The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 339 The matter the Prime Minister is about to undertake is one that will influence future generations for thousands of years.

When Yuan Ying left the palace, it was already dark.

The evening breeze swept fallen leaves along the palace path. She pulled her cloak tighter around herself, her heart heavy with unresolved sorrow.

Is power really that fascinating...?

She murmured softly, her eyes slightly red.

Born into a prestigious family, she was exposed to the ruling class from a young age.

She knew very well that Liu Bei was working so hard because he wanted to bring back the power that had been delegated to the local areas to the central government.

Whether you say it's for the greater good or because you're greedy for power, it doesn't matter.

In short, in Yuan Ying's view, this is what it means to be an emperor.

Why then do so many people flock to it?
The maid asked cautiously:

"Your Majesty, shall we return to the Jiaofang Palace?"

Yuan Ying shook her head, her voice slightly hoarse:
"Go to the Prime Minister's residence."

The Prime Minister's residence, inner courtyard.

Yuan Ying was embroidering under the lamp when she suddenly heard that her sister had arrived, so she quickly got up to greet her.

Upon meeting, Yuan Ying rushed into her sister's arms, tears streaming down her face.

"Sister!" Yuan Ying gently patted her back and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

"You're crying so hard, you must have suffered a great injustice."

Yuan Ying choked up as she said:
"Your Majesty... he was harsh with me."

Yuan Ying was taken aback, then sighed:

"Your Majesty has been very busy with state affairs lately, and it's understandable that you're a bit impatient."

People are most irritable when they are busy with work.

Especially since they encountered some extremely difficult situations.

"Busy with official duties?"

Yuan Ying raised her head, her eyes filled with tears.

"No matter how busy he was before, he would always make time to talk to me, but now..."

She bit her lip and didn't say anything more.

The Empress could only stay in the deep palace, unlike Yuan Ying who could come and go freely.

Normally, she should have reported to the Prime Minister's residence in advance before coming here tonight.

Yuan Ying handed over a handkerchief and said softly:

"Sister, don't be sad. His Majesty still thinks of you."

Yuan Ying wiped away her tears, then suddenly looked around and asked:

Where is your husband?

Yuan Ying smiled wryly and scratched her head:
"He's busier than His Majesty these days."

“The ladies in the manor are all alone in their rooms every night, and it is difficult for them to see him.”

"Isn't he working at the Prime Minister's residence? How come you can't even see him?"

“He’s been busy with some ‘new invention’ in the workshop lately, living and eating with the craftsmen all day long, and doesn’t even go home.”

Yuan Ying shook her head, her tone filled with helplessness and heartache.

Yuan Ying frowned slightly:

"What invention could possibly warrant him personally visiting the workshop?"

Yuan Ying shook her head:

"I don't know either, I've only heard that it's something that can 'change the world'."

Change the world?

Just four words, but the tone is quite arrogant.

If it were anyone else, Yuan Ying would have scoffed and laughed at him as a madman.

But Yuan Ying was willing to believe anything Li Yi said.

Yuan Ying was silent for a moment, then suddenly said:
"Come on, take me to see you."

"Now?" Yuan Ying asked in surprise.

"Yes, now."

A hint of stubbornness flashed in Yuan Ying's eyes, "I want to see what he's been up to, leaving a beautiful woman like you alone in your room all night."

"Go and live and eat with those servants."

Yuan Hu then smiled slightly and joked:
"What, after being apart for so long, doesn't my little sister want to see her husband?"

Yuan Ying blushed and lowered her head to whisper:

“Sister, please don’t make fun of me… It just so happens that Zhi’er is also at the workshop, so I’ll go and see him.”

Yuan Ying raised an eyebrow:

"It seems the Prime Minister values ​​Zhi'er highly and has always kept him by his side."

Yuan Ying nodded, her eyes filled with relief:

"My husband often says that Zhi'er has a lot of ideas in his mind and he will surely become a great man in the future."

As the two were talking, the maid had already prepared the carriage.

Just as they were about to set off, a clear voice suddenly rang out—

"Wait! I'm going too!"

Yuan Ying and Yuan Ying turned around and saw Lü Lingqi walking briskly towards them, her eight-month pregnant belly protruding.

