42: There is a monk in Wu State (please collect and read)

Chapter 42: Cultivators in Wu Country (Please bookmark and read!)

On the ninth day of the fifth month, in the fourth year of zhengyong.

Xu Mujun led the army to depart and reinforce Bin Province.

On the seventeenth day of the fifth month, in the fourth year of zhengyong.

Xu Mujun personally led the Longxiang Army cavalry, taking eight days to enter Bin Province. In his first battle, he repelled the army of Wu Country, lifted the siege of Bin Province, and rallied the main army.

On the twenty-first day of the fifth month, in the fourth year of zhengyong.

The army of Wu Country surrounded Xu Mujun, confronting Xu Mujun at the Canglong River.

On the eighteenth day of the sixth month, in the fourth year of zhengyong.

Xu Mujun led thirty thousand Longxiang Army soldiers and one hundred thousand border guards under his command to launch a decisive battle against three hundred thousand soldiers of Wu Country.

In this battle, both armies suffered heavy casualties. Bodies spanned across the Canglong River, and the fish and shrimp in the river vied to devour them.

On the twenty-seventh day of the sixth month, the Wu Country army suffered defeat and retreated. Xu Mujun executed one hundred twenty thousand surrendered Wu soldiers by burying them alive, and led his troops in pursuit.

On the twentieth day of the seventh month, in the fourth year of zhengyong.

The army of Wu Country fell back to Black Mountain Pass, defending the strategic position to the death. Xu Mujun stationed his forces inside Canglong City, confronting the Wu Country army in Black Mountain City.

The two armies fell into a prolonged stalemate.

On the seventh day of the eighth month, in the fourth year of zhengyong, Xu Mujun was assassinated!

Inside the Hall of Neutral Harmony, Zheng Yi looked at the private letter Xu Mujun had written to him, feeling secret amazement in his heart.

In less than three months since Xu Mujun led his army to Bin Province, he had driven back the invading Wu Country army.

At the same time, he had formed a posture of intimidation against Wu Country.

According to what Xu Mujun said, both countries had suffered heavy losses and it was not suitable to continue fighting.

Especially Great Yu.

The civil unrest in the north had not yet been completely eliminated, and military provisions were in short supply. They had to stop the war to rest and recover, otherwise Great Yu would be in grave danger.

Facing this request, Zheng Yi also had an idea in mind.

Ceasefire—they should indeed stop fighting.

But when to stop and how to stop still had to be determined by the wins and losses on the battlefield.

Right now, Great Yu held the initiative on the battlefield, so at the negotiation table, they could naturally hold a certain advantage.

Furthermore, Zheng Yi had his own plans.

At most two or three years, once the Ministry of Works successfully developed explosives and cannons, they would definitely have another showdown with Wu Country!

Additionally...

He looked at the final portion of the private letter.

On the seventh day of the eighth month, in the fourth year of zhengyong, Xu Mujun was assassinated!

The assassin was a Cultivator hidden underground.

Taking advantage of Xu Mujun going out to inspect the military camp, the assassin launched a sudden strike.

But today's Xu Mujun was no longer the Xu Mujun of the past.

As an Innate Realm Martial Artist, combined with the Flying Sword taken from Fire Spirit Master, he immediately killed the attacker in counterattack.

According to Xu Mujun's description, that Wu Country Cultivator was very weak in strength.

Compared to Fire Spirit Master, there was practically a world of difference.

Fire Spirit Master claimed to be at Qi Refining Level 9, while this attacker had at most the strength of Qi Refining Level 3.

Not only did he lack Magical Artifacts like a Flying Sword, but even casting spells relied on various Talismans.

Once Xu Mujun reacted, he closed the distance and decapitated him with a single sword strike!

"Wu Country... indeed has Cultivators, though very weak!"

Zheng Yi's eyes brightened as he said, "Perhaps besides Wu Country, the neighboring countries around Great Yu such as Nanzhao Kingdom, Snow Cloud Country, Lin Country, and Shan Country all have Cultivators!"

"It's just that I haven't found them yet..."

"It seems I need to speed things up!"

"Only when Great Yu stabilizes can I wholeheartedly search for immortals."

A few days later, during the grand court session.

"If you have matters to report, speak; if not, court is dismissed!"

As soon as Liu Chengen finished speaking, someone stepped forward and said:

"Your official has a memorial to present!"

"Your Majesty! The war between our nation and Wu Country has lasted over a year, causing immense suffering and heavy casualties."

"Currently, the four northern provinces are filled with rebels, and food supplies and roads are cut off. Your official begs Your Majesty to withdraw the army and suppress the rebels in the four northern provinces!"

"Furthermore, Wu Country and our nation share diplomatic relations. Now that Wu Country has sent an envoy to seek peace, I hope Our Emperor will dispatch officials from the Ministry of Rites to negotiate."

