Double penetration: This Three Kingdoms has dragon energy

Chapter 163 Mi Zhen of the Ji Family
Ji Qiu introduced three new ministers, which immediately surprised everyone present.

Those in the middle and upper management, especially those not in the core leadership, were shocked by the selection of these three ministers.

Of course, the people who shocked them were not Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang had been the Minister of Scientific Research for a long time. Although Ji Qiu did not publicize it in a big way, those who were interested had already learned of this information.

The same applies to Zhuge Jin. Although his Ministry of Foreign Affairs was newly established, Ji Qiu always entrusted Zhuge Jin with diplomatic affairs.

Now it's just that he's been officially promoted.

Therefore, the person who truly shocked them was only one person: Mi Zhu.

As a member of the Mi family, Ji Qiu's newly minted pseudo-brother-in-law has unexpectedly become the Minister of Commerce, which has surprised many people.

It wasn't by accident that Mi Zhu became a minister.

In fact, Mi Zhu becoming a minister was expected by many.

The Mi family of Donghai was the second major power to subdue the entire region, after the Zheng family of Jinan.

Although their surrender only brought seven county towns, they presented Ji Qiu with billions of dollars as dowry, and also made the Mi family daughter Ji Qiu's wife.

Given these two conditions, it is entirely understandable that they would receive the same or even better treatment as the Zheng family.

But to their surprise, how did Mi Zhu become the Minister of Commerce?

There was originally no Ministry of Commerce in the governor's mansion during the late autumn.

Throughout history, commerce has always been the profession least favored by the government among all trades.

The Han Dynasty categorized its people by occupation into four classes: scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. It was justifiable to classify merchants as the lowest class of people.

So why would Ji Qiu suddenly establish a Ministry of Commerce and appoint Mi Zhu as its Minister?
Is he trying to promote commerce?

This immediately prompted many officials with Confucian beliefs to try to advise Ji Qiu.

After all, according to the traditional Confucian philosophy, agriculture should be the foundation of the nation, and promoting commerce is the way to national ruin!

However, now was clearly not the time to offer advice, so they could only suppress their discomfort and continue the meeting.

But to their surprise, Ji Qiu did not allow Mi Zhu to discuss the matter of promoting commerce in a grand manner at the summary meeting.

They were simply asked to briefly introduce the responsibilities of their respective departments before being allowed to sit down.

This put everyone at ease. Could it be that they had misunderstood, and that Ji Qiu had no intention of developing commerce?
Should they wait and offer advice before making any further suggestions, and observe the situation first?

Thoughts raced through everyone's minds, but the year-end summary meeting was drawing to a close.

All departments have finished speaking.

Therefore, Ji Qiu, on behalf of the governor's office, made a concluding speech: "Everyone has heard the speeches of the ministers just now."

Overall, we achieved fruitful results this year, with significant increases in both the population under our rule and the territory we govern.

This is the result of everyone's joint efforts, and everyone is proud of it!
However, within the Kyushu Barrier, the area and population we currently occupy are less than one-tenth of the total area and population.

From the perspective of the world outside the Nine Provinces Barrier, it is merely a drop in the ocean!
Therefore, our future can be described in four words: a long and arduous journey ahead!

Here, I would like to share my favorite line of poetry with you all, and encourage you to reflect upon it together.

That is, the road ahead is long and arduous, but we are now starting anew!
Alright, this concludes the year 1 of the Chuping era summary meeting. Meeting adjourned!

Ji Qiu then got up and left the Great Hall of the People first.

After his figure disappeared from sight, the others got up and gradually left the Great Hall of the People.

……

After leaving the Great Hall, Ji Qiu returned to the Ji residence.

The Ji residence was his home.

It is also a landmark building in Beihai New City, built at the same time as the Great Hall of the People.

On its vast 300-acre land, the Ji Mansion resembles a mysterious modern ancient city.

The electric gate, inlaid with bronze cloud patterns, stands three zhang tall, with high-definition cameras and infrared sensors on both sides acting as guards, always on high alert.

The vermilion door panels are joined together using traditional mortise and tenon techniques. The creaking sound of the wood and the beeping of the electronic lock intertwine when the doors are opened and closed, creating a collision and fusion of ancient and modern aesthetics.

Passing through the screen wall, the main courtyard dominates the central axis of the entire mansion with overwhelming grandeur.

The gilded dragon relief at the top of the courtyard wall stretches for hundreds of meters, and the built-in bioelectric current sensing device can accurately identify the life magnetic fields of the owner and the mistress.

Whenever the two approached, the two large sandalwood doors, engraved with star trails, would open automatically, and a miniature dragon roar sound system hidden in the hinges would emit a deep and majestic sound.

The jade pavilion suspended in the courtyard uses magnetic levitation technology. Its bottom is engraved with the Hetu Luoshu. Inside the pavilion is a genuine leather recliner inlaid with obsidian. The yin-yang fish pattern on the back of the chair is connected to the underground dragon energy harmony array, which can release a soothing magnetic field according to the owner's needs.