Despite being heavily pregnant, she remained dashing and even habitually carried an unsharpened dagger at her waist.

Since Li Yi married her, he has been focused on having children with her.

This is not because Li Yi was a womanizer.

It's because Li Yi is too busy and doesn't want to treat married life as a burden.

Because he lacked the time to spend with them, Li Yi wanted to leave them with a child.

All of Li Yi's wives, except for Mi Zhen who was unable to have children, already had their own children.

Of course, this assumes that Lü Lingqi also had a natural birth.

After Li Yi completed his mission, he began to focus on his career.

This is why Li Yi, despite being very busy, still has quite a few children.

Because he focused solely on creating people, and once they were created, he would immediately begin his own business.

Therefore, very few people can have several children; at most, two.

Lü Lingqi walked over and first gave Yuan Ying a military salute:

"To the Queen."

Then he turned to Yuan Ying and said, "Sister, why don't you take me with you?"

Yuan Ying was startled and quickly stepped forward to support her:
"Lingqi! You're pregnant, how can you run around like this?"

Lü Lingqi waved her hand dismissively:
"No problem! I have traveled freely with my father in Liaodong, and I am not afraid of the Goguryeo barbarians."

"What's the big deal about this little thing?"

Yuan Ying, somewhat helpless, advised:
"You're not alone now. If something were to happen to you, wouldn't the Prime Minister be frantic with worry when he gets back?"

Lü Lingqi snorted:
"He spends all his time in the workshop and never goes home, so how could he care about me?"

Yuan Ying was both amused and exasperated:

"Sister, don't talk nonsense. My husband... isn't he busy with important matters?"

Lü Lingqi pouted:
"I don't care, I'm going!"

Yuan Ying wanted to persuade her further, but Lü Lingqi had already climbed onto the carriage by herself, patted the carriage shaft, and urged:
"Hurry up, or it'll be dawn!"

Yuan Ying and Yuan Ying exchanged a glance, both feeling helpless.

Yuan Ying sighed and whispered:

"Sister, how about... we let her go? Otherwise, she might sneak out on her own."

Yuan Ying rubbed her temples:
"Alright, just be careful on the road."

The carriage slowly traveled through the streets of Luoyang, with Yuan Ying keeping a close eye on Lü Lingqi the entire time, fearing that something might happen to her.

Lu Lingqi, however, enthusiastically lifted the car curtain, gazing at the street scene, muttering to herself—

"Luoyang truly lives up to its reputation as the former capital of the Later Han Dynasty; it is far more prosperous than Liaodong."

"It's just a pity that Father won't be able to see it."

Yuan Ying couldn't help but laugh:
"You're a mother now, yet you're still so carefree."

Lu Lingqi touched her bulging belly and said proudly:
"My son is destined to be a great general, so he needs to get used to the bumpy ride now!"

Yuan Ying smiled:

"Your personality hasn't changed at all."

"In my opinion, if this child is a boy, we might as well name him Li Tai."

"Just like the young lady, healthy and robust."

Li Tai?

Lu Lingqi hesitated for a moment, then clapped her hands and said:
"A good name! A good name!"

“My husband already has three sons, plus Tai’er.”

"Governance, peace, security, and prosperity—doesn't this perfectly embody the aspirations of the new dynasty?"

As they were talking, the carriage suddenly stopped, and a commotion arose outside.

Yuan Ying lifted the curtain and saw that a patrol of soldiers had blocked her way.

Upon recognizing the carriage as belonging to the Prime Minister's residence, the leading captain quickly bowed.

"Please forgive me, Madam! This is a restricted area of ​​the workshop; unauthorized personnel are not permitted to approach!"

Before Yuan Ying could speak, Lü Lingqi had already peeked out, her eyebrows furrowed:
"Are you blind?! You dare to stop even the Empress and the Prime Minister's wife?"

The captain trembled with fright and quickly made way for him.

"This humble general was unaware of Her Majesty's arrival; I deserve to die!"

Although the captain offered to apologize, he still refused to give way.

Even though he knew he had stopped the Prime Minister's wife and the Empress's carriage.

Upon seeing this, Yuan Ying thought to himself that even a captain was so loyal to Li Yi.

They even dared to block his car.

It seems that Li Yi's methods of managing her subordinates are far superior to those of her husband.

