Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

Inside the Wenhua Hall, Chu Ning felt a surge of pride in his heart and began to explain to his son:

"Governing with virtue is like the North Star, which stays in its place and all the other stars revolve around it." This means that governing a country should win the hearts of the people with virtue, just like the North Star, which stays in its place and all the other stars revolve around it.

Chu Tian nodded thoughtfully, "Does that mean that a monarch must have firm moral character so that his subjects will be willingly obeyed?"

"exactly."

Chu Ning patted his son's head approvingly: "The way to govern a country is to be virtuous. Force can conquer land, but only virtue can conquer people's hearts."

The father and son asked and answered each other in this way, talking about everything from "The Analects of Confucius" to "Mencius", from the way of governing a country to how to behave in the world.

Chu Tian's questions became more and more in-depth, and Chu Ning's answers became more and more detailed.

Before I knew it, the sun was setting.

"Father, I have another question." Before concluding, Chu Tian raised his little face and asked, "If virtue is the foundation, then why do we need an army?"

Chu Ning was silent for a moment, recalling the conversation with Chu Xiuning yesterday.

He sighed softly, "My dear, virtue is like sunshine, which can warm people's hearts, but sometimes a sharp sword is needed to protect this sunshine from being obscured by dark clouds."

He looked at his son's confused expression and added gently, "When you grow up, you will understand."

When leaving the East Palace, Chu Ning felt both relieved and complicated.

The two older children, one was a martial artist and the other a scholar, both showed extraordinary talent early on.

As a father, he was proud of them.

As an emperor, he had to think about how to protect their safe growth in this chaotic world.

On the third day, Chu Ning came to the bedroom of Imperial Concubine Feng Mulan.

Ten-month-old Chu Ying was being held by her nanny, babbling and playing with the cloth tiger in her hand.

"Your Majesty finally remembered us mother and son." Feng Mulan leaned against the door and said half-jokingly.

She was dressed in a red suit, looking heroic yet charming.

Chu Ning walked over with a smile, teasing his youngest son first, then said to Feng Mulan: "These three days are for the children. Why are you even jealous of the children?"

Feng Mulan snorted softly, "Xiuning came back yesterday and boasted about her hunting trip with Father all night. Tian'er also said this morning with a smug look on his face that Father praised him for being smart."

She approached Chu Ning and lowered her voice: "As for our King Wei, he can't speak, and he can't complain when he suffers a loss."

Chu Ning laughed and took Chu Ying from the nanny.

The little guy seemed to recognize his father and stretched out his chubby little hands to grab Chu Ning's beard.

"Oh, little ancestor, you can't pull father's beard." Feng Mulan hurried forward to stop him, but was stopped by Chu Ning.

"It doesn't matter."

Chu Ning let his son play with his beard, his eyes full of doting: "Ying'er has grown up so fast. The last time I held him, he couldn't even grab anything."

Feng Mulan leaned on Chu Ning's shoulder, watching the interaction between the father and son, with tenderness in her eyes.

"Your Majesty, we will be setting out for battle in three days."

Chu Ning knew what she was worried about and said softly, "Don't worry, it's just a navy fight, there won't be much danger."

"You say that every time."

Feng Mulan sighed, and suddenly her eyes lit up: "How about we have a competition? If I win, Your Majesty will bring an extra team of guards."

Chu Ning raised his eyebrows: "What if you lose?"

"Then I will..." Feng Mulan leaned close to his ear and whispered something, causing Chu Ning to laugh out loud.

"Okay, it's a deal."

The two came to the open space in the yard. Feng Mulan took out her usual heavy sword, while Chu Ning chose an ordinary practice sword.

The palace maids and eunuchs around them tactfully retreated, leaving only the nanny holding Chu Ying to watch the fight not far away.

"Your Majesty, please show mercy." Feng Mulan said this, but she was ruthless with her hands and swung her sword straight at the center of Chu Ning.

Chu Ning dodged sideways and lightly raised the sword tip to neutralize the fierce attack.

"My beloved concubine's swordsmanship has improved again."

"Stop talking nonsense!" Feng Mulan attacked more fiercely. The heavy sword was like nothing in her hand, drawing out silver arcs.

Chu Ning responded calmly and countered each move.

After fifty rounds, beads of sweat had already appeared on Feng Mulan's forehead and her breathing became rapid.

She knew she was no match for her husband, but her stubborn character prevented her from giving in easily.

"The last move!" Feng Mulan suddenly changed her moves, and the heavy sword slashed down at a strange angle.

A hint of admiration flashed in Chu Ning's eyes. He turned his body, not only avoiding the sword, but also gently pointing the tip of his sword at Feng Mulan's throat.

"I lost."

Feng Mulan simply dropped her heavy sword, but suddenly smiled slyly: "But His Majesty just agreed to my conditions."

Chu Ning was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized: "You did it on purpose!"

Feng Mulan had already thrown herself into his arms, hugging his waist tightly: "Bring an extra team of personal guards. This is your promise, Your Majesty. You must not disobey."

Chu Ning shook his head helplessly, but hugged her tighter.

In the distance, Chu Ying was giggling in her nanny's arms, clapping her little hands, as if cheering for her parents' "competition".

As night fell, Chu Ning stood in front of the window of his bedroom, looking at the starry sky.

Three days passed in a flash, and tomorrow he would set off for the front line.

Behind him, Feng Mulan walked over gently and put a robe on him.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked softly.

Chu Ning held her hand and said, "I'm thinking, when the world is at peace, I'll take you and the children to visit Jiangnan. I heard that the autumn there is even more beautiful than in the Imperial City."

Feng Mulan leaned on his shoulder and said, "Then I will wait for that day. Your Majesty must return safely and fulfill this promise."

She hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but speak: "Your Majesty, I haven't seen my father for half a month. I wonder if he is now..."

Chu Ning interrupted him with a wave of his hand, his expression becoming serious. "Lord Feng, as the Minister of War, this battle concerns the fate of our nation. I secretly sent him there half a month ago to dispatch the navy."

He paused, his voice lowering a bit: "This is a confidential matter, so I haven't told you."

Feng Mulan's eyes flashed with worry: "Father is nearly sixty years old, and this time he's going to the front line..."

She didn't finish her words, but her furrowed brows revealed her uneasiness.

Chu Ning reached out and smoothed the wrinkles between her brows, saying gently, "How could I let my father-in-law take any risks? He only needs to stay in the rear camp and command, and he won't even go near the riverbank."

Seeing that Feng Mulan was still worried, he added, "I have sent three hundred elite guards and an imperial physician to accompany him. By the time I arrive, he might have gained a few pounds."

Feng Mulan finally smiled, the worry in her eyes gradually dissipating. "I was worrying too much. My father always said that it was his life's blessing to be able to assist a wise ruler. I'm sure that being able to share your majesty's worries this time is exactly what he wants."

She suddenly remembered something and blinked mischievously, "But if Mother knew about this, she would probably blame Your Majesty for not informing me in advance."

Chu Ning laughed loudly upon hearing this: "Then I must prepare some generous gifts and make amends to my mother-in-law when I return."

Outside the window, the September night breeze gently blew over the eaves of the palace, bringing a bit of coolness and the scent of a distant battlefield.