The ninth son of the emperor was demoted at the beginning. I have a famous Chinese general.

"Your Majesty is wise. I understand what you mean."

"I will keep a close eye on these chambers of commerce."

Zhuge Liang nodded and said.

He knew Ning Quan's concerns. The specific operation of the Chamber of Commerce was under the responsibility of the major families. Faced with high profits, some people might become greedy.

"Well, you'll understand."

"Remember, once discovered, you must punish them severely and make an example of them."

Ning Quan warned sternly.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhuge Liang accepted the order and said.

"Oh, the Empress told me yesterday that my father-in-law is old and wants to retire to his hometown to enjoy his retirement. I have agreed."

"I also intend to have Li Taiheng take over as Governor-General of Annan. What do you think, Prime Minister?"

Ning Quan took a sip of tea and spoke slowly.

"Your Majesty, Lord Li is young, strong, and capable. Of course, I can do it. I have no objection."

Zhuge Liang said respectfully.

"Since the Prime Minister agrees, then it is settled. You can go back and draft the decree."

Ning Quan nodded with satisfaction.

"Your Majesty, I have something else to say."

Then Zhuge Liang continued.

"Go ahead."

"Your Majesty, I suggest that one of General Zheng Chenggong or General Li Ji from South America be transferred back to Daqian."

Zhuge Liang said slowly.

"why?"

Ning Quan said with some doubt.

"Your Majesty, Daqian needs a general to stay in the mainland, and currently only General Zheng Chenggong or Li Ji from South America can be transferred back."

"Sitting in the homeland? Is there anyone planning a rebellion?"

"Of course not, but Your Majesty, all of our generals are currently stationed abroad or fighting on campaigns, leaving no one in the land."

"Although there will be basically no problems on the mainland, someone still needs to be in charge from every perspective."

Zhuge Liang explained.

"Well, I understand what you mean. Okay, then transfer General Li Ji back."

Ning Quan thought for a moment and agreed.

"It's Your Majesty."

"By the way, speaking of foreign wars, what's the current situation of the Rakshasa Nation? Have they not yet decided the winner?"

Ning Quan continued to ask.

"Yes, the two sides of the Rakshasa Kingdom are still fighting fiercely, and the winner has not yet been determined."

"But General Huo is ready, and the logistics and supplies are sufficient. We can march into Luosha when the time is right."

Zhuge Liang replied.

"Well, as long as we're prepared, we can still trust General Huo's abilities."

Ning Quan said with satisfaction.

"Speaking of Rakshasas, I think of the European countries."

"European countries are also accelerating their industrialization. I heard that their armies have begun to replace a small number of them with breech-loading flintlock rifles, and they have also developed new gunpowder and new artillery. This is not good news for us."

"That's right. The emergence of new equipment is a threat to us."

"And judging by the current situation, the way wars are waged will definitely change significantly in the future."

Zhuge Liang nodded and said.

"That's exactly what I mean. That's why we have to speed up our efforts. We will strive to build a new army within a year and fully replace it with flintlock rifles."

"It just so happens that General Li Ji is about to be transferred back, so let him be responsible for training this group of new troops."

"I understand!"

"Well, when I have some free time in a few days, you can accompany me to visit the military factory."

Ning Quan then gave another order.

He wanted to see with his own eyes the new flintlock rifles produced by the military factory, and to check their effectiveness and whether the production volume had been reached.

"I accept the decree!"

"Okay, that's all for today. Please hurry up and do what you've arranged."

"I understand!"

Zhuge Liang nodded and said.

Then Ning Quan stood up and walked towards the harem.

Zhuge Liang quickly stood up and walked outside. He wanted to call the Minister of Revenue, the Vice Minister of Personnel, the Minister of War and other ministers to hold an emergency meeting.

........

at the same time.

At the border of Luosha Kingdom, in the Daqian military camp, Huo Qubing is studying the plan to attack Luosha.

During this period of time, the fighting between the Rakshasa rebels and the army loyal to His Majesty the Emperor has become increasingly fierce. Three large-scale battles have broken out in succession in recent days, but neither side has been able to defeat the other.

The situation is still at a stalemate.

However, Huo Qubing felt that the time was almost right.

The two-month-long battle resulted in heavy losses for both sides.

The rebels suffered nearly 200,000 casualties.

His Majesty the Emperor's army suffered even worse, with 300,000 casualties.

This also includes 100,000 guards.

Not only that, both sides have also consumed a lot of food and grass. According to intelligence, the food and grass of both sides are almost running out.

Without food and supplies, both sides could not fight even if they wanted to, and could only withdraw.

But this was something Huo Qubing could not allow.

At present, both the rebels and the emperor's army are the only remaining main forces of the Rakshasa Kingdom.

Therefore, he had to act before both sides withdrew, or during their retreat, and completely annihilate the armies of both sides.

Once the goal is achieved, the entire Rakshasa will basically have no power to resist.

By then, Daqian will be able to easily take over the entire Rakshasa Kingdom.

"Come here, send a message to General Zhang Liao to immediately lead 50,000 cavalry to the northeast of Luosha and snipe the Luosha rebels' retreat."

"The rest of the soldiers will follow me and march straight to Huanglong."

Huo Qubing gave the order coldly.

"Follow the order!"

Upon hearing this, the deputy general next to him hurried away.

.......

And just then.

Paris, the capital of France.

A secret meeting is taking place.

In the Royal Palace of Paris, emperors or envoys from more than ten European countries gathered together.

The main topic of this meeting is how to join forces to resist Daqian.

"Everyone, you should all be aware that Daqian is now powerful and ambitious."

"Although Daqian didn't attack us immediately after conquering Persia and the Arabs, that was because Daqian needed to recuperate and digest and absorb Persia and the Arabs."

"Once they have rested and recovered, their next target will definitely be us."

"Our only option now is to unite and resist Daqian together."

The Emperor of Austria-Hungary said seriously.

"Yes, I agree with the proposal of His Majesty the Emperor of Austria-Hungary. If we fight alone, we will never be a match for the Daqian army. We must join forces."

The King of France stepped forward and said.

"Yes, the best way for us to form an alliance now is to join forces against the enemy."

"Yes, it was unanimously approved."

…………

Emperors of several other countries spoke up to express their agreement.

Although European countries themselves were full of contradictions and constantly fighting each other, they still united when facing common threats.

"Okay, now that all the emperors agree, let's discuss the specific plan."

The Austro-Hungarian Emperor immediately spoke upon seeing this.

"Okay, then let's follow the proposal from the last meeting and form an army of one million men equipped with advanced weapons."

"This army will be shared among countries according to their economic conditions and population size, and command will belong to all of you present here. We will establish a unified command structure."

said the King of France immediately.

"agree!"

"no problem!"

"agree!"

A group of people nodded in agreement.