After all, when Liu Bei was handling state affairs at Weiyang Palace at night, he had also said that no outsiders were allowed to disturb him.

But when she entered the palace, not a single person dared to stop her.

He appeared before Liu Bei in such a blatant manner and then had an argument with him.

Yuan Ying didn't want to make things difficult for her husband's subordinates, so she quickly spoke up to smooth things over:
"It's alright, it's your duty."

"Go and announce our arrival first, and tell them that it is the Empress and I who have come."

"Please spare a moment."

The captain, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, gave Yuan Ying a grateful look before taking his leave.

After he had walked away, Yuan Ying couldn't help but tease him:
"It seems that unless His Majesty comes in person, we all have to inform this 'Prime Minister'."

Yuan Ying sensed the sarcasm in her sister's tone and spoke up to explain:
"Sister, you are mistaken."

"I am also benefiting from my elder sister's good fortune today."

“If I hadn’t mentioned the Empress’s arrival, my husband might not have been willing to see me.”

“If it is said that the Empress has arrived, my husband will surely come to see her.”

"It seems you know your husband very well."

Yuan Ying quipped.

Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. What a cautious and meticulous person Li Yi is!
How could he possibly avoid seeing the Empress upon learning of her arrival?

"My younger sister serves her husband along with many other sisters, and she understands his temperament."

"My elder sister only shares one husband with Consort Gan, and my elder sister is the Empress, who is the sole favorite in the harem."

Do you truly understand your husband?

This rhetorical question left Yuan Ying stunned on the spot.

She has never wanted much.

If she could, she would rather not be an empress, but accompany her husband to farm and weave, and simply live out her life like that.

This is mainly because she was born into a wealthy family, and the allure of riches and luxury is not strong for her.

Having lost her father and been separated from her family for many years, what she really longed for was companionship.

At this moment, the captain rushed back, clasped his hands, and reported:
"The Prime Minister invites Your Highness and the ladies inside!"

Yuan Ying nodded and led Yuan Ying and Lü Lingqi into the workshop.

Upon entering, instead of the expected metallic, smoky smell, one is greeted by a faint, fresh fragrance of herbs and trees.

The entire workshop is laid out in a "回" shape and is divided into four main areas.

The eastern section is a composting pit, where bundles of paper mulberry bark and burlap scraps are soaked, and the water is a light brown color.

The south section is a large steaming stove, with ten earthenware urns bubbling with steam, and craftsmen stirring them from time to time with long sticks.

The western section is a papermaking workshop, where dozens of craftsmen repeatedly scoop paper from a pulp vat using bamboo screens.

The north section is a paper-baking wall, where charcoal fires smolder inside the brick walls, and steam rises from the walls covered with wet paper.

Each area has a red lacquered wooden sign engraved with rules such as "Chen Shi (7-9 AM) shift change" and "Wei Shi (1-3 PM) adding firewood".

The craftsmen had bamboo skewers pinned to their collars; upon closer inspection, Yuan Ying discovered they were work tallies.

You can exchange one slip for every 100 slips completed.

"This kind of management method is unprecedented."

Yuan Ying couldn't help but sigh.

The management model set up by Li Yi is very different from her understanding.

It felt much more advanced than any model she had ever seen.

Li Yi introduced Yuan Ying from the side:
"Those who slack off will be fined their pay, while those who exceed the quota will be rewarded with meat."

"Therefore, no one in the neighborhood dared to be lax or negligent."

Enjoying meat?

Yuan Ying raised her eyebrows, knowing that even many powerful and wealthy people could not eat meat anytime, anywhere.

Li Yi's act of giving meat to a group of low-level workers was far too extravagant.

This only proves one thing: this workshop is very important to Li Yi!

Yuan Ying stroked the stack of snow-white papers, the edges of which were printed with the words "Made in Luoyang in the first year of Zhangwu" in relief.

So, out of curiosity, I asked:

"Is this the thing that makes the Prime Minister forget to eat and sleep, and even neglect to go home?"

"Exactly."

Li Yi gently stroked the paper with his palm, "This thing is enough to influence future generations for a thousand years."

Yuan Ying couldn't help but chuckle:
"As far as I know, Cai Lun, who was then the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, invented Cai Lun paper during the Yongyuan era."

