I opened the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 220 Goddess, You Are Hard to Marry

Emperor Zhenwu said solemnly, "My daughter, listen to me. Zhang Juzheng was a famous reformer who brought a new look to the Ming Dynasty, just like a spring breeze blowing across the land. Just think about it, he was able to call the wind and rain in the court, and was awe-inspiring. With his intelligence and decisiveness, he managed to pull the crumbling Ming Dynasty back. He was like a superhero who saved the entire country. If you have such a man as your husband, won't you have a prosperous life in the future? You can just wait to enjoy wealth and glory, which is definitely like a mouse falling into a rice jar - it's so beautiful."

The Emperor Zhenwu became more and more excited as he spoke, and continued, "Zhang Juzheng's ability is obvious to all. The reform measures he implemented are so powerful. It's like putting new wheels on an old carriage, making it run very fast. He is also like a fish in water in the officialdom, and he is very comfortable with it. Although he may have many enemies, it is because he is too outstanding and people envy him. With such a capable person around you, what are you afraid of? He can protect you from the wind and rain and give you a stable future."

Shuiying pouted and said unhappily, "Father, don't just see his good points. Although Zhang Juzheng is capable, he has many enemies in the officialdom. He is walking on the edge of a knife - very dangerous. Just imagine how tired I would be if I lived in such a fighting environment all day. It's like I'm walking on a battlefield full of mines, and I could be blown to pieces at any time. I don't want to live in such a fearful life. My daughter doesn't want to live in a fighting environment. What she wants is a stable and peaceful life."

Mizukage frowned and continued, "Look at those young couples, they live an ordinary life, how happy they are. But if I follow Zhang Juzheng, I will probably have to worry about his safety every day, and worry about whether someone will come to retaliate against us. Isn't this asking for trouble? I want someone who can make me feel at ease, not someone who makes me nervous all day long. As the saying goes, the ordinary is the real life. I don't want to live in that kind of tense and exciting environment all day long. I just want to find an ordinary person and live our little life together."

Mizukage paused, and continued, "Besides, he is so busy in the officialdom, how can he have time to accompany me? It's like I bought a beautiful vase, but I can only look at it but not use it. I hope my husband can spend more time with me and share every bit of life with me. Instead of being busy fighting with others all day and leaving me alone at home. I don't want to be a resentful woman in the boudoir, waiting for him to come back in an empty house all day. I'd better find someone who puts family first, so that I can feel real happiness."

Emperor Zhenwu frowned slightly and continued, "My daughter, Hai Rui is upright and honest, just like Bao Gong reincarnated, impartial and just. Just think about it, it would be such an honor to have such a virtuous man as your husband. He can set a good example for you and make you an upright and kind person. Moreover, he has such a good reputation that he is respected wherever he goes. With such a man around you, what are you afraid of?"

Mizukage rolled his eyes and said helplessly, "Father, I admit that Hai Rui has noble character. But he is too straightforward and doesn't know how to adapt. He is like a stubborn donkey. Think about it, can he survive in this complex society? It's like using a hammer to solve all problems without knowing that there are other tools that can be used. I hope my husband can stick to his principles while also being flexible and not being so stubborn."

Mizukage curled his lips and continued, "Look at those people who are flexible. When they encounter problems, they can always think of various ways to solve them. But he only knows how to stick to one path. If he continues like this, he will suffer sooner or later. I don't want to be unlucky with him. I want someone who can adapt to the situation and make the right choice in different situations. Not someone who only sticks to principles and doesn't know how to be flexible. As the saying goes, a man who knows the times is a hero. He is not a hero at all."

The Mizukage sighed and continued, "Besides, he is so straightforward that he will definitely offend a lot of people. Then, our lives will be affected. It's like I live next to a powder keg that may explode at any time. How dangerous it is. I don't want to live like this. I'd better find someone who is more tactful and can get along harmoniously with the people around him, so that our lives can be stable. Otherwise, if we quarrel with others all day long, how can we be happy?"

Emperor Zhenwu said with admiration, "My dear daughter, listen to me talk about Xu Jie. Xu Jie is patient and intelligent, which is not something that ordinary people can do. In that complicated court, he is like a hidden agent, observing everything calmly; he is also like a cunning fox, carefully planning every step; he is also like a calm chess player, thoughtfully laying out the whole game. Toppling Yan Song was a thrilling drama. His shrewdness is like that of a fox - very cunning. But don't just think that this is a derogatory term. In the ever-changing officialdom, if you don't have this ability, you would have been eaten to the bone long ago. He can survive in such an environment and accomplish great things. That is real ability."

The Emperor Zhenwu became more and more excited as he spoke, and continued, "With someone like Xu Jie as your husband, your future life will be secure. He can protect you from the wind and rain in a complicated situation, just like a big umbrella that holds up the sky for you; he can give you advice in difficult times, just like a bright light that illuminates the way forward for you; he can protect you from dangers, just like a fortress that defends you from external attacks. And he is so smart that he will definitely be able to handle the affairs of the family in an orderly manner. You can just wait to live a stable and comfortable life, which is definitely a blessing. Think about it, those incompetent people will panic when they encounter something, how can they deal with it as calmly as Xu Jie?"

Shuiying wrinkled her nose and said with disdain, "Father, please don't just see his good points. Xu Jie is very scheming, and I don't like such complicated people. Just think about it, it's so tiring to be with someone who has so many twists and turns in his heart all day. It's like I'm walking in a maze, never knowing what trap will be around the next corner; it's like I'm untangling a tangled mess, but I can't find a clue; it's like I'm facing a fog, and I can't see the road ahead at all. I hope my husband is simple and pure, like boiled water, clear to the bottom. I don't want to guess what he's thinking all day, and be on guard against whether he has any calculations."

