Chapter 189 - 145: Academy Palace Recruits, Reactions from All Parties
Chapter 189: Chapter 145: Academy Palace Recruits, Reactions from All Parties
"Mother, what are you saying?" A blush couldn’t help but rise to Xiao Hua’s face.
Her mother, Xiao Shi, patted her on the shoulder. "Don’t worry, Mother won’t let Yuan suffer. Even if the silver is lost, with the imperial palace backing us, supporting you and him won’t be a problem.
The most important thing right now is the snow disaster affecting several tribes. Too many people and livestock have frozen to death, and the various Vassal Towns are taking the opportunity to snatch people away.
If we don’t get more silver for disaster relief, by the time this winter is over, the court will have lost a large portion of the population under its control."
The worry on Xiao Hua’s face deepened.
Ever since the mother and daughter arrived among the Northern Barbarians, they had faced one problem after another.
Even though Xiao Shi had undone her seal and her power was now at its peak, facing these unexpected situations had left her looking somewhat haggard.
Xiao Hua bit her lip and took out a stack of silver notes from her robes, which looked to be worth tens of millions of silver taels. "Mother, I sold some of my jewelry. I know it’s just a drop in the bucket for this snow disaster, but every little bit helps. It’s better than nothing."
She had originally set this silver aside to cover Lu Yuan’s expenses. But now that the Prince’s Mansion had received a reward, he probably wouldn’t need it in the short term, so she had taken it out.
Xiao Shi looked at the silver notes in her daughter’s hand, her own palm trembling slightly, but she accepted them nonetheless. "We will definitely get through this."
If there had been any other hope, she would not have taken this silver.
The silver confiscated from suppressing the three Barbarian Tribes had provided some relief.
But after distributing silver taels to the Imperial Guard, the Border Army, and the imperial clan, it was almost all gone.
As for Spirit Stones and Heavenly and Earthly Treasures, they could be sold, and many places were willing to pay a high price for them.
But these were strategic resources that absolutely could not be touched casually.
All the powerful experts in the court depended on them for stability.
Right now, their supply was barely sufficient.
If they ran out, that would be a true disaster. And if the powerful experts in the court started getting other ideas, that would be the most terrifying thing of all.
Right now, the Northern Barbarians were completely trapped in a vicious cycle.
They appeared vast and powerful, but in reality, they were exceedingly fragile.
While the Northern Barbarians were suffering through a harsh winter, inside the Dayong Imperial Palace, the Yong Emperor sat on the Dragon Throne. As he read the message handed to him, the corner of his mouth, hidden behind a golden mist, couldn’t help but twitch.
"The Northern Barbarians must be truly desperate for people. In our Dayong, he was a mere Northern Patrol Captain, yet they made him a king when he went to their lands. And this Lu Yuan even established an Academy Palace to swindle everyone.
The Northern Barbarians treat Sixth-Grade Cultivation Skills like priceless treasures, and only their emperor is allowed to practice Seventh-Grade Cultivation Skills. For him to dare lie about giving them away is utterly preposterous.
It seems that trading the Unparalleled Marquis for this Lu Yuan was a massive profit after all," the Yong Emperor said with a chuckle.
In truth, he had never paid Lu Yuan any mind. If it hadn’t been for the need to use him back then, coupled with the exchange for the Unparalleled Marquis, he probably would have forgotten the name long ago.
The only reason the name had resurfaced now was because of this Academy Palace that was causing such a stir everywhere.
In his eyes, the news being spread was a complete joke.
A Third-Grade Cultivation Skill might not be considered top-tier in his eyes, but not even Dayong had the audacity to make one available for everyone to practice.
After all, a technique of that level was enough to cultivate a new Military Family.
Bestowing one as a rare reward was a matter of utmost importance, and it could never be allowed to be spread externally.
’Lu Yuan opened an Academy Palace where anyone can come and learn? Who would believe that.’
THUD! The Jade Scroll containing the message was tossed aside.
The Eunuch below quickly offered a fawning smile. "Your Majesty is wise. Trading one Lu Yuan for the Unparalleled Marquis was an absolutely brilliant deal for us in Dayong."
"Heh. Alright, you can stop flattering me. How are things in the buffer zone?"
"The three Princes are now completely at odds with each other. The Celestial King Stronghold has also been secretly absorbed by the Seventh Prince. I hear they are quite formidable, and with a bit more time to train, they will be even more so."
"Mm, that boy, the seventh one... his maternal clan is considered part of the nobility, but they are much weaker compared to the other Princes’ relatives. If he becomes the Crown Prince, he will be largely free from the influence of his mother’s family.
Therefore, for the stability of the court, I want him to win. Do you understand?" the Yong Emperor said in an indifferent tone.
He then continued, "Since he was able to bring the Celestial King Stronghold under his control, it shows he has some skill. I heard he was on the verge of selling his residence to make it happen. The boy has certainly been through a lot.
Tell him that if he succeeds in the buffer zone, the edict naming him Crown Prince will be issued immediately.
As for the resources he’ll need going forward, the court will provide a portion. So tell him to do whatever it takes."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the Eunuch said, bowing hastily.
Then, at a signal from the Yong Emperor, he retreated with great care.
When the Yong Emperor was the only one left in the great hall...
His body dissolved into a wisp of mist and vanished on the spot.
However, just as everyone was convinced that Lu Yuan’s Academy Palace was a scam...
「In Fengcheng of Great Yu, inside the Qian Family’s main hall.」
A portly middle-aged man sat in the seat of honor. He was only about five feet three inches tall, but he likely weighed over 220 pounds.
His entire person resembled a laughing Maitreya Buddha.
He wore a black robe embroidered with a pattern of copper coins in gold thread.
At that moment, his eyes narrowed as he swept his gaze over the family’s upper echelon and disciples gathered below.
"Our family currently has fifteen disciples from the direct line. My intention is to purchase three manors immediately and have the children set out as soon as possible. If this matter is true, then the sooner we act, the better." After speaking, his comical face revealed an unprecedented seriousness.