The Empire will continue to win

For subordinates to persuade their superiors, they must think from the superior's perspective. To put it simply, they must imagine themselves as the leader.

This is the situation.

Empress Dowager Shen heard Su Shun's dying words: "What you have gained the country by today, you will surely lose it by tomorrow."

Understood.

He suddenly looked up, his eyes burning as he stared at the Empress Dowager Cixi.

Yanxi Hall was not the front hall, and there were no bright yellow gauze curtains hanging inside, so the two of them looked directly at each other with their eyes naked, without any obstruction between them.

After six years of widowhood, she was once again being stared at like that by a man.

Empress Dowager Cixi's heart raced, but being an empress dowager, she maintained excellent composure and remained calm, even taking a sip of her tea.

babble~

so fragrant~

.........

"In my humble opinion, war boils down to three things: manpower, finances, and weapons. Your Majesty only needs to dispatch a few trusted confidants to command the army, distribute military pay, and allocate weapons. You can win however you want."

"Hmm~"

Empress Dowager Cixi pondered for a moment.

Although Li Shaoquan, the commander of the First Garrison, was a protégé of Zeng Guofan, the governor of Jiangsu, the master and disciple were not of one mind. He had already pledged his loyalty and trust was not a concern.

Minister of Revenue Shen Zhaolin was also a key figure in the coup, having contributed significantly, and can be trusted.

And then there's the handsome Supervisor Shen in front of us, who hasn't yet pledged his allegiance and remains to be seen.

But~

"Shen Qing, have you ever considered that after the First Army Division departs, the defenses of the capital region will be weakened, and what if some villains cause trouble?"

"I've thought about it, and I have a way."

"Speak quickly!"

"Your Majesty, winter has arrived in Liaodong. I do not expect the enemy to be superhuman. If Fengtian can hold out for another half a month, both sides will soon have to cease hostilities. The real battle will likely take place next year. Therefore, there is no need to mobilize the entire First Division. One officer can be transferred to the north by train."

"Won't we have to leave sooner or later?"

"One winter is enough for the court to patch up the leaks. I have come up with three plans: First, draw some naval personnel, especially cadets, to form a marine corps. Second, recruit new soldiers from the Zhili region and build a reserve force based on the officers of the First Division. Third, deploy some cavalry from the Second Division between Zhangjiakou and the capital, so that they can rush to the aid of the capital in case of emergency. In this way, with these three measures combined, the capital can be kept as solid as a rock."

"it is good."

After much thought, it is indeed feasible.

The last heavy weight in Empress Dowager Cixi's heart was finally lifted.

Feng Xin was overjoyed, and her beautiful phoenix eyes stared at Shen Moqing with a watery gaze, making him feel uneasy.

"I have a question for you, and you must answer truthfully."

"Yes."

One was sitting, the other was standing. In order not to be oppressed by the height difference, Shen Moqing decisively stood up and instantly countered. To win, one must overpower the other in terms of momentum.

"A few days ago, I bestowed four palace maids upon you."

"Yes."

Have you ever...?

"What?"

Seeing that the boy was pretending to be stupid, Empress Dowager Cixi got anxious. She turned around and took two quick steps, then stopped. She turned back again, raised her chin, and her former shrewishness returned.

"Was it fortunate?"

"I have not informed the Empress Dowager."

"real?"

"Absolutely true. Your Majesty can send someone to examine me. If I have lied, I am willing to be shot." Shen Moqing answered loudly, thinking to himself, "Damn it, the scorpion's tail—venomous."

The sound was so loud that Empress Dowager Cixi was startled. She went to the window to take a look before turning back and sternly shouting, "Sit down."

"Yes."

"Speak more quietly."

"Yes."

Seeing how sensible Shen Moqing was, she couldn't help but explain, "I'm afraid the walls might be overheard."

"Is there anyone in the Forbidden City who dares to spy on the Empress Dowager?"

"The Ti Shun Tang on the east side is my sister's room. Although she rarely comes here, the palace maids and nannies there are still her people. Don't forget, you still owe my sister 20 lashes."

