Zhou Bei, the spy from Mobei Kingdom, was trying to get close to Huang Mingxiao on purpose.

He spoke Chinese well, but not very well either, and could not go to many places. Huang Mingxiao often went in and out of Deshan Garden and was well-informed. He also liked to brag, so he took on the job of cooking and washing clothes for him, which could be used to pay the rent, and he could also hear some news from Huang Mingxiao.

Yan Shiyue’s idea is very simple.

Through Huang Mingxiao's mouth, a message was conveyed to the spy.

Dayan is powerful and invincible, Yan Shiyue has various magical powers, and Dayan has recently developed many secret weapons. They have no intention of negotiating peace, but because there is nothing in Mobei except grassland, Dayan really doesn't think highly of it, so they didn't send troops.

Zhou Bei is not the only spy, they are also connected with each other.

Through him, the shadow guard followed the clues and found the other two spies. He did the same thing, and then the spies all got almost the same information.

By the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month, the envoys from Mobei gradually approached Chang'an City, and the spies withdrew one after another.

The shadow guards in various places also finished their work.

For more than ten days in a row, Liu sent invitations to Huang Mingxiao from time to time, gave him silver and gifts, showed him affection, and also said that they could curse the people they hated together. Huang Mingxiao was feeling very proud, but when she suddenly left, he was caught off guard.

...

...

But no one cared about his thoughts.

A day later, not only the envoys from Mobei, but also the envoys from Nanzhao, Goguryeo and other countries arrived in Chang'an one after another and checked into the inn.

The one who came from Mobei was Prince Gyatso, the second son of the King of Mobei. Frankly speaking, he was arrogant before entering the Northwest Pass. He did not agree with the King of Mobei's ideas. He believed that a lion on the grassland should not lower its noble head!

After entering the Pass, until entering Qinzhou, his idea never changed.

Until entering Qinzhou.

He saw that their roads were different from those in other places, as flat as the ice on the lake surface during the coldest days of winter, and the cars on the road were as fast as flying birds! The food and utensils they used were all new to him. Just like that, little by little, his pride was beaten away.

He heard the name of Empress Fu more than ten times.

There were officials who were proficient in Chinese and translated the Biography of Empress Fu. They did not believe in the various miracles described in the Biography at first, but when they sent out spies, what they found was even more exaggerated than what was written in the Biography of Empress Fu.

If only one person finds out, there might be something wrong, but if everyone says the same thing, then there can be no mistake.

Besides, Mobei is a vast country after all. When he arrived in Chang'an, did he think that Emperor Ming Yan would definitely come out of the city to greet him?

No.

Or would it be barely acceptable for the prince to go out of the city to greet him?

Neither do I.

They were just like envoys from other countries. They were welcomed into the city by people sent by the Ministry of Rites, stayed in inns, and waited to be summoned by Emperor Ming Yan. From beginning to end, there was nothing special about them, as if they had been paying tribute and being vassal states every year.

Emperor Ming Yan was not in a hurry to summon him.

Because of this, Prince Jiacuo was even more frightened! He was sure that what the spy had found was correct! Dayan must have hidden a secret weapon! That's why he was so confident!

Just at this time, a piece of news suddenly broke out.

Princess Yongkang's two daughters-in-law were found to be pregnant one after another.

Later, the Fourth Prince's wife was found to be pregnant.

Later, Song, a daughter-in-law of the Meng family, who had previously come to Meng Yiqiu for help, was also found to be pregnant.

Finally, Qiao, Yan Shirui's wife, was found to be pregnant.

That is to say, up to now, except for the Imperial Concubine who is unknown to outsiders, all those who were given children by Empress Fu are pregnant!

The series of news is simply driving people crazy!

Upon learning of this, Prince Gyatso asked a soul-searching question: "Why does Empress Fu care about everything?!"

When Emperor Ming Yan received the report, he couldn't help but chuckle.

He is now rushing to Xishan to inspect the results. If it is really as Yan Shiyue said, then... Mobei is indeed nothing.

Yan Shiyue worked non-stop for eighteen days and only took a break today.

After breakfast, she rode her horse to the side peak, where four cannons were lined up in a row, ready to be demonstrated to Emperor Ming Yan.

The prince had already arrived and was talking to the craftsmen.

Huo Qijing was standing with his hands behind his back, watching the Shenwu Army patrolling back and forth.

The armor of the Shenwu Army is an improved version of the Ming Guang armor, which is simpler than the traditional Ming Guang armor. It makes the waist appear narrower, and it shines with a cold light, making it look both majestic and ascetic.

She raised her head and stared at him. Huo Qijing noticed it and glanced in her direction with a slight smile on his lips.

She went over to tease him: "Young Marquis, good morning~~"

He glanced around again, jumped down from the platform, reached out for the reins, and whispered, "I dreamed of you last night."

Her eyes lit up: "What did you dream about me?"

He turned his head and stared at her for a long while, then suddenly smiled. There was a hint of lust in his eyes for some reason. He was wearing armor, looking so handsome and lustful, so damn seductive.

Yan Shiyue choked.

She was so shameless that she was too embarrassed to ask him what he dreamed about! With such a hot-blooded and unsatisfied spirit...what else could he dream about?

She blushed and turned to ride away, but he held on to her and said coquettishly, "The emperor said that they will get married next year. Which month next year? You can urge the emperor when you have the chance."

Every time she saw him pretending to be a cat, she wanted to laugh. She bit her lip and said, "The more I urge him, the less he responds."

He said, "You think of a way."

She was really blushing and kicked him lightly: "Stop talking! I know!"

He stopped talking, reached over the reins and gently held her hand.

She pretended not to notice, and felt his rough fingers with thin calluses gently caressing her fingers. It was obviously a warm gesture, but for some reason, he made it seem so erotic.

When Yan Shiyue couldn't help but kick him away, Jia He ran over from afar: "Master, the emperor is here!"

Yan Shiyue calmed himself down and then rode forward to meet him. Emperor Ming Yan also rode up on a horse. Yan Shiyue, the Crown Prince, and Huo Qijing bowed and saluted.

Emperor Mingyan called out, dismounted and said, "I wanted to ask about Yue'er's injury, but it seems that I don't need to ask. It's so cold, but you are still energetic under the flowers and moon. It seems that your injury has healed."

Yan Shiyue was speechless.

She came out that time! Who told the emperor? She turned around and glared at Jia He, who looked like he was being wronged.

Emperor Ming Yan then said: "I just lied to you casually, but I didn't expect that my lie would come true! Humph!" He gave Huo Qijing a sidelong glance.

Yan Shiyue: “…”

Emperor Mingyan asked, "How is the work going?"

Yan Shiyue snorted, "When have I ever delayed important matters?"

The prince smiled and said, "Father, please go over and take a look first. Yue'er has been working very hard these days."

They went to see the cannon. Yan Shiyue said, "At present, the effective range is about one and a half miles, and the maximum range is about three miles. Time is too tight. After the New Year, we will make some detailed improvements. One is the range, and the other is that I hope to reduce the weight. But now this is enough to deter the other countries."

You know, cannons are a milestone in the transition from the cold weapon era to the hot weapon era. It's epoch-making!