despread famine, will be further aggravated. This will only push the empire closer to ruin. Those who have their eyes on the empire and are waiting for an opportunity will seize it.""My prince, you mu...Chapter 336: The Dragon Family's Choice

The implication is quite clear.

You do things for this palace, and this palace sees it all. Those who have made contributions deserve rewards.

But your accomplishments, Xu Changqing, amount to nothing more than securing a spot in the imperial examination. Whether that spot is truly valuable depends entirely on how well your nephew performs.

If you do well, you'll become the number one scholar (狀元郎), the second-ranked scholar (榜眼) or the third-ranked scholar (探花). But if you don't perform well, it's just an experience of the palace examination atmosphere. Without passing the preliminary exam, there is no official position as a jinshi. Once you fail the palace examination, you won't even be eligible to work as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. You can only return where you came from.

At the same time, this sentence also told Xu Changqing and Guan Zhiwei that if they wanted more benefits, they had to continue to do a good job for the prince.

Xu Changqing was overjoyed and bowed deeply, saying with excitement: “Your humble servant obeys your command. Your humble servant understands that this is a great favor bestowed upon me by Your Highness. After returning, I will surely instruct my nephew well, so that he can serve Your Highness and the court.”

Xu Changqing's words put the prince ahead of the court.

Smart people don't need to say everything explicitly; sometimes, the unspoken is more interesting.

Guan Zhiwei glanced at Xu Changqing, feeling a twinge of bitterness in his heart as he muttered to himself: "Flatterer."

When Li Chen continued to handle official business in the Xizheng Hall, at the gate of Shenwu outside the capital, the Dragon family father and son were saying goodbye.

"Father, take care on your journey."

Long Huaiyu looked at Long Tiande with a complicated expression.

Having glanced at the carriage behind Long Huaiyu and the several guards with gleaming eyes surrounding it, Long Tianduo let out a light sigh and said, "Huaiyu, have you truly thought this through King Zhao is keeping you by his side as a hostage. If you agree to stay in the capital now, it will be difficult to return home later."

Even if our Dragon Clan and King Zhao cooperated, he would still be wary of us. Once a major event is accomplished, he will certainly not keep his promise to release you. In that case, you will lose your freedom completely.

Long Huaiyu remained calm and said, "Father, I have already made up my mind. Besides, what other choices do we have"

“King Zhao, while seeming mild and righteous, is actually ruthless. I observe that his cunning and political maneuvering are no less than the prince’s. If he truly becomes powerful in the future, my Dragon family, after rising to prominence three hundred years ago and now experiencing a second surge, might have another chance right before our eyes.”

As long as I can continue to be of use to King Zhao, he will not treat me harshly.

"Speaking, Long Huaiyu's tone became more urgent, saying, "Father, after returning, be sure to act according to King Zhao's wishes immediately. It is not difficult for the Long family to completely take over Xishan Province. After all, there are so many years of foundation, and it cannot be shaken by Zhao Heshan in a few months. Only when the Long family becomes stronger, will I have more confidence in the capital and in front of King Zhao."

Long Tiande looked deep into his son's eyes and said solemnly, "My son possesses such wisdom and forbearance. How can he not achieve great things in the future Rest assured, father and the entire family will always be your support, and we will never hold you back."

The two chatted for a while longer, and Long Tiandé only set off on his return journey under the gaze of Long Huaiyu.

The carriage swayed and bumped along the official road, taking no more than a few hours to arrive.

Long Tiande sat in the carriage, closing his eyes to meditate and contemplating how to resolve Zhao He Shan as quickly as possible and control the situation in Xishan province.

Suddenly, he felt the carriage come to a stop.

"Master, someone is blocking the road ahead."h the East Palace is an opportunity that countless merchants dream of. The Liu family has now obtained this opportunity and even secured control over salt transport. Everyone here has tasted the sweet...