You have truly caused me great suffering!

Since abandoning commerce for Taoism, Xiao Ting has increasingly felt that this field of knowledge is profound and extensive, far more vast and grand than the way of commerce.

This thing can't withstand deep thought; it's easy to get bogged down in it.

Moreover, it's not a bad thing. As long as you don't go astray in your cultivation, you'll always feel refreshed and live a long and healthy life.

Xiao Ting was overjoyed to see that Chen Shao had actually come on his own today, thinking that they would soon be able to engage in yin-yang fusion and dual cultivation.

"Your Majesty, what brings you here?" Xiao Ting curtsied, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears.

Chen Shao walked over and saw that her small room was furnished with brocade quilts, soft cushions, and a small sandalwood table fixed in the middle of the four cushions. On the table was a three-legged gilded incense burner with a crane carving and a copy of "Yunji Qiqian".

"Are you serious?" Chen Shao was filled with respect.

Xiao Ting wrapped her arms around his neck and said softly, "I also want to be like Your Majesty, so that I can serve Your Majesty for a long time." Her voice was soft and gentle, so sweet that Chen Shao trembled, as if it contained a thousand words, and also seemed to contain infinite shyness and expectation.

"Speak properly." Chen Shao's initial respect vanished instantly. What kind of respectable cultivator would speak in such a high-pitched voice?

She's even more flamboyant than before, and even if she's practicing Taoism, it's not the proper path.

Thinking of his purpose for coming today, Chen Shao forced a sincere smile. "Ting'er, why did you suddenly decide to go to the palace and not leave? Let me make it clear beforehand that I have no intention of being wary or afraid of you, so don't overthink it."

Xiao Ting was eight years older than him, but Chen Shao called her that without any pressure, and Xiao Ting was happy to accept it.

Hearing Chen Shao's words, Xiao Ting thought to herself, "That sounds nice, but if you're not wary or on guard, why did you cut off my caravan?"

But these little things are no longer important at this point; I don't care about them anymore.

"Ting'er only wants to serve His Majesty, she doesn't want anything else."

I can't help but want to! What can I do if you don't want to?
Chen Shao said emotionally, "Hey! If love between two people is meant to last, why should they be together day and night? How can I confine you to this deep palace for a night of pleasure? I have always known that you are a woman who is no less capable than men, and you have great abilities. How can you be a caged bird in the palace?"

Xiao Ting's eyes flickered, and she immediately understood that something must have gone wrong with the finances, and she would have to do manual labor.

I'm not going!

But thinking that she might not be able to resist him, she decided to take today's interest first. Then, she kept leaving warm kisses on his lips, and her slender hands wandered over Chen Shao's body.

Chen Shao thought to himself that he should first use his strength to coax her into cleaning up the mess.

He was about to pull at Xiao Ting's clothes when she pressed him down. She expertly opened a book on the small table and pointed to an illustration, saying, "Your Majesty, come here, do this pose."

Chen Shao was stunned. He looked down and then glanced at Xiao Ting, whose face was full of expectation.

Xiao Ting nodded, her eyes brimming with tears.

"So you really meant it!"
-
Chen Shao paid a price and promised to cultivate and improve together with her in exchange for Xiao Ting's agreement to help, but not outside the palace.

Her eight personal maids were responsible for internal and external communications and, as before, managed Chen Shao's finances.

These things were insurmountable obstacles for Zhao He; they required very little effort from her and were all easily accomplished.

In the past, to avoid suspicion, she directed operations from her own secluded residence.

Looking at the mess Zhao He had made, Xiao Ting was both angry and amused. It was truly a case of losing money even when lying on a mountain of gold.

After trying it for the first time, Chen Shao also felt that this thing was a bit mysterious. His lower back and legs were no longer sore, and he even felt refreshed.

It should be noted that health preservation was his top priority, which immediately piqued Chen Shao's interest.

Time quickly passed into mid-November, and with the new year fast approaching, envoys from various vassal states arrived in Nanjing early.

The arrival of Gao Shunzhen was undoubtedly the most significant.

While other delegations stayed at the ceremonial building of the Honglu Temple, he was taken to the Hot Spring Palace to meet the emperor.

