Song Xumo had retired from the officialdom for a long time. Although he was an outstanding and honest official, he still had a good reputation in the court.
Although he never took sides or engaged in self - serving cliques, he had deep friendships with his colleagues in private when they ate, drank and had fun together. Naturally, he also had frequent interactions with Xu Songlin.
"This... Madam, you're really putting me in a difficult position," Song Xumo said, sweating a little. It wasn't that he didn't want to take the risk, but he just didn't want to get involved in the officialdom again, especially with Xu Songlin, who had extremely similar character traits to him.
If that man knew he was here, according to his personality, he would surely hold on to Song Xumo and drag him into this war. This was something Song Xumo was extremely reluctant to encounter.
If it weren't for the extremely tragic consequences of this war, he wouldn't have easily come down from the mountain.
He had seen through it. Since retiring from the officialdom, the leisurely rural life had its own charm. He could drink tea, play chess, farm and herd sheep all day long, living a calm and comfortable life.
He was tired of the infighting in the officialdom. When he was in office before, he had been impeached by many people. No matter whether he chose to side with the left - wing or right - wing parties, there were always people who wouldn't let him go.
Fortunately, Rong Xun was a wise emperor. During his reign, Song Xumo managed to avoid many impeachments and frame - ups from other officials. Tang Youyou was good at understanding people's hearts and naturally knew what was on Song Xumo's mind.
She was never the type to force others to do things against their will, but the current situation was especially special, and at the moment, only his identity was the most suitable.
Tang Youyou began to persuade him, "Sir Song, at this critical moment, if I could find someone else to be the persuader, I wouldn't have come to you. Everyone knows how comfortable rural life is. You have a large estate and a big house, and you're living quite a comfortable life."
"And you don't have to worry about food and clothing," Tang Youyou continued. "But have you ever thought that there aren't many people in the world who live more comfortably than you. Compared with you, the lives of many rural people are extremely miserable. They have heavy taxes, scarce grain production, and a whole family to support. They don't pursue a leisurely life. All they think about every day is whether there will be enough food for tomorrow."
Xu Songlin was deeply touched by her words.
He naturally knew this harsh reality. His current life on the mountain could be considered as a glorious return home. He didn't have to worry about food, clothing, or daily necessities at all. Just the rewards from the emperor before were enough for him to live on for a lifetime.
Compared with the farmers at the foot of the mountain, he was truly in a glorious position.
Thinking of this, he lowered his head slightly. "Madam is absolutely right. I'm ashamed."
Tang Youyou was secretly happy to see that her words had an effect. This kind of "honest official" had to be dealt with in this way to arouse their sense of guilt.
"Since that's the case, Sir Song, why don't you think about these suffering refugees? If we can find a good monarch, it will be a thing worth celebrating for both you and the common people, isn't it?"
Song Xumo nodded and replied, "Madam is right. Then I'll go there. But I can't guarantee that General Xu will definitely agree."
Hearing his answer, Tang Youyou smiled secretly.
"Sir Song, you don't have to worry about this. You just need to repeat what I've just told you to him. I believe this General Xu is also a rare official who worries about the country and the people."
"Of course," Xu Songlin said. "Since General Xu entered the court, every thing he has done has always taken the people of the Ming Dynasty into consideration first. In this regard, even I, Song Xumo, feel ashamed of myself."
Tang Youyou grinned. "Sir Song is being too modest."
Rong Xun, who had been listening to their conversation on the side, quietly took off the jade pendant hanging from his waist and reached out to hand it to Song Xumo.
"Take this. I'll send people to follow you, but they won't show up. They will only come out to rescue you when your life is in danger."
Tang Youyou glanced at him. Couldn't he put it more tactfully?
So she added, "You don't have to worry about your safety. I've already given instructions to those who will protect you secretly. They will surely not let you be in danger. If the situation goes wrong, they will take action immediately. You can rest assured."
Song Xumo was naturally not a coward. If he were, he wouldn't have traveled all the way from his hometown in Yangzhou to the north to relieve the disaster.
"Madam and Young Master, please rest assured. I'll set off today. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll be able to reach the capital by evening."
Tang Youyou told Ye Yue to prepare the luggage for Sir Song. Song Xumo quickly followed Ye Yue.
Seeing Song Xumo walking away, Tang Youyou sat down triumphantly. But soon her expression drooped again.
"Do you think Xu Songlin will agree?"
To be honest, Tang Youyou wasn't sure in her heart. Since she hadn't had much contact with Xu Songlin and knew very little about him, she wasn't sure if the same persuasion method that worked on Song Xumo would also work on Xu Songlin.
Rong Xun patted her head. "Don't worry. Just as you said, Xu Songlin is a man who is concerned about the country and the people. But one thing is, if I had to choose between the two of them to be the emperor, I would be more optimistic about Song Xumo."
Tang Youyou was a bit tired. She turned around and laid her head on his shoulder to rest.
Rong Xun put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her hair.
"Xu Songlin is from a military background. He tends to be a bit reckless in doing things. Although he is a man who hates evil, he must not be as considerate as Song Xumo when considering things."
Tang Youyou had also considered this point. One was from a scholar - background and the other was from a military - background. If they could combine their strengths, it would surely be a more perfect candidate.
"So what do you think now? It seems to me that Song Xumo is determined not to be the monarch."
Rong Xun gave a confident snort. "Don't worry. He will agree to be the lord of the country."
Hearing Rong Xun's words, Tang Youyou wondered how he could be so sure. She had personally contacted Song Xumo, and this man was a man of firm will and wouldn't change his mind because of others' words.
"Do you already have a plan?"
Rong Xun held her cold little hand and rubbed it to warm her up.
"Actually, this Sir Song is not from a commoner family."
Hearing this, Tang Youyou looked up at him and asked, "Huh? What do you mean?"
"Song Xumo took his mother's family name. He should have originally been surnamed Rong."
Tang Youyou widened her eyes. "What? He is actually your relative?"
Rong Xun tapped her nose and gave a doting smile.
"His real identity is the cousin of my late father. He can be regarded as a prince. But his family made a serious mistake at that time and was deprived of their title and reduced to commoners. Even their royal surname was taken away, so he changed to his mother's family name."
Tang Youyou was stunned. She never thought it could be like this.
"But it seems to me that he doesn't seem to be very aware of this matter."