Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 184 Demon Queen: Fall at this moment!
Dusk, Kunning Palace.

After dinner, the Queen sat lazily on the soft chair. Her figure showed a charming curve, and her slender and straight legs were crossed. The luxury she inadvertently revealed was extremely beautiful, especially the mature charm.

The fake emperor walked over, grabbed her hands and pulled her into his arms. The demon queen stretched out her arms and hooked them around his neck, raised her beautiful face, and glared at him: "Don't make trouble, Shuangxi will be here soon... um..."

Before she could finish her words, her red lips were blocked and they embraced and kissed passionately, neither of them giving in, and both wanted to be the one taking the initiative.

After a long while, the Demon Queen pushed him away, her face flushed: "I'm going to suffocate!"

The fake emperor hugged her flexible waist and was about to take a step further, but the demon queen held his face and glared at him: "You want to do something bad again? You just want to see me lose control of myself, right?"

She kissed him on the face and blinked her beautiful eyes: "Enough is enough."

The fake emperor did not force it. He buried his head in her fair neck, took a deep breath and said, "Rub it for me. My eyes hurt again today."

The Demon Queen sat down on the soft mat and stretched out her beautiful legs. The Pseudo-Emperor lay down skillfully, resting his head on her legs and slightly closing his eyes.

"Isn't it a great victory at Taishan? Why are you still so sad?" the Demon Queen asked softly.

She stretched out her delicate hands and began to massage his eyebrows gently. Her hair fell in front of the false emperor, and he could smell the fragrance.

"We're just getting started." The fake emperor closed his eyes and sighed, "The main force of the Japanese pirates has just retreated to the sea, and they will come back again."

The Demon Queen gently rubbed his forehead and said, "The Ming army is now very powerful, so don't be afraid."

The fake emperor sighed and said, "The national treasury can't sustain the war every year. I have to find a way to make money."

The Demon Queen's hand paused slightly and she was absent-minded for a moment.

……

The autumn wind is bleak.

On both sides of the street, the withered yellow leaves were like tired butterflies, being picked up again and again by the ruthless autumn wind, and then falling down helplessly, finally piling up into pieces of golden sorrow. The branches were bare, stretching towards the gray sky.

Zhu Qizhen walked on the street against the wind, tightening his robe to try to resist the chill that penetrated his clothes. There were few pedestrians on the street, and occasionally a few figures hurried past, but they also kept their heads down and had no time to pay attention to the surrounding scenery. The palaces and pavilions in the distance were looming in the mist, losing their former glory and solemnity, and adding a bit of loneliness and desolation.
He came to the guild hall. He hadn't been there for a while. Ning Rongrong was actually happy to see him. She lowered her eyes, and when she opened them again, they were full of coldness.

"Your Majesty." She bowed slightly.

She led Zhu Qizhen into her boudoir, then took off her coat and sat on the bed, like a little wife waiting to pamper her husband, because she knew that every time the emperor came, he would torment her first.

To her shame, she was actually looking forward to it. But this time, the emperor did not pick her up rudely like before, and then there was a storm.

"Make tea for me." Zhu Qizhen spread his hands and smiled, "I really want to drink the tea you make."

Ning Rongrong was startled, her face instantly turned red, she put on her coat, sat in front of the coffee table, and began to make tea skillfully. Zhu Qizhen sat opposite her and said, "I plan to reopen the customs offices in Quanzhou and Guangzhou to start overseas trade."

"Ah?" Ning Rongrong was shocked and raised her beautiful eyes to ask, "So soon? Aren't we fighting the Japanese pirates?"

"The first batch of warships is almost completed, and we are capable of protecting our own caravans." Zhu Qizhen said.

Ning Rongrong placed the brewed tea in front of him and asked, "What do you need me to do?"

Zhu Qizhen took a sip and spread his hands: "Of course it's a Western customer. Porcelain and silk are in short supply in the West and Southeast Asia, right? I won't affect your business. You can take the order boldly."

Ning Rongrong looked suspicious: "Your Majesty, we were smuggling before, and you just... let it go?"

Zhu Qizhen nodded happily: "I will forgive you for what happened, but from now on you can trade with foreign countries openly through the Maritime Customs, and you only need to pay taxes. The invincible warships of the Ming Dynasty will also protect you."

