Ma Zhou’s words left Fang Er stunned.
Wang Xuance’s talent was that of a Confucian general. Why was he, destined to be a prime minister, dabbling in military affairs?
Mr. Ma should focus on his educational duties. After a few more years of experience, this Lord would recommend him for an official position in the court.
That was where his ultimate destiny lay.
He could keep Xue Rengui and Wang Xuance by his side, but Ma Zhou, he would never keep.
This was a great talent for governing a country. Keeping him here would be a terrible waste of resources.
Collecting military generals was fine, but collecting civil officials was best avoided.
Ma Zhou was frustrated. The Duke’s words had stirred his emotions, but his recently made decision was immediately rejected.
Duke, why can he join the army, but not a student like myself?
He still wanted to try to make a case.
But just then, Su Feng ran in.
Duke, Eunuch Deng from the palace is here, claiming to deliver an imperial decree.
Fang Er was taken aback. It wasn’t a festival or holiday, so why would an imperial decree be delivered? Could something have happened?
He quickly got up and walked outside.
As soon as he reached the courtyard, he saw Deng Dengjie leading two young eunuchs towards him, with Su Mu walking ahead to guide them.
Hahahaha, I am here to congratulate the Duke.
Upon meeting, Deng Dengjie cupped his hands and stated his purpose.
Eunuch Deng, you have traveled hard. Please, come inside~
As soon as the word "congratulate" was spoken, Fang Er understood that this was the reward for young Fang Xin.
The eldest legitimate son would inherit the title, but that was after his father’s passing.
By custom, upon birth, a nominal position would be granted, along with a salary, to signify his status.
Similarly, this was also a welcome gift from Li Shimin to Fang Xin.
The two returned to the main hall. The flower ladies who were there quickly rose to take their leave upon seeing them.
After they were seated, Deng Dengjie said to Fang Er with a look of fond recollection.
To be frank, Duke, this journey from Chang’an would have been truly arduous in the past.
However, thanks to the Duke, I traveled here this time by tractor.
I sat on top of that cart of goods, swaying gently, and arrived here in three days.
The cement road all the way was not bumpy at all. This journey was truly comfortable~
Seeing the eunuch’s enraptured expression, Fang Er also chuckled.
Hahahaha, so this is comfortable? Wait until the railway is completed, I guarantee it will be even more comfortable than the tractor.
After the pleasantries, Fang Er went behind the screen to retrieve a bottle of green tea and offered it.
Eunuch Deng, please wait a moment. I will have someone prepare to receive the decree.
With that, he was about to leave the main hall.
Hahahaha, Duke Fang, there is no need for trouble. His Majesty said that this is a reward from the maternal uncle to his grandson, so you just need to accept the imperial decree.
Deng Dengjie stood up, took the imperial decree from the accompanying eunuch, and without even reading it, directly handed it to Fang Er.
This seemed to have become a custom.
Fang Er, from a mere ninth-rank sub-lieutenant, Ren Yong Xiaowei, to the current Duke of Shenyang, had only formally received two imperial decrees.
He opened the imperial decree in his arms, skimmed through the messy official jargon, and looked at the very last line.
It is hereby decreed that the eldest legitimate son of the Duke of Shenyang, Fang Xin, be appointed as Zhi Guo Xiaowei.
Fang Er was stunned.
Damn it, this little brat, born a seventh-rank sub-lieutenant military official!
Is this maternal uncle too generous?
Eunuch Deng then said, Duke, His Majesty also has something for me to convey.
With that, he cleared his throat, clasped his hands behind his back, as if mimicking Li Shimin’s posture when speaking.
Little one, have you eaten?
Never mind, whether you’ve eaten or not, I can’t control that.
Indeed, even saying such things feels comfortable.
Well, I am poor and have no money, so I am conferring a higher-ranking nominal position upon this little one.
As for other wealth, that is all. Anyway, you are richer than I am and do not care for such material possessions.
Alright, Little Deng, this is all. Remember to tell that boy this, word for word.
Fang Er was dumbfounded by the words relayed by Deng Dengjie.
You, the sovereign of a nation, speaking like our memorials, is this appropriate?
Congratulations, Duke. Young Duke has achieved a seventh-rank position before his full month, which truly makes me envious.
Deng Dengjie held the green tea with both hands and said flatteringly to Fang Er.
Fang Er, who was mentally criticizing Li Shimin, subconsciously replied.
Hey! What is there to be envious of?
You should also make an effort and have a chubby son soon. His Majesty will surely not be stingy with official positions then.
It seemed these words had not been thought through at all.
Deng Dengjie’s face instantly turned as if he had eaten something foul.
Fang Er also quickly reacted, realizing that his words were more offensive than calling a monk bald.
Hahahaha, Eunuch Deng, please do not mind. I, Fang, have been too busy these past few days and am dazed, speaking without thinking.
Here, please accept this small token of my appreciation for Eunuch Deng traveling from afar to deliver the decree.
Saying this, he took something out of his pocket and slipped it into Deng Dengjie's hand.
Old Deng, holding the item with a wronged expression, weighed it. It was quite heavy, and his mood immediately brightened.
A tender pink cylindrical plastic box, looking exceptionally exquisite.
However, Fang Er’s expression changed.
When he retrieved the item from his spatial storage, he felt awkward and only wanted to quickly dispel Deng Dengjie’s misunderstanding, so he only gave the item a cursory glance before taking it out.
Now, seeing the item clearly, he felt awkward realizing he might have picked the wrong thing.
This damn thing, it contained an electric toy!
And at that moment, Deng Dengjie opened the plastic box, and Fang Er couldn’t even stop him.
Looking at the contents, Deng Dengjie was stunned. This thing looked like his severed treasure.
He looked at the item in his hand, then at Fang Er, truly at a loss for words to express his current feelings.
Damn it, you can’t treat me like this!
Just now he told a eunuch to have a son.
Now he was giving a eunuch this thing.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Deng Dengjie directly began to cry, feeling wronged.
Wuwu~~ wuwu~~ wuwu~~
Duke~ I haven’t offended you, why insult me like this?
Fang Er was extremely embarrassed at this moment. He hadn’t expected to have taken the wrong item.
He had intended to give Deng Dengjie a thermos, as Deng Dengjie served Li Shimin daily, pouring tea and tending the stove, making it inconvenient to run back and forth.
But this thing, and the thermos, were neighbors in the spatial compartment~~
Seeing this person crying like a little girl, making whimpering sounds, Fang Er couldn’t help but feel a prickle of unease on his scalp.