"Even in the palace today, bamboo slips are mostly used, and we have not seen what the Prime Minister said, which is enough to influence future generations for a thousand years."

As she spoke, she glanced at the paper that had been produced.

He gently placed his palm on it, then added:

"However, such efficient and snow-white paper is truly unprecedented."

Li Yi's lips curled slightly as he said:
"As the Empress said, this is why Cai Lun's paper could not have a significant impact on the people of the Han Dynasty."

"It's because they don't produce enough."

"As long as the quantity and quality increase, it will eventually replace the original bamboo and wooden slips."

Yuan Ying interjected from the side:

"Speaking of which, this thing is lightweight and convenient. If it could really be promoted on a large scale..."

"It does make things much more convenient."

Upon hearing this, Li Yi smiled but remained silent.

He invented paper not simply for the convenience of office work.

It has an even more important function, which is something I must do.

Why did it take Li Yi until now to invent, or rather improve, a more advanced paper?

On the one hand, the country was in turmoil at the time, and Li Yi was unable to coordinate resources if he wanted to promote it nationwide.

Now that I am the prime minister, I can oversee the overall situation, which is more convenient.

On the other hand, Li Yi is not omniscient and omnipotent; he needs to learn many things on the spot.

Take paper for example. Although many modern people can talk about how paper is made in great detail, they still can't explain it clearly.

They can even explain the principles behind its production.

But if you actually let him try to do it himself, like inventing a blank sheet of paper, he'll immediately forget how.

Theoretical foundations and specific technological processes are needed in the absence of an industrial base.

Li Yi needs to spend a lot of time figuring it out.

Besides, this wasn't his full-time job; his regular work already kept him quite busy.

We can only use spare time to conduct specific research, and even to build a mature industrial papermaking workshop.

"Huh? Judging from my husband's expression, he doesn't seem satisfied with this?"

"Could this paper be used for something else?"

Seeing that Li Yi was smiling but not speaking, Yuan Ying asked him a question.

Li Yi gently pinched her nose:
"Could it be that you can read my mind and guess this?"

"whee."

"Then tell us, my husband, what do you plan to do with this blank sheet of paper?"

"...Hehe, now is not the time to talk about that."

Li Yi kept everyone in suspense and summoned the workshop owner.

He asked aloud:
"The workshop is now basically completed, and the process flow has been finalized."

"In your opinion, how much paper can this workshop produce each year?"

The shopkeeper then bowed and replied:

"Your Excellency, there are currently fifty craftsmen in the workshop."

"If we use the improved printing technique developed by the Prime Minister, barring any unforeseen circumstances..."

"Each person can produce about two to three hundred sheets a day, of course, this is under the premise of ensuring paper quality."

"According to my humble opinion, if everything goes smoothly, the workshop can produce more than three million sheets of paper a year."

Three million copies?

Yuan Ying and her group were all shocked when they heard the number.

Although the moment I entered the paper mill, I already guessed that its productivity was groundbreaking.

However, its output still far exceeded the detailed expectations of the women.

"Given this size of paper mill, how much would it cost to set up another one?" Li Yi asked again.

This……

The workshop owner hurriedly ordered someone to bring the account books, and then quickly calculated the accounts. "Reporting to the Prime Minister, build another workshop of this size."

"It requires a fermentation tank, a steaming stove, a papermaking room, and a wall baking room. The construction cost alone would be at least 500,000 coins."

"This doesn't even include the cost of tools such as bamboo screens, pottery urns, and stone mortars."

"If you also factor in the cost of raw materials, there are also labor costs."

"It will take at least 1.4 million coins."

Ok.

After listening to the shop owner's account, Li Yi nodded.

The cost was still within his expectations.

"Ying'er, go back and discuss with your sisters about allocating ten million coins from the treasury."

"Husband, what do you need so much money for?"

Yuan Ying opened her mouth wide and asked in surprise.

“Naturally, we should open a paper mill.”

Li Yi pointed to the papers on the table and explained.

"My husband plans to invest all his money here?"

Even though Yuan Ying was a wealthy woman, she was still very surprised by Li Yi's bold decision.

According to the Han Dynasty law, the prime minister's salary was only seventy or eighty thousand coins.

