The Prodigal Son

Knowing that his time was coming to an end, Song Zhuo, despite his illness, talked a lot with Qin Yu.

Qin Yu benefited greatly from Song Zhuo's teachings and sincerely thanked him.

At noon, they all stayed at the Song residence for lunch.

Because the imperial physician instructed that Song Zhuo should not be exposed to drafts, they moved the table directly into Song Zhuo's ward.

Smelling the aroma of wine, Song Zhuo wanted to sneak a couple of sips, but Song Xian refused. It took Qin Yu a lot of persuasion before Song Xian finally poured Song Zhuo a cup of fine glutinous rice wine and carefully fed it to him.

Song Zhuoxin was satisfied, and a smile appeared on his thin face.

After the meal, they chatted with Song Zhuo for a while longer before saying goodbye.

Before leaving, Qin Yu pulled Song Xian aside and said seriously, "We all know about Prime Minister Song's situation. In my humble opinion, sometimes filial piety doesn't mean keeping the elderly alive forever. Perhaps true filial piety is about making them happy even when they are lying in their sickbeds."

Judging from Song Zhuo's condition, he probably won't last even half a month.

While he can still drink, it won't hurt if he drinks a little.

Anyway, if he were in Song Zhuo's situation, he would rather drink himself to death.

Song Xian patted Qin Yu on the shoulder, "I understand the reasoning, but as a son, I always hope he can live one more day! My mother passed away early, and now I only have this old father, sigh..."

"Alright!"

Qin Yu didn't say much, but cupped his hands and said, "Then we'll take our leave! You don't need to see us off, stay and keep Prime Minister Song company!"

"good!"

Song Xian didn't stand on ceremony with them.

After Qin Yu left, Song Xian returned to Song Zhuo's ward.

"Have they all left?"

Song Zhuo asked with a smile.

"They're all gone."

Song Xian nodded slightly and came to the edge of the bed. "Did you have Qin Yu secretly pour you some wine?"

"No, no!"

Song Zhuo immediately denied it.

"Of course there is!"

As Song Xian spoke, he quickly walked to the cabinet and soon found the half-jar of wine.

There wasn't much wine to begin with, and he could tell there wasn't enough just by gently shaking it.

Seeing his son find the hidden liquor with such ease, Song Zhuo was taken aback. "How come... Qin Yu didn't tell you, did he?"

"I knew the first day you hid this wine!"

Song Xian put the wine back where it belonged, turned to look at his father on the sickbed, and said, "I just couldn't be bothered to expose you!"

He deliberately made the old man keep thinking about that half-jar of wine.

Everyone needs something to hold onto.

Song Zhuo paused slightly, then glared at Song Xian with wide eyes. "I drank it, so what? You unfilial son, I'm almost dead, can't I even have a sip of wine?"

"Okay!"

Song Xian smiled helplessly, "One cup a day from now on, one cup at most! No bargaining!"

Song Zhuo looked at his son with delight and immediately said, "Then let's get a bigger cup!"

"I……"

Song Xian looked at the old man, both amused and exasperated, and reluctantly relented, "Fine, I'll get you a bigger cup!"

"That's more like it."

Song Zhuo smiled with satisfaction, then beckoned Song Xian to sit down, and said earnestly, "I know you're reluctant to see me go, but Heaven has only given me this much time!"

"I've come to terms with it, and you should too!"

"It's not important to be alive, it's important to have truly lived!"

"How many people spend their entire lives merely existing, without truly living..."

Many people toil day and night for a living, seemingly alive, but in reality, they are just walking corpses.

Throughout his life, he roamed the martial world and ascended the imperial court, experiencing both laughter and anger, as well as restraint and silence.

He has experienced joy, anger, sorrow, happiness, life and death, and separation!

His name, Song Zhuo, will be recorded in the history books of future generations!

He was content!

Song Xian pondered Song Zhuo's words carefully, then nodded gently, "It's rare to see someone as open-minded as you. As your son, I should also learn to be more open-minded!"

"That's right!"

Song Zhuo smiled with satisfaction, "I've already taught you everything I needed to. There's nothing more for me to teach you! You have ability and knowledge, but you just haven't achieved enlightenment!"

Song Xian, puzzled, asked, "What does it mean to be enlightened?"

Song Zhuo didn't answer his question directly, but instead asked with a smile, "What do you think of Gao Yi?"

Song Xian lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then said seriously, "He should be considered a capable old fox!"

"He is indeed an old fox! In terms of ability alone, Gao Yi is definitely superior to me!"

Song Zhuo smiled in agreement, "But why would a fox be caught by a hunter?"

"Because hunters are smarter!"

Without hesitation, Song Xian replied, "Even the most cunning fox can't escape the hunter's grasp!"

"Wrong!"

Song Zhuo waved his hand gently, "It's because the fox couldn't resist the hunter's bait!"

Upon hearing Song Zhuo's words, Song Xian was suddenly stunned.

Bait!

After a moment of quiet contemplation, Song Xianming realized, "Is my father advising me not to be too ambitious and not to covet power?"

"right!"

Song Zhuo smiled, "You can learn from Qin Yu in this regard! He sees things very clearly. With his merits, he deserves to be made a king, but look at him, he doesn't want to get involved in court affairs at all!"

"It's good that you have ideals and ambitions! But be wary of letting your own utilitarianism get the better of you!"

"After I'm gone, His Majesty will surely give you an important position! Don't even think about vying for power!"

"You must remember one thing: as a subject, the power you fight for or seize is actually given to you by His Majesty!"

"She can give you power, and she can take it away just as easily..."

Song Zhuo patiently taught Song Xian.

This was probably the last thing he could teach Song Xian.

Although he was confined to his residence, he had heard quite a bit about Gao Yi's antics in the court.

In his view, Gao Yi's jumping around was a joke!

Why are you, a civil official, jumping around like that?

He doesn't even look at who actually holds military power!

Let alone making him prime minister, what if we gave him the throne to sit on for a few days?

As soon as Zhao Luan gives the order, he will be pulled off his horse!

Those who are greedy for money die because of money; those who are power-hungry die because of power!

Gao Yi is already halfway to the grave. What he should be doing now is not fighting for power and profit, but doing his job well and making a future for his descendants!

After hearing Song Zhuo's words, Song Xian understood even more and bowed, saying, "Your son understands, thank you for your teachings, Father!"

"Good that you understand!"

Song Zhuo smiled with relief, "Given the teacher-student relationship between me and His Majesty, as long as you don't cause trouble, I can guarantee you a peaceful life!"

"As for your descendants, you'll have to teach them well yourself!"

"After I leave, if you encounter any difficulties or troubles, you can seek help from Su Yu, Qin Fumeng, or Qin Yu."

"Or, you could go directly to His Majesty! Don't be afraid to speak up; His Majesty is only afraid that you won't speak up..."

Song Zhuo was earnestly giving instructions to his son, as if he were making his final arrangements...