Chapter 97: Rewards for Merit

“Heh, those corrupt officials really are too detestable! If I don’t clear out these parasites, I’ll remain nothing more than a money-losing lord!” Du Long replied with an awkward chuckle.

“In any case, son, your performance this time has far exceeded what your father and I expected!” Zhou Ruoxue was still visibly excited; any mother, upon learning her precious son was so capable, would surely be as elated as she.

“It’s not much, really! My time in Fengli County was limited, so I had to handle the territory’s affairs as quickly as possible. With His Majesty granting me full authority and the power to act first and report later within the territory, I naturally had to make good use of it! It was the perfect opportunity to root out those corrupt officials and wicked nobles,” Du Long continued modestly.

“You rascal!” Beside them, Du Zhentian couldn’t help but interject. “And what’s the story with that lion monster at the gate? Why can’t I see through its strength or rank?!”

“Well…” Du Long could only repeat the excuse he’d used to placate others before, finally concluding, “Father, if you can’t discern its strength, I can only assume that Xiao Lie’s rank is simply too low, or perhaps it’s just an ordinary lion beast.”

Hearing this, Du Zhentian found himself uncertain, and kept glancing at the fiery red lion lying at the door, sensing an indistinct air of danger from it.

“Ling’er, can my father truly see through Xiao Lie’s nature?” Du Long, feeling uneasy, silently asked the spirit within the ring.

“Pfft! Even someone at the Spirit rank couldn’t see through Xiao Lie’s true nature, let alone your father, who’s merely at the initial Gangdan stage! And have you even looked at the collar around Xiao Lie’s neck?” the ring spirit replied smugly.

“What kind of collar is that, to be so powerful? Not only can it make a beast of Xiao Lie’s strength so obedient, it can even hide his aura?” Du Long asked again, curious for some time now, though the ring spirit never explained clearly.

“Heh, don’t bother asking what kind of collar it is. Even if I told you, you wouldn’t recognize it. Just know that it’s absolutely a high-grade item!” As expected, the ring spirit dodged the question again.

Du Zhentian studied the great lion for a long while but failed to see anything unusual. In the end, he had to give up and turned his attention back to Du Long.

“You rascal! Though your methods in Fengli County were harsh, you handled things well! I’ve heard you now control the three gold mines within the Monster Forest under Fengli County. Have you had any dealings with the Fan family? Logically, they wouldn’t give up those mines so easily.”

“During the gold mine cleanup, I did discover traces of the Fan family behind them. However, there was no concrete evidence, and I couldn’t be bothered to pursue it further. As long as the mines are in our hands, it’s fine. Considering the Fan clan has a Spirit-rank backer, I doubt His Majesty would want to confront them openly over this,” Du Long pondered aloud.

“That’s right! As long as that old man from the Fan family is alive, we can’t easily bring them down. I suspect the Emperor already knew about their shadow in Fengli County. That’s why he rushed to grant you the county and secretly issued that rare decree to Princess Huofeng—clearly intending to use you to deal with the Fan family’s influence there!” Du Zhentian analyzed sternly.

“So that’s it! I was wondering why His Majesty would grant me such a peculiar imperial decree!” Du Long suddenly understood, thinking to himself, ‘It seems my insight still can’t compare to Father’s experience.’

…

In the Imperial Library, a scene much like the one at the Du residence was unfolding.

“Hahaha!” Emperor Qin Ying threw his head back in laughter. After a long moment, he finally turned his gaze to a secret report in his hand.

“Good, good!” He repeated the word twice before calling loudly to the court steward in embroidered robes standing nearby, “Zhang Quan! Didn’t you just say Feng’er has returned? Hurry and invite her here at once!”

“At once!” Steward Zhang Quan bowed and left quickly. About half an hour later, he returned to announce the arrival of Princess Huofeng, whom he led into the heavily guarded library.

“Father! You called for me?” Princess Huofeng’s voice preceded her entrance.

The Emperor looked up with a smile. “My child, you’re already someone’s future bride, yet you’re still so boisterous!”

“Heehee!” Huofeng had already skipped to the Emperor’s side, taking his arm and acting coy. “No matter whom I marry, I’ll always be Father’s beloved daughter!”

“That’s right! That’s what I love to hear most! Whether my precious daughter marries or not, she’ll always be the apple of my eye!” The Emperor laughed heartily. “It’s been too long since I last saw you. As soon as Zhang Quan told me you’d returned, I had him bring you right away! So, how did things go in Fengli County? Come, tell Father everything that happened on your journey.”

