bookcurios Chapter 118: Duke of Zhennan
Chapter 118: Duke of Zhennan
Longhua Kingdom.
Kyoto.
royal palace.
The emperor was wearing a dragon robe and a golden crown on his head. His face was majestic and his eyes were as bright as torches.
The handwriting he wrote was vigorous and powerful. As the pen danced, the fragrance of ink filled the air, and the entire hall was enveloped by this fragrance.
The attendants around him held their breath and stared, not daring to make a sound, for fear of disturbing the emperor's interest.
Thumb thump thump thump...
Eunuch Mao rushed into the palace and approached the emperor.
"Your Majesty, the Queen is ill again."
The emperor didn't care and just threw the written paper on the ground.
"Did she say that herself, or did you see it?"
Eunuch Mao knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, it was the Empress who said it herself."
"How many times has she been sick this month?"
"Your Majesty, this is the fifth time, including today."
"I understand. Go back," the emperor stopped writing, looked up and added, "Don't arrange for a new maid for now. Leave two guards for Hua Jin."
"By the way, please take the agate that Xiqi sent as tribute to the Empress."
"The slave obeys the order."
Eunuch Mao retreated skillfully.
The palace returned to a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere; the previous incident did not disturb the emperor's mood.
As soon as Eunuch Mao left, someone came to disturb him outside the door.
"Your Majesty, Minister Bai has arrived."
The maid quickly informed.
"Let him in."
The emperor changed a new piece of rice paper without looking up.
Bai Zheng slowly stepped into the palace.
"I am here to see you, Your Majesty."
"My dear, you don't need to be polite."
As the emperor spoke, he placed the brush on the orchid-shaped porcelain pen holder, looked up and extended his hand to greet Bai Zheng.
"Why are you standing here? Come and sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Bai Zheng walked forward and sat cross-legged on the left side of the table. When he saw the words written by the emperor, he couldn't help but praise him.
"Your Majesty, what a beautiful handwriting!"
"It's not as good as before," the emperor said nonchalantly. "After so many years, I have long lost my original temperament."
"Your Majesty is humble."
The emperor neither agreed nor denied it and continued to speak to himself.
"Recently, memorials from officials in the southern border have been coming in quite frequently."
Bai Zheng's heart skipped a beat.
"Your Majesty, most of them are taking leave to return home. Besides, Your Majesty also said..."
"What did I say?"
The emperor looked at him sharply.
Bai Zheng thought to himself that this was not good.
"Minister Bai, as an important official of the imperial court, don't you notice something fishy going on?"
Bai Zheng's heart trembled, and he knelt down quickly.
"Your Majesty, I was foolish and failed to notice it in time. I beg your forgiveness."
The emperor waved his hand, signaling him to get up.
"I don't blame you, but I'm deeply worried about the situation in the southern border," the emperor said as he stood up and paced around the palace. "I summoned you here simply because I hope you can share my worries."
"I will definitely do my best." Bai Zheng said firmly.
The emperor didn't say anything about Bai Zheng's words, but continued to talk about other things.
"I remember that your third son seemed to be very close to the Crown Prince?" the Emperor said. "I wonder if it was Chonglin's intention, or if Minister Bai had someone behind the scenes..."
"I have absolutely no such intention. I beg Your Majesty to understand."
Bai Zheng felt panicked instantly, and his whole body was enveloped by invisible pressure.
Cold sweat broke out on his forehead and dripped down his cheeks.
In the middle of the night, Bai Zheng received a message from the eunuch saying that the emperor was calling him to the palace. Ever since leaving the Bai Mansion, he had been feeling uneasy. Now it seemed that—
He really needs to be punished.
"Alas, my dear minister, you have shared my worries. How can I not trust you?" the emperor said calmly. "But there have been many rumors lately, so I have to pay more attention."
"Your Majesty, I am a foolish and ignorant official. I hope Your Majesty will explain it clearly."
Bai Zheng said with his head lowered.
Seeing Bai Zheng's reaction, the emperor smiled with satisfaction.
"Since the previous dynasty, the phase has been abolished."
"I know that my energy is limited and I am afraid that I will not be able to manage the six ministries."
"The situation in the southern border is tense right now. If I were to let you lead the Ministry of Personnel, I'm afraid it would be a waste of your talent."
Bai Zheng widened his eyes, not daring to believe what the emperor said.
"Your Majesty, absolutely not. I am a humble minister with limited abilities, and it is difficult for me to shoulder such a heavy responsibility—"
"I haven't said anything yet, and you can already guess what I mean?"
