The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 122 My lord, the world has changed.

Using a soft pillow prevents injury and avoids making a lot of noise, while still allowing for emotional release.

When he felt a little dizzy from the impact, he stopped this strange way of venting his anger, rested for a while, and then called the family steward over to ask him about the family's situation that day.

Then, he checked the time, and the red marks from his forehead hitting the wall faded. He then got up, straightened his robes, and headed to the courtyard where his father lived.

Former Prime Minister Zhuo fell seriously ill after arriving in Xinzhou. Whether it was their own physician or the renowned doctor invited by the Zhao family head, the diagnoses were similar. He had taken a lot of medicine, but his condition hadn't improved, and it seemed he wouldn't last much longer.

After so many days, Young Master Zhuo had made various mental preparations.

Overall, however, the situation remains rather negative.

He's currently in a "laissez-faire" mindset, adhering to the boundaries of his authority and responsibilities, and not interfering in matters outside his scope of duties.

Some people are willing to die, so let them die. At worst, we'll all be destroyed together!
Life and death matter!

Thinking of the foolish colleagues he had met today, Young Master Zhuo adjusted his breathing and calmed his emotions before stepping into the old man's room.

The former prime minister, Old Master Zhuo, had just woken up and was taking his medicine; the room was filled with a strong smell of medicine.

Seeing that the old man had finished his medicine, Young Master Zhuo quickly stepped forward and helped the old man lie down.

"Father, how are you feeling today?" he asked.

"much better."

Grandpa Zhuo answered weakly and listlessly, and each time he gave the same answer.

Young Master Zhuo forced a smile, as if he wanted to say something, but then fell silent.

Old Master Zhuo looked at his heir. After being bedridden for many days, his eyesight had become somewhat cloudy, but his remaining vision was still sharp enough to see the problem.

Young Master Zhuo had already straightened his appearance before arriving, but the old man could still spot the abnormality at a glance. However, he did not reprimand him, but sighed helplessly instead.

The world has become corrupt, and family misfortunes have occurred, turning the once upright gentleman into a sharp and sarcastic person.

How can one not grieve?
Young Master Zhuo noticed the old man's gaze and knew what the other wanted to hear, so he briefly talked about today's government affairs.

Although those idiotic officials and foolish colleagues were not mentioned, some emotion inevitably lingered when discussing matters.

He knew he couldn't hide his thoughts from his own father, so he suppressed his emotions and concluded, "A wise man's thoughts don't stray from his position!"

Anyway, I've finished my own business, and I can't be bothered to care about what others are doing!

Seeing his father about to say something again, repeating the same old things over and over, Young Master Zhuo was starting to lose control:
"Sir, the world has changed!"

The old systems and rules of conduct may not be applicable today; we still have to learn through trial and error.

Knowing that he was confined to his sickbed and had limited knowledge of the outside world, Old Master Zhuo stopped talking about political affairs.

He was more worried about his son's state of mind, so he slowly raised his arm and took the other's hand.

Young Master Zhuo looked at the loose skin and withered fingers resting on the back of his hand.

The once spirited and powerful Prime Minister Zhuo looks twenty years older.

In the twilight of life, like a candle flickering in the wind, one faces the passing of youth.

After a brief silence.

Old Master Zhuo's weak voice rang out: "A gentleman possesses great ability but does not flaunt it!"

The Zhuo family has fallen behind by more than one step. Many people in Xinzhou City are wary of them, and their current situation is indeed quite difficult, but they can get through it.

Control yourself, don't go crazy!
Young Master Zhuo understood the old man's unspoken words, thinking to himself: You worry I'll go mad, but in this bizarre world, who doesn't go mad? And yet everyone outside pretends to be normal, making me seem like an oddity. I actually think I'm less mad than they are!

Young Master Zhuo lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Grandpa Zhuo said again: "The way of the gentleman...is obscure yet manifests itself daily!"

The time is not right yet, but don't be too negative. After a period of reflection, it will surely shine again!
Young Master Zhuo wanted to say something, but seeing that the old man was still worried about him even though he was bedridden and looked like a skeleton, with concerned eyes, he could only swallow the sophistry he wanted to say.

He took a deep breath to compose himself and replied, "Yes, yes, you're right!" Noticing that his tone was a little stiff, he gently comforted him again, "Father, don't worry, I know everything."

After taking his medicine, the old man had limited energy, so the father and son didn't talk for too long.

