Having many children brings many blessings; the struggle for power begins with marriage.

Hearing Lu Chen's answer, Wu Junwan was somewhat incredulous. Her good sister had led troops to attack the barbarians, but in the end, she had allied with the barbarians.

The Dayue and the barbarian tribes can be considered sworn enemies. At the beginning of the founding of Dayue, the barbarian tribes repeatedly gathered large armies to attack Dayue from the south.

The Dayue people and the barbarians have a deep-seated blood feud. The Dayue people hate the barbarians so much that they grit their teeth at the mere mention of them. Yet now they have made peace.

Even the barbarians have become part of the Great Yue, and even the barbarian goddess has become the Great Yue's national advisor?

Seeing that Wu Yunwan remained silent, Lu Chen said, "You also find it hard to believe, right?"

"When I first received this information, I also found it incredible, but it's what has already happened."

Wu Yunwan said, "So, Dayue already possesses the barbarian battle formations?"

Lu Chen had told her long ago that the barbarian battle formations might be capable of fighting against the Celestials.

Now that the Great Yue has annexed the barbarian tribes, and the barbarian goddess has even allied with the Yue Emperor, doesn't that mean the Great Yue army also possesses the barbarian battle formations?

Therefore, it would be extremely difficult for the Great Xia to destroy the Great Yue.

Lu Chen said, "According to intelligence from our scouts, the Dayue army is indeed already practicing using the battle formation given to them by the barbarian goddess."

"However, whether it can actually unleash the power to fight against the Celestials, we'll probably only know in actual combat."

Upon hearing Lu Chen's words, Wu Junwan fell silent once again.

At this moment, Lu Chen gently stroked Wu Yunwan's belly with his other hand, saying as he did so, "I know it's difficult for you to be caught between Emperor Yue and me, so you don't need to worry about what's between Emperor Yue and me. I assure you, even if Da Yue is defeated, I will find a way to keep her alive."

Lu Chen wasn't sure if Empress Yue would commit suicide like Empress Wu, but regardless of whether Empress Yue would, as Wu Yunwan's sworn brother, he would find a way to keep her alive.

Now that Wu Yunwan's motherland has been destroyed and her father has committed suicide, Yuehuang is now her only spiritual support besides her husband.

If something were to happen to Emperor Yue, Wu Yunwan would likely be severely affected.

Although Lu Chen wasn't exactly a good person, he didn't want to see his woman sad or upset.

Upon hearing Lu Chen's assurance, Wu Yunwan sighed softly and then thanked him, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

As soon as she finished speaking, Wu Junwan unconsciously wrapped her arms around Lu Chen's waist and nestled into his embrace.

The two then stopped talking and simply hugged each other quietly.

the next day.

Early in the morning, Lu Chen went to the Hall of State Affairs.

Lu Chen also wanted to spend more time with Wu Junwan, but the Great Wu had already been destroyed, and how to govern it was a big problem. Today's court meeting was very important, and he couldn't stay in Wu Junwan's bed.

Before the officials of Yancheng even entered the council hall at dawn, they learned of the destruction of Dawu. All the ministers were excited; Daxia had suddenly gained such a large piece of land, and they now had something to do.

For most ministers, this was a great opportunity. As long as they could handle some of the governance issues of Da Wu well, they were very likely to be promoted, so most officials were quite excited.

Today's court assembly was personally presided over by Lu Chen, and the main topic of discussion was the governance of Da Wu.

After a day of discussion, the governance plan for Da Wu was finally finalized, which was similar to the plan that Lu Chen had in mind at the beginning. The royal family and vassal kings of Da Wu would all be moved to Yancheng. As for some powerful and noble families, those that needed to be dealt with would be dealt with. At the same time, Da Xia would send a large number of Da Xia officials to Da Wu to serve as local officials.

However, in order to alleviate the resistance of the local people, some locals from Dawu will be selected as local officials. Furthermore, Lu Chen plans to conduct the imperial examination in the Dawu area in two years. If they pass the examination, they will have the opportunity to become officials.

As for granting a general amnesty, Lu Chen would not do such a thing. He only planned to release those who were imprisoned because of political struggles, and deal with all the criminals who committed crimes in accordance with the laws of the Great Xia Dynasty.

After the Great Wu governance plan was released, all officials of the Great Xia Dynasty began to get busy.

A month later.

A large convoy appeared outside Yancheng.

The people sitting in those carriages were members of the royal family of Da Wu.

Although Da Wu has surrendered, they have surrendered to Da Wu's army. When they arrive in Yancheng, Da Wu's representatives will hold another surrender ceremony in front of the people of Da Xia and bow down to Lu Chen.

Wu Junwan didn't want to see this scene, but in the end she held back and followed Lu Chen to the outskirts of the city.

Soon, Lu Chen's luxurious carriage appeared outside Yancheng City.

When the members of the Great Wu royal family saw the luxurious carriage, they all felt a chill run down their spines.

Although the Xia Emperor promised to spare their lives, no one knew whether he would go back on his word.

As for the saying "a ruler's word is law," it simply doesn't exist for an emperor with absolute power.

Moreover, Emperor Xia had countless ways to eliminate them without anyone noticing.

At that moment, the general guarding the carriage shouted loudly, "His Majesty has arrived!"

As soon as the words were spoken, all the common people present, including the soldiers on the city wall, knelt down and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

The sound of people bowing echoed through the sky and lingered for a long time.

At this moment, all the members of the Great Wu royal family also knelt down.

Lu Chen glanced at the members of the royal family of Da Wu and quickly spotted a familiar figure among them.

When Wu Ming, the second prince of the Great Wu Kingdom, felt Lu Chen's gaze, he trembled with fear.

Lu Chen simply smiled faintly and didn't say anything to Wu Ming.

Lu Chen immediately said, "No need for formalities!"

Then the voices rang out again, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Immediately afterwards, everyone stood up.

Wu He immediately approached Lu Chen carrying a wooden tray containing the imperial seal and a letter of surrender. As he neared Lu Chen, Wu He knelt and loudly proclaimed, "This sinful subject, Wu He, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Lu Chen was about to ask him to dispense with the formalities according to procedure when he suddenly sensed something was wrong. For some reason, he felt that Wu He was emanating some kind of dark aura.

To be precise, there was black aura on his forehead.

Lu Chen then glanced at the other members of the royal family of Da Wu. Not all of them had black aura on them; only some did. Moreover, these people were all direct descendants of the Martial Emperor, that is, the Martial Emperor's children.

They also have one thing in common: they all have a mark on their foreheads.

Lu Chen frowned, sensing that something was amiss.

Seeing that Lu Chen did not let Wu He get up, everyone present was very confused. According to the procedure, Lu Chen should have accepted Wu He's bow, and then the Great Wu royal family would be considered a member of the Great Xia.

People wondered if the Xia Emperor had regretted his decision, which was why he hadn't accepted the imperial seal and letter of state from Wu He.

After what seemed like an eternity, Lu Chen finally spoke, saying, "Minister Wu, you may rise, no need for formalities!"

Upon hearing this, Wu He and the rest of the Great Wu royal family breathed a sigh of relief, as they had thought Lu Chen was going to back out.

Lu Chen then picked up the jade seal of Da Wu from Wu He's wooden tray, glanced at it, and then took Da Wu's letter of surrender and looked at it.

After confirming there were no further questions, Lu Chen said, "From today onwards, the Wu family is a member of the Great Xia. I hope you can integrate into the Great Xia as soon as possible and begin your new life."

Upon hearing this, the members of the Great Wu royal family knelt down again, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!" (End of Chapter)