On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The smoke from the fall of Jinling City gradually dissipated, and the smell of sulfur and blood in the air was diluted by the biting cold wind, but it still settled in the gaps between the broken walls and bluestone roads.

The charred wooden beams and overturned pleasure boats along the Qinhuai River silently tell of the cruelty of war.

However, the heritage of this thousand-year-old capital has not been completely destroyed.

Although the streets are no longer as bustling as they used to be, there are more and more pedestrians. Although their expressions are filled with panic after surviving a disaster, they also reveal a hint of the calmness and shrewdness that belong to the wealthy area of ​​Jiangnan.

Shops opened one after another. Not very long queues formed in front of the rice shop, cloth shop, and drug store. Order was quietly restored under the cold gaze of the black-armored soldiers.

The atmosphere in the Zichen Hall (the temporary meeting hall of the old palace of Nanchu) was solemn.

Murong Yan was dressed in bright yellow casual clothes, sitting upright in the main seat, her phoenix eyes calm.

Lin Zhen, dressed in dark attire, sat beside him, his gaze deep. Zhang Heng, the Minister of Revenue, and Wang Yun, the newly appointed Pacifier of Jinling (formerly the Jiangnan Road Transport Commissioner), along with other important officials, stood solemnly at the steps below.

"How are the people of Jinling living?" Murong Yan's voice was clear, with a hint of imperceptible concern.

"Reporting to Your Majesty!" Wang Yun, the pacification envoy, bowed and spoke in a steady voice. "Jinling is a fertile land in the south of the Yangtze River, home to many merchants and wealthy families. Although ravaged by war, its foundations remain intact. Most of the city's granaries still have grain, and prices have stabilized. Salt, iron, cloth, and other necessities of life are in sufficient supply, and the market is gradually recovering."

"Are the people suffering from famine?" Murong Yan asked.

"Not yet," Wang Yun said. "Many wealthy families in Jinling are well-off. Ordinary citizens also have savings or skills. There's no need for the court to provide large-scale porridge relief."

"Good." Murong Yan nodded, "However, the war will inevitably cause damage to houses and casualties. Order..."

"First, the Ministry of Revenue will allocate special funds for repairing houses and providing compensation to the families of the injured and dead. This must be done fairly, impartially, and quickly!"

"Secondly, the Ministry of Works' Fire and Mine Division will assist in clearing the rubble, clearing the roads, and restoring the city's appearance!"

"Third, starting today, all taxes in Jinling will be waived for one year! Commercial taxes will be halved! This will reassure the people and encourage business to resume!"

"Fourth," Murong Yan's voice deepened, "those who take advantage of the chaos to drive up prices and hoard goods will be strictly investigated. Once found guilty, they will be severely punished and their property will be confiscated to serve as a warning to others!"

"I obey your order!" Zhang Heng and Wang Yun responded in unison.

"Also," Murong Yan's phoenix eyes swept over the crowd, "Jinling's flourishing literary culture and the clear opinions of the scholars should not be ignored. I order the pacification envoy Wang Yun to choose a date to host a banquet for the city's famous scholars and elders to dispel their doubts and demonstrate the benevolence of our new dynasty."

"I understand!" Wang Yun bowed, a gleam in his eyes.

He knew very well that appeasing the gentry who controlled local public opinion was as important as stabilizing the people's livelihood in the city.

"What do you think, husband?" Murong Yan turned to Lin Zhen.

"Very well." Lin Zhen nodded, his voice low. "Jinling is not a barren land. Appeasement should focus on restoring order and stabilizing people's hearts. Grace must be best bestowed precisely, avoiding excessive favors that foster laziness."

He turned his gaze to Wang Yun and said, "Lord Wang, when you appease the gentry, you can hint that the new dynasty's imperial examinations will be based on merit, regardless of background. Anyone with real talent and scholarship can serve the country."

"Yes! I will remember it!" Wang Yun felt awe in his heart, realizing that this was the prince paving the way for the new dynasty to absorb talents from Jiangnan.

After the appeasement matters were agreed upon, the atmosphere in the hall turned solemn.

"Jinling is definitely not destroyed by Nanchu." Lin Zhen's voice was low, but it was full of power. "Chu Batian fled Nanchu and the remnants are scattered all over the place, especially in Lingnan, Minyue. The area is mountainous, densely forested, and has many waterways, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. If we don't pacify it in time, it will become a serious threat!"

