Xu Xiaomeng drank her tea rather quickly, despite the still visible steam coming from the cup. Xiao Xi took notice of it, soon becoming rather startled, though Xiao Xi maintained her line of vision toward the document sitting on the rosewood table.

While Xu Xiaomeng never displays her anger visibly through her expression, staying almost permanently ice cold, her actions typically detail her turmoil. It was in vast contrast as to Li Ming, who acted without the slightly unnecessary action in his movement.

Xiao Xi, having stayed by Xu Xiaomeng after Li Ming had disappeared for quite some time, naturally could understand the meaning of these actions.

Thus, she was agitated, as Xu Xiaomeng’s rushed movement implied her deep frustration. Of course, for such an emotionless person to feel anger, would require quite a stimulus.

The atmosphere was rather tense, though nothing happened in the end, aside from Xu Xiaomeng giving off a sigh.

“Release them from house arrest and sent Hu Caochang back to the Northern Trenchline,” Xu Xiaomeng said, though her words sounded aloof, her small fist tightened under her long sleeve.

“But Lady, you clearly suspect Hu Caochang to be in engaging in cahoots with Empress Wunan, why are you sending him back into a position of authority?” Xiao Xi asked though it was a foolish choice, as Xu Xiaomeng was still unsettled.

“Innocent until proven,” Xu Xiaomeng responded once more in an indifferent tone as she once more lifted the cup toward her lips, only to discover that it was already empty.

“Lady, should I assassinate Hu Caochang before he leaves the capital?” Xiao Xi felt rather terrible, after a month of investigation, no evidence has been found for any of the four that imply they were engaging in treasonous activities. (That’s right, one-month time skip)

Xu Xiaomeng shook her head, before pouring herself another cup of tea from the plain-looking teapot.

Xiao Xi felt puzzled, though her loyalty toward Xu Xiaomeng caused her to speak no further.

That night, it was rather cold, leaving Xiao Xi to leave in a swift manner.

“Empress Wunan, here’s your coat,” Yu Pen presented Empress Wunan a fox fur coat, the coat itself appearing as white as snow, while decorated with gold lining.

Empress Wunan accepted it, before leaving the bedroom she had Yu Pen had been in.

The jacket appeared slightly oversized on Empress Wunan, causing her to appear quite cute, much like a dole, though her frown indicated her dissatisfaction with the coat size.

In the end, Empress Wunan ordered Yu Pen to order another jacket of the same material and craft, though she did not take off the oversized jacket she was currently wearing.

After walking for some time, Empress Wunan approached her carriage and promptly invited Yu Pen to enter along with her. As it was of great importance to be seen among the public with the Emperor, though Yu Pen had been quite close with Empress Wunan, she still did not feel too comfortable sharing a carriage.

Eventually, on Empress Wunan’s delicate face appeared a frown, causing Yu Pen to become startled before immediately enter the carriage afterwards.

The inside of the carriage was peculiar, as though it was rather large, there exists only a single cushion, leaving Yu Pen to sit on the wooden floor of the carriage.

As the road in front of the palace was well paved along with the introduction of Far Eastern technology, only the Emperor would possess the luxury of using such a form of transportation in Longjing nowadays. Thus, as the carriage passed by, the civilians, no matter how high their status, quickly forgo their daily task, before giving a deep kowtow toward the carriage.

“Empress Wunan, if we advance any further, we will arrive at the slum of the city, where men are living in tight conditions, ridden with crime and fifth,” Xiao Xi said after they journeyed further away from the palace.

“Oh, is that so, how has this Emperor never heard of such a thing?” Empress Wunan asked.

“In these places, men, women and children are living without proper sanitation and the Summer disease would be widespread due to the still water, which they also use to drink, bathe and cook. Supposedly, there has been such widespread amount of death that a market of mortuary has been developed, becoming quite lucrative,” Yu Pen replied, slightly disappointed, perhaps she wished to also gain some wealth through starting a mortuary business.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“This emperor did not ask for the conditions of these places, only how they had developed without this emperor’s consent,” Empress Wunan asked, her expression rather frustrated.

“This area has only been created in the past two years when you had overthrown the Sui, at that time, Empress had abolished serfdom that had been imposed on the peasants, allowing them to freely travel to Longjing,” Yu Pen replied, her expression quite, while her words were flat, quite even and without haste.

“This area had originally been a small lake, thus it had avoided detection form you Empress,” Yu Pen said before a trace of disdain could be seen flashing through her eyes.

“I propose this Empress to clear this section through the excuse of the construction of new railroad tracks, not only will it remove the filth of the slums it would also garner Empress much respect among our developing class of landlords, who will see their property values increase,” Yu Pen proposed, her quite ordinary face appearing to be full of desire.

“Yu Pen, you should be aware that this emperor allow for servants to operate their personal enterprise, but these matters should not be mentioned directly in front of me,” Empress Wunan said, causing Yu Pen to be quite startled, wondering how Empress Wunan managed to discover her status as a landlord despite the various channels she goes through.

Empress Wunan appeared to be quite amused by Yu Pen’s shock, yet did not explain and simply directed the carriage to journey around the slum. Yu Pen afterwards, did not speak and sit rather obediently on the wooden floor of the carriage, her actions rather appearing rather submissive.

