Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 230: The Demon Queen: You treat me like a prostitute? You'll pay me afterwards?

Kunning Palace.

The Demon Queen wore a lavender dress, looking cool and dignified. She leaned lazily on the cushion, supporting her head with one hand and holding a book with the other, her features as beautiful as a painting.

Her black hair is as white as lacquer, which makes her skin look even whiter than jade.

At this time, there was a constant noise outside. She frowned slightly and called out "Shuangxi". After a while, Shuangxi rushed in, looking excited: "Madam, Yu Shaobao defeated Yesen in Mobei. Now the news has spread throughout the court and the country. Everyone is celebrating."

The Demon Queen was slightly startled, then her eyes dropped with a complicated expression.

Of course, she hoped that the imperial army could win. This was not a personal grudge, but related to the fate of the Ming Dynasty. But she was also worried that after the Battle of Mobei, the false emperor would move westward, and then Dunhuang would be in danger.

How to do?How to do?
A sad smile appeared on her beautiful face. What else can I do? What else can I do?

After thinking for a long time, she slowly stood up, her long skirt slipped off, her graceful body, especially the majestic figure in front of her, trembling. She sighed softly: "Shuangxi, get ready, I am going to Fahai Zen Temple to burn incense for the fallen soldiers."

"Yes." Shuangxi went to prepare.

Soon, a carriage left the palace and drove slowly on the street. Shuangxi was still driving the carriage himself. The demon queen in the carriage lifted the curtain and looked at the streets outside.

"There are more and more Westerners in the capital." She looked sad.

The carriage was moving slowly, and behind it, there were several people following far behind. They were the secret guards of the Imperial Guard. The carriage turned through several streets and finally stopped at the Fahai Zen Temple.

The Jinyiwei secret guards who followed did not follow into the Zen temple, because in the Zen temple, there would be other secret guards following.

……

Taibai Restaurant, not far from Fahai Temple, was full of guests.

In a private room on the second floor, Chao Xiaotian stood by the window, looking at the busy traffic downstairs. Over the years, he has matured a lot, no longer as immature as before, and is no longer the boy he was back then.

The leader of the Yulong Gang controls the largest escort agency in Beijing, Shunfeng Escort Agency. Now in Beijing, he is the most powerful force in the world. Everyone calls him "Little Master"? Why "Little Master"? Because he feels that he is still young.

dong dong~
There was a knock on the door, and he regained his composure and turned to open the door. Standing at the door was actually Shi Biao, the commander of the Jinyiwei in plain clothes. He clasped his fists towards Xiaotian and said, "Brother Shi, if you want to drink, come to my place. Why did you choose such a place?"

"You have too many people and too many eyes." Shi Biao glared, "You kid, things are different now, you should be careful in the future. I don't know how many forces have planted people in your Shunfeng Escort Agency."

Chao Xiaotian spread his hands nonchalantly: "Place someone here, I just happen to be short of people!"

Shi Biao held his forehead and smiled: "I came here today to send you someone. Your fleet will be out to sea soon, right? If you want to expand rapidly, you will definitely need the support of the court."

Chao Xiaotian was very happy.

He is now following his master's instructions to open up overseas business step by step. According to his master's idea, he not only needs his own business team, but also his own armed forces.

After going overseas, we can occupy the local territory and use the local resources to produce textiles, grow crops, etc. In short, we need to engage in global trade.

In this case, of course he is short of people, and it would be a good thing if the Jinyiwei could join.

"That's great, Brother Shi." Chao Xiaotian patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, from now on when we drink soup, you will definitely have a bowl."

Shi Biao was confused: "Hey, why are you the same as your master?"

Chao Xiaotian poured wine for Shi Biao and said, "You're joking, Brother Shi. Let's work together to make it bigger and stronger."

Shi Biao nodded.

He came here on Zhu Qizhen's orders to help Chao Xiaotian and quickly organize the fleet for going overseas. Shi Biao didn't quite understand Zhu Qizhen's plan, but he obeyed. Jinyiwei trained a lot of good players, and joining Chao Xiaotian's Daming Trading Company would enable them to quickly sail overseas.

……

Imperial College.