In modern terms, that's equivalent to an annual salary of one million.

Of course, Li Yi held two positions, concurrently serving as Grand Marshal and General.

The salary was also over ten thousand coins.

However, we all know.

For officials, salaries are just something to talk about.

If one wanted to, it wouldn't be difficult for a low-level official to rake in tens of thousands of yuan a year.

Furthermore, the Wuzhu coin is now more valuable than it was a decade or even a few years ago.

Because of the previous chaos, prices soared.

The value of the Wuzhu coin also depreciated, leading to a decrease in purchasing power and making the coin worthless.

Now that the national regime is stabilizing, Li Yi has also strictly controlled prices, temporarily stabilizing the monetary system.

So ten million coins is actually a very high amount.

"Alright, I've made up my mind about this."

"You just need to say whether you can come up with ten million or not."

Li Yi's attitude was resolute, as if he was determined to focus on opening paper mills.

The reason he discussed these matters with Yuan Ying was because his wives were all very wealthy.

They're all little rich women.

Yuan Ying came from a family that had held high office for four generations. His father was the "King of Huainan" and had many protégés and former officials throughout the country. His family was very wealthy.

Lu Lingqi's father was the "King of Liaodong". Even if Liaodong was poor, it was still just poor people at the bottom of society. What did that have to do with the King of Liaodong?
As for Zhen Mi and Mi Zhen, needless to say.

One was born into the richest family in Xuzhou, and the other into the richest family in Hebei.

Who isn't richer than Li Yi?

Of course, Li Yi used their money to complete the investment and delegated the monopoly on trade in refined salt, fur, and other goods.

The huge profits generated are considered joint property of the couple, and there is no distinction between them.

Even so, many people still complain that Li Yi was a "gold digger".

When Li Yi heard this claim, he would usually just laugh it off.

Because the lower classes always have the mindset of "the emperor tills the land with a golden hoe".

They never stood at the top.
They had no idea that at the top, money was the least of their worries.

“If my husband wants to use it, of course we have it.”

"However, the amount is not small, and I need to discuss it with Sister Mi and Sister Mi first."

"I will definitely gather the money for my husband within three days."

"Good! Thank you for your help, my dear wife."

Li Yi thanked him and said he planned to open ten paper mills in the Jingzhao area.

The widespread adoption of paper requires both time and technological accumulation.

But before that, Li Yi had to take action in advance to control the main source of paper production.

"Does my husband intend to publish this improved papermaking technology?"

Yuan Ying suddenly realized that Li Yi didn't seem to have any intention of hiding the improvement of paper technology.

"Indeed, this improved papermaking technique was developed after several days and nights of research."

"But I still intend to make it public to the world free of charge."

"Only in this way can paper reach ordinary people's homes."

"Only in this way can I do something that I've always wanted to do but haven't dared to do."

"Is there anything in this world that you, my husband, dare not do?"

Yuan Ying covered her mouth and giggled.

"...Hehe, yeah."

"Some things are beyond human control, but I insist on doing them."

Li Yi stroked his beard and chuckled softly.

Paper is different from refined salt.

Salt was a strategic resource in ancient times, holding a prominent economic position.

Therefore, Li Yi kept the salt refining technology strictly secret and prevented it from leaking out.

But other inventions included military weapons such as horseshoes, high-bridged saddles, and crossbows, as well as civilian tools such as curved plows.

These technologies cannot be blocked.

Because it is intended for external use, it is very easy to counterfeit.

Logically speaking, paper, like refined salt, being produced behind the scenes, could also have chosen to use closed-loop technology.

In order to make huge profits.

But Li Yi did not do that.

He will not only not block paper technology, but will also encourage people to produce and use paper.

Even if the states of Wei and Wu adopt this approach, it doesn't matter.

Li Yi was eager for them to learn it as soon as possible so that it could be promoted among the people.

Looking to the future of the province, he also wants to rebuild the grassroots foundation.

Because paper has been promoted to a certain extent and has formed a considerable influence among the people.

There will definitely be a "group" that stands up to obstruct and disrupt things.

This is why Li Yi took so long to improve papermaking techniques.

Because he wasn't prepared for a full-scale war with "them" before.

