Chapter 1543: Passing Along Favors

Emperor Chu recalled the scene in his dream, his face briefly clouded, then cleared.

"What you say is reasonable; the young one is indeed still young and won’t act rashly, after all, he’s the last of the Ning family, he naturally cherishes his life, let him live peacefully for a few years." Emperor Chu said indifferently, "I am nearing the age of destiny, but my son is still young, he can survive in the East Sea, are the descendants of the Chu family only going to sit and wait for their demise?"

"Traitorous ministers and sons of rebellion cannot battle against fate." Song Zhiyuan smiled faintly.

Emperor Chu snorted: "Although that is the case, can anyone be allowed to sleep soundly beneath our couch? Threats that cannot be strangled in the cradle must not be allowed to flourish either. The naval warships still need to be hastened in construction; as for Long Siyan, at most I’ll give him three more years, if he can’t present to me a formidable fleet rising from the sea, I want his head."

Song Zhiyuan silently lit a candle for Long Siyan, saying: "In that case, the Emperor should grant the Long family a few sweet dates, or how could he exert his full effort?"

Emperor Chu fell silent, after a long pause he said: "Then give his eldest son En Meng a position at the Five Cities Military Department."

The size of the sweet date doesn’t matter, as long as there is one.

Song Zhiyuan added: "As the year’s end approaches, now that the crown prince is confirmed, since En Meng belongs to the Long family, how about granting a few more favors, and letting everyone celebrate happily?"

Emperor Chu glanced over, raising his eyebrows: "Why, who are you pleading for this time?"

"Your servant does not dare." Song Zhiyuan smiled guiltily, saying: "When the Emperor was unconscious, in my urgency I promised Lu the Physician that, should you recover, I’d request an honorary retirement for him on your behalf, as I have mentioned to you before. Now that he reports being ill frequently, I do feel a bit ashamed to face him."

Emperor Chu clicked his tongue, gestured towards him, saying: "Enough, an honorary retirement is indeed due. I remember he has a grandson who also took the martial imperial exam, yet did not top the list, grant En Meng this time as well."

He instructed Eunuch Zhou to note it down, aside from the Long and Lu families, he marked a few other favors.

...

Decrees were dispatched from the palace, several teams left at once, and going to the Lu family, in addition to the decree, there was naturally a batch of generous rewards, conveyed personally by Eunuch Zhou.

As the decree left the palace, guards were already galloping ahead to notify the Lu family. By the time Eunuch Zhou arrived with the decree, the Lu family had already prepared the table, and Lu the Physician scrambled up from his ’sickbed,’ dressed and groomed, eagerly awaiting the decree.

Upon hearing the decree of honorary retirement and the rewards, Lu the Physician was so moved that tears streamed down his old face—his head would be saved, he could retire peacefully.

What excited him most was his grandson also received En Meng; that was more honorable than any reward, as it was an official post, which was better than none.

Lu the Physician grasped Eunuch Zhou’s hand, saying: "Eunuch Zhou, please convey to the Emperor that this old servant is useless and can no longer serve the Emperor, I hope the Emperor keeps safe and this old servant will forever wish my Emperor longevity and heavenly blessings."

"Lord Lu, you’re too kind, I will surely pass on your words. From now on, you can enjoy life with your grandchildren and peacefully enjoy your old age."

"It’s all thanks to the Emperor’s grace." Lu the Physician bowed to the Imperial Palace.

Eunuch Zhou smiled: "This is the fortune you exchanged with your loyalty to the Emperor. The Emperor actually had this intention long ago, but with national affairs being busy, he forgot, it was Prime Minister Song who mentioned it and reminded him."

Lu the Physician’s eyes flashed, realizing Eunuch Zhou was casually acknowledging the favor from Prime Minister Song.