Left Chancellor Qin Shouzhen also considered resigning.
He served in the court for many years, devoting himself to the Ning family's empire. Now, he is thin, his temples are gray, and his face is etched with the marks of time.
His back was no longer straight, and his hands had become rough and cracked; every subtle movement revealed his exhaustion.
During the banquet, Qin Shouzhen found an opportunity to approach Ning Chenyi alone and solemnly presented his resignation.
Ning Chenyi took the resignation letter, frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and looked at Qin Shouzhen with a firm gaze. Although he did not speak, his eyes were full of the intention to persuade him to stay.
Qin Shouzhen understood Ning Chenyi's thoughts. Although he was unwilling, he could not disobey the imperial decree and had no choice but to agree. He sighed inwardly.
As for Qin Qianluo, Ning Chenyi never intended to let her leave.
At the banquet, Qin Qianluo wore a moon-white long dress with delicate orchids embroidered on the hem, which swayed gently in the wind.
With a graceful figure and beautiful face, she was like a blooming lotus, exuding youthful energy.
Her eyes were bright and captivating, and her smile was like a crescent moon, bringing warmth and comfort to those around her.
Her long, glossy black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, adorned with a few pearls that shimmered softly in the candlelight.
Ning Chenyi looked at Qin Qianluo and secretly pondered: The Empress is already pregnant.
After the child is born, in a maximum of eighteen years, he will be able to retire gracefully and travel the world with the Empress, living a carefree life.
By then, Qin Qianlu will be in her early thirties, in the prime of her life. With her intelligence and talent, she will surely be able to assist her offspring in governing the country.
Thinking of this, Ning Chenyi's lips unconsciously curled up, revealing a smug smile, as if he could already see a bright future.
At this moment, Qin Qianluo was sitting at the banquet table, holding jade chopsticks in one hand, happily enjoying the food on the table, completely unaware of Ning Chenyi's thoughts.
Sometimes she would pick up a piece of pastry, put it in her mouth, and savor it; other times she would chat and laugh with the people around her, her clear and melodious laughter echoing in the hall like silver bells.
If she knew about the new emperor's plans, she would definitely argue her case, since she is free-spirited and longs to travel the world and experience its beautiful landscapes.
Instead of being trapped in this court, worrying about trivial matters.
As dawn breaks, the sky appears as if lightly tinted with ink, shimmering with a pale white like the belly of a fish.
The glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, shimmering with iridescent light, reflect a cool yet luxurious glow under the gentle caress of the morning sun.
Suddenly, a deep and melodious palace bell rang out, as if traveling through the long river of time, startling the white doves that were leisurely perched under the eaves. They fluttered their wings and soared across the sky.
With a creaking sound, the heavy, mottled red doors of the Golden Palace slowly opened, and a rich, solemn, and dignified atmosphere rushed in like a tide.
The new emperor, Ning Chenyi, wore an extremely magnificent five-clawed golden dragon robe. The giant dragon, meticulously embroidered with gold thread, seemed to be alive and lifelike under the flickering candlelight.
It seemed as if it wanted to break through the brocade, soar into the sky, and rise straight to the heavens.
He walked with steady, powerful steps, his expression solemn, each step seemingly treading on the threads of history.
Then, he sat upright in the gilded dragon throne, his posture as straight as a majestic mountain peak.
He slammed the jade tablet down heavily, and a loud and resolute voice echoed throughout the empty hall: "I have decided to move the capital!"
This imperial decree, like a thunderclap, suddenly exploded in the already somewhat tense court.
Instantly, the whispering court fell into a suffocating silence.
Immediately afterwards, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, the ministers began to whisper amongst themselves, their voices rising and falling like a tide.
The capital city at present is far from the newly opened border.
If military intelligence were to be transmitted via post stations, even with the fastest horses traveling day and night, it would often take more than half a month.
In the border regions, the situation changes rapidly, and amidst the sandstorms beyond the Great Wall, a fierce war could break out at any moment.
Such a slow information transmission speed was undoubtedly like an insurmountable chasm, greatly hindering the imperial court's effective control over the border.
Ning Chenyi's gaze was sharp and intense, like a star in the deep night sky, fixed on the dragon flag fluttering in the wind outside the palace. His gaze seemed to pierce through time and space, discerning the future of the nation.
After careful consideration, he resolutely decided to move the capital to the central area of Chengxiao Kingdom.
Chengxiao is a place with a unique geographical location, surrounded by mountains and rivers, which are like a natural barrier carefully crafted by nature, protecting this land.
Its transportation network is highly developed, crisscrossing like spider webs and extending outwards in all directions.
During the transmission of information, it can quickly reach every corner, ensuring that government orders can be as flexible and unimpeded as an arm directing its fingers.
Inside the Golden Palace, the officials, dressed in colorful python robes and official hats, engaged in a fierce debate, each expressing their own opinions on the selection of the new capital.
The Minister of Revenue took the lead, clasped his hands in a fist and stepped forward respectfully, his voice clear and firm: "I believe that the capital should be located on a fertile plain."
This land is suitable for large-scale cultivation. Only with abundant food can the capital's foundation be secure and the people's livelihood worry-free; this is the foundation of the nation.
No sooner had he finished speaking than the Minister of War frowned and retorted with a serious expression: "Absolutely not! In my humble opinion, the capital must be located in a strategic pass that is easy to defend and difficult to attack."
Such a strategically important location allowed the capital to be fortified against foreign invasion, remaining as solid as a rock and as impregnable as a fortress – a crucial aspect of national security.
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