Eventually, they reached the mouth of Changhe, the beginning of the Great Wu Ocean.

The road here was similarly paved as the ones in front of the Imperial Palace, though it appeared visibly more sullied, perhaps a result of the massive amount of human traffic this area receives, it appeared almost black, perhaps from the amount of soot and smoke generated by the new factories introduced into Longjing.

The port is called Qintian port and has been important throughout history, ever since the first contacts with the Far Easterns, though ever since Empress Wunan has allowed for trade to flow freely through Theudo and the Yao Dynasty, it has been expanded numerous times throughout the two years.

Supposedly, there are numerous gambling dens, pleasure house and even the beginning of an innovative system of self-service stores selling a variety of goods, unlike the specialised stores typically seen around Longjing.

Furthermore, much of these operations are owned by a single individual, who managed to generate an untold amount of wealth through their close connection with the Empress.

Naturally, that person is Yu Pen, though, through the vast channels she possesses, it appears no one is aware of such a matter.

(Basically, give Yu Pen a top hat and a monocle, and she’s your model Victorian era capitalist, a landlord, an industrialist, a player of politics and hates the poor).

Regardless of these matters, the port of Qintian is rather quiet, as the events occurring today contain such significance that even Empress Wunan had left the Imperial Palace, and had arrived at Qintian port.

After some time passed, a loud sound could be heard and soon afterwards, the outliner of a ship could be seen, along with a trail of smoke exiting the top of the ship.

The ship was truly peculiar, as it had sailed across the Wu Ocean to arrive at the port of Qintian, furthermore, it’s body was clad in iron, and powered not by sailors, but instead by steam.

“Yu Pen, the Imperial treasury has paid vast sums for this ship to be built in their foreign ports, and some had even been diverted from the budget of the military effort against Yun Sui. Considering your vast wealth, would you consider contributing some into the hands of the emperor?” Empress Wunan said in an amused tone, though Yu Pen’s face turned quite ugly.

“Naturally this servant will oblige,” Yu Pen eventually said, by this point, the ship is appearing to be much closer, thus allowing for its cannons on top of the deck to be visible to the naked eye.

“Empress, this ship, known as the armoured cruiser, would contribute heavily against the rebel forces of Xu Xiaomeng and Yun Sui, therefore, this servant proposes that in exchange for the sum that this servant will deliver into the imperial treasury, would it be possible for a portion of Qintian port to be rendered free of tax?” Yu Pen asked, though her voice was quite polite.

“Is there not already an extremely lax system of tax within the Empire?” Yu Pen asked though she did not take her eyes off the armoured cruiser sailing toward their port.

“Through the establishment of a free trade zone, our empire would be able to obtain foreign investment, through them, we will be able to obtain knowledge on the production of various goods and services, ultimately benefiting the empire,” Yu Pen replied, though she avoided speaking on the topic of her personally benefiting from such policies.

Empress Wunan did not think much of it and offhandedly wrote an edict for the proposal Yu Pen had made.

Eventually, the armoured cruiser finally arrived at the port, causing a great amount of joy in the heart of Empress Wunan, while Yu Pen appeared similarly joyful, counting within her head the amount of profit she could possibly create through the new free trade zone.

By this point, the two had long thrown the matters regarding the slum in the back of their head, though another matter, which they did not speak of remained constantly on their thoughts.

“Brother Xu Shu, it has been quite some time,” Xu Li said, before sitting down at a wooden table. Picking up his chopsticks, he consumed it in a rather rushed manner, though it still contained a hint of refinement, differing him from that of a typical soldier.

“Eldest Brother Xu Li, how has the campaign against the usurpers been?” Xu Shu asks, his voice containing an obvious trace of concern.

“Empress Wunan’s forces are undoubtedly well trained, and their technology is far superior to ours,” Xu Li answered, before putting down his bowl,” Fortunately, we’ve been receiving quite a number of equipment from L'hexagone, allowing us to rival their equipment on the battlefield.”

“In the past month, I managed to conquer the province of Nanmen, though it appeared that Empress Wunan kept much of her troops behind Yunshan,” Xu Li said without any hint of pride.

“Concubine Hu is devious, Eldest Brother Xu Li, the Sui Dynasty is in your hands, I can only aid you in ensuring our border against Little Sister Xu Xiaomeng remains protected,” Xu Shu said with a sigh, before using his chopsticks to pick off fishbone, before presenting the flesh to his older brother.

“Brother Xu Shu, you mustn’t underestimate Little Sister Li Ming, her tactics are devious, and her support amongst the soldiers is far greater than any I’ve seen. In the siege of Dongan, her soldiers were willing to listen to her commands without a second thought and remain in high spirits for countless months,” Xu Li reminded, before staring toward the sky.

Xu Shu sighed, before saying,” Eldest Brother Xu Li, it’s not that I don’t believe in your words, but Little Sister Xu Xiaomeng is busy with the Northern Empire and had seldom attacked our land, I believe that Little Sister Xu Xiaomeng would not last long without any support.”

Xu Li lightly hit his younger brother’s head, before finishing his meal silently.

After leaving the restaurant, he stared toward the sky. Unfortunately, it was already quite late, so the sun he was searching for had disappeared, leaving only the moon, appearing wane on Tianshan.