"Your Majesty, do you have a good plan?" Eunuch Wei asked curiously.
"Ever since the Three Hundred Thousand Divine Warriors under Dawu who followed the late emperor perished, I have lost a powerful force that could deter the court and the surrounding four nations. Therefore, I have decided to take this opportunity to reorganize the Divine Soldiers."
Chu Yuan's gaze was sharp, like a sword.
He knew through his foresight over the past three years that since the late emperor's death, chaos broke out all over Dawu, causing unrest among the people. The feudal lords in their respective territories had been accumulating power.
They were just waiting for Dawu to be at its weakest to dispatch their troops to the capital and completely annihilate it.
If there was an army of Divine Soldiers, Chu Yuan could lead the expedition himself and sweep across all territories in a matter of days!
"Ding! The host has made a choice and has received a hundred Destiny Points."
"Destiny Points balance, two hundred points."
"Reorganize the Divine Warriors!"
Eunuch Wei's heart trembled, he quickly said: "Your Majesty, the late emperor spent almost half of the national treasury to barely sustain that large army of 300,000. The current financial situation is extremely precarious. Even if Your Majesty wants to reorganize the army, I'm afraid it will be extremely difficult as the country's strength will be hard to maintain, especially considering the need to have a battle power that is invincible."
"I am aware of the severity of the current situation of the empire."
Chu Yuan nodded: "But now I will only select the most outstanding warriors from the nation to constitute the army. I only need ten thousand men for now. Just like how the late emperor began with a hundred brave warriors, I can do the same."
"If it's just ten thousand men, the empire's finances can just about support it. However, there is something the servant is not sure whether it is appropriate to say?"
After hesitating for a moment, Eunuch Wei finally spoke: "Warriors, weapons, armor, and such can be resolved easily as they are available in the national treasury, but who will act as the leader of the corps? The Divine Warrior Legion is the most loyal to the emperor. The leader must be very powerful but also loyal to the emperor. However, upon observation, it seems like there is no one out there who meets these requirements."
Chu Yuan did not deny it.
The previous Chu Yuan also wanted to reorganize the army but faced the same problem. He could not find a truly loyal person so he eventually let the idea go. However, Chu Yuan now had a system to aid him.
"Haha, Eunuch Wei, you're overthinking. Who said there is no one in Dawu who can shoulder this burden? I have a candidate in mind. He is absolutely loyal. I have thought about this a long time ago. Only he can help me reorganize the army."
Chu Yuan's eyes flickered, "Has Eunuch Wei forgotten about the loyal marquis, Lu Qianfu?"
"The previous leader of the Divine Warrior Legion who followed the late emperor into battle, the loyal Marquis!" Eunuch Wei quickly said: "But the current condition of the Loyal Marquis is not good."
"Don't worry, I have thought everything through. The current situation is tense. I need to go to the Marquis's residence immediately," said Chu Yuan.
"Your Majesty is right. This servant will prepare to travel to the Marquis's residence right away." Eunuch Wei didn't dare question Chu Yuan's decision.
"No need to make such a fuss. It has been a long time since I last saw the Loyal Marquis."
Before Chu Yuan finished speaking, he had already disappeared.
Southern suburbs of the Imperial City.
There was a huge mansion that was deserted and quiet. The nameplate spelled "Loyal Marquis" in bold strokes that were evidently from the hand of the late emperor.
At the moment, the only ones in front of the mansion of the Loyal Marquis were a few little girls who looked to be about four or five years old. They had tousled braids and beautiful doll-like faces and were playing alone.
"Who are you?"
The little girl looked at Chu Yuan approaching in regular clothing. She tilted her head and asked curiously. In her memory, it had been a long time since any strangers had come by.
"Don't be scared, I am here to see your grandfather."
Chu Yuan knew from his memory that this little girl was Lu Qianfu's granddaughter. She was also his only granddaughter.
"Seeing my grandfather."