After not coming here for a few months, Zhu Qizhen thought he had come to the wrong place. After the expansion, the Imperial College has become as large as a modern university. Moreover, some of the buildings are quite Western-style.

Yang Shan, the Minister of Rites who followed behind him, reported: "Your Majesty, we have also opened a special foreign language course. According to your request, this year we will send a group of students to study abroad in the West."

"Not bad." Zhu Qizhen nodded.

Although Europe today may not be as rich and powerful as the Ming Dynasty, they have made great achievements in culture and many other disciplines, which the Ming Dynasty needs to learn from.

"Lord Yang, I told you last time that we would set up several professional universities." Zhu Qizhen said as they walked, "You must prepare well and don't fall behind the Ministry of War. The Ministry of War needs half a military academy."

Yang Shan spread his hands helplessly and said, "Your Majesty, if you allocate half the amount of funds to our Ministry of Rites, I can set up ten universities for you."

"You're just arguing, aren't you?" Zhu Qizhen held his forehead with his hand. "The Ministry of War is fighting a war, so it has to spend money, right?"

Yang Shan approached cheerfully and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that the Ming fleet is about to set off again. Is the scale of this voyage similar to Zheng He's? Going to America, isn't there gold and silver everywhere? If we can bring back a few ships, we will be rich."

"Haha, bringing back mountains of gold and silver is not necessarily a good thing." Zhu Qizhen said angrily.

When a large amount of silver poured in, he was definitely worried about inflation. But he had never studied economics in his previous life and had no idea how to avoid this inflation problem.

Therefore, he urgently needs talents in this area.

Now in his mind, he only has some basic understanding of economics and can only have a general idea.

In his vision, the imperial court needed to issue currency, and certainly could not fall into the embarrassing situation of the Ming Baochao issued during the reign of Emperor Taizu, which eventually became waste paper.

The Ming Dynasty issued treasure notes, which were linked to gold to maintain the stability of their value. The exchange rate for silver was set to control the circulation of silver. At the same time, the issuance of this currency was strictly controlled to avoid depreciation caused by excessive issuance.

The imperial court needs to set up a special financial regulatory agency to do this specifically.

Secondly, adjust tax policies
In addition to traditional taxes such as land tax and labor service, the court could increase taxes on business, trade and other activities to increase fiscal revenue and reduce the excess money supply caused by the influx of silver.

Find ways to promote economic development.

Encourage agricultural production. Agriculture is the foundation of the Ming Dynasty's economy. The court can encourage farmers to reclaim wasteland, build water conservancy projects, and improve agricultural production technology to increase grain output and farmers' income.

The imperial court also had to formulate policies to vigorously develop handicrafts and commerce.

Conduct international trade to balance the supply and demand in the domestic market and reduce the excess money supply caused by the influx of silver. The court can encourage merchants to export goods in exchange for gold or other physical assets overseas.

This is why he wants to join the Ming Trading Company established by Chao Xiaotian.

"Lord Yang, tomorrow, you take those Western gentlemen to the Ministry of Revenue." Zhu Qizhen rubbed his eyebrows and said, "I want to discuss the next financial policy with the Ministry of Revenue."

"When is finance?" Yang Shan asked.

"Let's go and listen together tomorrow." Zhu Qizhen held his forehead with his hand.

……

The two walked and talked, and because they were both in casual clothes, most students didn't recognize them. However, they ran into Li Ling, the eldest princess of Goryeo who had been in Ming for two years and looked even more beautiful. She was wearing a red dress, pretty and lovely, with a pair of bright big eyes. She glanced at Zhu Qizhen, didn't salute, and strode away.

"Stop!" Zhu Qizhen called her, "Are you so rude to me?"

Li Ling curled her lips, seeming to be very angry, her large chest rising and falling, staring with her beautiful big eyes and saying, "I didn't see it."

Zhu Qizhen knew what she was angry about, because he had received news some time ago that Prince Suyang of Goryeo forced his nephew to abdicate, and he himself sat on the throne of Goryeo.

Li Ling must have received the news that her brother had lost the throne and was placed under house arrest. She was naturally unhappy and blamed the emperor of the Ming Dynasty for not helping and watching the traitors do evil.

