The Empire will continue to win

Shen Moqing snapped to attention and declared righteously, "Your Majesty, this humble servant wishes to go to Yanshan Heavy Industry."

Yanshan Heavy Industry is the largest state-owned military industrial group within the United Empire, with manufacturing plants for rifles, artillery, gunpowder, shipbuilding, metallurgy, woodworking, leather, and chemicals.

A veritable imperial arsenal!

Empress Dowager Cixi was taken aback.

Why?

"The Empress Dowager wants to stabilize the court, and the military is the key. The military consists of two parts: people and weapons. Therefore, I would like to take charge of the military industry on behalf of the Empress Dowager."

"The reasoning is correct." The Empress Dowager frowned. "However, the Assistant Minister of Yanshan Heavy Industry, Woren, is a former imperial tutor. He is honest, upright, and exceptionally respectful to me."

"This subordinate is not targeting the senior colleague; this subordinate is simply somewhat worried."

"What are you worried about?"

"During the Battle of Busan, the garrison's guns and cannons malfunctioned frequently, and the shells were less than effective. The Japanese leader was certainly loyal and patriotic, but his men..."

"Is such a thing possible?"

"Yes, I'd stake my life on it."

"Yanshan Heavy Industry is a vital national asset and cannot be neglected in the slightest. When His Majesty and Empress Dowager An arrive, I will do my best to facilitate the project."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

"I have read your petition from prison. I ask you, what is politics?"

"It is a struggle."

"Why fight?"

"Benefit."

"And how can we fight?"

"people!"

"Um?"

"Your Majesty, I believe that for a monarch's political will to be implemented, he cannot do without trusted confidants. Without trusted confidants to carry it out, even the most brilliant political ideas are just a mirage."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager Cixi's eyes lit up.

Politics, though seemingly complex, is actually quite simple. It's surprising that someone so young can simplify such a complex matter so drastically; this child is destined for greatness.

"Shen Qing, the capital is full of brothels and pleasure quarters, have you ever been there?"

.........

It has to be said that women's thinking is too unpredictable. They were talking about important military matters, but suddenly they changed the subject and asked about such personal matters.

Shen Moqing thought to herself, "Is this something you, the Empress Dowager, should be asking?"

But~

Since the leader has asked, the subordinate must answer truthfully.

Don't pretend to be a saint, claiming you're virtuous and never go to such dirty places. Pretending to be innocent might feel good in the moment, but when your lies are exposed, women will be furious.

That's just how women are.

When you indulge in pleasure and debauchery, she only hopes that you won't fall ill.

When you maintain your integrity, she wants to portray you as a paragon of virtue.

Women are hard to manage, and female bosses are even harder to manage.

"Your Majesty, I have visited you occasionally."

"You're quite honest, you dare to say anything." The Empress Dowager felt disappointed, and there was a hint of sourness in her tone.

"This humble servant is unwilling to lie to the Empress Dowager. In truth, this humble servant also dislikes those frivolous and dissolute women, but out of consideration for colleagues, there are some social obligations that cannot be refused."

"Fine, your wife is a woman of great affection and loyalty. You must treat her well, or I will not let you off the hook."

……

Imperial Medical Academy.

Shen Moqing finally saw the lady he had been longing for. After fainting in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Du Yulan was placed in the Imperial Hospital. At this moment, she was dressed in a palace maid's dress, lying on her side on a couch, her face sallow.

"Lan'er?"

"My husband!"

Overjoyed, the two wept and embraced tightly.

An Dehai quietly closed the door and left the room, thinking to himself: Nowadays, traditional women like Madam Shen are rare in the world.

In this hundred years~

Learning from the East was transmitted to the West, and learning from the West spread to the East.

The world is going downhill, and people's hearts are immortal.

Confucianism gradually absorbed mathematics, physics, humanities, and politics, becoming a vast and complex system that is difficult to evaluate.

It's all the foreigners' fault!

There isn't a single good foreigner.

"Husband, are you alright?"

