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

Lu Chen took a quick shower and then rushed to the study without even having breakfast.

The system rewards this time are much more plentiful than before, when the rewards were mostly single rewards.

Lu Chen went to the study, closed the door, and opened the system again.

Now that we have generators and lead-acid batteries, telegraph machines can be used in distant places, making it easier for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to transmit intelligence. Moreover, the Northern Prince's Mansion can know immediately what happens in distant places.

Sometimes wars are fought by information asymmetry; whoever has more intelligence and receives it more promptly is more likely to gain the upper hand in the shortest time.

After glancing at the telegraph machine and lead-acid batteries, Lu Chen's gaze fell on Yelü Nanyan's pregnancy reward.

Rice is the staple food of Daxia, and it is mainly grown in the south. It seems that only after conquering the entire Daxia can these rice seeds be put to use.

As for soybeans, they are also well-suited for cultivation in the north. Once soybeans and corn are widely planted and cultivated on a large scale in the north, livestock will have feed, and ordinary people will be able to eat meat.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen's lips curled up slightly. It seemed that people should hurry up and reclaim the wasteland. There was still so much fertile land in the north. Most of that land was black soil, which basically did not need much fertilizer and could yield a good harvest no matter what it was planted.

Once all the wasteland in the north is cleared and planted with grain, there will be no more famine, not only in the northern kingdoms but also in the Great Xia Dynasty, except in years with natural disasters.

Lu Chen's gaze finally settled on the three catties of spirit rice.

Lu Chen asked the system curiously, "What is spirit rice? Is it a type of rice?"

[Spirit rice is a spiritual plant that resembles regular rice in appearance. Consuming it can greatly enhance a cultivator's cultivation speed. However, spirit rice needs to be planted in areas with relatively abundant spiritual energy; otherwise, the yield will be significantly reduced.]

After hearing the system's notification, Lu Chen looked at the spirit rice seeds on the system interface and wondered what use the spirit rice seeds the system was giving him, given how scarce the spiritual energy was in this world.

Even if we can plant them, we probably won't be able to harvest much. We might not even be able to harvest a single grain of spirit rice from a single seed.

Moreover, compared to the rice and soybean seeds rewarded by the system, three catties of spirit rice seeds are really too little.

Most importantly, where could he find a place with abundant spiritual energy to grow spirit rice?

Well, this spirit rice isn't particularly important to him. He'll just take some to plant and see how it goes. Anyway, it's only three catties, and three catties won't yield much spirit rice.

At this moment, Lu Chen said to the maid at the door, "Xiao Huan, have someone fetch Mo Xing. I have something to discuss with him."

Lu Chen planned to give Mo Xing the blueprints for making the telegraph machine and lead-acid batteries so that Mo Xing and his team could try to make them first. As for how to use the telegraph machine, they would find someone to teach them after it was made. Anyway, the system also provided a user manual when it delivered the telegraph machine, and Lu Chen believed that the Embroidered Uniform Guards would be able to learn it in no time.

……

Around 10 a.m., a crowd gathered in front of the Oriental Daily News office. As soon as the newspaper vendors took the newspapers out, they were immediately sold out.

After people bought the newspapers, they all started discussing them animatedly.

"Is what the newspaper says true or false? Our prince can actually restrain lightning and use it for lighting?"

"It's probably true. Last night, the entire Northern Prince's mansion was as bright as day. And if the Northern Prince's mansion can even build a train that doesn't need horses, what can't they do!"

"Isn't controlling lightning a divine ability? Does that mean Your Highness has already become an immortal?"

"Our prince is the chosen one of destiny. What's so special about controlling lightning? I wouldn't be surprised if one day he could move mountains and fill seas!"

……

After Mo Xing arrived at the Northern Prince's Mansion, Lu Chen explained the functions of the telegraph machine and lead-acid battery to him. The explanation lasted for several hours, and Mo Xing did not leave the study until one o'clock in the afternoon.

Unfortunately, people in ancient times had no exposure to these things, and they weren't very clear about the basic principles, so explaining them was quite difficult.

Lu Chen felt that he, a slacker, was almost turning into a top student recently. In order to explain the principle of generators, what electricity is, and how telegraph machines work to Mo Xing and the others, he first had to check the system's principles and user manual.

In other words, he needs to learn it once before explaining it to Mo Xing and the other ancient people. Lu Chen had never been exposed to these things in his previous life, especially telegraph machines. When he was born, smartphones were already in use, so who still sent telegraphs?

After Mo Xing left, Lu Chen came out of the study, stretched, and felt very tired.

