Chapter 84 County Lieutenant

"What clue? What conversation?"

Li Shimin continued to shake Ling Jing.

"Your Majesty, he is already dead," Wei Zheng stepped forward and advised.

Bang.

Li Shimin threw the body on the ground.

"What did he say to Shuyu?" Li Shimin asked Wei Zheng.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, I truly did not know." Wei Zheng bowed.

"Your Majesty," Cheng Yaojin stepped forward and said, "simply summon Wei Shuyu and ask him."

After he finished speaking, everyone looked up at the high platform.

Four troublesome soldiers took Wang Wendu into custody.

Wei Shuyu smacked Cheng Huailiang on the head repeatedly...

"You bastard!"

Cheng Yaojin shouted a curse and rushed into the training ground.

With Cheng Huailiang captured alive, the armed conflict finally came to an end.

The soldiers were all filled with emotion; none of them had expected the Tiger Army to lose.

After the soldiers dispersed, Li Shimin and the others were still talking on the stands...

"Shuyu, what did Ling Jing say to you?" Li Shimin's face was extremely grim.

“I didn’t say anything,” Wei Shuyu replied, puzzled.

"Shuyu, don't be silly, this matter is very important," Wei Zheng advised.

What is very important?

"What did you say to Ling Jing?"

Wei Shuyu was unaware of the situation.

Seeing that the men looked serious, he recounted his conversation with Ling Jing at the entrance of the military camp.

Wang Cang, Yu Wan, Pan Yun, citrus fruits, Niujia Village, village head, schoolteacher, inscription...

"Your Majesty, I believe the Imperial Seal of the State should be located near Niujia Village."

Changsun Wu began stroking his beard as he analyzed the situation.

"Xuancheng, Zhijie, what do you think?"

Li Shimin then drove towards two other people.

"I think so."

"I agree."

Both of them nodded in agreement.

"Your Majesty, leave the task of finding the Imperial Seal to me."

Cheng Yaojin volunteered.

Having lost so much face today, I must salvage my image in Li Shimin's eyes.

"No."

Just then, Wei Zheng stepped in to stop them.

"Your Majesty, the news of Ling Jing's death can no longer be concealed, but we can still keep the matter of the Imperial Seal a secret for a while."

"If Zhijie launches a large-scale search, it will definitely arouse the vigilance of the person behind it all, and they might even try to seize the imperial seal from us..."

"If the Imperial Seal falls into their hands, it won't be so easy to get it back."

"Then what should be done according to Xuancheng's opinion?" Li Shimin also felt that there was some truth to it.

“Your Majesty, I think my son is very clever, and he is young. Entrusting this matter to him will surely be no problem.”

The group all looked at Wei Shuyu.

Wei Shuyu's smile looked extremely forced...

You're such a good father, making me do this thankless and exhausting task.

"Xuancheng, such a momentous matter as the Imperial Seal is entrusted to a mere child? Do you think that's reliable?" Changsun Wuji frowned and demanded.

"Then let your eldest grandson Chong go?" Wei Zheng glanced at the other party and replied arrogantly.

"..."

Changsun Wuji was instantly silenced.

Searching for the Imperial Seal of the State is a thankless and arduous task.

Finding someone who has made contributions.

While not being able to find him wouldn't necessarily lead to death, it would leave Li Shimin with the impression that he was incapable of being of great use.

Once you're labeled by the emperor, your career is basically over.

“Xuancheng, I naturally trust Shuyu, but isn’t this matter too hasty?” Li Shimin was still worried.

Regardless of Wei Shuyu's talent, he was still just a child at heart.

Those with insufficient experience are easily deceived.

"Your Majesty, Shuyu is the one who openly attracts attention."

"Ling Jing injured so many of Shu Yu's soldiers, so it's perfectly reasonable for Shu Yu to step in and suppress the bandits. It won't attract their attention."

"Besides, Shuyu is still young, which can lower their guard!"

"On the contrary, if Shuyu steps in, the other party will hide because they feel guilty."

Wei Zheng smiled and said, "Secretly, Your Majesty can send another small team to investigate the whereabouts of the Imperial Seal."

