Empress: Your Majesty, please respect yourself, I don't want to be promoted

"grown ups."

Su Ning calmed herself down, then looked up at Lu Chen and asked softly:
"What exactly is the purpose of this new type of communication technology?"

Lu Chen smiled, and then, while unrolling the scroll again, said, "The way to convey information is not limited to a single word, language, or image; a single syllable of sound can also be used."

Upon hearing this, Su Ning's face immediately lit up with anticipation.

"Please enlighten me, sir."

Lu Chen gestured for Su Ning to open the scroll, and then manipulated it in the same way Su Ning had just done.

A moment later, a short "beep" sounded from the scroll in Su Ning's hand.

"Let's say that if one sound at this frequency represents one, then if I tap it nine times consecutively at this frequency, it represents nine."

As he spoke, Lu Chen made the same sound nine times with the scroll, paused for a few breaths, and then made the scroll make three more sounds in the same way.

"Then this represents the number three."

Chai Hongyu and Su Ning exchanged a glance, both seeing the confusion in each other's eyes, clearly not understanding the significance of Lu Chen's actions.

Lu Chen smiled slightly, then took a document from his desk, unfolded it, and showed it to the two of them, saying:

"If we substitute the numbers from earlier into this document, nine represents the row and three represents the column. Based on this row and column, find the corresponding character above it."

Upon hearing this, the two were slightly taken aback, and subconsciously followed Lu Chen's instructions to search upstairs.

A moment later, the two seemed to realize something at the same time, their eyes suddenly lit up, and they said in unison:
"It's the character 'Lu'!"

Lu Chen smiled and closed the document, saying softly, "Do you understand now?"

Su Ning stood up excitedly, then looked at Lu Chen with admiration, bowed deeply to him, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Excellency is a man of extraordinary talent, I admire you greatly!"

If she still doesn't understand after all this has been said, then she doesn't deserve to stand here.

Lu Chen's meaning was clear: this half-baked communication array, which could only emit a single sound, could be used to convert different sound frequencies into text by combining it with pre-prepared text, or rather, a compiled version, thereby achieving the purpose of transmitting information.

This new type of communication array has few distance limitations and can transmit information to distant places at a very low cost.

Moreover, this thing is extremely inexpensive to manufacture.
Just imagine, even while the Empress is in the capital, she can learn about the situation in the three capitals and seventy-five provinces through this new type of communication array. The information lag is greatly reduced, which means that the central government's control over the local areas is greatly improved.

If a rebellion breaks out in any place, the central government can immediately order the mobilization of nearby military forces to quell the rebellion.

It can be done no matter how remote the location is.

Compared to this new communication technique, the current methods of communication are simply too weak. The central government no longer needs to prepare tens of thousands of top-grade spirit crystals to activate a short-duration long-distance communication array.

That thing is extremely expensive, not to mention the astronomical cost of daily maintenance, it also has very high requirements for the site where it is built.

Currently, only key areas such as Luoyang, Yuzhou, Luyang, and Nanpi have this feature. The King of Chu is wealthy and powerful, and can chat and joke around using the communication array. However, with the limited resources of the imperial court, even if they set up a communication array, they cannot utter a single word of nonsense.

Moreover, Lu Chen was extremely farsighted, having established Xuanji Guard posts in various provinces long ago, and stationed numerous personnel there. If the new communication array were delivered to them...
hiss!
It’s scary to think about it.

No wonder Lu Chen said it was a product of a different era.

I really don't know how this man's brain works. He can see the wonderful use of this thing at a glance, while she thinks it's just a useless piece of half-baked trash.

At the same time, after realizing the wonderful use of this new communication array, her cultivation, which had only recently stabilized, began to stir again, showing faint signs of a breakthrough.

Chai Hongyu quickly realized what was happening and looked at Lu Chen with admiration in her eyes.

Faced with these two young women who had turned into little fangirls, Lu Chen rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache.

"It was just a flash of inspiration, all luck. Even if I didn't think of it right away, you would have realized it sooner or later. There's no need to boast."

As he spoke, he stood up, picked up two closed scrolls, and without waiting for Su Ning's response, said:
"Master Su, come with me to the Zichen Palace to report the good news to His Majesty and request a reward. We can also discuss opening a production line and some follow-up arrangements."

Upon hearing this, Su Ning hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.

"My lord, please go alone. I have some important matters to attend to, and I also need to measure the parameters of the new communication array as soon as possible. Therefore, I will not accompany you to the audience with His Majesty."

After saying that, without waiting for Lu Chen to stop her, she stood up, bowed, turned around, and quickly left the inner hall, giving Lu Chen no chance to stop her.

Watching her receding figure, Chai Hongyu couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

As the saying goes, a bad soldier is just one bad soldier, and a bad general makes a bad army. What kind of boss you have determines what kind of subordinates you have.

Lu Chen worked diligently every day without ever slacking off, to the point of neglecting sleep and meals. His subordinates were the same way, and there was never a time when the entire Tiangong Division was without staff.

Especially Su Ning, the Director of Studies, Li Yue, the Chief Instructor, and Liu Ruowei from the Qingnang Bureau—these three stunningly beautiful women are practically living in the Tiangong Division, dealing with all sorts of bottles and jars all day long.

