That year, Lu Chang'sheng was twenty-six, and Zhou Dingyuan was thirty-six or thirty-seven. Now, Lu Chang'sheng is fifty-five, and Zhou Dingyuan is already sixty-six or sixty-seven.
Moreover, because of the years spent at war, as he aged, the injuries he'd accumulated over time flared up, making him appear even more worn and haggard.
"Please, have a seat, Scholar Lu."
Zhou Dingyuan stood up as he spoke.
With age, the sharp aura that once lingered between his brows had faded considerably, or perhaps it was now concealed deep in his heart.
At this moment, his demeanor was more like that of an official well-versed in the nuances of officialdom.
Seeming to have noticed Lu Chang'sheng's mood, Zhou Dingyuan gave a wry smile and said, "A decade ago, I retired from the army."
Lu Chang'sheng understood immediately.
For a famed general like Zhou Dingyuan, retirement usually meant entering court, serving as a bridge between the military and the Emperor, and taking part in state affairs.
