Are you crazy? Trying to trick him into military service? He's the number one dragon on the fro

You can't go.

Lu Xiao rejected the other party's request almost without hesitation:

"Xianya, even His Majesty doesn't dare to reinvestigate what happened back then. It seems the mastermind behind it has connections that reach far and wide, someone even His Majesty fears!"

"Your decision to go to the capital alone is tantamount to suicide. I absolutely will not allow that to happen!"

As he spoke, he grabbed the other person's shoulder, his expression extremely serious:

"If you trust me, wait until I rise through the ranks in the army, and the day I have the strength to avenge my father-in-law and brother, then act immediately!"

"My lord, it's not that I don't trust you, and I know you will definitely do it, but there are some things I still want to see with my own eyes and hear with my own ears."

Faced with her insistence, Lu Xiao fell completely silent.

He knew that even if they agreed not to go to the capital now, Liu Xianya could still leave once he returned to the White Wolf outpost.

By then, even if he tried to catch up, he probably wouldn't have a chance.

After much deliberation, Lu Xiao had no choice but to solemnly declare:

"Then I'll go with you!"

"No!"

Liu Xianya also rejected his suggestion:

"This journey to the capital is fraught with danger, and I do not wish for my husband to be implicated..."

"If you don't agree, then I'll resign from my position as a centurion right now, and I'll follow you wherever you go!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xianya sighed repeatedly, and after a long while, she could only lower her head and agree:

"Very well, I will obey my husband."

"However, this time I still need to return to Dongshan County and take a trip to the capital."

"Because I wish to tell my parents, brothers, and sisters the news of my marriage to my husband!"

"Please rest assured, my husband, I will not do anything reckless once I arrive in the capital. After all, I still have to... give birth to your child."

Lu Xiao knew he couldn't keep the other person no matter what, and could only hope that the other person would keep their promise:

"Fine!"

"Today I also need to return to the White Wolf outpost. After lunch, I will first escort you into the city and watch you leave safely before returning to camp."

"Husband, let's skip the meal. There are more important things to do..."

After Liu Xianya finished speaking, she took off her wedding gown and glanced at him shyly.

In an instant, Lu Xiao's appetite was whetted, and he pounced on it without thinking.

……

In the afternoon, the two arrived safely in Changyang County.

Lu Xiao stood on the official road heading east, watching Liu Xianya board a merchant caravan's carriage, and waved to them:

"Don't overthink this trip; prioritize your own safety."

"it is good."

Liu Xianya's eyes were filled with tears, but even though she was extremely reluctant, she had to make this trip, otherwise she would not be able to rest easy.

For such an important matter as marriage, it is natural to inform one's parents!

As time passed and the caravan set off, Lu Xiao's heart remained uneasy.

Beside him, Luo Yang patted him on the shoulder and comforted him:

"Don't worry, this caravan is from the county town. They are our own people who are on General Long's orders to transport a batch of goods back home. They will happen to be passing through Dongshan County, so they can guarantee your safety."

"Thanks."

Lu Xiao nodded, standing at the city gate watching the caravan grow further and further away until it disappeared from sight.

Luo Yang then reminded him:

"You should return to camp, and I should go to the garrison camp outside the city to take over the position of captain."

"Commander Lu, if you don't want to experience this pain of separation again in the future, then strive hard in the army and make sure you are never separated from your family again!"

……

Beijun, Hengdu.

The first and last most rebellious thing the current Emperor Dehong did since ascending the throne was to rename the original capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Lingdu, to Hengdu.

In his view, the name Lingdu was derived from the fact that the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty was backed by mountains and rivers, implying a view from the north to the south.

The name was certainly good, but he felt that he was just like this capital city, surrounded by mountains, unable to escape or get out, and that staying in it would make him feel depressed.

Of course, Emperor Dehong would not really explain it that way to his beloved prime minister.

His reasoning was that if the Great Zhou emperor continued to use this name, it would likely be constantly watched by neighboring countries and seen as an ominous sign.

On the contrary, Hengdu implies the idea of ​​stabilizing the world!

In addition, all matters, large and small, in the court, including the reign title Dehong, were decided with the advice of the then Chancellor Zhou Kang.

As usual, it was an ordinary afternoon.

Emperor Dehong took the memorial from the chief eunuch Wang Fu and began the second half of his workday.

Suddenly, a commotion came from in front of the palace.

He slightly raised his eyes and saw an ordinary soldier in armor, covered in dust from his journey, jogging in. He knelt on one knee at the foot of the steps and presented a military report with both hands:

"Your Majesty, I have received news of the great victory at Bailang Mountain in Changyang County, Yuyang Prefecture. I have been ordered by General Long to deliver this urgent message from you!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Dehong's eyes flashed with a hint of joy, and he glanced at Wang Fu beside him.

The latter quickly went over and took the battle report from the soldier, gently wiping away the dust with his sleeve before handing it over.

After reading the battle report, Emperor Dehong was overjoyed and couldn't help but exclaim in praise:

"What a fine young hero, Lu Xiao! He has won a truly magnificent victory for me!"

"My lord, come and see for yourself, and share in my joy!"

Wang Fu quickly declined, saying he dared not.

Seeing this, Emperor Dehong didn't say much, his gaze falling on the soldier, trying to suppress his imposing manner:

"Raise your heads and let me take a good look at you soldiers who have rendered great service to the Great Zhou!"

The soldier nervously looked up, and with Wang Fu's encouraging gaze, quickly scanned Emperor Dehong's face before hurriedly lowering his eyes to focus only on the emperor's mouth.

He discovered that the young emperor was different from the rumors. He was not emaciated and looked like a man-eating demon. On the contrary, he had a warm face and was full of vigor.

But there seemed to be an unyielding sorrow between his brows!

He looked like a kind-hearted older brother from next door, worried about making a living.

The soldier was startled by his own thoughts, and then quickly suppressed this great disrespect with another idea.

His Majesty is still too haggard, as if a huge mountain is pressing down on his head all the time!

Emperor Dehong looked him over for a while, then lost interest. He waved his hand, instructing his attendant to give the soldier some silver, and then sent him away.

When only the emperor and his minister were in the main hall, he suddenly said in a cold voice:

"Wang Fu, do you know your crime?"

puff-

Wang Fu immediately knelt down, prostrating himself on the ground.

"This servant knows her crime and begs Your Majesty for punishment!"

"Um."

Emperor Dehong's expression softened slightly, and he said after a moment's thought:

"Without Prime Minister Zhou, there would be no me, and the Great Zhou would not be as powerful as it is today."

"I have repeatedly emphasized that no matter how big or small, it must first be presented to Prime Minister Zhou for his review before being sent to me."

"You are a long-time servant of mine, so the punishment can be lighter, but you cannot go unpunished."

He stroked his chin, seemingly contemplating how to punish someone in a way that would be neither too lenient nor too harsh:

"Here's what we'll do. First, take ten strokes of the cane. After the report is sent to Prime Minister Zhou, you can go and deduct half a year's salary."

"Here you go!"