Chapter 119 - 118: The Substitute Eldest Miss 34

Chapter 119: Chapter 118: The Substitute Eldest Miss 34

Chu Yuzhe hadn’t expected Ji Xiaosong to ask him that. After a moment of contemplation, he replied, "Then I’ll just go conquer other countries and give them to them."

Ji Xiaosong was so shocked she didn’t know what to say. ’How am I supposed to educate this child?’

"Yu Ze, other people have their own countries. If you do this, won’t you be causing them to lose their homeland?"

Chu Yuzhe straightened his small frame, his gaze firm as he said, "Mother, in this world, the strong are meant to rule. Our nation is powerful, so it is natural that we should expand our borders. Only with more territory and more resources can we provide a better life for our people. As for those weaker nations, if we were to take them over, our methods of governance would surely bring them prosperity as well. Besides, if we don’t strike first, there’s no guarantee other countries won’t covet our lands. In that case, it would be our own people who suffer."

’Might makes right.’ Ji Xiaosong could find no reason to refute him.

"As for having a little brother or sister, I will discuss it with your father."

Now that Ji Xiaosong had relented, Chu Yuzhe was so happy he ate two extra bowls of rice.

That evening, when Chu Qingyun came to accompany Ji Xiaosong, she recounted Chu Yuzhe’s words from earlier that day verbatim.

"Qingyun, our son is so young, yet he’s already having thoughts like these. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Chu Qingyun frowned slightly. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Song, this matter can’t be judged in simple terms of good or bad. As the Crown Prince, the future Emperor, Yu Ze must have foresight and a broad perspective."

"His thinking is not entirely wrong, but it needs to be guided. As the Crown Prince, he must consider more than just conquest by force. He must also have a heart for benevolent rule and a love for his people."

"War may bring territorial expansion, but it is also accompanied by the suffering of the people and immense devastation. If we can use peaceful means to make other nations submit willingly and prosper alongside us, that would be the superior strategy."

"Yu Ze’s thoughts reflect his desire for the nation to be strong, but we must make him understand that true power does not come from military force alone. It also requires the support of culture, the economy, and the people’s will."

Ji Xiaosong sighed softly. "But he is so young to be thinking this way. I can’t help but worry he’ll become too aggressive."

Chu Qingyun took Ji Xiaosong’s hand and soothed her. "Don’t worry so much. A child’s development is a process. I will have a good talk with Yu Ze tomorrow and make him understand the reasoning. To be honest, in some respects, I rather agree with his ambition. It’s just his methods that need correcting."

Ji Xiaosong nodded, leaning against Chu Qingyun’s chest. "I hope Yu Ze understands our good intentions and becomes a wise monarch."

"Song, you can be completely at ease. Our son will surely be the wisest of monarchs."

Chu Qingyun didn’t let Ji Xiaosong say any more. He pulled her gently into his embrace and said softly, "Song, what Yu Ze said wasn’t entirely unreasonable. Besides, I also want to have more children with you to bring a bit more life and warmth to the palace."

Hearing this, Ji Xiaosong’s cheeks flushed slightly. "Honestly," she chided, "how can you still be so improper at a time like this?"

"How is this improper? Ensuring the continuation of the Royal Family line is our responsibility," Chu Qingyun said, the corners of his mouth turning up in a smile.

"You always have an answer for everything."

Ji Xiaosong tapped lightly on Chu Qingyun’s chest, only for him to smoothly catch her delicate hand and hold it tight.

"Song, don’t say no to me again, alright?"

Ji Xiaosong lowered her head shyly and hummed softly in agreement. "Mm."

Overjoyed at her consent, Chu Qingyun pulled her even tighter.

*

「The next day.」

Chu Yuzhe had just woken up when he was summoned to the training grounds by Chu Qingyun.

"Father Emperor, is there a reason you summoned me?"

Chu Qingyun’s expression was stern. "Yu Ze," he said, "I have found a battle-hardened general to teach you the arts of war and Martial Arts. If you truly wish to expand our borders one day, you must master every aspect of it."

At that moment, an imposing general stepped forward, clasped his fists in a salute, and said, "Your Majesty. Crown Prince."

Chu Yuzhe looked at the General curiously and asked, "General, can you teach me how to wage war on the battlefield and achieve legendary deeds?"

The General spoke in a resonant voice, "Crown Prince, war is not won on passion alone. You must understand strategy and terrain, perceive the enemy’s true strength and their weaknesses, and know how to arrange your formations and utilize the talents of your men."

Chu Qingyun nodded. "Yu Ze, do you understand?"

Chu Yuzhe looked contemplative. "I understand," he said. "I will dedicate myself to learning."

Chu Qingyun smiled in satisfaction. "Good. From this day forward, you will study well with the General."

The General added, "The Crown Prince is wise. I will be sure to teach you everything I know."

Everything Chu Qingyun had said to Ji Xiaosong the night before about persuading their son with reason was utter nonsense. He had only said it to keep her from worrying.

Chu Qingyun had never been an easy man to deal with.

If someone didn’t listen, you beat them until they did.

Things like lectures and reasoning were merely a game to him, something to do for amusement when the mood struck.

Since his son harbored this ambition, it was essential to make thorough preparations, even if it was still just an idea.

The General began to instruct Chu Yuzhe in some basic martial arts stances and movements. He hadn’t held high expectations for the seven-year-old, intending only to guide him slowly.

"Crown Prince, first, steady your horse stance. Place your fists at your waist," the General said, demonstrating.

Chu Yuzhe did as instructed. His stance was slightly awkward, but his eyes were filled with determination and focus.

The General nodded slightly, thinking to himself, ’He’s a child, after all. Still, it’s good that he can follow instructions.’

As time went on, Chu Yuzhe began to learn more complex moves, such as kicks and punches.

His form grew more and more precise, and his movements became faster and faster.

The nonchalant expression on the General’s face slowly vanished, replaced by a look of astonishment. "Crown Prince, your rate of improvement is far beyond that of an ordinary person!"

Chu Yuzhe’s young face was red as he panted, "General, keep going! Teach me something harder!"

Observing from the side, Chu Qingyun’s lips curved into a smile, his eyes filled with pride. "Worthy of being my son! With talent like this, he is destined for greatness!"

The General began to impart more advanced martial arts techniques. Chu Yuzhe struggled at first, but he quickly grasped the essentials.

The General couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, "The Crown Prince is truly a prodigy! I have never seen a child so intelligent and with such outstanding physical conditioning!"

Chu Qingyun laughed heartily. "My Yu Ze is naturally outstanding! Continue to teach him well, and do not slack off in the slightest!"

Chu Yuzhe gritted his teeth and kept practicing, his clothes soaked through with sweat, but he showed no intention of stopping.

When the day’s training was over, the General was left wanting more.

He had been on the battlefield for many years and had seen countless soldiers train, but someone as intelligent and with such a superb natural aptitude as Chu Yuzhe was a rare sight—he had, in fact, never seen anything like it.

Back in his own residence, he tossed and turned in bed. As he recalled his time with Chu Yuzhe that day, he could almost see a vision of the future Emperor expanding his territory.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the palace, Chu Qingyun held Ji Xiaosong in his arms, diligently carrying out the plan to give Chu Yuzhe his younger siblings.