Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Wu Country Has Cultivators

4th Year of Zhengyong, May 9th.

Xu Mujun led the army to set out, reinforcing Binzhou.

4th Year of Zhengyong, May 17th.

Xu Mujun alone led the Dragon-soaring Army cavalry and spent eight days entering Binzhou, repelling the army of Wu Country in the first battle, lifting the siege of Binzhou, and gathering the army.

4th Year of Zhengyong, May 21st.

The army of Wu Country surrounded Xu Mujun and faced off against him at Canglong River.

4th Year of Zhengyong, June 18th.

Xu Mujun led his thirty thousand Dragon-soaring Army and one hundred thousand Border Army to launch a decisive battle against Wu Country’s thirty hundred thousand troops.

In this battle, both armies suffered heavy casualties, with bodies strewn across Canglong River, and fish and shrimp within the river scrambling to feed.

June 27th, the army of Wu Country was defeated, Xu Mujun slaughtered twelve hundred thousand surrendered troops of Wu Country, and pursued them with his forces.

4th Year of Zhengyong, July 20th.

The army of Wu Country retreated to Black Mountain Pass, holding the perilous position, while Xu Mujun stationed in Canglong City, confronting the Wu Country army at Black Mountain City.

The two armies fell into a prolonged standoff.

4th Year of Zhengyong, August 7th, Xu Mujun encountered an assassination attempt!

In Zhonghe Hall, Zheng Yi gazed at the private letter Xu Mujun had written to him, secretly astounded.

Xu Mujun had been leading the army to Binzhou for only three months, yet he managed to force the invading Wu Country army to retreat.

He also posed a menacing threat to Wu Country.

According to Xu Mujun, now both countries have suffered heavy losses and should not continue fighting.

Especially Great Yu.

The rebellion in the northern civilian populace has not been fully quelled, and the military’s supply of provisions is urgent. It is necessary to cease fighting and recuperate; otherwise, Great Yu is in danger.

Faced with this request, Zheng Yi also made up his mind.

A ceasefire is indeed needed.

But when to ceasefire, how to ceasefire, will still be determined by the victories and losses on the battlefield.

Currently, Great Yu holds the initiative on the battlefield, and of course, they can hold certain advantages at the negotiation table.

Moreover, Zheng Yi has his own plans.

In at most two or three years, once the Ministry of Industry successfully researches explosive cannons, they certainly have to have another confrontation with Wu Country!

Furthermore…

He glanced at the last part of the private letter’s content.

4th Year of Zhengyong, August 7th, Xu Mujun encountered an assassination attempt!

The assassin was a cultivator hidden underground.

Taking advantage of Xu Mujun’s inspection of the military camp, they suddenly attacked.

But the Xu Mujun of today is no longer the Xu Mujun of the past.

An Innate Realm Martial Artist, coupled with a Flying Sword taken from the Fire Spirit’s hand, immediately countered and killed the attacker.

According to Xu Mujun’s description, the Wu Country cultivator’s strength was very weak.

Compared to Fire Spirit, it was as different as heaven and earth.

Fire Spirit claimed to be Ninth-layer Qi Cultivation, while this attacker, at most, had Third-layer Qi Cultivation.

Not only lacking Flying Sword and other Magical Artifacts, but even utilizing spells relied on different Talismans.

Once Xu Mujun reacted, he closed in swiftly, beheading with a single sword!

“Wu Country… indeed has cultivators, though very weak!”

Zheng Yi’s eyes brightened and said, “Perhaps, aside from Wu Country, the surrounding countries of Great Yu like Nanzhao Country, Xueyun Country, Lin Country, Mountain Country, all have the presence of cultivators!”

“It’s just that I haven’t found them yet…”

“It seems that we need to speed up!”

“Only when Great Yu stabilizes can I wholeheartedly seek immortality.”

A few days later, Great Court.

“Speak up if you have matters, retreat if you have none!”

As Liu Cheng’en finished speaking, someone stood up and said:

“I have a petition, Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty! Our country has been at war with Wu Country for over a year, life is devastated, and casualties are heavy.”

“Now the Four Northern States are full of chaos, the supply routes for provisions are cut off. I implore Your Majesty to withdraw the troops and suppress the chaos in the Four Northern States!”

“Furthermore, Wu Country and our country are diplomatic allies, now Wu Country has sent an envoy to seek peace, I hope Your Majesty sends officials from the Ministry of Rites for negotiations.”

On the Dragon Throne, Zheng Yi said indifferently, “Where is the Minister of the Ministry of Rites?”