Now he holds the highest position in the court, wields great power, and enjoys the greatest popularity and prestige.

This gives Li Yi the strength to truly challenge them!

"...What? Judging from Ying'er's expression, she doesn't seem very satisfied with my decision?"

"...Em, whether this improved paper can sell well has not yet been tested by the market, yet my husband has already invested a huge sum of money to open a paper mill."

"Then the papermaking technology was no longer kept secret, and our family's paper mill lost another major advantage."

"I'm afraid if Sister Mi finds out, she'll inevitably have a few more words to say."

Mi Zhen, after all, came from a merchant family, and being meticulous about money was her occupational habit.

Making a loss-making deal is very difficult for her.

Li Yi disagreed, saying that business was his forte.

“In the Han Dynasty, the bamboo slips we used originally cost about five coins each and could hold twenty or thirty characters.”

"The improved paper can hold three or four hundred characters on a single sheet and is priced at twenty coins."

"This is about 20% of the original cost of bamboo slips, and I am confident that it will sell well in the market."

"Alright, I'll believe you then~"

Yuan Ying pouted, "But if this paper really sells well, I'm afraid more and more people will stand up and try to steal our business."

"After all, our 'great philanthropist' intends to share this improved technology free of charge."

Hahaha……

Li Yi sensed the teasing in Yuan Ying's tone and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

It seems that after living with me for a long time, this girl has even developed a concept of intellectual property rights.

"Ying'er, you must remember this."

“A truly shrewd businessman cannot only think about making money for himself; he must get more people involved.”

"Let them make money too, so you can make even more money."

Yuan Ying thought for a moment, then shook her head.

"Ying'er doesn't understand, she doesn't understand at all."

"It's okay if you don't understand. Just know that this ten million won't go down the drain."

"Besides, the profits from the paper mill are small; my top priority is to use them to improve our country."

"Can a blank sheet of paper really change the structure of our country?"

"Exactly, exactly."

Li Yi became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he couldn't wait for that day to arrive.

After a brief tour of the paper mill, Li Yi decided it was best not to linger.

So he offered to escort the Empress back to the palace.

On the way back to the palace, the carriage rumbled along.

Yuan Ying gazed at the gradually brightening sky outside the window and sighed softly.

Li Yi noticed her emotions and gently advised her:
"Is Your Majesty still troubled by His Majesty's affairs?"

Yuan Ying smiled bitterly:

"Prime Minister, do you think... His Majesty has already grown tired of me?"

Li Yi shook his head and explained:
"Your Majesty is overthinking it. His Majesty is the supreme ruler, and the livelihood of all the people under heaven rests on his shoulders."

“He reviews memorials until late at night every day, and when I go to report on government affairs, I am often scolded to ‘stop rambling.’”

Yuan Ying looked up at him:

"Even you, the Prime Minister, get scolded?"

"nature."

Li Yi feigned helplessness and shrugged.

"Men are most annoyed by women disturbing them when they are busy with work."

"In the future, Your Majesty must not disturb His Majesty's studies when he is engaged in state affairs."

"If you find the palace boring, you may come to my residence often."

"My wife is gentle and kind, and she is the younger sister of Your Majesty."

"Although Lingqi is lively, she is also straightforward, which is better than staying in the square palace."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ying's eyes finally lit up.

"The Prime Minister's residence is indeed a comforting place."

"It's truly remarkable that your wives can get along so well."

Although Liu Bei was not lustful, he was, after all, the emperor.

Considering the need for equal distribution of blessings and the belief that many children bring many blessings, and under the instigation of his ministers...

Liu Bei also symbolically took in the daughters of several high-ranking officials as concubines in his harem.

But apart from his wife who died early in his life, he had only two wives.

One met Gan Mei in Xiaopei, and the other married Yuan Ying, a wife in Huainan.

Logically speaking, Yuan Ying's position in the harem should be unshakeable.

However, most of the newly arrived concubines in the palace liked to scheme against each other and speak in riddles.

This annoyed Yuan Ying so much that she just wanted to find a quiet place to stay.

There were also quite a few women in the Prime Minister's residence.

The fact that they could get along so well under Li Yi's tutelage was quite surprising to Yuan Ying.

To know,
Women are naturally hostile towards women who are better than themselves; this is called female competition.

