If it was before, the emperor naturally didn't want to enter the court early. But this time is different from the past, and there is really a shortage of people in the DPRK and China today. Especially now that there are internal and external troubles and the situation is not good, he needs to rely on the prince, and naturally the people of the prince's faction have to use it.

Zhou Gu is both civil and military, and if he can enter the court after this year's scientific examination, he will have to use it.

But now Zhou Gu has to travel for three years.

The emperor didn't understand, looked at Zhou Gu and said: "Even if you haven't gone out of Beijing to practice, it won't affect entering the court as an official, it's a big deal to give you a place to go out and go to practice for three years." Why don't you even take the temple exam? ”

Zhou Gu arched his hand, "Your Majesty, a place is just a place for people's livelihood, I want to travel the world in three years and learn more about people's livelihood in various places." ”

The Emperor nodded, "There is some truth to that. ”

He asked, "Have you made up your mind?" ”

Zhou Gu nodded.

The emperor asked: "In addition to traveling, do you have any other purpose to learn more about the livelihood of the people in various places?" ”

Zhou Gu knew what the emperor was referring to, and pursed his lips, "Travel to Daliang first, and maybe I will also go to Great Wei and Southern Chu to have a look." ”

The emperor said, "That's a good idea." ”

He looked at the old protector, "Since the old prince and the crown prince agree, I don't have any opinions, while I am young, it is good to go out and experience more." Let's do it! ”

The old prince bowed his hand and thanked him, "Thank you, Your Majesty." ”

Zhou Gu also thanked him, "Thank you, Your Majesty." ”

The emperor waved his hand, looked at Zhou Gu and said: "Three years later, when you return to Beijing, I will take a test for you, see your achievements in the past three years, and then give you an official." ”

Zhou Gu replied yes.

After the Emperor Yuming, the old protector and Zhou Gu came out of the palace, and the two of them shared a carriage, in the car, the old protector looked at Zhou Gu, "Stinky boy, what do you have in mind, don't think I'm old, I don't know, I tell you, as long as your grandfather and I don't die for a day, don't think about not coming back." ”

Zhou Gu raised his eyebrows, "Grandfather, when did I not want to come back?" ”

The old protector snorted coldly, "You haven't let go of your thoughts about Su Rong's little girl yet, have you?" Don't think I don't know, do you want to follow her to Nanchu under the guise of travel? I can tell you, the situation in Nanchu is chaotic, you run blindly to get involved, and be careful about your life. If you lose your life, I don't feel sorry for your little thing, but your grandmother and your mother, they can't stand it, you can't be unfilial. ”

Zhou Gu knew that even if he hid it, the old protector would be able to guess a few points after eating salt all his life, so he simply admitted, "Don't worry." ”

The old protector made a straight face, "If I stop you alive or dead and don't let you go, I'm afraid you won't be willing to do it in your life, but let you go, you will know." In the face of all the big situation, the love of children is such a small thing, and the small ones are not worth mentioning. ”

Zhou Gu didn't speak.

The old protector said: "Don't look at home, you will feel that the background of the Protector's Mansion imprisons you, makes you feel constrained, and thinks it's good to go out." But as everyone knows, when you go out, you will know that your origin is an existence that you can't erase in your life, your upbringing, what you have learned, and your etiquette are all things engraved in your bones, and you can't leave them for a lifetime. Even if you have a crazy horse living in your heart, just one word surnamed Zhou is enough to tie you to the reins. ”

Zhou Gu was silent.

"Don't be unconvinced. You'll find out later. The old protector looked at him, "Do you know why I agreed so happily when that little girl came to our Protector's Mansion to withdraw from the marriage?" For I can see that the two of you, in every way, are very far apart. Neither the same road, but different paths, naturally do not conspire with each other. But now you don't believe in that evil, and you want to chase her alive or dead, then you must be prepared enough in your heart, you can ask for it, but you can't ruin her way. Our men in the Protectorate Mansion do not have such crooked and stalking, have no scruples, harm others and themselves, and have no self-knowledge. ”

Zhou Gu finally spoke: "Grandfather, I know. ”

The old protector blew his beard, "It's good if you know, don't rely on being young and vigorous, you feel that no one in the world is as good as you." You have to admit that there are people outside of people, there are heavens outside the sky, and some people just have an advantage over you. If you can't reach it, you can't reach it, and people have to learn to give up in order to have gains. If you can't even give up, you can't learn anything, you want to grasp everything in your hands, and you won't get anything. ”

Zhou Gu listened to it in his heart, "Grandson remember." ”

Although the old protector was dissatisfied in his heart, he was also relieved to see Zhou Gu sincerely being taught, "Your grandmother has repeatedly told me not to interfere with you, and I will let you go." Finally, you must always remember that your surname is Zhou, and you are a descendant of the Protectorate Mansion, and no matter where you go, don't fall into the lintel of the Protectorate Mansion. Whether it is acting or being a person, but seek to be worthy of the heart. ”

Zhou Gu lowered his head, "Grandchildren remember, grandfather rest assured." ”

The old protector scolded, "Stinky boy, it breaks people's hearts." ”

Zhou Gu raised his head, his eyes were a little red, and his heart was reluctant, and the fist in his sleeve was clenched tightly and released. At this moment, facing the gray-haired old man, his grandfather, who had spent countless efforts on him since he was a child, he couldn't say what it was like in his heart, in short, he was a little uncomfortable.

He didn't know if the decision he made was right, but he only knew that because he had three elder brothers above and a little nephew under his brother's knees below, he would go to Nanchu without hesitation, so far away, to ask for a life without regrets.

"Since Your Majesty has agreed, you can set off tomorrow!" The old protector can see it, "Bring all your guards, I heard that your mother has seconded a group of people from Qinghe, if you go to Nanchu, I'm afraid these are not enough, I will ...... from the mansion."

"Grandfather doesn't have to." Zhou Gu intercepted his words, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has handed over all the hidden stakes of Nanchu to me." ”

The old protector was stunned for a moment, "It's all handed over to you?" All the dark piles of Nanchu? ”

Zhou Gu nodded, "Yes." ”

The old protector sighed, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince trusts you very much. In that case, then that's it, I won't send you any more people. ”

Zhou Gu also means this, he has enough people now.

As the grandfather and grandson spoke, they didn't feel that time had passed quickly, and they had returned to the Protector's Mansion.

When the eldest princess of Sheng An heard that His Majesty had readily agreed, and that Zhou Gu was about to leave tomorrow, she was very reluctant, so she pulled Zhou Gu and explained a lot of words.

Hearing that Zhou Gu left today, the three brothers in the army also returned to the mansion, and the whole family sat together and had a dinner, which was regarded as seeing off Zhou Gu.

Zhou Gu didn't forget that Su Rong said that he would go to find her before leaving Beijing, so after dinner, he changed into night clothes, learned from Su Rong, and climbed the wall into the Xie Mansion in Dongsi Hutong.

(End of chapter)