The Long Journey to Immortality

It took three hours to conduct the investigation and interviews.

Han Lu's result was fairly satisfactory.

Why only "still so-so"? After all, no one is perfect, and if such a large mortal dynasty had no problems or flaws, it would seem like a rosy picture of a peaceful and prosperous era.

In the teahouse, the patrons praised some of the policies that were considered gentle and compassionate, but they also felt that she was too hasty, decisive, and aggressive, which made people uneasy and life was not as peaceful and stable as before.

The shopkeepers in the store had different attitudes toward warmth; some praised it, while others disliked it.

The poor people, on the other hand, were deeply grateful to the Queen of Warmth. While receiving relief, they told Han Lu about the good things she had done for them.

She observed everything, and by the time she went to the palace that evening to seek warmth, Han Lu felt she already had an answer in her heart.

Feeling relaxed, even somewhat "pleasant," and relying on her mid-stage Golden Core cultivation and good relationship with the Southern Dynasty royal family, Han Lu swaggered through the palace gates, taking a semi-formal route.

Hearing that the cultivator who wanted to meet the Southern Dynasty Empress at this time was the True Phoenix Fairy of the Zhengyi Sect, who was on duty near the palace gate, the guest cultivator responsible for the palace's security dared not neglect her in the slightest and took the initiative to help Han Lu make contact and communicate.

Without much effort, Han Lu met Wen Qing, who was now completely different from before, in the Imperial Study of the palace a quarter of an hour later.

Dressed in magnificent palace attire and adorned with a pearl and jade phoenix crown, Wen Qing, who was nearly forty-five years old, still looked like she was twenty years old because of her cultivation, but the difference between her and her younger self was noticeable in her brows.

"Noble and mature".

After silently evaluating her in her heart, Han Lu took the initiative to greet her, "Wen Qing, it's been over twenty years. How is your role as Empress?"

Chapter 1025 The Empress's Tenderness

Wen Qing was somewhat surprised to see Han Lu arrive.

“Senior Han, I was wondering which True Phoenix Fairy from the Zhengyi Sect it was, I didn’t expect it to be you,” Wen Qing stood up and warmly invited, “Please have a seat.”

Wen Qing somewhat awkwardly picked up the tea set beside her, poured Han Lu a cup of hot tea, and presented it with both hands.

After taking a polite sip, Han Lu realized that the tea in her mouth was not the highest grade of tea leaves, which surprised her slightly.

Noticing the subtle change in Han Lu's expression, Wen Qing explained "justifiably," "When I was in office, I advocated thrift, so naturally I should set an example in my daily conduct."

"This tea is the best tea from the Southern Dynasties, but its price is quite different from that of the best tea from the North."

“By drinking this tea, I will neither lose face for the royal family, nor fail to set an example for others, and will allow tea farmers in the Southern Dynasty to earn more money.”

"I just didn't expect Senior Han to visit today. Otherwise, I would have definitely taken out the tea gifted by the Northern Dynasty envoy to properly entertain you and repay your kindness."

Han Lu wasn't particularly concerned about this, and Wen Qing's reasons were more than sufficient. Therefore, she would only think more highly of Wen Qing because of this small detail, and wouldn't blame Wen Qing for not being hospitable enough.

Han Lu took another sip and praised, "You even pay attention to such a small detail. Indeed, that's how you convince people. Not bad, not bad."

Wen Qing smiled and put down the teapot; Han Lu's praise made her happy.

"Thank you for the compliment, Senior Han."

Han Lu greatly admired this "Empress" and humbled herself, saying, "You're too kind, just call me sister."

Wenqing said gently, "Okay, Sister Han."

Then, she told Han Lu a story to explain why she acted that way in this detail.

“There is an old fable about a king who liked to wear purple clothes. As a result, the price of purple cloth in his country rose and the supply could not meet the demand.”

"Although this story is satirical and sycophantic, I think we can learn to use this kind of flattery in a reasonable way to serve the country's governance."

"Therefore, in my daily life, I use as many things produced in the Southern Dynasty as possible to support domestic products."

Although she didn't know how the rulers of the Southern Dynasties lived in the past, Han Lu was certain that there weren't many rulers who lived with such thoughts.

"That sounds good, but what about the results?" Han Lu pressed.

Since it was done intentionally, Wenqing naturally conducted research to see how effective it would be.

"The annual income of tea farmers has increased by 35 percent compared to before I took office, even though the number of tea farmers has increased from 17,000 to 23,000."

"It should be considered a significant achievement."

The fact that such a small detail could bring about such a big change, allowing nearly 23,000 tea farmers to live a more prosperous life, is truly a wise and benevolent act.

Han Lu nodded slightly and praised, "It seems you've thought of everything."

After praising it, Han Lu could find fault with it from the side, "What about the rising price of tea?"

“This is the best tea,” Wen Qing had already considered this issue. “Those who can afford this tea are either wealthy merchants, officials, or monks.”

“These people won’t care about a mere 20% price increase.”

Han Lu took another sip of tea, imagining the tea farmers beaming with joy because of this small, heartwarming gesture.

"You've done a good job on this. What about other aspects? Have there been any other achievements? Tell me one by one, and let me see just how right it was for Er Ya and me to appoint you to the throne."

Just a month ago, Wen Erya had inspected Wenqing's work before heading to southern Xinjiang.

Now, let me report to Han Lu again. Wen Qing is handling things with ease and skill.

Following the administrative system of the Southern Dynasties, the principle of prioritizing the central government over local governments was applied.

Then, following the various departments under the cabinet system, she explained the new policies she had formulated to Han Lu, categorizing them by department.

As she spoke, Wen Qing would pick up a booklet from her desk, unfold it, and show it to Han Lu to prove that what she said was true.

