Sun Miaoqing saw that Da Pangju was clearly smitten, but out of pride, she had to pretend to be a proper gentleman.
She covered the corner of her mouth with a silk handkerchief and chuckled. With so many silver mines lying there, which of the ministers in the court, except for those who had gone mad from reading too much, wouldn't want a share?
Hyenas are vastly different in size from lions and are not as fast. Even their teeth are not as strong as those of other predators, which can snap a prey's neck in one bite.
But by using despicable means, they dare to provoke even enormous creatures like elephants and hippos in the wild.
How can one allow another to sleep soundly beside one's bed? If we don't completely eliminate the surrounding threats, are we really going to wait for a Meiji Restoration and a complete overhaul before taking any action?
Sun Miaoqing wasn't that stupid. She had been thinking about this matter privately for a long time and had even made a five-year plan for it.
Anyway, crushing Japan now is about as easy as crushing an ant.
If it weren't for the concern that those powerful clans would become too powerful and difficult to control after swallowing this piece of meat.
With a little behind-the-scenes maneuvering, perhaps even without the need for war, those official families could, at most, drain Japan dry and completely annihilate it within ten years.
After thinking it over, Big Fat Orange decided that it was a feasible plan, but it would have to wait two years.
Seeing Sun Miaoqing's expectant expression, he said directly, "My Great Qing is a celestial empire. Its territory spans far more than ten thousand miles. How could we possibly covet the meager possessions of a small foreign country?"
"There's no need to discuss this further; I still have my pride."
Sun Miaoqing said nonchalantly, "An excuse? It's not hard to get one."
"We'll just send a merchant ship over there, and once it docks, whatever happens, we'll make Japan give us an explanation."
"If they can't provide it, they can't blame the navy; they should go and get it themselves. His Majesty is so wise, why would he care about such a thing!"
The chubby orange cat's probing gaze landed on Sun Miaoqing.
"You have always been kind-hearted and compassionate towards the poor and weak. You are generous to those poor people you don't even know, just to make their lives a little better."
"How can you treat Japan so cruelly? I think you wish for their destruction."
Sun Miaoqing rolled her eyes. Those not of my kind are bound to have different hearts. Although this is a TV drama world, it's vastly different from her previous life.
But the trends of the world are generally the same. Given the education she received from childhood, and the fact that the old man whose hands were blown off had only passed away a few years before she time-traveled, how could she not harbor hatred?
"I am not a Japanese. I can barely take care of my own poor people, how can I care about their lives!"
"Once those islands are filled with the people of our dynasty, I will naturally show compassion."
[Big Fat Orange could never have imagined the scenes of those Japanese pirates slaughtering the Central Plains.]
The Qing Dynasty learned from the lessons of previous dynasties, avoiding both the numerous warlords of the Zhou Dynasty and the powerful maternal relatives of the Han Dynasty.
Unlike the regional warlordism of the Tang Dynasty, and unlike the Ming Dynasty, which was plagued by eunuchs.
[With the Mongols to the north firmly under control, there's no need to worry about a repeat of the fall of the Song Dynasty. If it weren't for the foreign powers attacking, we might not have lost our throne.]
Big Orange clenched his fists so tightly that his fingernails dug into his palms. But this pain was nothing compared to the turmoil churning in his heart.
I originally planned to proceed gradually, but now it seems that's not an option.
This tiny island nation dares to covet the Qing Dynasty; it's only because its unfilial descendants are so useless that this ancestor has to work even harder.
The chubby orange said, "Consort Cheng knows my heart well. The time is not yet ripe, and I have my own plans."
"Such important military matters must not be known to any third party."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will not let out a single word."
As soon as she made the promise, Sun Miaoqing saw Su Peisheng standing next to her, acting as a background figure.
[Big Fatty Orange just said not to let a third person know, so is Su Fei not human?]
Su Peisheng felt the gazes fixed on him, and his face practically lit up with a smile.
I knew from the beginning that what Consort Cheng and the Emperor discussed was not romantic tales in the harem, but rather state secrets of the imperial court.
He should have gone down with the others earlier, instead of being stuck like this, unable to go forward or backward.
Knowing more made me feel uneasy. At night, I was afraid of talking in my sleep and being overheard.
Following Sun Miaoqing's gaze, the chubby orange cat glanced at Su Peisheng, who smiled ingratiatingly.
"Why are you looking at Su Peisheng? He has been by my side for many years and knows best what I can and cannot hear."
Su Peisheng said with a smile, "This servant was a little confused just now, and I really didn't hear a thing about what His Majesty and Empress were saying."
Sun Miaoqing said with a smile, "Of course I trust Eunuch Su. Besides, even if word gets out about today's matter, how many people would believe it before we take action?"
Big Fat Orange nodded and gave instructions to Su Peisheng.
"Issue the decree: Consort Yu, née An, is of noble birth and exquisite beauty. She is gentle and refined, and always acts in accordance with the law. She enjoys playing the zither and lute. She has long been acquainted with the teachings of her teacher and is well-versed in the etiquette of public officials."
"It is my duty to raise the Fourth Prince Hongli, hoping that he will respect and uphold the virtues of a woman, never forget his mother's teachings, and fulfill his responsibilities as a mother."
"Have someone send a message to Consort Hui to prepare the courtyard next to the Third Prince so that the Fourth Prince can move there directly after returning to the palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Sun Miaoqing said, "On behalf of Lingrong and the Fourth Prince, I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness."
"With Lingrong as his mother, when the Fourth Prince comes of age, he will surely become a kind, virtuous, and outstanding pillar of society."
The chubby orange didn't take it seriously; like mother, like child.
Hongshi and Hongzhou were both like this, and Hongli would be no exception. For the first ten years or so, he had no mother to educate him, so it was an incredible fact that he was even half as smart as Hongzhou.
"I didn't expect him to amount to anything. As long as he behaved himself and got to leave the palace to establish his own household, he could just be a leisurely prince."
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