hotmtlnovel Chapter 93 Passing Away
Chapter 93 Passing Away
lu yu looked at the monkey brimming with a fighting spirit and was utterly speechless; that was not at all what he had intended. where did the monkey get this fighting spirit? but perhaps this was the difference between him and the monkey, the one called the victorious fighting buddha—truly a different breed.
the two of them chatted on and off until sunset and moonrise, under the twinkling stars. lu yu looked up at the sky and noticed the mountain god earth god, who was guarding the monkey, looking anxiously at him and the monkey.
it was then that lu yu realized he had overstayed this time. these nominal guardians dared not intervene yet feared being accused of neglecting their duties, which is why they looked over anxiously.
he smiled and bowed to the sky, then turned to the monkey and said, "looks like i should go now, otherwise these few probably can't take it."
"who cares about them? if they annoy me, i'm not pleased, just a few shakes from the five elements mountain will settle them down," the monkey muttered. "after all, i have responsibilities to bear, why get into petty quarrels with them? besides, i've just gotten familiar with this place to make my visits to you easier in the future.
if they change guards, i'd have to start all over again," lu yu said with a smile.
during lu yu's visit with the monkey, a significant event was also unfolding in great chu—the life of prime minister hu shengliang, who had followed lu zhang for many years, was drawing to a close.
hu shengliang was indeed a legendary figure. having achieved nothing by the time he was approaching sixty, he had spent his days among the displaced, wandering and homeless, until he met lu zhang. the two complemented each other and consequently achieved great deeds.
it can be said that their story spread throughout great chu, becoming a moral support for many who were disheartened, as people often said: "do not fret at sixty, for did you not see hu shengliang meet a wise leader at sixty, his fame known throughout the land?"
in fengjing city, the hu family was already mourning, everyone knowing that the pillar of their household was about to fall. the younger members of the hu family all bore grave expressions as, for them, hu shengliang was the guarantee of their prosperity and status.
"it was not until i met your majesty, who, despite my age and frailty, entrusted me with major government affairs. i was moved to tears of gratitude and vowed to serve your majesty unto death. however, as a true son of heaven, your majesty achieved great feats in a remarkably short time, and i also gained fame by association.
now that my descendants are well cared for and i have fulfilled my ambitions, i consider myself fortunate. therefore, your majesty need not grieve."
"let this old servant go ahead to the nether dragon court and sweep the halls, waiting for your majesty's return."
hu shengliang's heartfelt words deeply moved lu zhang, and his sadness was much diminished. after all, as hu shengliang said, death was but a step ahead, and they could meet again in the nether dragon court in the future.
"i hope your majesty will take care of your dragon body and usher in a golden age. i, lao hu, will also celebrate for your majesty from within the dragon court," hu shengliang suddenly said loudly, his face flushed and his eyes shining brightly.
however, this surge of energy was but a fleeting resurgence. after saying these words, hu shengliang's hand suddenly lost its strength, his breathing weakened, and the light in his eyes gradually faded, his breath slowly ceasing. hu shengliang, a renowned minister of great chu, thus departed from this world. enjoy new chapters from empire
the funeral of hu shengliang was extremely solemn, with the crown prince supporting the coffin, and he was bestowed posthumous honors in the great temple. the long funeral procession filled the streets, and the people of fengjing city each had their thoughts as they watched the procession move away.
"this lord hu was truly a legendary figure. starting his career late, he met a wise leader and rose rapidly, reaching the pinnacle among the officials. it shows how unpredictable life can be; we should not dwell on temporary gains or losses," someone remarked reflectively.
"with the crown prince supporting his coffin and being honored in the great temple, a civil servant could not ask for more," observed a group of young scholars enviously, hoping to one day be as eminent as him.
"lord hu was a truly good official. our fengjing city was able to recover its prosperity so quickly thanks to his meticulous administration. alas, we had hoped he would live to a ripe old age; who knew he would leave us so abruptly," expressed the common folk.
as people discussed, a scholar in a green robe stared blankly at the departing procession, lost in thought.