As she spoke, Wen Qing's eyebrows danced with delight, and Han Lu even had a fleeting illusion.

The current scene resembles a cultivator who has finally reached the Golden Core realm recounting his cultivation journey to a Nascent Soul realm master with whom he has a close relationship but has not seen for decades.

A great sense of accomplishment.

Wen Qing did a good job, and Han Lu naturally cooperated well, praising her when she should and asking her questions when she should. Occasionally, when Wen Qing asked Han Lu for help, she would also try to offer some immature suggestions.

Some of them are absurd, and the problems with Wenqing, who has been emperor for more than ten years, can be seen at a glance.

Some of them might be useful, and Wenqing noted them down, intending to take the answers to her handpicked cabinet.

The two people in the study didn't seem like a mortal king and a Golden Core cultivator discussing national affairs at all; they looked more like sisters talking about everyday matters.

They chatted happily. Han Lu wasn't thirsty, but Wen Qing drank the half-pot of tea completely.

After chatting about national affairs for about half an hour, Han Lu then turned her attention to Wen Qing's family matters.

"Wen Qing, are there any women in your harem?"

When talking about her partner, even though they have been married for nearly fifteen years, Wen Qing still blushed slightly and said, "Of course I have one, and my two children are already five and a half years old."

To avoid trouble and controversy, Wen Qing had already found a spouse when she was still serving as a local official.

He is a mortal swordsman who is only at the Daoist Child Realm. He is handsome, gets along well with Wen Qing, and is extremely capable. He is a subordinate of the local official Wen Qing serves as, and is the county magistrate.

Now, this knight-errant has become a prince, and he no longer lives a secluded life in the inner palace like a woman.

He became the palace's security officer and commander of the imperial guards, protecting Zhou Quan, the most esteemed spouse in the Southern Dynasty, as a man.

As for children, Wen Qing only decided to have them after the political situation stabilized and he had been emperor for nearly ten years.

They were lucky; they were born with twins, a boy and a girl.

Wenqing had already made arrangements for her two children.

While respecting children's choices, we should try our best to guide them onto the path of cultivation, rather than letting them live as ordinary mortals.

Not going too far on the path of cultivation is perhaps Wenqing's only regret now.

In the Southern Dynasties, Wenqing gained much, but also gave much.

Han Lu and Wen Qing talked late into the night, and Han Lu only left when the oil lamp on the table was about to burn out.

On her way back to Zhengyi Gate from the capital of the Southern Dynasty, Han Lu was deeply moved after witnessing Wen Qing's achievements over the years.

She recalled the fourteen years she spent in the remote mountains, her mother, and the scene when she first went to the capital with Wen Erya...

After returning to the sect, Han Lu cultivated for five days and then asked Qingxu Daoist for "personal leave".

Heading east, Han Lu flew towards the East China Sea to attend Yi Qiyan and Lü Zhi's wedding banquet.

Chapter 1026 Before the Wedding

In the Southern Dynasties, both spiritual civilization and economic development flourished under the influence of Han Lu and Wen Erya's "transfer" and "compilation" of "Common Sense" and the policies and guidelines dominated by Wen Qing.

It's no exaggeration to say that things are changing rapidly.

Upon returning to the cultivation world and heading to the East Sea, everything before Han Lu's eyes returned to the slow pace she was used to.

Everything in Donghai is exactly the same as when Han Lu and the other two traveled there years ago; in fact, it has declined somewhat due to the close exchanges between East and West.

The only place where significant progress and change have occurred is probably along the Central Plains coast.

In Qiu Peng's "Cultivator Re-employment" plan, the relationship between the Zhengyi Sect and the mortal world of the Southern Dynasty became closer, and some "security companies" established under the leadership of the sect became outsourcing companies for the mortal dynasty to maintain its coastal rule.

These mediocre individuals, whose titles were "advisor" rather than "disciple of the Zhengyi School," made reasonable use of the rules and, without violating the unspoken rules, legitimately helped the Southern Dynasty government maintain social order and eliminate coastal bandits.

With the threat of bandits gone, many small islands along the coast of the East China Sea gradually emerged from anarchy.

The Zhengyi Sect even symbolically set up several outer gate outposts there.

In this way, nearly fifty more "mediocre disciples" can be accommodated, and young talents from the East China Sea Islands can also be recruited.

Of course, it was also in accordance with the high standards newly established by the Central Plains.

If this plan for cooperation between immortals and mortals had been implemented a thousand years earlier, perhaps the world would have one less rogue cultivator, Xiaoyaozi, and one more Elder Xiaoyao of the Zhengyi Sect.

With curiosity in mind and plenty of time to travel, Han Lu deliberately took a slightly detour to visit the island where Xiaoyaozi once lived.

There, the village has developed into a town.

The village, which originally only had a thriving fishing industry, now has an additional business.

Under the influence of the warm sentiment of large-scale infrastructure construction, sea sand with low salinity along the coast was collected and transported to inland areas as construction materials.

Although the economic benefits brought about by these industrial developments did not make every villager a millionaire, they ultimately benefited the village and helped these ordinary people who previously struggled to make ends meet to move towards a moderately prosperous life.

Unfortunately, with economic development, the thatched cottage where Xiaoyaozi once lived has long since disappeared into the annals of history.

This left Han Lu's already dwindling "Xiaoyaozi element" with nowhere to mourn its lost homeland.

After touring the thriving villages and towns and enjoying a seafood feast, Han Lu continued on her way.

Although Han Lu planned to give her friends a surprise, she didn't stop along the way. Instead, she headed straight for the Dragon Head Islands with a clear goal in mind.

During the journey, besides determining the direction and getting on the way, she was also thinking about how to deal with Xiao Ran's situation.