Enfeoffed as Hereditary County Baron, the Lü Family Takes a Concubine!

"So be it."

"Draft the decree."

"Zhu Ying risked life and limb, slew myriad enemies, and held back the enemy forces, rendering meritorious service to the state."

"In addition to his post as Jin Garrison Commander and the hundred gold already bestowed, confer upon him the title of Hereditary County Baron and grant him another hundred gold," Zhu Yuanzhang announced at once.

"Your Majesty is wise."

The assembled officials cried out in unison.

The court deliberations came to an end.

Inside Fengtian Hall.

Only Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, father and son, remained.

"Eldest."

"What do you think of this Zhu Ying?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked with a smile.

"Young and accomplished, fierce and courageous, and capable of commanding troops."

"He truly is an outstanding talent," Zhu Biao replied with a smile.

"Haha."

"It seems you have already taken notice of Zhu Ying," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.

"Father."

"After hearing Zhu Ying's name for the first time, your son had the Ministry of War retrieve his records."

"This youth is sixteen years old. He can indeed be called a young prodigy."

"He can be put to use."

"Our Great Ming army is powerful, but as far as the state is concerned, aside from elder brother Mu Ying, who guards Yunnan, all the rest place Huai West first. The Huai West generals' courage need not be mentioned, but they are far too arrogant and unruly."

"Father has always wished to rein them in and make the Huai West generals curb their tempers, yet it has ultimately been to no avail."

"But Great Ming cannot do without them."

"Your son understands what is in your heart, Father," Zhu Biao said with a solemn expression.

At those words!

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled. "It is good that you understand, Biao'er."

"However."

"Though Huai West is arrogant and unruly, to Great Ming—and to you, Biao'er—they are indeed a fine blade. Used well, they will become the sharpest weapon in your hand."

"Of course."

"You have not disappointed me either. Though the Huai West generals are overbearing, they still do not dare act recklessly before you."

"Biao'er, you already possess an emperor's majesty and imperial bearing—more than enough to subdue them."

"These Huai West generals will be the blades in your hand in the future."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, his gaze upon his son filled with gratification and pride.

If Zhu Ying had seen this moment.

He would certainly have been moved.

In history, before Zhu Biao died of illness, the Huai West generals had still been able to remain alive, because Zhu Biao had completely subdued them. They had not dared do anything to Zhu Biao. Though overbearing, they could be fully used by Zhu Biao.

As the Crown Prince with the most secure position in history, Zhu Biao's stability had not merely been something granted by heaven; his own abilities had also been crucial.

But once Zhu Biao died of illness, Huai West had thoroughly embarked upon the road to ruin. Zhu Yuanzhang saw that Zhu Yunwen could not subdue the Huai West generals, so he dealt a killing blow, smoothing away everything for the ruler of later generations and preventing chaos.

"Father, rest assured."

"Your son will absolutely not disappoint you."

"Father, you founded Great Ming and restored the honor of our Huaxia Han."

"Your son will surely create even greater glory for Great Ming." Zhu Biao spoke with the same solemnity, his imperial ambition utterly undisguised.

Looking at Zhu Biao, looking at his son.

Zhu Yuanzhang wore a kindly expression, devoid of any emperor's majesty. There was only a loving father's approval and gratification as he looked upon his most outstanding son.

"I believe in you," Zhu Yuanzhang said with certainty.

Lü Family!

Main hall.

"Father."

"The Shen Family has already sent over the dowry."

"As expected of the family rumored to be the wealthiest in Great Ming—their fortune is indeed substantial."

"They were merely taking in a concubine, yet the Shen Family sent ten thousand gold, along with over a hundred chests of money and jewels, and a hundred servants as part of the dowry."

Lu Ben's eldest son, Lu Hao, held a gift register as he excitedly approached Lu Ben.

"Since the dowry is so generous, pick any day and have the Shen girl enter the household," Lu Ben said calmly.

As the Minister of Rites, and the father of the current Crown Prince's Consort, Lu Ben undoubtedly held a lofty position at court.

"Father."

"Shouldn't we invite some people to the mansion for a banquet?" Lu Hao asked.

"It is only the taking of a concubine."

"There is no need to make such a fuss."

"The Shen Family may be immensely wealthy, but in the end, they are merely merchants."

"For their Shen girl to enter the gates of my Lu Mansion is already a climb far above their station," Lu Ben said placidly.

In this era, merchants occupied the lowliest rung of society.

No matter how vast their wealth, officials ultimately looked down on them. Indeed, merchants ranked even below craftsmen and farmers.

Merchants prized profit; for profit, they would stop at nothing.

The current Hongwu Emperor was also deeply displeased with merchants, and naturally, the entire court felt the same.

Had it not been for the Shen Family's immense fortune and inexhaustible wealth, Lu Ben would never have agreed to let his eldest son take a Shen girl as a concubine.

"Father is absolutely right."

"They are merely merchants."

"Still, since the Shen Family has sent such an abundant dowry, we should give them some measure of face."

"There is no need for Father to invite the high officials of the court. I will find some relatives and friends to dine at the mansion. That can count as an answer to the Shen Family," Lu Hao said with a smile.

"Mm."

Lu Ben nodded, then said, "You have done well lately. You have matured."

"In the future, you should conduct yourself the same way in officialdom. Caution above all else."

"Your younger sister now controls the affairs of the Eastern Palace, and Yun Wen has also won the Crown Prince's deep favor. What our Lü Family must do is support your sister with all our strength."

"Whether our Lü Family can become the true foremost family of the Ming Dynasty, true imperial kin, will depend on your sister," Lu Ben said earnestly.

As he spoke these words, the ambition in Lu Ben's eyes was utterly undisguised.

"Please rest assured, Father."

"Your son understands," Lu Hao replied at once.

"And another thing."

"Keep your two younger brothers in line. They are not as sensible as you. This is a critical time for your sister, and I do not want them stirring up any more trouble," Lu Ben added sternly.

"Your son understands." Lu Hao nodded.

"Father."

"Who exactly was that Zhu Ying at court today? How could he receive such esteem from both His Majesty and the Crown Prince?"

"He was even directly granted a hereditary barony."

"You know, even Father has never been granted a noble title," Lu Hao said somewhat indignantly.

Lu Ben frowned and shot Lu Hao a glare. "The Crown Prince's decision and His Majesty's grace—how dare you speak so recklessly?"

Lu Hao's expression changed. He nodded repeatedly and even slapped himself twice, hurriedly saying, "Your son misspoke."

"It is right that you cannot see clearly through His Majesty's intentions."

"But for our Lü Family, this is a good thing." Lu Ben stroked his beard, his face carrying the look of a seasoned schemer.

"Father."

"Could there be some hidden reason behind this?" Lu Hao immediately pressed.

"Which commanders of the Ming Dynasty are most skilled in battle?" Lu Ben asked in return.

"Naturally, those of Huai West," Lu Hao replied at once.

"The Huai West commanders are adept at commanding troops and fighting battles, and they hold extremely high prestige in the army."

"Moreover, the Huai West faction acts far too arrogantly and wantonly."

"Their countless deeds over these years have already displeased His Majesty."

"If His Highness the Crown Prince had not held things down, perhaps Huai West would already have been purged by His Majesty."

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