Bringing the Railway to Daming

Lan Yu immediately stood up, clasped his hands in a fist and said, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, after the war in the Indochina Peninsula ends, please give me a chance to go to Europe to lead troops and fight those Western barbarian countries. Otherwise, I will not be able to vent my anger!”

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "The war in the Western Ocean doesn't need a general like you. But don't worry, if the court really sends a large army to the Western Ocean, it will definitely arrange a position for you."

Although Lan Yu was not entirely satisfied with the result, he dared not ask for more and immediately said, "Then I will wait for that day."

Seeing Lan Yu sit down, Liu Kuan secretly shook his head.

He didn't think Lan Yu would actually get the opportunity to lead troops in Europe.

Lan Yu is now the Duke of Liang, and he has already received the promise to lead troops to attack Annam. He will surely accumulate more military merits. If he is sent to lead a large army into Europe again and truly achieves great merit, the court may face a situation where there are no more titles to bestow.

That would not be a good thing for either Lan Yu or the Zhu family.

Therefore, given Zhu Biao and Zhu Xiong Ying's personalities, they would definitely try their best to avoid this matter, not to mention Old Zhu.

Zhu Xiong Ying added, “Through this film, the shamelessness of Western barbarians can be seen – North America was clearly taken from the natives, that is, the Native Americans, by Western barbarians.”

"But not only did they expel and even massacre many Native Americans, they also considered themselves masters and wanted to drive out the Chinese who were more hardworking than them. They even used all sorts of despicable means to achieve this goal, which was truly shameless."

As everyone recalled the plot of the movie, especially Bai Xuanling's exchange with the Westerners at the San Francisco City Council, they all nodded in agreement with Zhu Xiong Ying's view.

Liu Kuandao said, "The immigrants to the Bald Eagle mainly came from Britain, and the Anglo-Saxons of Britain were originally bandits, descendants of the barbarians of Northern Europe."

"They have always believed in the logic of robbers—like the United States, which founded itself on freedom and democracy, but they have never truly been democratic or free, because their land and resources were originally taken from the Native Americans."

"Even in later generations, when the bald eagle became a world-leading superpower, its thuggish behavior was fully revealed. Relying on its strong national power, it established monetary hegemony around the world and absorbed the resources of other countries to supply itself."

Recalling the actions of the Bald Eagle Kingdom in later generations, Liu Kuan shook his head.

However, after hearing Liu Kuan's words, Zhu Yuanzhang was thinking about how the Ming Dynasty, now a top global power, should face other countries in order to ensure its continued prosperity and longevity.

It is certainly unacceptable to act like the Bald Eagle Kingdom, which is entirely a bandit, but it is also unacceptable to blindly display benevolence and righteousness like the previous Central Plains dynasties—barbarians fear power but do not cherish virtue, as our ancestors have already proven.

In addition, substantial benefits must be obtained from overseas; otherwise, the Ming Dynasty's overseas policy cannot be sustained...

···
It was already three or four in the afternoon when the movie screening and banquet ended.

After Lan Yu left the palace with Liu Kuan and the others, she finally couldn't resist and rode her horse to catch up with Liu Kuan.

"Marquis of Jiangning".

Liu Kuan, however, was traveling with his entire family in a four-wheeled carriage. Upon hearing the commotion, he opened the carriage window and asked, "What brings you here, Duke of Liang?"

Lan Yu smiled and said, "We still have some questions about the things in the videos and movies we watched before. I wonder if Marquis Jiangning could tell me about them?"

Liu Kuan hesitated slightly, then said, "Okay."

He then got out of the car and went with Lan Yu to a nearby restaurant. They ordered a private room and some food and drinks, and chatted while they ate.

Liu Kuan had made up his mind that if Lan Yu asked him anything he shouldn't ask, he would never answer.

Fortunately, Lan Yu was indeed much more mature than he had been a decade or so ago. After the food and wine were served, he first poured Liu Kuan a cup of wine, and then said with a smile, "Japan has a kind of sake similar to ours. It used to be regarded as the national wine. We've tried it, but it really doesn't have much flavor. The wine from our Great Ming Dynasty is much better."

Liu Kuan said, "I am not a strong drinker and can only have a small cup. Please don't take offense, Duke of Liang."

Lan Yu said, "Let's chat casually in private, no need to be polite, drink as much as you want. By the way, doesn't Marquis Jiangning want to know what methods we used to maintain our figures on Sun Island?"

Liu Kuan was genuinely curious and asked, "What method?"

“Hot springs,” Lan Yu said. “There are many good hot springs on the island of Ri. Soaking in them is not only comfortable, but it can also improve blood circulation. Plus, we train regularly in the military, so our figures are naturally in good shape.”

"Of course, it would be even better if you could have a few pretty Japanese ladies serving you while you soak in the hot springs."

"So? Marquis Jiangning, are you tempted to come with us to Sun Island for a few months?"

Liu Kuan knew from historical events that Lan Yu was a lecher, and now that he was in charge of the Japanese island, he probably had no shortage of trouble with the young ladies there.

However, this is a matter between Lan Yu and the Zhu family, and he has no say in it.

As for envy... that's impossible. He already has enough to do with one wife and one concubine at home.

