Lu Yanzheng calmly pointed to the area under his eyes, "According to you, I should have taken a few days off a long time ago. There's no time like the present, so let's do it today!"

His eyes were also dark and bluish, clearly indicating that he hadn't had a proper rest for many days.

Qin Shen dared not complain any longer, but still said with a bitter face, "Your Highness, we still don't have enough manpower. This can't go on!"

Lu Yanzheng remained silent.

He was well aware that they were severely understaffed, but trustworthy people who could be entrusted with important tasks were hard to find.

He hadn't expected to integrate the four northwestern states so quickly, thinking there was still time to slowly train people, but in the end... he still had to grit his teeth and bear it himself.

"Let's not talk about that anymore," Lu Yanzheng changed the subject, "How's the online army situation?"

Qiongzhou has established a naval force, which began training two weeks ago.

Qin Shen had just returned and had only recently taken over the affairs of the naval forces. Upon hearing this, he straightened his expression and said seriously, "Some people are still adapting, but the vast majority are no longer afraid of the river. The group we found who are good swimmers are very responsible, and the subordinates respect them very much."

"When will we see initial results? Are there any plans for military exercises?" Lu Yanzheng asked thoughtfully.

Qin Shen shook his head, "You'll probably have to ask Lao Deng for the specifics; he probably has his own plans."

Lu Yanzheng nodded, "Okay, go out in a bit and call Lao Deng over."

Online trolls are a crucial part of their future, and they cannot afford to be careless from the very beginning.

Qin Shen went out, and Lu Yanzheng got up and faced the window.

The Northwest Army is still moving too fast. He needs to control it carefully. Only by proceeding steadily can he confront the imperial court at the lowest possible cost.

...

“Miss, please have a little bit…” Emerald held the bowl and spoon, her eyes full of worry.

Lu Wanqing sat against the headboard, her eyes vacant, neither moving nor speaking.

"Is Miss still unwilling to eat much today?" Lu Qingsheng strode in from outside, his voice tired and anxious.

Jade quickly bowed to him and shook her head, saying, "Master, Miss only drank a small bowl of thin porridge this morning, and hasn't eaten anything since noon."

"You may step down; let me do it." Lu Qingsheng sighed and took the bowl from Emerald's hands.

Emerald rubbed her eyes and stepped aside, looking expectantly at Lu Wanqing on the bed.

"Xiao Qing, I know you're upset, and I don't expect you to eat a lot, but at least let's keep you alive, okay? Even for my sake, please don't torture yourself like this anymore. It breaks my heart!"

As Lu Qingsheng spoke, his eyes reddened.

Ever since the news of Xiao Rui's death came, Lu Wanqing has become like this.

No, to be precise, Lu Wanqing initially went to Qinzhou to verify the truth, but only after the main branch of the Lu family announced the death did she give up. After returning, she attempted suicide several times, and after being rescued, she ended up like this.

“Yes, Miss, think more about Master and Grandfather. You are sad because of His Highness, and they will be sad because of you too!” Emerald also advised from the side.

At this time, Lu Wanqing was so thin that she was unrecognizable. Her already large eyes appeared even larger, but they were lifeless and empty.

No one knows what words touched her, but two lines of clear tears suddenly flowed from her empty eyes.

"Cry, it'll make you feel better." Lu Qingsheng put down the bowl and turned to hold Lu Wanqing's hand, saying, "Do you know what our family's situation is like now? I don't ask for anything else, I just hope you can live a good life in the future..."

Lu Wanqing opened her mouth, and after a long while, she called out "Father." However, before she could finish the word, tears streamed down her face.

"Father... how could my cousin die? Why did he die?" Lu Wanqing cried and shook her head, still unable to accept the fact.

Lu Qingsheng had scolded her several times before, but it was to no avail. His daughter was determined to die, and he was helpless except for feeling heartbroken.

“Everyone dies eventually, it’s just a matter of time. It’s good that he’s dead, he won’t have to suffer in this world anymore. You should be happy for him…” Lu Qingsheng himself couldn’t continue, so he quickly changed the subject, “Now that Lu Yanzheng has unified the four northwestern states, your grandfather and I are having a hard time, you…”

Lu Wanqing stared at him blankly, "What do you mean Lu Yanzheng has integrated the four northwestern states?"

Seeing that she had asked, Lu Qingsheng immediately explained, "Now Qinzhou, Yunzhou, Yukang Prefecture and Qiongzhou are all in Lu Yanzheng's hands. It is said that it was Xiao Rui's last will that instructed the old man on the direct branch to hand over all the resources in his hands to Lu Yanzheng."

Whenever he thinks about this, Lu Qingsheng feels like he can't understand it.

If the Lu family has these resources, why don't they do it themselves? Xiao Rui is the same; it's unheard of for the Lu family to give their resources to an outsider.

He had met the old man from the main branch of the family before, and he didn't seem like such a selfless person. Why was he listening to Xiao Rui this time? Was it because Lu Yanzheng also had the surname Lu?

Although Lu Yanzheng did not dismiss or investigate the father and son after taking over the administration of Yukang Prefecture, and allowed them to continue in their previous official positions, he did indeed take away the power held by the father and son.

Lu Wanqing slowly turned her head, looked at Lu Qingsheng, and said softly, "Father, I want to go to Dingshui Village."

"What?" Lu Qingsheng was stunned. "Why go to Dingshui Village?"

Lu Wanqing said in a low voice, "I want to go see the General's wife. She is the person my cousin loves. If my cousin has a spirit, he will surely be by her side, right?"

Otherwise, why has she prayed every day to see her cousin in her dreams, yet never dreamed of him even once?

Today, when her father mentioned Lu Yanzheng, she suddenly remembered this. Maybe if she went to the general's wife's side, she would be able to dream of her cousin?

Lu Qingsheng only heard the first sentence; he didn't hear the rest because Lu Wanqing had her mouth full when she spoke.

“If you want to go, I won’t stop you, but you must agree to one condition,” Lu Qingsheng said seriously.

Lu Wanqing forced a smile. "I will eat well and I will not try to kill myself again. For my father and grandfather, I will live well."

She was their only child, and her father hadn't had any more children with another woman in all these years. She couldn't be so selfish as to leave them first.

"You said it yourself." Lu Qingsheng patted her head and sighed, "Your father and grandfather can't leave, but I'll send someone to take you. Be careful."

His daughter has grown up, has her own thoughts and her own principles, and as her father, he can only do his best to support her in everything except for not supporting her suicide.

Moreover, he had met that lady before, and just by looking at her face, he knew she was an excellent person. He felt at ease sending his daughter to live with her.

The next day, Lu Wanqing led her people to Yongshan County.

...

Time flies like water, and it seems like the Dragon Boat Festival is almost here in the blink of an eye.

"Madam, Qin Daru sent someone to say that they won't be back for lunch today," Amber said hurriedly as she entered.

Jiang Qinyu paused, looked up at her, and asked, "Then how do they eat?"

There was no kitchen or cooking utensils at the school.