Shaking her head, Chai Hongyu turned around and said to Lu Chen, "Huaiyu, let's go over there."

"Ah."

Lu Chen sighed softly and nodded slightly.

Soon, the two arrived at the Zichen Palace.

After the usual formalities, Jiang Chengwan, as always, ignored Chai Hongyu, who was always following her around, and put down the documents in her hand. She looked at Lu Chen with a smile and said, "Did you come at this hour because you have some good news to share?"

"Your Majesty is truly wise." Lu Chen smiled, then took out two new scrolls and handed them to Jiang Chengwan without any hesitation.

Jiang Chengwan accepted the scroll without any suspicion, her beautiful eyes filled with doubt as she looked at Lu Chen.

"This is."

"A new type of communication technique."

Just like he had done at the Tiangong Division before, Lu Chen carefully explained it to Jiang Chengwan.

After listening to his story, Jiang Chengwan's eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp light, and several thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant.

"Great! This is good stuff!"

Like Lu Chen, she realized almost instantly what this new communication technique meant, and her little face was full of excitement.

"Minister Lu, you have only been back in the capital for less than twenty days, yet you have already rendered two monumental services to the court. I must reward you this time!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen shook his head and said calmly:
"Your Majesty, let's discuss the matter of bestowing favors another day."

Jiang Chengwan frowned immediately, about to speak and forcefully place the reward on Lu Chen, but before she could open her mouth, Lu Chen, who had already thought of an excuse on the way here, calmly said:

"Your Majesty is wise. It is not that I am being humble, nor that I am ungrateful. Rather, rewards and punishments must be justified. Whether it is the Illusionary Spirit Array, the Spirit Pivot, or the new communication array, they all need to be kept secret for the time being. We cannot make them public so as to catch the rebels off guard and maximize our gains."

"Therefore, even if rewards are to be given, they should be given only after the victory is achieved. Otherwise, unjust rewards will not win the hearts of the people and will damage Your Majesty's wisdom."

Hearing him say that, Jiang Chengwan pondered for a moment and then gave up helplessly.

"Never mind, there's plenty of time in the future, let's wait until then."

Lu Chen's eyes relaxed slightly.

"but..."

Jiang Chengwan suddenly spoke again.

"Although I cannot reward you for the time being, I have remembered your merits, Lu Qing. This time, I will definitely grant you the title of Duke, which will be hereditary and permanent, with an additional two thousand households in your fief, and the official rank of Grand Tutor of the First Rank."

Upon hearing of such a generous reward, Chai Hongyu looked at Jiang Chengwan with utter astonishment.

Lu Chen raised an eyebrow.

"Your Majesty, I am only twenty-two years old this year, and I have already reached the rank of First Grade Official. Your Majesty, this..."

However, before he could finish his objection, Jiang Chengwan waved her hand and said domineeringly:
"My mind is made up, Minister Lu need not say more."

Lu Chen: "."

Oh well, let her do whatever she wants.

Anyway, it will be at least several months before the reward is given, by which time the grass on his grave will probably be two feet tall. He can reward the girl however she wants, it doesn't matter.

Having thought this through, he no longer objected and bowed in agreement.

Seeing his indifferent reaction, Chai Hongyu almost instinctively realized that something was wrong.

No, given Huaiyu's personality, he shouldn't only object once.

So easily agreed
Seemingly realizing something, her expression gradually turned somewhat unpleasant, and the image of the mysterious woman who had suddenly visited that night surfaced in her mind.

'Damn it, what did that woman say to Huaiyu? Huaiyu has been acting so strangely lately.'

At that moment, she suddenly sensed an extremely slight fluctuation of spiritual energy. She subconsciously looked up and saw Jiang Chengwan giving her a subtle look.

"By the way, Your Majesty."

Lu Chen, who was only at the Three Realms level, did not notice the two women's subtle actions.

"Have you heard anything from Fang Yu and the others? When will they arrive in the capital?"

Jiang Chengwan looked away.

"The news came back two days ago that he will arrive in Beijing no later than the day after tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen felt a slight sense of relief.

Now that the Heavenly Crafts Bureau is on the right track and the planning of the new policies is almost complete, all that remains is to pass on what is in my mind so that it will not perish with my death.

Once he has passed on his mantle, he can "face death with equanimity."

With combat power at the pinnacle of the Saint King level, coupled with a wise and powerful empress, long-term development plans, a constant influx of fresh talent, and a reasonably good governing philosophy.
All these factors combined should be enough to create a prosperous and flourishing era, right?
However, it's not entirely true to say there are no regrets.

At this thought, he subconsciously raised his head, his gaze sweeping past Jiang Chengwan and Chai Hongyu, and in his mind, the image of the snow-white beauty who commanded respect from all directions in the northern border appeared.
Unbeknownst to us, so much overlap occurred, and it seemed that only a thin veil remained between us.

However, given the current situation, if only one of him and the Cangming Saint King could survive, letting the latter live would undoubtedly be the best choice.

In any case, the Great Xia Dynasty cannot afford to lose this pillar of strength. (End of Chapter)