Song Xiu

Chapter 40 The Founding of the Shogunate
As evening approached, Li Chuyun returned home after finishing his official duties.

Because of his merit in supporting Zhao Kuangyin's ascension to the throne during the Chenqiao Mutiny, Zhao appointed Li Chuyun as the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards after Zhao Kuangyin ascended the throne.

When Emperor Shizong of Zhou was alive, he ordered Zhao Kuangyin to carry out a top-down reform of the Zhou imperial guards.

The central imperial guards of the Great Zhou Dynasty were mainly divided into two parts: the Palace Guard and the Imperial Guard.

The predecessors of the Palace Guard mostly served as guards of the palace, belonging to the emperor's personal army, and usually did not undertake field combat missions.

Under Zhao Kuangyin's reforms, the Palace Guard was streamlined by eliminating the old and weak and recruiting the brave and strong, greatly increasing its strength and making it even more powerful than the Imperial Guard.

Since then, the Imperial Guards have found it increasingly difficult to compete with the Palace Guards.

The position of Du Yuhou was one of the five high-ranking military positions in the Imperial Guards, but unfortunately, Li Chuyun held the position of Du Yuhou in the Imperial Guards, which meant that his status in the Imperial Guards was not actually very high.

Li Chuyun felt no resentment at not being able to enter the Palace Guard.

Although he had gained some reputation in the army for his bravery and strategic acumen in his early years, he was not initially a confidant of Zhao Kuangyin. It was normal for Zhao Kuangyin not to give him too much importance during the sensitive period of the transition between the two dynasties.

Despite not being given important responsibilities, Li Chuyun never neglected his official duties.

Li Chuyun held a low position and had always disliked corruption, so his residence was located on the outskirts of Kaifeng.

By the time Li Chuyun returned to his doorstep, the sunset was already faintly visible on the horizon.

In the afterglow of the sunset, Li Chuyun saw a young girl waiting for him at the door of his house.

The girl was wearing a fitted light blue dress, the neckline of which was slightly see-through.

This girl was Li Chuyun's eldest daughter, named Li Duruo.

Li Duruo's face was unadorned with perfume, her skin glowing with a healthy pinkish-white hue, like exquisite Ding kiln white porcelain.

Her eyes were bright, her dark pupils reflecting the brilliant sunset. When she saw Li Chuyun return, she smiled happily, and the dimples at the corners of her mouth appeared and disappeared when she smiled, making her look serene and beautiful.

Li Duruo quickly walked a few steps and welcomed Li Chuyun, who was outside the door, into her home.

Upon getting closer to Li Chuyun, Li Duruo noticed a hint of worry on Li Chuyun's face.

Is Father worried about the possibility that Li Jun might be colluding with the Khitan?

Seeing that Li Duruo had pointed out his hidden worries, Li Chuyun smiled slightly.

What father wouldn't be happy to have a daughter who is both filial and intelligent?

"Ah."

Seeing that Li Chuyun had confirmed his guess, Li Duruo smiled and said:
"My daughter believes that the Khitan army may not necessarily help Li Jun."

Li Chuyun's family was open-minded, and no matter how tight his finances were in the past, he never neglected his children's education.

Since Li Duruo came of age, she has been well-educated and occasionally has some insights that are no less than those of men.

Therefore, Li Chuyun became curious after hearing Li Duruo's deduction.

Just as Li Chuyun was about to question Li Duruo further, a lithe little figure, like a wild horse that had broken free, crashed into his chest.

"Father, you are back."

The one who rushed into Li Chuyun's arms was his eldest son, Li Jilong, who is eleven years old.

Li Chuyun, who was always tolerant of children, did not hold Li Jilong's reckless behavior against him.

Li Chuyun reached out and stroked Li Jilong's large head, asking gently, "How's your spear technique coming along lately?"

As a brave general, Li Chuyun taught Li Jilong martial arts from a young age.

When Li Chuyun asked about this, Li Jilong seemed particularly excited.

"I learned it a long time ago."

My son has already memorized the basics of spear and knife skills.

When will the father teach his son horseback riding and archery next?

Li Jilong is not old, but he has a big mouth. He is only eleven years old, but he says that he has mastered the basics of spear and knife skills.

