Wen Hu's question stumped Yuan Li.
Wen Hu is right. Yuan Li's influence in the military is too weak; in other words, he doesn't have many connections among the military officers. Although he has some officers under his command, they are all young generals of low rank, lacking ability, experience, and prestige. These people are unsuitable to replace the Champion King, and they cannot command respect within the Zhennan Border Army.
Yuan Li frowned, looking somewhat anxious.
After much thought, he realized that he couldn't find a suitable candidate other than himself to lead the Zhennan Border Army.
But if I go there myself, what will happen to the central command?
Inappropriate.
Wen Hu presented him with such a huge cake, yet he couldn't accept it?
Wen Hu took in Yuan Li's expression, ate a few bites of food, and waited for Yuan Li for a while before saying, "If Your Highness wants to trust my judgment, I do have someone to recommend."
Yuan Li asked, "Who?"
“Lord Zhenhai, I urge you to go to Chengdu.” Wen Hu put down his chopsticks.
Yuan Li thought for a moment and said, "Du Yu has quelled riots in the three northern prefectures, eliminated pirates in the three eastern prefectures, and made great contributions in capturing the Zhao family father and son. He has the strength and the achievements, but my brother only granted him a title and did not promote his rank. He is only a fourth-rank general, whose rank is not as high as Feng Jing and Huang Shi under my uncle. Is that appropriate?"
Despite all that Yuan Li had said, Wen Hu knew that Yuan Li had only one worry in her heart.
Are all the people in Chengdu on our side?
Are you Wen Hu's people, or Yuan Li's people?
Wen Hu said calmly, "As long as you have the strength and achievements, the matter of rank is easy to resolve. The Central Secretariat can easily appoint a third-rank general."
Yuan Li remained silent.
Wen Hu stood up and bowed to Yuan Li.
Yuan Li asked suspiciously, "Lord Sha County, what are you doing?"
Wen Hu said sincerely, “Your Highness calls me elder brother, but I am truly unworthy of such a title. I only wish to serve Your Highness wholeheartedly and assist you in governing Dajing. Du Yucheng’s father was once a member of the Left Prime Minister’s mansion, but Du Yucheng’s connection with the Left Prime Minister’s mansion was not extensive. Now my uncle is imprisoned, and Du Yuhe is also dead. The era of the older generation has passed.”
“I can tell Your Highness clearly what I think: I don’t consider Du Yucheng to be one of my own. I only hope that he can serve Your Highness like a dog or a horse.”
“I don’t know what Du Yucheng is thinking. But I suggest that Your Highness talk to him, probe his thoughts, and then decide whether or not to use him.”
Yuan Li stood up, slowly walked to the door, and stood with her hands behind her back.
The moonlight was bright and clear.
After a long while, Yuan Li's faint voice came through, as clear and cold as the moonlight.
"As you wish."
...
The next day.
Central platform.
Du Yucheng walked towards the Imperial New Hall. Now the Marquis of Zhenhai, he was full of vigor and walked with a powerful stride. At such a young age, his achievements had already surpassed those of his father, which was indeed something to be proud of.
But what truly made him proud and satisfied was not the title of Earl of Zhenhai, but the fact that he had killed Zhao Cheng.
Shame on you!
Wang Yucen's hatred at being robbed!
It kept him tossing and turning at night, his only thought being to tear Zhao Cheng to pieces and grind his bones to dust.
Now that Zhao Cheng has been killed by his own hands, how could he not be thrilled?
How could this not make his mind clear?!
Regulating one's breath and focusing one's mind greatly enhances cultivation. In just over half a month, Du Yucheng clearly felt that his cultivation had improved again, reaching the mid-stage of a top-level master.
My career and personal development are both progressing.
A feeling of almost reaching the pinnacle of life welled up within me.
With this joyful feeling, and listening to the repeated calls of Zhenhai Bo, Du Yucheng entered the Yuxin Hall and went into a room in the Central Secretariat.
The room was filled with the aroma of tea, and only Yuan Li sat behind the tea table, personally brewing the tea.
"Lord Zhenhai is here, come and have some tea." Yuan Li smiled slightly at Du Yucheng.
Du Yucheng looked flattered and walked up to Yuan Li, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Your Highness!"
"No need for formalities, please sit down."
After Du Yucheng sat down, Yuan Li poured him freshly brewed tea, which made Du Yucheng stand up again, feeling extremely uneasy.
Yuan Li was very satisfied with Du Yucheng's attitude and smiled, "Lord Zhenhai, there's no need to be so formal. I invited you to this tea room just for a casual chat."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Du Yucheng then sat down again and carefully picked up his teacup to take a sip.
Yuan Li also took a sip of tea and said, "Lord Zhenhai, I regret what happened to your father, but the country has its laws. You won't hold a grudge against the court, will you?"
Du Yucheng immediately became alert. This was hardly a casual chat, as the very first thing he said was about this topic.
“Your Highness, if I harbored resentment towards the court, I would not have risked my life to kill the pirates in Jinghai. Although we are father and son, we each have our own destiny. I am heartbroken by my father’s death, but this pain is the pain of a son for his father’s passing, not the pain of hatred.”
Yuan Li nodded and said, "I am very pleased that you think this way. My Great Jing has gained another brave general who is both loyal and filial."
Before speaking, Du Yucheng kept his head down, not daring to look Yuan Li in the eye.
Putting aside the one in the deep palace, the prince in front of us is the most powerful person in the Great Jing Dynasty.
He could strip away the status and glory he had worked so hard to earn with just a single word.
Yuan Li said, "When the Central Secretariat launched its anti-corruption campaign, the greatest help it received came from the list and evidence provided by the Marquis of Sha County, and your father, Du Yuhe, was at the top of that list. You could say that the Marquis of Sha County was the one who took Du Yuhe's life. Do you hold a grudge against him?"
The tea was very hot, and it warmed my body after drinking it, but Du Yucheng broke out in a cold sweat.
He knew that every word Yuan Li said was a test.
Your own answer will determine your own future.
Du Yucheng said, "At that time, in the eyes of the Left Party officials, Marquis Shaxian was a traitor who sold out his master for personal gain. Even now, he can't shake off that label. My father was a sinner in the eyes of the country, but he was a victim in this matter. Marquis Shaxian later valued me and gave me opportunities. I know he had a desire to make amends. I am grateful to him, and also... I hate him."
Yuan Li narrowed his eyes and asked, "Thank you, but also hate you? What kind of emotion is that?"
"I don't know either." Du Yucheng shook his head violently.
Yuan Li asked, "If one day you had the chance to kill him, would you do it?"
Du Yucheng was stunned for a moment, staring at Yuan Li speechlessly for a long time.
Yuan Li smiled slightly and asked again, "Really?"
Looking at Yuan Li's smile, Du Yucheng felt a chill run down his spine, as if the scalding hot tea he had just drunk was about to freeze into ice.
After a long silence, Du Yucheng clenched his fists, which were hidden by his legs, and said tremblingly, "No."
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