The following afternoon, Yongzheng led Su Peisheng into the library. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, casting a golden-red glow. Pushing open the heavy wooden door of the library, the dusty fragrance of ink wafted out.
Yongzheng's gaze swept over rows of ancient books, finally settling on a yellowed illustrated book—"The Great Ming Treasure Ship Records".
He carefully took it down, his fingertips lightly tracing the illustrations on the pages: majestic treasure ships, towering masts, precise compasses... These powerful weapons that once made the Ming Dynasty famous throughout the world are now locked away in the dust of history.
"Our ancestors' policy of isolationism, while stabilizing the empire, also hindered the Qing Dynasty's progress," Yongzheng murmured to himself, a resolute glint in his eyes. He opened the book and began to study it carefully. The construction of the treasure ships, the navigation technology, the trade routes... even the prices in trade with foreign countries—every page stirred his emotions. If they could revive their maritime power, the Qing Dynasty's national strength would surely reach new heights.
After an unknown amount of time, Yongzheng suddenly spoke: "Su Peisheng."
"Your servant is here." Su Peisheng, who had been waiting outside the door, quickly bowed and entered.
"Issue my decree to secretly summon the skilled craftsmen from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War. They shall await orders at the Hall of Mental Cultivation tomorrow afternoon." Yongzheng closed the book, his gaze deep. "Remember, this matter must not be made public."
"Yes, sir." Su Peisheng acknowledged the order and withdrew, though he was puzzled, he dared not ask any further questions.
Yongzheng tucked the book into his sleeve and turned to look out the window. Night was falling, and the stars were beginning to appear.
He seemed to see the vast ocean and the future of the Qing Dynasty.
---
Yanxi Palace
Lin Yun had been feeling listless lately, unable to muster the energy to do anything. At lunchtime that day, the palace maids served a steamed perch, its aroma filling the air. However, she suddenly felt nauseous and quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, her brows furrowed.
"My lady, what's wrong?" Chunlan rushed forward to support her upon seeing this.
Lin Yun waved her hand, barely suppressing the discomfort: "It's nothing, it's just that the fishy smell is unpleasant."
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Li Mama's eyes as she leaned closer and whispered, "Master, has your period come this month?"
Lin Yun was taken aback, then understood what the old woman meant, her cheeks flushing slightly: "Not...not yet."
Granny Li's face immediately lit up with joy, and she clapped her hands, saying, "Oh my, my good mistress! This is a great joy!" She turned and called out to the door, "Chunlan! Xiahe! Quickly go and fetch the imperial physician!"
"Granny!" Lin Yun hurriedly stopped her, "Don't make a sound, what if it's not true?"
"How could it not be?" Granny Li grinned from ear to ear. "This old servant has served so many masters, and it's obvious she's pregnant!"
Yanxi Palace was immediately bustling with activity. Chunlan told Xiaofuzi to fetch the imperial physician and to keep quiet. The palace maids busied themselves preparing hot water and clean handkerchiefs. Lin Yun watched the chaotic scene, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
She gently touched her lower abdomen, which was still flat, but a tiny life might already be growing there.
She suddenly felt a little dazed. She had been in the palace for less than a year and had not yet fully adapted to life in the deep palace. Now she was going to be a mother.
"Your Majesty, the imperial physician has arrived!" Chunlan's voice interrupted her thoughts.
After bowing respectfully, the imperial physician took Lin Yun's pulse. A moment later, he knelt down with a broad smile to offer his congratulations: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! You are pregnant; it has been over a month!"
Granny Li was so excited that she kept wiping away tears: "God bless me, God bless me!" She had been looking forward to this child for so long... and now he had finally arrived.
It's true that the master is favored, but without a child, she always feels uneasy. What if the master gets old and the emperor becomes displeased with her? Now that she has this child, the master can finally secure her position in the harem.
---
Meanwhile, inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Yongzheng was in a private conversation with the Minister of Works and several craftsmen. The "Records of the Great Ming Treasure Ships" was spread out on the table, and the group sat around it, their expressions focused.
"Your Majesty, the treasure ships are indeed wonderful, but the amount of timber, craftsmen, and silver required is enormous, I'm afraid..." the Minister of Works hesitated.
Emperor Yongzheng raised his hand to interrupt: "There is no need to worry about the silver. I have already ordered the Ministry of Revenue to allocate special funds. As for timber, there is plenty of top-quality nanmu wood in the deep mountains of Fujian and Guangdong."
After carefully studying the book, an old craftsman cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the keel structure of this treasure ship is exquisite. If it can be replicated, it will surely be able to build a ship even larger than those of the previous dynasty. However... the sea ban has not been lifted, and the shipbuilding will likely attract criticism."
A cold glint flashed in Yongzheng's eyes: "Extraordinary matters require extraordinary people. Just go ahead and do it, and leave the rest to me."
Seeing that the Emperor had made up his mind, everyone dared not say anything more and accepted the order.
After everyone had left, Yongzheng looked at the picture of the treasure ship alone and pondered. He knew that the lifting of the sea ban would have to be put on the agenda sooner or later, but for now, he needed to wait for a suitable opportunity.
The Qing Dynasty was vast and rich in resources. This time, he was going to go big, no longer cowering like he had in his previous life. He wanted to show his brothers what the true Qing Dynasty was all about.
At this moment, Su Peisheng rushed in, his face beaming with undisguised joy: "Your Majesty, great news! Great news! Consort Yun is pregnant!"
Yongzheng paused, his vermilion brush still in his hand, and suddenly looked up: "Really?"
Su Peisheng nodded repeatedly: "It's absolutely true, the imperial physician has already made a diagnosis."
Yongzheng suddenly stood up, his eyes filled with ecstatic joy: "Good! Good! I finally have an empress!" He strode out of the hall and said to Su Peisheng, "I'm going to see her!"
Su Peisheng quickly followed. He knew that the Emperor's favor towards Consort Yun was extraordinary, and now that she had an heir, he was overjoyed. He was also happy for his master, who had suffered so much these past years. It was only with Consort Yun's appearance that his master had a glimmer of hope; now, finally, there was something to look forward to.
Inside Yanxi Palace, Lin Yun was taking a nap on a soft couch when she suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside, followed by a eunuch's loud announcement: "The Emperor has arrived!"
She hurriedly got up, but before she could even straighten her clothes, Yongzheng strode in. He gently helped Lin Yun, who was about to bow, and said softly, "Don't move, just lie down."
Lin Yun looked up and saw that Yongzheng's eyes were full of tenderness and joy, and her heart warmed: "Your Majesty, your concubine..."
Yongzheng held her hand and said softly, "I know everything. I am very happy that you are carrying my child."
Lin Yun lowered her head and said softly, "Your Majesty, so do I."
Looking at her slightly flushed cheeks, Yongzheng felt a surge of tenderness in his heart.
He turned to Granny Li and said, "From today onwards, all expenses for Yanxi Palace will be doubled. You must take good care of your mistress's daily needs. If there is even the slightest mishap, I will hold you responsible!"
Granny Li immediately knelt down: "This servant will do her utmost and never let my master suffer the slightest grievance."
Emperor Yongzheng nodded in satisfaction and said to Lin Yun, "Take good care of yourself during your pregnancy. If you need anything, just tell me."
Lin Yun smiled slightly: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will be careful."
Yongzheng chatted with Lin Yun for a while longer until Su Peisheng reminded him that a minister was requesting an audience, at which point he got up and left.
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