Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

"Commander Shen, if this Lu Chen is the son of a high-ranking official who is just trying to gain experience here, then this is indeed a feasible approach."

Gao Mingqian paced back and forth in the study a few times.

"However, based on what we know so far, our Commander Lu is definitely not an ordinary son of a high-ranking official."

The magistrate arranged such a lucrative post for him, and everyone could see the intention to take care of him.

However, the Assistant Magistrate sent Yuan Xun to intercept Lu Chen on his way to the capital, even going so far as to skip all the formalities so that he could skip the capital and go directly to Linqing to take up his post.

The implication that they didn't want Lu Chen to go to the capital was all too clear.

It's highly unusual for two things to happen to one person at the same time.

It's obvious to everyone that His Majesty intends to support the Lu family father and son to take over the Embroidered Uniform Guard. It's likely that the Assistant Commander will soon become the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

There are only two possibilities that could make such a powerful figure both take care of a young man and not want him to come to the capital!

This Commander Lu Chen might be a close relative of the Lu family, or even a descendant of Lord Lu Song who lives abroad.

If that's the case, as long as we take good care of him, the magistrate won't blame us; in fact, he'll think we've done a good job.

But if, and I mean if, things were to change, then it would be entirely different!

At this moment, Gao Mingqian's voice began to tremble.

"By simply treating Lu Chen like a revered figure, we might miss out on an unprecedented and immense fortune!"

"Lord Commander, please forgive my ignorance, but I really can't think of any other possibility."

Seeing that Gao Mingqian was somewhat out of control, Shen Xuan hurriedly asked in a flustered manner.

"Commander Shen, I remember you are only thirty years old this year, after all, you are still young and have never served in the capital."

It's perfectly normal that you haven't heard of some of the secrets within the court and the inner palace.

Gao Mingqian stared at his trusted subordinate.

"In August of the twelfth year of the Jiajing reign, when Consort Yan gave birth to the Emperor's eldest son, I had not yet been transferred to this Linqing Thousand-Household Garrison and was serving in the Northern Garrison of the Capital."

His Highness the Crown Prince passed away just two months after his birth. His Majesty was deeply grieved and posthumously honored him as Crown Prince Aichong.

Commander Shen must be aware of this matter as well.

"I am naturally aware that the whole country is in mourning over the passing of Crown Prince Ai Chong."

Although he didn't understand why Gao Mingqian brought this up, Shen Xuan quickly replied.

"Why did you bring this up, Lord Chiju?"

"Has Commander Shen ever heard of Tao Zhongwen?"

Gao Mingqian did not answer directly, but instead mentioned another name.

"This name seems vaguely familiar, let me think about it."

Shen Xuan paused for a few seconds,

"Is the Thousand-Household Commander referring to the Taoist Master Tao, who serves by the Emperor's side?!"

"That's right! It's that old Taoist priest with the bull's nose!"

Upon hearing that string of titles, Gao Mingqian chuckled.

"His Majesty is a devout follower of Taoism and has shown great favor to this Taoist priest."

After the death of Crown Prince Ai Chong, the Emperor asked Tao Zhongwen why this only prince in the thirteen years since his ascension to the throne had only lived for two short months.

Commander Shen, do you know how this Taoist priest reported back to the Emperor?

Your Majesty has been ordained by Heaven and is the true dragon of the Ninth Heaven, while the Crown Prince is a hidden dragon in the abyss.

The conflicting energies of the two dragons will not only shorten the emperor's lifespan but also harm the foundation of the nation.

Therefore, the two dragons should avoid meeting each other to maintain harmony in the heavens.

These are the exact words that Tao Zhongwen said to the Emperor!

"Ah! How dare this man spout such nonsense before His Majesty?!"

Upon hearing Gao Mingqian's words, Shen Xuan was stunned.

"From what he said, he meant that the Emperor is a 'true dragon' and the Crown Prince is a 'hidden dragon,' both possessing 'dragon energy.'"

If the two dragons meet, their dragon energies will clash, which will not only hinder the emperor's path to longevity but also shorten the crown prince's lifespan!

This is a case of falsely attributing the death of Crown Prince Ai Chong to this baseless and unfounded claim.

If this were true, would any crown prince in history have ever lived to the day of his ascension to the throne?!

The Emperor is wise and sagacious; naturally, he wouldn't believe the nonsense of this old Taoist priest!