Chapter 104 No White Hair in the World
After eating the vinegar fish that was invented by some unknown genius, Shen Zhiwei refused to eat fresh vegetables for a long time. It would be better for her not to be too curious.
Gui Yang and Wen Tao were quick to notice the emperor's change, and knowing the reason, they both avoided the vinegar fish. For a while, rumors spread throughout Shengdu that the two adults didn't like to eat fish, which upset Gui Yang, who loved to eat fish. She didn't eat a single bite of fish until the beginning of March, when spring came and flowers bloomed.
It was his own fault. If he had known earlier, he would not have served that dish.
I don’t know what those who said he didn’t like fish were thinking. If he didn’t like fish, did he eat sand every day during the six months he spent at the Donghai Salt Field?
In March, the weather warmed up and the army began to set out.
There was a battle at sea before the New Year and a battle on land after the New Year. The army, which was originally a little restless, calmed down a lot. The soldiers understood that they still had many channels to earn merit, so they naturally calmed down.
Shen Zhiwei didn't really care about the outcome of the naval war. As long as the ships could bring back high-yield crop seeds and countless gold, silver and jewelry, Shen Zhiwei would be satisfied. There was no need to talk about such trivial matters as occupying territory. There were still many people living in poverty outside, and conquering such territory was purely for poverty alleviation.
When the industry develops and more resources can be used, Shen Zhiwei will become greedy for the land outside.
Shen Zhiwei was more concerned about the land war. Not only she was concerned, but everyone in the court also took it very seriously, because the outcome of the land war was related to whether this war for the world would be completely over.
If all those fleeing princes could be captured in one fell swoop, the world would truly fall into Shen Zhiwei's hands, and the era of the Great Zhou would be completely over.
The duration of this war was no shorter than the previous war that ended in Yun Kingdom, and it was even longer. It was not because the enemy was difficult to fight, but because the battle line was long and there were many battlefields. Not only in the northwest, some generals in other places also lost their patience and took the initiative to join this war.
The reasons they gave were all outrageous. Today they suspected that a small country was harboring the remnants of the princes, and tomorrow they suspected that another small country had joined forces with the princes. The surrounding small countries were beaten so badly that they surrendered to Shengdu one after another, recognizing the lord of Shengdu, the current emperor, as their common emperor and submitting to him.
Shen Zhiwei sounded a bit like Tian Khan, but people nowadays are still relatively simple and can’t think of anything else.
Shen Zhiwei unfolded the map and found that he had conquered all the small countries around him and occupied all the resource-rich and useful territories. It was not that the remaining small countries could not be conquered, but that there was no benefit in conquering them, just like those small countries on the sea. Conquering them was simply to alleviate poverty.
So Shen Zhiwei came up with the system of suzerain and vassal states.
Her system was more stringent than any previous system in history. Not only did it require vassal states to pay tribute to the suzerain every year, it also required that the vassal states' military power and the power of royal succession be handed over to the suzerain.
To put it bluntly, a vassal state is an autonomous region. It is still a country in name, but in reality it has become a fiefdom of a king of a different surname, and its legitimacy is not as good as that of a king of a different surname.
This extremely oppressive system, even if signed now, may not be able to last in the long run. Shen Zhiwei broke things down and analyzed them for Chaoyang, telling the future prince that if he had the ability, he should wait for the small country to develop well and then reap the benefits and take over the territory.
If you don't have the ability, then when you can't control these small countries, you can find ways to stir up regional conflicts and let them fight each other. Dajing should not get involved. When the time is right, destroy the rules between these suzerain countries and vassal countries, and re-establish rules that both sides can agree on.
The only thing to remember is that you must rely on culture to invade those small countries.
The culture of the Central Plains is so vast that there is no culture around that can compete with it. Using culture to erode the other side from generation to generation has a more lasting, more far-reaching impact and more benefits than simply destroying the other side.
As long as the other party also becomes a part of the culture, no matter what happens in the future, the culture will continue, the Central Plains will last forever, and the grand scene will always exist in the hearts of the people.
