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

The Imperial Palace, the Hall of State Affairs.

After receiving news that the Northern Hu army was about to march south, Zhou Kang moved his living quarters here.

Although this is almost an annual large-scale operation by the Hu people, and the Great Zhou has been able to stop their southward advance over the years, he is still as cautious as he was when he first took on this matter.

After all, the various orders issued by the imperial court must be worthy of the soldiers guarding the frontier.

Moreover, although the Zhou dynasty has managed to stop the Hu people's advance over the years, it has also suffered considerable losses.

The border could collapse if we're not careful!

"Lord Xiangguo!"

Just as Zhou Kang finished processing a memorial, a minor official from the State Affairs Hall rushed in and reported in alarm:

"Commander Lu of the White Wolf Outpost has dispatched a messenger with an urgent battle report!"

"The messenger is waiting outside the door!"

"Bring him in immediately!"

Zhou Kang's heart tightened, and after speaking, he stood up abruptly, as if preparing to go out himself.

However, after taking a few steps, he calmed down and sat back down, his mind replaying the scene of his last conversation with Lu Xiao.

This was the first time Lu Xiao had sent him a message since leaving the capital.

"Your Excellency, I have been ordered by the Commander of a Thousand Households to deliver this battle report!"

The messenger, travel-worn and weary, dared not utter a sound in front of this Prime Minister.

Before he left, he received instructions from Lu Xiao that once he arrived in the capital, he must send the battle report to the Prime Minister as soon as possible, rather than to the Emperor.

Therefore, he felt both curious and apprehensive.

Zhou Kang waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to be so polite, and ordered someone to bring him tea so he could catch his breath before speaking.

"But the Northern Hu army is preparing to use the White Wolf outpost as a breakthrough point to invade our Great Zhou!"

As he spoke, he took the battle report, which showed what Lu Xiao had done after returning to the White Wolf outpost. He was then surprised to realize that with its current scale, the outpost needed to be renamed the main camp.

The messenger shook his head and said urgently:

"It was the remnants of the Black Sand Chuo tribe who, together with the nearby Moda and Qingwu tribes, led their troops to attack. Commander Lu killed Shuji's son, Shulie, and Moda tribe chief, Modale, in battle, achieving a great victory!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Kang clapped his hands excitedly, because he had already seen the part about this battle and was amazed by Lu Xiao's boldness in taking such a risky move!

After glancing at it briefly, he ordered the messenger to be taken away to rest, and then took the battle report and headed straight for the Hall of Diligent Governance.

"good!"

"As expected of my Great Zhou's mighty general, he has once again won a brilliant victory for me!"

Emperor Dehong was even happier than Zhou Kang, because given his relationship with Lu Xiao, the stronger Lu Xiao became, the sooner he would become the true ruler of the Great Zhou.

However, he still asked Zhou Kang for his opinion first:

"Prime Minister, this battle was fought brilliantly. Lu Xiao deserves the greatest credit, so he must be rewarded."

"What is the Prime Minister's opinion?"

"In my humble opinion, he deserves a generous reward!"

After Zhou Kang finished speaking, he took a few steps back, lowered his head and looked meek, refusing to say another word.

Emperor Dehong knew this was a test for him, and after thinking for a moment, he said:

"How about we appoint Minister Lu as the General Who Guards the North?"

"No, no, he's still just a commander of a thousand. If he's directly promoted to general, it's too much of a promotion for him, and the civil and military officials in the court won't agree to it."

Before Zhou Kang could speak, he immediately rejected his own idea:

"After much thought, I still cannot think of what reward to bestow upon Minister Lu to do justice to his merits in guarding the frontier, nor to incite dissatisfaction among other military officers."

"Prime Minister, why don't you share my burdens?"

After he finished speaking, he fell silent.

Emperor Dehong always respected Zhou Kang and consulted him on everything. Even though Lu Xiao had another deep relationship with him, he never forgot whose credit he had for his success.

Across from him, Zhou Kang pondered for a moment and then suggested:

"How about we bestow a marquisate upon Lu Xiao?"

"To be granted a title of nobility?"

"Yes."

Zhou Kang nodded slightly and explained his reason for doing so:

"In this battle, the White Wolf camp lost over five hundred soldiers, but also killed over eighteen hundred Hu soldiers, demonstrating the bravery of his troops who could fight three against one!"

"This is enough to demonstrate Lu Xiao's talent in military command!"

"Your Majesty just said that it is quite inappropriate to directly confer the title of Grand General, but if it is conferred the title of Marquis, I think no one would have any objection. After all, several of our dynasty's capable generals, and even some of the young generals who are just beginning to show their talents, have the honor of Marquis."

"One more Lu Xiao won't make a difference, and one less Lu Xiao won't make a difference either."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Dehong wholeheartedly agreed:

"The Prime Minister's thinking is truly insightful; he has been a great help to me!"

"It is my duty as an old minister to share Your Majesty's burdens."

Zhou Kang responded modestly, and then added:

"Lu Xiao has rendered meritorious service, but we must not forget the soldiers under his command."

"Your Majesty, this old minister suggests that all the generals who participated in this battle be promoted one rank and rewarded with gold and silver."

"In addition, Lu Xiao has the authority to act expediently on the frontier, and his rank is one level higher than that of his superiors. Only in this way can he avoid being hindered and wholeheartedly cultivate a fierce and powerful army for our Great Zhou!"

After he finished speaking, he stepped aside and waited quietly, giving the other person time.

Originally, although Lu Xiao also had the privilege of acting expediently, that was because Emperor Dehong's verbal promise and the Prime Minister's token ultimately could not be put into practice.

Bringing this matter out into the open will save Lu Xiao a lot of trouble.

Emperor Dehong, having considered this point, nodded solemnly:

"The Prime Minister is indeed mature and prudent, having considered almost everything I could and could not have thought of."

"Without the Prime Minister, I'm afraid I really wouldn't know how to handle this matter."

After saying this, he called Wang Fu over and relayed Zhou Kang's meaning:

"Immediately draft an imperial edict to bestow upon Lu Xiao the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Valor. Wang Fu, you personally go to the White Wolf camp to deliver this edict!"

"Here you go!"

……

Meanwhile, in the White Wolf camp.

Guided by Fang Dahu, Lu Xiao met his comrades from Zhenbei Camp and Pingxi Camp. Both sides sent a centurion to make contact.

As soon as the two sides met, the two centurions clasped their hands in greeting and established a formality:

"Dong Tiancheng of Zhenbei Camp greets Commander Lu."

"Lord Commander, this is Zhang Man from the Pingxi Camp, greetings."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Xiao laughed and helped the two of them up, inviting them to sit down.

"There's no need for you two to be so polite. In fact, I should thank you both. If it weren't for the deterrence of your Zhenbei Camp and Pingxi Camp, my White Wolf Camp wouldn't have won this battle so easily."

"The reason you two have come here is..."

The two exchanged glances, and Dong Tiancheng spoke first:

"According to the message sent by Lord Lu, we have seized a lot of supplies in the Black Sand Chuo Three Tribes camp. We have come here today specifically to report and hand over the supplies to you."

"Please take a look, sir."

As he spoke, he presented a booklet with both hands before continuing:

"A total of approximately 2,300 taels of gold and silver, 1,309 warhorses, and 3,215 cattle and sheep were seized from the Hu people, including those from the Heishachuo tribe..."