"Then can you tell Daddy why?"

"Dad, I was a soldier in my previous life. I've seen the cruelty of war, so I can't bear to see innocent people lose their lives. This time, there was a village called Wangjia Village on the border. All 406 people in the village were killed. The soldiers from the northern border were so cruel that they didn't even spare babies under a month old. Those women were brutally insulted and killed. They even didn't spare pregnant women. They insulted them and even took out the babies in their bellies. I hate them and I'm afraid that my family will suffer the same harm one day."

At this time, Feng Jiu was crying inconsolably, and the family members who were eavesdropping outside the door were also in tears. Feng Laosi hugged his daughter in pain.

"Dad, Nannan is so lucky to have such a good family in this life. Nannan doesn't want you to get hurt. Fortunately, we left quickly this time, otherwise the northern border would have already taken over. If they really came to the capital, I could protect my family, but what about the innocent people in the city? They also have parents and children, as well as our clansmen from Fengjia Village. What will happen to them? Dad, I'm sorry."

"Nannan hasn't done anything wrong to anyone. We owe her too much. Daddy won't stop you from doing this, but you must never lie to us again. Do you know how worried your family is about you? Let's forget about this matter. Next time, if you have any problems, you can discuss them with your family. We are all family. We can face any problems together. Don't take everything on your shoulders alone, okay?"

Fengjiu nodded, her voice muffled, and she sobbed from time to time.

Feng Lao Si held his daughter in his arms and sat on the sofa. The father and daughter did not speak for a long time.

The people who were eavesdropping outside also fell silent, especially the boys at home. At this moment, their sister was extremely tall in their hearts, and they also strengthened their belief and worked with their sister to protect the people she wanted to protect.

The next morning, a team of imperial guards arrived outside the Anping Marquis's Mansion. The two leaders were carrying a plaque covered with a red cloth.

A young eunuch from the palace came to inform the Feng family early in the morning that an imperial edict would arrive at the Marquis' Mansion today, so the Feng family had already put on their official uniforms early in the morning.

Fengjiu also put on the princess dress sent by the palace, and it was Chen Sanqiang who announced the decree.

The masters and servants of the Feng family all knelt on the ground, and Chen Sanqiang held the imperial edict in both hands.

By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims:

"I have received the mandate of Heaven, ruling the four seas. I rely on my ministers to work together to govern. The daughter of Lord Fengsheng, Marquis of Anping, is a woman of commendable loyalty and courage, with exceptional talent and strategy, and numerous achievements. In defending the borders, she has repelled the enemy thousands of miles away, protecting the country and the people; in managing domestic affairs, she has diligently served the public and offered advice and counsel. Her virtue and conduct are a role model for all."

"In recognition of his great achievements, I have specially promoted his rank from Marquis to Duke, bestowed upon him the title of [Phoenix], and granted him a fief of ten thousand households and an additional salary of a thousand dan. I hope that in the future he will not forget his original aspirations, but will work even harder, share my worries, and work for the well-being of the country.

So ordered! "

Feng Lao Si took the imperial edict with both hands and said: "Thank you for your grace, long live the emperor."

Chen Sanqiang: "Congratulations, Lord Feng."

"Congratulations, Eunuch Chen, please come into the mansion for tea."

"I won't go in. Duke Feng, please don't be polite. The Emperor is still waiting for my reply!"

Feng Laosi stuffed the purse in his hand into Chen Sanqiang's hand.

"My father-in-law also wants to share in the good fortune."

Chen Sanqiang did not refuse. He took the red envelope and returned to the palace.

Old man Feng excitedly turned the imperial edict over and over again, with tears in his eyes.

Half a month later, today is the day of the palace examination.

"My fellow students, you have endured the hardships of studying and are now able to demonstrate your knowledge in this palace examination. I hope you will speak freely and use your true talents and knowledge to help me relieve my worries and benefit the country."

"You are all talented individuals of this nation. I am personally presiding over the palace examination today to assess your abilities and observe your aspirations. There is no need to be reserved; express your opinions freely."

"In this palace examination, I seek talented individuals and sound strategies. You should present your sincere opinions on governing the country and maintaining its security, and demonstrate your talents in serving the people."

"I have inherited the legacy of my ancestors and need your help in governing the world. I am now in the palace examination and hope that you will apply all your knowledge to the best of your ability and live up to my expectations."

Students: "Yes, students will remember this."

The emperor asked, "In today's world, how can we make the country prosperous and the people live and work in peace and contentment?"

Feng Lao Si took a step forward.

Your Majesty, I would like to say, "If we want our country to prosper and our people to live and work in peace and contentment, there are five things we must do."

"First, we must prioritize agriculture. Agriculture is the foundation of a nation. We should develop water conservancy projects, improve farming methods, and promote new crops to increase yields. We should also reduce taxes and levies so that the people have more energy and enjoy farming and weaving."

"Second, we must improve the administration of officials. We must select virtuous and capable officials, strictly investigate corruption, ensure that officials work for the benefit of the people, and ensure that government orders are transparent and impartial."

"Third, develop industry and commerce. Encourage craftsmen to innovate their skills, flourish commerce, open more trading ports, facilitate the flow of goods and services, and enrich the national treasury."

"Fourth, strengthen the military and secure the defenses. Train the soldiers, develop weapons, build strong cities, and guard the borders to prevent foreign aggression and protect the country and the people."

"Fifth, promote education and educate people. Establish more schools and popularize education so that all people are knowledgeable and understand etiquette and morality. Only then can we cultivate talented people who will become the pillars of the country."

I am incompetent and am taking the liberty to speak. I hope Your Majesty will make the decision.

I see that you have extraordinary talent. If you can persevere and work hard, you will surely achieve great things in the court."

No one answered, which meant that they had no opinion.

The emperor then asked, "How should a gentleman cultivate himself and establish virtue to rectify the moral standards of the state?"

Feng Zhong took a step forward.

Your Majesty: "A gentleman cultivates himself and establishes virtue to rectify the moral standards of the nation. He should have a reverent heart, revering the heavens, the earth, and nature, and the moral laws.

Take benevolence as the foundation, care for others, extend your love to others, perform good deeds, and show compassion.

Uphold the virtue of honesty, keep your word, keep your promise and never break your promise to others.

Be diligent in study and thinking, be knowledgeable and ask questions, distinguish right from wrong, and constantly improve your own wisdom.

They should also be able to exercise self-discipline and self-reflection, always reflect on their mistakes, and have the courage to correct their shortcomings.

Be humble, don't be arrogant or impatient, and respect other people's opinions.

Only in this way can we cultivate ourselves and establish moral integrity and become a model of national style.

"I see that your talent is truly outstanding. Given time, you will become a great man and a pillar of our dynasty!"

Yan Hao also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, a gentleman cultivates himself and establishes virtue to rectify the state's customs, and the key is to integrate knowledge and action.

Guided by Confucian classics, we absorb wisdom and moral principles and internalize them.

In life, we should pay attention to details and start with daily trivial matters, such as respecting the elderly and loving the young, and living in harmony with neighbors.

In the face of temptation, stick to the bottom line and don't be contaminated by vulgarity.

At the same time, we must have a sense of responsibility, dare to speak out, offer suggestions for the development of the country, influence and lead others with our own noble character, and jointly create a clean and upright national style."

"I am very pleased to see your ability. Such talent is rare among the students of our dynasty. You should make good use of it and repay the country."