After rebirth, I became a national teacher

Emperor Yong'an looked at it and was quite surprised.

At that time, he just felt that Nando City had performed so outstandingly in disaster relief, and Zheng Yuan was a role model for officials' children, so he gave him a nominal position as a reward.

It was totally unexpected that this kid would make another great contribution not long after being conferred the title.

This really makes him proud.

Sure enough, Minister Pang of the Ministry of War said with admiration:

"When it comes to selecting talented and brave generals, your majesty is the best in the world!"

"The son of Zheng Baizhan has been mediocre for many years, but I didn't expect that he is a talented general. Thanks to your majesty's wisdom in identifying heroes, our dynasty now has another brave general to fight against the Japanese invaders! On behalf of the millions of people along the southeast coast and Jiangdong and Jiangnan, I would like to thank your majesty for his grace!"

The other ministers, who were a little slower, immediately followed suit and began to praise him. The court was truly harmonious with a wise emperor and loyal ministers.

Emperor Yong'an felt relaxed and at ease, and he began to like Zheng Yuannai, whom he had never met before.

With a wave of his hand, he issued an imperial decree, appointing Zheng Yuannai as the Lieutenant General of Songhu and the rank of General Xuanwu of the fourth rank. He also praised him highly in the imperial decree and hoped that he would achieve greater success next year.

Although the Southern Capital Military Department and the Five Cities Military Department also received rewards, they were somewhat inferior to Zheng Yuannai's first real position, which was to be a fourth-rank general in charge of at least one prefecture.

After all, Emperor Yong'an secretly had high hopes for Zheng Yuannai and wanted to train him into a famous young general.

In this way, in the future, the story of Emperor Wu of Han and Wei Qing will be recorded in history books.

*

More than ten days had passed since the imperial edict arrived in the southern capital.

At this time, Chen Qingzhu had made all preparations for the trip.

She called Huiyun and the other two, along with Rong Niang, to a cave in the back mountain and told them where the base of the formation was, how to activate the protective formation, and various precautions.

In order to provide a base for those who had no spiritual energy, she specially left an exposed array base. In times of crisis, they could simply pour a bottle of fairy dew into it to activate the entire array.

"This is the life-saving secret method of the entire Cihang Temple. Only you and I know it. If anyone leaks it to the outside world, I will never let them off easily. Do you understand?"

Chen Qingzhu looked at everyone seriously.

"Yes!"

The four of them were all shocked and immediately agreed.

"I have already explained everything that needs to be explained. Just think of me as a retreat in the back mountain, and everything in the temple should continue to operate as usual."

Let the other three people leave, leaving only Rong Niang. Chen Qingzhu looked at his daughter with a smile:

"Don't you have anything to say to me, Rong Niang?"

Rong Niang was stunned for a moment, then said solemnly:

"Don't worry, mother. I will stay in Cihang Temple and protect myself until you come back!"

Chen Qingzhu watched her trying to remain calm and strong, and the ice in a corner of his heart melted unconsciously.

A dozen days ago, seeing that she had gone against her normal practice and was instead doing chores that she couldn't understand, Rong Niang seemed to have noticed something.

"Why does mother do this?" She couldn't help but ask Chen Qingzhu for confirmation.

"Mother has to go out to do some things, so I'll leave you some means to protect yourself." Chen Qingzhu did not hide it from her.

At that moment, tears welled up in Rong Niang's eyes.

She lowered her head and after a while she suppressed her tears and asked:

"When will mother come back?"

Chen Qingzhu said:

"At least half a year, at most a year."

Rong Niang was stunned for a long while before she said softly, "Oh."

Since that day, she has been particularly attached to Chen Qingzhu, but has never offered to go with him.

The child, who is not even nine years old, is so sensible. Chen Qingzhu is really relieved and distressed.

"Don't you want to travel with me?"

Practitioners of Taoism would often remain in seclusion for several years, and exploring secret realms would take at least several months. She had long been accustomed to separations.

