The Prodigal Son

Ok?

Qin Yu's eyelids twitched.

Is that so?

Could it be that she has the same idea?

Qin Yu pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "I believe this is indeed a good opportunity to occupy the Min Kingdom! Although the Min Kingdom has been on good terms with our dynasty, that has always been based on the fact that the old emperor of Min was still alive! Now that the old emperor of Min has passed away, even if the court supports Yu Jing to succeed to the throne, it is still hard to say whether Yu Jing will be on good terms with our Great Ning like his father was..."

Instead of doing that, why not take this opportunity to incorporate the seven prefectures of Min Kingdom into the territory of Da Ning!

Take advantage of his illness and kill him!

As for morality and such, that's all nonsense!

Between nations, there's not much morality to speak of!

"Conquering the Min Kingdom won't be that easy!"

Zhao Luan frowned and said, "Although the Min Kingdom is on good terms with our dynasty, if we directly occupy the Min Kingdom, it may provoke a large-scale resistance from the Min people. At that time, our dynasty may get bogged down in a quagmire of war, thus affecting our grand plan to destroy Yan..."

She certainly wanted to conquer the Min Kingdom.

This is territorial expansion!

The terrain of Min State was relatively flat and the land was quite fertile.

This is a huge piece of fatty meat, how could she not want to eat it?

Moreover, once the Min Kingdom is occupied, Da Ning can completely eliminate the potential threat to its eastern border and open up a sea outlet to the east.

In the future, whether it is to develop foreign trade or to attack the Chu or Yan states, there will be another route of attack.

Qin Yu glanced at Zhao Luan's expression and said solemnly, "I believe that such a matter certainly has both advantages and disadvantages! But we cannot miss such a great opportunity because we are worried about this and that!"

Zhao Luan lowered her head in deep thought, a resolute glint flashing in her eyes.

After a moment, Zhao Luan raised her eyelids and looked at Qin Yu with deep eyes.

"If possible, I hope Yu Jing will die in battle before the rebellion is quelled!"

"It would be even better if he could die at the hands of the Yan people!"

Upon hearing Zhao Luan's words, Qin Yu's heart skipped a beat.

Dirty gloves!

She's trying to be her dirty glove!

Qin Yu pondered for a moment, then replied, "I will do my utmost!"

"I believe you can do it!"

Zhao Luan nodded and smiled.

Qin Yu rolled his eyes inwardly and said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty really thinks highly of me."

"It is precisely because I think highly of you that I have entrusted you with such an important task!"

Zhao Luan pursed her thin lips and continued, "If the Yan Kingdom occupies Guanzhou, you can try to deepen the hatred between the Min Kingdom and the Yan Kingdom."

Qin Yu frowned slightly. "Your Majesty, Commander Fang is the commander-in-chief of this battle. Shouldn't you send someone to convey these matters to Commander Fang?"

Zhao Luan looked intently at Qin Yu, "I will send someone to deliver a secret edict to Fang Junji, but I also hope you can do these things yourself, taking the opportunity to hone your skills! Completely conquering a country is not as easy as you think! I don't want the Min Kingdom to be plagued by constant rebellions in the future..."

Zhao Luan spoke quietly.

However, Qin Yu was terrified upon hearing this.

Although Zhao Luan didn't say some things explicitly, he had already guessed the hidden meanings.

The goal is to incite conflict between the Min and Yan states, and even the Chu state, to deplete their manpower, while also making the people of Min feel grateful to them, believing that Da Ning has saved them, and thus submit to Da Ning.

After all these actions of hers, the young and strong in Min Kingdom will probably be almost wiped out!

Damn it!

This woman doesn't seem like a good person!

Is this the art of imperial rule?

Those who can hold this position are definitely no pushovers!

Zhao Luan keenly noticed Qin Yu's expression and roughly guessed what he was thinking.

Just as she was about to ask Qin Yu, she suddenly heard a pattering sound outside.

"It's raining! It's raining..."

Immediately afterwards, a noisy and excited sound rang out from outside.

It's raining?

Zhao Luan immediately swallowed the words that were about to come out, and quickly got up and walked outside.

Shangguan Youyi gave Qin Yu a wink and quickly followed.

When they came outside, rainwater was already flowing down the eaves.

Under the lamplight, a curtain of rain formed outside, almost completely obscuring the view.

"Your Majesty! It's raining! It's pouring rain!"

Yunying, who was reaching out to catch the rainwater flowing from the eaves, turned around and shouted happily to Zhao Luan.

Since the beginning of spring, the imperial city has only experienced one decent rain in May.

Although there were a few light rains later, they weren't very significant.

Due to insufficient rainfall, the water level of the Qujiang River, which originates from Diecui Mountain to the west of the imperial city, has dropped significantly, making the Grand Canal, which connects the Qujiang River and the Pingjiang River to the south, very narrow and severely affecting the passage of ships.

If this heavy rain covers a wider area, it should significantly raise the water level of the Qujiang River.

If this rain were to reach Tongzhou, it could even completely relieve the drought there.

The heavy rain came a little late, but it finally arrived.

"Yes! It's raining!"

Zhao Luan gazed at the rain before her and murmured, "Rain at this time is a good omen!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Luan walked straight into the rain.

Upon seeing this, Shangguan Youyi quickly ordered the palace maids, "Bring an umbrella!"

"No need! I just want to get some rain!"

Zhao Luan's voice pierced through the rain, "Qin Yu, come and get soaked in this timely rain with me!"

Getting caught in the rain?

Qin Yu's face darkened.

Why did you go out in the rain for no reason?

Do you have masochistic tendencies?

You can get soaked in the rain all by yourself, but why did you have to drag me along?

Qin Yu was internally cursing, but he couldn't refuse, so he could only follow into the rain.

Shangguan Youyi and Yun Ying looked at each other simultaneously, both with a hint of doubt on their faces.

Zhao Luan did not go far, stopping a few feet away from the Imperial Study, letting the heavy rain soak her.

By the time we arrived, the light shining on us was already very dim.

Qin Yu approached Zhao Luan and glanced at her as she closed her eyes, looking completely relaxed.

She seemed to be saying: Let the storm rage on!

The rain soaked Zhao Luan to the bone, and her waterlogged imperial robe clung to her body, highlighting her graceful figure.

Glistening raindrops clung to her eyelashes, and her face, wet with rain, showed no fragility, only aloofness and cold beauty.

As he watched, Qin Yu suddenly felt a jolt.

Ah!

I deserve to die!

At a time like this, I still have the mind to think about all sorts of nonsense.

Do you think I'm too ruthless?

Just then, Zhao Luan's calm voice rang in his ears.

"No, no!"

Qin Yu wiped the rain from his face. "Your Majesty's foresight is truly admirable!"

"Your eyes betrayed you!"

Zhao Luan naturally didn't believe Qin Yu's nonsense. "I'm not afraid of people saying I'm ruthless, but I don't want you to harbor resentment towards me because of it! I am the Empress of Da Ning. There are some things I don't want to do, but for the peace of Da Ning, I must do them!"

"what?"

Qin Yu was taken aback, then looked at Zhao Luan with a wry smile, "Is my image in Your Majesty's eyes really that good?"

"What do you mean?"

Zhao Luan was puzzled.

"Your Majesty doesn't think I'm some kind of saint, does he?"

Qin Yu smiled, then said seriously, "If the result of expanding our territory is that the court is bogged down in war, then from His Majesty to all the civil and military officials, everyone will be a sinner against Great Ning!"