"Thank you for reminding me, Empress Dowager." Shen Moqing feigned gratitude. "You should still summon your four elder sisters back to the palace. I really can't afford to support them anymore. Although the Shen family is of noble birth, no one in the family has held a proper official position for several generations. We're so poor—to put it another way, if a guest suddenly comes, there won't be enough rice in the kitchen to feed them."

Going with the flow, they returned all four palace maids.

Staying in the mansion will bring endless trouble.

Eyeliner? Or a prop? Who can say for sure?

"I grant your permission. You may leave."

"Yes."

Shen Moqing stood with his feet together, put on his peaked cap, gave a solemn salute, and walked out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, onto the spacious square in front of the hall.

In the setting sun, the shadows are very long.

.........

Shen House.

The vermilion gate was tightly closed, but it no longer bore the marks of its former glory.

dong dong~

thump~

"Who is it?"

The gatekeeper, Jiao Da, put down his bowl, walked out of the gatehouse, pushed open the small window, and after just one glance, cheered, "Quick, the second young master has returned to the manor!"

He shouted as he pulled the bolt.

"Was our front door just painted?"

"Yes, the Second Master said that the entire mansion should be renovated without leaving any blind spots. What needs to be painted should be painted, what needs to be repaired should be repaired, and what needs to be fixed should be fixed. The Second Young Master's wedding cannot be neglected."

"My dad isn't afraid of spending money."

With that, Shen Moqing lifted her leg and walked inside.

Although the Shen residence was not particularly large, it had all the traditional features of a mansion, including pavilions, terraces, towers, galleries, verandas, waterside pavilions, covered walkways, boats, rockeries, fish ponds, bamboo groves, and flower gardens.

Along the way, the servants and laborers who were busy decorating with lanterns and colorful decorations stopped what they were doing and bowed to him.

"Quite a few unfamiliar faces?"

"Reporting to Second Young Master, they are all newcomers to the household."

"Who sent them?"

"Master."

"understood."

Further in is the inner courtyard, where no man other than the master is allowed to enter.

A group of young maids chattered as they hung red lanterns under the covered walkway.

Pearl, with her sharp eyes, spotted herself. She tidied her hair with her delicate hands, her bright eyes brimming with spring water, and led a group of maids to bow in greeting.

"May the Second Young Master be blessed."

It sounds like a flock of orioles singing; it's beautiful, but it's too expensive.

Damn, there are so many fresh, inexperienced new faces among them.

Who hired the newcomer?

"It's the Second Master," Pearl replied crisply. "All of you, raise your heads and let the Second Young Master see you."

"Yes."

The maids timidly raised their heads, their eyes filled with shyness. Because they were working in the inner courtyard, they had all rolled up their sleeves, removed their outer garments, and their foreheads were slightly sweaty.

A poem reads: "Fragrant mist dampens her cloud-like hair, the moonlight chills her jade-like arms."

In this situation, Shen Moqing couldn't help but sigh: feudalism also has its merits.

.........

The Shen residence is divided into inner and outer courtyards.

The inner courtyard is divided into several sections, each with its own area, all of which are independent. Once the main gate is closed, it becomes a two-section courtyard house.

The old matriarch lived on the central axis.

The family of Shen She, the eldest son, lived on the east side.

The family of Shen Zheng, the second son, lived on the west side.

There are also guest rooms, gardens, studies, private schools, and other areas.

The location of the second wife.

Flower Hall.

Four dishes were laid out on the round table: braised sea cucumber with scallions, braised pork knuckle, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a sweet soup.

"Qing'er has already gone home, why don't you come over for dinner?" Shen Zheng tapped the edge of the plate with his chopsticks.

"The old lady called me away."

"Well, he's in high demand now. Even we parents have to wait in line to see him."

"Why are you getting angry with your own son?" Wang said in a low voice as she placed sea cucumber into her husband's bowl. "But you're not allowed to touch any of those maids we bought."

"Don't worry, my lady, I'm not interested in women. All I want is to be an official!" Shen Zheng chuckled. "When Qing'er comes back, we'll have a good talk with him."