"Wei Chen dare not."
Bai Zheng lowered his head even deeper.
He couldn't figure out what the emperor was thinking.
All memorials from officials in the southern border were first sent to the emperor, and then implemented by the Ministry of Personnel after approval.
But after Li Yue led his troops south, the emperor privately handed over all the documents from the southern border to him.
Bai Zheng didn't dare to act rashly and could only ask the emperor for his opinion indirectly.
"Minister Bai, this is all your Ministry of Personnel's business. Do you still need to ask me?"
"I'll be at ease when you get things done."
With the emperor's words, Bai Zheng naturally let go and took charge of the matter.
Generally speaking, he would handle all the documents that were not problematic and did not involve major matters on the emperor's behalf.
But the emperor brought up this matter again tonight, obviously dissatisfied with what he had done.
"I will never appoint another prime minister. From now on, neither you nor I are allowed to mention it again." The emperor said slowly.
"Wei Chen dare not."
The emperor looked at Bai Zheng's embarrassed appearance and spoke slowly again.
"When Xuanyu Sect first sent the third son of the Bai Mansion back, did they say anything?"
Bai Zheng looked up, his face full of fear.
"May I ask, Your Majesty, why do you bring up this matter?" Bai Zheng asked fearfully.
"Your son is so close to my crown prince. Shouldn't I ask him a few more questions?"
"Or are you, my dear, already prepared to lie to me?"
The emperor stared into Bai Zheng's eyes, and suddenly his spiritual power was fully activated. His dragon robe moved without wind, and ripples of spiritual power vibrated in the air.
boom--
Everyone around was shaken to the wall of the palace, and many weak girls fainted.
"I am so terrified that I dare not say even a word of falsehood—"
Bai Zheng's heart was pounding. He felt the strength displayed by the emperor and had no idea how to respond.
This... this is clearly not the strength of the Golden Core Stage!
But more than a hundred years later——
He had actually already broken through this shackle? !
Seeing Bai Zheng's face full of horror, the emperor spoke slowly.
"Don't be too surprised. I'm still far from reaching that level." The emperor gathered his leaking spiritual energy. "If I can find more opportunities, ascending to the upper realm is only a matter of time."
"Congratulations to your majesty, congratulations to your majesty."
"Since you know my strength, you can speak without worry," the emperor added solemnly, "The palace is heavily guarded, and martial arts sects will never enter here."
Bai Zheng breathed a sigh of relief and described to the emperor the day when Lu Yuguan returned to the Bai Mansion.
After hearing this, the emperor smiled.
"Your Majesty, is there something strange about this matter?" Bai Zheng asked worriedly.
"Lord Bai."
"Wei Chen is here."
"I have a suggestion, I wonder if you can accept it?" the emperor asked slowly.
"Your Majesty, please feel free to speak." Bai Zheng replied.
"I just said that letting you take charge of the Ministry of Personnel is a waste of your talent, but right now, there are no vacancies in the six ministries. I don't know where to send you."
Bai Zheng was stunned and was about to speak, but he didn't know what to say.
The emperor pretended to be lost in thought and said, "I have thought about it. Since you have said that you would share my worries, I would like to create a new title of Duke of Zhennan. I wonder if you would accept it."
"Duke Zhennan?"
Bai Zheng's pupils constricted and he suddenly lowered his head and knocked it to the ground.
"Your Majesty, I have not made any outstanding contributions, so why should I be given a higher rank?"
"Your Majesty, please..."
"This title is reserved for close ministers, responsible for the military and political affairs of the southern border. With your talents, you will surely be able to handle this."
Bai Zheng was shocked.
He understood that this was not a simple reward, but would push him to the forefront.
The situation in the southern border is complicated, with both demonic cultivators causing chaos and local forces entrenched.
The title of Duke of Zhennan is undoubtedly a double-edged sword.
"Your Majesty, I am deeply troubled. The position of Duke of Zhennan carries great responsibilities, and I am afraid I cannot bear it." Bai Zheng answered cautiously.
The emperor waved his hand, his tone filled with unquestionable majesty.
"My dear, there is no need to be so modest. I believe in your ability."
Bai Zheng took a deep breath, knowing that there was no turning back, so he had to agree.
"I will obey your orders and will not let your Majesty down."
"I have one more thing to say." The emperor continued.
"Your Majesty, please speak. I will not refuse." Bai Zheng replied firmly.
"If the Duke of Zhennan is also the father-in-law of the emperor, would you be interested?"