He added in his mind, "When I need money urgently, I will deal with your merchants. Now, I need you to help me open up trade routes."

"If it is really as Your Majesty said, of course we are willing." Ning Rongrong said.

If there is official protection, who would be willing to take the risk of smuggling?
Zhu Qizhen took a sip of tea and continued to ask: "How many rolls of silk can be consumed in Southeast Asia and the West each year now?"

Ning Rongrong frowned slightly, pondered for a while and said, "All the chambers of commerce combined can only sell 50 horses a year at most, but this is far from enough for foreign merchants. I estimated that it is at least million horses."

Big deal.

Zhu Qizhen muttered to himself.

Silk was sold in the mainland at 6 taels per piece, and in the West at 15 taels per piece, which meant a round trip of 9 taels of silver. And the 6 taels of silver itself had to make a profit, which meant that the profit of 500 pieces was around million taels.

Five million horses, that would be fifty million, which would exceed the national treasury revenue.

"If we want to increase silk production, it involves a wide range of areas, including mulberry trees, weaving workshops, etc." Zhu Qizhen frowned, "Let's do it step by step. We can't eat a big fat man in one go."

Ning Rongrong asked quietly: "Can we change rice to mulberry?"

Zhu Qizhen was very upset: "Don't give me any stupid advice!"

Farming is the foundation of people's survival. Besides, not all places are suitable for raising silkworms. The places for raising silkworms are mainly concentrated in areas with mild and humid climates and sufficient supply of mulberry leaves.

In addition to the Ming Dynasty, there are also some places in Southeast Asia. When the Ming Dynasty becomes strong, it can go to those places in Southeast Asia to raise silkworms and expand silk production.

"Okay, now that we've finished our business, let's move around a bit." Zhu Qizhen stood up.

Ning Rongrong pursed her red lips, took small steps forward, and walked towards the couch with Zhu Qizhen in her arms.

……

Northwest, Dunhuang City.

The sky is high and vast, and the sun has long since retracted its summer heat. The afterglow shines obliquely, dyeing the ancient city walls a light golden color, yet with a hint of chilliness.

Winter is coming!

On the city wall, the soldiers guarding the city were dressed in heavy winter clothes, woolen coats, fur hats, and thick boots, fully armed to resist the early cold wind. Their figures were elongated in the afterglow of the setting sun. The cold wind blew, and their clothes rustled, accompanied by the occasional sound of camel bells, echoing in this empty and ancient city.

Far outside the city, the endless sand dunes glowed with a faint silver light in the setting sun, like waves in the sea.

The Zhengtong Emperor stood on the city wall, looking southward, lost in thought. Wu Xingdao stood behind him and laughed loudly: "The scenery in Jiangnan at this time is quite different."

"I haven't been to Jiangnan yet." The Zhengtong Emperor looked regretful.

"Your Majesty, you are still young, and there will be opportunities in the future." Wu Xingdao smiled slightly, "Of course, you still need to be patient for now, control Guanxi first, and then gradually erode Shaanxi and Gansu."

The Zhengtong Emperor's eyes gleamed: "With your coming, Military Advisor, I am more confident."

Wu Xingdao stood with his hands behind his back and said in a deep voice: "Don't look at the false emperor who is at the peak of his power. As the saying goes, everything that rises must fall. If he falls one day, the world will collapse quickly. Your Majesty, let's accumulate first. One day, you will issue an edict to the world, and the world will respond in unison."

"I'm looking forward to that day!" The Zhengtong Emperor laughed.

Wu Xingdao took a deep breath and said, "The Guanxi side is not difficult to deal with. Bu Lie controls Hami, and the leaders of the other guards are all young people. Haha, young people are ambitious, so it will be easy to deal with."

The Zhengtong Emperor nodded and said, "I have summoned them to Dunhuang. Then we will rely on your eloquence, Mr. Wu."

The two men stood facing the wind, full of momentum.

……

Mobei, the Wala camp.

In the months since Yesen returned from his defeat, he quickly suppressed those rebellious tribes. In addition, Yesen sent Alazhiyuan's second son to guard Xifan, but poisoned him to death on the way.

The faction of Alazhiyuan was severely hit. Alazhiyuan hated Yesen to the core, but he could only endure it for now because there was no evidence, and even if there was, he would not dare to attack.

