Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

"Minister Fan, in your opinion, which is stronger, our Great Wei or the Netherlands?"

"Of course, our Great Wei is stronger!"

With the establishment of the Military Intelligence Bureau, the officials of the Great Wei Dynasty also came into contact with more foreign news.

In addition, there had been a small-scale battle with the Netherlands on the Ryukyu Islands previously.

Therefore, the Wei Dynasty court now recognizes the advantages and disadvantages of Western firearms in a mainstream sense.

He also grew increasingly admiring of Jia Lian's encouragement of Emperor Ningkang to develop firearms several years earlier.

But that's about it.

When they learned that the Netherlands, thousands of miles away, was only the size of a small island with a population of just a few million, they regained their confidence.

This is also why Fan Chengju previously asserted that the Netherlands' ability to muster several thousand troops was already their limit.

They only dared to covet Ryukyu, which was isolated overseas, and dared not offend the mainland of the Great Wei.

"Since Minister Fan also believes that our Great Wei is stronger, then I will ask you a question."

Does our Great Wei Dynasty have the capability to gather several thousand troops to conquer an island thousands of miles away, which belongs to the Netherlands?

"this……"

Fan Chengju was speechless.

Let alone sending troops to conquer the Dutch islands, they don't even know what's thousands of miles away.

Jia Lian stood up, walked to Fan Chengju and the others, and said solemnly:

"Let me tell you, the reason why the Netherlands, with its small territory and a mere few million people, has been able to grow strong and extend its reach to the coastal borders of my Great Wei is because..."

It relies on nothing other than the business, shipping, and economic practices that you previously looked down upon.

Of course, they also possessed weapons far more powerful and advanced than those of other barbarian lands.

They used powerful weapons and countless sailing ships to plunder wealth and resources from all over the world to strengthen their country.

You might think this is just robbery, something that can't be brought to the table.

But I tell you.

The world is much bigger than you see.

Other so-called barbarian lands possess far more wealth and resources than you can imagine.

If our Great Wei continues to ignore the world and remains complacent, we will only be able to watch helplessly as tiny countries like the Netherlands run rampant in the world.

When they one day become powerful enough, my Great Wei will inevitably become their target, just like those barbarians.

Upon hearing this, Fan Chengju and the others lowered their heads.

Although they were all in their fifties or sixties, they had already begun to get used to being instructed by Jia Lian, a younger man.

Not only because Jia Lian was their ruler, but more importantly, facts often proved that Jia Lian was right.

"This is an era of great contention, and an era in which contention is inevitable!"

If you want my Great Wei to become a true celestial empire, ruling over all nations from the Central Plains, then you must never view this world with a narrow-minded perspective.

The Netherlands is already vying for it.

Therefore, they can amass thousands of troops in our Ryukyu Islands, while we cannot even send a single soldier to their homeland.

This is a disgrace to both of us.

Therefore, this battle against the Netherlands is inevitable.

I want them to know that the majesty of my supreme nation is absolutely inviolable.

As for Fusang and Tatars...

Leaving aside the Tatars, they rely on the vastness of the grasslands and deserts, as well as the speed of their horses. Even though our dynasty is far stronger than theirs, we cannot truly subdue them.

Therefore, for the time being, we can only continue the previous dynasty's strategy, focusing on defense.

But Japan is different.

They had lived on the island for generations, lacking both the advantages of Dutch weaponry and the speed of Tatar warhorses.

Such a weak and small state dares to disregard our dynasty's advice and repeatedly invade our celestial empire.

If no punishment is imposed, how can our Great Wei intimidate all the nations of the outer seas? How can we consider ourselves a superior nation in the eyes of all nations?

I have decided to formally declare war on the Fusang Kingdom.

Even if it costs the entire nation its strength, we are determined to annihilate these Japanese barbarians and uphold the might of our superior nation's army!

Several key ministers of the Ministry of War were all shaken upon hearing Jia Lian's resounding declaration.

Ding Yu, who was younger, was deeply moved as she listened.

He immediately knelt down and swore, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your teachings and am willing to die for Your Majesty's great cause!"

Jia Lian ignored him and looked calmly at Fan Chengju.

Although there are many Ministers of War, this person is the core of the power.

"I will tell you the truth."

Destroying Fusang is only the first step.

In the future, the ships and flags of my Great Wei will surely fly in every corner of the world.

As the Minister of War, Fan Tangzuo was in charge of important military affairs.

If one's mind and body are of high moral character, one would not wish to act in the same manner as the Dutch.

I will not force you.

Or I'll arrange another place for you.

"Or, you can request to return to your hometown and enjoy your retirement."

Fan Chengju's heart trembled. He knew the Emperor's mind was made up and there was no room for him to dissuade him. So he also knelt down and said loudly, "This old minister is also willing to devote his life to Your Majesty's great cause!"

After saying that, he kowtowed heavily.

Others followed suit.

Only then did Jia Lian reveal a satisfied smile.

After turning around and walking back to the dragon table, he told the others to stand up and then said, "Since everyone has reached a consensus, you should go to the side hall first to discuss a general plan to destroy the Japanese pirates."

We will discuss this further after the other members of the six cabinet ministries arrive.

"Yes……"

……

Jia Lian spent the entire day with the core ministers of the central government.

After finally settling on the general direction, some ministers were already starting to rumble in their stomachs.

Considering that most of these people are older and their health is not as good as mine, it would be bad if one or two of them suddenly died.

So they were told to go home and discuss it again that evening.

He ate a simple, delayed lunch and returned to the palace to bathe.

"Sir, really, no matter how important national affairs are, you can't treat yourself like this."

"If the Empress Dowager finds out, she'll scold us for not taking good care of her."

Lying in the large sandalwood bathtub, listening to Qingwen's rambling, Jia Lian casually reached out and grabbed her ear.

"You're getting bolder and bolder, daring to use the Empress Dowager's name to lecture me?"

"Your Majesty, spare my life..."

Qingwen covered her ears while laughing and begging for mercy.

Jia Lian then released her and looked at the other personal maids who were secretly laughing in front of him.

Xiangling, Ping'er, Yuanyang, and Xiren.

Everyone's here.

Of course, there are also Xi Ren's cousin Liu Xinqing, Tan Yun, and others.

However, the status of these maids cannot be compared with that of these five.

Watching them, some bent down to straighten his dragon robe, others used wooden ladles to add hot water to the bathtub...

Every move, every smile, is pleasing to the eye.

So he pulled Qingwen over again and gave her a hard kiss on her cherry-like lips.

After leaving her behind, I was just about to suggest that since all five of them were together today, we should play a fun little game together.

However, a eunuch outside announced that Cao Zhong had something to report.

"What is this old codger doing here at this time, disturbing my enjoyment?"

Although displeased, Jia Lian still instructed, "Yuanyang, go and ask him what's wrong."

Every now and then Yuanyang would return and find Qingwen had already taken off her outer garments and was sitting in the tub.

As she sat in Jia Lian's lap, laughing and joking, her spring-like figure was exposed.

Yuanyang couldn't help but think to herself that ever since Qingwen was granted the title of concubine, she had been heading further and further down the path of becoming a wicked concubine who brought disaster to the country.

"Oh, Zhou Zhaohai? What important matter could he possibly have to discuss?"

Jia Lian had an impression of Zhou Zhaohai.

When he first took office as the commander of the Western City Military Command, he served as a commander under him.

Although it doesn't please him as much as Xie Jun.

However, when he later promoted his cronies, he did not forget about this group of people.

I vaguely remember that he is now the deputy commander guarding the west gate of the imperial city.

Why is this kid not guarding the Xi'an Gate properly? What is he doing running into the palace?

"General Cao only said that Deputy Commandant Zhou looked very anxious, probably because it was something really important."

However, if the emperor didn't want to see him, he would simply send him away.

"That's what Yuanyang said."

Jia Lian hesitated for a moment, thinking that Zhou Zhaohai's official position was relatively low, and he wouldn't dare to come to see him unless it was something important.

"Very well, help me change my clothes."

Jia Lian ultimately did not become a foolish ruler who only knew how to enjoy himself and neglected his duties.

However, after Ping'er and the others had fastened his everyday dragon robe, he lifted Ping'er's rounded chin and said with a smile, "After you've tidied up this place, don't leave. Wait for me in the inner hall."

Upon hearing this, the five women, who had not yet dispersed, all blushed.

They all recalled the night Xiren came from Chuxiu Palace, when Jia Lian made them lie on the dragon bed and pose in a row, a shameful scene.

Looking at the group of beautiful and charming maids he had brought from the Jia family, Jia Lian suppressed his impulse to become a tyrant and turned to leave.

Before leaving, I took a look around the bathroom.

To be honest, although the roof beams are higher, in terms of practicality and comfort, it is far inferior to Hanfang Pavilion in the Grand View Garden.

After all, one is a large bathhouse, and the other is just a bath tub.

Even if this bathtub costs more to make than that bathtub!

However, Jia Lian was not in a hurry to change this place.

He thought that he should first make some achievements, and then, as his reputation would rise, he would naturally improve his treatment.

So as not to let others think he is a foolish ruler.

Upon exiting the bathhouse, Jia Lian saw Cao Zhong trotting over eagerly, and feigned displeasure:

"You dare to report this without even asking what happened?"

Cao Zhong knew he had probably disturbed his emperor's pleasant afternoon bath, so he shamelessly smiled and said, "This old servant didn't want to pay attention to him, but he seemed anxious and didn't seem to be faking it."

Therefore, this old servant dared not neglect his duty and could only report back to His Majesty.

Jia Lian glanced at him with a puzzled look.

They're all shrewd people; who can fool whom?

That guy is definitely lying.

However, Jia Lian did not expose him, but he did feel a little regretful.

Because he had already figured out that these two must have gotten him something good, and they were probably keeping it from him to give him a little surprise.

Thinking that if this "surprise" wasn't big enough, he would have to teach them a lesson to avenge his delayed favor with the five maids.

Arriving at a side hall in front of the Daming Palace, they indeed saw Zhou Zhaohai in full armor, but without a sword.

"Your humble servant Zhou Zhaohai greets Your Majesty."

Jia Lian nodded calmly: "What business do you have with me?"

Zhou Zhaohai was, after all, a close confidant of Jia Lian, and he wasn't as reserved as other officials when they met Jia Lian.

He raised his neck and gestured towards the hall behind him.

Jia Lian followed his gaze and looked ahead.

At the entrance to the side hall, two graceful figures, one tall and one short, appeared out of nowhere.

The older one's appearance remained unchanged, while the younger one looked somewhat unfamiliar.

However, from the contours of his face, one can still vaguely remember what he looked like back then.

Jia Lian's expression unconsciously changed from feigned displeasure to warmth.

Ignoring Zhou Zhaohai, he strode up into the hall.

Seeing this, Cao Zhong breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he had made the right bet.

So he gave Zhou Zhaohai a knowing look, then quickly caught up with Jia Lian and whispered in his ear, "Your Majesty, rest assured, the person was brought in secretly by this old servant and Lord Zhou. No one else knows about it, and we guarantee it won't reach Consort Lin and the others."

Jia Lian nodded, waved for him to step back, and then walked up to the large-sized beauty.

The beautiful woman quickly pulled the girl beside her to kneel down and said, "This humble woman, Xu, brings her daughter to pay respects to Your Majesty."

Jia Lian watched them quietly until his daughter couldn't help but look up at him, at which point he smiled at her.

As he walked into the hall, he said with a smile, "Get up, everyone."

"It's been years, but Mrs. An still looks as radiant as ever."

Mrs. Xu glanced back, then took her daughter's hand and stood up.

Faced with Jia Lian's teasing, she replied somewhat reservedly, "It is thanks to His Majesty that my late husband was exonerated and his name cleared that I was able to settle down and establish myself in my hometown again."

Therefore, I have been doing quite well these past few years…”

Jia Lian sat in the armchair, nodded, and asked again, "Where is your son?"

"His...my son is currently studying, so I didn't bring him to the capital..."

Seeing that Madam Xu was stammering and lacked the charm of her youth, Jia Lian smiled and said, "Madam and I are old acquaintances. Now that we meet, it is as if we are old friends reuniting."

"Madam, why be so reserved? It only makes you seem distant."

As he spoke, he raised an eyebrow at the woman, causing her to lower her head in embarrassment.

Xu naturally witnessed this scene as well.

She showed no anger at her daughter being openly harassed; instead, she breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Although Jia Lian had promised that if his daughter had not changed her mind by the time she turned sixteen, she could come to him.

But people's hearts are fickle after all.

Moreover, now that he has transformed from an ordinary person into a dragon, who knows if he will still cherish the friendship he had back then?

If it weren't for her daughter's urging, she wouldn't have made such a rash decision to go to Beijing.

They had actually been in the capital for several days, but they waited until today before deciding to head towards the imperial city.

I did consider contacting Jia Lian first.

Instead, Jia Lian is now the emperor, a figure far beyond the reach of this mother and daughter who have no connections in the capital.

She had already prepared the silver, intending to have the official at the city gate deliver the message.

Originally, the soldiers at the imperial city gate were very friendly to her because of her generosity.

Upon hearing that she wanted to see the current emperor, he was so frightened that he immediately returned the silver.

What a joke.

Countless young women in the world yearn to see the face of the current emperor.

If they dared to casually go to the palace to deliver a message, wouldn't they be asking for trouble?

It was only after a young officer heard the commotion that he came over to inquire about the situation.

They originally thought the officer would also drive them away.

Unexpectedly, he changed his attitude after seeing his own daughter.

After inquiring about the reason, he asked her to wait outside the imperial city gate, and she actually rode off on horseback to "report".

Half an hour later, he returned, his attitude much better.

He personally led a group to escort the An family's carriage into the capital city, avoiding main roads and instructing them not to lift the carriage curtains to peek out.

She was initially alarmed, wondering if the officer was lusting after her and her daughter and intended to take advantage of them.

Fortunately, she realized that the carriage was moving forward and that the majestic palace soon came into view, which put her at ease.

Then I met an old eunuch.

The old eunuch's reaction was almost identical to that of the military officer.

He was arrogant at first, but became polite after meeting his daughter.

After letting the mother and daughter out of the carriage, he led them around the palace, turning left and right, until they finally arrived at this hall to rest for a while...

After briefly recalling the process of entering the palace, Madam Xu thought that this trip was originally to fulfill her daughter's wish and to secure a bright future for the An family.

And indeed, we cannot be coy.

Taking advantage of Jia Lian's frivolous behavior, she led her daughter forward, pushed her in front of Jia Lian, and asked with a smile, "Your Majesty, do you still remember our original agreement?"

Seeing Jia Lian nod, she continued, "Although she won't turn sixteen for several months."

But as the saying goes, a girl changes a lot as she grows up.

I thought that if her current appearance did not suit His Majesty's wishes, then the agreement from back then would not need to be upheld.

That's why I brought her here beforehand to let His Majesty see her; I hope His Majesty will not blame me."

Jia Lian looked over upon hearing this.

The girl I remembered as naive and bold has grown into a graceful young woman.

Although her face is not as round and cute as it used to be, it has more defined features.

Her eyebrows were like ink paintings, and her eyes were bright and her lips were red.

Her face was clean and without a single blemish.

Her slender, fair neck clearly shows that she inherited her mother's good genes.

Although they are still quite young, they have already begun to show promise.

Seeing that he would steal glances at him from time to time, his eyes full of affection, how could Jia Lian not be delighted?

To avoid being looked down upon by the mother and daughter, Jia Lian feigned seriousness and said with a smile, "You've lost weight."

Madam Xu was startled. Fortunately, seeing Jia Lian's smiling eyes, his gaze lingering on his daughter, she felt relieved.

"Girls at this age should start to grow taller."

If Your Majesty doesn't like thin people, you can just keep them by your side and fatten them up a bit.

"Mother~~"

An Cai'er uttered her first syllable since seeing Jia Lian. (End of Chapter)