Jiuxi

Chapter 644 [Phoenix Rests on the Wu Tree]

The Duke's Mansion, the rear residence.

When Lu Chen walked in, Wang Chulong was writing calligraphy in front of the window.

The calligraphy on the paper is extremely compact and round, just like the impression she gives, plump and soft.

Lu Chen leaned down, got close to her fair neck, and smelled the elegant fragrance.

Wang Chulong just felt a little itchy, smiled gently, and couldn't help but carry a bit of doting in her tone: "Husband, wait a moment, I will finish writing soon."

"What to write?"

Lu Chen's gaze still stayed on her and he asked casually.

Wang Chulong said softly, "The rules of conduct of the Lu family's secret guards in Jiangnan."

Lu Chen put away his playful thoughts, stood up and moved a little further away. Then he noticed a stack of papers with dried ink on them on the table, so he reached out and took them.

I was fascinated at the first sight.

He had already resigned from his position as clerk in the Weaving Bureau. After all, with his current status and position, continuing to hold a position in the Weaving Bureau would only make both parties feel awkward.

Thanks to this experience, he was very familiar with the internal rules of the Weaving Bureau. Looking at the rules drawn up by Wang Chulong, he couldn't help but admire: "Madam is indeed a natural talent. This rule is even more perfect than the rules of the Weaving Bureau."

“Even the most perfect guidelines need people to enforce them.”

Wang Chulong smiled slightly, stopped writing and said, "Sister Lin and I have discussed it. I asked her to select 120 men from the Seven Stars Gang to go south. On the one hand, they can cooperate with Tan Zheng and Qu Zhong, and on the other hand, they can also serve as a supervisor. Sister Lin said that the group of people will be led by the senior named Tao Baochun and will set off soon."

Hearing the name Tao Baochun, Lu Chen's mind flashed to the calm and reserved face of the middle-aged man, and he nodded and said, "Very good."

Wang Chulong added, "As for the 500,000 taels of silver, I have decided to allocate 100,000 taels first. 50,000 taels will be used to help the 350 people in the south solve their worries, and the remaining 50,000 taels will be used to establish secret agents in Beijing and expand the source of intelligence as much as possible. As for the two things you care about, planting spies and winning over officials, there is no rush for the time being, we have to do it step by step."

Lu Chen put down the stack of papers and said with a smile, "It's up to you to decide."

Wang Chulong stood up and walked to the bookshelf, took out a file from the drawer, turned around and handed it to Lu Chen: "Take a look."

"This is?"

Lu Chen flipped it open and saw a name. He murmured, "Wang Heng?"

Wang Chulong said gently: "This is my uncle."

Lu Chen continued to read on and saw Wang Heng's life, resume, personality, strengths, and what he was suitable for.

Of course, there was more than just Wang Heng in this file. Lu Chen took a quick look and found detailed information on at least thirty or forty people.

Wang Chulong continued, "The reason why the Wang family of Zhailin is known as the first aristocratic family in Jiangbei is because of the land and business, and also because of the wealth accumulated over hundreds of years, but I think the most important thing is talent, which is the foundation for a family to prosper forever. In addition to my family and my uncle's family, the Wang family of Zhailin also has fifteen branches of the main clan and twenty-seven branches of the side clan. The Xunyang branch is one of the twenty-seven branches of the side clan. The Wang family of these forty-four branches may not have a genius like your husband, but there are many people who have certain talents and they can play a big role."

Lu Chen held the thin file in his hand and felt it was as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Wang Chulong smiled and said, "I told my husband before that the Wang family's children should be used but also guarded against. Even I find it difficult to determine how terrible a force they will become once they gain real power and unite as a group, so my husband cannot let them join the army. The names on this booklet are the clan members I think are relatively reliable. They may have some minor flaws, but they are generally trustworthy."

Lu Chen said sincerely: "Madam is worthy of being my good wife."

"Married women obey their husbands. This has been the case since ancient times."

Wang Chulong brushed it off and continued, "As for how to arrange these tribesmen, that is a matter for my husband to consider. I will not interfere any further."

Lu Chen looked at her gentle eyebrows and eyes, and suddenly felt something in his heart, and said frankly: "In fact, I have always been on guard against this."

Wang Chulong nodded and said, "I know. My husband asked my uncle to go to the capital to serve as an official. Isn't it to exclude the backbone of the Wang family?"

"I really can't hide it from you."

Lu Chen put down the file, took Wang Chulong's hand, walked to the couch and sat down.

Just as he had judged before, a few days after the wedding, the imperial edict from the capital arrived in Guangling. Wang An took his eldest son and several outstanding members of the Wang family south and should have entered the territory of Xinzhou by now.

Naturally, he was very wary of Wang An, the head of a noble family.

In the past few years, Wang An has demonstrated determination and skills that are worthy of the reputation of a hero. If Lu Chen allows him to rely on his wing and develop his power at an unhurried pace, it is really difficult to predict what kind of situation will emerge in the future, so he will definitely let Wang An stay in the capital.

This will not only reassure the emperor and his ministers in the capital, but also allow them to support the royal family's children with greater peace of mind.

