On the way back, Zhao Huan was still thinking about the car.

Perhaps it was nostalgia for 21st-century life that made him feel a strong connection to cars.

Along the way, many people were buying newspapers, and ordinary people were talking about the grand assembly.

It remains to be seen what new policies the court will introduce at this year's grand court assembly.

When Zhao Huan returned to the palace, he received a secret letter from Sima Junru about the Western Regions.

Yelü Dashi conquered the Karakhanid Khanate and incorporated all of its heavy cavalry into his own forces.

Moreover, Yelü Dashi orchestrated a massacre of the old nobles in the Karakhanid Khanate and vigorously supported the power of merchants.

Just as in official history, Yelü Dashi expanded his power in the Khalkha Khanate.

That year, he will fight a tough battle with the Seleucid Empire in the west and drive its forces out of the Karakhanid Khanate.

He will establish the Western Liao Dynasty.

Zhao Huan did not intend to launch an immediate attack on Yelü Dashi.

First, Yelü Dashi should not be underestimated.

Secondly, there is one question about the Tibetan rebellion that has remained unanswered.

An important piece of intelligence came from the Qilin Guard: Li Wenzheng has appeared.

However, Zhuopuba said that such a Han Chinese had never existed.

Zhao Huan had always found it strange that this person seemed to have vanished into thin air over the years.

But Zhao Huan also had a hunch that this person had always existed.

Third, Yue Fei had just conquered Gaochang Kingdom and still had much to digest.

Time flies, and half a year has passed since the Grand Assembly ended.

Zhao Shen packed his belongings; he now had to return to the capital, Tokyo, to study, as required by the emperor.

Before leaving, Zhao Shen had a private conversation with Zhao Chen.

"Stay away from that Lu Wanqing. She must have an ulterior motive for approaching you."

"Alright, I understand. Take care on your journey."

Clearly, Zhao Chen did not heed Zhao Shen's words; he dismissed them.

No sooner had Zhao Shen left than he ordered someone to bring Lu Wanqing to him.

As they chatted, the conversation drifted to the bedroom, and after a passionate encounter, Lu Wanqing lay on Zhao Chen's chest.

She said coquettishly, "Your Majesty, I've been thinking about you all this time, why did you only come to see me today?"

"There's nothing we can do, that kid Zhao Shen has too many opinions."

"He's just a young lad, does Your Majesty fear him?"

Zhao Chen smiled wryly and said, "You don't know this, but Zhao Shen has the talent of Zhuge Liang. He has helped me a lot, so I still have to respect his advice."

"Your Majesty, you need not be controlled by others. I will offer my advice and strategies in the future."

Zhao Chen smiled and said, "You?"

"What? You don't believe me?"

"believe!"

"Your Majesty, will the Queen Consort have any objections if I stay in the palace like this?"

When the princess was mentioned, Zhao Chen didn't feel much, since that woman wasn't someone he truly wanted to marry.

He initially only wanted to take a concubine, but Zhao Huan and the Empress liked Zhu Yuying and thought she was virtuous, so they arranged for Zhao Chen to marry Zhu Yuying as his principal wife.

Zhao Chen dared not say anything.

Zhao Chen said, "What objections could she possibly have? This is where I, the king, have the final say!"

"Then, Your Majesty, what status do you intend to give me?"

Zhao Chen lowered his head and thought for a moment: "Alas, I originally wanted to marry you as my princess, but the Emperor insisted that I marry that woman instead, and I feel very guilty."

"Your Majesty need not feel guilty. I was just joking. I would be content if I could stay with Your Majesty day and night."

"Wanqing, you are still the best to me."

"Your Majesty, I am willing to offer everything to you!"

"Rest assured, I will never let you down."

Lu Wanqing buried her head in Zhao Chen's chest. After a while, she raised her head and looked at Zhao Chen: "Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it."

"You're mine now, so feel free to say whatever you want."

"Your Majesty has done a great job governing Xianzhou. Not only has he turned Xianzhou into the largest mink cashmere center of the Song Dynasty, but in the past six months, he has also built schools in Xianzhou and Shenzhou, helping many children of ordinary people to go to school. He has also built a highway between Xianzhou and Shenzhou and cultivated agriculture in Xianzhou."

"In my opinion, Your Majesty's talent should not be limited to governing the small Xianzhou."

Zhao Chen's heart skipped a beat, and he said, "Then tell me, what should I do?"

"Your Majesty is naturally in charge of managing Liaodong and the Andong Protectorate."

"There is Li Gang in Liaodong and Wang Bing in the Andong Protectorate. Both of them are important ministers of His Majesty. I'm afraid I have no chance."

“There is an opportunity, there is an opportunity. Most merchants in the Central Plains are willing to befriend Your Majesty. Your Majesty’s Xianzhou is not short of money or people to invest. As long as Your Majesty completely opens up business for merchants in Xianzhou, you will surely achieve greater political success. There are many people in the court who are loyal to Your Majesty. By the end of this year, Your Majesty will be able to obtain control over Shenzhou.”

Zhao Chen fell into deep thought.

"After Your Majesty gains control of Shenzhou, the wealthy merchants of the world will surely follow Your Majesty's lead even more closely."

"real?"

"It is true, of course. Wang Bing is just a military man and has not managed the Andong Protectorate very well. Li Gang's behavior at this year's grand court assembly has aroused the opposition of many officials, and Your Majesty can take this opportunity to ascend to the throne."

Zhao Chen burst into laughter: "Good! You are truly a gift from heaven to me!"

“Once Your Majesty establishes a foothold in Liaodong and the Andong Protectorate, the position of Crown Prince will surely belong to Your Majesty.”

Zhao Chen's face darkened, as if he were angry, which startled Lu Wanqing, but he immediately burst into laughter: "That's right!"

As Zhao Shen traveled south, he was unaware that no sooner had he left than Zhao Chen was lured into bed by Lu Wanqing.

He traveled along the Hedong Road, crossed the Yellow River to the south, entered Kaifeng Prefecture, and finally arrived at Tokyo City.

The scenes he witnessed filled him with emotion.

The Song Dynasty has become increasingly prosperous. Ten years ago, Hedong Road was a barren wasteland, but now it is a vast expanse of fertile fields.

Needless to say, Kaifeng Prefecture was even more so.

Compared to the Central Plains, Liaodong was truly a poor and remote place.

However, that would also give Zhao Chen more opportunities.

If he performs well, he still has a great chance of being made crown prince.

After all, many ministers in the court supported him, and many people in the common people also supported him.

Hopefully, he can get used to things and develop his temperament during these two years in Liaodong.

Zhao Shen entered Tokyo and saw that everywhere on the streets of Tokyo, people were giving speeches.

It sounds like he's talking about his own business.

The city of Tokyo reeks of money; everyone seems to be dreaming of getting rich.

Since the conclusion of this year's grand court assembly, the imperial court has further opened up to private commerce.

For example, allowing privately-run primary and secondary schools.

Although the threshold for opening is very high and the requirements are very strict, at least this authority has been delegated.

The next day, Zhao Shen went to Tokyo University to register.

He wasn't particularly interested in the University of Tokyo to begin with, but after just one day of classes, he realized how incredibly ignorant he had been.

Just after finishing his day's classes, Zhao Shen was summoned to the palace by the emperor to dine together.