The little girl thought for a while: "Grandfather is sunbathing in the yard. Wait here, I will go call him."
The little girl hopped away, and Chu Yuan slowly followed behind her, quickly arriving at a serene and quiet yard. Under a large locust tree, there was a stone table.
Next to the stone table was a rocking chair, upon which lay a man with his eyes closed, basking in the sun.
The man had white hair, his face was furrowed with wrinkles and his eyes were cloudy. However, his appearance still retained traces of his middle age, which was completely out of sync with his aged state.
This man was the Loyal Marquis, Lu Qianfu!
The highly meritorious Loyal Marquis has now become an old man in twilight!
"Grandfather, there's a guest," the little girl said.
"I haven't had any guests in many years. Who is it?"
Lu Qianfu opened his lazy eyes and was suddenly shocked when he saw Chu Yuan: "It's His Majesty! I apologize for my dereliction of duty. Long live the emperor!"
He struggled to rise from the rocking chair, ready to kneel and salute.
"Loyal Marquis, there's no need. I'm not here for your salutes today."
Chu Yuan said calmly. He sat on the stone bench, looked at Lu Qianfu, was silent for a moment, and then said: "How does the loyal Marquis view the current situation? I'm here for an honest talk, and I don't want to hear any flattery."
"Your Majesty, the situation is quite difficult."
Lu Qianfu said: "The sudden death of the late emperor was unexpected to everyone. Even more unfortunate is that he took the 300,000 Divine Warriors with him, leaving Your Majesty without any absolute power apart from the imperial guards. Although the old minister has been retired due to illness, I still understand the world situation. The four nations that border us are eyeing us covetously. External chaos is not that fearsome, but internal strife is the most dreadful. Once internal and external troubles combine, it will be enough to destroy the foundation of Dawu."
"Oh? So, who can I trust now?" Chu Yuan said, "The Grand General or the Prime Minister?"
"The old minister dares to say that Your Majesty cannot trust anyone, especially the Grand General and the Prime Minister. When the late emperor was alive, they were his most loyal dogs, tireless and selfless. Now they are wolves and jackals, colluding with each other to scheme."
Lu Qianfu sneered: "Although I have been away from the court for many years, I know they are plotting to secure the maximum interest for themselves before Dawu perishes."
Hearing this, Chu Yuan was somewhat surprised. He knew of the rebellion by the Grand General and the Prime Minister because of his three years of experience, but it was surprising that Lu Qianfu, who had been recuperating at his mansion for many years, also knew so clearly.
"Keep going," Chu Yuan said.
"Your Majesty's sudden visit to my mansion today clearly shows that you are aware of the chaos in the royal court."
Lu Qianfu sighed and said: "But I have grown old and can only offer some strategies for Your Majesty. The late emperor had two main forces: the Divine Warrior Legion and the imperial guards. The imperial guards are stationed in the Imperial City and cannot be mobilized. What Your Majesty needs is a powerful army that can be commanded at will. Once the domestic situation is stable, Dawu can slowly develop. The four nations would definitely not dare to invade Dawu."
"Haha, Loyal Marquis, your thoughts are exactly the same as mine!" Chu Yuan laughed loudly and said: "Yes, I came to you today to discuss the reorganization of the Divine Warriors. You were the head of the hundred brave warriors under the late emperor and proved to be the most loyal."
"I do have some experience in such matters."
A spark flashed in the eyes of Lu Qianfu: "The leader of the army must be loyal. I can recommend someone here, Lieutenant Huang Yong of the Ministry of War. He has reached the seventh level of his Divine Abilities and was handpicked by the late emperor. He has always had different paths from Shangguan Qingyun and Li Yun."
[Option 1: Follow Lu Qianfu's suggestion and appoint Lieutenant Huang Yong of the Ministry of War as leader. Gain one hundred Destiny Points. Unknown rewards???]
[Option 2: Still appoint Lu Qianfu as leader. Gain one hundred Destiny Points. Unknown rewards???]