The Laws of Great Chu

  Except for the military and official business trips, ordinary people are not allowed to wear swords, only those with a degree of Xiucai or above can be equipped with swords.

  Officials of the ninth to eighth rank, in addition to being allowed to wear a sword themselves, were also permitted to have one servant carry a sword or knife. Officials of the seventh to sixth rank could have two servants carry swords or knives. Those below the sixth rank were not allowed to carry bows and arrows.

  Fifth-rank officials were allowed to have five armed servants. Fourth-rank officials were allowed to have ten armed servants. Third-rank officials were allowed to have twenty armed servants. Second-rank officials were allowed to have fifty armed servants. First-rank officials were allowed to have one hundred armed servants, all of whom could also carry bows and arrows.

  Even if the official is of the highest quality, the family servant is not a military unit and cannot have formal establishment, nor can they wear armor. Only the prime minister is different. The prime minister's courtesy surpasses all officials. When serving as prime minister, 300 guards can be established, and all weapons are available for military use.

  The nobility is different, no great merit is not enfeoffed, no military merit is not marquis, so the noble guard is a military organization.

  Baron is equivalent to the sixth rank, can have an army of ten people, and the captain of the fire dragon is formally granted a military rank, with one chief and one deputy, and the same organization as the army, can wear armor.

  Viscount is equivalent to fifth rank, thirty people, can grant three Hu Chang, one each for the chief and deputy.

  Earl is equivalent to the fourth rank, 50 people, can grant five fire heads, one each for the chief and deputy, one each for the chief and deputy team leaders, the team leader is already a ninth-grade military officer, and the deputy team leader is from the ninth grade.

  Marquis is equivalent to third rank, 100 people, can grant ten fire heads, four deputy team leaders.

  The Duke is equivalent to the second rank, 250 people, can grant 25 fire dragons, 5 team leaders, and one camp leader (Xuanjie Xiaowei, eighth rank)

  As for the king of the county, it is equivalent to one product. There are 500 people, two battalions are set up, and the prince is a super-product, with 1,000 people, four battalions and one government are set up, and the chief officer is Huwei Xiaowei, seventh grade

  However, there are the two characters "opening the country". Regardless of whether it is a noble title, land or military power, they all increase by one rank. Therefore, in fact, the Marquis of the Opening of the Country, Ru Fu, has a legitimate military system of 250 people, and the commander-in-chief of the garrison is usually the eldest son who inherits the position. However, if troops are dispatched outside the mansion, those with less than 100 men can do so freely. Those with more than 100 men must report to the imperial court before they can be dispatched.

  It was deep in the night, with a steady drizzle of rain, and the Hou Mansion was shrouded in silence. Four armored guards stood at the entrance, braving the rain to patrol, while another team moved back and forth in the shadows.

  These warriors wear helmets and armor, each one fierce as a wolf or tiger. At their waists are military swords, with thick backs, thin blades, and sharp edges. Brave warriors wield them to cut through human bodies. In battle, they also have small shields that can cover their entire bodies, rendering hidden weapons like daggers and swords useless.

  These elite warriors, precisely because of their small numbers, must be carefully selected and are strictly speaking, on a higher level than regular army warriors. If there were only one or two, it would be fine, but if there were tens or hundreds, even the most exceptional masters would find it difficult to infiltrate.

  In a building, ancient buildings were only divided into two layers, upper and lower. A corridor connects to the front yard. There is also a team of about ten armored soldiers guarding.

  At this time. In front of a study, the guards kneeling on the ground saluted and reported: "This is another new order brought by Miss Xia's subordinate with a scroll."

  As he spoke, he presented it, and someone took it over. The Marquis of Lu unfolded the paper, which was indeed the handwriting of that letter written not long ago.

  "Good writing skills, good calligraphy, and good martial arts!" The Marquis of Lu looked at it afterwards, put down the paper, and that was all he said.

  "Lord Hou, what about this matter?" Yan Min stepped forward, asking with her head bowed.

  Lu Hou took a few more steps, his eyes deep and ambiguous, looked at Yan Min for a moment, then said: "Zhang Yi!"

  "Your Lordship, I'm at your service!" A man in his thirties, wearing armor and a long sword at his waist, stepped forward and gave a half-kneeling military salute.

  "You lead a team of soldiers, take the special city road, leave the city overnight, and go to pick up the third young lady. A big girl's house, staying in someone else's courtyard overnight is not good. Also, bring back the coffin for Ben Hou, be careful not to insult the corpse, people are dead, what's the point of investigating? Ge Yuancheng was after all a master of his generation."

  Zhang Yi, as the leader of the team, was a ninth-grade official. He should have responded calmly and retreated at this time.

  "Slowly, bring this golden seal, it was awarded to Li Jue by the emperor. And as for this achievement, let's just say that you led a group of soldiers and intercepted this person, and then killed him."

  "Yes, this is the subordinate's doing." Zhang Yi neither showed joy nor delayed, and respectfully responded, taking over the heavy gold ingot of about ten taels. After a brief pause, seeing that Lord Lu had nothing to say, he turned around and left, with the sound of iron armor ringing out clearly, but walking as steadily as a rock. Immediately, a team of fifty people followed suit, responding in unison, and exited the mansion.

  The Lu Hou lineage has been passed down to the present, already four generations. The first generation once reached the position of Grand General, commanding an army of 200,000, conquering south and north, achieving great military merit. Although the imperial court suppressed them afterwards, they still maintained close ties with the military, and also went out to battle many times. They can be called a true aristocratic family of military merit, so their estate is also where elite warriors gather, with masters everywhere.

