On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

"It's okay to have objections. I still need to talk to you in detail about these architectural matters. At the very least, we need to discuss this. After all, you've learned too little in my world."

Chu Xiling nodded and handed the brush to him again.

Lin Zhen sat down seriously and began to draw while saying, "I think the academy's curriculum can't be limited to classics, history, and miscellaneous books. We should also add some courses from later times, such as mathematics, geography, physics, chemistry, etc."

Chu Xiling deeply agreed.

She used to believe in the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, but now it seems that those teachings to be gentlemen are not practical.

What’s the point of being a gentleman if you can’t succeed?

Can this trick also defeat the enemy?

Lin Zhen kept writing: "As for this dormitory building, I plan to use cement to build it. It is strong and durable, and it can also save construction time."

Chu Xiling frowned slightly, thought for a moment and said, "The strength of the cement is certainly enough, but we don't have steel bars at the moment, so the quality cannot be guaranteed."

Lin Zhen, however, looked confident. He put down his brush and folded his arms across his chest. "How difficult is this? We can make swords, spears, sticks, and clubs. Rebar is just a different form. And we don't have to worry about running out of iron. The Northeast is rich in iron ore. There's iron ore everywhere. Half of your Nan Chu captives are in Wuqing, and the other half are in the Northeast. They're idle anyway, so let them mine. Then we can hire some skilled craftsmen, try a few more times, and we'll definitely be able to make it."

Chu Xiling felt very uncomfortable when she heard about the captives from Nanchu. She said, "Husband, can you treat us Nanchu people better?"

"Don't worry, I won't mistreat the captives. They'll have three full meals a day in the Northeast and a place to stay. After two years, I'll give them land, cattle and sheep, and allow them to marry and have children. From now on, they'll be the indigenous people of the Northeast."

"Okay, hehe." After hearing Lin Zhen say this, Chu Xiling became happy again. As long as the people in her country can survive, it's fine.

In war, not dying is the best outcome. Don't ask for too much.

"Since that's the case, let's start by improving iron smelting skills. Tomorrow, the academy will begin to enroll the first batch of students, led by me, who will specialize in iron smelting. The academy will also have to build an iron smelting laboratory for them to practice."

Lin Zhen nodded heavily. "Okay, I'll do as you say. However, the first batch of students must be selected from the children of officials. As for students from poor families, we can wait until the construction of the academy is completed before recruiting them. Otherwise, those who follow me will have objections."

"Exactly that."

At this moment, Hou Chun hurried into the courtyard and clasped his hands together: "Sir, His Majesty has a message."

Lin Zhen and Chu Xiling exchanged a glance and said in a deep voice, "Speak."

"His Majesty has ordered you to go to Jiangdu immediately to negotiate with the State of Chu. This matter cannot be delayed any longer."

The air suddenly became quiet.

Lin Zhen nodded and looked at Chu Xiling.

Unexpectedly, Chu Xiling quietly held his hand, squeezed it gently, and said softly, "I'll go with you."

"Thanks a lot."

"It's not hard. Actually, I also want to go back and see my father, but I don't know if I can see him."

"I don't think we'll see him. Chu Batian won't come to negotiate in person."

"You're so annoying! He's your father-in-law after all, but you keep calling me Chu Batian!" Chu Xiling looked so cute when she was angry.

......

Inside the Chu Imperial Palace, the atmosphere within the Hall of Mental Cultivation was so solemn it seemed as if water could drip from it. Candlelight flickered, and shadows danced eerily between the beams and pillars, adorned with carvings of dragons and painted with phoenixes.

Prime Minister Han Tianxing was dressed in a purple robe with a python pattern embroidered with gold thread on the hem, which looked like it was baring its fangs and claws, exuding an intimidating majesty.

Gu Beichen was wearing black armor and standing upright opposite Emperor Chu Batian.

Chu Batian sat high on the dragon throne, with his hair tied up with a golden crown. Although the years had left traces on his face, it had not diminished the emperor's dominance in the slightest.

He looked Gu Beichen up and down, then slowly stood up, walked up to him, patted him on the shoulder, and said in a deep voice, "Beichen, I have handed over all the troops of the Great Chu to you. Do you know how heavy this burden is?"

Gu Beichen bowed his head slightly, clasped his fists in salute, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my best to live up to your trust!"

That’s right, Gu Beichen has married Chu Xiling’s sister Chu Xiyan under Han Tianxing’s arrangement, and is now the prince consort of the Chu State.

Because Han Tianxing came out in person, he was treated as a guest of honor by Chu Batian and was appointed prime minister.

At this moment, Chu Batian's ambition to conquer the world was aroused once again.

He didn't believe that he could not defeat the Qian Kingdom even though he had the most powerful Xuanhe Sect in the world.

Chu Batian nodded slightly, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes, but then his expression turned serious again. "This time, Lin Zhen's immortal water flooded Xia Pi, and the situation suddenly changed. Although this is not your fault, you are also aware of the difficulties facing our Great Chu. The upcoming negotiations are crucial. You must give your all at the negotiating table and do everything you can to bring that brat Lin Zhen back to me!"

When Gu Beichen heard this, he clenched his teeth and the muscles in his cheeks bulged slightly.

He and the princess had just consummated their marriage, and he had legitimately become the son-in-law of Chu Batian.

But who would have thought that Chu Batian was still obsessed with having Lin Zhen as his son-in-law.

How could he, who had always been proud, swallow this?

Lin Zhen, Lin Zhen.

Why the hell do you always steal my stuff?

After a moment of silence, he suppressed his anger, raised his head, and looked directly at Chu Batian with a firm gaze: "Father, I believe that even without Lin Zhen, I can still lead the Great Chu to the top. Moreover, the failure of this war has nothing to do with Lin Zhen. It was all because of that bastard named Chen Xiao who attacked our rear! If it weren't for him, our Great Chu would never have fallen so quickly."

"You're right. Chen Xiao is truly a formidable general. It's a shame... I can't use such a hero."

Han Tianxing had been watching coldly from the sidelines. Seeing Chu Batian's statement, he frowned slightly, stepped forward, and said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry too much. I have already sent my disciples to secretly harass Lin Zhen, and they are specifically targeting his weak spots. They will definitely make him unable to take care of himself."

Chu Batian nodded slightly, his expression easing slightly. "Hmm... Prime Minister, this is very much to my liking. This negotiation is to buy time for our Great Chu. Losing some land is nothing. Beichen, when you return, you must seize the time to train your troops and strengthen your armaments. When the time comes, we will have a showdown with the Qian Kingdom!"

Gu Beichen clasped his fists and saluted again: "Your son will follow the instructions of the emperor and the prime minister and will do his best."

After saying that, he turned around and strode out of the hall.

The black armor collided, making a dull sound, and every step was filled with his unwillingness and determination.

Lin Zhen, long time no see.

Let’s have another good fight.