In mid-July, the weather in Beijing was already starting to get cooler in the mornings and evenings.

However, Li Ming's heart remained burning with passion.

Huffing and puffing...

It's unclear how long Li Ming exercised before he finally managed to climb off the concubine's fair and delicate body.

Inside the palace, a maid immediately came running over with clothes in her hand.

A maidservant gently wiped the sweat from Li Ming's body with a hot towel, her face flushed, but she dared not look up at Li Ming.

After wiping him, the other maids draped the clothes over Li Ming's body.

After he was dressed, a eunuch came over and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, it's time for court."

"knew."

Li Ming waved his hand casually, and before leaving, he grabbed a handful of the concubine's fair and tender breasts on the bed.

This caused a silvery laugh to echo from the bed, resounding throughout the palace.

These days are great!

Li Ming felt secretly pleased.

Since ascending the throne in March, Li Ming has truly experienced the joys of being an emperor.

They have the power of life and death, and hold absolute power!

That feeling of being high and mighty is wonderful!

...

"Why is it taking so long?"

"What is Your Majesty doing?"

"Prime Minister Song, aren't you going to go and ask him?"

Inside the main hall, a group of ministers whispered among themselves.

These ministers had been waiting in the main hall for nearly half an hour, long past the time for court to begin.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

At this moment, a eunuch in the main hall shouted loudly.

Instantly, all the civil and military officials who had been waiting in the main hall fell silent.

All the civil and military officials immediately prostrated themselves on the ground and shouted, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Li Ming shook his neck, stepped onto the throne directly in front of him, and after sitting down, he casually waved his hand.

The eunuch beside him quickly said, "Please rise!"

The ministers stood up from the ground and looked up at Emperor Li Ming, who was sitting above them.

Seeing Li Ming's sleepy eyes, the ministers felt somewhat helpless.

"My beloved ministers, if you have something to say, speak now; otherwise, the court is adjourned!"

A eunuch announced in a loud voice.

The ministers looked at each other but remained silent.

After all, most political affairs have now been handed over to Chancellor Song.

Song Xiang, also known as Song Xianze, was promoted to Right Chancellor after Li Ming ascended the throne. He held great power and was a close confidant of Li Ming.

Therefore, there were no political matters to be dealt with in the court.

At this moment, the Commissioner of the Court of State Affairs stepped forward, holding a memorial, and said, "Your Majesty, the Court of State Affairs just received a memorial from Prince Xin last night."

"King Xin?"

Upon hearing these two words, Li Ming became interested and stared at the Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review, asking, "What did Prince Xin say in his memorial?"

"I dare not look!"

The Commissioner of the Court of State Affairs immediately bowed his head and held up the memorial with both hands.

Li Ming leaned back in his chair and waved casually.

A eunuch went down, took the memorial, and opened it to read its contents.

After a short while, the eunuch finished reading and said softly, "Your Majesty, Prince Xin mentioned in his memorial that Dongning merchant ships lost grain transport ships in Lingnan and Qiantang provinces. Please help the court to find out the reason."

"oh?"

Li Ming couldn't help but laugh.

He was naturally very clear about what was going on behind the scenes.

However, in the imperial court, Li Ming pretended to know nothing, turned to Song Xianze, and asked, "Prime Minister Song, is this true?"

"Your Majesty,"

Song Xianze cupped his hands and said, "A few days ago, I also received reports from Lingnan, Qiantang, Huaibei, and Minyue provinces, mentioning that pirates have been frequently seen roaming the seas recently."

The sinking of the Dongning merchant ship has also been mentioned in Lingnan and Qiantang, and it was the work of the notorious pirate Wang Zhi.

"I have already issued orders, instructing the naval forces of Lingnan, Qiantang, and Minyue to dispatch troops to suppress the pirates."

"Well done!"

Li Ming nodded, pointed at Song Xianze, and said, "As expected of my Right Chancellor, his actions are very much in line with my wishes!"

As for the Dongning merchant ship, I will explain it to Prince Xin in detail.

Song Xiang drafted a letter, and the Office of Transmission immediately replied.

Prince Xin is not only my subject, but also my blood relative!

I am heartbroken by the loss of my third brother!

"By imperial decree, thoroughly investigate the matter of piracy! Order the naval forces of Qiantang, Minyue, and Lingnan provinces to dispatch troops to annihilate the pirates!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Song Xianze quickly accepted the imperial decree.

After bending down, Song Xianze glanced indifferently at the Minister of War beside him.

Upon seeing Song Xianze, Minister of War Zheng Zihua instantly understood.

He stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

"Minister Zheng, what brings you here?"

Li Ming asked calmly.

"His Majesty,"

Minister of War Zheng Zihua clasped his hands and said, "His Majesty's consideration for brotherly affection is truly a blessing for the imperial family. The spirit of the late Emperor in heaven would also be pleased!"

Even His Highness Prince Xin would be moved to tears upon learning of Your Highness's actions!

But Your Majesty, I am in trouble!

Last year, the Jiangnan region suffered a major disaster, with frequent floods and droughts, resulting in reduced grain production. The troops under the Ministry of War stationed in various parts of Jiangnan had not been able to train for a long time.

Even the navies of various provinces are short of ships and personnel due to a lack of funds and supplies.

Nowadays, the pirate Wang Zhi's crew is well-trained and has many ships. If the navy were to launch an attack rashly without proper training, it would likely be an unsuccessful campaign.

I humbly suggest, at the risk of my life, that the naval forces of each province be allowed to undergo a period of training before being dispatched to suppress the pirates.

"Lord Zheng is absolutely right! We agree!"

"Your Majesty, sending troops out rashly without proper training will not only be unhelpful but will also cause damage, which is detrimental to the court!"

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