"The world is yours, and it is ours. But ultimately, it is yours."

These are Grandpa's best wishes for us.

He knows what he is doing, what he wants to do, and still hopes that everything will go smoothly, turning family into country.

Well, that's very much like Lu Yu...

I have to say, for Lu Yu's extreme personality, Grandpa bears much of the responsibility.

"Thank Grandpa for me." Tang Fei said with sincere expression.

Lu Zhiyong waved his hand and said, "You can tell him yourself, he's always waiting for you two to go back and see him."

"At his age, every meeting could be the last. Who knows when he might fall asleep and never wake up... We've been scared a few times."

"There will be opportunities." Tang Fei's face turned heavy.

He planned to find time to chat with Grandpa in the Barren Land, most importantly with Lu Dongsheng, the current head of the Lu Clan.

After Lu Dongsheng 'retired' from the position of Imperial Mechanical Minister, he has now been appointed as the Family Head of the Lu Clan.

After all, Lu Qingshan is sometimes lucid, sometimes in a coma, spending most of the time in a 'sleeping' state, not suitable to manage the family's affairs in this difficult time of internal and external troubles.

He asked again: "Are the rest of the family doing well?"

"Third Uncle is now responsible for internal family affairs and the construction and technological production layout in the Barren Land... Of course, due to the current special circumstances, the factories mainly produce armor, weapons, and mini-fighter Star Discs..."

Large Starships are costly and time-consuming, and it's hard to put them into use within a year or so. They're not considered.

"My dad is responsible for recruiting and training the family's private troops... as you know, although the Barren Land is the Lu Clan's base, it has been in a neglected state for many years."

"Concerned about being feared by the Zhong Royal Family, we strictly control the number of soldiers... Normally, it's fine, but now, to hold that small patch of land, it's not enough..."

Lu Zhiyong's father is Lu Dongyang, he is considered Lu Dongsheng's cousin.

Lu Dongyang is also from a military background and has considerable talent in military affairs.

During his service in the Flame-Bathed Legion, he made repeated military achievements.

But being born into the Lu Clan, he has always been suppressed by the Royal Family and hindered by other families.

With money and technology, you still want to control the army?

Why don't you go to heaven?

This is the common thought of the Royal Family and other families.

Later, when Lu Ban Mountain was besieged by an army of one hundred thousand, Lu Dongyang was the commander-in-chief of the Lu Clan's breakthrough.

Taking advantage of the terrain, he lured the enemy deep and wiped out the one hundred thousand troops leaving nothing behind.

This battle was brutal and won decisively.

It truly established Lu Dongyang's formidable reputation.

It was then that everyone realized how capable Lu Dongyang of the Lu Family is at fighting...

He has the demeanor of a famous general.

"When I brought you over, what did Grandpa say?" Tang Fei asked teasingly on purpose.

Lu Dongyang, Lu Dongsheng, and Lu Qingshan are of the same generation, he calls Lu Qingshan grandpa, naturally, he also has to call Lu Dongsheng and Lu Dongyang 'grandpa'.

Well, this grandson role is pretty established.

However, being a grandson of the Lu family is also a blessing.

What's that saying? He who gains the Lu Clan, gains the world.

If Zhong Tianque called 'grandpa' once, the Lu Clan would support him unreservedly... Zhong Tianque might turn into a broken record.

Shen Wuxiang might not be able to resist such a huge temptation.

I really benefited from my father's generation.

If it weren't for the life-and-death friendship between my father Tang Li and Lu Yu, how could it be my turn?

Oh, Lu Yu probably wouldn't even look me in the eye.

He knows the old man's personality too well; he doesn't like those he's unfamiliar with or those he looks down on... How does your life or death concern me?

He's no saint, even a bit selfish and self-centered.

"What could he say?" Lu Zhiyong shook his head and said, "He's eager to send me out to gain some experience, he thinks I am a nuisance for loafing around in front of him all day not doing anything useful."

"Aren't all parents in the world like this?"

"Says the one who has been a parent."

"...I saw it on video sites." Tang Fei said with a smile.

Lu Zhiyong knew about Tang Fei's background and didn't continue discussing the topic. He looked at Tang Fei and asked, "Who is the commander of the Dushan Army?"

"Shen Qingping."

"I thought so... his pledge of allegiance was handed over so beautifully." Before Lu Zhiyong came over, he had learned a bit about the happenings here. The incident of Shen Qingping chopping off Wang Bota's head had already spread across various military districts. He asked in a deep voice, "I was asked to take on this deputy position... do you not trust him?"