"Your brother has also abdicated. I think you should not return to Goryeo. Going back will lead to your death." Zhu Qizhen blinked, "I will grant you a marriage in Ming Dynasty, okay?"

Li Ling waved his fist angrily and said, "I will learn my skills and go back to help my brother regain his kingdom."

Zhu Qizhen liked to tease the Korean princess and asked with interest, "What skills did you learn?"

"Of course it's the Art of War." Li Ling hummed, "The teacher said I have a talent."

Zhu Qizhen suppressed his laughter and said, "Okay, when you have learned the art of war, I will lend you soldiers and you can go back and seize the throne."

Li Ling blinked her eyes excitedly: "Really?"

"Of course it's fake." Zhu Qizhen laughed, "Hahaha, you want to seize the throne?"

Li Ling gritted his teeth, glared angrily, turned and ran away.

……

Mobei, Onon River.

Yu Qian met with Toghtobukha's envoy in the central military tent. This time, the envoy sent by Toghtobukha was of unusual identity. He was Toghtobukha's younger brother Agabarji.

"The kurultai is about to be held. If your Khan does not come in person, does that mean he will give up the throne of the grassland?" Yu Qian asked with a chuckle.

Agabaerji shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, my Khan is ill and will arrive later."

Yu Qian smiled and said, "Really? I'm just asking casually. We, the Ming Dynasty, are guests at this conference. We only offer suggestions and will not interfere with your decisions within the grasslands."

"Yes, yes, yes." Agabarji nodded with a smile.

He chose to come to Onon River to inquire about the situation. Tutubuhua was still worried that this kurultai was a conspiracy of the Ming army. What if he was caught by the Ming army when he arrived?
boom! boom! boom!
Suddenly, there were several loud noises, shaking the tent a few times, and frightened Agabalji to stand up suddenly. Yu Qian waved his hand calmly and said, "Oh, some tribal leaders in the grassland want to see our Shenjiying. I guess the Shenjiying is demonstrating the latest Hongwu artillery of the Ming Dynasty to them."

Although Tuotuo had not come yet, many other tribal leaders from the grassland had come. They heard that they could receive food and grass, so they came in person. Anyway, the target of the Ming army's expedition to Mobei was Yesen, which had nothing to do with them.

Now, only the Tatars and the Oirat tribes have not arrived.

"Can I go and take a look?" asked Agabarji.

"Of course." Yu Qian nodded, and he asked a personal guard to take Agabarji to the Shenji Camp.

The reason why Yu Qian asked the Shenjiying to demonstrate the Hongwu artillery to the leaders of the grassland tribes was to shock them. Your grassland swift horse curved swords are outdated and will always be blown to pieces in front of the artillery.

"General." Wang Yue pushed the door open and reported, "The Alazhiyuan of the Wala tribe has not arrived yet, but he sent an envoy, saying that..."

Yu Qian interrupted with a smile: "You are also sick, right? If you play this trick on us, we are not in a hurry! Send a message to Yang Guifang and ask him to lead the army to chase Yesen. Then send a message to Shi Heng and ask him to slow down, just in time to protect the grain road."

"Yes!" Wang Yue took the order and left. ...

Somewhere in Mobei.

Yang Guifang sat high on his horse, watching the large group of people passing by below, heading north. He glanced at the sky and said to Zhu Yong beside him, "Let's set up camp here!"

"Yes!" Zhu Yong took the order and left.

Not long after, in the central army tent that had been set up, Yang Guifang looked at the latest intelligence in his hand. He frowned slightly and said, "Now we can be sure that Yesen went out from the Gurza River, and Bayan led 100,000 main forces out from the other side. At this moment, it is estimated that they have joined forces with Yesen."

"This is really cruel, using myself as bait." Zhu Yong said, "He is a formidable opponent."

Yang Guifang took a deep breath and said, "Yesen still has the strength to fight. We can't take it lightly."

"General, I still admire you." Zhu Yong's eyes were full of respect. "Because of your plan of the 'Kuriltai Assembly', this move made Yesen lose all his advantages and become a lonely man in the Mobei grassland. Now, no tribe stands on his side."

Yang Guifang smiled slightly: "That's also related to his overbearing behavior over the years. The Wala tribe is strong, so they bully other tribes. Those tribes can't stand it anymore."