But for a child like Rong Niang, it might be too cruel to be separated from her mother again after being reunited with her for less than two months.

Rong Niang's delicate little face immediately burst into a light of surprise:

"Mother, is this okay? Won't it delay your work?"

Chen Qingzhu's eyebrows slightly curved:

"I was not sure before, but these days, seeing how Rong Niang was moved and patient, I am sure that she will not do that."

Rong Niang nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice:

"Yes, yes, yes, I promise I won't hinder mother's schedule! Besides, I can take care of myself now and won't cause any trouble for mother!"

"Mother Rong, you have to think carefully. Mother will not bring anyone else except the coachman on this trip, and like in the temple, most of the time will be spent on cultivation. You will be alone the whole time, with no one to play with you. Can you stand it?"

"And you may have to sleep outdoors on the road, which is very hard."

Chen Qingzhu told Rongniang all the difficulties of going out with her and asked her to think carefully about it.

Rong Niang did not hesitate and promised seriously:

"I'm not afraid of hard work or loneliness. I just want to be with my mother."

Chen Qingzhu knew that Rong Niang would not act like a naughty child like other children.

Moreover, taking Rongniang with me and letting her go out to see the world and experience the sufferings of the world will not be a bad thing for her future.

"Okay, then we'll go together. I'll ask Huiyun to prepare your luggage later."

Rong Niang finally got approval and a bright smile appeared on her face.

"Mother is so kind! Then I will go to the Salesian Church and tell the others that I will stay at home to study and will not go to their place for the time being."

*

"Sir Zheng, the imperial edict has arrived, get ready to receive it!"

A yamen runner ran quickly to the villa where Zheng Yuannai and his wife lived and knocked on the door to pass on a message.

Zheng Yuannai and his wife were both at home.

Upon hearing this, Wei was immediately delighted:

"Imperial edict! It must be the imperial edict from His Majesty commending you, my husband!"

Then he hurriedly prepared the incense table and other items, and made preparations to receive the order.

Zheng Yuannai was also full of expectations. That was a great achievement for more than a hundred Japanese pirates. He didn't know what official position His Majesty would reward him with.

The imperial envoys soon arrived at the house and read out the imperial edict of Emperor Yong'an.

After hearing the imperial edict, Zheng Yuannai's scalp suddenly went numb and his heart began to panic.

He had been with General Zheng since he was a child, and even though he had not fought on the battlefield, he still had some understanding of some military matters.

Songhu Lieutenant General, you have to achieve more success...

Songhu Prefecture was the front line in the fight against Japanese pirates, and many Japanese pirates landed there every year!

Moreover, the Japanese pirates last time were almost all killed by the temple master and the Taoist priests under him. What can he use to achieve another success?

Just as a huge wave of emotion was stirring in his heart, he heard the eunuch delivering the imperial edict jokingly remind him:

"Oh, General Zheng is so happy that he's silly!"

Zheng Yuannai quickly came to his senses, took the imperial edict, and stuffed the red envelope in to make arrangements.

"It's freezing cold, and I'm sure you've had a hard time travelling. Please come in and have a cup of tea!"

The eunuch who delivered the imperial eunuch twisted the thin texture in his purse and was very satisfied with Zheng Yuannai's words:

"I won't drink tea. I have two other places to go to announce the imperial edict."

Then he smiled and said, "General Zheng, His Majesty will remember you. Work hard, and your blessings are still to come!"

"Yes! Thank you for the advice, eunuch!" Zheng Yuannai was already in tears.

After sending the eunuch away, he became even more anxious and uneasy.

He really wanted to be promoted, but he never expected it to be so fast. He was not mentally prepared or capable to be on his own all of a sudden.

The eunuch also said that he had been well-received by His Majesty, and judging from the official position he had been awarded, His Majesty could indeed be said to be very fond of him.

But the more this happens, the more likely it is that when the Japanese pirates attack next year, he will not be able to win a good victory, and the situation will be worse.

What should I do now?