"It's not about trust or distrust." Tang Fei said with a smile, "Whoever leads an army alone must be subject to some checks and constraints, even you are no exception... you're good, I'm good, everyone's good."

Tang Fei had close ties with the Lu Family, Lu Zhiyong and the old man were emotionally close cousins, when the old man quietly returned, he stayed in Lu Zhiyong's courtyard.

Therefore, Tang Fei spoke without reservation in front of Lu Zhiyong, saying whatever came to mind.

Moreover, he needed to clarify some things to Lu Zhiyong to avoid any misunderstandings that might cause unnecessary disputes or conflicts.

Lu Zhiyong was knowledgeable about military matters, after hearing Tang Fei's words, he nodded and said, "Indeed... the old man in our family was originally worried you hadn't been tempered in the army, and wouldn't understand the temperament and characteristics of soldiers. Now it seems, like father like son... some things truly are innate."

"Do you see me as having the demeanor of a famous general?" Tang Fei asked with a laugh.

"No." Lu Zhiyong shook his head and said, "I see you as having the demeanor of a wise ruler."

Tang Fei looked around, noticing that only the two of them were in the room, he relaxed slightly, but still reminded seriously, "Words like this should not be spoken recklessly."

"I understand." Lu Zhiyong put on a clever face and replied earnestly, "I only say such things when no one is around."

"..."

After exchanging some private words, Tang Fei invited Shen Qingping over to introduce them.

After all, from now on, the Dushan Army would be in their hands.

Shen Qingping sincerely welcomed Lu Zhiyong's arrival, understanding the purpose of his visit, yet he wasn't dissatisfied.

Because everyone knew...

If you were allowed to lead an army alone, that would be the source of disaster.

The higher-ups would be worried, and find ways to replace you or kill you anytime, wouldn't they?

Even the Dushan Army, isolated outside, unloved by grandmother or uncle, was divided into several factions... but simply due to the urgency of warfare, people didn't have the time or energy to vie for power.

Although Lu Zhiyong was much older than Shen Qingping, he showed great respect for Shen Qingping, calling him 'commander' first as he performed the Imperial military salute and said aloud, "Commander, please offer guidance and support in the future."

"I wouldn't dare, wouldn't dare." Shen Qingping replied with a salute, then tightly shook Lu Zhiyong's hand while smiling and said, "In the future, we'll all be working under the General, stirring the pot together, we must guide and support one another."

Lu Zhiyong addressed Shen Qingping as 'commander,' whereas Shen Qingping referred to Tang Fei as General.

Both understood that Tang Fei, the 'General,' was far more distinguished than their positions as the commander and deputy commander.

Currently, however...

Hmm, Tang Fei's military rank and position were not easily defined.

"You're both insiders, don't be too formal with each other." Tang Fei said with a grin, "Zhiyong has just arrived, tonight let's have a welcoming banquet, and don't leave until thoroughly intoxicated."

------

Fengming Palace.

Press Release Room.

This is an important venue for announcing major policies, urgent affairs by the King, and Spring Festival greetings.

Reporters from official mainstream media such as Phoenix TV, Imperial Royal TV, Channel One, Phoenix Web, and Star River Network were gathered, waiting patiently.

"Why are we suddenly summoned for a meeting? Is there something important to announce?"

"Who knows? The higher-ups didn't say... but looking at the attending parties... it's no small matter."

"Is there some... movement from above? That person from Qi Mountain..."

"Do you have a death wish? Talking nonsense like that?"

"We've had so many years of friendship... don't you trust me?"

"I dare not hear, regardless, you owe me a good meal..."

"Ten meals are fine."

------

At that moment, Zhong Tianque in a black suit and Dongguo Chenxi in a white satin dress entered, surrounded by a group of palace guards.

The venue instantly fell silent, quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

Zhong Tianque stood firmly at the podium, with Dongguo Chenxi steadfastly by his side, indicating their united stance as a couple.

With a solemn expression, Zhong Tianque said gravely, "I report a tremendously absurd and tragic event to the citizens of the Empire with a heart full of sorrow."

"The Empire's former Princess, Zhong Yu Xiu Xue, has betrayed the nation, colluding with bandits, inciting barbarians, capturing the entire Dushan region of the Empire, and ravaging the cities of Gold and Red Moon."

"They pillaged, murdered, and looted; there's no crime they didn't commit. Wherever the bandits and barbarians moved, cities were destroyed, people died, innumerable casualties occurred..."

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.