Liu Kuan thought for a moment and said, "After all, the Duke of Liang is a grandfather. Even when he is in charge of local affairs, he should pay attention to his image to avoid being attacked by people in the court."

Lan Yu immediately glared, "Who in the court dares to criticize us?"

Liu Kuan said, "There is no one here. I was just saying that. Whether you listen or not is up to the Duke of Liang."

Lan Yu, recalling what she had asked at the previous banquet of light and shadow, couldn't help but ask, "What, in the original history, because of our moral failings, we were punished by His Majesty, even stripped of our titles?"

Liu Kuan neither agreed nor disagreed.

Seeing this, Lan Yu assumed that this was how he met his end in history, completely unaware that his actions and fate in history were actually far more outrageous. After a brief silence, he said, "Alright, we'll take your advice."

After finishing his drink, he couldn't help but ask, "By the way, there's something else. The robot woman in the video was so beautiful. Was she designed to be sold to men as concubines?"

Liu Kuan was surprised that Lan Yu was interested in this, but it wasn't a big deal, so he said, "Pretty much—most people in later generations live alone, so it's normal for men to want a lifelike robot woman to accompany them."

Upon hearing this, Lan Yu revealed a look of longing and murmured, "I wonder what that robot woman is like."

Liu Kuan was even more speechless.

This guy has over a dozen concubines at home, and he's harmed countless women during his campaigns against Korea and Japan over the past few years. Now he's actually looking forward to female robots from the future. He's truly a bizarre character.

And so, Liu Kuan and Lan Yu chatted for a while, exchanging a few words here and there. When Lan Yu realized that he couldn't get any more interesting information about later generations from Liu Kuan, he got bored, paid for the wine, and left with his entourage.

···
···
March, the warm spring month, is the perfect time for spring outings.

Zhu Biao kept his word and gave Liu Kuan a two-week leave.

Liu Kuan was also quite happy. He had been working for the Zhu family in the Ming Dynasty for so long, and although the treatment was very good, he had very few holidays. Now he finally had two long holidays.

So he discussed with Zhu Huilan and Su Caiwei where to go for a trip.

"Where does Huilan want to go?" Liu Kuan first asked his wife.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Huilan was very considerate and said with a smile, "Wherever my husband wants to go, I will go."

Liu Kuan then asked Su Caiwei, "Caiwei, is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

Su Caiwei also smiled and said, "Of course I will listen to you, Master."

Liu Kuansui pondered and said, "We've been to almost all the tourist attractions in Yingtian Prefecture, so we definitely need to leave Yingtian Prefecture this time."

"But after all, it's only a two-week vacation, not two or three months, so we can't go too far."

"How about we go to Suzhou?"

"Go to Suzhou?" Zhu Huilan and Su Caiwei were both a little surprised. They thought Liu Kuan was going to some famous mountains and rivers, but they didn't expect Liu Kuan to want to go to Suzhou.

Liu Kuandao said, “Suzhou has many beautiful sights and is close to the capital. After we go there, we can not only visit some of the natural beauty and historical sites of Suzhou Prefecture, but also see the people of Suzhou.”

Ultimately, Liu Kuan also wanted to see firsthand how cities outside the capital of the Ming Dynasty were developing.

Suzhou is clearly a good choice.

Zhu Huilan and Su Caiwei had already intended to follow Liu Kuan's lead, so they both nodded in agreement after hearing what he said.

Next, it's time to prepare for the trip.

This time, the three of them do not plan to bring the children.

Firstly, the children still have to go to school, and secondly, there are too many children in the family. If it were only one or two, it wouldn't be a problem for them to take care of the children, but with six children, this trip wouldn't be a vacation, but a trip with the kids.

Liu Kuan's trip was no small matter, and Zhu Huilan also had the status of a princess, so the three of them prepared for a day before setting off the next day.

Unexpectedly, the arrival of one person disrupted Liu Kuan's plans.

The visitor was Li Gui, an old eunuch who served Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Marquis Jiangning, the Emperor Emeritus, having learned that you are going on a trip for half a month, has specially come from Fengyang to keep you company."

Liu Kuan was speechless. He already found it very inconvenient to go out with his wives and concubines with more than ten servants and a captain's guard. Now, Old Zhu had also come along.

It seems that his "honeymoon trip," which is more than a decade overdue, is impossible to realize.

After regaining his composure, Liu Kuan couldn't help but ask, "Li Zhongguan, may I refuse?"

Li Gui laughed and said, "What Marquis Jiangning said is true—this is not an edict from the Emperor Emeritus, so you can naturally refuse, but I'm afraid the Emperor Emeritus will be unhappy if he finds out."

Upon hearing this, Liu Kuan knew that it was impossible for him to truly refuse.

Just think, with Lao Zhu by his side, his safety would be several levels higher.

At worst, when we get to Suzhou, we'll just stay in a different courtyard than Old Zhu.

He then said, “Alright, then I’ll trouble Li Zhongguan to tell the Emperor Emeritus that I’m going to take the train to Suzhou—the train will depart in two hours, so please make the preparations as soon as possible.”

Li Gui smiled and said, "Marquis Jiangning, rest assured, the Emperor Emeritus is already prepared and can depart at any time." (End of Chapter)