I opened the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 212: Zhenwu's Guessing of a Son-in-Law

The Mizukage denied without hesitation: "Father, although Cao Cao is talented, he is suspicious by nature. I will always feel uneasy with such a person. Moreover, he is too ambitious and will do anything for power. Such qualities are not what I admire. The husband I want is a sincere, kind and principled person, not someone who is full of calculations and ambitions like Cao Cao."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, Zhuge Liang is resourceful, loyal and diligent, and has devoted himself to the Shu Han. His wisdom and loyalty are admirable. What do you think of him?"

The Mizukage showed a trace of admiration in his eyes, but still shook his head and said, "Father, Zhuge Liang is indeed admirable. His strategy and loyalty are amazing. However, he worked too hard all his life. I don't want my husband to be so tired and run around for state affairs all day. I hope to have a relaxed and happy life and enjoy the good times with my husband instead of watching him exhausted."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My son, Zhou Yu is handsome, talented, and has the demeanor of a Confucian general. He is heroic on the battlefield and talented in life. Do you like him?"

Shuiying curled her lips slightly and said, "Father, Zhou Yu is charming, but he is narrow-minded. I don't like narrow-minded people. In life, there will inevitably be various conflicts and setbacks. If my husband is narrow-minded, it will inevitably cause many unnecessary quarrels and troubles. I hope my husband has a broad mind and an open-minded attitude, can tolerate everything about me, and face the challenges of life with me."

Emperor Zhenwu: "Daughter, Sima Yi was patient and intelligent, and eventually took control of the Wei regime. His strategy and patience are amazing. What do you think of him?"

Mizukage showed fear on her face and said, "Father, Sima Yi is very scheming and will do anything to achieve his goals. I feel scared and uneasy when I am with him. He has a strong desire for power, and such people often sacrifice everything for power. What I am looking for is a pure relationship, someone who truly loves and cares for me, not someone who is full of ambition and calculation like Sima Yi."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My son, Ji Kang is one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. He is talented and elegant. His music and literary works are intoxicating. Is such a person to your liking?"

Mizukage shook her head slightly and said, "Father, Ji Kang's talent is admirable. His music and literature are full of charm. However, he is too casual and free-spirited. What my daughter wants is a man who is responsible and can take care of the family. Marriage requires the joint efforts of both parties, not just a momentary interest. My daughter does not want her husband to immerse himself in his own artistic world all day and ignore the family."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, Ruan Ji is a bohemian man who expresses his dissatisfaction with reality through poetry. His talent and courage are remarkable. What do you think of him?"

Mizukage frowned and said, "Father, Ruan Ji's poems are very contagious. He dares to express his true thoughts, which is admirable. However, his lifestyle is too indulgent. I hope my husband has a certain degree of self-discipline and rules to give me a sense of security in life, rather than living as he pleases and without restraint."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, look at Tao Yuanming. He refused to bow down for a few grains of rice and resolutely resigned from his official position to live in seclusion in the countryside. His poetry is fresh and natural, full of love for life and yearning for freedom. Isn't such a person a good match?"

Shuiying shook her head slightly and said softly, "Father, Tao Yuanming's indifference is indeed admirable. He is not moved by fame and fortune, and sticks to his heart. This courage and persistence are precious. However, he is too content with the status quo. My daughter hopes that my husband will have some ambition and create better conditions for our lives. In this world, we can't always live a dull life. What I long for is someone who can enjoy the tranquility of life and move forward bravely when necessary, and work hard for our future. Tao Yuanming seems to lack the passion to fight for life."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, Xie Lingyun is the founder of the landscape poetry school. He is talented and eloquent. His poems are as beautiful as paintings and will surely bring you an endless poetic life. What do you think of him?"

Shuiying frowned slightly and said slowly: "Father, Xie Lingyun's poems are indeed beautiful, making people feel as if they are in the picturesque mountains and rivers. His talent is beyond doubt, however, he is arrogant. My daughter does not like people who think highly of themselves, and such people are often difficult to get along with. I hope my husband can be humble and peaceful, and be kind to others. Only a person who knows how to respect and care for others can bring me true happiness. Xie Lingyun's arrogance may cause him to have many conflicts in his interactions with others. This is not the life I expect."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, although Yang Guang is talented, he has certain accomplishments in literature and art. He also had some ambitions and tried to establish great achievements. How about you consider him?"

Mizukage's face darkened, and he said firmly, "Father, he is a tyrant, and he definitely won't do. Yang Guang was licentious and immoral. In order to satisfy his own selfish desires, he did not hesitate to waste people's money and labor, and built large-scale projects, which led to the people's misery and the demise of the Sui Dynasty. His behavior is despicable, and my daughter will never choose such a person as my husband. A good husband should be kind and know how to seek the welfare of the people, instead of just thinking about his own enjoyment."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, Li Shimin was a great ruler of civil and military affairs, and he created the Zhenguan era, which marked the beginning of the great prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. He was a wise ruler with great talents and strategies, and he can bring you glory and a stable life. Do you have a good impression of him?"

Mizukage sighed slightly and said, "Father, it is undeniable that Li Shimin was a wise ruler. His achievements were indeed brilliant and brought peace and prosperity to the people of the world. However, he obtained the throne through the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Such means make my daughter feel a little cruel. I don't want my husband to be a person who will do anything for power. What I long for is a pure love and a kind and upright partner. Li Shimin may have lost some of the warmth of humanity in the struggle for power."

Emperor Zhenwu: "Daughter, Fang Xuanling is very wise and has made great contributions to the stability and development of the Tang Dynasty. He is resourceful and will definitely be able to give you advice in life. What do you think of him?"