  "Master Hou, sneaking out of the city at midnight will leave a record, even if you take the special path." Yan Min said from the side.

  "It doesn't matter, we need to leave a record, after all, for outsiders, killing Ge Yuan Cheng also needs a reason. Li Rui, this holder of the juren degree, will take the orthodox imperial examination route in the future and become a jinshi scholar. This matter cannot involve him, at least not openly. Do you understand? The Marquis of Lu said calmly: 'Moreover, read this poem - Ten steps to kill one person, a thousand miles without leaving a trail. When the deed is done, wipe your clothes and leave, deeply hiding your body and name.' These twenty words have already expressed his request to me, and I naturally need to fulfill his wish."

  This matter occurred in the outskirts of the city at midnight, so it can be easily covered up and concealed. Although it may not deceive those who are determined to find out, at least it won't be attributed to Fang Xinde's name openly, which is already sufficient. The subtlety of officialdom can be inferred from this.

  Yan Min's expression remained unchanged, and he responded with a simple "yes". He then smiled and said: "Your Excellency, if you want to take the imperial examination, Li Rui will also have to set off. Currently, it is May 16th, and the autumn imperial examination will be held in September. Although it only takes about a month to travel from our province to the capital, we should still prepare ahead of time and practice poetry and etiquette."

  "Well said, I'm looking forward to it too. Mr. Yan, it's late at night, you should rest as well!"

  "Yes, then I'll take my leave." Waiting for Yan Min to go out, Lu Hou's expression turned dark, and he let out a cold hum, his eyes flashing with a murderous intent as he stood there thinking.

  He has been on the throne for twenty-eight years, and has reigned for sixteen years. Although he has practiced various forms of cultivation, it is strange that emperors throughout history have not lived long lives. No matter how high your cultivation is, it's hard to extend your lifespan.

  This phenomenon has been attempted to be broken through by emperors of all generations, but none have succeeded, including the Great Ancestor of Chu. The number of years that a monarch rules is predetermined by heaven and has become a widely recognized rule, so the imperial family has given up on cultivation altogether.

  The crown prince is now only twenty years old, with a kind and gentle nature. The emperor was delighted, but also deeply worried, so he suppressed and monitored the imperial clan and the noble families.

  This point, Lu Hou is naturally clear and clear. The Lu family is not the strongest in the empire, and it's not the first batch to suppress, nor does it have any intention of rebellion. The court also understands that since the founding of the country has been passed down for five emperors, it has already been a hundred years, and the court above and below are intertwined, even if the emperor dares not to kill ministers arbitrarily, going against the will of heaven and earth.

  No matter what, there is a set of unwritten rules for doing things, so the situation in Lu's mansion seems to be precarious but actually safe. This is just a political game, but some people who do specific tasks at the bottom, no matter how clever they are, are limited by their position and perspective, and many people don't understand this point - this time, Lu Shulan encountered danger, it was already over the line.

  "Hmph, unfortunately it's not time for a reckoning yet. Wait until the Emperor passes away and the Crown Prince ascends to the throne, then these pawns can be killed at will. I suppose the court will just pretend they didn't see anything."

  This time, Li Rui's exposed martial arts skills are truly terrifying and admirable. He can kill a master with one sword, haha, it's really impressive. Moreover, he is so young and has such great literary talent, making him the top genius of this generation. It won't be in vain if the emperor doesn't know about it yet, but if he finds out, he will definitely have a headache.

  This kind of person is concerned with the vital energy, how can they be easily killed without fearing the loss of national fortune? If used well, it can greatly prolong one's life, but wanting to use it well is not that easy either. Does the crown prince know how to control it?

  Lu Hou's thoughts were fluttering about, and he secretly had some regrets. If only Ruru Shulan could be his legitimate wife.

  But thinking again, Lan Qi is considered her own adopted daughter, and the relationship is not too shallow. Moreover, if something happens in the future, it won't be too serious to get involved, like walking on thin ice!

  Lu Hou was thinking this way, but Fang Xin had to come and greet him again, feeling very depressed in his heart. He originally wanted to hold Lan Ji and the two maidservants to play some fun multiplayer games, but it was interrupted like this.

  He went downstairs and when he reached the corridor, Fang Xin saw the visitor and cupped his hands in greeting, saying: "So it's Lord Zhang who has arrived. I'll go call Third Miss right away. This time it's about..."

  As it was midnight, Lu Shulan had already arranged for her to sleep, and as for this person, she also knew him.

  Zhang Yi's face was cold and stern, rainwater dripping from his armor, but what he said was: "Lord Li's intention is clear to you, Your Excellency. Given the circumstances, it's indeed impossible to let Miss return just like that. I came this time also to make Lord's intention clear, this is a reward for you from His Excellency."

  Took out Jin Zhenzi.

  Fang Xin smiled and took it over, cupping his hands: "Then thank you, Lord Hou."

  At this time, a maid came out and said: "The young lady has come down."

  As expected, Ruxuelan was woken up and came out with a gloomy face. She hastily combed her three braids, and her clothes were still a bit disheveled. Her bright eyes and white teeth made her look even more beautiful than usual. Zhang Yi, however, pretended not to notice and bowed his head in greeting, saying: "Third Miss, by the order of His Lordship, please return immediately tonight. Everything is ready. Please!"

  Lushulan had no choice but to follow him, and as for her accompanying Jiasi back in the rain, with a coffin in tow, no one bothered to consider how she felt.