Chương 773: The Appearance of the Master Prince

The two chatted for a while, reminiscing about the old days when they first started their rebellion... and both sighed with emotion.

After chatting for quite a while, Liu Ce finally remembered the important matter and asked with a smile:

"By the way, you didn't just come to see me today, did you? Is there something you need?"

Xun Yu stopped smiling, sat up straight, bowed slightly to Liu Ce, and spoke solemnly:

"Your Majesty, I have come today to bid you farewell."

I am 69 years old this year. I am getting old, my eyesight is failing, and I am increasingly unable to handle government affairs.

Next spring, I plan to retire and return to my hometown to enjoy my old age.

I came specifically to inform His Majesty in advance.

Upon hearing this, Liu Ce fell silent.

The hall fell silent immediately.

He had known this day would come, but hearing it still made him feel a little choked up.

Xun Yu was his right-hand man, who had followed him since the early days of the uprising, overseeing the rear, handling internal affairs, recommending talents, and working diligently for decades without ever making a mistake.

Xun Yu's contributions to the Han Dynasty's current state are indispensable.

Now, even Xun Yu is leaving.

After a long silence, Liu Ce finally nodded, his voice somewhat deep:

"knew.

You've toiled for the Han Dynasty your whole life; it's time for you to rest. Go back and enjoy your retirement, spending time with your grandchildren—that would be wonderful.

I've prepared a mansion, a salary, and rewards for you. Once you return, don't worry about anything; just enjoy your retirement.

If you miss me, just come back to Luoyang for a few days; the palace gates are always open to you.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness." Xun Yu bowed deeply, his eyes slightly red.

He has deep feelings for Liu Ce and for the Han Dynasty.

He wouldn't have left if he weren't so exhausted from the work.

After chatting for a while, Xun Yu got up to take his leave.

Liu Ce personally escorted him to the palace gate.

Watching Xun Yu bow and then turn away slowly, his back slightly hunched, his steps slow, and his snow-white beard fluttering gently in the spring breeze.

Liu Ce stood on the steps and looked for a long time.

The once spirited Xun Wenruo has grown old.

The story of their generation is also coming to an end.

But the prosperous era they created and the foundation they laid will, like towering mountains and mighty rivers, continue endlessly and be passed down for generations.

Liu Ce sighed softly, turned around and walked back into the hall.

The sunlight fell on his hair, and a few silver strands could be seen.

Time waits for no one, for everyone.

Fortunately, the country has people from generation to generation, and life goes on.

This is enough.

..................

Late March of the thirty-ninth year of Shenwu.

Luoyang, Ganlu Palace.

Spring sunlight streamed in through the carved windows, casting a warm, golden glow on the floor.

A faint scent of sandalwood burned in the bronze incense burner at the corner of the hall, mingling with the fragrance of crabapple blossoms drifting in from outside the window, creating an aroma that made one feel drowsy.

Liu Ce was lounging on the soft couch, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand, with a plate of osmanthus cake on the small table next to him, leisurely idly idling.

Since handing over power to Liu Chen nine years ago, he has been living a more and more comfortable life.

Sleeping in late in the morning, teaching the emperor's grandson in the afternoon, strolling through the imperial garden when I have nothing to do, and going on trips from time to time—life is wonderful.

He's spent half his life fighting for the country and ruled for forty years; it's time for him to take a break.

He took a sip of tea, picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, and was about to put it in his mouth...

"Ding!"

A crisp, familiar mechanical voice suddenly exploded in his mind.

Liu Ce's hand trembled, and the osmanthus cake fell back into the dish with a "plop".

He froze for a full three seconds, his eyes wide open, a word that was both familiar and unfamiliar popping into his mind: system?

Holy crap, this thing is still here?

He'd almost forgotten he even had a system!

Back when I transmigrated here, I relied entirely on this thing to summon talent and gain a cheat code, which allowed me to rise from a minor warlord to the founding emperor.

