Teasing the First Dragon at the Start

"Unconsciously, his image was imprinted in my heart, and by the time I realized it, it was too late."

"What a lovable yet infuriating guy..."

As he listened to Zheng Jie's story, Hu Yu couldn't help but recall the scenes of his encounter with Bai Su.

My mother was like that, and so was she.

At first, I hated this guy, but without realizing it, I gradually became attracted to him and his various whimsical ideas.

Looking at Hu Yu in her arms, Zheng Jie said with some guilt, "I'm sorry you had to suffer like this..."

Hu Yu shook his head slightly: "No, it's not Mother's fault. It's all that strange thing's fault. It's so greedy. It wasn't enough that it had me, it even attacked Mother."

Zhengjie sighed helplessly, "You can't blame him for this. No one is perfect. Some people are greedy for money, some are greedy for profit, some are greedy for fame, but he is greedy for beautiful women."

Hu Yu gritted his teeth and said, "He's a shameless scoundrel, you know that, Mother? Fu Su, she also..."

Zhengjie looked surprised and asked with some confusion, "What did Fusu do?"

Hu He hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Fu Su is also pregnant, it's...it's his."

Zhengjie's delicate eyebrows twitched, but her eyelids didn't even twitch.

She said with a half-smile, "What a good minister! I thought he had suffered a great injustice because he was an enemy of Fu Su, but I never expected that Su'er would also fall into his hands."

Hu Yu subconsciously swallowed, wondering if it was just her imagination, but she felt as if she saw a faint black aura around her mother.

After pondering for a long time, the Empress said, "Prepare the ink for me. I want to write a letter."

Hu Yu was taken aback and subconsciously asked, "What letter?"

A dangerous glint flashed in the eyes of the Empress, and she said softly, “Naturally, it will be under the guise of celebrating victory to summon that damned treacherous minister back. I will settle the debts he owes slowly.”

Chapter 485 Then you're doomed!

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Chapter 486 Returning to Xianyang

Several days later.

The port of Rome, where large crowds gather.

The Xia soldiers, dressed in uniform, stood ready, their eyes solemn, to prevent any unscrupulous individuals from emerging from the crowd with the intention of assassination.

Many freed slaves and Roman citizens came here.

These people weren't there to watch the spectacle, but to bid farewell with reluctance.

After all, they don't understand slogans like "Roman Glory," but they can avoid being exploited, acquire land, and earn a stable income through normal work to support their families.

Unlike before, when only a few nobles and wealthy merchants won everything and seized land on a massive scale, leaving ordinary people with no way to survive.

All of this was given to me by this man named Bai Su.

Therefore, although Baisu led the Xia army as conquerors, he not only did not encounter any resistance in Rome, but was also greeted with countless cheers wherever he went.

Every now and then, large numbers of civilians would excitedly step forward to present flowers to the Xia army soldiers, their eyes filled with reluctance.

The treasure ships of the Great Xia Dynasty docked in the port.

Nero stared blankly at the enormous warship, which was over 150 meters long, his emerald eyes momentarily glazed over.

Although this wasn't the first time she had seen this warship, every time she stood in front of it, she was awestruck by its magnificent presence.

Its sheer size and exquisite construction techniques make it resemble the legendary Noah's Ark.

Bai Su commanded over a hundred such warships, a vast, dark mass that would deter anyone in the world from resistance.

Nero learned from Bai Su that this fleet was just one of many forces in the Great Xia Dynasty.

This filled her with longing for the powerful Central Plains. With such a strong army, abundant resources, and prosperous economy, the legendary earthly paradise could not be more impressive than this.

"Nero...I'm leaving."

After greeting Zhang Han beside her, Bai Su turned around and looked towards the shore.

Nero was dressed in a gorgeous red and white dress, with a gold ornament around her fair neck and a slender waist cinched tightly, outlining her delicate figure.

Her eyes were filled with reluctance as she looked at Bai Su, and she couldn't help but throw herself into his arms: "I can't bear to part with you..."

As she spoke, she kissed Bai Su on the cheek.

The surrounding crowd gasped in surprise.

They never expected that the noble Emperor would be so intimate with a woman.

The nobles frowned, noticing that the relationship between His Majesty the Emperor and Bai Su was clearly far more complex than that between an envoy and a monarch.

It seems that the rumors circulating among the people are true.

This is a bit troublesome. I originally wanted to find an opportunity to assassinate Nero, and then make goodwill towards the Xia army in order to discuss some policies to abolish slavery. Is it possible to discuss this?

Looking at the clear bond of interests between Bai Su and Nero, overthrowing Nero would inevitably anger Great Xia, and the consequences of angering Great Xia would be something they could not bear.

Much later.

Nero slowly released his grip, his emerald eyes filled with reluctance.

Bai Su touched her cheek, took off a jade pendant from his waist and placed it in her hand: "I have Zhang Han stationed here. She is my capable assistant. She has followed me in many battles in the south for many years. She is exceptionally capable. With her leading elite troops stationed here, we can deal with any emergency."

Nero looked at the seemingly simple jade pendant in her hand, on which a small white character was engraved. She treasured it and held it carefully in her hand, nodding slightly.

