Chapter 153: Chapter 125: Decline of National Power 2

Translator: 549690339

The next morning.

When the sun was three bamboo sticks high, Sun Siwen woke up.

His footsteps were a little floaty, and he wobbled out of his room.

Upon arriving at the dining hall, he saw Lu Yuan leisurely sipping his morning tea, who then teased him as he entered, “Oh, the groom is awake. How was yesterday’s experience? Was it heavenly bliss?”

Sun Siwen thought about last night, his face changed slightly, blushing a little bit, but then he looked at his friend, and retorted, “To know whether it’s heavenly bliss or not, Brother Lu, you simply need to find yourself a wife.”

“Haha, I’ll pass. I’ve got used to living freely; I don’t want someone bossing me around.”

Lu Yuan laughed, skipped the subject, and turned to inquire, “Where’s the bride? It’s early morning, and although she doesn’t have in-laws to see, as Brother Sun’s friend, I’m basically her little brother-in-law. Shouldn’t she come and greet me?”

Sun Siwen hesitated a little: “Wenxiu was too tired last night and is having trouble getting up. Let her meet Brother Lu later. I have to bring her some food in a while.”

Hearing this, Lu Yuan looked at his friend’s thin frame with some astonishment, then revealed an ambiguous smile, “I understand, I understand. Since my sister-in-law is tired, let her rest more. It doesn’t matter when she meets me, her little brother-in-law, no need to rush, no need to rush.”

Sun Siwen could no longer hold back.

His face flushed with embarrassment, he took some food, put it in the food box, and rushed out of the dining hall like he was running away.

Behind him, Lu Yuan laughed heartily.

After Sun Siwen’s wedding, as the three-day banquet in the city drew to a close, everything began to return to normal.

Besides the townspeople still talking passionately about that grand wedding when they were free, no one else paid any attention to it.

After Wenxiu met Lu Yuan on the third day following their marriage, she started calling him her little brother-in-law.

As for how Lu Yuan felt about this, he was both pleased and somewhat complicated.

Seeing the loving and happy couple, with expressions of happiness on their faces.

Truthfully speaking, it was impossible not to be envious.

But he also knew that, given his nature as a longevity seeker, love was something that he could not afford to play with.

“The elusive nature of love arouses envy in those who cannot attain it; it brings happiness in the beginning but becomes burdensome after loss, wearing away one’s spirit and will.”

Lu Yuan sighed inwardly, then smiled on his face, “True love is hard to come by, too extravagant for someone like me. Better to just indulge in the mortal dust of Little Phoenix Pavilion’s ladies.”

With his close friend’s grand wedding, Lu Yuan felt overjoyed and decided to celebrate for ten days at the Little Phoenix Pavilion as a form consolation.

Having been living in Fu City for several months, Lu Yuan had discovered that the ladies of Little Phoenix Pavilion were skilled in singing and dancing.

Their dancing was especially captivating.

Every time he saw the ladies’ passionate performances and graceful dancing, he felt a great satisfaction.

Then his mentor-like nature kicked in once more.

In the past, he longed for the era of thigh dance and was able to bring it over here, where he personally designed the dance costumes and poses for the ladies, satisfying his heart’s desires.

“This time, let’s try An Elysium.”

Sitting in a carriage guarded by his personal guards, Lu Yuan had already started to think about which dance he would teach his female students this time.

Previously, he had taught them some thigh dances; the seductive flair was there, but it always seemed too direct and lacking in charm.

This time, he would try teaching some house dances, with subtle emotions and implicit temptations, which made him excited just thinking about it.

Lu Yuan stuck his head out and told the carriage driver to speed up.

After staying in Little Phoenix Pavilion for ten days, Lu Yuan, leading by example, gathered his immense willpower and left the building.

He said ten days, and it was only ten days. A real man never goes back on his word.

After coming out, he went on a patrol of the barracks. As the Commander, of course, he couldn’t forget his duties.

After walking around and discovering that everything was fine and there were no problems, he left satisfied.

After resting at home for a few days and gradually adjusting to his regular routine, Lu Yuan was about to resume his secluded cultivation when someone from the prefect’s office came.

“Commander Lu, the Prefect requests your presence.”

So, Lu Yuan went to the prefect’s office.

Upon his arrival and upon seeing Cui Changqing, he realized that the Prefect had a peculiar look on his face, a mix of happiness and worry. The combination of emotions was very unsettling.

Now that they were relatives, both sides became closer, and he lost whatever concern he had and asked directly.

“Commander Lu may be unaware, but today, I received intelligence from the court that the Pingnan Army has achieved a great victory, annihilating 50,000 Jinghai soldiers.

Jinghai is a small nation, and it’s not even as big as one My Da Yue’s prefectures.

Since the 28th year of Longqing, when the country provoked border disputes and invaded our Southern Border, three years have passed.

During these three years, our Pingnan Army has been fighting with the Jinghai bandits repeatedly, capturing considerable gains. This time, after annihilating their 50,000-strong army, it’s an even greater victory.

Now, if we add it all up, in this national war, Jinghai has lost no fewer than 150,000 soldiers over the past three years.

At present, the Pingnan Army has already regained its lost territories, and is leading troops deep into Jinghai.

I heard that the new Emperor’s intention is to seize this opportunity to conquer Jinghai, and completely resolve the Southern Border crisis.”

Cui Changqing’s tone was somewhat excited.

Since the late emperor’s passing and the new Emperor’s enthronement, Da Yue has had three major problems for three years.

Firstly, there’s the war with the Northern Ruffians from the Liang state.

Ever since the young Liang Emperor ascended the throne and began the Southern Expedition, Liang and Yue Country have been engaged in constant battles.

In the beginning, Yue Country was caught off guard, and the Liang troops directly seized a thousand miles of territory, but then the imperial courts’ northern troops arrived, and the frontlines stabilized. Moreover, by relying on their naval forces, they were slowly able to drive the Liang troops back.

But that young Liang Emperor was also very ruthless..