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

Luyang, Tiance Prefecture.

The Temple of Holy Descent.

Lu Chen slightly raised his head and looked at the Cangming Saint King sitting high in the main seat, a complex expression flashing across his face.

While he was still in a daze and didn't immediately bow, Jiang Chengdao gave him a deep look and took the initiative to speak:
"Long time no see, Huaiyu."

The bold voice instantly brought Lu Chen back to his senses.

"Feel sorry."

He quickly cupped his hands in a gesture of apology to Jiang Chengdao, saying, "I was a little distracted."

Jiang Chengdao waved his hand dismissively: "Huaiyu is busy with countless affairs and official duties. It's perfectly normal for him to be exhausted. He just needs to take a short rest now and then. How could I not understand?"

As he spoke, he picked up the wine glass on the table and gestured to Lu Chen.

"But this is Huaiyu's welcome banquet, so let's put aside all other matters for now and drink this cup to the brim!"

Lu Chen smiled, picked up his glass, and drank it all in one gulp.

Although he had been tricked by the Empress in the Zichen Palace ten days ago and lost his virginity, which made him wary of alcohol, he was still quite at ease drinking with the Cangming Saint King.

Before the powerful clans and aristocratic families were driven to desperation, and when he still held sway in the capital as the pillar of the Great Xia Dynasty, the Holy King Cangming often invited him for drinks, and the two had a very close relationship.

It can be said that, apart from Xiao Yi, his closest male friend was Cangming Saint King.

Although he's ridiculously popular with women.

"By the way, Huaiyu."

After a few drinks, the awkwardness between the two, who hadn't seen each other for a long time, vanished without a trace.

Jiang Chengdao smiled and said, "Fang Yu and the others will arrive tomorrow. What are your plans then? Will you have them join the army in battle, or govern from the rear? Or will you stick to the original plan and have them stay by your side to teach you by example?"

Speaking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

Two years ago, Fang Yu and his companions were merely outstanding officers of the Xuanwu Guard and top-tier martial artists, completely illiterate. But after their trip to Yuzhou with Lu Chen, they became talents in both literature and martial arts.

Not only did he not lag behind in martial arts, but his civil administration was also considered that of a capable official of his time.

Fang Yu, Tang Wu, and several of Lu Chen's disciples who had the most contact with him possessed the abilities of national heroes; wherever they were located, there was no prefecture or county that could not develop.

In less than a year, they followed Gu Simiao in the northern border region and transformed Beiji Province into a small directly governed province following the Sui and Yu prefectures. The people were prosperous, the food was plentiful, and the prosperity of the region far surpassed all the golden ages of the past and present.

Once the political situation in Great Xia stabilizes and peace reigns throughout the land, Fang Yu and his companions will return to Cangming Realm with their vast knowledge. With the economic support of Great Xia, Cangming Realm will inevitably experience a period of explosive and rapid development.

Right now, the living standards of the people in Cangming Realm have doubled compared to two years ago.

All of this, this unparalleled achievement that defies description, belongs to this young man who is only in his early twenties.

A scholar of unparalleled learning and a peerless national talent, he truly deserves the title.

This is a person capable of founding a school of thought.

Jiang Chengdao didn't admire many people in his life, but Lu Chen was one of them, and the one he admired the most, without exception.

Faced with Jiang Chengdao's question, Lu Chen thought for a moment and then replied, "They should stay by my side. Since they consider themselves my students, I should teach them something properly."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chengdao, who was drinking, almost choked.

The clear liquid was spilled directly onto the mask.

Listen, is this what people say?

What do you mean by "seriously teaching them something"? So all the things you taught them before were just casual teaching, without any real effort?

Fang Yu and his group can use whatever you teach them to benefit the local area, and their disciples and grand-disciples are also incredibly capable. They can quickly bring stability and development to any place they are assigned to.

If you teach them seriously, how amazing would they become? Would they bring order to the world?
Shaking his head, Jiang Chengdao stopped dwelling on things that only geniuses could understand, and instead said:
"Alright, then I won't assign them any more tasks."

Lu Chen nodded slightly and then said, "Your Highness, I have other arrangements for Fang Yu and the others, but you can use the new army as you please. Commander Chai and General Cang Yue are both unparalleled generals. With them here, the pressure on the eastern front should be reduced considerably."

Jiang Chengdao smiled and agreed.

He certainly knew the origins and background of this new army from Xingping County. After all, he was there when Gu Simiao and Lu Chen were attacked in Xingping, and he had also witnessed the subsequent blood plague.

Naturally, there was no doubt about the new army's combat capabilities.

"in addition."

Lu Chen put down his wine glass, completely forgetting that this was his welcome banquet, and continued in a serious tone:
"His Majesty has decided to concentrate resources to set up the Illusionary Spirit Array in Huai'an and cultivate new combat forces. With Huai'an as the base, the forces will radiate throughout the Jianghuai region in preparation for the southern expedition. When the time is right, the army will march south to capture Tianhang in one fell swoop and wipe out the Chu King's rebel army."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chengdao's heart stirred.

"Can the Illusionary Spirit Array and the Spirit Pivot truly serve as our main fighting force in the future?"

Although Jiang Chengdao had heard his younger sister mention these two revolutionary weapons developed by Liyue that were said to be able to change the times, he still had some concerns because he hadn't seen the actual items.

He knew, of course, how powerful an army composed entirely of cultivators would be, but the effects of the Illusionary Spirit Array and the Spirit Pivot were simply too outrageous; he could hardly believe that such things could actually exist in this world.

Moreover, it was created by Liyue, who has always been prone to causing trouble. Just thinking about Liyue's past performance in the Xuanwu Guard, he subconsciously felt that it was not very reliable.

However, Lu Chen had absolute faith in Li Yue's abilities, and he answered Jiang Chengdao's doubts without hesitation:
"Yes, this is the future trend and the root of the unprecedented changes in the Central Continent. Your Highness should pay attention to this matter and secretly build a large array as much as possible so that the new army can play its greatest role in the first battle."

Hearing him say that, Jiang Chengdao didn't say anything more.

"In that case, I will instruct Zhu Yong and the others to cooperate with this matter and make proper arrangements."

And just like that, another important matter was settled.

At this moment, Chai Hongyu walked in carrying a large plate of melons and fruits, and then naturally walked to Lu Chen's side, knelt down, and handed the peeled fruit to Lu Chen.

Lu Chen instinctively tried to take it, but Chai Hongyu directly put the fruit to Lu Chen's mouth.

"."

Lu Chen glanced at her speechlessly, but still opened his mouth and took a bite.

For some reason, ever since Jiang Chengwan personally saw her off for ten miles before she left Beijing, Chai Hongyu had taken a few close looks at her and started acting strangely. On the way to Luyang, she would always wander around in front of him in a light gauze dress in the carriage, whether she had something to do or not.

This caused him, who had already experienced the beauty of the world, to suffer greatly. (End of Chapter)