Bai Su embraced her head, resting it on her forehead. After a moment of tenderness, he waved to the commoners who had come to see him off at the surrounding port. Amid cheers, he slowly walked towards the treasure ship of the Great Xia Dynasty.

There is a floating bridge specifically for entering the ship's cabin, making entry and exit extremely convenient.

Woo woo woo.

With a burst of black smoke, the treasure ship emitted a long, loud sound.

Immediately afterwards, the treasure ship, flying the Black Bird flag, gradually sailed away into the vast blue sea.

Bai Su stood at the bow of the ship, the sea breeze blowing in his face making his hair a little disheveled. Looking at the increasingly distant port, Nero, dressed in a red palace dress, remained motionless in the same position as before.

"My lord, this empress is very fond of you. Why don't you take her back with you?" the adjutant couldn't help but ask.

Bai Su's eyelids twitched violently. Take him back? Is the backyard not chaotic enough already?

After all, the internal affairs of the royal family in Xianyang alone were already giving him a headache. If he were to bring back another empress, his sister Zheng would skin him alive and have Nero thrown into a well that very night.

Bai Su coughed lightly and said in a serious tone, "Now that the Treaty of Rome has just been signed, forcing the Roman nobles to concede a lot of benefits, we urgently need Nero as the legal basis to stabilize the situation."

“Once she leaves, those former noble powers will retaliate, and we probably won’t be able to find anyone to enforce the Roman treaty we finally signed…”

The adjutant beside him nodded: "So, sir, you've ordered General Zhang Han to garrison this place?"

Bai Su nodded: "That's right. With Nero's legal support, there won't be any major rebellions in Rome. There will only be some minor disturbances, which Zhang Han's troops can quickly quell."

"It's a pity that we've only been here a short time. If I had more time, I would go to Egypt and think about how to open up the canal to shorten the distance for maritime trade."

"If we open up the waterways here, and also control the ports here, along with India, we can make it the largest transit point for maritime trade. The entire Maritime Silk Road will be in our hands."

"We have the Maritime Silk Road and the Silk Road in the Western Regions, which almost controls the lifeline of all nations. We cooperate and trade with those who are obedient and bypass those who are not."

"With both sea and land trade routes, coupled with the monopoly of our Central Plains merchants, we can completely impose economic sanctions and arbitrarily influence the rise and fall of all nations."

"While the canals are being dug in Egypt, I can also take the opportunity to see what the legendary Cleopatra looked like. I remember there was an Egyptian cat in my hometown with its hands on its hips, swaying its body to the music..."

The lieutenant standing nearby looked puzzled and couldn't help but ask, "Sir, what is an Egyptian cat?"

My family is great in every way, except that they sometimes use words that are hard to understand.

Bai Su coughed lightly twice and made up an excuse to get away with it: "It's nothing, just a folk tale from my hometown."

The lieutenant didn't suspect anything, but scratched his head and then asked in confusion, "Since this matter is so important, what could be so important that you would travel all this way to summon me back to Xianyang?"

In fact, he wasn't the only one with this question; the entire Xia Army was filled with doubts.

After all, while staying in Rome, countless Roman citizens would bring him wine, meat, and flowers every day.

The local nobles flocked to him, eager to curry favor and cooperate in making money. They were treated to lavish meals and drinks every day, with plenty of profits to be made.

Such a fertile field of food and wine, all prepared, yet the master didn't even cut a single blade, and went straight home. This is really not like the usual character of our master.

Bai Su said with a solemn expression, "This matter is of great importance. If I am not careful in the slightest, I may lose my life in Xianyang and die without a burial place."

Upon hearing Bai Su's words, he was completely stunned.

You must know that our lord is the current Grand Chancellor, holding great military and political power. Even the four Protector-Generals have to bow to him when they meet. Who could make our lord look so solemn and in danger of death?

Could it be... His Majesty?

The image of Zheng Jie's haughty, deep gaze immediately flashed into his mind.

The lieutenant was so frightened that his face turned pale. He quickly pretended that he hadn't heard anything and turned his head to look at the scenery.

It's not his fault.

If it were any ordinary official, even if it were the current prime minister bullying their superior, they would dare to go to the prime minister's residence, beat up Li Si, and vent their anger for their superior.

After all, they have always been well taken care of by their parents, and they have never been shortchanged in terms of benefits and treatment. As the saying goes, a scholar will die for one who understands him.

But they simply didn't have the guts to challenge His Majesty.

Involving power struggles within the imperial court could easily implicate one's entire family; even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to entertain such a thought.

Bai Su shook her head as she looked at the adjutant's pale face.

He gazed eastward toward the Central Plains, sighing helplessly, "How am I supposed to face this hellish scene in Xianyang? It's giving me a headache..."

Chapter 487 The Resentful Princess

About two months later.

In front of the Bai Mansion in Xianyang City.

A simple carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the mansion gate.

Upon seeing this, the guards standing in front of the mansion gate frowned deeply.

You must understand, this is the residence of the Grand Master of Ceremonies. How could an ordinary person dare to openly block the gate? Is this a provocation against Her Highness the Princess?