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

"Brother Long!"

Lu Xiao paused for a moment, then understood the other party's meaning and seized the opportunity to climb up:

"The reason I came to see my elder brother first upon entering the capital is to get some advice from him to help me in my actions in the capital."

"If you don't mind, brother, could you please tell me a few things?"

"Haha, great!"

Long Gui was extremely satisfied with his performance and couldn't help but laugh out loud a few times.

Now, Lu Xiao's achievements at White Wolf Mountain have long been reported to the ears of dignitaries and nobles throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty by messengers along the way, and there must be people secretly observing him as he travels north.

Upon arriving in the capital, they might even directly test the waters!

He was well aware of the situation in the capital.

Starting in the fifth year of the late emperor's reign, nearly a century of peace within the Great Zhou territory was ended, and war was initiated with the Northern Hu. Now, the enemy is no longer just one in the north.

However, the status of the powerful families in the capital and even throughout the country remained unshaken.

This group of people would never allow a peasant who rose from the ranks of soldiers to gain a foothold in the capital and take away a share of their wealth!

In this situation, powerful families will inevitably resort to underhanded tactics.

Thinking of this, Long Gui said solemnly:

"The fact that you have this thought proves that the victory at White Wolf Mountain did not cloud your judgment."

"His Majesty is actually living a very difficult, even... frustrating, life!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao was taken aback:

"What does my brother mean?"

"His Majesty's ascension to the throne of the Great Zhou Dynasty can be attributed entirely to the efforts of the current Chancellor, Zhou Kang."

"He was once the late emperor's teacher, and after the late emperor's death, he took over the reins of government and has since ruled arbitrarily!"

"Only with his permission can you set foot in the capital, and even... receive the rewards you deserve."

"The Emperor also held Prime Minister Zhou in high esteem, and would consult him on all matters, big and small, before making a decision."

Long Gui spoke earnestly, finished speaking in one breath, took a sip of wine, and slowly handed the time to Lu Xiao, letting him think about it alone.

Lu Xiao didn't surprise him; he quickly realized what was going on.

"Brother, are you saying that Prime Minister Zhou's power is far greater than we imagine? Perhaps if I go to the capital, I might face his tests or even challenges?"

"That's right!"

Long Gui nodded heavily, assuring him that there was no need to worry too much:

"Your position as centurion may be a very high rank in the White Wolf Outpost or Changyang County, but in Prime Minister Zhou's eyes, you are not even as good as a servant in his own household."

"So when you arrive in the capital, don't be afraid. Just tell the truth about the details of your battle."

"Apart from matters related to the war, do not listen to or speak of anything else, and you will be safe and sound."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao solemnly clasped his hands in thanks and asked for some information about the other party before beginning to speculate on some things he might encounter after entering the capital.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Lu Xiao finally learned enough from Long Gui, thanked him, and took out several silver notes worth 1,500 taels of silver for him to accept.

A glint of light flashed in Long Gui's eyes, and he asked in a deep voice:

"What does this mean?"

"Brother, you don't need to worry about it."

Seeing that he seemed to have misunderstood him, Lu Xiao quickly explained:

"Do you remember the battle report that came after the great victory? We captured a large number of Black Sand Chuo tribe warhorses, and the original plan was to send most of them to my brother."

"But as my brother knows, the White Wolf outpost is very poor, so poor that they are extremely satisfied if they can eat meat once every seven days."

"I really couldn't bear to see the brothers make the decision, so after discussing it with Brother Luo, we decided to sell some of the warhorses that were originally given to you to raise money."

"A total of five thousand taels were sold, and this is the fifteen hundred taels that my elder brother is entitled to!"

Upon hearing this, the wariness in Long Gui's eyes indeed lessened considerably, but he immediately pushed the silver note back and said with a smile:

"Since this is money for the brothers' food and drink, you can keep it for yourself."

"Brother, I have left enough silver!"

Seeing Lu Xiao's insistence, he continued to refuse:

"Then you can take it yourself."

"Lu Xiao, the capital is not like a military camp or outpost. The expenses there are enormous. In the blink of an eye, your 1,500 taels will be gone without you even seeing a ripple."

"You'll find out how terrifying the dangers are once you get to the capital."

"If you truly consider me your elder brother, then take the silver notes back!"

Lu Xiao had nothing more to say at this point, and after nodding, he expressed his gratitude:

"Then thank you for your kind offer, brother."

"It's your money anyway, why be so polite?"

Long Gui laughed heartily and raised his glass in invitation:

"Come on, let's drink!"

"Relax tonight, and you can head to the capital early tomorrow morning!"

……

At dawn, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, Lu Xiao finished packing and only told Long Wu that he was leaving, asking him to apologize to Long Gui on his behalf. He then rode his horse into the morning mist.

Because he was summoned by the Emperor, he was able to use the official post stations of the court to change horses or stay overnight along the way, so he didn't spend a single tael of his own silver.

Moreover, after the officials along the way learned that he was going to the capital to meet the emperor, some generous people even took the initiative to give him some silver as travel expenses.

In this way, it took him about half a month to finally arrive at the capital city—Hengdu.

Since it was morning, Lu Xiao had no intention of resting. He carefully washed and dressed at the post station before asking his way to the palace to ask the guards to pass on his message.

He waited outside the palace gates for nearly half an hour, thinking that once he received permission to enter, he could proceed smoothly, but the process was more complicated and tedious than he had imagined.

When he passed through the first palace gate, he was asked to remove his sword. At the second palace gate, eunuchs searched him. At the third palace gate, someone dragged him into a small room and stripped him naked for inspection.

Lu Xiao was so frustrated that he lost all interest in appreciating the interior of the palace.

He dressed and came out, and saw a young eunuch waiting outside. Hearing everyone else address the man as "Master Eunuch," he immediately stepped forward to pay his respects.

"Your humble servant Lu Xiao greets Your Excellency the Seal Keeper!"

"No need for such formalities, just call me Eunuch Wang."

Lu Xiao hurriedly agreed, and before leaving, he turned around to look at the eunuchs who had searched him, still unable to suppress his doubts:

"Eunuch Wang, do all those who enter the palace... have to go through what just happened?"

"Hehe, Lord Lu has misunderstood."

Wang Fu smiled and shook his head:

"Only a newcomer like you, fresh to the capital and meeting His Majesty for the first time, would receive such treatment. Otherwise, wouldn't the ministers be exhausted and humiliated from attending court every day?"

He took the silver from Lu Xiao and finally couldn't bear to offer a word of advice:

"arrive."

Lu Xiao suddenly stopped and looked up slightly to see a young monarch looking at him with curious eyes, the thinness between his brows impossible to hide.

He immediately knelt down and kowtowed:

"Your humble servant Lu Xiao greets Your Majesty, and wishes Your Majesty..."