The Mizukage paused, then continued, "Life is complicated enough, I don't want to find someone more complicated to make things more difficult for myself. I want someone who can make me feel at ease, someone I can be honest with. Not someone who makes me nervous all day, not knowing when he will show another face. As the saying goes, you should not have the intention to harm others, but you must be on guard against others. But if you have to be on guard against even your own husband, then what's the point of living like this? I'd better find a simpler person who can live a plain and real life with me."

Mizukage continued to refute: "Look at those young couples, they trust each other and don't have so many schemes. Cooking together, chatting together, watching the stars together, how happy they are. But if I follow Xu Jie, I will probably have to analyze his every word and every action like a detective every day; like a puzzle solver, to crack his every thought; like a psychoanalyst, to figure out his every intention. Isn't this asking for trouble? What I want is someone who can enjoy life with me, not someone who makes me nervous all day long. He is so scheming and deep-minded, he is not suitable for me at all. I'd better find someone who can make me relax, so that I can feel real happiness."

Emperor Zhenwu frowned slightly and said, "My daughter, Qi Jiguang was a famous general who fought against the Japanese invaders. He defended his country and was majestic, like a tiger coming down the mountain, unstoppable; like a sword unsheathed, sharp and sharp; like a galloping horse, unstoppable. He was so brave and fearless on the battlefield, leading the soldiers to charge and defeat the Japanese invaders. You would be so proud to have such a man as your husband. And he is so brave, he will definitely protect you and our family."

The more the Emperor Zhenwu spoke, the prouder he became. He continued, "Qi Jiguang's reputation is very famous, and he is respected wherever he goes. He has made great contributions to the country, and he is a true hero. With such a hero by your side, you will feel like you have a solid castle, and you don't have to fear any danger; it's like you have a powerful shield that can withstand any attack; it's like you have an invincible guardian who always guards your safety. Think about it, those timid people who retreat when they encounter difficulties, how can they face them as bravely as Qi Jiguang?"

Mizukage said with a sad face: "Father, Qi Jiguang is admirable, but he has been fighting all year round. I don't want to live in fear. Just think about it, he is fighting on the battlefield all day long, I have to worry about his safety. It's like a timid rabbit, it's not good to be afraid all day long. I want someone who can stay by my side, not someone who is always fighting in the distance."

Mizukage frowned and continued, "Besides, he is not at home all year round, and I have to worry about all the things at home by myself. It's like I am performing a one-man show by myself, how tiring it is. I hope my husband can accompany me more and share the joys and sorrows of life with me. Instead of leaving me alone guarding the empty house, waiting for his return. As the saying goes, companionship is the most lasting confession of love. He is not at home all day, so how can there be any confession? I'd better find someone who can live a stable life with me, so that I can feel real happiness."

Mizukage continued, "Look at those happy young couples, shopping together, watching movies together, traveling together. But if I followed Qi Jiguang, I would probably only be able to stare at his portrait in a daze; it would be like keeping a promise that would never come back, full of loss; it would be like looking at an unattainable dream, full of helplessness. This is not the life I want. I want someone who can create beautiful memories with me, not someone who makes me always wait in memories. He has been fighting for so many years, he is not suitable for me at all. I'd better find someone who is more suitable for me, who can live a warm life with me in this small home."

Emperor Zhenwu said with expectation, "My dear daughter, Tang Bohu is a man of great talent, both in poetry and painting. He is like the God of Literature, and he is very powerful. His poetry and painting are so wonderful that people can't stop praising them. If you have such a man as your husband, your future life will definitely be full of artistic atmosphere. Just wait to be influenced by his talent, maybe you can become a talented woman. He is like the bright stars, shining in the sky of culture; like the gorgeous flowers, blooming in the garden of art; and like the lively notes, dancing in the world of music."

The Emperor Zhenwu became more and more excited as he spoke, and continued: "Tang Bohu is a well-known figure in the cultural world, and he is admired wherever he goes. He is like a dazzling star, shining brightly. With such a person by your side, it is like having a personal artist, and you can appreciate wonderful works at any time; it is like having a cultural treasure house, with endless knowledge for you to explore; it is also like having a source of inspiration to stimulate your creativity. Think about it, those uneducated people, who only know about firewood, rice, oil and salt all day long, how can they be as interesting as Tang Bohu?"

Shuiying curled her lips and said disapprovingly, "Father, although Tang Bohu is talented, he has a tragic fate and a somewhat unruly personality, just like a wild horse that is out of control. Just think about it, I have to worry a lot with such a person. It's like I have a naughty monkey, and I don't know when it will cause trouble for me; it's like I am driving an unruly sailboat, which may be overturned by wind and waves at any time; it's like I am facing a ball of uncontrollable fire, and I may be burned at any time. I hope my husband can be more stable and reliable, and not be crazy all day long."

The Mizukage paused, then continued, "Besides, he has a bad fate and might get into trouble at any time. I don't want to be unlucky with him. I want someone who can give me a stable life, not someone who makes me live in fear all day long. As the saying goes, a plain life is the truth. I don't want to live a life full of twists and turns. I'd better find someone who is more down-to-earth and can live an ordinary and happy life with me."

Mizukage continued to refute: "Look at those stable people, they do things in moderation and make people feel at ease. But he does whatever he wants all day long, and you never know when he will do something unexpected. Isn't this asking for trouble? I want someone who can plan the future with me, not someone who makes me worry about the future all the time. He is so unruly and is not suitable for me at all. I'd better find someone who is more suitable for me and can live a stable life with me in this small home."