I can pacify the Liao Dynasty in four years or five years, but to reform the political institutions of the Ming Dynasty, to make them comprehensive and more efficient, and to move towards modernization, I am afraid that ten or twenty years will not be enough.
The palace maid approached to serve tea, interrupting the emperor's thoughts. He couldn't help but smile to himself, and his eyes returned to the face of Empress Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan was knowledgeable and tactful. Seeing the emperor in a daze, she did not interrupt him. When she saw the emperor looking at her, she smiled slightly and said, "Yesterday, I went to Changchun Palace to see the two little princesses..."
Zhang Yan couldn't hold back her laughter while she was talking. She covered her mouth with a silk handkerchief and laughed non-stop.
The emperor also laughed and asked, "What new tricks have the two little girls come up with to make the queen laugh like this?"
Zhang Yan finally managed to stop laughing, her breathing steady as she said with a smile, "The Emperor gave the parrot to Concubine Yu to cheer her up, right? When I went there, the two little princesses were arguing with the bird. The bird was very sharp-tongued, and neither of the little princesses could outwit it."
Zhu Youxiao blinked his eyes, imagining the little girl who had just learned to read, arguing with a parrot that spoke eloquently. How could she gain the upper hand? She would probably be so angry and anxious that she couldn't utter a single word, or even burst into tears.
Hahahaha, when the emperor thought of the funny scene, he couldn't help laughing and wanted to go and see the two little girls' embarrassed looks.
Besides, it's just a conversation. What good can you get from arguing with a parrot that repeats itself? Haven't you heard the joke about the courier who fainted because of the bird in his house?
Seeing the emperor laughing happily, Zhang Yan achieved her goal, so she accompanied him with a smile, gently stroking her bulging belly with her hand, with a look of happiness and satisfaction.
After a long while, the emperor stopped laughing, and his eyes followed Zhang Yan's movements and moved to the queen's belly.
"Next year I will have a prince!" Zhu Youxiao raised his eyelids, looked at the queen and smiled, "The boy is more naughty than the maid, and more fun."
Zhang Yan chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, you can also tell fortunes? How do you know that I didn't give birth to a girl?"
Zhu Youxiao stroked his chin in a pretentious manner and said, "As the saying goes: A daughter dresses up her mother. I think the Queen isn't as pretty as before. Could it be that she's pregnant with a boy?"
Zhang Yan blinked her big eyes, frowned slightly, and said to herself, "Have I really become uglier? I looked in the mirror and felt the same way."
It was just a joke, but Zhang Yan took it seriously. Being in a bad mood is not good for pregnant women.
The emperor laughed heartily and said, "Baozhu is still beautiful and charming. I was just teasing you. However, regarding the birth of a boy, my words are golden and true, and they are almost certain."
Although Zhang Yan hadn't completely let go of the feeling, her thoughts were distracted. As the empress, having a child was a cause for celebration for all. Delighted, she smiled and nodded, "Your Majesty is the Supreme Ruler, so naturally, whatever he says is true."
After a pause, Zhang Yan added with concern, "Your Majesty is diligent in government affairs, and the country is thriving. But you must also take care of your health and not overwork yourself."
Zhu Youxiao smiled and bent his arms to show them. Although his muscles were not visible, he looked very strong, at least that's how he felt.
"I am young and strong, and I am not tired of some political affairs."
Zhang Yan smiled and nodded, reached out to take an orange, peeled it herself, and carefully removed the white fibers on it before handing it to the emperor.
Zhu Youxiao took it with a smile, separated the petals one by one, and fed them to the queen.
Zhang Yan's face flushed slightly. She couldn't bear to refuse the emperor's care, so she opened her warm and red little mouth, ate a few petals, and then pushed them to the emperor.
The emperor stuffed the rest of the orange into his mouth, and the juice flowed out of the corners of his mouth. The queen smiled and wiped it clean with a silk handkerchief.
Zhang Yan was too orthodox, having grown up reading the "Instructions for Women." Most women of that era were like this, including Concubine Wang Liang and Concubine Duan Chun, who all had similar styles.
It's not that he dislikes her, but the emperor doesn't feel as comfortable as he does with Yu'er, Li Chengcheng, and Fan Xiaohui. Of course, the emperor treats all his women well, and it's normal for him to have some preferences.
I am everything to them, I am their heaven. Zhu Youxiao knew that no matter whether they were queens, concubines, or women in the common people, the status of men in the family was the same.
Therefore, for their sake, Zhu Youxiao had to live well. Although he entered the palace, he was not short of fine clothes and delicious food. But the deep palace was lonely and cold, not much different from the ancient Buddha with green lamps.
Turning around, Zhu Youxiao saw Wang Tigan. Old Wang didn't dare to disturb him as he was explaining something to a palace maid.
Zhu Youxiao shrugged helplessly, knowing that there was another military intelligence report. This was his rule: no matter when, it must be reported immediately without delay.
Zhang Yan also saw it and said with a smile: "State affairs are more important. I will see the emperor off."
"Exercising for a while will also be good for Baozhu's health." Zhu Youxiao stood up, stretched out his arms, let the queen hold them, and slowly walked out.
"Your servant pays homage to the Emperor and the Queen." Wang Tigan knelt down and kowtowed from a distance.
Zhang Yan nodded and said, "Please stand up, Eunuch Wang. Please take care of the Qianqing Palace and serve the emperor well. Don't overwork yourself until His Majesty is dead."
"I can save it, Your Highness, don't worry." Wang Tigan quickly assured and stood aside with a bow.
The emperor patted the queen's hand gently, and walked away, saying, "Walking back is a good way to exercise."
"Yes, yes." Wang Tigan bowed deeply to the queen again, then took small steps to follow the emperor.
The emperor did not ask what the military intelligence was. If it was a secret report, Wang Ti Gan would not dare to peek even if he had a hundred courage.
No matter how urgent the military situation was, without telegraphs or telephones, going to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to check wouldn't delay anything.
The battle plan for Liaodong has been finalized. There will be no rash moves. We should advance steadily and use powerful firepower to kill and consume the Jiannu. There shouldn't be any major problems.
The emperor just did his job well, mobilizing the largest number of ships to transport ammunition and supplies, and the weapons and gunpowder bureau also worked overtime to produce them.
According to the emperor's deduction on the sand table, the Ming army's combat power is getting stronger and stronger, and it will become increasingly difficult for the Jiannu to hold on.
When the Jiannu were forced to rely on the city to hold on to their last breath, the Ping Liao Campaign was basically over. Having sacrificed their strengths and lost their advantage in field battles, the Jiannu were defeated.
After returning to the Qianqing Palace and Zhu Youxiao sat down, Wang Tigan presented the secret memorial box.
After a quick glance, Zhu Youxiao was a little surprised. It turned out to be sent by Cao Zhenghua from the Liaodong Military Intelligence Department.
Cao Zhenghua made an indispensable contribution in the action of instigating Liu Xingzuo to rebel, and was promoted to the rank of Captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in charge of the Liaodong Military Intelligence Department.
The emperor tore off the seal, opened the box, took out the secret report, unfolded it, and couldn't help but smile.
It's really like the monkeys scatter when the tree falls. The war has not yet come to an end, but many people are already pessimistic and desperate, and are not optimistic about the future of the Jiannu.
The emperor pondered for a moment, picked up his pen and paper, and wrote an imperial edict to Cao Zhenghua.
This is a good start, but it will be a significant blow to the morale of the Jiannu people. Recruiting surrenders is an ancient and effective method.
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