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

Lu Chen wanted to see how far the island was from the Northern Kingdom. If it wasn't too far, he would send their ships or have the Dongfang family go to the island to take a look.

Qin Yuwei replied, "That island is in the southeast of Suhai County. It took me about four days to get there with my clansmen."

Lu Chen frowned; it seemed rather far.

If ships are sent south from the North, they must resupply in the coastal cities of Great Xia. Such a large-scale southward expedition, coupled with the current sensitivity of the regional vassal kings, will surely be discovered.

After pondering for a moment, Lu Chen asked, "After the Jiangnan aristocratic families were wiped out, was this island also occupied by the imperial court?"

Qin Yuwei said, "After Sufeng City was captured, I fled to the north, and I don't know what happened after that."

Lu Chen thought for a moment. After the aristocratic families were destroyed, the prisoners of the Wang family would definitely reveal some secrets in order to survive. The secret of this island was probably already known to the Xia Emperor. The Xia Emperor had probably already sent people to occupy the island. Now, there were probably a large number of Xia soldiers stationed on the island.

Sending someone there now would be pointless.

It would be best to wait until after we seize the throne, and then send someone to check out the situation on that island.

Seeing Lu Chen deep in thought, Qin Yuwei also became slightly distracted. At this moment, Qin Yuwei felt that Lu Chen was incredibly handsome and dashing, especially the way he was thinking so earnestly, which stirred the emotions in Qin Yuwei's heart.

Qin Yuwei couldn't help but think that becoming the Northern King's woman would be quite a good thing for her.

Although it is rumored that the Northern King is extremely lustful and debauched, now that I think about it, the Northern King is so handsome, what woman could resist his temptation? So it must have been those women who seduced him, which is why the Northern King had no choice but to have sex with them.

Just as Qin Yuwei was thinking this, Lu Chen suddenly turned his head to look at her. Qin Yuwei felt that she had been caught peeking at him, and her face instantly turned red.

In addition, when Lu Chen treated her illness, he infused her with some warm spiritual energy, which made her feel incredibly warm, even making her body hotter and hotter, and her heart began to become restless.

Seeing Qin Yuwei's pretty face flushed red, looking like a shy young lady from a prominent family, Lu Chen immediately became interested. "Those female officials in the Eastern Palace must have taught you quite a bit, right?"

Qin Yuwei blushed and softly hummed in agreement.

Lu Chen then took off his shoes, lay down on the bed, and said to Qin Yuwei, "Then it depends on your performance."

Lu Chen wasn't exactly a saint, but since Qin Yuwei, a woman who scored over 90 points, had come to him, he was bound to accept her.

Seeing Lu Chen lie down, Qin Yuwei seemed a little lost. Although the female officials had taught her how to do it, this was her first time practicing and serving someone.

In addition, she used to be a young lady from a prestigious family, living a life of luxury. Suddenly being asked to serve a man made her feel extremely ashamed.

However, the thought that only by serving Lu Chen well could she stay in the Northern Prince's Mansion and avoid being sent to brothels and other filthy places in the future prompted her to take immediate action.

Qin Yuwei took off her shoes, then stretched out her delicate hands to help Lu Chen undress.

Lu Chen just lay on the pillow watching her the whole time. He didn't make any move for the time being. He was thinking that if Qin Yuwei was good at serving people, he would ask her to be his teacher and teach his wives and concubines.

So he is currently testing Qin Yuwei to see how good she is.

Qin Yuwei moved very gently and quickly took off Lu Chen's clothes. Seeing that Qin Yuwei was still dressed, Lu Chen said calmly, "Take off your clothes too."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuwei's face turned even redder, and she said softly, "Yes, Your Highness."

She quickly took off her clothes and became completely honest with Lu Chen.

When she looked down and saw something, she couldn't help but feel a little horrified. But thinking that she would only have a better life if she served the prince well, Qin Yuwei quickly overcame her fear and began to serve Lu Chen, giving him a massage.

Watching Qin Yuwei's gentle movements, Lu Chen smiled and said, "It seems that you did indeed study diligently with those female officials when you were in the Eastern Palace."

Hearing this, Qin Yuwei felt extremely humiliated.

In the past, the powerful families of Jiangnan were capable of controlling the throne and opposing the emperor.

At that time, the young masters and ladies of their aristocratic families held very high status. Even princes or noblemen treated them with utmost respect.

Now that her family has been destroyed, she has no choice but to do this to please the Northern King in order to survive.

For a moment, Qin Yuwei felt an overwhelming sense of desolation and sorrow.

She had never imagined that she, a young lady from a wealthy family, would one day be doing these things in front of the Northern King, and even being commented on by him in this way.

Although she felt very sad, Qin Yuwei did not stop what she was doing.

For the rest of the time, Qin Yuwei diligently massaged Lu Chen, but for a young man like Lu Chen, whose vigor was still quite high, Qin Yuwei's approach was not quite up to par.

Lu Chen then simply flipped over and pinned Qin Yuwei down beneath him. Qin Yuwei was startled and was about to say something when Lu Chen covered her mouth with his hand, leaving her only able to make muffled noises.

Lu Chen did not kiss Qin Yuwei; he didn't want to experience certain things. But even without kissing, Qin Yuwei eventually succumbed to his charms.

[Congratulations, host, you have acquired a concubine. Reward: Generator blueprints and ten generator sets.]