"It's alright, the Empress Dowager still intends to give me an important position. Lan'er, I am truly fortunate to have met you in this life."

"My lord, you flatter me. I am simply doing my duty as a wife." Du Wenlan lowered her head shyly.

The two whispered to each other.

The frail Du Yulan nestled in her husband's arms. She didn't want much: to be a good wife and mother, to follow the three obediences and four virtues, and to live in harmony with her husband. That was all.

"My lord, Lan'er has a favor to ask of you."

"explain!"

"Are you still going to go on the wedding procession?" Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke.

"Um?"

Shen Moqing didn't react for a moment.

"My lord, the Book of Rites says that there are six rites for marriage: betrothal, asking the name, presenting auspicious gifts, presenting betrothal gifts, setting the wedding date, and welcoming the bride. We are already married, but could we hold another wedding ceremony?"

Call ~

Shen Moqing let out a long sigh of relief.

"Lan'er, don't worry, I will bring you into the manor in a grand sedan chair carried by eight men."

"Thank you for your mercy, my husband!" Du Wenlan sobbed uncontrollably. She truly didn't want to be criticized for not following proper etiquette when she married into her husband's family. To her, propriety was paramount.

At this time~

Anderhai's voice rang out from outside the door again.

"Lord Shen, it's time to go and meet the Emperor."

.........

Baohe Hall.

It has nine bays in width and five bays in depth, with a double-eaved hip roof, yellow glazed tile roof, and gold brick floor inside. Facing south, it was the place where the emperor held the palace examination.

Now, it is also the imperial examination for Shen Moqing.

Compared to a hundred years ago, the United Empire has abolished most of its cumbersome etiquette, simplifying various systems of protocol as much as possible. When a subject pays homage to the monarch, he no longer needs to perform the three prostrations and nine kowtows, but only needs to kneel on one knee, and is often given a seat.

The dawn of civilization has arrived, but the dark clouds on the horizon remain heavy.

Emperor Xuanwu sat high above, with the two empress dowagers ruling from behind a curtain, and Prince Gong sitting on the left side below the imperial steps.

The questioning and answering lasted a full half hour.

It was already evening when Shen Moqing walked out of the Baohe Hall.

On the horizon, a red sun is setting in the west.

The afterglow of the setting sun represents both despair and hope.

Escorted by a special detachment of imperial guards, Shen Moqing, Du Yulan, and Zhang Zongcang rode in an imperial carriage that slowly drove out of the capital and back to Zhenxian Hutong.

.........

The entire Shen family came out.

"They're back! The second young master is back!" someone exclaimed in surprise as the convoy appeared at the entrance of the alley.

In an instant~

The gongs and drums are loud, and the firecrackers are all fired.

The matriarch of the Shen family, leaning on a dragon-headed cane, stood at the very front, her face glowing with health.

The bronze plaque bearing the inscription "Imperial Decree to Build the Yunqiwei Mansion," which has witnessed a century of vicissitudes, and two white marble lions of the same age, together bear witness to the rise and fall of this mansion.

The carriage slowly came to a stop.

"My grandson has returned home. My grandson has suffered so much." Old Madam Shen was the first to step forward, grasping Shen Moqing's arm. Before she could speak, tears were already streaming down her face.

"Good nephew, it's good to see you back." Uncle Shen She forced a smile.

"Qing'er, I've missed you so much! Are you hurt? Have you eaten?" Madam Wang, the mother, pushed her brother-in-law aside and grabbed Shen Moqing's other hand.

Hand in hand, they stepped through the mottled vermilion gate.

Just entered the door.

"Welcome back to the manor, Second Young Master!"

A group of women, dressed in their finest attire, bowed in unison and sang congratulatory songs, their melodious voices filling the air with a delightful fragrance.

I walked another ten steps or so.

Maids, servants, and all the poor relatives who rushed over upon hearing the news knelt down in unison, shouting loudly, "Welcome back to the Second Young Master!"

This scene...

Old Madam Shen beamed from ear to ear, waving her hand dismissively: "A reward!"