The newly appointed Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Kong Xiangsi quickly stepped out and said, “Your Majesty, I am here.”

“Regarding the negotiation with Wu Country envoys, it is entirely entrusted to you. Do not disappoint me.”

“Understood.”

After dealing with a few minor issues, Zheng Yi said directly:

“I intend to establish a Cabinet above the Six Ministries, select suitable candidates to join the Cabinet as officials, commanding the hundred officials, handling state affairs…”

This matter had been circulating within the Imperial Palace for several months, so the attending ministers were not surprised.

Many were even speculating, who would be the first seven ministers to enter the Cabinet?

The leading few ministers nodded secretly.

This move by Your Majesty seems to have divided the power of the Prime Minister, but the real purpose is to limit Xu Mujun’s power.

From now on, Great Yu Dynasty will no longer have a Prime Minister, only a Cabinet!

After a short interval, Liu Cheng’en proclaimed, “By the Decree of Heaven, the Emperor’s edict states:”

“…The newly appointed Chief of the Cabinet, Grand General Xu Mujun!”

As soon as the first candidate was announced, it immediately caused a sensation in the court.

“Xu Mujun? Why is it him!”

“Chief Minister of the Cabinet! This is practically the position of the Prime Minister!”

“What is Your Majesty thinking, to trust Xu Mujun so completely?”

“The Chief Minister is Xu Mujun, who are Elder Lu and Elder Cui…”

The discussions among the officials were lively, Liu Cheng’en paused deliberately and said, “Cabinet Ministers, Left Imperial Censor of the Inspectorate Lu Xiangqing!”

“Cabinet Ministers, Imperial Censor Wang Ze!”

“Cabinet Ministers, Minister of the Ministry of Justice Li Yuanhao!”

“Cabinet Ministers, Minister of the Imperial Clan Court Zheng Zongbing!”

“Cabinet Ministers, Imperial Censor Wang He!”

“Cabinet Ministers, Minister of the Ministry of Justice Cui Jinghao!”

“These six individuals are the first Cabinet members of the Great Yu Dynasty, managing the realm on behalf of me, for the welfare of the people!”

“We abide by the decree…!”

The civil and military officials all kneeled, shouting long live.

“Cabinet Ministers, proceed to Zhonghe Hall for an audience!”

Zheng Yi left, and the other officials also wisely departed.

Only Lu Xiangqing and the other six proceeded to Zhonghe Hall.

“Elder Lu, what do you think the Emperor has in store for us six?”

Wang Ze came over quietly and asked.

Among the six, Lu Xiangqing and Cui Jinghao held the most power and the highest positions, and served as representatives for the two major noble families within the Imperial Court.

While Zheng Zongbing was from the Royal Family, as the Imperial Uncle of the reigning Emperor Zhengyong.

Lu Xiangqing shook his head and said, “It’s nothing more than dealing with Yang Ni’s matter, at most within two months, Yang Ni and his associates will be sentenced to death.”

“I see.”

“What is Elder Lu’s view of Grand General Xu?”

“Haha… Grand General Xu is currently favored by the Emperor and is the stabilizing force of the Great Yu Dynasty, what view could I possibly have?”

“Your Majesty is now in his prime, the time to expand his grand vision.”

“Gentlemen, we should all faithfully assist His Majesty for the peace of the realm!”

“Elder Lu speaks rightly…”

Shortly afterward, the six of them met Zheng Yi in Zhonghe Hall.

“We pay homage to Your Majesty!”

Zheng Yi said, “Rise, my lords.”

“Today’s summon is for you to handle three major affairs.”

“First, Yang Xuansu plotted rebellion, implicating many ministers, resulting in a decline of officials and ineffective governance.”

“I plan to open an exceptional examination after the autumn and increase a Military Examination, how do you perceive this?”

Open an exceptional examination!

The few were taken aback, never expecting His Majesty to actually want to open an exceptional examination?

It should be known that although Great Yu Dynasty also has an imperial examination system, it has long been controlled by the noble families.

In the imperial examination, those who grab the top spots, even the top few dozen Advanced Scholars, are all people from various noble families.

According to the rules, every three years there is an imperial examination, unexpectedly Emperor Zhengyong wants to open an exceptional examination at this moment?

However, for them, it is also a good thing.

If that’s the case, could it be possible to insert their own people in the court?

Everyone turned to look at Lu Xiangqing.

With Xu Mujun absent, they instinctively regarded Lu Xiangqing as the leader.

“Your Majesty, opening an exceptional examination is a good thing. But allow me to speak frankly…”

Lu Xiangqing said, “This Military Examination, what exactly is it?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep