Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

After a moment, Zhou Zhaohai read aloud as usual:

"Liu, listen to the decree... His Majesty has ordained you to send your daughter, Jia Si Jie'er, to participate in this year's palace selection. There must be no mistake."

Looking at the various figures kneeling before him, Zhou Zhaohai remarked that this family was much more prosperous than the previous one.

There were five siblings.

They each have two daughters who are still young, but the youngest is only seven or eight years old.

Fortunately, the person he was tasked with seemed to be in their late teens, which was just the right age.

This was actually why he wanted to see the appointment of talented individuals in person when he was at the Jia family's residence.

In our humble family, it's rare for our daughter to have a proper name.

Many of them are just making random noises.

There are also homophones.

To ensure the mission was carried out flawlessly, he had to visually confirm it before daring to issue the decree.

Otherwise, if he gets the wrong person, his future will be ruined.

Cao Zhong had already conveyed His Majesty's decree to him, saying that he was to be appointed as the commander of a new army.

Although he was only promoted one level, this transfer clearly shows that he has officially caught the eye of His Majesty and is to be promoted and given important responsibilities.

The title of Deputy Commandant of the Imperial Guards sounds prestigious, but in the end, he was just a gatekeeper.

There was only so much space above their heads, yet a whole bunch of princes and nobles were watching them.

The new army was only established by His Majesty last year; I've heard it's an elite force specifically created to conquer the Tatars.

If you manage to sneak in and secure a position now, you'll have more opportunities to earn merit if war breaks out in a couple of years.

In short, the Imperial Guard is a suitable place to retire.

Going to the new army would offer the possibility of making great strides.

After briefly envisioning his future, Zhou Zhaohai didn't stay long at Jia Qiong's house either, because he had another, more important family to visit.

"This humble official pays his respects to the esteemed Jia family."

"You're too kind, Lord Zhou. Please have a seat."

Jia Yucun was somewhat surprised.

He and Zhou Zhaohai were complete strangers and had no kinship ties.

While I was sitting in the front office, he suddenly came to visit without even sending a formal visiting card.

Although Zhou Zhaohai was not very clear about the specific relationship between Jia Yucun and the current emperor, the position of the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture alone was much more valuable than his own mere fourth-rank military officer position.

Therefore, he was very polite to Jia Yucun.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he finally asked, "May I ask, Your Excellency, how many daughters does your mother have?"

Jia Yucun looked slightly displeased, but still said, "This household only has one daughter."

He was an uninvited guest to begin with, and his official rank was low, so Jia Yucun didn't even bother to ask him what he wanted.

I was just thinking that if he couldn't come up with anything coherent in a few words, I would serve him tea and see him out.

Zhou Zhaohai also noticed Jia Yucun's impatience, and he smiled and said, "Then that's correct."

After speaking, he stood up and slowly said to Jia Yucun, "Jia Hua, listen to the decree..."

Jia Yucun thought he had misheard.

It took him a while to react, and he quickly got up, stepped out of the line, and knelt down in the hall.

"Your humble servant obeys the decree..."

"His Majesty has decreed that you send your daughter, Jia Yuchai, to participate in this year's palace selection, and there must be no mistakes."

"...Your humble servant obeys the decree."

Looking at Jia Yucun's Muggle-like face, Zhou Zhaohai felt secretly pleased.

However, he remained outwardly humble, helping Jia Yucun up and saying with a smile, "This is His Majesty's secret decree. Your Excellency can only obey the decree and must not publicize it."

"..."

"I understand now, thank you for the reminder, Lord Zhou."

"No problem, no problem, it's all for His Majesty's sake..."

Although he could see the smugness in Zhou Zhaohai's tone, Jia Yucun no longer held his previous contempt in any way.

Regardless of their official rank, anyone who could have contact with the emperor was eligible.

None of them should be underestimated.

"I am deeply grateful to Lord Zhou for bringing me such wonderful news."

"I will have a feast prepared immediately. I will certainly have Lord Zhou drink and chat with you all later to make up for today's pleasure."

"Hehe, no need."

I must return to report to Your Excellency, so I will not trouble you any further.

Goodbye.

Unable to persuade him to stay, Jia Yucun took the tea money from his attendant as he saw him off and politely handed it to Zhou Zhaohai.

This time, Zhou Zhaohai did not refuse.

After seeing Zhou Zhaohai off, Jia Yucun immediately returned to the back office, summoned his wife and children, and announced the matter.

Upon hearing the news, Jia Yuchai was so embarrassed by her brother's joking congratulations that she ran away.

His brother could tell that his father and stepmother still had things to discuss, so he sensibly took his leave.

Once only the couple remained in the room, Jia Yucun was the first to ask, "Why didn't you tell me before that His Majesty had designs on Yuchai?"

Although Jia Yucun did not expect that Jia Lian would be able to transform into a real dragon at first.

However, based solely on the fact that he was the representative of the Jia family, he had intended to befriend him for many years.

Because he and Daiyu were teacher and student, and because the lady of the house had a mistress-servant relationship with Jia Lian's personal maid, she instructed her to visit the Jia family more often.

Jiaoxing smiled and said, "It's not that I didn't want to report it, but that I didn't know either."

Judging from Yuchai's reaction just now, she herself was unaware of it.

I think His Majesty probably just remembered her by chance and thought that our Yuchai was also very lovely and beautiful, in no way inferior to his former beauties, so he sent someone to issue an imperial decree to summon her to the palace.”

Jia Yucun was a shrewd and experienced man. He had only heard Zhou Zhaohai specifically tell him not to spread the word, and he could roughly guess what had happened.

After the late emperor's great death, the current emperor bestowed ten titles upon the Jia family and brought them all into the palace.

This matter, having been recorded by the accompanying court historians, was no secret long ago.

Presumably, His Majesty loves it very much and is afraid that it might make her jealous, hence this euphemism.

Jia Yucun did not mock this, after all, he had seen many of the women in the Jia family.

They are indeed all exceptionally talented individuals; no wonder they were favored by the emperor.

I never expected that my own daughter would have such good fortune.

In recent years, as Jia Lian has risen to prominence step by step, he has also realized that it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to speak in front of him.

Unfortunately, he had already been in the position of Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture for many years.

Lately, I've often had the idea of ​​moving myself to a different spot.

Now that my daughter has such good fortune, it's a good opportunity to make some use of it...

Seeing that Jia Yucun remained silent, Jiao Xing continued, "It is naturally a good thing that Yuchai can enter the palace."

"But she's a little too young...to be selected for the interview..."

Upon hearing this, Jia Yucun waved his hand dismissively: "It's alright, I'll have someone change the date to Gengchen, and then report it later."

After saying that, Jia Yucun got up and left.

Jiao Xing sat alone in the room for a while, then burst out laughing.

"At least he has a conscience."

……

Time flies.

Three years later, the capital city was deserted as everyone flocked to the streets.

Countless people crowded onto the main road leading from the East Gate to the Imperial City, waiting to watch the Japanese princess arrive in the capital.

After an unknown amount of time, three magnificent carriages finally appeared behind a group of soldiers in bright armor.

The carriage was magnificent, but it was trapped within a powerful army formation.

Just like the small country of Fusang, which was forced to submit by the military might of the Great Wei.

The carriage quickly disappeared into the distance, but this did not stop the people of the capital from talking about it with great interest.

Half an hour later, at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

"Summon the envoy from Fusang to the palace."

Suddenly, the round-figured, short-statured envoy of the Japanese Emperor trotted in and knelt down with a thud on the hard, cold floor of the main hall.

"Your humble servant pays homage to Your Majesty the Emperor of the Supreme Kingdom. Long live the Emperor!"

No need for formalities.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Jia Lian sat high on the dragon throne, his gaze coldly fixed on the Japanese envoys below.

After three years, the imperial aura emanating from him had become much more refined.

Without needing to deliberately display his authority, ordinary people dare not meet his gaze.

Three years ago, the Toyotomi clan of Japan, having been persuaded by the Dutch, launched another invasion of Korea in an attempt to avenge their previous defeat.

Jia Lian acted decisively, dividing his forces into two groups. One group supported Shi Ding, ordering him to lead his own troops and the miscellaneous Korean army to directly block the Japanese invaders.

On one side, almost all of Wei's new warships were used to secretly set sail from the sea, sending 50,000 elite soldiers, hundreds of cannons, tens of thousands of muskets and tens of thousands of cannonballs to Iwami Province in Fusang.

There was no significant strategic advantage in choosing this landing spot.

It was purely because this place was close to his important target, the "Iwami Silver Mine," making it convenient to take over.

Moreover, Iwami Province is located on the main island of Japan.

Once a military base is established here, it will be able to directly threaten Kyoto, hundreds of miles away, and the Toyotomi family's stronghold, thus gaining initial control of the overall situation.

This is the grand strategy.

However, it is still very difficult to actually implement it.

After all, it was a cross-sea conquest, and Japan was no weaker than Korea.

This short-statured ethnic group reveals a certain degree of madness in their very bones.

Upon seeing that the Great Wei not only sent troops to help Korea but also dared to directly invade its borders, they immediately launched a fierce counterattack.

In order to fend off a counterattack and successfully advance military plans on the main island of Fusang.

The Great Wei Dynasty deployed more than 200,000 troops and countless ammunition.

This investment is enormous, and can even be described as unprecedented.

As the saying goes, "When the cannons roar, gold pours in!"

Moreover, it involved transporting troops and supplies across sea.

Fortunately, the Chinese nation has never lacked soldiers and laborers.

What's lacking is the money and food to support these people.

The facts unfolded exactly as the officials in the Ministry of Revenue had predicted.

After the station was activated, the grain supply in Taicang plummeted.

The ministers speculated that if this continued for less than three years, the imperial court would run out of grain.

I fear there will be a nationwide famine.

But Jia Lian wasn't worried.

If the country doesn't have enough grain and can't exploit its people, then we need to find a solution from abroad.

The fact that North Korea, with its small size, can support tens of millions of people is proof enough of its abundant resources.

However, since Korea was a vassal state after all, and the queen dowager in power had a brief affair with him, he couldn't be too harsh on her.

But at least it can solve the food supply problem for one of the armies.

Jia Lian had already planned to address the other shortfall.

Southeast Asia is located in the tropics and has many plains, making it a major grain-producing region since ancient times.

Just after the opening of the sea routes, merchants from all over the country flocked to Southeast Asia to do business.

With silver, one can buy enough food in these places.

It doesn't even require silver.

Merchants brought rare goods such as tea, porcelain, and silk, which were abundant in the Great Wei, and could exchange a cartload for a boatload of grain.

During this period, it was inevitable that they would come into contact with some Western powers that had vested interests in these areas.

However, since the Great Wei defeated the Netherlands twice in the waters off Ryukyu, the reputation of the Great Wei navy has spread among other powerful nations.

They saw that the Great Wei only sought some grain and had no intention of seizing colonies.

Those forces that had only extended their reach here and did not have much power to oppose the Great Wei not only did not obstruct them, but even opened the door for them.

Many countries even sent envoys to the capital to request formal trade with the Great Wei.

With such a balanced approach, both internal and external factors are taken into account, food security is not a problem.

As for the salary...

With the formation and development of the Great Wei National Bank, the Department of Commerce, and the General Administration of Customs.

The annual revenue of the Great Wei Dynasty has increased dramatically without anyone realizing it.

If you have money, you won't have to worry about running out of food.

Moreover, with both money and grain, as long as the court is of one mind, it is enough to support a transnational war.

Over time, the voices of opposition and earnest advice weakened.

It wasn't until the Tatars, persuaded by the Toyotomi family, attempted to take advantage of the situation to invade the south, but were repelled.

That sound has completely disappeared.

Although the force of 200,000 troops was large, the imperial court mainly used the new army, the Beijing garrison, and the three major naval forces.

Only a small portion of them were transferred from the north.

With a total military force of over one million, the Great Wei Dynasty has enough resources to support fighting on two fronts if deployed properly.