But Yesen could not kill Alazhiyuan for the time being, because Alazhiyuan's prestige in Wala was second only to Yesen. Someone even proposed to Yesen to appoint Ala as the Grand Tutor, but Yesen of course refused.

The conflict between Alazhiyuan and Yesen was just about to break out.

It was snowing in Mobei at this time.

The cold wind was like a knife, cutting the air wantonly, bringing a biting cold that was hard to resist. The ground was frozen hard, and even the land under our feet lost its vitality, becoming dead and desolate.

The mountains in the distance were covered with snow, revealing only some vague outlines, and the sparse trees, under the attack of cold wind and blizzard, looked even thinner and weaker.

The winter in Mobei is harsh and cruel. It tests everyone living on this land with cold and storms. No wonder every generation of people who struggle to survive in the wind and snow here want to go to the south, to the Central Plains.

At this time, in a big tent.

Alazhiyuan and Bolai were drinking and eating meat around the fire.

"I don't think Yesen will let you go, sir." Bolai's eyes flashed with murderous intent, "He will find all kinds of reasons to kill our people."

"I can't help it. I can only bear it." Alazhiyuan frowned. "Fortunately, I have sent my younger brother and eldest son out. They are in charge of the troops outside and have some concerns. Our balance can be maintained for a while."

Bo Lai said bitterly: "This is not a long-term solution."

Alazhiyuan took a big gulp of wine and said, "We can't do anything internally. After all, if a real fight breaks out, we are no match for Yesen. We can only hope that something changes externally, or Yesen dies suddenly."

Bolai drank a bowl of wine, threw the bowl on the table and said, "The Ming Dynasty will not launch a northern expedition in the short term. Do we have to rely on Tuotuobuhua?"

"Perhaps we can contact the Ming emperor in the northwest." Alazhiyuan sneered, "Didn't Yesen attract the Golden Horde? We can also have more allies, and Chagatai is not impossible."

Bolai thought thoughtfully: "What about the Ming Dynasty?"

Ala Zhiyuan said decisively: "Of course we have to maintain the relationship. I am very optimistic about that fake emperor."

……

In a house in the east of the capital.

A man wearing a wolf mask stood at the door for a moment, and the guard at the door took the initiative to welcome him in. Just like before, they came to a secret room in the yard.

This time, there were only six people in the secret room including him. The person sitting in the main seat in the middle was not the woman wearing the rat mask, but the man wearing the dog mask.

"I am here on the orders of Boss Rat to temporarily preside over the Junshan Association." The man with the dog mask said in a deep voice.

The woman wearing the fox mask chuckled: "It seems that Brother Dog is familiar with Boss Rat. Tell me, who is Boss Rat?"

The dog-masked man said in a low voice, "I don't know the identity of Rat Boss, so you don't have to guess. Rat Boss is not convenient to go out recently, so he told you to keep a low profile and continue to stabilize the channel for transporting supplies to the northwest. You don't have to do anything else."

"Humph!" The man in the snake mask snorted coldly, "Shaanxi and Gansu are investigating strictly, something will happen sooner or later!"

The man with the dog mask glanced over and said coldly: "As long as we cooperate with each other, nothing will go wrong. Everything is in line with the court's regulations." The man with the bull mask said indifferently: "We are cooperating, but I don't know how long we will cooperate. Rat Boss promised, but I'm afraid I won't be able to enjoy it."

The man with the deer mask said indifferently: "Never mind, I am just doing my best, regardless of the outcome!"

The dog-masked man had extremely sharp eyes, and he really wanted to know who these people were. However, he had no way of knowing, and he had no ability to make these people take off their masks.

"Have you explained everything? Let's go now." The man with the deer mask strode away.

The fox masked woman and the snake masked man looked at each other and turned to leave. The bull masked man followed behind them. The wolf masked man and the dog masked man walked last.

"Brother Dog, do we know each other?" the wolf-masked man asked with a smile.

"Brother Wolf, stop guessing." The man in the dog mask smiled, "Everyone has deliberately changed their voices and shapes, and they are wearing masks. How can we guess? Why don't we find a place where no one is around and take off the masks?"

The wolf-masked man spread his hands and said, "I don't care. But Boss Rat will definitely expel us from Junshan Club. You definitely don't want that, do you?"

The dog-masked man snorted and strode away.