Zhao Dezhao, a year older than Li Jilong and also from a military family, was currently only good at raiding bird nests. To an outsider, this might seem like an exaggeration from Li Jilong, but Li Chuyun believed him wholeheartedly.

Li Chuyun knew that his eldest son was indeed quite talented in martial arts.

Seeing that Li Jilong was eager to learn riding and archery, Li Chuyun thought of the valiant prince he had seen in the training ground earlier that day.

"After some time, once the situation has stabilized, your father will personally teach you riding and archery."

Li Jilong was overjoyed to receive Li Chuyun's promise.

He idolized the famous Han Dynasty generals Wei Qing and Huo Qubing since childhood, and had long looked forward to the day when he would graduate and leave his seclusion to strike a blow against the Khitan dogs!

After the joy subsided, Li Jilong remembered something.

“Father, the envoy from the Ministry of Rites came today, saying that an artist will be sent tomorrow to paint a portrait of my elder sister.”

Upon hearing Li Jilong's words, Li Duruo's fair face flushed slightly.

Compared to Li Duruo's shyness, Li Chuyun's expression was not so pleasant.

Judging from the imperial edict issued by Zhao Kuangyin to select consorts, he was not selecting a prince's consort at all, but rather preparing to select a crown prince's consort.

In chaotic times, royal succession is as easy as child's play, and Li Chuyun instinctively does not want to be related to any royal family in the world by marriage.

Just as Li Chuyun was considering what reason to use to have his family withdraw from the election, he thought of how much Zhao Kuangyin valued this matter.

Zhao Kuangyin had already made it clear in his edict that he would severely punish anyone who rashly refused to participate in the selection of a prince's consort.

Li Chuyun gradually dismissed this unrealistic idea.

Fortunately, he did not hold a high official position and was not a close confidant of Zhao Kuangyin, so it is highly likely that his daughter would not be selected.

This thought made Li Chuyun's expression much better.

Under the cover of night, Lü Yuqing, who had been busy all day, had just returned to his residence from the palace.

After sending Zhao Dexiu back to Yande Palace, Lü Yuqing went to Wansui Hall to report to Zhao Kuangyin on Zhao Dexiu's actions that day.

Upon hearing his report, Zhao Kuangyin was overjoyed and excitedly tapped his jade axe on the imperial desk.

"With the royal family valuing martial prowess, how can the world not be at peace!"

In his excitement, Zhao Kuangyin also discussed with Lü Yuqing that he planned to appoint Zhao Dexiu as the Defense Commissioner of Chanzhou and enfeoff him as the Marquis of Taiyuan, based on his "first merit in supporting the emperor".

Although the position of the Defense Commissioner was not as prestigious as that of the Military Governor, it was still sufficient to qualify him to establish his own government and build his own army.

Furthermore, bestowing upon Zhao Dexiu the title of Marquis of Taiyuan demonstrates Zhao Kuangyin's high expectations for him.

Before Emperor Shizong became the Prince of Jin, his title was Marquis of Taiyuan.

Lu Yuqing sat in the room for a long time before finally asking his servants to call his younger brother, Lu Duan, over.

Lu Duan was an ordinary-looking young man who was taciturn. After entering Lu Yuqing's room, he stood there quietly.

As the eldest brother, Lü Yuqing said to Lü Duan:

"Some time ago, I wanted to get you a position as a sub-prefect in another region, but now it seems that it is not suitable."

Not seeing Lü Duan's reaction, Lü Yuqing continued:

"The eldest son of the emperor will be appointed as the defense commissioner. The shogunate is newly established and needs talented people. Go and serve him."

If it were any other young person, they would inevitably feel frustrated and discouraged upon hearing Lü Yuqing's first words, but would inevitably be overjoyed upon hearing his second.

But Lü Duan did not; he remained calm throughout.

After Lü Yuqing finished speaking, Lü Duan cupped his hands and said:
“Once I enter the Crown Prince’s residence, I will dedicate myself to the Crown Prince. I hope my elder brother will understand.”

Lü Yuqing understood the meaning behind Lü Duan's words, and instead of being angry, he praised him:
"That's how it should be."

"You should move out of the mansion tomorrow!"

(End of this chapter)