Chaoyang doesn't quite understand these principles yet, but she has a good memory. No matter what the queen mother says, she can remember it firmly, word for word. When she grows up and sits in that position, she will follow today's teachings, steer the country, and lead the country to a longer-term victory.
Five years later, when Shen Zhiwei was 32 years old, the war was finally over.
Seventeen years have passed since she came to this world. Shen Zhiwei once again went to the city gate to welcome the general who returned victoriously for her.
Hu Youan's temples are already gray. She is less than 40 years old and looks very strong, but she is empty inside. If she fights outside again, she will probably die on the battlefield.
Qingzhu sent messages to Shengdu many times. Hu Youan suffered several fatal injuries on the battlefield, but fortunately he survived. Shen Zhiwei wanted Hu Youan to come back, but Hu Youan refused no matter what and persisted until now.
Shen Zhiwei looked down at the general sitting on his tall horse, enjoying the warm welcome of his people, and his nose felt sore.
Qing Zhu said that the serious injuries sustained on the battlefield had shortened Hu Youan's lifespan. Even if he was well taken care of in the future, he probably wouldn't have many years left. If Hu Youan was forced to stay, he would have to spend the rest of his life in pain. At that time, the general who could gallop on the battlefield and kill enemies would be trapped in bed every day. Hu Youan would be driven crazy, so Hu Youan wanted to be healthy in his last few years, rather than linger on.
After returning to Shengdu this time, I really saw her less and less.
The routine welcoming banquet in the afternoon was also a celebration banquet. Everyone was at the banquet. Hu Youan looked up and saw a few unfamiliar faces among the senior officials. Fortunately, most of them were still people she was familiar with.
This is good, which means that everything she protects is fine in Shengdu.
Hu Youan happily drank a glass of wine. Today was the first time she had drunk to her heart's content in five years, and it was probably the last time.
Qingzhu, the doctor who returned to Shengdu with the army, was waiting in the side hall. She didn't like talking to too many people, and she always stayed away from such lively occasions. Now she was willing to wait next door, which was the greatest concern a doctor could show to her patient. Once Hu Youan had any problems, she could immediately give him acupuncture and treat him.
When Shen Zhiwei thought of Qingzhu next door, she couldn't laugh.
The happier Hu Youan drank, the more aggrieved she felt.
Seventeen years after coming to this world, Shen Zhiwei felt a sense of powerlessness for the first time. As she walked all the way to today, there were very few things she was powerless to do, and not many things she was willing to fight for. Perhaps it was because she knew that there were many things that were beyond human control.
The emperor sitting on the throne was in a low mood, and the ministers below would certainly be frightened. Shen Zhiwei's skill in hiding her emotions was now very high. She did not show the slightest sign of inappropriateness, and no one present noticed her loneliness at the moment.
Only Hu Youan, the protagonist of the party, who talked, drank and socialized with many acquaintances, noticed Shen Zhiwei's sadness at the moment.
By the time the banquet was over, it was almost dark. In the past, it was always a dinner party, but because Chaoyang also wanted to attend, the banquet was usually held in the afternoon so as not to affect Chaoyang's bedtime at night.
The ministers also thought it would be better to hold the banquet in the afternoon. Some of the ministers lived far away from the palace. If they attended the banquet in the evening, they would have to walk at night. If they drank too much the night before and had to attend the morning court the next day, it would be a life worse than death.
Holding banquets in the afternoon has now become the norm. People don’t drink too much during the day. They just drink enough and stay sober, so as not to do anything ridiculous.
As the protagonist of this welcoming banquet, Hu Youan was taken turns to be forced to drink by a group of people, so it was inevitable that she drank a little too much. When the banquet was over, she immediately drank some sobering soup and did a set of boxing outside to sweat and get rid of the smell of alcohol.
Chaoyang followed Hu Youan and practiced a whole set of boxing and kicking techniques in an orderly manner.
Chaoyang is twelve years old this year. Since she was a child, she loves to wield swords and guns, and practice martial arts. She gets enough exercise, is not picky about food, and has adequate nutrition. Therefore, at the age of twelve, she is as tall as an adult. In addition, she has a tall body and does not have much flesh on her body. Sometimes Shen Zhiwei looks at her as if she is looking at a bamboo.
