Having many children brings many blessings; the struggle for power begins with marriage.

Chapter 232 It's time to incorporate the North into the Northern Kingdom.

After defeating Lin Wanyun, Lu Chen felt refreshed. Although he hadn't slept all night, he wasn't sleepy at all because of his Grandmaster physique.

Lu Chen sat at the table in the main hall, eating breakfast while humming a little tune.

At this moment, Mu Zixuan was feeding her child not far away. Seeing that Lu Chen was so happy so early in the morning, Mu Zixuan asked curiously, "Your Highness, did something happy happen to you just now?"

Lu Chen put down the bowl in his hand and asked, "How did you figure that out?"

Mu Zixuan chuckled and then said, "After the prince returned, he kept humming a little tune, and his mood was written all over his face, so I could naturally tell."

Lu Chen smiled and said, "Is that so? It seems I can't keep secrets at all."

At this moment, Lu Chen suddenly thought of something and said, "By the way, I recently obtained a method for making salt. The eastern part of the Northern Kingdom is near the sea. Why don't you recruit some workers to go to the east to make salt?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Zixuan paused for a moment, then asked, "Your Highness, does the Prince's residence also need to produce salt? Isn't it inappropriate to entrust this matter to me?"

Lu Chen said with doubt, "My dear consort, you must have already heard that the imperial court has abolished the state monopoly on salt production, so we vassal kings can now produce salt privately."

Mu Zixuan said, "That's not what I meant. What I meant was that the ownership of the salt industry is a matter of great importance and should be handed over to the small court in the North."

Although the Northern Prince's Palace and the Northern Kingdom's small court are not completely separated in some aspects, such as the money earned by the Northern Prince's Palace being allocated to the Northern Kingdom's treasury from time to time, people are also aware that as the Northern Kingdom's regime gradually stabilizes, the Northern Kingdom's small court and the Northern Prince's Palace will definitely have to be separated to some extent. For example, the issue of the harem not being allowed to interfere in politics will have to be raised sooner or later.

Although the Great Xia Dynasty has liberalized the salt industry, if the salt industry is liberalized in remote areas like the North, the price of salt might skyrocket. The people are already very poor, and if the price of salt rises too ridiculously, they won't be able to afford salt at all.

It would be better to have unified management of the salt industry operation rights. The salt industry operation rights represent politics. Mu Zixuan knew that she was just Lu Chen's princess, a woman, and the harem could not interfere in politics at will.

Salt production is not an economic issue, but a political one.

If Lu Chen insists on letting her interfere in the management of salt production, it means that Lu Chen's plan is to liberalize the salt industry's operating rights. Because if the operating rights are liberalized, it doesn't matter who produces salt, and there is no question of her interfering in politics. However, once the salt industry's operating rights are liberalized, it is easy for salt prices to rise arbitrarily.

Upon hearing Mu Zixuan's words, Lu Chen instantly understood her meaning. He then said, "The salt-making process doesn't need to be left to the officials. Just let the people from the Prince's Mansion do it. Besides, the production method I obtained is better, and the salt produced will be high-quality and won't taste bitter. I don't want the salt-making method to be leaked yet."

"As for the issue of salt industry operating rights, that can be easily resolved. At that time, a portion of the profits from salt production at the Prince's Palace will be turned over to the national treasury. In addition, I will establish a salt monopoly bureau, which will only be responsible for selling salt and not for producing it."

Anyway, this era was still a family-run empire, and even the entire Northern Kingdom belonged to him. What did it matter that he had the royal palace produce salt? Besides, he was the one who came up with the method of salt production. It was already quite generous of him to hand over a portion of the profits from salt sales to the national treasury.

As things stand, he still holds absolute power in the Northern Kingdom, and the small court is entirely under his control, so no one dares to say anything.

With so many properties owned by the Prince's Mansion, no official in the Northern Kingdom dared to accuse the Prince's Mansion of competing with the people for profit.

Of course, only Lu Chen could do this. If other princes wanted to do it, those powerful families would definitely jump out to oppose it.

Mu Zixuan said, "I understand. I will send some workers to the seaside to make salt later."

Lu Chen then quickly ate breakfast. After finishing his meal, he got up and left the main hall, heading to Wang Qingci's courtyard.

When he left the study just now, the maid told him that Wang Qingci had come to see him last night, and that Wang Qingci probably had something to say.

However, as soon as Lu Chen stepped out of the main hall, he saw a beautiful figure in a red dress leaning against the courtyard wall. Wang Qingci's S-shaped figure was incredibly alluring, with a curvaceous and voluptuous body.

Before Wang Qingci could speak, Lu Chen said with a smile, "What business does Lord Wang have with me?"

Wang Qingci replied with a smile, "I am here to seek you out because I have important information."

"Your Highness has been incredibly busy lately. Even if I were to report some information to you, it would take all night."

Lu Chen walked up to Wang Qingci at this moment, his hand naturally resting on her slender waist. "Lord Wang, shall we go to your room or my study?"

