On this day of the spring sting, the eldest princess of the Han Dynasty gave birth to Lin'er, named Yuanfeng.

No one can really predict the future, even Yuan Zhao would never have imagined what kind of path he and Princess Suxi's child would take in the future.

Although it was difficult to give birth, fortunately, there was no danger. Because Yuan Zhao happened to return to Chang'an at this time, although Princess Suxi's body suffered great damage, she finally saved her life. After his full treatment and careful care, a few days later, when Su Xi, who was extremely weak, finally woke up, she saw at first glance that she was lying on the pink little face next to the pillow, and her dark eyes seemed to know her mother.

In this world, some people seem to have a thousand rays of light from the moment they are born. It's like this baby named Yuanfeng. Regardless of his qualifications, life is destined to be extraordinary.

The grandson of the Empress Dowager of a powerful family, the nephew of today's son, and most importantly, his father is Yuan Zhao.

Emperor Liu Ju actually loved this child very much. Maybe it's because he hasn't had an heir yet, but in the past few days, he ran to the Hou Mansion in private clothes whenever he was free, hugging Xiao Yuanfeng affectionately, but he was more like a father than the busy Yuan Zhao.

"Sister, look...... He smiled at me again. Hehe! ”

The emperor was not very old in the first place, and he did not have those majestys. And in front of his sister Su Xi, he was completely relaxed, just like the days they used to have in the Jianzhang Palace, unrestrained, he liked this feeling very much.

Princess Suxi looked at the emperor she liked like a child, and she smiled softly. Although she didn't have much strength in her body, the satisfaction in her whole body already made her feel extremely happy.

"You, you've been the emperor for so long, and you're not big or small."

"What's this! In front of the queen mother and my sister, I would rather be the child who will never grow up. What's so good about being an emperor? It's just dealing with those boring government affairs all day long, and there's nothing better than being happy and happy together as a family. ”

The emperor teased Yuanfeng with a smug smile, and at the same time talked to Su Xi disapprovingly. This is actually part of his true thoughts, and only here he can say it. Even in front of the Empress Mother of Jianzhang Palace, he would not be like this, because in that case, he would definitely incur a scolding. Although the Queen Mother has a docile personality, she is very strict with him in this regard.

Princess Suxi shook her head a little helplessly. She knew her brother's character since she was a child and knew that he didn't have much interest in power. It is indeed a little difficult for him to put such a big country on his shoulders. However, at such a time, she naturally does not contribute to his negative feelings in this regard.

"Don't say anything like that again! Social affairs are always more important than personal feelings...... If the queen mother hears it, she will definitely be sad. ”

"Hey! Of course I know, and I'll never say that to anyone. Even if it's in the harem, I won't say anything to the queens...... In this world, only Sister understands my mind. ”

There was a slight depression in the Emperor's tone. He knew that all the subjects of the world and the concubines of the harem wanted him to do better as an emperor. However, even at this point, he felt very tired.

"Ju'er, there are many things, the queen mother and sister can't help you...... In the harem, the relationship between the queen and the concubines can only be handled by yourself. As for the affairs of the imperial court, with Brother Yuan and his uncle here, there will definitely be no big mess. Be your emperor and don't think too much. ”

The Emperor nodded. In fact, he understands all these truths. In order not to make Su Xi say too much more and consume his mind, he quickly changed the topic.

"Feng'er's eyes are so bright, she will definitely be Zhong Lingyuxiu's person in the future. I really envy Sister A and Brother Yuan for being so blessed! When he grows a little older, I must give him the best reward in the world...... This emperor's uncle can't treat his precious nephew badly. Hehe! ”

The emperor reluctantly returned Yuanfeng, who had fallen asleep, back to his mother, in a tone that seemed to be a joke, but it was already a solemn promise.

"He's only a little kid, where can he afford any reward? The emperor must remember that he must not use public weapons for private ....... ”

"Where did Sister say it! In fact, according to Brother Yuan'er's merits, even if he is crowned king now, the people of the world will never say anything. It's just that he has been trying his best to refuse, and he resolutely refuses to be rewarded again. ”

"Ju'er, don't do this. Have you forgotten Emperor Gaozu's ancestral training that he swore on a white horse and was not a king of the Liu family? ”

"Sister, this time and that time! The Han Dynasty is no longer what it used to be, and many of the royal ancestral teachings have become waste paper. This rule set by Emperor Gaozu in order to limit the power of the princes and kings has long been no longer applicable to the current general trend of the world. If Brother Yuan can't get the fairest treatment, then it can only make the world feel cold. I have already decided that when this Western Regions war achieves a phased victory, I will officially announce it to the world and confer on him the first king with a different surname today! ”

Hearing the resolute tone in his words, Princess Suxi was taken aback, although there were no outsiders around, if such words were spread, it would inevitably cause a lot of criticism.