A circular water system surrounds the main courtyard, with an underwater nanofiltration system working in conjunction with feng shui fish to purify the water and attract wealth. LED light strips along the edge of the water system project the zodiac totems of the owner and mistress in real time, intertwining with holographic auspicious clouds to create a dazzling light and shadow effect.

Thirty-six large courtyards surround the main courtyard like stars around the moon.

Among them, the courtyard featuring the Nine Dragon Wall has a dragon soaring through the clouds on the wall made of intelligent temperature-controlled glazed bricks, enhanced by AR projection technology.

The hidden Dragon Qi Gathering Array uses a geomagnetic induction device to introduce the power of the underground dragon vein into the courtyard.

In the garden-style courtyard, LED light strips in the shape of vines are wrapped around the branches of a century-old ginkgo tree.

The hot spring pool under the tree automatically adjusts the water temperature. The magnetic therapy stone slab at the bottom of the pool complements the feng shui energy-gathering stone, and the water surface reflects the holographic projection of flowers of the four seasons.

The seventy-two small courtyards are exquisite and unique.

In the small courtyard of the study, next to the rosewood bookshelf stands an intelligent book retrieval system, and hidden in the bookshelf's compartments are secret compartments with talismans that seal ancient books.

The guqin in the courtyard has a built-in sound wave resonance device. When played, the sound waves resonate with the dragon energy amplification array arranged in the four corners of the courtyard, creating a long and lingering sound.

The intelligent irrigation system in each courtyard automatically adjusts the water flow direction according to the feng shui compass to ensure the flow of vital energy.

Each of the 108 ordinary courtyards is unique in its design.

In the courtyard where the servants live, the intelligent access control system is combined with the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams orientation diagram, which not only protects privacy but also brings wealth and good fortune.

The temperature and humidity control system in the storage yard, along with feng shui talismans, protects the precious collection.

Wandering through the area, suspended glass palace lanterns light up one after another along the bluestone path, their warm yellow glow intertwined with the blue light of intelligent navigation projections. Inside the artificial mountain built of Taihu stones, the water circulation and purification system works in tandem with the energy-gathering array, and the water splashed up by the cascading waterfall seems to contain a mysterious power under the illumination of solar-powered ground lights.

The main hall serves as the central hub of the entire mansion, with intelligent temperature control and air purification systems embedded between the mortise and tenon beams and columns. The electronic scroll screen of "A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains" hanging from the dome can switch between different images.

The touch panel on the leather sofa armrest can not only control the automatic tea set and intelligent aromatherapy machine, but also regulate the flow of dragon energy throughout the courtyard. At the corner of the corridor, a secret room door with talismans is paired with a fingerprint lock. Next to the traditional alchemy furnace is a precision herbal analyzer. A smart robotic arm precisely mixes herbs according to feng shui timing amidst the wisps of smoke.

At the end of the roof's eaves, a surveillance camera shaped like a chiwen (a mythical beast) is integrated with a feng shui guardian beast, protecting this luxurious mansion that perfectly blends modern technology with the secret arts of dragon energy.

Ji Qiu was never a person who advocated simplicity.

Especially when it doesn't interfere with important matters and there are sufficient resources available.

What's the point of working so hard in the first place?
Isn't it all for a better life?

If you can't enjoy life, where will the motivation to make money come from?

Guided by this principle, he purchased luxury villas in many countries and regions around the modern world, and in some places, he even bought private gardens!

Although he only stays in many places a few times a year, this thing is like an achievement to be completed; just looking at it gives him a sense of satisfaction!

However, although he was a huge success in the modern world, he was relatively restrained in the world of Dragon Kingdom.

Firstly, he felt that since the company was still in the early stages of its business, it was not appropriate to be extravagant and wasteful, as this would set a bad example for his subordinates.

Secondly, they were always thinking about retreating and leaving, so they were too lazy to build.

However, when the Beihai New City project began, several of his core subordinates advised him to build a luxurious mansion at the same time.

It was said to be for the purpose of projecting power and authority to subordinates and the outside world.

This is not nonsense. As early as the beginning of the Former Han Dynasty, Xiao He supervised the construction of Weiyang Palace. When Liu Bang returned from his campaign, he was furious to see the grand scale and magnificent appearance of Weiyang Palace. He rebuked Xiao He: "The world is in turmoil. We have been fighting for several years and the outcome is still uncertain. Why do you build such an excessive palace?"

In Liu Bang's view, the situation in the country was not yet stable, and the people had suffered from war. It was inappropriate to build such a luxurious palace.

However, Xiao He responded confidently: "The world is not yet settled, so we can build palaces as a matter of course. Moreover, the emperor considers the whole world as his home, and only magnificence can demonstrate his authority and prevent future generations from surpassing it."

This means that it is precisely because the world is not yet completely at peace that this is the opportunity to build palaces. The emperor considers the whole world his home, and without magnificent palaces, it would be insufficient to demonstrate the emperor's majesty, and it would also prevent future generations from having the opportunity to surpass him.