"So, Yesen will definitely lose this time. It's only a matter of time." Zhu Yong said arrogantly.

Yang Guifang was very calm. Looking at the map hanging in the tent, he put himself in Yesen's shoes and guessed what Yesen would do next.

"Yu Shaobao's letter said that we should pursue Yesen." He said slowly, "He is using the kurultai to hold back the other tribes at the Onon River. Shi Heng will be the last one to go and destroy Toghtobukha. The premise of all this is that we must destroy Yesen first."

He looked at the map, thoughtfully.

……

Kunning Palace, the night scene is intoxicating.

The false emperor pulled his arm out from the warmth and sat up.

"Leaving now?"

A pair of white arms hugged him from behind, as if unwilling to let him leave. The demon queen blushed, pursed her red lips, and swallowed her saliva, which seemed to have a fishy smell.

The fake emperor turned around, held her mature and charming face, and glared: "If you don't leave, what can I do? Every time at the critical moment, you let me endure it by myself..."

"Shameless! Didn't I help you just now?" The Demon Queen said with a hint of grievance in her charming tone.

Her misty eyes slowly lifted up, a sad smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, and she snorted: "You are really heartless, leaving after the job is done? What do you think of me? A prostitute in Feiyan Tower, do you want me to play with you as you please?"

The false emperor was slightly stunned.

When did the demon queen become so humble? How many personalities does she have? What happened today?
"Why do you think so?" The fake emperor took out a silver ingot from his pocket and shook it in front of her eyes. "Here, here you go!"

The demon queen was so angry that she waved her hand and knocked him down.

The fake emperor spread his hands and said as a matter of course: "Look, if you don't take money, then you are not a prostitute. We are at most a prostitute. Er, that's not right, you are still not mine, so we are not a prostitute..."

"Shut up~" The Demon Queen was angry and embarrassed, and waved her hand, "Go away, go away."

The fake emperor liked to tease her. He found her very charming when she was angry.

"Drive me away? Then I won't leave." The fake emperor lay down again.

"Not satisfied, huh?" The demon queen's beautiful eyes were fierce, as if she was really a little aggrieved. "I know what you want."

She moaned softly and slowly stood up. Her long, jade-like legs slid down and her delicate feet stepped lightly on the furry carpet. Her tall figure straightened up, revealing her curvy figure that was faintly visible under her underwear. Her long, drooping hair added a bit of indescribable charm.

She opened the door and left.

The fake emperor was a little stunned. Was he really angry? But who had offended her? Wasn't she fine just now?
He was just wondering when Shuangxi came in and closed the door. She said timidly, "Your Majesty, the Queen asked me to serve you, saying that she wanted you to leave Kunning Palace satisfied."

False Emperor: “!!!”

The witch queen is not jealous of Shuangxi, right? Then who can I go to for justice? Shuangxi is your maid, it was your arrangement, I was passive. How can you be jealous of your own maid? Then why do you push your maid to me?

This woman is a little crazy.

"Come here!" The pseudo-emperor waved towards Shuangxi.

……

The phoenix tower was like a small boat moving forward in a violent storm, swaying and about to fall. After a long time, it slowly came to a stop and was no longer turbulent.

The fake emperor supported his head with one hand, looked at Shuangxi who was powerless in his arms, reached out and gently stroked her flexible and slender waist, admired her beautiful curves, and asked: "I'm afraid your queen has reached menopause."

Shuangxi pursed her lips, looking confused. She didn't understand and didn't want to bother thinking about it. She really had no energy left and was so tired that she just wanted to sleep.

I couldn't help but complain in my heart that Your Majesty is really so arrogant.

She has been practicing martial arts in the palace since she was a child. If she were an ordinary person, she would have been defeated.

"Don't sleep, let's talk." The fake emperor hugged her tightly.

He now has an idea in his mind, which is to subdue Shuangxi. Shuangxi is the most trusted person of the Demon Queen and must know many of her secrets.

"Hehe, the Demon Queen must lose her wife and her soldiers." When he thought of this, he always felt that something was wrong.