Hearing this question, Wang Qingci rolled her eyes at Lu Chen. She knew that Lu Chen hadn't slept all night, so she wasn't worried that he would argue with her later. Therefore, she said, "Let's go to my room instead."

Lu Chen and Lin Wanyun spent the whole night in the study last night, so the smell in the study is probably a bit strong now. Anyway, she was just reporting information to Lu Chen, so it doesn't matter where she reports it.

Lu Chen said, "Okay."

Lu Chen then put his arm around Wang Qingci's slender waist and led her to her bedroom. As soon as they entered the room, Lu Chen placed her on the couch and then pressed himself against her.

Wang Qingci was stunned for a moment, thinking that Lu Chen was going to do something to her, but she quickly realized that she was overthinking it. After Lu Chen fell onto the couch, he wrapped his arms around Wang Qingci's waist and rolled over, holding her on his side as if he were holding a pillow.

Lu Chen nestled into her arms, took a deep breath of her fragrance, and said, "Tell me, what are the recent movements of the major dynasties? Just report directly. I'll put the paper intelligence on my desk in my study later. I didn't sleep last night, let me take a nap first."

Wang Qingci came to her senses. She knew it! How could Lu Chen possibly argue with her at this time? Lu Chen had been busy in the study all night. Even if he was a Grandmaster, he still needed to rest.

Then, Wang Qingci let Lu Chen hold her soft body and said, "The students of Huanyu Academy originally wanted to pass through the Great Xia Dynasty and come directly to the Northern Kingdom, but they were driven to the Great Wu Dynasty by the Great Xia army. The reason given by the Great Xia army was that they were afraid that they would spread the plague, so it will probably take some time for those students to reach the Northern Kingdom."

If they traveled directly from other counties of the Great Xia Dynasty, the students of Huanyu Academy could reach the Northern Kingdom in three months at most. But now, by taking a detour through the Great Wu Dynasty and then crossing the Great Yue Dynasty, it would probably take four or five months to reach the Northern Kingdom.

Lu Chen held Wang Qingci's soft, fragrant body tightly in his arms and said calmly, "I understand. Is there any other information?"

Wang Qingci continued, "It is said that the eldest princess of the Great Wu Dynasty went to the southwest region of Great Wu to negotiate with the rebel leader, intending to incorporate the rebels."

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen immediately lifted his head from Wang Qingci's soft, fragrant embrace, then turned to look at her. "Shouldn't it be her going to negotiate? A princess, going to negotiate with the rebel leader?"

Wang Qingci said, "Indeed, it wasn't her who went at first. Emperor Wu wanted to quell the rebellion by force. At the same time, in order to accumulate some merit for his two sons, he sent his two sons to lead troops to suppress the rebels. As a result, both of his sons suffered defeats, resulting in heavy losses for them."

"At the urging of Chancellor Chai Jiliang, Emperor Wu agreed to peace talks again. Because Princess Da Wu had always had a good reputation among the people, she was chosen to go and negotiate with the rebel leader."

Upon hearing Wang Qingci's words, Lu Chen smiled and said, "That's interesting. It seems that in a few decades, another empress will appear in this world."

"However, since ancient times, there has never been a half-hearted rebellion. Those rebel leaders probably won't agree to surrender to the Great Wu Dynasty, right?"

Upon hearing Lu Chen's words, Wang Qingci said with a smile, "Your Highness is mistaken. I have heard that some rebel leaders in the southwest of Dawu have already planned to surrender and have chosen to join the Princess."

This……

Lu Chen was stunned again.

If they start a rebellion halfway through, aren't those guys afraid of being held accountable later?

Lu Chen asked, "Is this information accurate?"

Wang Qingci replied, "That's right. Some rebels do intend to surrender to the Great Wu Dynasty, but there are also some who refuse to surrender. Those who refuse to surrender are basically aristocratic families from the southwestern region of Great Wu."

Lu Chen smiled. Those aristocratic families indeed had no way out. If they were ordinary people, even if they rebelled, the rulers might eventually choose not to punish the masses because of the large number of people involved. But it was different for those aristocratic families. Their rebellion was clearly aimed at overthrowing the rule of the Great Wu royal family. Even if they surrendered, they would definitely be purged in the end. Therefore, the war in Great Wu would continue for some time.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen felt relieved. The situation in Great Xia was quite chaotic. If Great Wu recovered at this time, given the personality of the Martial Emperor, he might immediately send troops to attack Great Xia.

Although Lu Chen is not yet the emperor of Great Xia, in his eyes the entire Great Xia Dynasty will be his sooner or later, and he does not want to see Great Xia occupied by Great Wu.

At this moment, Wang Qingci continued, "In addition, there is another piece of information about the Dayue Dynasty."

Lu Chen asked curiously, "Information about Da Yue? Has anything happened to Da Yue recently?"