[The host cultivates feelings with his wives and concubines once, Qi Refining Technique experience points increase... Mind Control Technique experience points increase by 1000, breaking through to level three...]

……

early morning.

When Qin Yuwei woke up, she found a pair of strong arms tightly wrapped around her slender waist, and her back felt somewhat heavy.

In that instant, she recalled the events of yesterday.

Qin Yuwei buried her head on the pillow, as if trying to escape from everything. After a while, she heard a man's voice in her ear, "What you learned in the Eastern Palace is indeed somewhat useful, but you still need to practice more."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuwei immediately became nervous, unsure whether she had passed Lu Chen's test.

Just as Qin Yuwei was feeling uneasy, Lu Chen continued, "From today onwards, you will be my concubine. You will live in this courtyard. After you take a bath, I will have a maid take you to Fengyun Courtyard to meet the Princess."

Hearing Lu Chen's words, Qin Yuwei finally felt relieved.

She finally passed Lu Chen's test, but she felt that she hadn't served Lu Chen well yesterday; Lu Chen had been more proactive.

But no matter what, she now has a powerful backer, and her illness is cured. If she can continue to live in the Northern Prince's Mansion, even if she can't return to her previous life in Jiangnan, it's still better than being constantly on the move.

Lu Chen didn't stay in bed as usual. He took a shower, changed his clothes, and went to the Council Hall. There was a small court assembly today, and he wouldn't skip it because of a woman.

At the small court meeting, the officials reported on the situation in the various prefectures of the Northern Kingdom this year, and Lu Chen listened attentively.

After all the officials had finished reporting, Lu Chen's gaze fell on the officials from the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Ministry of Agriculture is a newly added department. In order to promote high-yield grain crops as soon as possible and free the Northern Kingdom from food shortages, Lu Chen simply established the Ministry of Agriculture and added some officials to be specifically responsible for the promotion of high-yield grain crops.

Lu Chen asked, "How's the promotion of food crops like potatoes and sweet potatoes going?"

The Minister of Agriculture immediately replied, "Your Highness, according to the current progress, high-yield grain crops will be able to be fully promoted in the North next year. At that time, the people of the North will no longer have to worry about not having enough to eat."

Upon hearing the Minister of Agriculture's reply, Lu Chen smiled slightly. It seemed that the promotion of these grains was progressing much faster than he had imagined.

Very good. He will lead his troops south after next autumn.

Lu Chen then asked some other political questions. About an hour later, the small court meeting ended, and Lu Chen returned to the Northern Prince's Mansion. Just as he was about to go to his study, Lin Wanyun suddenly called out to him from behind.

"Chen... Chen'er..."

Upon hearing Lin Wanyun's voice, Lu Chen turned his head and saw that Lin Wanyun's mature and charming face was slightly flushed, making her appear somewhat shy.

Although Lin Wanyun always called Lu Chen "Chen'er" like Chu Yuqin, she still hadn't gotten used to the name. She often did those kinds of things with this little rascal, and it always felt strange for her to call him Chen'er. However, Lu Chen insisted that she call him that, so she had no choice but to do so.

Lu Chen asked, "Aunt Yun, is there something you need?"

Lin Wanyun took out a letter and handed it to Lu Chen.

"Rongrong wrote that she will be returning to the Prince's Mansion in a few days."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen was taken aback for a moment. He then quickly took the letter from Lin Wanyun's hand, opened the envelope, and began to read it carefully.

The thought of Chen Wanrong's graceful figure, aloof temperament, and stunning beauty stirred a restlessness within Lu Chen.

However, Lu Chen quickly suppressed his inner turmoil and said to Lin Wanyun with a smile, "Aunt Yun, I understand."

"I have something to do, I'll go to the study first."

Lin Wanyun said, "Okay."

Lu Chen then turned and went to the study. Seeing Lu Chen's departing figure, Lin Wanyun sighed slightly.

Not long after Lu Chen arrived at the study, Mo Xing came to the study as well.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Lu Chen hummed in agreement and nodded, his gaze fixed intently on the blueprints in his hands.

Mo Xing was curious about what Lu Chen was looking at.

Just as Mo Xing was about to ask Lu Chen why he had summoned him, Lu Chen said, "The manufacturing process for steam locomotives is now mature. From now on, the manufacturing of steam locomotives and the laying of railway tracks can be handed over to others. I have a more important task for you."

Mo Xing was taken aback. An even more important task?

Lu Chen then handed the blueprints to Mo Xing. Mo Xing took the blueprints and studied them carefully. After a while, Mo Xing asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, what is this?"

Lu Chen replied, "Generator blueprints."

Mo Xing: "???"

This was the first time Mo Xing had ever heard the word "generator," and he had no idea what it was used for.

Lu Chen's lips curled up slightly, and then he asked, "Is this a machine that can create and control lightning?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Xing was completely stunned.

Controlling lightning?

He never dared to even think about such a thing before.

For them, lightning is synonymous with destruction. Since ancient times, people have been terrified of lightning in the sky, associating it with doing bad things, such as being struck by lightning.

Mo Xing never imagined that there would be machines in this world capable of controlling lightning.

If this machine could be invented...

Wait, even if this machine is invented, what use would it be?

Is it used as a weapon?

For example, unleashing lightning to attack enemies? (End of Chapter)