Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

"My name is Lu Chen, and I greet Lord Yuan."

Seeing the other person stand up and bow to him, Lu Chen also followed suit and returned the bow with his hands clasped.

"I am truly unworthy of the title 'Lord Yuan'."

Upon hearing Lu Chen's words, Yuan Xun quickly waved his hand, then turned and instructed Inspector Zhang, who was standing carefully to the side,

"I have confidential matters to discuss with Young Master Lu. Go outside and guard the door yourself. Do not allow anyone to approach."

"Your humble servant obeys."

Inspector Zhang bowed and clasped his hands in greeting, then backed out of the study, quietly closing the door behind him.

"Young Master Lu, there are no outsiders to disturb us now."

After turning his gaze away from the door, Yuan Xun turned to look at Lu Chen.

"I have worked with your father, Lu Kun, the Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Garrison, for several years. We can be considered as close as uncle and nephew."

"We are both of the seventh rank. I am a few years older than Young Master Lu, so may I presume to address you as Brother Lu?"

"Brother Yuan."

This was clearly an attempt to get closer to him, and Lu Chen couldn't refuse, so he immediately responded.

However, a storm was brewing in my heart.

The other party's words just now revealed several pieces of information.

This Lord Yuan Xun, like Lu Chen's father Lu Kun, was also a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a seventh-rank official.

Moreover, he was very familiar with Lu Kun and they were colleagues who worked together.

But why would he say that he is on the same level as him?

The one who should be on the same level as him is Lu Kun!

Lu Chen was clearly just an illegitimate son; even if Lu Kun died, he wouldn't be the one to inherit the position of the chief banner officer.

Even if Lu Kun's legitimate son is unable to inherit for some reason, Lu Kun intends to make his illegitimate son "Lu Chen" his heir.

Lu Chen, who has never served in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, still has a long way to go before he can inherit this hereditary position.

According to the normal succession process of the hereditary military officers of the Ming Dynasty's Embroidered Uniform Guard, the heirs would be registered in the Embroidered Uniform Guard as "Sheren" or "Youguan" when they were young, which is equivalent to reserve officers.

The heir must also receive basic martial arts training, learn to read and write, and study etiquette and law.

After turning fifteen, they would first enter the ranks of the Embroidered Uniform Guard for training, serving as captains or strongmen.

They followed senior Jinyiwei officials to learn professional skills such as arrest and ceremonial duties.

They would also be sent to various local garrisons to hone their skills on temporary assignments.

Only after their fathers have passed away or retired can they apply to the Embroidered Uniform Guard for succession.

Even at this stage, a series of exams still need to be passed.

One must be qualified in both martial arts and writing to formally inherit a hereditary official position.

In other words, even if Lu Kun really wanted "Lu Chen" to inherit his hereditary position as a flag officer, "Lu Chen" would still need to gain experience at the grassroots level of the Embroidered Uniform Guard for at least two or three years.

Only after passing the assessment can one be formally appointed to the position.

But this Lord Yuan traveled all the way from the capital to Wadian Town; he couldn't possibly be doing this to fool me.

He said he was also a seventh-rank official, and he was not joking.

What exactly happened?

It seems that Yuan Xun has neither met the real "Lu Chen" nor realized that he is an imposter.

If the real "Lu Chen" were in the current situation, he would be just as bewildered.

Since that's the case, asking him directly won't arouse any suspicion.

"Forgive my ignorance, but my father is indeed a seventh-rank commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. However, I am just a commoner and do not hold any position in the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Lu Chen cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Yuan Xun.

"I really don't understand what you mean by the seventh-rank official you mentioned, Brother Yuan. Please enlighten me."

"As I know, Brother Lu only rushed from Chengtian Prefecture to the capital to serve your father medicine after receiving your mother's letter."

Seeing that Lu Chen finally asked, Yuan Xun said in a deep voice,

"Your father, Commander Lu, passed away in Beijing a few days ago. Please accept our deepest condolences, Brother Lu."

"When I received my stepmother's letter in Chengtian Prefecture, I also anticipated that my father's condition was already very serious. However, I never expected that I would still be unable to see my father one last time."

So Lu Kun was dead! Lu Chen quickly tried to control his facial expression, putting on a sorrowful look.

"As a son, I will certainly ride as fast as I can to the capital to keep vigil and observe mourning for my father."

"Brother Lu, please accept my condolences. I admire your filial piety."

After Yuan Xun finished speaking, he cupped his hands towards the north and said,

"Before your father passed away, he recommended to Lord Lu Bing, the Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, that you, Brother Lu, should inherit his hereditary position as the Chief Banner Officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

The Vice Magistrate has already agreed.

Originally, the Assistant Magistrate also wanted the Lu brothers to observe a year of mourning for their father in the capital before inheriting their hereditary positions.

But as hereditary military officers of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, we must prioritize the imperial court.

Brother Lu has been in Chengtian Prefecture all along, so he must be very clear about the relationship between your father and the Assistant Magistrate.

There is a very important position that the Assistant Magistrate needs to appoint as an absolutely trustworthy member of the Lu family.

If your father were still alive, he would be the most suitable candidate.

Now that your father has passed away, this responsibility can only fall on your shoulders, Brother Lu.

On this trip, I, your humble brother, have brought with me a personal written order from the Prefectural Magistrate for Brother Lu.

After speaking, Yuan Xun placed a letter sealed with sealing wax in front of Lu Chen.

Is this even possible?!

Lu Chen wore an expression of disbelief; this time, it was a genuine expression, not just a controlled one.

Do the Embroidered Uniform Guards really disregard rules and procedures when they do things?

Could the process of inheriting hereditary official positions in the Embroidered Uniform Guard that I read before I traveled through time be a misconception?

Yes, the official Yuan Xun mentioned was none other than Lu Bing, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the most powerful bodyguard in the Ming Dynasty.

According to some accounts, whether unofficial histories or novels, at the height of his power, Lu Bing even dared to write imperial edicts on the spot in front of arrested officials!

In Lu Bing's eyes, the rules and procedures of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were utterly meaningless.

His words are the rules of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Even though Lu Bing had not yet become the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, as a third-rank commander, it was not a big deal for him to let a hereditary captain inherit the position directly from his father, bypassing all procedures.

What does this mean?

When he obtained Lu Chen's travel permit, he seriously misjudged Lu Kun's identity.

This Commander Lu Kun held a very important position in the eyes of Lu Song and his son Lu Bing; he must have been a very important confidant.

Lu Kun's successor, Lu Chen, is also intended to be given important responsibilities.

In comparison, it's not a big deal why Lu Kun didn't pass on his hereditary title to his legitimate son before his death, but instead passed it on to "Lu Chen," a son raised in his hometown of Chengtian Prefecture.

Who knows what that old man was thinking? The person is already dead, and we can't find out anymore.

What exactly is this important position?

It's astonishing that Lu Bing would break the rules and even send someone with a warrant to search for "Lu Chen" on the way to the capital!

Lu Chen picked up the envelope in front of him and gently peeled off the wax seal.

There must be an answer you're looking for inside!