Mizukage shook his head slightly and said, "Father, although Fang Xuanling is talented, he has been working for the court all his life. His mind is on state affairs, and he will inevitably neglect his family. I don't want my husband to always be busy with government affairs and ignore the warmth of the family. I hope to have someone who pays more attention to family, who can share the joys and sorrows of life with me, and manage our little life together. Fang Xuanling's loyalty and wisdom are admirable, but he may not be able to give me the family life I desire."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling are both known as 'Fang's strategy and Du's decision'. He is decisive and resolute, and will definitely bring you a sense of security. How about you consider him?"

Mizukage pursed his lips and said, "Father, Du Ruhui is indeed capable, and his decisiveness plays an important role in political affairs. However, his life may be too serious. I hope my husband can have some humor and wit to make life full of fun. A person who understands humor can bring laughter and surprises in ordinary days and make life more colorful. Du Ruhui's seriousness may make life dull, which is not what I want."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, Wei Zheng dared to speak out and provided many valuable suggestions for Emperor Taizong's rule. He is loyal, brave, upright and a man worthy of respect. What do you think of him?"

Mizukage frowned slightly and said, "Father, Wei Zheng's loyalty and bravery are admirable. He is not afraid of power and dares to speak his true thoughts. He is willing to offend the powerful for the sake of the country and the people. However, he always speaks his mind and may offend many people. My daughter does not want to live in an environment full of conflicts and dangers. I hope to have a peaceful and stable life. Someone who knows how to deal with people tactfully may be able to better protect our family. Wei Zheng's uprightness may bring us unnecessary trouble."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, Li Jing is a famous general of the Tang Dynasty with great military achievements. He is brave and resourceful, and can protect you. Do you think he can be your good man?"

The water shadow sighed and said, "Father, although Li Jing has military talent, he has spent his whole life on the battlefield. War is cruel and full of danger and uncertainty. I don't want my husband to always be in danger, nor do I want to live in fear. What I long for is someone who can accompany me and spend ordinary and happy time with me. Li Jing's bravery and loyalty are admirable, but his profession means that he cannot give me a stable life."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, Li Bai is known as the Immortal Poet. He is talented and his poems are bold and elegant. His talent will surely attract you. How about you consider him?"

The corners of Shuiying's mouth slightly raised, then she shook her head and said, "Father, although Li Bai is extremely talented, he drinks and has fun all day long and is not very reliable. He lives too casually, pursues freedom and romance, but lacks a sense of responsibility and stability. My daughter hopes that my husband can have some sense of responsibility and be responsible for our future. Li Bai's poems are intoxicating, but his lifestyle may not be suitable as my partner. What I need is someone who can give me dependence and support in life."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, look at Jiang Ziya, he is a man of great wisdom. He assisted King Wu in defeating King Zhou and establishing the Zhou Dynasty, and made great contributions. He is wise and insightful, and can see through the world. He will definitely be able to plan for you in life and protect your life. Isn't such a person worthy of your consideration?"

Mizukage frowned slightly, thought for a moment and said, "Father, Jiang Ziya does have extraordinary wisdom and strategy. His achievements in history are also admirable. However, he has devoted his life to the welfare of the people of the world, and his heart is filled with the country. I hope my husband can focus more on the family and give me warmth and companionship. Moreover, Jiang Ziya is old, and his age is not suitable for me. What I want is someone who can walk through the long years with me and experience the joys and sorrows of life together."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, Lü Buwei is a smart and capable man with a unique vision. He entered politics as a businessman and achieved great success. His vision and methods are rare. If you stay with him, you will live a rich and stable life. What do you think of him?"

Mizukage shook her head gently and said slowly: "Father, although Lu Buwei has business acumen and political means, he is too utilitarian. In order to achieve his goals, he will do anything at any cost. I don't like such scheming people. I hope my husband is sincere, not driven by interests, and can treat me sincerely. How can a person full of calculations give me true happiness?"

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, Mengchangjun is a man of great reputation for being courteous to the wise and humble, and for being open to many guests. He is elegant and refined, and has the demeanor of a gentleman. If you are with such a person, you will definitely be respected and loved. Do you have a good impression of him?"

Shuiying raised her eyebrows slightly and responded, "Father, Mengchangjun is indeed a gentleman, which is admirable. But he has so many retainers, so he must be very busy. I don't want my husband to be busy with socializing all day and neglect his family. Moreover, there are too many people around him, all kinds of people, and I am afraid that there will be more trouble. What I long for is someone who can accompany me wholeheartedly and create a warm family with me."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, Sun Bin is a military prodigy with extraordinary wisdom. His military tactics are unrivaled in the world. With him by your side, you don't have to worry about your safety. Isn't such a man a perfect match for you?"

The Mizukage sighed and said, "Father, although Sun Bin has outstanding military talents, he spent his whole life in war and strategy. War is cruel, full of blood and killing. I don't want to spend my life with a man with blood on his hands. I hope my life will be full of peace and tranquility, away from the smoke of war. A person who loves peace and cherishes life is the ideal partner in my heart."

Emperor Zhenwu: "My daughter, Zhang Fei is extremely brave and loyal. He is a skilled warrior and can protect you at the critical moment. Do you like such a hero?"

Mizukage frowned slightly and said, "Father, Zhang Fei is indeed brave, but he has a bad temper. I hope my husband is gentle and can get along with me patiently. An irritable person is prone to act impulsively, which may cause trouble for himself and the people around him. Moreover, he is too reckless and does not know how to think carefully. I am afraid that he will cause a lot of unnecessary trouble. What I want is a stable and mature person who can give me a sense of security in life."