Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

Chapter 290 Territory_1

"A fiefdom?"

Gu Chen was somewhat surprised. Although he was now ennobled as Marquis of Wu'an, it was merely a title, unlike the Marquis of Pingxi; Gu Chen could truly be said to have no real power in his hands.

But now, the court was actually going to grant him a fiefdom, which really took Gu Chen by surprise.

Eunuch Huang smiled and said, "Lord Marquis, His Majesty has great affection for you. After hearing of your awakening, His Majesty wanted to visit you in person, but unfortunately at that time, His Majesty had just ascended the throne and was entangled with various affairs, so it has been delayed until now."

"I am grateful to His Majesty," Gu Chen said.

Then, under the guidance of Eunuch Huang, Gu Chen went to the imperial palace and met the former Crown Prince, now the Emperor, Ji Yuan.

"Reporting to His Majesty, Marquis of Wu'an seeks an audience," a eunuch announced.

Upon hearing that Gu Chen had arrived, Ji Yuan's eyes lit up and he said, "Summon him at once!"

Soon, Gu Chen walked into the imperial study and saw Ji Yuan, wearing a dragon robe, his complexion authoritative and his spirit vigorous.

The Ji Yuan before him had indeed become very different from the not-so-distant days when he was the Crown Prince.

The rebellion led by the elder prince had truly changed the Crown Prince a great deal.

It is said that a person's character changes after experiencing life and death, and it seems this saying is not without merit.

"I pay my respects to His Majesty," Gu Chen said as he approached and bowed with his fist in his palm.

Although Ji Yuan had now ascended to the throne as the Emperor, the privilege of not kneeling before the Emperor, a right once given by the former Emperor of Da Xia to the Jing Tian Department, was already a habit for everyone, and Ji Yuan would not comment further.

"Gu Chen, how are you? How is your injury?" The Emperor Ji Yuan, with a face normally stern and austere, showed a warm smile upon seeing Gu Chen.

His attitude towards Gu Chen hadn't changed much from before.

Gu Chen said, "I thank Your Majesty for your concern; your servant's health is completely restored."

"Good to hear you've recovered. No lingering ailments, I hope?" Ji Yuan inquired.

"Your Majesty, there are none," Gu Chen shook his head in response.

Emperor Ji Yuan said, "Gu Chen, on the night the elder prince rebelled, you fought desperately. I've seen your loyalty, and I am not ungrateful. You need not be so formal with me; treat me as a friend, that's a privilege I grant solely to you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Ji Yuan smiled faintly and said, "Do you like the gift I sent you?"

Gu Chen responded, "I have already heard about it. Thanks to Your Majesty, my injuries have healed so rapidly, and my martial arts have even progressed further."

"You need not thank me; all of this is your due," Ji Yuan said. "Actually, I wanted to visit you before, but having just ascended the throne, I was too preoccupied and couldn't find the time."

"Of course, I also have you to thank for my smooth accession to the throne," Ji Yuan said with a laugh as he looked at Gu Chen.

A nation cannot be without a ruler for a day, and now that the whereabouts of the former Emperor of Da Xia are unknown, and his fate uncertain, it's common knowledge across the land. The throne cannot remain vacant indefinitely, and the Crown Prince's ascension is only natural.

"Your Majesty summoned me here; may I inquire as to the reason?" asked Gu Chen.

"Please, take a seat first," Ji Yuan commanded that a seat be provided for Gu Chen, and then said, "I've called you here to discuss the matter of the fiefdom."

A fiefdom meant that Gu Chen would be holding actual power, able to participate in the nation's tax collection—a no small matter.

"I am considering granting you the lands of Yan. What do you think?"

"The lands of Yan?" Eunuch Huang, standing beside them, was quite startled upon hearing this.

The lands of Yan, located in the East Province, were the ancestral lands of the imperial family of the previous dynasty, the Great Yan Dynasty.

There, with its beautiful scenery and pleasant climate, lay a precious tract of land, home to as many as thirty thousand households.

Eunuch Huang had not expected that the current Emperor would be so magnanimous as to bestow the lands of Yan upon Gu Chen without a second thought.

Not to mention anything else, the annual taxes alone would be enough to fill the coffers of the Gu Mansion so full that his family would have no worries about sustenance for generations to come.

Gu Chen was aware of the significance of the lands of Yan and never expected that Ji Yuan would actually grant them to him. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Your Majesty, isn't this reward a bit too substantial?"

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With a smile, Ji Yuan said, "Substantial? On the contrary, I feel it's not enough! If not for the current unrest throughout the land, I would have something even better to give you, but under the present circumstances, Yan is indeed the best choice. I was actually worried you might find it insufficient."

"This..."

Seeing Gu Chen still hesitate, Ji Yuan's face turned stern and he feigned anger, "What, in your eyes, is my life so cheap that it's only worth so little?"

"Very well, since Your Majesty insists, your servant will accept this generous offer with gratitude," Gu Chen rose to his full height and bowed in thanks.

"As I said, there's no need for so much formality. Just be casual with me," Ji Yuan said.

"Agreed," Gu Chen nodded.

"Not long ago, I ordered people to begin building a mansion for you in the lands of Yan. You can leave Tiandu in the next few days, and by the time you arrive, the mansion will surely be completed.

You can also bring your family and your second uncle's family for a visit; consider it a pleasure trip to enjoy the scenic beauty," Ji Yuan said, the corner of his mouth curving into a smile as he spoke leisurely.

When he was with Gu Chen, apart from the use of titles, everything else was very informal.

Afterward, Gu Chen had a long conversation with the new Emperor Ji Yuan. After sharing a meal in the imperial palace, Gu Chen left, making a visit to the home of Wang Yan to pay respects, then left.

After leaving Wang Yan's place, Gu Chen went to the Duke of the Liang State's Mansion to visit Lu Xinlan, and also to pay respects to the late Duke, and afterward, he went to see Song Yu.