In fact, she has a thin layer of muscles on her body and is not as thin as she looks. For example, at this moment, with every move Chaoyang makes, there is the sound of breaking wind.
"The prince is very talented. If he practices diligently in the future, he will surely achieve something great."
Hu Youan admires Chaoyang very much. In fact, few people in Dajing have any opinions about the prince. In the eyes of many people, the prince is a qualified and excellent crown prince. When Dajing is handed over to the prince in the future, everyone thinks that Dajing will become a good country in the future.
It is unlikely to be better. Who can compare with the emperor's wisdom and bravery?
"Thank you for the compliment, General."
Chaoyang was so happy to receive Hu Youan's affirmation that she smiled brightly. She wanted to go to Shen Zhiwei to show off. When she was a child, she often heard Shen Zhiwei tell stories about Hu Youan killing enemies on the battlefield. Her admiration for Hu Youan was engraved in her bones.
Seeing that the future emperor trusted him so much, Hu Youan felt complicated. From the emperor's education of the prince, it can be seen that the emperor always wanted her to have a good ending and enjoy her old age.
Who knew that her health was so weak that she was destined not to enjoy anything the emperor arranged for her.
"It's getting late, Chaoyang, you should go back to the palace and rest."
Shen Zhiwei changed his clothes, washed off the smell of alcohol, and walked over.
Chaoyang responded with a "yes" obediently, bowed to Shen Zhiwei and retreated. This young boy who knew how to advance and retreat in moderation could already give us a glimpse of her future glory.
"Your Majesty, the prince is excellent, she is very good."
Hu Youan is not good at speaking, but the fact that she could say such words shows how satisfied she is with Chaoyang.
Shen Zhiwei said nothing, only saying: "Qingzhu is waiting for you, follow me."
Then Hu Youan was taken to the side hall.
Hu Youan was very cooperative throughout the whole process. As a patient, she had an easygoing expression, but Qingzhu and Shen Zhiwei's expressions became increasingly gloomy, especially Qingzhu. Shen Zhiwei had never seen Qingzhu's face so dark before.
"He drank a year's worth of wine. The general is truly generous." Qingzhu put down his hand, took out a bottle of pills, and threw it to Hu Youan. "Take one pill a day, with warm water after lunch. After a month, I might be able to buy back half a year of your life."
"It's this tonic medicine again."
Hu Youan looked at the bottle of medicine with a bitter face. Thinking about the taste, she felt that it would be better to die.
Qingzhu sneered and said, "Eat it if you want, or not. If you don't, I'll hold a funeral for you at the end of the year."
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhiwei called out softly, “Qingzhu.”
"Your Majesty, I have spoken out of turn." Qingzhu was used to arguing with Hu Youan, but now he realized that he was in the palace and could not speak so recklessly, so he hurried to apologize.
"She doesn't care, and I won't care about your gaffe. I just want to ask you, is there really no other way?"
Qingzhu lowered his eyes, feeling bitter and unable to express himself. Finally, he uttered a few words: "This is fate, and even gods and ghosts cannot cure it."
Shen Zhiwei could feel Qingzhu's dejection at the moment. Qingzhu was a medical genius. She had encountered many difficult and complicated diseases in her life, most of which could not be cured. She once doubted whether her medical skills were not good enough. As she grew older, she suddenly realized that terminal illness is not a disease, but life. Exquisite medical skills can only cure diseases, not save lives.
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Hu Youan felt uncomfortable all over. She felt like she was bitten by a mosquito on the back. She twisted her body left and right, her face flushed, and she didn't know what to do.
Finally, she said to Shen Zhiwei with a serious face: "Your Majesty, Qingzhu has done his best. I am lucky to be able to fight for Your Majesty all my life. I have no regrets even if I die."
Hu Youan thought this was a good thing. The famous general died at the prime of his life, and no one knew about his old age and weakness. What a blessing it was.
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