Li Shimin suddenly realized.

It's like pretending to repair the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang pass.

I am most familiar with battle formations...

"allow."

Li Shimin nodded, then said seriously, "Shuyu, I can entrust this matter to you, but you must be careful and not leak any information."

What's going on?

Did I agree to investigate the Imperial Seal?

Did you ask for my opinion?

And that's how it was settled...

"Aren't you going to thank me?"

Wei Zheng kicked Wei Shuyu.

Wei Shuyu had no choice but to bow and express his gratitude.

Just when everyone thought the matter was settled, Wei Zheng coughed twice and then said, somewhat embarrassed…

"Ahem... Your Majesty, ahem... Shuyu is on a mission, ahem... You must arrange an official position for him."

Damn it.

After all that beating around the bush, this is your real purpose, isn't it?

By the way, aren't you the upright and incorruptible Wei Xuancheng?

When did he become the shameless Cheng Yaojin?

Even Cheng Yaojin wouldn't dare to promote his son so openly.

Look at Cheng Huaimo, he's twenty years old, and just a few days ago he was standing guard at the palace.

Indeed, the more law-abiding a person is, the more terrifying they can be when they turn cunning...

Because they have thoroughly studied the rules.

"Wei Duzi, this is favoritism!" Changsun Wuji shouted.

"Then let your eldest grandson Chong go find him." Wei Zheng's eyes widened.

"Well……"

Changsun Wuji choked again.

"Your Majesty, I am only doing this to make things easier for Shuyu," Wei Zheng said, bowing.

Li Shimin frowned and pondered for a while.

He understood that Wei Zheng wanted Wei Shuyu to enter officialdom.

Wei Shuyu surpassed Changsun Chong and Cheng Huailiang, so his talent was beyond doubt.

What we lack now is experience.

"Shuyu, do you want to become an official?"

Li Shimin did not respond, but instead looked at Wei Shuyu.

What can I think?

Even a father can be so shameless.

If I dared to refuse, I'd get a real tongue-lashing when I got home...

"I will obey Your Majesty's orders."

Wei Shuyu neither refused nor agreed.

Do whatever you want, go ahead and make a fuss.

"Since that's the case, Wei Shuyu has rendered meritorious service in capturing Ling Jing, and is hereby appointed as the County Commandant of Wannian County, responsible for wiping out the remaining remnants of the Great Xia." Li Shimin directly appointed him.

It's not good to have a high official position, but if the position is too low, Wei Zheng will start complaining again.

The county constable is just right.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Everyone bowed in unison.

"Shuyu, I'm giving you seven days. If you can't find the Imperial Seal within seven days, I'll also strip you of your position as county magistrate," Li Shimin said again.

"Am I trying to attract attention?" Wei Shuyu said innocently.

"What are you inhaling?"

Li Shimin's eyes widened.

You haven't settled the score with me for making it so my two daughters can't get married yet?

You want to get an official position for free?

"I will arrange for people to investigate this matter, but you cannot let your guard down. If you find the Imperial Seal, I will grant you the title of Baron," Li Shimin encouraged.

“Your Majesty, I am the eldest son of the legitimate wife, and I inherit my father’s title.” Wei Shuyu looked down on him.

With Wei Zheng gone, we'll be the Duke of Zheng!

"Shut up."

Wei Zheng shouted coldly.

Two noble titles in one family! It's such a prestigious thing to have word of it. How could you possibly be unhappy about it?

Under Wei Zheng's tyrannical power, Wei Shuyu could only express his gratitude.

"Your Majesty, the capture of Ling Jing resulted in considerable casualties among our soldiers. I would like to ask for credit for them," Wei Shuyu said again.

Li Shimin nodded.

He was once the King of Qin and had seen too many soldiers who falsely claimed credit for promotions.

Those were earned with the lives of soldiers.

Li Shimin deeply despised those who falsely claimed credit for others' work.

Wei Shuyu did not forget to recommend the soldiers for merit, which won him his favor.

certainly……

My goodwill towards the Wei family father and son will never last more than three days.

"Zhijie, the matter of rewarding the soldiers is entrusted to you."

"promise."