Yan City.
Prefect's Office.
As soon as Li Rui returned, the officials of Northern Commandery swarmed around him.
One of them eagerly asked, "Governor Li, did His Highness mention what he plans to do next?"
Right now, all the officials of Northern Commandery were deeply concerned about what kind of actions the Northern King would take upon arriving. Would it affect their positions and interests?
Li Rui smiled slightly, stroking his beard, and replied with a calm expression, "His Highness told me that unless it's something urgent, we shouldn't bother him. Everything in Northern Commandery will remain as it is."
Hearing this, the officials instantly lit up with excitement.
If that was the case, then their power and interests would remain intact.
Though they didn't say it out loud, they were all thinking the same thing—Good thing the court sent a useless prince to Northern Commandery.
However, at that moment, a soldier from the prefect's office rushed in, looking flustered. He hurried to Li Rui's side and whispered something into his ear.
Li Rui's expression darkened instantly as he listened.
Seeing the change in his demeanor, an official quickly asked, "My lord, what happened?"
Before Li Rui could answer, Li Feng entered the prefect's office.
Seeing Li Rui and the gathered officials, Li Feng chuckled. "Governor Li, your residence is quite lively today."
Li Rui snapped out of his thoughts and quickly stepped forward. "Not at all, General Li."
"I wonder—what brings you to my residence?"
Without any pretense, Li Feng took out the Northern King's command token and announced, "By His Highness's order, from today onward, I will assume full control over all military affairs in Northern Commandery."
The officials in the courtyard immediately panicked.
The reason they had been so bold, acting as if the Northern King didn't matter, was because the military power of Northern Commandery had been in the hands of the governor.
Now, the Northern King had just arrived and was already taking control of the army. What did this mean?
The military was a sensitive matter—if a vassal prince controlled the troops, it usually meant he was planning something.
Could the Northern King be preparing to make a move against them?
Li Rui spoke up, "General Li, His Highness has only just arrived in Northern Commandery and isn't yet familiar with the region. Do you know why he wants you to take over military affairs?"
Li Rui didn't believe the Northern King was planning to purge the local powers—at least not yet. After all, he had just arrived and hadn't established his footing.
Besides, maintaining control over Northern Commandery required the cooperation of the local officials and noble factions. Even if the Northern King were reckless, he wouldn't be foolish enough to undermine his own foundation.
Noticing their concerns, Li Feng explained, "Governor Li, I assume you've heard about the assassination attempt on His Highness by the Blood Moon Tower during his journey here?"
Li Rui nodded. "Of course."
Li Feng continued, "Then you should understand why His Highness wants control of the military—he doesn't want his life to be in someone else's hands."
As soon as he said this, Li Rui and the others suddenly realized—
Of course! The Northern King had been ambushed on his way here. He was still young, so he was probably terrified.
Perhaps he was afraid of dying, afraid that the troops of Northern Commandery might turn against him. That was why he wanted control over the military.
Li Feng then asked, "Governor Li, you wouldn't be thinking of refusing to hand over military authority, would you?"
"His Highness has entrusted you with all the administrative affairs of Northern Commandery. If you also hold military power, then tell me—who is the true ruler of this land? You or the Northern King?"
A cold sweat broke out on Li Rui's forehead.
It was true—if he held both civil and military power without oversight, the imperial court would send people to deal with him sooner or later.
After considering it for a moment, Li Rui decided that Northern Commandery didn't have many troops anyway. Handing them over would be the safest course of action.
With that thought, he immediately took out the tiger tally from his robes. "General Li, this is the command token for all the troops in Northern Commandery."
Then, turning to a soldier in armor beside him, Li Rui ordered, "Captain Wang, escort General Li to the barracks."
"Yes, my lord."
With that, Li Feng followed the soldier to the military camp in Yan City.
Once Li Feng was gone, the officials swarmed around Li Rui again.
"My lord, why did you give him the tiger tally?"
"Yes, my lord! If His Highness has full military power, what if he acts recklessly?"
"My lord, what should we do now?"
…
Li Rui reassured them, "You all can rest easy. Military power rightfully belongs to His Highness—his reclaiming it is completely normal."
"Besides, you heard what Li Feng said—His Highness has entrusted all governmental matters to me. If I also held military power, not only would His Highness not tolerate it, but the imperial court wouldn't either."
Some of the sharper officials immediately understood what Li Rui meant.
After all, the Great Xia Dynasty had a precedent where a palace steward monopolized power and imprisoned a vassal prince.
Even so, they still felt uneasy.
Now that the Northern King controlled the military, he essentially held a weapon in his hands. If he ever decided to deal with them, it would be effortless. They could no longer act as recklessly as before.
Li Rui concluded, "Enough. Return to your respective posts."
"If His Highness issues any orders, I will notify you immediately."
With that, the officials had no choice but to disperse, leaving the prefect's office one by one.
A few days later.
Northern King's Manor.
In the courtyard, Lu Chen watched as his servants followed the soap-making instructions and produced the first batch of soap.
He picked up a bar, rubbed it onto a stained piece of clothing, and tested it.
Moments later, the once-dirty garment was spotless after being washed.
Seeing this, everyone in the courtyard gasped in amazement.
Chu Yuqin curiously asked, "Chen'er, where did you learn this method? This soap is incredibly effective."
While washing his hands, Lu Chen chuckled. "Aunt Chu, if I told you I thought of it myself, would you believe me?"
Chu Yuqin narrowed her eyes slightly, speaking with a hint of teasing sarcasm. "Chen'er, you really have grown up. More and more secrets, keeping everything from your aunt."
Sensing the atmosphere turning awkward, Mu Zixuan quickly intervened, "Aunt Chu, this really was His Highness's idea."
Of course, Chu Yuqin wasn't actually upset—her tone was just a little playful. She had long since given up trying to uncover Lu Chen's secrets.
Still, she couldn't help feeling a bit sour. In the past, Lu Chen had told her everything. But ever since he got married, he started keeping things from her.
At that moment, Zhou Xiaoxiao changed the topic. "Your Highness, how do you plan to sell this soap?"
Lu Chen had made it clear from the start that he intended to sell the soap, so Zhou Xiaoxiao was curious about its pricing, given its remarkable cleaning ability.
After thinking for a moment, Lu Chen said, "Three to ten wen per bar."
Zhou Youyou, who was standing nearby, was shocked. "That cheap?"
Lu Chen explained, "We aim for high sales volume with low profit margins. This is meant to replace soap beans—it can't be too expensive, or no one will buy it."
Then, his gaze fell on Mu Zixuan.
"My dear consort, I'll leave the soap business to you."
Mu Zixuan, excited, said, "Rest assured, Your Highness! I will manage the soap industry well and quickly fill the palace's treasury."
Just as she finished speaking, her face suddenly paled, and she began retching.
Zhou Youyou and Zhou Xiaoxiao quickly rushed to support her.
"Sister, what's wrong?"
"Hurry… Call for a doctor!"