To say that obtaining the Third Prince's consent was easy would be an exaggeration.
After all, His Highness Prince Cheng is of a strong and unyielding nature. For many years, he has outwardly complied with the court's decrees but inwardly defied them, and has even been distant from members of the royal family.
However, it seems that it is not entirely difficult to say that it is fraught with difficulties.
Because when Lu Jingze took charge of the matter, things became completely different, and everything went much more smoothly.
The reason for this is not simply because Lu Jingze is his imperial nephew and the two have a familial bond.
The more crucial factor is that King Cheng highly regards Lu Jingze, this junior.
Both being members of the royal family, this nephew is the most like him!
Not only are their personalities similar, but their experiences are also quite alike.
Both of them joined the army as teenagers and experienced countless bloody battles and life-or-death trials.
When King Cheng was young, he repeatedly made military achievements on the frontier, and all his soldiers respected him.
Lu Jingze was the same; he joined the army at a young age and, with his extraordinary courage and strategy, repeatedly turned danger into safety and made outstanding military achievements.
The difference is that Lu Jingze was fortunate to meet a wise ruler who trusted him and was willing to entrust him with important responsibilities, thus enabling him to establish his reputation and become an important figure in the court based on his outstanding talents.
In contrast, King Cheng was exceptionally capable, but due to the emperor's suspicion and vigilance, he was forcibly summoned back to the capital, far from the battlefield, leaving him with a wealth of ambitions but nowhere to realize them.
Over the years, although he was granted the title of prince, he was like a tiger imprisoned in a gilded cage, his heart filled with unsettling resentment.
However, this did not diminish his deep affection for Lu Jingze.
King Cheng was extremely ambitious in his youth, and as he grew older, he became even more fond of this ambitious, courageous, and resourceful child.
He once privately remarked to his confidants, "Jingze is just like me when I was young."
As for Ye Lanfeng, he is also considered a promising young talent by the people of the capital.
But in King Cheng's eyes, he was just a sycophantic, good-for-nothing!
King Cheng had met Ye Lanfeng several times, and each time he saw him with a cynical and irreverent attitude, his words full of flattery, which King Cheng found extremely offensive.
He once bluntly warned Lu Jingze: "That Ye Lanfeng doesn't seem like a decent person. Stay away from him!"
For King Cheng, Cangzhou has been like a huge stone tablet commemorating the humiliations he suffered over the years.
Whenever I think about it, my heart aches as if it's being gnawed by a thousand ants.
For this reason, he always adhered to the principle of "not interfering or governing" in Cangzhou, letting Cangzhou develop on its own, and never interfering in the slightest, even if it became chaotic.
But who could have predicted that just a few days ago, when he was talking with his exceptionally intelligent nephew, he would suddenly have a profound realization!
Lu Jingze did not directly mention the Star Moon Sect, but instead started with matters concerning people's livelihood and explained them in detail.
He said that although Cangzhou is located in a remote area, it is not beyond redemption. If water conservancy projects can be built and people's livelihoods improved, the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and the place will surely be revitalized.
At that time, Cangzhou will not only be King Cheng's fiefdom, but also a testament to his achievements.
Upon hearing this, King Cheng was startled.
He never imagined that Cangzhou, which he had regarded as a disgrace for many years, would become the key to starting a new chapter in his life.
After a long silence, King Cheng finally sighed, his tone tinged with relief: "Jingze, you're right. I've been too stubborn all these years."
Thus, this elderly man, who had experienced many hardships, regained his youthful vitality and was eager to devote himself to the great journey of changing the fate of Cangzhou.
He not only readily agreed to Lu Jingze's request, but also handed over his own seal as a sign of support.
When Lu Jingze left the palace with the seal of the Prince of Cheng, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.
This trip not only fulfilled my own wishes, but also helped the Third Prince resolve his long-standing inner conflict, which was an unexpected gain.
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