With a million soldiers, the empress begged me not to rebel

After three rounds of drinks, Chen Qingwan put down her glass and sighed in pretended worry.

"Under Lord Lu's rule, the people live and work in peace and contentment. Shannan County is truly a paradise on earth."

"I've traveled all over the country for so many years, but this is the first time I've seen such a prosperous county town."

Her eyes moved and she glanced at Lu Yan casually.

"It's a pity that not every place in this beautiful country is as picturesque as Shannan County."

Lu Yan sneered and picked up a piece of peanuts and threw it into his mouth.

"Miss Chen, are you praising me in a roundabout way?"

"Well, since you have such good taste, I will reluctantly accept your compliment."

Qiao'er rolled her eyes and muttered softly, "How shameless!"

Lu Yan's ears were sharp, and he immediately counterattacked:

"Miss Qiao'er, I advise you to be less talkative. Be careful not to eat too many peanuts, or your face will become even rounder!"

Qiao'er was so angry that her cheeks puffed up, but she didn't dare to really talk back, so she could only glare at Lu Yan fiercely.

Chen Qingwan covered her mouth and chuckled, changing the subject at the right time:

"Lord Lu, you're joking. It's just that the war is about to end, and the people everywhere are suffering. It's nothing like Shannan County, where they have ample food and clothing and are thriving."

She pretended to sigh and continued:

“I really hope that people all over the world can live such a good life.”

Lu Yan raised his eyebrows and looked at Chen Qingwan with interest.

This woman is quite good at acting.

He is obviously a businessman, but he pretends to be concerned about the country and the people.

However, these words touched his heart.

Although he has a sharp tongue, he is not really heartless.

"Miss Chen, you hit the nail on the head."

Lu Yan put down his chopsticks and said seriously.

"I see the suffering of the people of this world. However, my ability is limited, and I can only manage this small piece of land."

"If you want the people of the world to live a good life, you still have to rely on those in high positions."

Chen Qingwan's heart moved. Could it be that Lu Yan had something else to say?

She looked back calmly and asked tentatively:

"Lord Lu is absolutely right. However, how many of those in high positions truly care about the people?"

"I don't know about that. But I believe there are always a few who really want to do something practical for the people."

"Really want to do practical things for the people? Haha,"

Chen Qingwan chuckled.

"Lord Lu, you are so naive. How can things in the officialdom be so simple?"

She poured herself a glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.

Lu Yan glanced at her sideways, a playful smile on his lips.

"Miss Chen, there's something else behind your words. Why, from what you say, it seems like you know a lot about government affairs?"

Chen Qingwan pretended to be drunk and waved her hands.

"No, no, I'm just a well-traveled businessman. What do I know about government? It's just hearsay."

She paused, lowered her voice, and spoke mysteriously.

"But this world is not peaceful!"

"I've heard that many local officials are just sycophants who only know how to squeeze the people's money, and the common people are the ones who suffer."

Lu Yan didn't dare to answer casually. Just to be on the safe side, he couldn't discuss national affairs casually.

Otherwise, if the higher-ups find out that I've become a local tyrant in Shannan County, won't they kill me?

So he replied nonchalantly:

"I've heard a little about this sort of thing. But what does it have to do with a mere county magistrate like me? I'd better focus on my own little piece of land."

"Lord Lu, you are wrong," Chen Qingwan shook her head.

"If everyone was as cautious and self-protective as Lord Lu, wouldn't the world be in chaos?"

Lu Yan laughed out loud.

"Miss Chen, you want me to be the savior? I don't have that much ability."

"Besides, being a savior isn't easy. If you're not careful, you might even get yourself into trouble."

"Lord Lu is too modest,"

Chen Qingwan said meaningfully.

“Some things may be better left undoing. But if you do them, you might be able to change the fate of many people.”

Lu Yan looked at Chen Qingwan, his eyes gradually becoming deeper.

"Miss Chen, you seem to have something else to say tonight," Lu Yan said with a smile.

"Just tell me what you want to say."

Chen Qingwan smiled slightly.

"Lord Lu, I am just a woman, born in a merchant family and of low status. I have great ambitions but am powerless to realize them."

"But you are different. Someone as capable as Lord Lu shouldn't be buried in this small Shannan County."

"Miss Chen, you sound like a beggar when you say that."

Lu Yan sneered.

"What's wrong with being a woman? Can't a woman have ambitions? If you don't know, you might think I'm discriminating against women."

He paused, glanced at Chen Qingwan out of the corner of his eye and continued.

"Isn't our current emperor also an empress? Didn't she beat the northern barbarians to a pulp, making them cry for their parents?"

Chen Qingwan was dumbfounded, her beautiful eyes widened as she stared blankly at Lu Yan opposite her.

This, this style of painting is wrong! Why are you suddenly praising her?

Although there are countless ministers who flatter and fawn on the emperor in the palace.

But she was tired of hearing those flattering words.

But this guy's praise, why... why does it feel a little different?

It was like... a tickle, making all her bones numb.

She was stunned for a long while before she came to her senses and coughed lightly to cover up her embarrassment.

"I never thought Lord Lu would hold His Majesty in such high esteem."

When Lu Yan heard this, he immediately became energetic.

As if he had found a soulmate, he began to praise the empress endlessly.

"That's not true. Your Majesty is truly wise and brave, a woman is as good as a man!"

"Back then, when the Northern Barbarian army was approaching and the capital was in imminent danger, Your Majesty remained calm and bravely led a group of elderly, weak, and disabled people into battle..."

"Puff——" Chen Qingwan spit out a mouthful of wine, quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and her face turned red.

Cough cough cough... Lord Lu, stop, stop! Cough cough..."

Lu Yan was startled by this sudden change, and quickly put down his chopsticks and asked with concern:

"Miss Chen, are you okay? Did you choke? Would you like some water?"

Chen Qingwan waved her hands and finally stopped coughing, then glared at Lu Yan in reproach.

"Lord Lu, could you... could you please not be so exaggerated? His Majesty is wise and powerful, but... but he is not as... as... "

She couldn't find the right words to describe it and could only sigh helplessly.

"Anyway, take your time to praise me. Be careful, there are ears."

Only then did Lu Yan realize that he had become a little too proud of himself, and he touched his nose awkwardly.

"This is just a momentary excitement, hehe..."

"But," Lu Yan changed the subject.

He took a sip of wine and smacked his lips. "This empress, she also has her shortcomings."