Chương 395: Liu Ce and Li Ru's Dialogue

Li Ru sat down on the chair next to him and said sincerely:

"Your Highness, I have been living a very fulfilling life lately. I spend my days reading and writing, and occasionally I go for walks in the city to see the lives of the people of Luoyang. In particular, seeing the changes in the lives of the people of Luoyang and the smiles that are gradually appearing on their faces, I feel ashamed of my past behavior."

He paused, then said with a touch of melancholy, "When I followed Dong Zhuo, I only thought about how to suppress my opponents... Looking back now, all those things left behind was suffering for the people."

Liu Ce nodded but did not reply.

He knew that Li Ru was a smart man; he could figure things out on his own without needing to be told explicitly.

Besides, he knew that Li Ru was speaking from the heart.

During Dong Zhuo's time in Luoyang, Li Ru's suggestions did indeed harm many people.

But now that Dong Zhuo is dead and Li Ru has admitted his mistake, he doesn't want to pursue the matter any further.

The two chatted for a while longer.

They discussed the governance of Luoyang, the lives of ordinary people, and the political situation in various regions...

Although Li Ru had done many bad things with Dong Zhuo in the past, he was indeed very intelligent, his analysis of problems was logical, and his suggestions were all reasonable.

As they were talking, Liu Ce suddenly changed the subject:

"Wenyou, Dong Zhuo's granddaughter Dong Bai, I've changed my mind. I won't send her to Zhuo County in Youzhou anymore; instead, I'll arrange for her to go to Hejian County in Jizhou and be cared for by Empress Dowager Dong, the late Emperor's birth mother. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ru paused, his mind racing, and then said:

"Your Highness has made excellent arrangements."

Liu Ce laughed and deliberately asked, "How is it good?"

Li Ru thought for a moment, organized his thoughts, and slowly said:

"The reason Your Highness changed your mind and did not arrange for Dong Bai to go to Zhuo County in Youzhou is because Empress Dowager He and Liu Bian are in Zhuo County. After all, Dong Zhuo deposed Liu Bian from the throne, failed to poison Empress Dowager He and Liu Bian, and also eliminated the power of the He family relatives."

"If Dong Bai is sent to Zhuo County, Empress Dowager He will see her every day, which will inevitably trigger old grudges and bring back painful memories. This would not be a good thing for Dong Bai either."

He paused, then continued:

"It would be much more appropriate to arrange for him to go to Hejian County in Ji Province and hand him over to Empress Dowager Dong. Throughout the entire process, Dong Zhuo has positioned himself as 'of the same surname' as Empress Dowager Dong."

"He entered Luoyang under the pretext of 'avenging Empress Dowager Dong.' Although what he did was unethical, he did have some connection with Empress Dowager Dong."

"Although Empress Dowager Dong may not appreciate this favor, Dong Zhuo is nominally her 'clan member.' It would be perfectly legitimate to hand Dong Bai over to Empress Dowager Dong, and she should be happy to take him in."

"Dong Bai's visit to Empress Dowager Dong is perfectly legitimate, and it can be considered as finding her a companion. Empress Dowager Dong is getting old and has no close confidant by her side. Dong Bai's visit will help relieve her loneliness. From both a moral and logical standpoint, it is the best arrangement."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ce smiled and nodded, saying: You're absolutely right.

He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the sunlight outside, and smiled:

"Then it's settled. Go back and make preparations; we'll send Dong Bai to Hejian in a few days."

Li Ru stood up, bowed deeply, and said:

"Your Highness is kind and benevolent. On behalf of Dong Bai, I thank Your Highness for your great kindness."

......

After leaving the Prince of Yan's residence, Li Ru did not linger and went straight back to his own house.

His house wasn't big, but it was clean and tidy, and there were several clumps of bamboo in the yard that rustled in the wind.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I saw Dong Bai sitting under the eaves, engrossed in reading a book.

The girl was only thirteen or fourteen years old, thin and small, with fair skin. Her features bore a resemblance to Dong Zhuo, but she lacked Dong Zhuo's fierceness; instead, she was quiet and gentle...

"Bai'er," Li Ru called out.

Dong Bai looked up, saw Li Ru, quickly put down his book, stood up, and respectfully bowed, saying:

"gentlemen."

Li Ru walked over, sat down beside her, considered his words carefully, and slowly began to speak:

"Bai'er, His Highness the Prince of Yan has made arrangements. He wants you to go to Hejian County in Jizhou and leave you in the care of Empress Dowager Dong."

Dong Bai paused for a moment, then nodded without asking any further questions.

She knew in her heart that this was the best arrangement.

The fact that the King of Yan did not kill her is already an immense act of kindness.

As Dong Zhuo's granddaughter, what more could she ask for than a peaceful place to live and someone to take care of her?

Looking at her obedient appearance, Li Ru felt a pang of sadness.

He continued:

"Empress Dowager Dong was the late Emperor's birth mother. She was driven out of Luoyang by He Jin and now lives in her old residence in Hejian. Although she has lost her power, she is still the Grand Empress Dowager, and no one dares to bully her. If you go to her, you'll have someone to rely on."

Dong Bai lowered his head and asked softly, "Sir, aren't you going?"

Li Ru shook his head and said, "I can't go. His Highness has asked me to stay in Luoyang because he has some matters to attend to. But don't worry, His Highness has already told me that he will send someone to escort you, and you will be safe on your journey."

Dong Bai was silent for a moment, then looked up, his eyes a little red, but he still managed a smile and said:

"Don't worry, sir, I will take good care of myself."

Looking at her, Li Ru felt even more heartbroken.

He recalled Dong Zhuo's dying words, and how he had followed Dong Zhuo for so many years, yet in the end he couldn't even protect Dong Zhuo's granddaughter and had to rely on Liu Ce's mercy.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his chaotic emotions, and, holding Dong Bai's hand, began to explain:

"When you arrive in Hejian and meet Empress Dowager Dong, you must behave properly. Listen to whatever she says and don't talk back. If you suffer any injustice, don't keep it to yourself; write to me..."

"If she tells you to study, you study; if she tells you to learn needlework, you learn needlework... She's getting old, and her temper might not be the best, but if you go along with her, everything will be fine."

"Also, when you get there, don't mention to anyone that you are Dong Zhuo's granddaughter. Just say that you are a distant relative of the Dong family of Hejian and have come to seek refuge with your grandmother. Empress Dowager Dong will help you cover it up, but you yourself must be careful not to give yourself away."

Dong Bai nodded seriously.

Li Ru then gave a long list of instructions, such as "wear more clothes when it's cold," "don't be picky about food," and "be polite when talking to people." He rambled on for almost half an hour, as if he wanted to say everything he could think of.

As Dong Bai listened, tears finally streamed down his face.

She tugged at Li Ru's sleeve, her voice choked with sobs, and said, "Sir, I will miss you."

Li Ru's eyes also reddened, but he still forced a smile and said, "If you miss me, just write a letter. Hejian to Luoyang isn't too far; a messenger can get there in a few days."

Dong Bai nodded and wiped away his tears.

Finally, Li Ru patted her on the shoulder and sighed, "Go, live a good life. Don't hold grudges against anyone, and don't think about revenge. Living peacefully is better than anything else."

......

A few days later, a carriage carrying Dong Bai, escorted by several Imperial Guards, slowly drove out of Luoyang City and headed towards Hejian County in Jizhou.

Li Ru stood at the city gate, watching the carriage grow farther and farther away until it disappeared at the end of the official road, before letting out a long sigh and turning back into the city.

...