Chapter 454 Addiction
Ordinary gold and silver jewelry is easy to take away, but large items are not so easy to take out of the capital.
Wen Zhiming knew that Meng Lingge was nostalgic and didn't want to replace things once she got used to them. So if she wanted to take everything with her, she should start preparing now.
Meng Lingge also knew that this was a troublesome matter.
Hearing this, she looked up and said, "Father gave me a house before, but it's been sitting idle. We'll store the big items in the house first. Once we're settled there, we can move out if it's convenient, or let my parents deal with it—give it away or sell it for cash, it's all fine."
"But these are all things you're used to using; you might not be able to buy the exact same things over there."
Wen Zhiming knew that Meng Lingge was thinking of him. He did want to buy new things for his wife, but he still wanted her to like them herself, as that would be the most suitable for her.
It's not impossible to take all of these with us, but it's not cost-effective; the expenses along the way might exceed the value of these large items themselves.
But as long as his wife is satisfied, he considers it a worthwhile deal.
Seeing his serious expression, Meng Lingge couldn't help but reach out and stroke his face, revealing a bright smile.
"What I'm most used to is already by my side, and I'll definitely take it with me. Wherever I go, you have to go too. As long as you're by my side, I feel safe."
She gently touched Wen Zhiming's earlobe. "Wherever you are, that's where my heart is."
Wen Zhiming was overjoyed and pulled Meng Lingge into his arms.
"Then I'll do as you say, my wife. We'll take the smaller items with us when the time comes, and store the larger items in your private residence first."
He secretly resolved that when he settled down in a new place, he would take all of his wife's belongings with him.
After all, his wife's heart belonged to him, so he had to handle these little things for her perfectly.
The candlelight flickered gently, and the moonlight was hazy.
The two lovers embraced each other, and soon their eyes were filled with affection, creating a tender atmosphere.
Wen Zhiming whispered in Meng Lingge's ear, "Being used to it isn't enough. I want my wife to be addicted to me and never be able to give me up."
Upon hearing this, Meng Lingge recalled that Wen Zhiming had become even more enthusiastic about matters of the bed since he used the 'cooling' medicine pack that day, and she couldn't help but blush and murmur aloud.
"You're the one who's addicted..."
Wen Zhiming's eyes softened, "Yes, I've been addicted to you for a long time..."
Meng Lingge couldn't respond to that, and in her annoyance and embarrassment, she pinched Wen Zhiming's waist hard.
Not to be outdone, Wen Zhiming tickled Meng Lingge's armpit, and the two laughed and joked around until they rolled onto the bed together.
Their robes were removed, and their bodies remained entangled.
The next day, morning.
"My esteemed ministers, the Jin Yue and Lan Yu kingdoms have just signed a treaty, and now Lan Yu is embroiled in internal strife. Mo Si Xuan has passed away, and Mo Si Yan has become the new emperor of Lan Yu. This is a secret letter sent to me by Mo Si Yan. Pass it on to all my ministers for them to read."
After Wen Zhiming finished speaking, he handed the letter in his hand to his father-in-law behind him.
The eunuch went downstairs and had the letter passed among the officials one by one. The officials who had read the letter lowered their heads and spoke quietly.
The letter from the Blue Feather Kingdom revised the contract, canceling the marriage alliance between the two countries and replacing it with a bilateral trade agreement. It also proposed that each country develop a new capital city at its border, forming the largest trading market among the five nations.
To ensure fairness and security, each country sends a prince to lead troops to garrison the border areas, fully promoting trade, boosting the development of both countries, consolidating peace, and stimulating the border economy.
Yesterday, the Emperor mentioned that with the ascension of the new emperor of Lanyu Kingdom, the peace talks between the two countries had changed. The ministers thought it was just a change in the bilateral control treaty, but Mo Siyan's move was unexpected. He directly opened up the border trade and established a separate capital. Not to mention Jin Yue and Lanyu, none of the five kingdoms in the world have ever attempted such a bold cooperation.
There were many different opinions and much discussion.
Wen Zhiming sat high on the dragon throne, listening to the ministers arguing softly below. After all the ministers had read the letter, he coughed lightly and asked them what their opinions were.
The officials in the audience looked at each other.
Gu Yan has a relatively clear understanding of the local situation since he went deep into the border area between the two countries.
Seeing that no one answered, he stepped forward and said.
"I believe this matter is feasible. The border region between Jin Yue and Lan Yu is known as the Northern Frontier. It borders Qing Yang to the east and Bai Lan to the west. Even Chi Shuang, which has no dealings with the other four countries, is not far away. It can be called a transportation hub of the five countries. However, due to the long-term war between the two countries, the economy here is backward and the people are suffering. If this matter is handled well, it will not only benefit the people here, but also improve the economy of the two countries. It is a great undertaking that benefits the country and the people."
Wen Zhiming gave him an appreciative look and nodded, saying, "General Gu is not only a skilled warrior, but also farsighted and has the demeanor of a scholar-general."
When the officials heard Wen Zhiming agree with Gu Yan, they knew that the Emperor also shared this idea. However, given the gravity of the matter, after a brief pause, some ministers still voiced their opposition.
“What I say is true, General, but the Blue Feather Kingdom is known for its cunning. It’s hard to say whether this is a trap. Besides, since ancient times, capitals have always been chosen from prosperous places within the country. Who would choose a poor border region? The expenses for the first year will be no small amount. If the trade doesn’t take off, all the money invested will be wasted.”
Upon hearing this, several ministers expressed their opinions.
"That's right, the Blue Feather Kingdom is ambitious and greedy! We could have solved this by marrying a princess to them, but they insisted on setting up this border trade. Maybe they just want us to waste our resources and weaken our country."
"We might just be preparing when they come and plunder. Why should they have the final say? Why should they decide to have a marriage alliance or trade with us? We don't want war, but we can't let them do whatever they want! The internal strife in Lanyu has just ended, and the court is still unstable. It would be better to strike first and dampen their arrogance!"
“There’s no need to be so extreme. I think the new king of Lanyu Kingdom’s letter is in a mild tone, it’s just a negotiation, not a coercion. In my opinion, we should just refuse because the time is not right. The people have suffered from war for too long. Now that the two countries have finally made peace, we must not let this proposal cause tensions to rise again.”
The ministers continued to speak, and most of them expressed their opposition.
They all served as officials in the capital. Except for a few military officers who went to the northern frontier, the others never left the capital in their entire lives. The war and poverty on the frontier were too far away from them, and they could not truly understand the suffering of the people on the frontier.
In recent years, Wen Zhiming has been fair in rewarding and punishing officials. The corrupt officials and those with wicked intentions in the capital have all been dismissed and investigated. There are no evildoers or greedy people left here now, but as long as they are human, they are bound to be selfish.
Considering their own interests, most officials were not optimistic about establishing a separate capital and opening trade between the two countries. After all, this would require a great deal of effort and money.
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