"My husband is absolutely right." A cold light flashed in Murong Yanfeng's eyes. "Until the remnants of Southern Chu are eliminated, there will be no peace in Jiangnan! The foundation of the new dynasty will be difficult to consolidate!"

"Zhao Wu!" Lin Zhen turned his gaze to the Minister of War.

"I am here!" Zhao Wu had a hideous scar on his skinny face and a fierce light in his eyes. He took a step forward.

"You are to lead the vanguard of 100,000 men! Use the 'Iron Dragon' to transport troops and supplies! Set off south today! Destination: Lingnan!"

"I obey your command!" Zhao Wu's voice was hoarse and filled with bloodthirsty excitement.

"Li Chong!" Lin Zhen looked at the Minister of Works.

"Chen is here!"

"Order the Burning Thunder Division to fully guarantee the supply of ammunition for the Burning Heaven Thunder Fire Gun! New mountain artillery must be allocated first to the army heading south!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

"Chu Xiling!" Lin Zhen's eyes fell on the person in charge of the Thunder Burning Division.

Chu Xiling was dressed in indigo work clothes, looking as cool as usual. She bowed slightly and said, "I am here."

"I'm going to march south with the army! Form a Burning Thunder Guard task force, specializing in attacking and breaking through strongholds. Use Burning Thunder to clear the way! Clear away any obstacles!"

"I obey your command." Chu Xiling's voice was cold and calm.

"Zhang Heng!" Lin Zhen turned to the Minister of Revenue.

"Chen is here!"

"Transporting food and supplies is crucial for advancing south! We must ensure unimpeded access by land and water! The Iron Dragon Special Train prioritizes military supplies!"

"I will do my best!" Zhang Heng replied with gritted teeth, knowing that the task was arduous.

"Also," Lin Zhen glanced at the crowd, "send a message to the Miao King of Southern Xinjiang and the tribes that have surrendered, ordering them to send troops to help wipe out the remaining Southern Chu forces. Anyone who captures a city or surrenders it will be rewarded handsomely, given titles, and granted land!"

"Yes!"

"Where is my husband stationed?" Murong Yan asked.

"Ningling has just been settled, and much remains to be done. Yan'er needs to stay at the center to stabilize the situation," Lin Zhen said. "Your husband will personally lead a central army of 100,000 and march south directly to capture Minyue. We will form a pincer attack with Zhao Wu and sweep across the southeast!"

"Okay!" Murong Yanfeng's eyes flashed with trust and determination. "I am in Jinling supervising the transportation of food and fodder for my husband and the soldiers. I await news of victory!"

She stood up, her scarlet cloak fluttering in the wind. Her voice was clear and commanding: "This battle is the battle for the new dynasty to establish its rule in the south of the Yangtze River. We must annihilate the enemy and eradicate any future threats. Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy. Anyone who abandons the dark side and joins the light side will be forgiven and rewarded according to their merits!"

"We obey your order! Your Majesty is wise and enlightened! Daqian will surely win!" The ministers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the palace!

The residence of Pacifier Wang Yun was brightly lit.

A carefully prepared evening banquet is in progress.

Famous people from Jinling, wealthy businessmen, and local elders who were invited gathered together.

During the banquet, with fine wine and delicious food, and pleasant music, Wang Yun chatted and laughed, and spoke sincerely, conveying the grace and policies of the new dynasty: exempting taxes, encouraging business resumption, and promoting people based on their talents.

Everyone at the table had different expressions.

Some looked grateful and raised their glasses to praise the benevolence of the new dynasty; some forced smiles, with deep worry and unwillingness hidden in their eyes; some remained silent, with flickering eyes, as if weighing the pros and cons.

"Sir Wang, we are deeply grateful for the generosity of the new dynasty." A white-haired gentry representative stood up to offer a toast. "However, the remnants of the Southern Chu are still causing rebellion in Lingnan and Minyue. I wonder when the court will be able to completely quell this?"

Wang Yun raised his glass, smiling warmly, "Don't worry, Mr. Li. His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Prince of Zhenbei have already dispatched the heavenly troops south, and they will soon be sweeping away the ruins! Peace and prosperity will return to Jiangnan. All you need do is focus on your work and wait for the news of victory!"

"That's great! Very good!" Everyone echoed and raised their glasses to drink together.