father, so he suppressed his feelings and concluded: "A gentleman does not concern himself with matters outside his position!"

In any case, I have finished my own tasks; as for how others are, I cannot be bothered to care!

Seeing his father open his mouth as if to say something else—which would just be the same old words back and forth—the Eldest Young Master Zhuo could not quite control himself:

"Sir, the state of the world has changed!"

The previous institutional systems and rules of conduct cannot necessarily be applied now; one still has to fumble through it with bumps and bruises.

Old Master Zhuo also knew that he was trapped in his sickbed and his understanding of the outside was indeed limited, so he stopped bringing up government affairs.

He was more worried about his son's state of mind, so he slowly raised his arm and grasped the other's hand.

The Eldest Young Master Zhuo looked at the loose skin and withered fingers resting on the back of his hand.

The once high-spirited Prime Minister Zhuo, who had dominated the officialdom, looked as if he had aged twenty years.

Like the setting sun, like a candle in the wind.

After a brief silence.

Old Master Zhuo's weak voice sounded: "A gentleman has great ability but does not show it off!"

Their Zhuo Family has fallen behind by more than one step, and many people in this Xinzhou City are guarding against them; their current situation is indeed somewhat difficult, but, as long as we endure, it will be fine.

You must restrain yourself, don't go crazy!

The Eldest Young Master Zhuo understood the old man's unspoken words and thought to himself: You worry about me going crazy, but in this bizarre world, who isn't mad? Yet everyone outside pretends to be a normal person, making me look like an anomaly. I actually feel like I'm less crazy than them!

The Eldest Young Master Zhuo lowered his eyes and said nothing.

Old Master Zhuo said again: "The way of the gentleman... is hidden yet becomes more manifest day by day!"

The timing is not yet right, but do not be too negative; after settling down, you will surely shine again!

The Eldest Young Master Zhuo wanted to say something, but seeing the old man still unable to set his mind at ease despite being bedridden and on the verge of death like withered bone, his eyes still full of concern, he could only swallow the retort he was about to utter.

He took a deep breath to adjust his mindset and replied: "Yes, yes, yes, everything you say is right!"

Sensing his tone was a bit stiff, he said softly to comfort him again: "Father, don't worry, I know it all."

After taking the medicine, the old man had limited energy, so the father and son did not talk for long.

Once the old man rested, the Eldest Young Master Zhuo walked out of the room, and thinking about having to face a group of idiot colleagues tomorrow, his whole body radiated invisible resentment.

After meeting this Eldest Young Master Zhuo, Wen Gu paid a bit more attention to the Zhuo Family.

That day, he went to Zhao Fu again to keep Lady Shen company and asked about the Zhuo Family.

It was mainly about the condition of Old Master Zhuo. Just how severe was the illness? How much longer could he hold on?

Lady Shen thought for a moment: "You know, many people coming from the south naturally have symptoms of not being accustomed to the local environment, and coupled with the difficult journey north, it is even harder to bear."

"Prime Minister Zhuo carries the entire Zhuo Family on his shoulders, along with a group of refugees who followed the Zhuo Family north; his mind was tense for a long time, and after arriving in Xinzhou, he suddenly relaxed, which, combined with the lack of acclimatization and physical and mental exhaustion, caused his illness to collapse like a mountain."

Wen Gu was puzzled: "The Zhuo Family has already arrived in Xinzhou for many days, and skilled doctors and fine medicinal herbs have been sent over..."

Regardless of whether the condition is good or bad, there should be some news.

Lady Shen sighed: "Prime Minister Zhuo... it is more like he has fallen ill from overwork due to excessive worry, and after encountering successive setbacks, his spirit has dissipated. Your uncle-in-law found several doctors to examine him, but the specific situation was not disclosed; they only said he needs to rest in bed. The Zhuo Family has also declined visitors."

"But looking at it, I fear Prime Minister Zhuo's condition is not good. Right now, he is just stubbornly holding on to buy time for the rest of the family."

Wen Gu recalled the situation of the Zhuo Family.

"Encountering successive setbacks" was not an exaggeration.

Back then, Old Master Zhuo had won a high-stakes game in the officialdom and rose to the position of Prime Minister, but before he could fully exercise his grand ambitions, he suddenly heard the tragic news—the elderly mother of Prime Minister Zhuo had met with an accident and passed away.

According to the mandatory mourning system of this era, the Prime Minister needed to resign and return to his hometown to observe mourning, forced to temporarily go offline during the peak of his career.

Even if one held a high position, in principle, one had to abide by the rites and laws, unless the boss above granted "retention of office," which is to say, forcibly terminating the mourning period.

But the key is that the "principles" mentioned above did not intend to force him to remain in office during mourning.

It wasn't as if it had to be someone surnamed Zhuo; the person on the dragon throne even harbored some hidden wariness toward him.

At the time, there was a rumor in Huangcheng that even Heaven would not allow someone surnamed Zhuo to be Prime Minister!

Struck by both family and political blows, Old Master Zhuo was indeed depressed for a short time, but he quickly adjusted his mindset and gathered his strength.

After returning to his hometown to observe mourning for two years, and just as he was about to be reinstated, he was already preparing for a return to the peak of his career...

Suddenly, the Evil Plague broke out, Huangcheng fell, the world was in chaos, and the entire central government collapsed.

Nearly ninety percent of the most powerful people in the imperial capital were wiped out!

Let alone returning to officialdom, whether they could even save their own lives was a question!

Old Master Zhuo nearly coughed up blood.

The good thing was that at the beginning of the chaotic times, the Prime Minister Zhu who had returned home and most of the Zhuo family members were spared because they were far from Huangcheng.

This was the greatest comfort.

Thus, some people said again that it was the protection of the Zhuo family ancestors, and that the old matriarch had even offered herself as a sacrifice to protect the family from the greatest disaster.

Not long ago, when the Zhuo family had just arrived in Xinzhou, some people even asked them: What kind of geomantic treasure land was chosen for the Zhuo family ancestral graves? Which deity did the old matriarch worship back then? Which expert was invited to provide guidance on the graveyard?

However, everyone soon discovered that the Zhuo family's geomancy... did not seem to be as good as the rumors suggested.

Just as a new life was about to begin, the person in charge of the family, the old Master Zhuo whom the Head of the Family Zhao valued highly, fell ill.

"Sigh," Lady Shen said with a deep sigh when mentioning the Zhuo family, "Now that the eldest young master of the Zhuo family has taken over the family's heavy burden, I hear he is also a talented youth. Besides him, the Zhuo family actually has quite a few talents; after all, they are a family of officials. It is just that they need time to reveal their talents."

Lady Shen said: "Currently, your uncle is still evaluating that eldest young master Zhuo's ability to handle affairs, as well as his attitude toward Xinzhou. I do not know how much of Prime Minister Zhu's skills he has learned; even if it is only thirty percent, your uncle will still put him to important use."

That eldest young master of the Zhuo family...

Wen Gu recalled that world-weary face he had seen.

That eldest young master Zhuo, besides his half-dead mental state, also seemed to have unstable emotions, looking like he might explode if he were provoked even a little.

(End of this chapter)