Reborn as Murong Fu: This Time I'm the Protagonist

Chapter 498 Envoy

Upon hearing that the Empress Dowager had something to announce, the already faint murmurs completely disappeared. Murong Fu's heart stirred; he sensed something and quietly watched the Empress Dowager, waiting for her to speak next.

Empress Dowager Gao smiled and surveyed the entire room, finally fixing her gaze on Murong Fu: "Today, I have invited Mr. Murong and all the clansmen to be my witnesses. Since the passing of the late Emperor Shenzong, I have been ruling from behind the curtain for eight years. At that time, the successor emperor was young, and the people inside and outside the court were restless. It was a turbulent time. With the ancestral spirits above, in order to stabilize the court, I could only reluctantly try my best to maintain order with my meager virtue. Although I have done no great deeds to record in history during these eight years, I have fortunately not committed any transgressions against the ancestral spirits. Now that the Emperor is getting old, I have often considered withdrawing from the regency. However, a serious illness has kept me bedridden for more than three months, and this matter has been delayed. Now, thanks to the blessings of the ancestral spirits and the skillful and benevolent treatment of Mr. Murong, I have been fortunate enough to survive. After this experience, I feel that it is time to retire gracefully."

The group's expressions varied, with Murong Fu displaying an expression of complete understanding. The most fascinating expression, however, came from Zhao Xu, who displayed a range of emotions including surprise, confusion, and apprehension.

After Empress Dowager Gao finished speaking, the others began to whisper among themselves.

"Therefore, I hereby announce that from tomorrow onwards, the curtains will be removed, and all matters concerning the court and the outside world will be decided by His Majesty!"

It was as if a thunderclap had struck in dry land; everyone's expressions became quite interesting.

Empress Dowager Gao looked at Zhao Xu and smiled, "Is Your Majesty satisfied with my arrangement?"

Zhao Xu froze on the spot, speechless. He had longed for this moment for many years. Ever since he realized the meaning of the word "emperor," he had hoped to personally grasp the power of the empire. However, his grandmother's existence had forced him to suppress this thought, which gradually led to a distortion of his mind over the years. He even once rejoiced at his grandmother's serious illness, hoping that her passing would clear the way for him to regain power.

But when this scene actually happened, Zhao Xu felt a sense of unreality.

The room fell silent, everyone lost in their own thoughts.

Zhao Xu hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "I am deeply apprehensive. I am still young and inexperienced, and I am afraid I am not up to the task. Please..."

Looking at Zhao Xu, Murong Fu felt a sense of helplessness – apart from Zhao Kuangyin, who could barely be considered a decent person, the emperors of the Song Dynasty were of very low quality.

Empress Dowager Gao, with a solemn expression, said in a deep voice, "Why is Your Majesty acting this way? The dignity of the emperor should be respected. Does Your Majesty doubt me with these words?"

Empress Dowager Gao could not hide the disappointment and sadness in her eyes. She had seen her grandson's incompetence firsthand. She had also thought that her years of hard work would eventually turn into nothing, so she always thought of helping her grandson one last time before her life came to an end.

But after experiencing a life-or-death ordeal, she also saw many things clearly. Rather than waiting for the tide to turn and then be swept away, it would be better to retire gracefully while she was still alive, so as to leave everyone with dignity.

It was as if a small stone had been suddenly thrown into a calm lake, and all the relatives spoke up, especially those from Empress Dowager Gao's own clan.

However, no matter how these people pleaded, whether sincerely or falsely, Empress Dowager Gao simply ignored them.

"My mind is made up. I have already discussed this with the ministers of the Secretariat." Empress Dowager Gao looked coldly at these so-called relatives with their own thoughts, and felt that each of them was repulsive. Suddenly, she understood the words her deceased son had said on his deathbed, "I am so lonely and cold." At this moment, Empress Dowager Gao also felt very lonely and cold in her heart, but she could not tell anyone. She could only sigh silently in her heart.

"Furthermore, before we remove the curtain tomorrow, I have one more thing to ask of Your Majesty, which is also the last thing I would like to ask of you. Please consider my years of care and support, even though I have not received any reward, I have still worked hard for many years. If you can do this for me, it will satisfy my long-cherished wish."

Empress Dowager Gao said in a deep voice.

"Please speak, Your Majesty!" Zhao Xu quickly replied.

Empress Dowager Gao said, "I was able to overcome this great calamity and be reborn. At least these old bones of mine can live a few more years of comfortable life. All of this is thanks to the miraculous skills of Physician Murong and his dedication. As the saying goes, the grace of saving a life is like giving birth to a new life. Even ordinary country folk know to be grateful for the life-saving grace of others, let alone the words and deeds of the royal family, which should set an example for the whole world. For many years, I have never asked the court for anything on behalf of the Gao family. Today, I shamelessly ask the Emperor for a reward for our benefactor."

Zhao Xu said, "Our Great Song Dynasty has always governed the country with loyalty, filial piety, virtue and righteousness. Mr. Murong has relieved the Empress Dowager of her illness, which is a great favor to our Great Song Dynasty. He should be rewarded accordingly."

Empress Dowager Gao said, "Very good, I am very pleased. I wonder how His Majesty intends to reward Mr. Murong?"

Zhao Xu hesitated for a moment and said, "According to my opinion, a thousand taels of gold should be bestowed upon him. As for the other rewards, we should discuss them with the other ministers before making a decision."

A hint of undisguised disappointment flashed across Empress Dowager Gao's eyes.

Her public proposal was partly to express her gratitude, and partly to pass on an opportunity to establish a reputation for virtue to the emperor who was about to personally wield power. Murong Fu's martial arts and medical skills, along with the mere tip of the iceberg of his influence, were enough to demonstrate his immense power, a fact that Zhao Xu was completely unaware of.

Murong Fu couldn't help but chuckle to himself: a thousand taels of gold wasn't even enough for him to reward someone in his current good mood. This Zhao official was far too stingy.

Murong Fu then rose and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I have come here with a pure heart and have no intention of seeking personal gain. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your order."

Empress Dowager Gao was displeased and said, "In my opinion, it would be better to let Minister Murong establish his own government and become a military governor. What does Your Majesty think?"

The moment the word "jiedu" was uttered, it was as if a handful of ice shards had been thrown into a boiling pot of oil.

He established his own government and became the governor of a town.

Throughout the Song Dynasty, the title of Jiedushi (military governor) was merely an honorary title for military men, without any real power or territory under their jurisdiction. From the time of Emperor Taizu onwards, the power of the Jiedushi had been steadily diminishing, eventually becoming a title with only a salary and no real power. Yet, it was the highest honor that countless civil and military officials aspired to obtain, and many people fought tooth and nail for it, even sacrificing their dignity, but still could not achieve it. Now, however, the Empress Dowager was saying that she would grant Murong Fu the title of a commoner of the Song Dynasty.

These words caused an uproar. Even Murong Fu himself was momentarily stunned.