The Young Swordsman of Dalu

In the imperial court of the Great Lu Kingdom, Yun Ze was presenting a memorial to Emperor Zhou Shiyao.

"Your Majesty! This is a petition from Li Chaoyang, the head of Wenxian Pavilion." Yunze presented the petition.

Zhou Shiyao opened it and saw that it read: "Your Majesty! Li Chaoyang of Wenxian Pavilion once followed the founding emperor of the Great Lu Kingdom in his campaigns. Now, the Great Lu Kingdom is in danger. Although I have retired from the court for many years, when the country is in trouble, every citizen has a responsibility. I will lead the young and passionate men of Wenxian Pavilion to the battlefield. Even if we die on the battlefield, I will have no regrets!"

"With talents like Pavilion Master Li who are dedicated to the country and its people, our great Lu Kingdom will not fear any enemy!" Zhou Shiyao said.

"Your Majesty! Pavilion Master Li has another letter for me to personally deliver to Your Majesty!" Yunze took out a letter from his sleeve.

Zhou Shiyao opened the letter. "Your Majesty! By the time you read this letter, I will have already arrived at Beijiang City. The small, fickle Northern Dynasty has actually allied with the Western Regions to attack my Great Lu Kingdom. I, Li Chaoyang, will definitely teach that brat Murong a lesson. It is clear that the Western Regions' main target is the northwestern border. As long as we hold the northwestern border, the Great Lu Kingdom can overcome all difficulties. Your Majesty! You must not listen to slander! What the Great Lu Kingdom needs now is unity between the ruler and his ministers, so that the morale of the army can be stable! Remember this!"

After reading the letter, Zhou Shiyao reflected on his own unease over the past few days. Had he not harbored suspicions about Li Linlie? The answer was no. Li Chaoyang was now leading troops into battle for the country, and as the ruler of a nation, he felt deeply ashamed.

"My beloved ministers! The situation of our Great Lu Kingdom is difficult. I am very pleased that from the bottom up, we, the sovereign and his ministers, are of one mind. I believe that as long as we are of one mind, there is no difficulty that we cannot overcome!" Zhou Shiyao said.

"Your Majesty! The most urgent matter now is for the court to prepare a large amount of grain and fodder, and for the army to intensify its training so that it can be ready to go to the battlefield at any time!" Yunze said.

“Minister Wen, please take over the responsibility of training the troops!” Zhou Shiyao said.

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Wen Tao said.

After the court session, Wen Tao and Yun Ze walked out of the Hall of Heroes and Martial Arts. Wen Tao said, "Prime Minister Yun! Have you received any battle reports from the northeastern border?"

“There have been no battle reports since the great victory at Lanpi Mountain,” Yunze said.

“General Chai Gu’s large army is stationed outside Pingcheng, which will have a certain deterrent effect on Helian Ming. After thinking it over, I am still worried about the northwest border. Although there is Li Linlie’s 200,000-strong army there, if Bulu Khan wants to attack our Great Lu Kingdom from there, he will definitely concentrate most of the Western Regions’ forces to break through our defenses. At that time, Li Linlie will be under great pressure,” Wen Tao said.

"What's most infuriating is that even at this time, some scoundrels are gossiping about His Majesty, causing him to become suspicious," Yunze said angrily.

"You mean Imperial Censor Cao, right?" Wen Tao said.

“Who else could it be but him!” Yunze said.

“A few days ago, one of my servants went back to his hometown to visit relatives. When he passed by the imperial mausoleum, he saw Imperial Censor Cao enter the mausoleum. You tell me, why would he go to that place at this time? Our Prince Zhou is really too much of a show-off!” Wen Tao said.

“The late emperor was too merciful. He should have dealt with him during the palace rebellion. Look, he left a menace for his son,” Yunze said.

"Keep your voice down, the walls have ears!" Wentao said.

"This time, I hope Your Majesty can eliminate the threat completely!" Yunze said.

"We'll talk about it next time. I have to go to the training ground to practice!" Wen Tao said.

"Goodbye!" Yunze said.

