If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

At the banquet, because everyone's achievements still needed to be tallied, there was no imperial decree of reward, but this did not affect the atmosphere of the banquet.

Everyone seemed to have grown fond of the lavish banquet, but two people stood out from the crowd: Zhou Wu and Lin Niangzi.

"My lord, I want to go back."

As the only woman present, Madam Lin attracted everyone's attention and criticism, which she disliked.

Zhou Wu understood at a glance and immediately stood up.

"Your Majesty, gentlemen, drinking like this is rather bland. How about I tell you some exciting stories about His Highness the Crown Prince's bandit suppression efforts, such as 'The Untold Story of the Crown Prince and the Bandit Leader,' 'Strange Noises from His Highness's Room at Midnight,' and 'The Mermaid of the Sea'..."

"What? There's something so exciting! Zhou Wu, come quickly!"

Li Tiancheng had already drunk several pots of wine and was now in a dazed state. Hearing these suggestive words, he immediately became interested. The other ministers were also very curious, but due to the rules for ministers, they did not speak out.

The Crown Prince, being the main character, had already been plied with alcohol by the ministers and was just like Li Tiancheng, so he couldn't hear what Zhou Wu was saying.

"Back then, the navy was sailing at sea, and the sea was initially calm and sunny, but suddenly..."

As expected, everyone's attention was drawn to Zhou Wu's story.

Zhou Wu recounted the fascinating stories of the naval battle with great enthusiasm, but he attributed much of the credit to Crown Prince Li Junren. Zhou Wu did not want Li Tiancheng to be so pleased that he would transfer him to the capital again.

. . . . .

The next day.

Zhou Wu arrived at the Crown Prince's residence early in the morning. The main purpose of his visit was to discuss the matter of the Black Dragon's lair on the island near Niujia Town.

"Zhou Wu, please sit down."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Regarding the island, I am preparing to go to the palace to report to my father. Do you have any opinions?"

The island's size exceeded everyone's expectations. It could be said that in the entire bandit suppression campaign, nothing—no warships, no prisoners, no amount of money—could compare to the success of this island, because it was tantamount to territorial expansion.

"I have no objection."

"You have no objections, but I do have a little idea."

Li Junren's words clearly indicated that he wanted to discuss the matter with Zhou Wu.

"Your Majesty, I will certainly give your full support."

"Good, that's what I've been waiting for. I'm going to petition my father to put you in charge of the island's management. After all, it's not far from your Niujia Town, and you're the person I trust most."

Zhou Wu was stunned. He couldn't believe that Li Junren would have such an idea. Was Zhou Wu unwilling? Of course not.

Zhou Wu's original goal was to help Da Long develop its maritime power. Now that he has an island as big as Qiong Island as his base, he is overjoyed and would never object.

"Your Highness, I will certainly live up to your expectations."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Li Junren went directly to the palace to meet the emperor. Because the matter was of great importance, it was inconvenient for Zhou Wu to accompany him.

Zhou Wu had initially thought there would be results soon, but for several days in a row, he found the Crown Prince's residence empty. Every time he asked, the Crown Prince was in the palace. It seemed that things were not as simple as Zhou Wu had thought.

. . . . . .

"My lord, has Young Master Zhu arrived?"

"Master Zhu?"

"Brother, it's me."

"Who was I? It's you, kid."

The visitor was none other than Zhu Zhiyong, Zhou Wu's good friend from the capital.

Zhu Zhiyong first greeted Zhou Wu, then was drawn to Lin Niangzi, staring intently at her.

"May I ask your surname, young lady? My name is Zhu Zhiyong, and my father is Zhu Keduo, the Prefect of Jingzhao."

Lin Niangzi did not give Zhu Zhiyong a friendly look. If she hadn't seen that he was Zhou Wu's friend, she probably would have already started a fight.

"Little Zhu, let me introduce you to Madam Lin, the deputy commander of the Great Dragon Empire's navy."

"What? You're Lady Lin?"

"You know Madam Lin?"

Zhou Wu was puzzled. This was Lin Niangzi's first time in the capital, but judging from Zhu Zhiyong's reaction, she clearly knew him. Lin Niangzi was also puzzled. She didn't know him at all, so why did he react so strongly after hearing her name?

"Now, who in the capital doesn't know the sea goddess Lin Niangzi?"

"Poseidon?"

Zhou Wu was even more puzzled that Madam Lin had a nickname.

"Lady Lin, the deputy commander of the Great Dragon Empire's navy, nicknamed the Sea Goddess, is the number one female general of our Great Dragon Empire. She is not only beautiful and charming, but also has extremely high combat power. She is the goddess that all men in the capital yearn for."

Goodness, it turns out that Madam Lin is so popular; these few words made her blush.

"The imperial edict has arrived; everyone, receive it."

Just then, an angel brought an imperial edict, but this time it was Crown Prince Li Junren who delivered the edict.

"My lord, accept the order."

"By imperial decree, the Great Dragon Empire's naval fleet has rendered meritorious service in annihilating the pirates in the East China Sea, deterring villains, and enhancing the prestige of our nation. The discovery of the South Sea Island (which has been named by the court, the island where the Black Dragon's lair is located) has expanded the territory of our Great Dragon Empire. Its merit will last for generations. Therefore, Zhou Wu is hereby granted the title of Grand Admiral of the South China Sea and Earl of the South China Sea, and the South China Sea is granted as his fiefdom. He shall be in charge of all matters in the South China Sea."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

Zhou Wu was so excited he almost fainted on the spot. It was such a surprise and a delight. He never expected Li Tiancheng to be so generous this time.

"Feng Lin Niangzi is appointed as the Navy Commander of the Great Dragon Empire, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Admiral of the South China Sea."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

Lin Niangzi now has a formal identity. Although she had previously been publicly known as the deputy commander of the navy, that was only arranged by Zhou Wu and she did not have an official position in the imperial court.

After the rewards were read out, Zhou Wu couldn't wait to step forward and ask Li Junren.

"Your Highness, isn't His Majesty's reward a bit excessive?"

The Crown Prince's rewards were announced a few days ago; they are mostly honors, since as the Crown Prince, he only needs to wait to ascend the throne and cannot have much real power.

As for the rewards bestowed upon Lady Lin, that was quite normal, but when it came to Zhou Wu, the rewards took a different turn.

Although Heilong had a great influence at sea, he was still just a bandit leader with a few thousand men. At most, he could only be promoted by half a rank or a full rank. However, the rewards given to Zhou Wu included promotion, ennoblement, and the granting of a large island in the South China Sea.

"Zhou Wu, do you think this is all a good thing?"

"Is there any downside?"

"South China Sea Island is indeed very large, but don't forget, besides the few hundred elderly and weak people left behind by Black Dragon, do you have anyone else on it?"

“Uh~~”

Li Junren's reminder brought Zhou Wu back to his senses. Nanhai Island was indeed still an uninhabited deserted island. Others might find it unacceptable, but Zhou Wu didn't care. He treated it like a strategy game, finding a sense of accomplishment in building it step by step.