A sickly fellow ridiculed by the entire army? I'll be the most beautiful woman in the barracks!

The next day, Zhao Daxuan woke up early as usual. Although he had been busy until late at night the night before, he was still in high spirits when he woke up today.

As he pushed open the door and walked towards the main hall, Zhao Daxuan, who was passing by the study, let out a soft exclamation.

At that moment, a woman was crouching on a table in the study, writing something. Zhao Daxuan looked closely and realized that the woman was Shen Qingci.

Zhao Daxuan frowned. Shen Qingci hadn't gone to bed much earlier than him last night, but she had woken up earlier than him.

"Qingci, what are you writing? Why don't you sleep a little longer?"

Zhao Daxuan couldn't help but go inside and ask softly.

Upon hearing the question, Shen Qingci, who was engrossed in writing, was slightly startled. She raised her head, revealing a slightly tired face, and even her eyes seemed a little dim.

Upon seeing Zhao Daxuan, Shen Qingci quickly concealed her fatigue, mustered her spirits, and put on a smile.

"Ah, it's you, my husband. I couldn't sleep, so I got up to write a letter to General Yue and the imperial court, mainly about the legality of mining iron ore."

"Since we have a gold mine, we can't just let it sit idle. We should take action as soon as possible so that we can generate income sooner."

A look of heartache flashed across Zhao Daxuan's face. He couldn't help but pull Shen Qingci up and said softly, "You were so tired yesterday, and you still got up so early to worry about these things. You've really worked hard."

Shen Qingci took the opportunity to throw herself into Zhao Daxuan's arms, her face pressed tightly against his chest, and instantly a familiar masculine scent wafted over her.

A satisfied smile appeared on Shen Qingci's face as she said softly, "Husband, there's not much I can do to help you. I can only do my best in these minor matters."

Zhao Daxuan raised an eyebrow, feigning anger, and said, "Nonsense! If it weren't for your advice these past few times, I don't know how many opportunities I would have missed and how much loss I would have suffered!"

Shen Qingci chuckled and shook her head, saying, "Nonsense! I was just adding icing on the cake."

After saying that, she pushed Zhao Daxuan away and said softly, "My report on mining is almost finished. Wait until I finish writing it."

Zhao Daxuan nodded and stood aside watching Shen Qingci finish writing the rest of the memorial with a flourish.

Shen Qingci picked up the memorial, blew on the ink, and handed it to Zhao Daxuan, saying, "Husband, take a look."

Zhao Daxuan took the memorial and glanced at it. Then, looking at Shen Qingci with admiration, he gave her a thumbs-up and exclaimed, "Truly worthy of being the most talented woman in the capital! It's wonderfully written!"

"This memorial not only claimed to uphold the noble cause of 'defending the country's borders' but also stated that it wouldn't cost the court any money and would be 100% approved, thus completely turning mining into a legitimate official activity."

Shen Qingci smiled. "In these times of war, the border regions have the authority to act expediently; we are merely following the trend."

Zhao Daxuan nodded in agreement, "That's true. Mining is no easy task. It would be better to report it as soon as possible and start mining sooner."

After reviewing it again and finding no room for change, Zhao Daxuan took the official seal, stamped it on, and said with a smile, "I'll arrange for it to be sent to Zhenbei City right away!"

Shen Qingci reminded him again, "Husband, we must find a suitable metallurgist today!"

"These are the most important core figures in gold mining. Without these people, the gold we extract simply cannot be refined into gold."

"And it would be best to find people who have attachments, whose families we can keep with us as hostages. After all, mining gold is a serious matter, and we must be cautious in everything we do."

"There is also that mine that needs to be sealed off and guarded. No one is allowed to approach it. Anyone found there will be arrested as a Tartar spy. If anyone dares to resist, they will be killed without mercy."

Zhao Daxuan nodded seriously, "I understand, I'll make the arrangements in a bit."

The two then discussed in detail the mining and protection measures, mainly to ensure confidentiality and risk prevention, and to eliminate all possibilities of leakage.

Just as Zhao Daxuan and his companion were having a heated discussion, Li Shishi and the others, rubbing their sleepy eyes, came out of their respective rooms.

Seeing Zhao Daxuan and the others get up so early to discuss business, Li Shishi and the others felt a little embarrassed.

Li Shishi said, "Husband, you're up so early discussing important matters; it makes us seem lazy!"

Zhao Daxuan laughed heartily, "Shishi, what are you saying? You two stayed up so late with me last night, I was too worried about you to care. What's wrong with staying up a little late?"

"If you ask me, you guys are still up early; the sun hasn't even hit your butts yet!"

Li Shishi smiled and said, "But speaking of which, besides coming to see you, we also wanted to see if there's anything we could do to help here at Black Mountain Pass."

Li Weiwei nodded in agreement, "Yes, husband, if there's anything we can help you with, just let us know!"

Lin Zhiqing nodded repeatedly, looking at Zhao Daxuan with anticipation.

Zhao Daxuan was stunned. He was taken aback when he saw these delicate beauties insisting on coming up to him and asking if there was anything they could help with.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Daxuan said, "Speaking of which, there are indeed some things I need your help with!"

Li Shishi and the others' eyes lit up, and they all listened intently.

"Shishi and Weiwei, you two can go and install that steam-powered machinery right now. It's north of Black Mountain Pass!"

"Although the northern pass is currently blocked by rubble, preventing the Tartar army from passing through, it will soon be cleared. Placing steam machinery at the Black Mountain Pass will greatly enhance its defensive capabilities."

"Also, regarding city defense, you can use your expertise in mechanical arts to think of ways to enhance the defensive capabilities."

"Nowadays, guarding the Heishan Pass is guarding the nation's borders!"

Li Shishi and her sister smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, husband! Leave this little thing to us."

Lin Zhiqing asked anxiously, "Husband, what about me?"

Seeing Lin Zhiqing's anxious expression, Zhao Daxuan couldn't help but tease her, "Zhiqing, you just need to be as beautiful as a flower! Haha..."

Li Weiwei and the other girls covered their mouths and chuckled.

A blush rose to Lin Zhiqing's face, and she said reproachfully, "I'm serious! Husband, please don't tease me!"

After a while of playful banter, Zhao Daxuan stopped smiling and said seriously, "Alright, alright, stop fooling around! Zhiqing, we need your assistance with some specific matters regarding the iron and gold mine you discovered."

"Especially for associated gold mines, it is essential to take strict confidentiality measures and not let anyone else know! This matter will require us to live a life of hardship, but I will send people to protect you."

Shen Qingci shook her head. "I'm not afraid of hardship. As long as I can help my husband, I'm not afraid of any hardship."

A warm feeling washed over Zhao Daxuan; he naturally trusted the women implicitly.

After having breakfast together, the group went about their own business.

Shen Qing resigned from the orphanage, Li Shishi and her sister took charge of setting up the steam machinery, and Lin Zhiqing set off with five hundred sword and shield soldiers to the mine.