"Your Majesty! News has come back from the Northwest Camp that Yuchi Liang has been imprisoned by Li Linlie since he arrived in Ningcheng," said Yuan Hui, Minister of War.

"Why is Li Linlie doing this?" Zhou Shiyao asked.

"Perhaps General Li was angry because Yuchi Liang advised him to choose sides, and in a fit of anger, he imprisoned Yuchi Liang," Yuan Hui said.

“What if they are plotting a rebellion?” Cao Yong asked.

“Imperial Censor Cao! General Li has been stationed on the northwestern border for many years and has no intention of rebelling,” Yuan Hui said.

“Who is Yuchi Liang? He’s Li Linlie’s brother-in-law! With their relationship, who would believe he’s locked up?” Cao Yong said.

"Enough! Minister Yuan! I hereby appoint you as the Marshal of the Northwest Army, leading an army of 200,000 to depart on a chosen date! Imperial Censor Cao! I hereby appoint you as the Grain and Provisions Officer, to depart immediately for the Northwest border," Zhou Shiyao said.

"Your subject obeys the decree!" The two men withdrew.

"Your Majesty!" Duan Lixing entered.

“Speak!” Zhou Shiyao said.

“Your Majesty! Prince Zhou has recently gathered his subordinates scattered throughout the country at the Imperial Mausoleum. They are waiting for the right opportunity,” Duan Lixing said.

"Duan Lixing! I'm giving you 30,000 men. You can pacify him!" Zhou Shiyao said.

"Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to your trust!" Duan Lixing said.

"If they make a move, you must eliminate them completely, leaving no survivors!" Zhou Shiyao said fiercely.

"Where is Prince Zhou?" Duan Lixing asked.

"I say, leave no one alive!" Zhou Shiyao said.

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Duan Lixing withdrew.

Zhou Shiyao sat alone in Fuyuan Palace. Since his ascension to the throne, internal and external troubles had come one after another. His nerves were always in a state of high tension, and he dared not relax for a moment. At this moment, he seemed to relax a little. He was like a deflated balloon, slumped in front of the couch.

"Your Majesty!" Empress Cao entered.

"Empress Cao, you've arrived. Quickly massage my head; it's giving me a terrible headache," Zhou Shiyao said.

"I just learned a massage technique from Imperial Physician Liang, so I'll give Your Majesty a massage now." Empress Cao put down the pastries in her hand.

Empress Cao gently placed her slender hands on Zhou Shiyao's head and began to massage it. Zhou Shiyao immediately felt much more relaxed and closed his eyes to enjoy the massage.

"I have heard that His Majesty has appointed my father as the official in charge of grain supplies in the Northwest!" Empress Cao said.

“I trust my family to handle this matter!” Zhou Shiyao said.

"On behalf of my father, I thank Your Majesty once again!" Empress Cao said.

"Empress Cao's technique is truly excellent! My headache has improved considerably," Zhou Shiyao said.

"Your Majesty! I went out of the palace today and overheard some things," Empress Cao said.

"What did you say?" Zhou Shiyao asked, slightly opening his eyes.

"I've heard people say that the court can't do without Li Chaoyang. They say that the Li family is the impregnable wall of our Great Lu Kingdom. If the Great Lu Kingdom were to leave the Li family, it might not even exist anymore," Empress Cao said.

"Nonsense!" Zhou Shiyao suddenly opened his eyes, grabbed the teacup on the table, and threw it hard to the ground.

"Your Majesty! Calm down!" Empress Cao was so frightened that she knelt down on the ground.

"What else did they say?" Zhou Shiyao asked.

"Some people even say that it would be better to just hand over the throne to the Li family!" Empress Cao said.

“They’ve rebelled! They’re rebelling! Where do they put me?” Zhou Shiyao stood up and shouted.

"Your Majesty! Please have some tea to calm your temper, and then have some of the pastries I made for you. I will take my leave now." Empress Cao withdrew from Fuyuan Palace.

Empress Cao walked out of Fuyuan Palace, and behind her came the sound of something being smashed. Empress Cao smiled and left with satisfaction.