Good for You, Good for Her

Guo Jing said this.

Besides, being an emperor is tiring, but he is still an emperor, and he is also influenced by worldly ideas. Although he does not crave these things, he knows that they are indeed precious.

After all, Guo Jing was an honest and kind-hearted fellow, not a proud and aloof hermit who viewed power and wealth as a monstrous threat.

"Don't overthink it. Whether it's a good thing or a bad thing, just take it as I say and take responsibility for it."

That's what they say, but how could Guo Jing not overthink it?

Even though he became the Golden Blade Consort in Mongols, he was still considered second only to a few people and above ten thousand under Temüjin.

But that was, after all, the vast desert of northern China, filled with Mongols tents.

It always lacks the prosperity and sense of ritual of the Central Plains.

Having received instruction from his mother and seven masters since childhood, the word "emperor" naturally carries a different meaning for him.

The contrast between herding sheep in the northern frontier and suddenly being in the imperial city of the Central Plains, sitting on the dragon throne, is simply too great.

"Guo Jing, listen to me. You may feel that you are not capable enough, but I know that you are not a stupid person. With some experience, you will be quite good. Although you may not be able to become like Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han, you are still much better than those little emperors who can't even lift two golden bowls."

"What I value in you is your character. I know that even if you gain power, you will not become arrogant. Just like Fuchai, who was diligent and hardworking in his youth, Li Cunxu became arrogant and extravagant after gaining power. Yang Guang, whose talent and magnanimity far surpassed those of others, only cared about his own enjoyment. Even Emperor Xuanzong of Tang of Tang, who created the Kaiyuan Prosperity, experienced the An Lushan Rebellion in his later years."

"These emperors have all changed, but I know you Guo Jing, will never change. Although you may be a little too naive, you will definitely do your best to protect your people. With Huang Rong and Huang Yaoshi assisting you, there's no need to worry about your lack of ability."

"Don't you trust Huang Rong and her father's abilities?"

Guo Jing could only shake his head. How could he doubt Huang Rong and Huang Yaoshi's abilities? Ji Boying had once again used a fallacy of changing the subject, but it worked well for Guo Jing.

Although Ji Boying's words sounded nice, and Guo Jing didn't particularly pursue power, he still knew that the emperor's throne was a tremendous treasure. The fact that it was being forced into his hands still made Guo Jing feel apprehensive.

Ji Boying continued, "Guo Jing, you are Temüjin's Golden Blade Consort, aren't you?"

Guo Jing's heart skipped a beat.

His already somewhat rough face turned pale instantly, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

"I... I..."

"I only see Huazheng as a younger sister, I... in my heart... in my heart... Rong'er is..."

If some people say such things, it naturally makes people feel disgusted and irresponsible.

What? I only see him as a younger sister, I only see him as a older brother, I only see him as a friend.

These are all excuses that modern people of Ji Boying's time, with their restless minds, used to death.

But Guo Jing was neither lying nor being irresponsible.

This Golden Blade Consort wasn't something he wanted to be; he was simply forced into it by circumstances and pushed around by the crowd. This foolish young man had been put in this position without even realizing it.

But Ji Boying's inquiry wasn't about meddling in Guo Jing's love life.

"You have to admit that the Mongols have also done you a great favor. There is no one else in the world as special as you."

"If you refuse to be the emperor, I will naturally not leave the throne to this incompetent Emperor Zhao or anyone from the Jin Kingdom. I will always recommend someone to ascend the throne, seize the Emperor Zhao's legacy, sweep away the Jin Kingdom and annex the Mongols."

"If I can't do it, then when Temüjin marches south with his iron hooves, who in the world can rival his powerful army and strategic brilliance?"

"There will be several major wars between the North and the South, and countless people will die. In the end, the country will be ruled by one side, and the ruled side will suffer for another hundred years."

"Guo Jing, do you want to see the people of the Central Plains suffer this way, or do you want to see the people of the Northern Desert suffer this way?"

Guo Jing quickly replied.

"Naturally, we hope that the people on both sides can live and work in peace and contentment, and not suffer from this hardship."

Ji Boying nodded and said, "The idea is good, but who can make it happen? Temüjin and others don't know how to govern the Central Plains, and the people of the Central Plains don't want to bow down. And a proud man like Temüjin, with so many elite soldiers under his command, would never bow down to the Central Plains."

"Guo Jing, you are unique. If you become emperor, with the support of the Quanzhen Sect, Yang Tiexin, and the Beggar Gang' Sect, and with the Wumu's Testament as your token, the Han Chinese will naturally be convinced. And you are also the Golden Blade Consort of the Mongols. Even if Temüjin and his people are angry, it will only be a smaller-scale conflict, and fewer people will die."

"If you get rid of some die-hards, more Mongols will be willing to accept your rule."

"If you wish, then you may marry Huazheng and bring her into the harem..."

"No, no, my heart belongs only to Rong'er."

Guo Jing shook his head vigorously, for he was still just a simple-minded boy who did not understand the ways of power.

"Okay, okay..."

Ji Boying smiled and didn't press him.

"Even if you don't want to marry her, you can still make her a princess. She'll be like your sister, and you'll treat her well, right?"

Guo Jing naturally agreed.

"By bestowing upon her the title of princess, the Mongols will see this preferential treatment and know that you, Guo Jing, also love them. In this way, both the Central Plains people and the Mongols will listen to you, so why would you be afraid of conflicts between them? Even if there are still conflicts and frictions, fewer people will die."

"If it were someone else as emperor, they wouldn't be as kind-hearted as you. They would definitely use Huazheng as a tool for political marriage. Guo Jing, do you know about political marriage? Do you know how miserable those princesses who were sent to marry for political reasons were?"

"Even if they treat Huazheng well, it's not out of genuine affection. Can you just stand by and watch Huazheng suffer? They only think about power and not sincerity. Do they think everyone in the world is blind? Can you expect them to treat both Central Plains and Mongols equally?"

"If this happens, wouldn't it be foreseeable that the two sides will clash again? Mountains of corpses, seas of blood, and devastation— Guo Jing, do you want to see such a scene?"

Guo Jing remained silent and did not speak.

Ji Boying patted Guo Jing on the shoulder.

"I never intended to hand over this empire to you as a grand gift. I simply wanted you to shoulder a responsibility that wasn't originally yours. Guo Jing, take on this responsibility. The people of the world are waiting for you."

After Ji Boying finished speaking, he turned and left, leaving Guo Jing and Huang Rong, who had been eavesdropping in the bushes for a long time, to their own devices.