……

In the guild hall, Ning Rongrong came back from outside and seemed to be worried.

She stood in front of the window, wearing a light blue dress that outlined her perfect body curves. She had a graceful figure, her long black hair casually draped on both sides, and her beautiful eyes were cold.

"If he is found out, will he blame me for hiding it?" She whispered to herself, "But if I tell him everything about myself, won't I be completely controlled by him? What if he doesn't keep his word in the future? Besides relying on him, I have to make my own arrangements."

dong dong!

There was a knock on the door. Ning Rongrong regained her composure and said calmly, "Come in."

Liu Molin from the Weiyuan Escort Agency walked in, clasped his fists and bowed, "Mr. Ning, do we really want to cooperate with the government?"

Ning Rongrong nodded slowly and sighed softly: "This is a good thing for us! The court will invest heavily in the Maritime Customs Office, and we won't have to smuggle secretly in the future."

"But the northwest part..." Liu Molin frowned, looking worried, "Can we cut it off?"

Ning Rongrong smiled helplessly and asked, "Can it be broken?"

Liu Molin shook his head, and then bowed again: "Mr. Ning, if anything goes wrong, our Weiyuan Escort Agency will take care of it, don't worry."

Ning Rongrong smiled slightly: "If something really happens, Weiyuan Escort Agency can't handle it. Hey, but don't worry, I won't let anyone get into trouble. If you do as I say, nothing will happen."

"Listen to Mr. Ning." Liu Molin nodded.

"The Maritime Customs should have made some arrangements. You guys should cooperate with them." Ning Rongrong ordered.

She explained everything in detail, but she did not tell Liu Molin that the emperor was behind her. She herself did not expect that the fake emperor she met by chance might be her life-saving talisman.

"I'm already his." She muttered in her heart.

……

early morning.

It was a day off, and the fake emperor was still sleeping. He hadn't turned over any of his concubines' cards last night, just wanting to have a good sleep, the kind that made him fall into a deep sleep.

Unexpectedly, the Demon Queen came early in the morning and opened the window, letting the cold wind blow in. The false emperor opened his eyes and saw the Demon Queen standing in front of the bed, supporting her waist with one hand, with a proud and slender figure, elegant and cold, with a wisp of drooping bangs, full of royal sister charm.

"It's illegal to disturb someone's wet dreams." Zhu Qizhen was speechless.

The demon queen leaned forward, and her slightly textured voice of a queen sounded, revealing a bit of mockery and sarcasm: "Who did you dream about?"

The fake emperor rubbed his eyes and raised his eyebrows: "Why did you wake me up so early in the morning? What are you going to do?"

The demon queen blinked her beautiful eyes slightly, and moved closer. Her hair fell down and hung in front of the false emperor. She pursed her lips and said, "The weather is good today. Come with me out of the palace to play, just the two of us."

"No!" The false emperor refused decisively.

"Really not going?" The Demon Queen came closer to him with a smile.

The false emperor smelled the fragrance on her body and curled his lips: "I finally got a day off, I need to rest..."

Before he could finish his words, his mouth was blocked by the Demon Queen.

Warm and soft! Smooth!

The demon queen looked down on him this time, acting like a queen, with her hands on his shoulders, wild and overbearing. The false emperor gave up resistance and chose to be completely passive, allowing her to dominate.

At this moment, she wanted to sink and fall completely!
She was so good at it that the fake emperor was somewhat addicted to this intoxicating kiss.

"Alright!" The Demon Queen opened her mouth, and her hands were still pinching the fake emperor's face lovingly, "Are you awake? Get up quickly."

She reached out to pull him, and the false emperor reluctantly got off the bed, hugged her waist, put his head on her shoulder, and said lazily: "Help me change my clothes!"

"Okay, I'll endure it." The Demon Queen agreed readily.

The fake emperor stood like a great master, and the witch queen was like a virtuous wife, picking out a set of casual clothes for him to wear. She also pulled him to the dressing table and combed his hair with her own hands.

“So energetic!”

The Queen was very satisfied with her masterpiece. She hugged his neck from behind and kissed him on the face.

This feeling is like that of a newlywed couple, inseparable.

……

The weather is really nice today, sunny and warm.

The false emperor and the evil queen left the palace. Today, the evil queen was not dressed like a girl like last time, but was dressed like a mature queen.