After the old man had rested, Young Master Zhuo left the room. Thinking about having to face a group of foolish colleagues again tomorrow, he was filled with an invisible resentment.

……

After meeting this young master Zhuo, Wen Gu paid more attention to the Zhuo family.

That day, he went to the Zhao residence to talk with Madam Shen and inquired about the Zhuo family.

The main concern is Mr. Zhuo's condition. Just how serious is his illness? How much longer can he hold on?
Madam Shen thought for a moment and said, "As you know, many people who come from the south will experience symptoms of acclimatization problems. On top of that, the journey north is difficult, making it even more unpleasant for them."

"Zhuo Xiang carried the entire Zhuo family on his shoulders, as well as a group of refugees who followed the Zhuo family north. He was under a lot of tension for a long time. After arriving in Xinzhou, he suddenly relaxed. Coupled with the change of environment and physical and mental exhaustion, he fell ill like a landslide."

Wen Gu asked doubtfully, "The Zhuo family has been in Xinzhou for several days, and they have sent over highly skilled doctors and the finest medicinal herbs..."

Regardless of whether the illness is good or bad, there should be some news.

Madam Shen sighed, "Prime Minister Zhuo... seems to have fallen ill from overthinking and overwork. After suffering a series of setbacks, his spirits have been worn down. Your uncle has consulted several doctors, but they haven't revealed the specifics of his condition, only saying that he needs to rest. The Zhuo family has also declined visitors."

"But judging from the looks of it, Zhuo Xiang's condition is probably not good. Right now, he's just toughing it out to buy time for the rest of the family."

Wen Gu recalled the situation of the Zhuo family.

The statement that the company "suffered a series of setbacks" is not an exaggeration.

Back then, when Mr. Zhuo won a high-level battle in the officialdom and was promoted to the position of prime minister, he had no time to realize his ambitions when he suddenly received the devastating news that his elderly mother had passed away unexpectedly.

According to the mandatory mourning system of this era, Zhuo Xiang was required to resign and return to his hometown to mourn, forcing him to temporarily step down from the peak of his career.

Even those in high positions must, in principle, abide by the rules of etiquette and law, unless the superior "seizes the opportunity" to forcibly end the mourning period.

But the key point is that the above "principles" do not mean to disregard the law.

It's not like he has to be surnamed Zhuo; the people on the dragon throne are still somewhat wary of him.

At that time, there was a rumor in the capital that Heaven did not want someone with the surname Zhuo to become prime minister!
The double blow of family and political troubles did indeed cause Mr. Zhuo a brief period of depression, but he quickly adjusted his mindset and regrouped.

After returning to his hometown for two years, he's on the verge of a comeback and is already preparing to return to the top...

Suddenly, a plague broke out, the capital fell, the country was thrown into chaos, and the entire central government collapsed.

Nearly 90% of the most powerful people in the capital were wiped out!
Let alone returning to officialdom, even saving his life is a problem!

Master Zhuo almost vomited blood.

Fortunately, in the early stages of the chaos, Zhuo Xiang and most of the Zhuo family members who returned to their hometown were spared from disaster because they were far from the capital.

This is the greatest comfort.

Then some people said that it was the blessing of the Zhuo family ancestors, and that the old lady even sacrificed herself to protect the family from the greatest disaster.

Not long ago, when the Zhuo family first arrived in Xinzhou, some people asked them: What kind of auspicious feng shui site did the Zhuo family choose for their ancestral graves? Which deity did the old lady worship back then? Which expert did you consult for guidance on the burial site?

However, everyone soon discovered that the Zhuo family's feng shui... didn't seem to be as good as rumored.

Just as a new life was about to begin, the head of the family, Old Master Zhuo, whom the Zhao family patriarch valued highly, fell ill.

"Alas," Madam Shen sighed as she spoke of the Zhuo family. "Now, the eldest son of the Zhuo family has taken over the family's responsibilities, and I've heard he's a promising young talent. Besides him, the Zhuo family actually has quite a few other talented people, after all, they are an official family. It's just that they need time to show their talents."

Madam Shen said, "Currently, your uncle is still assessing that young master Zhuo's abilities and his attitude towards Xinzhou. I wonder how much of Zhuo Xiang's skills he has learned. Even if it's only a fraction, your uncle will still give him an important position."

The eldest son of the Zhuo family...

I recall the world-weary face I once saw.

That young master Zhuo, besides being half-dead, also seemed to have unstable emotions, as if he might explode if provoked.

(End of this chapter)