The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

As soon as these words were spoken, the civil and military officials ceased their arguments and began proposing new suggestions.

The civil officials believed: "We should demand more money to allow our dynasty to recuperate and rebuild."

The military officials argued: "The peace treaty should be signed for a shorter duration so we can attack You Country again in a few years."

Whichever approach was taken, it all showcased the demeanor of a powerful nation.

The young emperor struggled to suppress his laughter—being a military powerhouse felt so satisfying. No matter how much they pushed their advantage, the weaker nation had no choice but to comply. Great Chu had been oppressed by You Country for over a century, and now they finally had the upper hand.

Chu Jincheng declared loudly, "The Grand General's proposal is excellent. Let it be implemented as such. Ministry of Revenue, calculate all the losses and submit them to the Ministry of Rites for negotiation. Vice Minister Shao of the Ministry of Rites shall lead the peace delegation, and he may select his own entourage. Depart for the border at once."

"As Your Majesty commands," the officials responded.

The Ministry of Rites had two vice ministers, representing two factions. Though the emperor claimed Vice Minister Shao could choose his own delegation, the implicit message was to bring his own trusted men to avoid sabotage during negotiations.

Vice Minister Shao, ever the shrewd opportunist, wasted no time. As soon as he left the palace, he ordered, "Summon Assistant Officer Wei Xinglu to see me."

Before the peace delegation set off, Zong Wenxiu slipped a few hidden weapons to Wei Xinglu, explaining that they were newly invented gadgets from his father and instructing him to pass them to Luo Ji.

Wei Xinglu looked on enviously, eyes brimming with tears. "Brother Wenxiu, I regret not learning martial arts as a child. All these fascinating tools end up in someone else's hands."

Zong Wenxiu chuckled helplessly. "They're not toys. Hurry along, and be wary of Crown Prince Jin'an."

"Understood!" Wei Xinglu waved and joined the delegation on their journey.

As expected, the peace talks did not go smoothly.

Faced with Great Chu's exorbitant demands, Crown Prince Jin'an flipped the table in outrage—only for a thin wire to instantly press against his throat.

Luo Jingfeng raised an eyebrow and sneered, "What kind of martial arts stance is this, Your Highness? A new technique you've learned?"

Humiliated, the crown prince's face flushed red and then paled. He quickly recognized the weapon threatening his life—and who had crafted it.

Through gritted teeth, he demanded, "Return Zong Yan to me!"

Luo Jingfeng spat in disgust. "Return your father! A son of Great Chu's military nobility slaved for you for over a decade—did you ever pay him? Vice Minister Shao, add this debt to the bill!"

Vice Minister Shao hurriedly agreed. "Yes! Yes! The Duke's memory is impeccable. This humble official had nearly forgotten! The Ministry of Revenue also overlooked such a substantial sum..."

He immediately called for an attendant to tally the amount on an abacus.

Once the final figure was calculated, Luo Jingfeng flung the document at Crown Prince Jin'an's face and mocked, "Will you pay, Your Highness? Or do you still refuse to abide by the rules?"

A defeated, weak nation daring to throw a tantrum at the negotiation table—had the crown prince grown so deluded from privilege that he forgot who held the power?

Crown Prince Jin'an fumed. "I refuse! If you want war, then fight! Do you think I fear you?"

"Very well… Then you can die here today." Luo Jingfeng coldly commanded, "Luo Ji, kill him."

As the wire tightened around his neck, the crown prince shrieked in terror. "Stop! Stop! I'll sign! I'll sign!"

He had fought tooth and nail to secure his position, relying on Zong Yan's contributions to become crown prince. How could he let it all end here at the border?

What did money matter? The court would foot the bill, not him. His life, however, was irreplaceable.

Trembling, Crown Prince Jin'an picked up the brush but still attempted a last-ditch effort. "I'll sign the treaty… but on one condition. I demand Zong—"

Luo Jingfeng turned away impatiently and addressed the delegation. "Let's just kill him. I have no interest in negotiations."

The peace envoys: "..."

With the Duke of Protectorate looming over them, they hardly had a chance to speak.

Furious and resentful, Crown Prince Jin'an signed the document and stamped it with his seal.

Luo Ji released him.

The envoys even offered him a polite smile, symbolizing the newfound peace between the two nations—so infuriating that the crown prince fainted on the spot.

By the tenth month, the army was on its way back to the capital.

The young emperor was so thrilled that he paced excitedly around the study. He turned to Prime Minister Shen and said, "With this triumphant return, I must reward them lavishly—promotions for those of lower rank, silver for those already high-ranking. Ah, and Zong Yan! Though he didn't join the campaign, he was pivotal to our victory. What title should we grant him? The head of the Armaments Directorate is a fourth-rank official—is that too low?"

Prime Minister Shen smiled and reminded him, "Indeed, it seems insufficient. Moreover, the current head was recently promoted. If Your Majesty appoints the second son of the Zong family, what shall we do with the incumbent?"

The emperor pondered. "Then let's grant him a marquisate—prestige without the burden of court attendance."

Prime Minister Shen nodded. "This old subject finds it suitable. The title of Marquis Yuanyang was inherited by General Zong Zhao, so there's no conflict with Zong Yan's new rank."

Chu Jincheng asked, "How about 'Marquis of Shengong'? Fitting, don't you think?"

Prime Minister Shen's brows furrowed. "It is fitting… but wouldn't it sound odd in daily address?"

The young emperor suggested, "Then let's consult General Zong Zhao tomorrow and see what he thinks."

"Very well." Prime Minister Shen thought to himself—Zong Zhao would never agree to such an ostentatious title.

The draft of rewards was nearly finalized, awaiting the army's return for proclamation. Prime Minister Shen brought over a stack of memorials and began reviewing the day's lessons with the emperor.

Chu Jincheng, still exhilarated, found even the memorials engaging. After approving several, he came across one from the Prince of Southern Pacification.

His joy instantly evaporated.

The young emperor scowled and asked seriously, "Must I respond to every memorial? Can I pretend it was lost in transit?"

Prime Minister Shen's lips twitched. "The couriers responsible for its delivery would be severely punished—possibly executed."

Chu Jincheng took a deep breath, closed his eyes, then reopened them and reluctantly unrolled his uncle's memorial.

The contents began with congratulations on the Duke of Protectorate's victory, followed by yet another plea for land to cultivate mushrooms. A lengthy section extolled the virtues of mushrooms and how the requested counties were worthless otherwise, urging the emperor to relinquish them for "maximum utility."

By ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‍the time he finished reading, the emperor's face was dark with anger. Fighting the urge to hurl the memorial to the ground, he muttered, "I shouldn't have read it so carefully. The more I read, the angrier I get. What does the Duke's victory have to do with him?"

Prime Minister Shen coughed awkwardly. "This old subject has heard that the Duke of Protectorate and the Prince of Southern Pacification share a bond closer than most brothers. Earlier, Your Majesty was troubled over how to reward the Duke—his rank and wealth leave little room for further honors. Perhaps he might even intercede on the prince's behalf to request this favor..."