However, this method was a little ruthless. Lu Chen didn't care about the opinions of other members of the Wang family, but he didn't want Wang Chulong to mind it.

As if sensing his emotions, Wang Chulong leaned against him and said softly, "Husband, don't think too much. If I can't tell right from wrong, how can I give you that file?"

Lu Chen gently rested his chin on her forehead and said, "Well, actually I do this for the long-term." This was not a lie deliberately said to comfort Wang Chulong.

Even without the help of the Wang family members, he could still carry out his plan in an orderly manner. And from a safety perspective, giving the Wang family enough respect but not relying on their power would be the most correct choice.

After all, he just wanted Wang Chulong to feel at ease.

Wang Chulong smiled lightly and took the initiative to change the subject: "When will my husband leave?"

Of course, the vacation will not be endless. As the Grand Commander of Dingzhou, Lu Chen's duty is to be in charge of military affairs.

Lu Chen embraced her soft body and said thoughtfully, "It will be soon. I have already notified the commanders of each army. A military meeting will be held in Ruyin City on the tenth day of September."

Wang Chulong calculated the time and felt a little melancholy in his heart.

The military meeting will be held on the tenth day of September, which means that Lu Chen must set out for the north on the first day of September at the latest, which means there are less than ten days left.

The two were newlyweds, and were in the sweetest period of their marriage. It was inevitable that they would be sad to be separated suddenly.

What's more, today's life is unexpectedly sweet and happy for Wang Chulong, and the anxiety before getting married has long disappeared.

Not to mention Lu Chen's thoughtfulness towards her and Lin Xi's care for her, just talking about this huge Duke's Mansion, there are no elders to set rules, no quarrels between sisters-in-law, and as soon as you enter the door, you will be a Duke's wife of the first rank. This is almost the perfect match that all women in the world dream of.

Lu Tong lived in Lu Garden nearby, and specially exempted the newlyweds from the daily morning and evening visits. The two concubines did not dare to act too arrogantly, and Wang Chulong was actually very comfortable here.

Although there are many people in the mansion, thanks to Lu Chen's military and legal system, everyone is very well-behaved, so there are not many things that Wang Chulong needs to worry about. What's more, Song Pei helps to manage the inner house, so she can focus more on the real things.

As for the difficulty in going out after marriage, for Wang Chulong, who has been the daughter of a famous family since childhood, this is a very normal life. She doesn't like going out to meet guests.

Unfortunately……

As soon as Lu Chen left, although there would be no changes in the people at home, Wang Chulong felt a sudden emptiness in her heart. She couldn't help but hug Lu Chen's back and look up at him.

The two of them had been intimate quite a bit during this period, but most of the time it was Lu Chen who took the initiative and Wang Chulong shyly responded, and she had never shown the expression she has now.

Lu Chen lowered his head and touched her cool lips, and said softly: "The Seven Star Army still has a lot of things to deal with, so this time Senior Sister will go north with me."

This was within Wang Chulong's expectations. Because of Lin Xi's attitude towards her, she naturally did not feel jealous, but she could not help feeling a little sad. She forced a smile and said, "Well, my husband must take good care of Sister Lin."

Lu Chen continued, "Don't work too hard at home. I don't want you to be thinner the next time I see you."

Wang Chulong responded, "Yes, husband."

"Once my sister and I are settled in Ruyin City, I will send someone back to pick you up."

"Uh-huh?"

Wang Chulong was slightly startled, looking at the cunning in Lu Chen's eyes, and suddenly reacted. She couldn't help but pinch him lightly and said in a delicate voice: "Bullying me again."

Lu Chen chuckled.

Wang Chulong's eyes were filled with joy, and she immediately asked, "Husband, is this appropriate?"

Lu Chen stroked her cheek gently and said calmly: "Your husband is the governor of a state after all. Don't you have the qualifications to bring your relatives with you? Who can say no? But there will definitely be all kinds of trivial matters when you first go there. You are delicate and weak and you don't know martial arts. What if you get tired? When I make arrangements in Ruyin City, I will naturally take you there. Then we can accompany each other day and night."

Wang Chulong felt sweet in her heart, and said shyly: "I will leave it to my husband to arrange."

Feeling the graceful figure of the beauty in his arms, Lu Chen couldn't help but hug her a little tighter.

Wang Chulong noticed his thoughts and whispered, "Husband, don't you have anything to do today?"

“There is always work to be done.”

Lu Chen smiled, and then said in her crystal ear: "But I think there is something more important."

"what's up?"

"The Lu family is a single-line family with few descendants. As the wife of the first wife, shouldn't you make some effort?"

"This……"

Wang Chulong's eyes were as red as water, and she glanced at the sky outside and said hesitantly, "Husband, it's daytime now..."

Lu Chen held her hand and said slowly: "I will be heading north in a few days. Although the date of our farewell will not be too far away, it will definitely take a month or two. We have finally come to this day, and our time together is short. In the blink of an eye, we will have to part."

Wang Chulong stared into his eyes, finally stopped talking, and quietly closed her eyes.

(End of this chapter)