Chapter 411: Chapter 346: Lu Lin’er and the Lu Family
"Child greets Mother Empress!"
Kunning Palace. After finishing court matters, Zheng Chengji came here at the first opportunity.
Empress Lu Lin’er had been waiting for quite some time.
In addition, Lu Lin’er’s two brothers, Lu Jiye and Lu Jizu, were also present.
Seeing Zheng Chengji enter, Lu Lin’er immediately approached and, holding his hand, said:
"Child, you have worked hard~!"
"We greet His Highness, the Crown Prince!"
The two uncles quickly stepped forward to salute.
"Please rise, uncles~!"
Zheng Chengji first spoke to the two uncles, then said to Lu Lin’er:
"Easing worries for Father Emperor and Mother Empress, your child is not tired."
"Good, good, as expected of my child~!"
Lu Lin’er held Zheng Chengji tightly, her eyes full of affection.
After a long time, they separated due to Zheng Chengji’s gentle struggle.
Blushing, he said, "By the way, Mother Empress, where is Father Emperor?"
"Your Father Emperor..."
Lu Lin’er’s expression changed slightly, and with a bitter smile, she said, "Your Father Emperor has already, as of this dawn, taken the cultivators of the Imperial Palace, and headed to the Celestial Longevity Mountain Palace."
"Along with more than a thousand noble ladies, and over three thousand eunuchs and palace maids, to attend to your Father Emperor and the other imperial consorts’ everyday needs."
"Mother Empress, do not be sad; in the future, your child will visit you every day!"
"Good child~!"
Lu Lin’er said affectionately: "By the way, what did the Cabinet discuss in court today? How did you respond?"
Zheng Chengji thought for a moment and said: "In today’s court, Grand General Xu Mujun told your child many things."
"For instance, the untimely death of the heir of Wei Country, and Father Emperor has also issued an order rejecting the Third Prince of Wei’s surrender, waiting only to breach the capital city of Wei Country and annihilate the Third Prince, after which our Great Yu will govern all of Wei Country."
Lu Lin’er reminded: "This matter is one of territorial expansion, long decided by your Father Emperor, and cannot be altered."
"Most importantly, this accomplishment of territorial expansion is to be completed in your name."
"In the end, the annals of history will also have a place for you, just follow the arrangements of the esteemed ministers of the Cabinet."
"I understand!"
Zheng Chengji continued: "Besides this, there is another matter."
"Grand General Xu explained to your child that Father Emperor once ordered the establishment of five major military regions to defend Great Yu."
"Your child is not yet acquainted with the generals of these five regions, nor with the General of the North Sea Navy, and the South Sea Navy hasn’t even been established yet..."
Lu Lin’er thought for a moment and said: "The five generals are all great generals of the border; they have rendered great service in quelling rebellions for Great Yu, but they are loyal to Great Yu, so you need not worry."
"Once the five major military regions are formally established, you can issue a decree to generously reward their families, demonstrating the benevolence of the Crown Prince."
"I understand!"
Zheng Chengji immediately felt a sense of relief.
Matters of governance that were previously confusing became so clear and straightforward through Mother Empress’s analysis.
He could not help but smile and say, "If only Mother Empress could help me manage state affairs together~"
As soon as the words fell, the expressions of the two uncles beside him changed slightly, and even Lu Lin’er’s eyes lit up.
However, she quickly shook her head and said: "It’s not possible; the Grand Ancestor decreed that the Harem must not interfere in governance."
"What Mother Empress is doing today is to help you quickly take control of the Imperial Court, easing Father Emperor’s burdens."
"After you come of age, you will need to handle matters yourself."
"Besides, you have the Cabinet, and Mother Empress must not interfere lightly."
Zheng Chengji couldn’t help but pout: "I understand, Mother Empress."
Lu Lin’er suddenly said, with an extremely serious tone: "By the way, there is one more thing that you must complete without negligence."
Zheng Chengji, surprised, asked, "Mother, what is it?"
"For Grand General Xu Mujun, grant a noble title."
Lu Lin’er said each word clearly: "Grand General Xu has achieved great merits, and is the foremost figure in our Great Yu."
"According to your Father Emperor’s original intention, Grand General Xu was to be granted the title of Duke, but Grand General Xu has consistently declined, so your Father Emperor has temporarily set it aside."
"But now you have been established as the Crown Prince and have the power to oversee the government."
"Your Father Emperor and several other consorts are in seclusion for cultivation and will not appear for ten years, so the matter of bestowing the title now falls upon you."
"This is also one of the means your Father Emperor deliberately left to win over Grand General Xu."
Lu Lin’er continued: "Among the five major military regions that your Father Emperor advocated, the Central Military Region, Northern Military Region, and Southern Military Region are all under Grand General Xu’s command."
"Even Cui Xiawu of the Eastern Military Region once served under Grand General Xu."
"And Miao Xiu, the general of the Western Military Region, is also a friend of Grand General Xu... "
"In this way, almost all of the five major military regions are filled with Xu Mujun’s people."
"Of course, Grand General Xu is devoted to Great Yu, but there are inevitably people plotting in secret, so we must be prepared."
"Granting a noble title to Grand General Xu, aligning with the military, do you understand?"
Zheng Chengji nodded and said: "I understand, Mother, but what title should be granted to General Xu?"
"First Grade Duke of Guarding the State."
Lu Lin’er added: "Hereditary."
"Hiss..."
As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Jiye and Lu Jizu instinctively took a deep breath.
First Grade Duke of Guarding the State, and hereditary as well!
This means that after Xu Mujun’s death, his descendants will inherit the title of Duke of Guarding the State.
As long as the Great Yu Dynasty stands, Xu Mujun’s entire family will hold the position of Duke.
This status is enough to be called: second to one, above all others!
Sharing the country’s prosperity!
Zheng Chengji also understood what these words represented, nodding: "Mother, I understand."
"Tomorrow, I will discuss with the Cabinet and, at the next Great Court, confer the title of Duke of Guarding the State to General Xu."
"Good~"
Lu Lin’er nodded in satisfaction, then said: "Child, you must be tired too. Someone, take His Highness the Crown Prince to rest."