Later, when peace returned to the world, the system went silent and remained inactive for decades. He had assumed that the system had either run away long ago or run out of energy and died.

Why did it suddenly come back to life today?

"System?" Liu Ce called out tentatively in his mind, "Is that you? You're still alive? I thought you had already run away."

【Hello, host. 】 The system's voice remained mechanical, devoid of any emotion.

[This system has been accumulating energy over the past few decades, and now that the energy is sufficient, it has prepared two special gift packages for the host.] The first gift pack can be opened now, but the second gift pack cannot be opened for the time being and will open automatically at a crucial moment.

Liu Ce raised an eyebrow.

Two big gift packages?

Okay, might as well take advantage of the freebie.

He was too lazy to ask what the second gift pack was or why it couldn't be opened. He figured even if he asked, this guy wouldn't tell him; he's a master of riddles.

"Alright," Liu Ce thought to himself, "Open the first gift pack. Let me see what kind of stuff they've managed to produce after all these decades."

[Congratulations, host, on acquiring the following civil officials: Zhang Juzheng and Wang Meng; and military generals: Guo Ziyi and Li Dingguo.] [All four are twenty-five years old, have been implanted with legitimate identities, are absolutely loyal to their host, and can be summoned at any time.] Zhang Juzheng? Wang Meng? Guo Ziyi? Li Dingguo?

Liu Ce's eyes lit up instantly, and he almost dropped his teacup.

Good guy!

These four are all ruthless!

Zhang Juzheng, the Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty during the Wanli era, was a reformer of the Single Whip Tax System and a super-talented ruler who extended the Ming Dynasty's life by several decades...

Wang Meng, the chief strategist of Fu Jian of the Former Qin Dynasty, was a general and prime minister, proficient in both governance and warfare, and was known as "the man whose achievements surpassed even Zhuge Liang"...

Guo Ziyi, a renowned general who helped restore the Tang Dynasty during the An Lushan Rebellion, turned the tide and rebuilt the Tang Dynasty. He spent his life on the battlefield and enjoyed both a long and happy life...

Li Dingguo, the last war god of the Southern Ming Dynasty, a famous general who resisted the Qing Dynasty, twice defeated a famous prince, which shook the world. He was unparalleled in loyalty and bravery.

These four are all exceptionally talented individuals capable of handling tasks independently!

Civilians and military men, reformers and warlords—they're all here!

Liu Ce couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Impressive, system! After holding back for decades, you've finally unleashed a powerful new feature!

These four young men are perfect for Liu Chen's use.

The older generation of ministers are all getting old. Xun Yu is 69, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui are over 60, and the old generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are even older and should have retired long ago.

The generational transition is in dire need of a group of capable middle-aged talents.

This gift from the system is a real lifesaver!

He picked up his teacup and took a sip, trying to calm his excitement.

No rush, let's meet these four first and see what they're made of.

He silently uttered the word "summon" in his mind.

The next second, a servant's voice came from outside the hall:

"Your Majesty, four gentlemen are requesting an audience outside the palace. They say they are old friends whom Your Majesty met during your southern tour and have come to seek refuge with you."

"Let them in." Liu Ce sat up straight and straightened his clothes.

Soon, the four people filed in.

The two leaders were dressed like scholars. One had a refined and stern face, sharp eyes, and an air of competence, clearly a decisive and efficient person. The other had a slightly darker complexion, a calm gaze, and a hint of ruthlessness in his brows. He didn't seem like a pure scholar, but rather someone who could lead troops.

The two behind him were dressed as military generals. One had a resolute face, a tall and straight figure, and a calm demeanor, exuding the air of a veteran general. The other was younger, with sharp eyes like an eagle and a fierce aura from years of battlefield experience.

The four people walked into the hall and bowed in unison:

"Zhang Juzheng (Wang Meng, Guo Ziyi, Li Dingguo) pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Their voices were clear and their demeanor was extraordinary.