Thus, Princess Huofeng animatedly recounted her experiences in Fengli County. The Emperor listened with great interest, nodding repeatedly, though he was already generally aware of the events—just not in such detail.

When Huofeng spoke of Du Long beheading dozens of corrupt officials, she couldn’t help but steal a glance at the Emperor’s expression. Seeing that he remained smiling and unfazed, she continued her tale with a grin.

When she finished recounting the entire journey, Princess Huofeng batted her beautiful eyes and said sweetly, “Father, though Du Long’s actions in Fengli County were rather ruthless, they were justified. After all, he had your decree to act first and report later, which gave him the courage to execute those corrupt officials publicly!”

“Heh! A man who achieves great things must be resolute and decisive! Father won’t blame Prince Consort Du for his actions in Fengli County. On the contrary, if he hadn’t acted boldly with the advantage I granted him, I’d have doubted his ability!” the Emperor remarked. “But truly, Prince Consort Du’s conduct has opened my eyes!”

“Heehee! So you won’t blame Du Long for what he did in Fengli County?” Huofeng cheered in delight.

“Of course not! When that rascal executed those corrupt officials, he even declared, ‘On behalf of His Majesty, I return clear skies to Fengli County!’ Not only did he build his own prestige, but he also brought honor to me! That’s a young man worth teaching!” the Emperor praised.

“Well, Prince Consort Du’s actions have shaken the entire Haotian Empire and caused a stir in the capital. No matter what, since he executed dozens of imperial officials, I must show some stance. At tomorrow’s court session, I’ll summon him!”

“Zhang Quan! Pass on my decree: Summon Prince Consort Du to attend court tomorrow morning with his father, the Loyal and Martial General!”

“At once!” Zhang Quan, standing nearby, immediately left to arrange for eunuchs to deliver the decree to the Du residence.

…

The night passed uneventfully. Early the next morning, Du Long, led by his father, appeared in full dress at the main palace hall.

In such an audience hall, where civil and military ministers gathered, someone like him—who was neither civil nor military official—would only appear if specially summoned by the Emperor. At all other times, non-officials were not allowed entry.

Naturally, his presence drew the attention of all the officials. Many who were on good terms with the Du family came forward to greet Du Zhentian, each also offering polite words to Du Long, for he was no longer the useless scion of the past, and now possessed the status of the Emperor’s prospective son-in-law.

To these friendly officials, Du Long responded with humility one by one. He had no choice—his status was different now. Everything he said or did no longer represented himself alone, but also the Du family’s heir and the image of the royal son-in-law.

As for those officials unfriendly with the Du family, since they didn’t approach, he saw no need to force a greeting. He simply stayed quietly behind his father. This new, transformed son delighted Du Zhentian immensely.

Soon, the Emperor arrived at last. After the officials bowed and cried “Long live the Emperor!” they rose and stood in their places.

“Has Prince Consort Du come to court today with the Loyal and Martial General?” From his dragon throne, the Emperor’s sharp gaze swept toward the second-rank military officials’ section where Du Zhentian stood.

“Du Long greets Your Majesty!” Standing beside his father, Du Long stepped forward, saluted, and responded respectfully.

“Heh!” The Emperor nodded with a smile. “I believe you all know of Prince Consort Du’s deeds in Fengli County—executing over twenty corrupt officials and returning righteous skies to the people there!”

“Indeed! When I bestowed Fengli County upon Prince Consort Du, I also secretly granted him full authority to govern it and the power to act first and report later, precisely to swiftly expose the darkness that has shrouded Fengli County for years!”

“What pleases me most is that Prince Consort Du did not disappoint—he overturned everything in just a few days! Not only did he reveal the county’s corruption and execute scores of officials, he also reclaimed three privately seized gold mines for the state!”

Here the Emperor paused and glanced, perhaps intentionally, at the position where Left Chancellor Fan De stood. True to his reputation as an old fox of the court, Fan wore an expression of total detachment, his face showing only deferential smiles.

From his throne, Emperor Qin Ying continued with a faint smile, “In just over ten days, Fengli County—once a perennial drain on the empire—has miraculously begun to turn a profit. Now, instead of pouring money into it, the empire can expect substantial tax revenues every year!”

“All of this is thanks to Prince Consort Du. Today, I summoned him to court to reward his merits!”