I, the villainous eldest prince, will suppress everything!

They strolled along, chatting about everything under the sun, from everyday family matters to recent interesting events in the capital, but never about anything serious.

As time went on, Wei Hongying couldn't help but become suspicious.

Qin Li brought her out to discuss important military matters, didn't he?

It feels like the two of them are just strolling around, dating.

Qin Li noticed this as well, and after thinking for a moment, he quickly said, "Miss Wei, what do you think is the most important thing for this expedition?"

Without a second thought, Wei Hongying extended three fingers of her right hand—thumb, index finger, and middle finger—in that order: "People, money, food!"

There are only three things involved in military campaigns.

With all three in place, a battle is rarely lost.

Nodding, Qin Li said, "We have men. General Wang Hu, the Zhenwu General, who is also my maternal uncle, will lead his 100,000 troops to accompany me north."

"We'll need to recruit soldiers along the way, and once we reach the border, we'll need to gather the remnants and defeated troops. We should be able to muster an army of 300,000, enough to put us in a fighting chance against the Empress of Northern Mang!"

While speaking, Qin Li didn't forget to praise Wei Hongying, almost coaxing her into becoming an embryo. Qin Li said, "Most importantly, this prince has gained such a vanguard general as Miss Wei, a heroine. In this battle, our Great Zhou will surely win!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Hongying couldn't stop smiling.

After spending some time together...

She discovered.

The eldest prince, Qin Li, was nothing like the world described him as ruthless, vicious, and headstrong.

Instead, they are sincere, broad-minded, and humorous.

If she could, she would go to the palace right now and beg the emperor to dissolve her engagement with Qin Feng.

"Your Highness flatters me!"

Wei Hongying then asked, "And what about money and grain? How much does Your Highness have?"

"Speaking of this, this prince is troubled."

Qin Li pretended to rub his forehead. "Father only gave me people, but I have to find my own way to get money and grain. As you know, our Great Zhou has suffered from drought year after year, and the grain and taxes that various prefectures and counties hand over to the court are very little."

At this point, Qin Li couldn't help but curse Emperor Xuan in his heart. No wonder he was an emperor; he was a master of scheming and more cunning than a monkey!

Not only did he not give them a single copper coin or a grain of rice, but the person himself wasn't even his.

Wang Hu is the eldest prince's maternal uncle. The 100,000-strong army under Wang Hu originally belonged to the eldest prince and was the foundation he had built up over the years.

In other words, this time, Emperor Xuan didn't pay any price; he practically got something for nothing!

They won. Emperor Xuan retained his throne and continued to sit on it, even more securely than before.

If the Great Zhou wins this war against the Northern Barbarians, it will definitely be a Pyrrhic victory.

The eldest prince will have exhausted a large number of his troops, and then he will no longer be able to directly threaten Emperor Xuan's throne.

If the Great Zhou is defeated, Emperor Xuan can at worst cede territory and pay reparations, but he might even frame the eldest prince and kill him!

Anyway, Emperor Xuan won't lose out no matter what!

The eldest prince is always the one who suffers!

It's too early to say these things.

Because Qin Li hasn't been able to raise enough money and supplies yet.

"With the expedition imminent and supplies running low, I wonder if Miss Wei has any good ideas?" Qin Li asked Wei Hongying for her opinion.

Wei Hongying pouted.

In fact, the problem of money and food is very easy to solve.

Qin Li's father-in-law, Xiao Yuanlu, was a corrupt official whose wealth rivaled that of a nation.

If Xiao Yuanlu is willing, the money and provisions needed for this expedition can be raised.

Of course, this couldn't be said to Qin Li's face.

I reckon that Emperor Xuan had the same idea in mind, which is why he didn't allocate funds and grain from the national treasury.

Emperor Xuan intended to take this opportunity to weaken the eldest prince's power and eliminate his right-hand men, Wang Hu and Xiao Yuanlu.

After pursing her lips and thinking for a moment, Wei Hongying said, "If Your Highness doesn't mind, I've saved up quite a bit of money over the years."

A drop in the ocean!

Qin Li shook his head.

Besides, he can't accept it.

If this gets out, people will laugh at us.

Just as he was about to speak, Wei Hongying pulled him away, saying, "I have a plan, Your Highness, come with me."

Qin Li did not resist, letting Wei Hongying pull him along as they walked through the streets.

Looking at Wei Hongying's hand gripping his wrist, Qin Li felt a warm current flow through his heart.

Hey.

This feeling is actually quite nice.

……

soon.

Wei Hongying led Qin Li to a magnificent three-story building.

"Tianxiang Tower?"

Qin Li looked up at the three large characters on the plaque and read them aloud.

"Yes, it's Tianxianglou!"

Wei Hongying, hands on her hips, explained, "This is the premier entertainment venue in the capital of our Great Zhou Dynasty. Kings and generals frequent it, and the Tianxiang Tower's singing and dancing are unparalleled in the capital!"

"Your Highness, you may not know this, but those noble young men often gather here, spending fortunes just to win a smile from a beautiful woman!"

As they were talking, Wei Hongying revealed a sly smile, "We can use a little trick to make a fortune and use it to fund the military expenses!"

"Anyway, their money is just a waste spent here; they might as well use it to support our expedition!"

After saying that, regardless of whether Qin Li agreed or not, Wei Hongying pulled Qin Li into Tianxiang Tower.

Inside the building, it was even more dazzling, so bright it was almost blinding!

There were dancers dressed in revealing clothing, their faces covered, with a thin belt tied around their waists.

Floating high in the air, it drew cheers from the guests.

Rare and exotic animals are kept in cages for people to observe at will.

There was a fair-skinned, handsome young scholar, holding a folding fan, engaging in lively and eloquent discourse.

In short, the building was bustling with activity!

Seeing all this, Qin Li nodded repeatedly.

Damn, the ancients really knew how to play games; they were much better than the merchants of later generations.

What a waste of all the money he spent at ShangK, he didn't even get half the service he expected! Give him a refund!!

Although he thought this to himself, Qin Li deliberately said, "We're all respectable people, isn't it inappropriate for us to come to a place like this?"

"Besides, Miss Wei is still a young woman. If Madam Wei finds out that I brought you to a place like this, I'm afraid..."

Upon hearing this, Wei Hongying's affection for Qin Li skyrocketed, and she was practically ready to declare their relationship on the spot.

Listen to this; this is the kind of thing a man she likes should say.

Unlike Qin Feng, who loves to brag and only says things she doesn't want to hear.

"fine."

Wei Hongying waved her hand and said with a smile, "Didn't the Crown Prince see that there are many female guests here as well?"

"Besides, we're here on important business!"

After saying that, Wei Hongying stopped a waiter, asked him a few questions, and then led Qin Li upstairs to a private room.

Before even entering, a familiar melody drifted out from inside:

"Two little bees flew into the flower bushes, flying left and right."

"Fly, woof, fly, ahh..."

"Fly... You've lost, you've all lost. A bet is a bet. Anyone who dares not pay up will face the consequences!"

Outside the private room, Qin Li was stunned when he heard the familiar melody.

In this world, besides the protagonist Qin Feng, are there any other protagonists?