When men encounter men who are even more outstanding, they often feel a sense of mutual respect and admiration, like heroes appreciating each other.

This is determined by the structure of social groups.

Seeing that he had finally appeased the "Empress," Li Yi jokingly said:

“My family has simple rules—anyone who spreads rumors will be punished by having to cook in the kitchen for three days.”

“Lingqi had a quarrel with Mi Zhen last time, and I punished her by making her chop wood. As a result, she broke three axes with one chop, and she never dared to misbehave again.”

To put it bluntly, Li Yi was already overwhelmed by dealing with government affairs every day.

Where can one spare extra energy to deal with domestic power struggles and palace intrigues?
Therefore, he usually accepts as little as possible, and only accepts if absolutely necessary.

Then her character must be up to standard.

If I don't pass, I'll have to pack my bags and leave immediately.

This is Li Yi's rule.

Any woman who gets in the way of his career must get lost.

When Liu Bei was with men, he was like a succubus.

He also exhibits some chauvinistic tendencies when dealing with women.

He is unwilling to spend time communicating when there are conflicts between him and his wife.

In fact, many times, a simple private conversation can resolve the conflict.

But I just don't want to.

Of course, considering the traditions of ancient society, few men were as open-minded and proactive as Li Yi.

Naturally, there wouldn't be a harmonious family relationship like Li Yi's.

Hearing her husband gossiping about her, Lü Lingqi immediately leaned out of the car window and said:
"Is my husband talking about me?"

"What do you mean?"

Li Yi feigned anger and scolded:

"You're eight months pregnant, why are you running around everywhere?"

Even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about the baby in your belly.

Lü Lingqi gently patted her round belly and laughed:

"My child will surely be as healthy as I am, my husband, do not worry!"

"Husband, please don't blame Lingqi. I was the one who brought her out."

"it's all my fault."

Yuan Ying immediately spoke up to defend Lü Lingqi.

"Of course it's your fault!"

"Just wait and see how I deal with you."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ying was immediately frightened.

"What does my husband intend to do with Ying'er?"

"Humph."

Li Yi glanced at Yuan Ying, knowing it was inconvenient to speak plainly, and said:

“When you return, you will naturally be punished according to family rules.”

Just now, when Li Yi mentioned family rules, he asked Lü Lingqi to start the fire.

Therefore, Yuan Ying only thought it was corporal punishment or something similar.

But upon hearing this, Lü Lingqi and Yuan Ying instinctively—

One reached out and touched his buttocks, while the other reached out and touched his throat.

"It turns out that Lingqi's family rules are different from mine."

"I only just found out that Sister Ying's family rules are there."

After the two women finished speaking, their cheeks flushed.

"how?"

"Aren't you all from the same family? How can your family rules be different?"

"Sister, stop talking."

Yuan Ying gently squeezed Yuan Ying's arm, then nestled in her arms and shyly hid away.

My husband's ideas are so ahead of their time!

……

"Your Majesty, we have arrived at Weiyang Palace!"

Li Yi dismounted and invited the Empress to get off the carriage.

"Your Majesty need not worry too much about some things."

"His Majesty treats you differently after all."

He paused, pondered for a moment, and then said:
"After returning to the palace, I will personally go and persuade Your Majesty."

"really?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I also have some matters to discuss with you."

Hehe~~
Yuan Ying's silvery laughter came from the car.

"Sister, men always have a lot to talk about."

"What to talk about?"

"Of course we talk about heroic and unrestrained things, unlike us who only chat about mundane family matters."

Yuan Ying was taken aback upon hearing this, and suddenly said to Li Yi:
"Prime Minister, there is something that has been troubling me for a long time."

"Prime Minister, you are the wisest man in the land. Could you please answer my question?"

"Your Majesty, please ask."

Li Yi blinked and said seriously:
"I will tell you everything I know without reservation."

Phew...

Yuan Ying covered her mouth and smiled:
"Prime Minister, there's no need to be so serious. This was just a casual question from me."

"If it's difficult to answer, you don't have to answer."

Li Yi thought to himself, if it really is a difficult question to answer, then he would rather you not ask it.

Looking into Li Yi's eyes, Yuan Ying asked the question that had been bothering her.

……

(End of this chapter)