Shuangxi didn't want to talk about the Demon Queen, so she pretended to be asleep, but the Pseudo-Emperor played a trick on her. She opened her eyes in pain, stared at him in shame and anger, and bit her lower lip lightly: "Your Majesty, in my eyes, the Queen is gentle and dignified, everything is good."

The false emperor raised his eyes and looked into her eyes, his eyes were calm and he asked sincerely: "Are you mine now?"

His eyes were clear and clean, and he looked innocent.

“???” Shuangxi frowned and then nodded.

The fake emperor gently stroked her jade back and said something that made her spine shiver: "If, I mean if, one day in the future I want to kill your queen, which side will you stand on?"

After saying that, he kissed her bright face with a harmless smile on his lips.

Shuangxi felt numb, his whole body was stiff and cold, his eyes were wide open, and he was a little bit unbelievable for a moment.

"That's just a hypothesis, don't be afraid." The fake emperor said with a smile.

Shuangxi lowered his eyes, pursed his lips tightly, and kept silent.

"I'm just asking casually. If you just say that you support your queen, I won't be unhappy. After all, you have followed her since you were a child." The fake emperor spread his hands.

Shuangxi became even more nervous when she saw him speaking so calmly. She felt that the Emperor wanted to kill the Empress.

The false emperor looked at her, smiled slightly, hugged her gently, and sighed softly: "No matter what, I will definitely not be willing to kill you. As the saying goes, a husband and wife for a day is a hundred days of grace. Besides, you have served us for so many years."

Shuangxi was silent for a while, then raised his youthful and charming face and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

……

The false emperor dressed himself and walked to the front hall.

The demon queen was standing in front of the window, wearing a robe and a white gauze undergarment. Her beautiful figure was faintly visible, her long black hair was casually draped on both sides, and her skin was as white as jade.

"Are you satisfied now?" She glanced at the fake emperor and empress.

The fake emperor walked over, hugged her flexible waist from behind, buried his head in her fair neck, and whispered: "Did I make you unhappy? It must be my fault. I'm sorry."

The demon queen's heart softened, she leaned back against him, and said in a faint voice: "I am unreasonable and prone to temper tantrums."

So you know everything.

The fake emperor complained in his heart, but he said sincerely: "Recently, there are a lot of government affairs, and Concubine Xian and Concubine De are pregnant. I may have neglected you, but I will definitely come to see you every day."

"Hmm." The Demon Queen pursed her red lips.

After a while of tenderness, the Demon Queen turned around, looked at him with a smile and said, "Let's go, why don't we go see Concubine Xian and Concubine De."

The fake emperor pinched her face and turned away.

After he left, Shuangxi came to the side of the Demon Queen, bent down slightly, and said, "Your Majesty, just now... just now His Majesty... he told me a hypothetical situation."

"What if?" asked the Queen.

Shuangxi then told the fake emperor the truth. The demon queen was not surprised, but her face was miserable and she sighed: "Maybe what he said is not what if. Hey, Shuangxi, when that day comes, which side will you stand on?"

"Of course it's your side, Your Majesty." Shuangxi said without hesitation.

The Demon Queen nodded in satisfaction. Suddenly, she felt something was wrong and snorted, "This fake emperor is trying to win you over. He wants you to betray me and tell me my secrets."

Shuangxi waved her hands repeatedly: "My lady, I will never betray you."

"Of course I believe in Shuangxi." The Demon Queen nodded.

But she was wavering in her heart. Shuangxi would not betray her now, but what about in the future? The fake emperor had many tricks, and there was no guarantee that he would seduce Shuangxi one day.

That's it, Shuangxi knows all my secrets.

"My queen, my life belongs to you." Shuangxi knelt down in front of her.

The Demon Queen looked at her, sighed softly, stretched out her hand to pull her up, and said softly: "Shuangxi, don't worry, you are the person I trust the most. Over the years, we are not relatives, but we are better than relatives."

"My Queen." Tears fell from Shuangxi's eyes.

The Demon Queen reached out her hand to wipe away the tears from her eyes and laughed at herself: "Who knows, I may have to rely on you in the future. The evil fate between me and the false emperor will come to an end sooner or later."

"I will follow you even if I die," Shuangxi said firmly.

(End of this chapter)