Compared to other dynasties, Dayue has always been relatively peaceful. Apart from having 200,000 troops stationed in the border area with the northern kingdom, they have not made any moves.

Wang Qingci said, "The barbarians are moving south, and the 200,000 troops of Dayuetun in the border area with the northern kingdom have been gradually transferred to the northwest region to fight against the barbarians."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen fell into deep thought.

Although the main tribes of the northern barbarians had been wiped out, there were still quite a few barbarians in the north. The barbarians were divided into several large tribes, each with its own royal court.

Originally, these tribes were unified, but after the death of one of their chief leaders, these tribes declared themselves kings. Among them, the Sirius King Tribe and the Northern Xian King Tribe moved to the north, while the other tribes remained in the northwest region.

Like the Great Xia, Dayue suffers from invasions by barbarian tribes every year. Moreover, the number of barbarian tribes in the northwest far exceeds that in the north, so the southward migration of barbarians from the northwest will bring great pressure to Dayue.

Lu Chen thought to himself that now that Dayue was resisting the invasion of the barbarians, it meant that none of the major dynasties had time to pay attention to him.

It's time to bring the Northland into the Northern Kingdom!

After the northern lands are incorporated into the northern kingdom, the area of ​​the northern kingdom will likely exceed that of the Great Xia Dynasty. When the northern kingdom develops further, it will not be a problem for him to directly declare himself emperor in the northern kingdom.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen's lips curled up slightly. He buried his head in Wang Qingci's soft, warm body again and continued to sleep with his eyes closed.

At this moment, Wang Qingci said, "That's all the information I have to report. Does Your Highness have any further instructions?"

Lu Chen, nestled in Wang Qingci's arms, asked, "Has the Qian family made any moves lately?"

Wang Qingci replied, "The Qian family has been quite active lately, but compared to the previous period, they seem to have kept a lower profile."

Lu Chen said, "Keep an eye on them."

Wang Qingci replied, "Yes, Your Highness."

Lu Chen then took another deep breath of Wang Qingci's fragrance and said, "Alright, if there's nothing else, don't say anything. Let me hold you and take a nap."

Upon hearing this, Wang Qingci smiled slightly, then fell silent. She rested her delicate chin on the top of Lu Chen's head, and then raised her jade-like arms to hug him.

Holding Wang Qingci's soft, delicate body, Lu Chen quickly drifted off to sleep.

Time flies, and before long, it was time for Zhou Youyou to give birth.

Lu Chen hadn't left the Prince's Mansion recently, and he happened to be there on the day Zhou Youyou gave birth. He arrived at Zhou Youyou's delivery room early in the morning to wait for her.

With Lu Chen standing by her bedside, Zhou Youyou wasn't worried about what might happen later.

At this moment, Lin Wanyun stood outside the delivery room with Chu Yuqin and the others, waiting. Lin Wanyun's thoughts were somewhat chaotic. In the past few days, Lu Chen had been having sexual relations with her, trying to get her pregnant. She felt that she had been completely marked by Lu Chen.

The thought of having Lu Chen's child in the future made Lin Wanyun blush and her face burn.

No, no, she had to find the antidote quickly so she could help Rongrong escape. She couldn't keep thinking about having a child with this little rascal; by the time she got pregnant, who knew when that would be?

At this moment, Chu Yuqin looked at Lin Wanyun and said, "Sister Lin, why is your face so red?"

Lin Wanyun snapped out of her daze and quickly said, "Oh, I'm fine. I just went a little crazy while practicing my martial arts these past few days."

Hearing this, Chu Yuqin was stunned for a moment.

Going crazy?

Then Chu Yuqin noticed that Lin Wanyun also had many red marks on her neck, similar to those on Chu Qingli's neck. Chu Yuqin said, "Sister Lin, how come you've also gone mad from practicing martial arts?"

Lin Wanyun asked in confusion, "Could it be that someone else in the Prince's mansion has suffered a qi deviation while practicing martial arts?"

Chu Yuqin said, "Yes, Qingli has been frequently suffering from qi deviation in the past few months. Look at the red marks on her neck; they were left when she suffered qi deviation during her practice."

"It's strange, how come so many red and purple marks appear on your necks after you all suffer from qi deviation during your practice?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanyun and Chu Qingli, who was not far away, were stunned. They turned to look at each other at the same time and found that the mark on the other person's neck was indeed the same as their own.

Seeing this, Chu Qingli sneered inwardly. That lecherous man hadn't even spared Lin Wanyun.

She realized that Lu Chen had no intention of letting any of the beautiful women in the inner courtyard go.

No, she had to hurry and complete the deal with Lu Chen so she could rescue her sister.

After all her hard work, she and Lu Chen only have a few more deals left, so she needs to speed things up.

Although they could tell that their bodies and minds were probably already shaped like Lu Chen's, Chu Qingli and Lin Wanyun tacitly kept quiet. They both turned their heads to look at the delivery room, pretending that nothing had happened.

(End of this chapter)