Her long hair is like a waterfall, dancing in the wind with the fallen leaves in autumn, adding a touch of charm of time. Her face is cool and delicate, with a touch of red between her eyebrows, like a finishing touch, mysterious and noble, making it hard to look away.

The black tight-fitting robe outlined her graceful figure, and the red belt tied her waist, showing off her beautiful curves. She walked calmly and gracefully, her red lips slightly parted, smiling, and curiously looked at the stalls on both sides of the street.

"Why do you want to go out for a walk today?" The fake emperor wondered.

"Humph, you've grounded me for so long, and you're asking me why?" The Demon Queen glared, "You have to compensate me. Everything I want today cost you money."

The fake emperor rolled his eyes: "You talk as if you were the one who spent the money last time."

The Queen smiled charmingly, took his hand and walked forward quickly: "Hurry up."

Before they knew it, it was noon. They walked, shopped and ate all the way until they reached the bank of the Gaoliang River. The Demon Queen was finally tired. She stood on the top of the steps and opened her arms to the Pseudo-Emperor: "I can't walk anymore. Carry me on your back."

Oh my god, there are already four pictures, and you are still pretending to be a little girl?

However, her mature style is also accompanied by the innocence of a girl, which is very charming.

The fake emperor complained in his heart, but he still bent down proactively and carried the Demon Queen on his back. At that moment, he clearly felt the pressure from his back.

so big!

"We encountered the assassination attempt here last time." The false emperor said as he carried her on his back, "You are not planning another assassination, are you?"

The Demon Queen hugged his neck with both hands and buried her head in his neck. Suddenly, she opened her mouth and bit his earlobe lightly, humming, "I told you that this was not arranged by me. Can't you see that I have given up struggling? You have already secured your throne."

Only ghosts believe you!

The fake emperor carried her on his back as he walked down a sorghum bridge. He ran into a young man, who stared at him with wide eyes: "Master? Master's wife?"

"Chao Xiaotian?" The pseudo-emperor was also surprised.

The demon queen lying on his back waved to Xiaotian: "Xiaotian, the talisman you asked for us last time was thoughtful."

Chao Xiaotian was overjoyed: "Master, Master's Wife, what a coincidence, isn't it? Today is my birthday, can you come to my house to celebrate together?"

"Okay." The Demon Queen agreed without waiting for the Pseudo-Emperor to answer, and patted him on the back, "Why don't you leave now?"

Chao Xiaotian was very happy, leading the way in front, and asked carefully: "Master, how about I carry your wife on my back?"

The demon queen quickly refused: "I want him to carry me on his back."

"Yes, I am the only one who can carry your master's wife on my back." said the fake emperor.

The Demon Queen leaned on his back, her pretty face flushed, and her bright peach blossom eyes were filled with tenderness.

Soon, they arrived at Chao Xiaotian's home, which was a small courtyard by the Gaoliang River. The Demon Queen got off the Pseudo-Emperor, and her beautiful eyes swept across the clean and tidy courtyard, praising: "This is the courtyard I like, by the river, and there are osmanthus trees."

"Master and Madam, if you like it, come often." He greeted Xiaotian, "You guys take a rest, I'm going to cook."

The Demon Queen shook her head and said, "You are the birthday girl today, how can I let you do all the work? Your master and I will make it, and you just need to wait and eat."

The false emperor stared at her with a suggestive look in his eyes.

Are you sure? It's someone's birthday, and you can't even cook porridge properly, so how can you cook and fry food?

"What are you looking at? I'll wash and cut the vegetables, and you cook them!" The demon queen glared at him, "Don't underestimate me. I recently learned from Shuangxi how to... wash vegetables."

The fake emperor looked like he was saying, "I don't believe you at all."

The Demon Queen pushed him inside, warning him fiercely with her beautiful eyes: "Don't expose your shortcomings in front of the children."

The fake emperor was very upset and pointed behind him: "The kitchen is over there."

"Ah, over there." The demon queen smiled awkwardly and pushed him into the kitchen.

After entering the kitchen, she rolled up her sleeves, revealing her fair wrists, put her hands on her slender waist, and raised her eyebrows: "Master, I will listen to your orders."

Leprechaun!

The false emperor thought to himself that he would subdue you sooner or later.

(End of this chapter)