"Haha, you're right.
Himiko, let's talk about that in a few days. I'm going to see my mother and the others too.
Three days later, let's go taste that Japanese witch, Yi-jie. Let's have a good chat. Tonight, you'd better use your little feet to give me a good time!"
Lu Ming started getting a little cheeky. The serious stuff was over.
So, of course, it was time to talk about something less serious.
Wang Yi covered her mouth and giggled. Her husband hadn't changed at all! That's wonderful!
He hadn't changed because he became the Prince of Qin, nor because he became the Emperor.
He'd always been so good, so approachable.
"Yes, my husband hasn't changed at all.
Actually, I was a little worried, my husband, you're so good to me!"
"Silly girl, I'm your husband, and then the emperor.
An emperor is a lonely figure, and I don't want to be lonely.
When Yue'er grows up,
she can help me manage the court.
Then we'll travel together, enjoying the scenery and spending quality time with you."
Lu Ming didn't care about the country or its affairs. In his eyes, the entire empire was as stable as Mount Tai, and he didn't want to be immersed in governing the country.
Being an emperor was tiring, with no personal time; he preferred to be a hands-off ruler.
The couple embraced, Wang Yi holding Lu Ming tightly.
From the moment she married Lu Ming, she had no regrets. To marry a man who loved her so much, what more could she ask for?
What more could she ask for?
After a long period of tenderness, Zhang Bao finally called out loudly from outside, "Your Majesty, Vice Ministers of War Pang Tong and Wu Yong request an audience."
"Husband, then I'll go to the Empress Dowager first. Please pay your respects."
Wang Yi knew Lu Ming had important business to attend to, so she didn't linger.
If she weren't pregnant, she probably would already be stripped naked and pinned to the dragon throne, being fucked!
This wasn't the first or second time back in Chang'an.
Every time she thought about it, she felt it was absurd, yet also incredibly exciting.
Her lower body was itchy; she was afraid she wouldn't be able to control herself and would want to have sex!
"Alright, Sister Yi, you go first. I'll come after I finish my business.
We'll have dinner at Mother's tonight. You should also take good care of yourself; it's not easy carrying such a big belly."
Lu Ming patted her shapely buttocks under her palace dress. After giving birth, her buttocks had become even fuller and more fleshy.
To thrust into her from behind...it would be unimaginable how pleasurable that would be! The Empress left.
Lu Ming straightened his clothes. "Let them in."
A short while later, Lu Ming regained his dignified appearance and sat on the dragon throne.
Below him were Pang Tong and Wu Yong.
The two entered the Golden Palace, the place where court sessions were held, but the sessions had long since ended.
The two knelt and kowtowed.
"Your subject Pang Tong greets Your Majesty."
"Your subject Wu Yong greets Your Majesty."
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Lu Ming sat upright and had a letter presented.
"Beyond the Jade Gate Pass lies the land connecting the Western Regions.
Beyond the Western Regions lies a vast and expansive land.
A dynasty called the Kushan Empire is currently at war with our Qin state. We have information on them.
This time, I've come to send the two of you to assist them. Use your wisdom to observe the Kushan army. Observe carefully; knowing your enemy is the key to victory.
You can also choose not to go; I will choose others."
"Your subject is willing to go!"
Only a fool would refuse.
The emperor sending someone is a favor; the option to not go is completely ignored.
Only someone with a poor brain would actually choose not to go.
If you really don't go, you can forget about promotion and wealth in the future.
This Your Majesty is a true hero, but also truly petty. Don't think the emperor's heart is so magnanimous.
The emperor is also human; he has emotions and desires, and he gets angry.
"Your subject is willing to go."
Wu Yong also spoke, though surprised, he had little doubt.
He had originally thought that once the empire was stable, it wouldn't easily start trouble again, but now it seemed...
It was a case of the tree wanting to be still, but the wind wouldn't stop.
The two carefully reviewed the basic information about the Kushan Empire and the current location of their legion.
The kingdoms of the Western Regions were all small, some even the size of a county town.
Most were deserts, sparsely populated, making survival difficult, let alone development.
Therefore, when faced with a powerful army, they were either annihilated or occupied.
Strength was fundamental; without strength, one was nothing.
After a long pause, Lu Ming finally spoke, "Your objective is to halt the Kushan Empire's advance, at least for three to five years.
The court needs time to recuperate, and military preparations are still underway.
With everyone united, the enemy is nothing to fear."
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will certainly keep the enemy at bay."
Pang Tong was a strategist who had personally led troops into battle, making him exceptionally capable in both tactics and strategy.
Therefore, Lu Ming had chosen him; his presence would inspire confidence.
The reason Pang Tong was chosen over Zhuge Liang was because each has their own expertise.
Zhuge Liang was a polymath, but both Jiangdong and Jingzhou required governance.
With Zhuge Liang present, the balance of power could be better maintained, allowing the court's influence to grow while suppressing the rise of powerful clans.
Talent is currently scarce; otherwise, this approach wouldn't be necessary.
Lu Ming then spoke with them in detail for a long time, having them offered seats—a great honor.
Because the Kushan Empire controlled northern India, a vital passage to the Middle East.
Located at a key point on the Silk Road in Central Asia, the Kushan Empire served as a transshipment point for Qin's silk, lacquerware, Southeast Asian spices, Roman glassware, and hemp textiles.
Such a crucial position definitely needed to be conquered.
He didn't need to destroy the entire empire; controlling the key transportation routes was enough.
By opening up land transport routes and then developing maritime transport, a two-pronged approach would eventually allow him to reach the Roman Empire.
After conquering Rome, he could capture its noblewomen.
Besides, he hadn't ridden a Western woman yet; shouldn't he find an opportunity to have some fun?
With Lu Ming's orders relayed and the Prime Minister's office detailing the plans, the entire Qin Kingdom began operating again.
Supplies were produced continuously, with a nine-day work week followed by a one-day rest, and specific holidays, including leave for weddings, funerals, and sick leave.
This showed at least a modicum of human dignity, and its ability to resettle displaced people was particularly outstanding.
Disaster relief through labor, exchanging work for food—there's no such thing as a free lunch.
This would be impossible in any other dynasty, because Lu Ming would send troops to mediate; he wasn't afraid of trouble.
If someone caused trouble, instigated it, and was exposed,
they would face the extermination of their entire family.