Of course, this is on the premise that the army has sufficient combat capability.

In contrast, the Great Wei far surpassed the Tatars and even the Western powers in terms of firearms technology.

Going to the grasslands to chase horses might not be very successful; let them attack the city instead.

Feel free to give it a try.

Therefore, Jia Lian completely defeated the main force of Fusang in just three years and occupied most of the island.

The Toyotomi family was purged from within and completely destroyed.

Fearing the extermination of his entire clan, the emperor decisively chose to surrender and submit.

Jia Lian, however, reasoned that Japan had over ten million people and different cultural customs.

Forcibly seizing and incorporating it into the territory would likely consume too much manpower and resources.

Although the Great Wei defeated the Dutch twice in Ryukyu, the battles were only small-scale engagements involving a few thousand people.

Moreover, according to Jia Lian's prediction, the Netherlands, which has become a "maritime coachman" by relying on traditional navigation technology, will soon decline.

A new empire on which the sun never sets is about to rise officially through the Industrial Revolution.

Therefore, Jia Lian's goal was never Japan.

All he had to do was plunder enough resources from Japan to fund domestic reforms.

They strive to gain the strength to confront and even suppress the British Empire before it fully rises to power.

As for the so-called free America...

With him around, if this damn thing were to develop further, he might as well just commit suicide.

Therefore, having the current Japanese emperor act as a "traitor" could significantly reduce the cost of controlling Japan.

"We're old acquaintances, so tell me, what brings you here again?"

"Your Majesty, our Heavenly King has heard that Your Majesty's birthday is approaching, and has specially dispatched his humble servant to present Your Majesty with a congratulatory letter and gifts."

Furthermore, our Heavenly King is willing to marry his three most precious daughters to Your Majesty, wishing to forge an eternal alliance with our esteemed nation.

Jia Lian intended to change the title of the Japanese Emperor, but before the title could be issued, the Emperor himself demoted himself by one rank and called himself the Heavenly King.

However, Jia Lian was still not satisfied.

That spineless coward dares to call himself a king?

This title should be given to my dear younger brother!

Before Jia Lian could speak, Kong Si, the cabinet minister and Minister of Rites, stepped forward.

"This barbarian minister uses incoherent language."

The marriage alliance between the Qin and Jin states was because both were powerful states during the Spring and Autumn Period, and their relationship was one of equality, hence the name "Qin-Jin Alliance."

"Now, Japan is nothing but a small, subservient country, acknowledging our superior nation as its master. How dare we address it as such?"

The Japanese envoy hurriedly replied, "Your Excellency is right; it was my oversight."

"snort."

Kong Si flicked his sleeves and returned to the ranks.

Jia Lian and the other officials in the hall found the scene amusing.

Some people even know that sending the princess for a "marriage alliance" was not the emperor's original intention.

It was His Highness Prince Xiao, who personally went to Japan a year ago, who forcibly brought him here.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent three at once.

As for why King Xiao did this, there was another reason, which was unknown to everyone.

Therefore, Jia Lian completely ignored the marriage proposal and simply said, "Thank you for your king's kindness."

However, I believe that since Fusang has already submitted to our Great Wei, it should naturally accept the rewards bestowed upon it by our Great Wei.

I have already discussed with the court officials and decided to bestow upon your king the title of "King of Tokyo" and move the royal domain from Kyoto to Tokyo, so that you may enjoy wealth and honor forever.

What do you think?

"this……"

The Japanese envoy looked bitter.

The king was demoted, the old capital was abandoned, and a new site was moved.

This smooth, quick combo is designed to sever the very foundation of the Emperor's rule.

But what can he do?

In other words, what could the Emperor himself do?

When you're under someone's roof, all you can do is pray that those in power will show you a little more pity because of your obedience.

"On behalf of the Heavenly King, no, the King of Tokyo, I thank Your Majesty for your divine grace."

"Hmm. I have already ordered my ministers to prepare a welcome banquet for you. You may return to your post station to rest and attend the banquet on time tonight."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

...(End of this chapter)