Giving lectures is tiring, mainly mentally.

Just as Lu Chen was about to go to Fengyun Courtyard for lunch, a maid ran up and said, "Your Highness, Her Highness the Princess asked me to inquire if you are free tonight. She would like to invite you to admire the moon."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen chuckled.

Moon gazing?

What's there to admire about the moon?

He's just a boorish man; he doesn't know anything about appreciating the moon. Besides, Wu Yunwan isn't unaware of who she is. If he went to Wu Yunwan's courtyard, he probably wouldn't be appreciating the moon, but rather appreciating her.

Lu Chen had actually guessed why Wu Junwan wanted to see him. Most likely, the electric light last night had shocked her quite a bit, so she wanted to ask him about electricity.

Lu Chen didn't really care about revealing some things, since she had already told Wu Junwan, and Wu Junwan wouldn't learn it anyway.

Lu Chen then said, "Alright, go and tell her that I will be at the banquet on time tonight."

"Yes, Your Highness, this servant takes her leave."

……

It was evening.

Wu Yunwan and Murong Xue'er sat in the pavilion, bathed in the red glow of the setting sun, making them look even more beautiful and charming, exuding the allure of mature women.

Murong Xue'er asked, "Your Highness, since you wanted to admire the moon with the Prince, there was no need to drag this servant along."

Murong Xue'er knew Lu Chen too well; she didn't believe he had the leisure or inclination for such things.

No matter how beautiful the scenery, it's all meaningless in front of Lu Chen; Lu Chen's eyes are always only for beautiful women.

Inviting Lu Chen to their courtyard is tantamount to inviting a wolf into the house. Wu Yunwan will most likely not get any sleep tonight, and Murong Xue'er has no intention of getting involved in their affairs.

Although Murong Xue'er also needed Lu Chen's care, she was a normal person and didn't crave men every day.

Since moving into the Northern Prince's Mansion, she has been able to maintain a state of celibacy for a considerable period of time after each intimate encounter with Lu Chen.

Wu Yunwan picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip of tea, and said, "Since you live in the same courtyard as me, you should naturally stand with me in times of need."

Last time, Wu Yunwan was repeatedly reprimanded by Lu Chen for half a month, which left her with some psychological trauma. This time, she was smarter. Since Murong Xue'er was also in her courtyard, why not bring Murong Xue'er along to see Lu Chen?

Murong Xue'er was stunned when she heard Wu Yunwan's words.

What does Wu Yunwan mean by this?

Could it be that she still wants to drag me into that kind of thing with Bei Wangxing?

Are you kidding me...?

She's not that kind of woman!

At this moment, the maids in the courtyard began to get busy. Since it was a moon-viewing event, they naturally had to make some preparations.

Soon the pavilion was decorated, with maids preparing tea and pastries, and a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) was also placed inside.

As the sun sets and night falls, a full moon hangs in the sky.

At this moment, Wu Yunwan gently stroked the zither with her fingers and began to play.

Lu Chen quickly appeared at the entrance of the courtyard. Seeing so many things prepared inside the pavilion, Lu Chen smiled slightly and couldn't help but think to himself that Wu Junwan was getting more and more adventurous, making the prelude so elegant.

Although Wu Yunwan had noticed that Lu Chen had entered the courtyard, she did not stop playing the zither, and the music continued to echo in the courtyard.

Lu Chen quietly sat down in the pavilion, and Murong Xue'er immediately poured him a cup of tea. Neither of them spoke, but simply listened quietly to Wu Junwan's playing.

The song ended.

Wu Yunwan looked at Lu Chen, "Your Highness, what did you think of my playing?"

Lu Chen said calmly, "It sounds nice. It reminds me of an old friend."

Wu Yunwan asked, "Is the old friend Your Highness referring to a woman?"

Lu Chen said with a smile, "The eldest princess is truly clever."

Wu Yunwan said, "I wonder which of the prince's confidantes is it that makes the prince so unforgettable."

Lu Chen picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said with a smile, "You'll be able to see her in a while."

Wu Junwan said, "Oh? Is that so? Then I must take a good look. The one who can make the prince so unforgettable must be a great beauty."

Lu Chen smiled but didn't say anything.

At this moment, Wu Yunwan said to Murong Xue'er, who was standing beside her, "Xue'er, I've heard that you are proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Why don't you play a piece for us?"

Murong Xue'er was somewhat unwilling. Wu Yunwan wanted a man and lured Lu Chen here, but now she was expected to perform in front of Lu Chen.

