Chapter 57 The Cutest Imperial Envoy in History Takes Office (Seeking Recommendations)
Mu Fang's "compromise" changed the nature of the matter.
The story has evolved from "the young princess insisting on going to the disaster area" to "the Duke of Huguo determined to personally go to Jiangnan".
But that's not enough.
Mobilizing troops, appointing imperial envoys, and using the national treasury all require one person's approval.
The true master of the Great Chu Kingdom—Emperor Chu Yuan.
Just as dawn was breaking, an inconspicuous carriage drove out of the side gate of Princess Anguo's residence and went straight into the palace.
Inside the car sat Mu Fang, Chu Chongjin, and Mu Yu, who was being held in Mu Fang's arms.
Xiao Beichen and Yan Ziche stayed at the mansion. One was responsible for comforting the Tiger King "Big Cat," who also wanted to go with them, while the other began to draft a list of supplies needed for the trip to Jiangnan.
Inside the Imperial Study, only a few palace lanterns were lit.
Emperor Chu Yuan did not sleep all night. The table in front of him was covered with various intelligence reports from Jiangnan.
The official and secret agents' accounts contradict each other, making it difficult to distinguish the truth from the falsehood.
He rubbed his aching temples, feeling utterly exhausted.
Just then, Steward Li Defu quietly announced from outside the door.
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Protectorate, the Ninth Prince, and... Princess Anguo request an audience."
Chu Yuan was taken aback.
Why is Xiao Yu'er here at this hour?
"Announce."
Mu Fang carried Mu Yu in his arms and walked in with Chu Chongjin, who was pushing a wheelchair.
"Your subject (son) pays respects to Your Majesty (father)."
No need for formalities.
Chu Yuan's gaze immediately fell on Mu Yu.
The little girl was wearing a thick cotton-padded jacket today, and her face was still a bit pale. Her unseen eyes pierced his heart even more.
"Why doesn't Xiaoyuer sleep a little longer?" The emperor's voice was full of a grandfather's love for his granddaughter.
Mu Yu shook her head and peeked her little head out from her father's arms.
“Grandpa Emperor, I’m not here to play around, I’m here to talk to you about work,” she said with a serious expression.
"Talking about work?" Chu Yuan was amused by her mature tone, and his irritation dissipated considerably.
"Very well, my Princess Anguo, what kind of work would you like to discuss with me?"
"I'd like to apply for a position," Mu Yu said.
"Position?"
"Yes, Chief Consultant for Flood Relief in Jiangnan!" Mu Yu puffed out her chest and announced a title she had made up herself.
Upon hearing this, even Mu Fang and Chu Chongjin, who had been prepared for the remark, choked.
Chief...Chief Advisor? You little brat, you really dare to say that!
Chu Yuan's smile froze. He looked at Mu Fang and Chu Chongjin, his eyes sharpening.
"Are you... serious?"
Mu Fang immediately knelt on one knee and recounted everything that had happened the previous night, as well as Mu Yu's theories on the "Lucky Pond" and the "Dragon Gate Career."
He made no attempt to conceal anything. He knew that before this emperor, any scheming was futile.
Chu Chongjin also spoke up at the opportune moment.
"Father, I humbly request that you appoint me as the Imperial Envoy for disaster relief in Jiangnan."
He raised his head, his gaze calm and resolute, yet suppressing an astonishing urgency.
"Does Father Emperor still remember the similar early summer flood in Huainan at the end of the previous dynasty? Historical records state that the court initially thought it was a common occurrence and only sent local officials to pacify the area. Unexpectedly, a month later, a great plague broke out, refugees flocked everywhere, and the land was eventually devastated, shaking the foundations of the nation."
"Judging from various intelligence reports, the current disaster in Jiangnan is remarkably similar in severity to that of years past! If we are not careful in handling it, we may repeat the same mistakes, with unimaginable consequences! I dare to speculate that this is no ordinary natural disaster; there must be a deeper root of evil behind it. We must nip this disaster in the bud with swift and decisive action!"
He certainly remembered that period of history. It was the beginning of the previous dynasty's decline from its peak.
Chu Chongjin didn't mention anything vague or abstract, but instead used real historical examples as comparisons, which instantly tipped the scales in Chu Chongjin's mind.
Although he felt his son was exaggerating, he could sense the profound foresight in his son's words.
He fell silent.
Reason told him that it was absurd to let a four-and-a-half-year-old blind child and a prince with a broken leg preside over disaster relief; it was treating state affairs as a joke.
But emotions and intuition are telling a different story.
He recalled Mu Yu's miraculous abilities, how she had found the crux of the palace's water system, and Chu Chongjin's extraordinary maturity and foresight since waking up.
Perhaps... this absurd combination can really create a miracle?
Mu Yu sensed the heavy atmosphere and became somewhat anxious.
She struggled to get down from her father's arms, groped her way to Chu Yuan's desk, and reached out her little hand to gently tug at the corner of the emperor's dragon robe.
"Grandpa Emperor, please don't be unhappy." She tilted her little face up and looked in the direction of the Emperor.
“I know you feel sorry for me. But you are the ruler of a country, you should feel sorry for everyone in the world.”
"The uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters in the south are so cold, so hungry, and so scared. Their 'lucky color' is almost turning black."
Her voice was soft and sweet, yet it carried an undeniable power.
"You are the true Son of Heaven, and your dragon aura is the great golden bell protecting everyone. Now there is a hole in the bell, and I, this little koi fish, am here to help you patch it up."
She tugged at Chu Yuan's sleeve and began to act coquettishly.
"Grandpa Emperor, please agree! If the nation's fortune improves, your dragon energy will be even stronger. With stronger dragon energy, Ninth Brother's health will recover quickly. With Ninth Brother's recovery, my Fortune Pond will rise. And with my pond rising, my eyes will get better!"
This logical loop is practically perfect. It seamlessly binds national interests, the prince's health, and her personal desires together.
Everyone who hears this will nod in agreement.
Chu Yuan looked down at the little girl who was tugging at his clothes and earnestly working for her "career," looking into her empty yet incredibly serious eyes.
He first let out a long sigh, and then he chuckled softly.
"Okay, okay, okay!"
He said "good" three times, then reached out and picked up Mu Yu, placing her on his dragon throne.
This action startled both Mu Fang and Chu Chongjin.
"I grant your permission!" Chu Yuan's voice restored the emperor's majesty.
"I hereby appoint you, this four-and-a-half-year-old child, as the youngest... Imperial Advisor since the founding of the Great Chu!"
He looked at Chu Chongjin with burning eyes. "Chongjin, I hereby appoint you as Imperial Commissioner, in charge of all disaster relief efforts in Jiangnan. The Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of War will all be under your command!"
He then looked at Mu Fang. "Mu Fang, I hereby appoint you as the Deputy Imperial Envoy, leading three thousand Xuanjia soldiers to protect the Imperial Envoy's safety. Anyone who obstructs you will be executed first and reported later!"
He picked up a small jade seal from the table, a symbol of his personal identity, and placed it in Mu Yu's hand.
"Little Yu'er, this is the Emperor's private seal. When we get to Jiangnan, if anyone misbehaves, you can use this seal to poke their forehead!"
"I don't want your reports of victory on this trip. I just want you all to return safely!"
“Especially you,” he pinched Mu Yu’s chubby cheeks, “my beloved little imperial envoy, if even a single hair on your head is missing, I’ll tear down the entire Jiangnan governor’s office!”
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