Xiao He's viewpoint reflects his supreme respect for imperial power, believing that magnificent palaces can strengthen the emperor's authority in the hearts of the people.

On the other hand, it also reflects a long-term consideration for the inheritance of the Han Dynasty's foundation, hoping to set an example for future generations by building a magnificent palace.

Ultimately, Liu Bang accepted Xiao He's assessment.

Now, several of his core subordinates are using the same approach to persuade Ji Qiu.

Ji Qiu naturally agreed with this suggestion.

Thus, the construction of the Ji Mansion began.

Then came the Ji Mansion, which is comparable to a royal palace.

This Ji mansion could accommodate his one principal wife, thirty-six concubines, seventy-two maids, and one hundred and eight female slaves...

Okay, from now on, when I build a harem, I won't have to worry about not having enough rooms anymore.

Ji Qiu arrived at the No. 4 courtyard, which was also Mi Zhen's courtyard.

Currently, four large courtyards have been opened in the Ji residence.

Ren Hongchang, Zhang Ning, Cai Zhenji, and Mi Zhen lived there respectively.

Mi Zhen was a woman from the Mi family sent by the Mi family to marry Ji Qiu. She was also the younger sister of Mi Zhu and, in history, Lady Mi, who married Liu Bei.

As promised, Ji Qiu married Mi Zhen.

However, before Mi Zhen entered the household, he had already made Ren Hongchang, Zhang Ning, and Cai Zhenji his wives.

He wasn't entirely heartless; these three women had been with him for so long, there were still feelings involved.

We didn't give them official titles before because we felt it was unnecessary.

Now that Mi Zhen is going to enter the household, things need to get on track.

So let's just make them all ladies.
As a result, Mi Zhen went from being the first wife to the fourth wife.

This sounds like they've been taken advantage of.

If it were a modern young woman, she would definitely make a huge fuss and refuse to give up.

But Mi Zhen was clearly in a good mood and showed no sign of it, continuing to serve Ji Qiu wholeheartedly.

This made Ji Qiu feel a little embarrassed.

He felt that he owed Mi Zhen something.

So during this period, he frequently came to see Mi Zhen.

The glass palace lanterns changed from warm yellow to soft pink, and the wisteria flower screen projected by the light hologram swayed gently in the breeze driven by the nano-purification system.

The scattered light spots on the white marble steps look like someone has crushed the Milky Way and spread it here.

Mi Zhen strolled along the corridor, wearing a long brocade dress embroidered with nine phoenixes facing the sun. The dark patterns on the hem of the dress flowed with the light and shadow of the LED light strips, making each step feel like walking in a galaxy.

The three bronze mirrors automatically adjusted their angles, reflecting the elegance of the magnolia blossoms in her hair, and also the charm that flowed between her eyes as she drew distant mountain eyebrows.

The sealed snail shell rose slowly under the power of the intelligent sensing device, its beauty mirroring her pale fingertips, creating a breathtaking scene.

The water circulation system inside the artificial mountain resonated with the energy-gathering array, the gurgling water mixed with the faint hum of dragon energy, but it was not as melodious as the sound of the wind stirred by her clothes when she stood up.

She leaned against the obsidian railing of the magnetic levitation jade pavilion. Below the water, a feng shui koi swam with its AR-projected, shimmering tail fins, and the light in her eyes was even more dazzling than the shimmering tail fins.

The angelica and sandalwood scents released by the smart aroma diffuser enveloped her, like a custom-made veil.

As she turned around, the electronic scroll screen of "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River" hanging from the dome switched to a scene of misty Jiangnan. The holographic projection of willow catkins fell on her shoulders, blending with the faint smile on her lips, and together they were engraved into Ji Qiu's heart.

At this moment, Ji Qiu felt that the ancient and modern courtyard, and the mysterious and magnificent technological secrets, were not even a fraction as amazing as the person in front of him.

Mi Zhen saw Ji Qiu, and then her eyes, which were even more dazzling than the tail fins of a feng shui koi, instantly lit up with a brilliant light, like a glass palace lantern suddenly lit in the dark night.

She immediately jogged through the floating jade pavilion, the fragrant breeze she brought carrying the scents of angelica and sandalwood, disrupting the buzzing dragon energy throughout the courtyard.

Three steps away from Ji Qiu, Mi Zhen finally stopped. Her wide sleeves fluttered like butterfly wings as she curtsied. The magnolia blossoms in her hair trembled slightly with her movements, scattering a few holographically projected petals.

"My husband is back."

Her voice was softer than the gentle murmur of a water circulation system, and the smile on her lips was like spring water overflowing the embankment, making the misty Jiangnan region projected by AR pale in comparison.

Ji Qiu chuckled, stepped forward and pulled Mi Zhen into a tight embrace, grinning, "Zhen'er, are you getting impatient? I'm in a hurry too, let's take care of it together!"

(End of this chapter)