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

"The Eastern Pole is far from the inland and surrounded by the sea. It is impossible to divide it up. Therefore, it is necessary for one person to govern it. I strongly agree with Your Majesty's proposal."

Just when the civil officials were at a loss, an elderly man with white hair stepped forward and spoke slowly, though he seemed to agree with Li Tiancheng's decision.

The angry civil officials initially thought he was a traitor, but when they saw who he was, they all showed joy, because his surname was Gou, and he belonged to the Gou family, one of the eight great families.

Moreover, this person holds a pivotal position in the Gou family. Although not the clan leader, he possesses the rights of one due to certain special circumstances.

"Oh, so Minister Gou also agrees with my opinion?"

Li Tiancheng knew these powerful families too well. They might seem to agree with him, but in reality, they might have already dug a pit for him. Therefore, Li Tiancheng was not happy because they agreed with him.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I believe that the easternmost region is indeed not suitable for being divided up and should be managed by a trusted and reliable person."

As expected, everyone guessed correctly; this old man's trusted confidant was indeed targeting Zhou Wu.

"Does Minister Gou think Zhou Wu is untrustworthy?"

Li Tiancheng asked calmly.

"No, no, I just think that Lord Zhou is a young hero who has made great contributions to our Great Dragon and should be rewarded. However, it is precisely because Lord Zhou is too young that I am afraid that after he goes there, he will not be able to win over the people and suppress the local populace."

Although the imperial court, with Zhou Wu's assistance, had previously used forceful measures to suppress the arrogance of the aristocratic families, thus causing their power and influence to decline, the Gou family, under the leadership of Gou Shuang, chose to protect themselves and escaped a calamity.

The Gou family is now showing signs of becoming the head of the eight great families, so even Li Tiancheng cannot be completely without caution when facing them.

"Hmph, bullshit, all bullshit."

Just as Li Tiancheng was pondering how to deal with it, Lu Da's shrewish voice resounded throughout the entire hall.

"Duke of Lu, please mind your manners."

"I'm your sister."

"You, you, your mouth is full of filth, humph."

Gou Shuang had served as an official for decades and was also the acting patriarch of a prestigious family. He had never been treated like this before, and he was so angry that his face turned red and his whole body trembled.

If Lu Da had done something like this on a normal day, Li Tiancheng would have been in a real bind, but today he couldn't wait to hug Lu Da and kiss him a couple of times.

"Hmph, you civil officials are lying through your teeth. Zhou Wu didn't ask the court for a single penny. He only helped our Great Dragon conquer such a large territory. What's wrong with His Majesty rewarding him like this?"

"I.."

"Shut up. You say Zhou Wu is untrustworthy? Since he entered officialdom, how many contributions has Zhou Wu made to the Great Dragon? He has contributed to the construction of firearms and cannons, warships, the enhancement of national strength, and the subjugation of the Gaoli and Dazi kingdoms. He has played a part in every one of these contributions."

"you."

"Shut up, I haven't finished yet. Reforming taxes, opening up maritime trade, increasing people's income, and enriching the land—have you accomplished any of that? I think all you people do is talk the talk."

Lu Da rattled off a long string of words, which truly resonated with Li Tiancheng, but he still had to put on a show.

"Lu Da, you mustn't be rude. Step back."

Seeing those civil officials who had been so arrogant just moments before suffer a setback, Li Tiancheng couldn't be happier.

"Humph."

Lu Da bowed to Li Tiancheng, then snorted coldly at the still dumbfounded civil official, before returning to his seat.

"Lord Gou, what's wrong? Lord Gou... Your Majesty, Lord Gou has fainted."

A sudden commotion broke out in the civil officials' camp. It turned out that Gou Shuang had fainted from anger caused by Lu Da.

"Someone, carry Minister Gou to the Imperial Hospital."

"promise."

No one expected that Lu Da would actually verbally abuse Gou Shuang until he passed out.

Everyone turned to look at Lu Da, who could only spread his hands and say innocently.

"What are you looking at? How would I know that Lord Gou's magnanimity is so petty?"

Gou Shuang, who had already been carried to the entrance of the main hall, coughed up another mouthful of blood upon hearing this and completely fainted. Upon seeing this, the guards ran towards the Imperial Hospital.

Seeing that the crisis was resolved by Lu Da's "recklessness," Li Tiancheng no longer had any scruples.

"Zhou Wu deserves this reward; no one may speak ill of it. Court is adjourned."

"Retreat."

The officials bowed respectfully and watched Li Tiancheng leave.

. . . . . .

The civil officials slunk away, while the military officers happily surrounded Zhou Wu, inviting him to treat them to a meal.

"Zhou Wu, you'd better set up a nice table today."

"That's right, I finally got my revenge today. Usually, those civil officials are so arrogant, it's infuriating to look at them."

The military officers took turns complaining about their daily frustrations.

"Hmph, it's all thanks to me."

Lu Da and the others surrounded Zhou Wu, feeling a little jealous. They had just shone brightly; were these people blind?

"Yes, yes, thanks to Duke Lu, otherwise we might have been in danger today."

Zhou Wu knew Lu Da's temperament, so he praised Lu Da a few times, just like coaxing a child. Sure enough, the latter immediately beamed with joy and began to look smug.

Zhou Wu never expected that the emperor's reward would be so great; the emperor had directly handed over the entire Fusang to him.

Overjoyed, Zhou Wu waved his hand and arranged for everyone to have a banquet at Gu Xinyuan's restaurant.

Today was a joyous day. Zhou Wu drank a few too many cups and his head was slightly dizzy. He only remembered drinking and exchanging toasts with a group of generals. Everyone got drunk and almost overturned the restaurant. In the end, he didn't know how he got back to his residence.

. . . . . . .

"Grandpa, you're awake?"

The next day, it was almost noon when Zhou Wu woke up in a daze. The maidservant who was serving him saw that Zhou Wu was moving and quickly and carefully attended to him.

The news of my master's promotion yesterday has spread throughout the capital and is known to everyone.

When the master is promoted, the servants should be rewarded, so they are happy too. Besides, their master is now a heavyweight in the capital. As the saying goes, when one person attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs rise to heaven. Although they are just servants, they are not to be easily offended by outsiders.

The maid brought a basin of hot water and then carefully wiped Zhou Wu's face with a towel.

"What are you so happy about?"

"Ah, the master saw through it?"

The maidservant gave a coquettish reproach.

"Your mouth is practically stretched to the back of your head, I'm not blind."

"Master is teasing me again. It's not just me who's happy. Everyone in the mansion is happy about Master's promotion."

The servants were happy, and Zhou Wu was even happier. Looking at the rather attractive maid in front of him, he couldn't help but reach out and grope her.

"Master is so wicked."

The maid quickly finished washing Zhou Wu up and then fled as if she were escaping, leaving Zhou Wu alone, still savoring the lingering warmth of her hands.