Chen Shao treated him with the utmost courtesy.

A group of ministers were arranged to arrive early outside the hot spring palace to accompany him, and many gifts were bestowed in return. While waiting outside the palace, many officials from the Great Jing Dynasty also came forward to exchange pleasantries.

Gao Shunzhen dared not offend any of them, and even thought about befriending them in advance. After all, after Zhenxian Kingdom, any one of these people could become a backer for the Gao family.

Finally, Chen Chong came out and announced that the emperor had summoned them for an audience.

A group of people began to straighten their clothes and entered the outer hall one by one.

After everyone had arrived, Chen Shao slowly made his way over in less than fifteen minutes.

Everyone bowed and shouted "Long live the Emperor!" After the ceremony, as was customary, everyone was offered a seat.

He looked down and smiled, "Which one of you is Minister Gao?"

"Your humble servant Gao Shunzhen greets Your Majesty!"

"Although this is our first meeting, we have long admired each other, so there is no need for such formalities."

Gao Shunzhen didn't look like a barbarian at all, which made Chen Shao wonder if they really were of the same origin as the Han and Bai people.

Both father and son were exceptionally handsome and refined, reminding Chen Shao of someone—Gao Huan, the Prince of Gao during the Northern and Southern Dynasties.

After all, Gao Huan tried to ingratiate himself by saying that he was from the Bohai Gao clan, and that the ancestors that Da Jing had found for Gao Shunzhen's family were also from the Bohai Gao clan.

It is said that Gao Huan was also very handsome.

Looking at Emperor Jing, Chen Shao, who was speaking eloquently, Gao Shunzhen felt as if he were in a dream. When he was talking with Zhang Shuye in Qianzhong, the other party said that their emperor of the Great Jing Dynasty was gentle and kind to people, but at that time Gao Shunzhen did not believe it.

An emperor who came from a military background and used ruthless methods to destroy several countries, including Xia, Jin, Li, and Hui, within ten years, seems completely unrelated to gentleness and kindness.

But when he actually faced Chen Shao, he had to admit that Zhang Shuye had not lied.

Because of Da Jing's schemes and plots against Dali, Gao Shunzhen developed a stereotype of Chen Shao, always feeling that if she came to Jinling, he would make her lose face or even humiliate her.

Now it turns out I was worrying too much.

Chen Shao did not discuss state affairs with him, but only talked about the local customs and culture of Dali. To Gao Shunzhen's surprise, Emperor Jing spoke eloquently about many of the sights in Dali.

Erhai Lake, Cangshan Mountain, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
It felt as if I had been there before.

In fact, Chen Shaozhen did go there, but a thousand years later. Time has passed, but the green mountains remain the same; a thousand years have gone by, and Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain are still as they were.

This is what is meant by: "The people of today do not see the moon of ancient times, yet the moon of today once shone on the people of ancient times."

Gao Shunzhen was unaware that the Emperor of Dajing, who was making him feel so warm and fuzzy, not only knew about Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain, but even knew which way his Gao family's gate faced.

Because his son had already told him everything he could think of.

Therefore, when Chen Shao looked at Gao Shunzhen, he found him particularly pleasing to the eye and wished he would start negotiations immediately.

After Dali was taken back, given its geographical location, it was essentially a small part of Hedong in the southwest.

For the Indochina Peninsula, Dali has a commanding position, allowing it to launch attacks from all sides.

To the west, it could manage the various Tibetan tribes and the edge of India, influencing the Pagan Dynasty (present-day Myanmar) and the Tibetan Ali regime (Guge Kingdom).

They acquired jade and gemstones from Myanmar; spices and war elephants from Assam; and fine horses and medicinal herbs from Tibet.

To the southeast, it could threaten Zhenla and connect with Annam and Champa.

The entire Indochina Peninsula is under the control of the Great View.

Whether they admit it or not, and regardless of whether we analyze it from the perspective of manpower, combat strength, terrain, or human resources, Yunnan and Vietnam are the two most severe "fathers" of the southern barbarian tribes.

After conquering the Bagan Dynasty, we can even go and raid India. (End of Chapter)