Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

At noon, Shen Lang walked out of the Jingwang Mansion with a beaming smile, looking incredibly refreshed.

Jiang Shangxian, who was standing to the side, couldn't stop smiling: "Nephew, we really owe you a lot for your help this time, otherwise your royal uncle would be dead."

Shen Lang frowned: "Hmm? What did you just call me?"

Jiang Shangxian was taken aback, then quickly corrected himself: "Yes, I just blurted it out. We're good brothers, inseparable."

Shen Lang then relaxed his brows: "Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll head back to the palace now. Don't bother me again unless it's absolutely necessary."

After saying that, he was about to board the carriage to return to the palace.

"Wait, brother, I have another request."

Jiang Shangxian quickly stopped Shen Lang and pulled him aside.

"What else?"

Jiang Shangxian glanced around, then chuckled softly, cupping his hands in his palms, "Well, I've been spending a lot lately, so I'm a little short on cash. What do you think..."

He squinted and smiled, he held out his palm and weighed it in his hand, the meaning couldn't be clearer.

Shen Lang frowned again: "Can you have any shame? How much is my annual salary? Even a duke's salary is only 5,700 taels a year, while a prince's salary is 10,000 taels a year. How dare you ask me for a loan?"

Jiang Shangxian said without batting an eye: "Brother, we're just helping each other out, aren't we? If this hadn't happened, why would I have asked you for help?"

"I don't need much, just a few hundred thousand taels to tide me over. I'll pay you back double when I have the money."

"A hundred thousand or two hundred thousand taels?" Shen Lang was utterly shocked by the other party's shamelessness. "Why don't you just rob someone? I've never seen so much money before!"

Jiang Shangxian immediately put on a mournful face: "Brother, please lend a hand. Whatever you have is fine. I feel empty and uncomfortable if I don't have a few coins in my pocket."

Shen Lang glanced back at the Prince's Mansion behind him, then pulled Jiang Shangxian to the back of the carriage, and took out three taels of silver from the hidden opening of his belt and handed it to him.

"This is all I have, at least enough for you to hear a sound."

"That's all? Bro, you're really not being fair."

"So, do you want it or not?"

"Want to want."

Jiang Shangxian snatched the three taels of silver, weighed it in his palm, and muttered to himself, "Even a fly's leg is still meat, something is better than nothing."

"gone."

Shen Lang patted Jiang Shangxian on the shoulder and got into the carriage without looking back.

As a result, Liu Wu stopped the carriage as soon as it entered the gate of Weiyang Palace.

"Lord Zhenguo, I have something to report."

Shen Lang was somewhat surprised that Liu Wu took the initiative to contact him.

After letting him into the carriage, Liu Wu handed him a draft document: "Duke Zhenguo, this is the legal code I drafted last night for the exclusive overseas zone of Great Chu. Please take a look and see if there are any areas that need improvement."

Shen Lang took the draft document, but felt a sense of unease.

He knew Liu Wu's personality all too well. Even if he had drafted a plan, he would only read it aloud in the court. Why would he inexplicably ask him to come and see it?

Looking into Liu Wu's eyes again, one could see that he was clearly avoiding them, as if he had something to say to him but didn't know how to start.

Shen Lang didn't point it out, but flipped open the draft and glanced at it.

It must be said that Liu Wu is old-fashioned but not at all pedantic.

The draft law outlines detailed legal plans for overseas colonies, with every article and example geared towards the interests of the Chu state.

"Minister Liu, your regulations are very detailed. I will explain them to His Majesty and formally incorporate them into the overseas-specific legislation to begin operation."

"Thank you for your appreciation, Duke Zhenguo. With that, I can rest assured."

After Liu Wu finished speaking, he said nothing more, but sat upright with his eyes slightly lowered and remained motionless.

His hands, however, which were resting on his knees, kept clenching and unclenching.

Seeing this, Shen Lang closed the draft document and asked directly, "Minister Liu, is there anything else?"

Liu Wu was taken aback, unsure how to respond.

"Minister Liu, just say what you need to say. If you have any difficulties and need my help, I will definitely help if I can."

The last sentence immediately touched Liu Wu's heart.

After hesitating for a long time, he cupped his hands to Shen Lang and said, "Duke Zhenguo, I do have a matter I would like to ask you to resolve, but I really don't know how to bring it up."

Shen Lang: "It's alright. If something can put Minister Liu in a difficult position, it must be something very important. Tell me about it, I'd like to know too."

Liu Wu took a deep breath: "Actually, this is a private matter in my family."

"My family is poor. I lost my father when I was young, and my mother raised me by scrimping and saving."

During this time, my maternal uncle's family took good care of my mother and me, often bringing us food and clothing to help us through difficult times.

Last year, my uncle and aunt passed away one after the other. Before they died, they hoped that I could help their grandson find a job in Beijing.

My mother had already agreed to this matter. She often advised me to be grateful and repay kindness, and she even took it upon herself to change my aunt's grandson's surname to my own.

However, as the Minister of Justice of the current dynasty, if I were to use this as an excuse to bend the law for personal gain, wouldn't I be betraying the kindness and favor shown to me by the Duke of Zhenguo?

However, I cannot disobey my mother's words, and I am at a loss for what to do.

After saying that, he sighed helplessly.

This is probably what they mean by the dilemma of being unable to reconcile loyalty to one's country with filial piety.

Shen Lang listened quietly to him finish speaking, then casually asked, "So, you came to me to ask me to help you solve your problems?"

Liu Wu said, "Duke Zhenguo, as the saying goes, one should not avoid recommending worthy people even if they are relatives. If I were to recommend my aunt's child to the military academy, would you be willing to give him a chance to take the exam?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang immediately laughed: "My military academy's entrance exam is no simple matter. You must be literate, know relevant historical knowledge, and be able to read marching maps. Does your nephew have these abilities?"

Liu Wu shook his head: "Your Excellency Zhenguo has misunderstood. What I mean is, could you let him enter the primary martial arts training hall first, and then try to apply for military academy after he has laid a solid foundation?"

"That's certainly possible, as long as you're between 11 and 25 years old, have no criminal record, and are a registered citizen of the local area."

"You can apply to the Martial Arts Academy, you wouldn't be begging me for this, would you? If so, then there's no need to beg, this is a legitimate admission procedure."

Liu Wu cupped his hands and replied, "The Duke of Zhenguo has misunderstood again. I have already confirmed the admission requirements for the Martial Arts Academy with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites, but..."

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's just the tuition, meals, miscellaneous fees, and the cost of books and paper for the first term at the Martial Arts Academy."

The total cost is thirty-two taels, but I am short of funds. My mother was seriously ill last year, and our ancestral house needed renovations. I simply cannot afford such an expensive tuition fee.

Therefore, I humbly request that the Duke of Zhenguo lend me some silver, which I will repay in full once my salary is paid.”

Shen Lang was stunned after hearing this.

So Liu Wu went through all that trouble just to borrow money?

You should have said so earlier.

Anyway, I don't have any money.

"The Martial Arts Academy has a special admission quota every year, and all expenses are covered by the school. How about..."

"Your Excellency, Duke Zhenguo, absolutely not! Those spots should be reserved for students who truly need them. As a second-rank official, how can I abuse my power for personal gain!"

Looking at that upright and unyielding appearance, Shen Lang couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.

What more can be said now that things have come to this?

Borrow it.

"Okay, I'll lend it to you. You've already asked, how could I refuse? I'll sell everything I own to lend it to you!"