On the dragon throne, Zheng Yi spoke indifferently, "Where is the Minister of Rites?"

The newly appointed Minister of Rites, Kong Xiangsi, stepped forward quickly and said, "Your Majesty, your official is here."

"The matter of negotiating with the Wu Country envoy is fully entrusted to you. Make sure not to disappoint Me."

"Understood."

After handling a few minor issues, Zheng Yi said directly:

"I intend to establish a Grand Secretariat above the Six Ministries, selecting suitable candidates to join the Grand Secretariat as officials to lead the hundred officials and handle major state affairs..."

This matter had already leaked out from the imperial palace several months ago, so the ministers present were not particularly surprised.

Many were still guessing who the seven ministers to join the Grand Secretariat first would be.

The few ministers at the very front even nodded secretly.

His Majesty's move seemed to divide the power of the Prime Minister, but its true purpose was to restrict Xu Mujun's power.

From now on, the Great Yu Dynasty would have no Prime Minister, only the Grand Secretariat!

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Liu Chengen proclaimed the imperial edict: "By Heaven's mandate, the Emperor decrees:"

"...The new Senior Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat shall be Senior General Xu Mujun!"

As soon as the first candidate was announced, it immediately caused a sensation in the court.

"Xu Mujun? How is it him!"

"Senior Grand Secretary! This is essentially the position of Prime Minister!"

"What is His Majesty thinking, to actually trust Xu Mujun so much?"

"The Senior Grand Secretary is Xu Mujun; I wonder about Elder Lu and Elder Cui..."

As the people below whispered and discussed, Liu Chengen deliberately paused before continuing: "Grand Secretary, Senior Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, Lu Xiangqing!"

"Grand Secretary, Investigating Censor Wang Ze!"

"Grand Secretary, Minister of the Dali Temple, Li Yuanhao!"

"Grand Secretary, Head of the Clan Court, Zheng Zongbing!"

"Grand Secretary, Censor-in-Chief Wang He!"

"Grand Secretary, Minister of Justice, Cui Jinghao!"

"These six individuals shall be the first members of the Grand Secretariat of the Great Yu Dynasty, governing the world on My behalf to bring peace to the common people!"

"Your officials obey the decree...!"

All the civil and military officials fell to their knees, shouting long live the Emperor.

"Members of the Grand Secretariat, proceed to the Hall of Neutral Harmony for an audience!"

Zheng Yi left, and the other officials tactfully departed as well.

Only Lu Xiangqing and the other five proceeded to the Hall of Neutral Harmony.

"Elder Lu, I wonder what instructions His Majesty has for leaving the six of us behind?"

Wang Ze leaned in and asked softly.

Among the six, Lu Xiangqing and Cui Jinghao held the greatest power and highest official rank, and were also the spokesmen for the two great aristocratic families in the imperial court.

As for Zheng Zongbing, he was born of the imperial clan and was the imperial uncle of current Emperor Zhengyong.

Lu Xiangqing shook his head, "It's nothing more than dealing with the matter of Yang Reverse. In two months at most, Yang Reverse and his cohort will be executed."

"So that's how it is."

"I wonder how Elder Lu views Great General Xu?"

"Hehe... Great General Xu enjoys deep imperial favor and is the pillar of stability for our Great Yu Dynasty. What opinions could this old man possibly have?"

"May His Majesty live for tens of thousands of years. Currently in the prime of thirty, it is the precise time to execute grand plans."

"Gentlemen, we should naturally loyally assist His Majesty to bring peace to the world!"

"Elder Lu is right..."

Soon, the six met Zheng Yi inside the Hall of Neutral Harmony.

"Your officials bow before Your Majesty!"

Zheng Yi said, "Rise, my ministers."

"Calling you here today, there are three major matters I need you to handle."

"First, Yang Xuansu's treason involved many ministers in court, leaving the administration depleted and political decrees blocked."

"I intend to hold a special imperial examination after autumn, and add a martial examination section. What do you think?"

Hold a special imperial examination!

The several ministers were stunned, never imagining that His Majesty would actually want to hold a special imperial examination.

One must know that although the Great Yu Dynasty also had an imperial examination system, it had long been controlled by the powerful aristocratic families.

Those who took top honors in the imperial examinations, or even the top few dozen successful candidates, were all members of various prominent families.

According to the rules, the imperial examination was held once every three years. Who would have thought Emperor Zhengyong would hold a special imperial examination right now?

However, for them, this was also a good thing.

In this way, wouldn't they be able to plant their own people in court?

They all turned to look at Lu Xiangqing.

With Xu Mujun absent, the few sub-consciously took Lu Xiangqing as their leader.

"Your Majesty, holding a special imperial examination is a good thing. But please forgive your official for speaking directly..."

Lu Xiangqing said, "What exactly is this martial examination?"

(Make-up chapter for yesterday)