"Don't say that again. The reason why Brother Yuan refused to be rewarded was because he was afraid that his high merits would shock the Lord and threaten the authority of the Son of Heaven. The good intentions in this, Ju'er, don't you understand? ”

There is something abnormal, and the emperor, who has always listened to his sister's advice, seems a little stubborn in this matter. He turned around, leaned over to look at Yuanfeng again before returning to the palace, and then only said a word, and went to his own place.

"Yuan Feng'er's identity is extremely noble, and I, as an uncle, will never allow him to be compared!"

Princess Suxi lowered her head, feeling some sourness in her eyes, but she was extremely relieved in her heart. Of course, she understood the meaning of the emperor's words.

The woman who is far away in the East China Sea, and her current identity is actually the queen of tens of thousands of miles of vast sea borders and thousands of mountains and islands outside the territory of the Han Dynasty. Although the Han Dynasty was still nominally revered as Zhengshuo, the whole court knew what was actually going on.

When she and the child named Liu Yuanshuo returned to Chang'an that year, they once came to the Hou Mansion. Between his eyebrows and eyes, he could vaguely see a little bit of Yuan Zhao's shadow, and he had already shown a politeness and upbringing that was extremely incommensurate with his age.

Even if a generous woman is, in the face of such a thing, I am afraid she will not have no guilt in her heart. Princess Suxi and Su Lingzhi once formed an alliance for this reason, wanting to punish the guy who caused the debt. Yuan Zhao, who knew that he was at a loss in front of them, had to escape from Chang'an overnight and go to Changle Plateau to avoid the limelight. Although not many people know about this matter, and it has only spread in a small area, it has become one of the few laughing stocks that everyone can use to ridicule this important minister of the empire.

"The grandson of the king of Huainan can claim the title of king overseas in the future, and the Han will allow the entire East China Sea to become their hereditary place. But Sister A and Yuan Feng, I don't feel that Brother Yuan is allowed to have a difference between one and the other. ”

This is what the emperor said to the Empress Dowager Wei Zifu after returning to Weiyang Palace. This is also one of the reasons why he wanted to be named Yuanzhao as the first king with a different surname in the Han Dynasty. In the future, this throne will naturally be Yuanfeng's.

"Emperor, don't be too willful. In this matter, it is better to ask Yuan Zhao in person...... When will he leave Chang'an?"

Wei Zifu, who knew his son's character very well, didn't persuade too much. After all, Princess Suxi and Yuanfeng are also her favorite people.

"He won't be able to stay for a few days...... It should be after the court meeting tomorrow, and I will return to the Western Regions immediately. The war is imminent, and a thousand things are waiting for him to take full command. ”

The Emperor sighed. In the few days since Yuan Zhao returned, they had only had one discussion. The entire western expedition reported to him by Yuan Zhao was undoubtedly the largest expedition in the 100 years since the founding of the Han Dynasty. Although when he decided to start a full-scale war with the Persian Empire, the emperor already had a rough idea of what Yuan Zhao wanted to achieve, but when this war related to the fortunes of the millennium really began, the emperor knew how much price and effort needed to be paid behind it.

"Did Yuan Zhao say it...... How long will it take to win this war? ”

He said it would take five years at the earliest...... The road to the west is thousands of miles away. Different ethnicities, hundreds of nationalities...... He said that only when the Great Han Dragon Flag fluttered everywhere from the sunrise in the east to the sunset in the west can be regarded as the final victory ....... ”

The majestic Weiyang Palace is bathed in the golden sun. The Emperor recounted with great emotion the blueprints drawn by the most important ministers of the empire and his most trusted friends. All the guards, palace maids, eunuchs, and literary attendants near and far bowed down, and no matter their status, they all wept.

And in the same sunset afterglow of this spring, Yuan Zhao did not have these feelings. In the short five or six days after returning to Chang'an, even he was already busy to complete the strategic deployment and various preparations for the entire western expedition.

There's really no way! Time is pressing, fighter planes are changing rapidly, and there is no delay at all. The communication between the emperor and important ministers of the court, the mobilization of troops, the follow-up of logistics support, and the mobilization of major merchant groups in the north and south...... He had to do it all himself.

Finally, everything was busy, and Yuan Zhao finally breathed a sigh of relief. In this last afternoon, he wants to stay in the house and enjoy the joy of family. However, not long after, Dong Zhongshu, who was nearly ninety years old, rushed back from outside the city in person.

"Yuanhou's son is extraordinarily talented, and I am afraid that it will be unspeakably expensive in the future!"

Dong Zhongshu is here to congratulate. This professor, who has been a national treasure today, said this sentence casually after carefully looking at Yuan Feng's face, and Yuan Zhao didn't care about it at the time.

"How dare you come in person! Yuan Zhao ...... in fear. ”

"Needless to say, polite words. Yuanhou, the old man only hopes that after you go, you will conquer thousands of tribes and countries, and your original intention will remain the same when you return! ”

Dong Zhongshu, who has seen countless changes in the world, looked directly into Yuan Zhao's eyes, as if he wanted to see through his heart.