Although reluctant, Murong Xue'er still said, "Then this servant will make a fool of herself."

Then Wu Yunwan got up and switched places with Murong Xue'er. Murong Xue'er sat in front of the guqin, raised her delicate hand, and began to pluck the strings. Then, melodious music filled the courtyard.

At this moment, Wu Yunwan said, "The moonlight is beautiful tonight; it's the perfect time to appreciate the moon and compose poetry. What does Your Highness think?"

Lu Chen chuckled and then said, "Princess, I'm just a rough man, so don't tell me anything about appreciating the moon and reciting poetry."

"You must have called me here for something, right? Why don't you just tell me directly?"

Wu Yunwan said, "Your Highness is really impatient."

Wu Yunwan didn't expect Lu Chen, whose mind was only focused on breeding, to have any leisure time. She asked directly, "I just want to know, how does Your Highness control the power of lightning? As far as I know, only immortals have such abilities."

Lu Chen smiled and countered, "You invited me here to admire the moon just to ask this question?"

Wu Yunwan said, "I did want to ask Your Highness to admire the moon and chat, but unfortunately Your Highness doesn't know how to appreciate the moonlight."

At this moment, Lu Chen moved to sit next to Wu Yunwan, their sleeves touching.

Seeing Lu Chen suddenly approach, Wu Yunwan was about to move to the side to create distance between herself and Lu Chen, but unexpectedly, Lu Chen grabbed her wrist, pulled her over, and then put his arm around her waist.

Murong Xue'er, who was playing the zither, was speechless. Wu Junwan was really something. If she wanted a man, she could have just sent Lu Chen to her room. Why did she have to use the excuse of moon-viewing?

What's the point of admiring the moon? Lu Chen, that beast, still started touching her inappropriately the moment he arrived.

Wu Yunwan remained calm and did not struggle. She said, "Your Highness, what are you doing?"

Lu Chen whispered in her ear, "I prefer admiring people to admiring the moon."

After speaking, Lu Chen did not immediately take action. Instead, he said, "Every world has various rules and laws. As long as you find the laws governing the operation of all things, even if you are not an immortal, you can still do some seemingly impossible things, or create things that do not exist in this world, such as trains and cannons in the North."

"The same applies to the so-called control of lightning."

Wu Yunwan asked, "So, Your Highness has discovered some kind of pattern, which is why you were able to control the power of lightning?"

Lu Chen smiled and said, "You can think that way."

Wu Yunwan fell silent.

At this moment, the moonlight shone on the world like water, and the cool moonlight fell on Wu Junwan, making her look like she was radiating a holy light. Her dignified and elegant temperament made Lu Chen feel a little restless.

Just as Wu Yunwan was about to say something, Lu Chen suddenly picked her up and pressed her arms against the pillars of the pavilion.

Wu Yunwan was stunned. She turned her head and was about to say something when she heard a tearing sound. The next moment, Lu Chen leaned over and sealed her red lips with his.

Under the moonlight, the melodious sound of the zither still lingers in the courtyard...

Murong Xue'er looked at everything happening not far away and wanted to run away immediately, but she felt that if she stopped playing now, she would probably be targeted.

Murong Xue'er cursed inwardly, "What a despicable couple."

After an unknown amount of time, the moon gradually moved overhead. At this time, there was more water mist in the air, and many water droplets gathered on the leaves. The water droplets fell to the ground and wet it.

At this moment, Lu Chen whispered in Wu Junwan's ear, "I have good news for you."

Wu Junwan asked groggily, "What good news?"

Lu Chen said with a smile, "Last night, Yao Yao and Nan Yan both became pregnant with my child. One of them is a half-step Grandmaster, and the other is already a Grandmaster."

Wu Yunwan asked, puzzled, "What does this have to do with me...?"

Before Wu Yunwan could finish speaking, she instantly snapped out of her daze and immediately understood what Lu Chen meant.

Lu Chen was reminding her that he could impregnate martial artists, and Wu Yunwan immediately struggled to get up.

But Wu Junwan's struggles were all in vain.

As night deepened, the gentle strains of the piano filled the air, and the sounds of animals blended together to create a perfect melody.

……

In the following month, the news of the Northern Prince's telegram spread throughout the entire Northern Kingdom in a very short time, and even reached other dynasties.

When the various dynasties heard that the Northern King's Palace could not only create lightning out of thin air, but also bind lightning for lighting and warmth, they were all shocked.

Various factions dispatched spies to investigate the alleged control of lightning by the Northern King, keeping the Imperial Guards of Yan City extremely busy once again. (End of Chapter)