Fang Ruo was shocked. "What? Your Majesty, please think twice. How can this be possible? Even marrying Jiang Ling is better than marrying Jiang Sheng. Jiang Sheng has a very bad reputation in Dagan."

The Empress smiled meaningfully: "Fang Ruo, you can't judge a person by his appearance. Didn't you notice that Jiang Ling has been circling around because he doesn't want us to keep an eye on Jiang Sheng?"

"If he is just a telekinetic, then marrying my little princess would be a great help to the Jiang family. It doesn't make sense. There is only one possibility. Jiang Sheng is the biggest secret."

"Tell me, why don't you accept the one who came right to your door? The Third Prince is just a mortal, how can he be worthy of my little princess?"

His tone was full of the authority of a superior.

Fang Ruo thought about it carefully and nodded, "Your Majesty, what you said makes sense, but if we get married, will it be considered that the little princess is marrying or the little princess is marrying."

"Neither. It's just that a two-way marriage is more suitable for them. If you force one party to go to the other party, living under someone else's roof for a long time will only create enmity."

The empress supported her chin with one hand, her eyes curved as she smiled, "I'm very interested in Jiang Sheng's secrets. As long as they get married and stay together, they won't be able to hide it from their partner for long."

"It's enough to achieve this goal. As for what happens to the two of us in the future, it doesn't matter. Love is not something that lasts forever."

"Jiang Sheng saved Yue Li's life, and that girl is also interested in him. It just so happens that I am also interested in his secrets. Although Jiang Ling is not bad, he is still just a mortal after all..."

Fang Ruo understood what he meant after hearing this. His Majesty meant that the two of them would be free after marriage. If they had children at that time, it would naturally be best if the child had Jiang Sheng's ability.

It doesn't matter if there is no such thing. An alliance with the Jiang family is mutually beneficial and will not do any harm to Beixia.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The Empress slowly stood up and said, "It's getting late. Go to bed early. We still have to look at weapons tomorrow. If the bargaining chips are not enough, whether I agree to the alliance or not is another matter."

"Among the four countries, Dagan has a grudge against the Xiongnu, Donglin won't bother with Dagan at all, and Yan is too shortsighted. The only option they have is Beixia."

"The initiative is in our hands. There is nothing to worry about."

Fang Ruo whispered, "Yes, Your Majesty has thought it through."

The next morning, a team quietly left the palace and headed towards the mountains.

Jiulong Mountain

The empress got off the carriage and saw the mahogany boxes, which were covered with red cloth. They looked to be more than two people tall and could only be seen by looking up.

A hint of curiosity flashed across his eyes, and he walked over quickly.

Jiang Ling bowed when he saw someone coming.

The Empress raised her hand slightly to indicate, "Young General, there's no need to be so polite when you're out and about. Let's see when we can start trying."

"A cup of tea will do."

He opened the mahogany box and took out a black ball. The round iron ball looked very ordinary. Everyone looked at him with curiosity and confusion in their eyes.

Jiang Ling asked someone to take the black ball and put it on the catapult to prepare for throwing.

"Your Majesty, we are ready to begin. Please stand back to avoid accidental injuries. Also, it's best to cover your ears. The noise will be... loud."

The empress nodded, not taking it seriously. It was just a small iron ball. Even if it was thrown out, what would happen? It would just create a small hole.

"Prepare."

"put!"

Following Jiang Ling's order, the black iron tool flew out and hit the ground. Instantly, a huge explosion was heard, and the originally protruding hill was razed to the ground in an instant.

The empress listened to the deafening sound, staring at it with wide eyes in disbelief, her eyes full of shock, and her ears buzzing as if many bees were flapping their wings.

The people of Beixia stood there in a daze, looking at this scene in disbelief, their bodies trembling slightly. How could that sound and destructive power be so terrifying? Is this something that should exist in this world?

With this thing, the enemy's formation will be broken directly when attacking the city. How can it be so powerful?

Jiang Ling glanced at them, curled the corners of his mouth and continued. When it was finally the cannon's turn, everyone looked at it with numb expressions, and their hearts could not calm down for a long time.

After the cannon was ignited, a huge noise was heard.

Originally, Jiulong Mountain had nine peaks. Now, after all this, the fifth brother is gone from the nine peaks, and only four are left alone.

The scene was dead silent and no one dared to speak.

The empress took a long time to come back to her senses. She stared at Jiang Ling with a burning gaze and laughed: "Not bad, not bad. I didn't expect the Jiang family to have such a magical weapon. No wonder they are so confident."

"I've agreed to the alliance. All that's left is to discuss the details. Are you willing to sell these things? If you want to buy them, I'll buy them."

"If we need to deal with the Temple, I will naturally give it to Beixia. It's not that I don't want to sell it now, but it's really too difficult to make. Dagan himself doesn't even have enough."

Jiang Ling said helplessly, "If it's really enough, there's no need to come all the way to Beixia to form an alliance. But if the alliance is successful, I can give Beixia dozens of mines."

"As for cannons, I can only give you two... The price is a bit high. Your Majesty can exchange them for grain or silver."

Both sides were very satisfied and began to discuss the alliance after returning to the palace.

Jiang Sheng felt that there was nothing to worry about. When he was about to leave, the empress's voice came: "Young Master Jiang, don't be anxious. You will have something to do when the alliance is formed later."

"I?"

The empress looked at him with a smile, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

The way his son-in-law looked at him really made Jiang Sheng feel a little uncomfortable, and he looked at his brother beside him for help.

Jiang Ling gestured for him to wait and see. Not long after, Bei Yueli also came and sat aside, glancing over from time to time with the shy demeanor of a little girl.

After the details were settled, the empress changed the subject: "Yue Li is my princess from the north, and she will also be the next empress. Young Master Jiang saved my life before. Isn't this fate?"

"Let's add another clause to the alliance. Let the two of them get married. However, marriage is not marriage. After the marriage, Young Master Jiang can still return to Dagan. As long as you are husband and wife, that's all."

Jiang Sheng's eyes flashed with surprise. He pointed at himself and said in surprise, "Is your Majesty mistaken? The one coming to marry is not me."

"The Third Prince is the one who was chosen to marry into the imperial family. As for me, I am just a doctor with no achievements. How can I marry the princess? Is this considered marrying into the princess' family?"

The Empress said gently, "It's not marrying into the wife's family, nor is it a marriage. You are just getting married. If you must say it, it's a visiting marriage. After marriage, you will live your own lives."

"We are just husband and wife. If we have children in the future, would one take the Jiang family surname and the other take the Bei family surname? Is that okay?"

"Well, after all, it's my daughter who's carrying the child. Given the hardships of childbirth, it shouldn't be a problem for her to have a child with the surname Bei."

Jiang Sheng understood what the empress meant. She wanted to tie the Jiang family down completely so that they could each live their own lives after marriage. Why would they get married just for profit?