I Am A Corrupt Official, Yet They Say I Am A Loyal Minister! - Chapter 457: I Accept This Gift, and I Will Cherish It for a Lifetime!

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You should know that since last year, almost all major battles have been led by Lin Beifan.

Every battle led by Lin Beifan has been overwhelmingly successful, with a hundred victories in a hundred battles. In simple terms, when Lin Beifan goes to war, he never loses.

Therefore, in the future, whenever Lin Beifan leads the troops into battle, everyone is full of confidence and the unwavering belief in victory. The combat effectiveness of the entire army is enhanced by more than 50%. It has become a habit to let Lin Beifan lead the troops, a trust between the commander and the troops.

It can also be called the consolidation of military morale. But now, Lin Beifan says he won’t lead the troops anymore and hands over the command to them. This…

For a moment, everyone was a little panicked.

“Supreme Commander, this is absolutely not possible!”

“We don’t have confidence if you don’t lead the troops into battle!”

“After all, this time we’re going to war against Great Yan!”

Lin Beifan extended his hand to reassure them and smiled, saying, “I understand what you all mean! However, when our army heads south, it’s also the time of my marriage with Her Majesty!”

Everyone was stunned and quickly realized.

They were leading the army south next spring. In less than two months, it would be the time for His Majesty and the Supreme Commander’s wedding.

This is a major event of national attention, more important than going to war, and it cannot be taken lightly.

As the groom and the Supreme Commander, he certainly couldn’t be absent. Otherwise, if he couldn’t return in time, it would delay Her Majesty’s wedding. What should they do then?

“Supreme Commander is absolutely right; the wedding is crucial!”

“We can postpone the battle, but the wedding must not be delayed!”

“Supreme Commander, you can rest assured and prepare for the wedding. Leave the war against Yan to us!”

Everyone calmed down.

“Thank you, generals, for understanding!” Lin Beifan thanked them with a smile.

In fact, there was another reason: he had now become a Supreme Grandmaster, one of the three most powerful individuals in the world. With just one move, he had the power to destroy the heavens and the earth. One person could contend against a nation, and no matter how many armies came, it wouldn’t be enough to kill him.

Therefore, he was not very interested in leading troops into battle anymore; it felt like bullying people. So, he let others do the job.

“We still have more than a month to prepare now! Generals, you are all excellent generals with combat skills. I’m sure you will return victorious!”

Then, Lin Beifan organized the troops and made strategic arrangements, appointing the main generals and vice-generals and assigning tasks.

Through a sand table simulation, everyone was told how to conduct this battle. After receiving guidance from Lin Beifan, everyone was filled with confidence.

In this way, over half a month passed, and the New Year arrived.

This year had been a good one; the entire Great Wu had experienced minimal disasters. The people had enough to eat and wear, lived in peace, and even witnessed a bountiful harvest. Everyone’s lives had improved.

Therefore, everyone welcomed the New Year with great joy, hoping that the coming year would be just as good.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the court held its annual grand court assembly. On this day, all the officials gathered in the court, holding New Year gifts to present to the Empress. Among the officials, Lin Beifan was the only one empty-handed.

The Empress didn’t show any hint of blame; she smiled and said, “My dear minister, I remember clearly that when you attended the grand court assembly for the first time, you presented the unification of our kingdom, resulting in a year of unification and power that shook the world.”

“The second time you attended the grand court assembly, you presented ‘an era of peace and prosperity,’ which indeed brought peace to our land, with the people having enough to eat and a peaceful life.”

“So, what do you plan to present at this third grand assembly? You’re not really coming empty-handed, are you?”

Everyone looked at Lin Beifan, waiting to see how he would “justify” himself. Lin Beifan spread his hands and said with a smile, “Your Majesty, on such a joyous day, how could your humble servant possibly come empty-handed?”

“Oh?” The Empress became even more curious. “Then, what gift have you brought for me?”

Lin Beifan appeared a bit hesitant and said, “Your servant… offers himself to Your Majesty!”

Everyone was stunned, and then they burst into laughter. After all, in less than two months, Lin Beifan would marry the Empress. Wasn’t offering himself to Her Majesty the same thing?

It was a clever play on words with profound meaning.

A hint of blush crossed the Empress’s face. She glared at Lin Beifan without a hint of anger and said, “You, my dear minister, dare to make such a joke with me! However, I accept this gift, and I like it very much. I will cherish it for a lifetime!”

Lin Beifan’s mood instantly lifted. The Empress had said such affectionate words in front of the entire court, making him exceptionally happy.

Next, the Empress hosted a banquet for the officials. The meal was exceptionally sumptuous, and the officials enjoyed it tremendously.

As fireworks lit up the sky, the Empress couldn’t help but look back at the past year, feeling that she had achieved a lot.

They had planted peaceful rice, doubling the national food production. They had expanded their territory, bringing the White Elephant Country and the eastern lands of Great Xia into Great Wu’s territory.

With neighboring countries in chaos, Great Wu remained stable as a rock, and the people enjoyed prosperity. They surpassed other nations in wealth, becoming the strongest nation in the world and ushering in a revival for Great Wu.

Most importantly, she had found her beloved partner for life. The Empress turned her head and looked at Lin Beifan, who was enjoying his food, with a gentle smile on her face.

Lin Beifan felt a bit embarrassed under the Empress’s gaze and asked curiously, “Your Majesty, why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?”

The Empress shook her head and continued to gaze, saying, “Nothing, I just wanted to look at you. It’s so good to have you here.”

Lin Beifan felt like he was being teased. What’s gotten into the Empress today? She keeps flirting like this. Isn’t that usually something men should do?

But Lin Beifan felt that he couldn’t show weakness, so he set down his wine glass and said seriously, “Your Majesty, I also have something to say to you.”

“What is it? Please, go ahead,” the Empress asked.

“Your Majesty, having you around makes me feel really good.”

The Empress playfully smiled, “How good?”

“I want to be with you for a lifetime.”

“That sounds about right!” The Empress happily laughed, and their hands secretly held each other under the table.

After the grand court assembly, Lin Beifan went back to the Lin residence to wish everyone a happy New Year. He gave out red envelopes and exchanged good wishes. Even though they did this every year, everyone still enjoyed it.

In the following days, Lin Beifan received waves of officials who came to pay their New Year’s respects. The threshold of the Lin residence was nearly worn out.

On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the Empress also visited and paid her New Year’s respects to the Lin family. They enjoyed a meal of tangyuan (sweet rice dumplings).

This New Year was peaceful, simple, and happy.

After the New Year, the court resumed its operations. People began spring farming, planting the peaceful rice provided by the court, hoping for a good harvest this year.

At the same time, the well-prepared army for the campaign against Yan began its southward march. Even though Lin Beifan wasn’t leading the troops, everyone was full of confidence and unity.

Lin Beifan and the Empress’s wedding entered its final preparations.