Crown Prince of the Empire, I quit!

"Master Song, you..."

Qian Cai looked at Song Dingsheng and resisted the urge to say what he was thinking.

Song Dingsheng has the ability, but he still lacks something when it comes to handling state affairs.

Fortunately, Qin Ming patted his shoulder and said:

"If you are really worried, I will send someone to deliver the things that need to be reviewed to your house every day, so you don't have to run back and forth to the Ministry of Revenue to do your work recently."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Qian Cai took some medicine prescribed by Wu Yungui and was sent back home.

Qin Ming waved to Song Dingsheng, and the two of them came out of the hall.

Song Dingsheng rubbed his hands and said:

"Your Majesty, what do you want from me?"

"I am preparing to send an envoy to the Shenmu Kingdom."

Qin Ming told Song Dingsheng about the Shenmu Dynasty in detail.

Song Dingsheng is now the Minister of Rites. If an diplomatic mission is to be arranged, he will be needed to plan it.

After listening to what Qin Ming said, Song Dingsheng slowly frowned.

"I had never heard of this place before. It was only after the northern tribes attacked that I heard some rumors about the Shenmu Kingdom, just like you did."

"It is said that it was an extremely magical dynasty, and the people there were very good at studying mechanical engineering."

"Mechanical techniques?"

Qin Ming looked at Song Dingsheng strangely.

Things like mechanical engineering have been under constant development since they started producing their new-age weapons.

From a certain perspective, many existing steam engines and internal combustion engines are also composed of various mechanisms.

So Qin Ming is very interested in these things.

"How far have their mechanical skills advanced?"

"I don't know, but it's said to be quite powerful."

Song Dingsheng scratched his head. His knowledge of the Shenmu Kingdom was limited to hearsay.

"I only know that their mechanical techniques are also used in warfare, and the results are quite good."

After learning this, a look of surprise appeared on Qin Ming's face.

If the other party's mechanical technology has also developed to a certain level, then from a certain perspective, it will complement one's own scientific research.

"Let's make arrangements first. Where's the closest way?"

"Western Regions, right? Our trains already go there. Taking the train will make our journey several years faster than walking."

Song Dingsheng and his team had already had exchanges with the Western Regions a long time ago and had built many railways there.

Now, in order to trade between the Western Regions and Daqian, the railway has basically been completed.

It is for this reason that if they want to travel to the inland countries on this continent, they only need to go to the Western Regions first, and then set off from the Western Regions, and they will arrive within a few months.

Thinking of this, Qin Ming slowly nodded.

"Then arrange it."

Time passed quickly, and after the New Year arrived, officials in the court also had some time to rest.

Qin Ming also had time to spend some peaceful time with Guan Yue in the palace.

During this period, the loan notes previously issued by Qin Ming finally received a large repayment.

Qin Ming did what he said and directly issued notes worth nearly 30 million taels of silver and interest.

Such a huge exchange directly made the people of Daqian excited.

No one ever thought that they would be so rich now.

Qin Ming had anticipated all this.

With the completion of Cao Chuan and Hei Fu's mission in Yan Dynasty, Yan Dynasty's shipping routes were completely connected with the countries in Southeast Asia.

At this time, the amount of silver they could earn from maritime trade had reached a huge amount.

Of course, while making money, Qin Ming did not sell strategic resources.

For example, some items needed to make gunpowder, saltpeter ore and other things have always been under his control.

In order to increase strategic reserves, he even made large-scale purchases from overseas.

This also allowed the supplies in Daqian to accumulate along with the silver earned.

On this day, the fleet sailing far away finally sent a message.

"Your Majesty, General Cao and General Hei are back!"

It happened to be the New Year holiday of Daqian, and every household was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns. Cao Chuan and Heifu's troops also returned to the port of Daqian.

"Follow me out of the palace to pick someone up!"

Because all officials were on vacation during the New Year holiday, Qin Ming only brought Guan Yue and hundreds of palace guards, as well as several heavy boxes of gold.

There are a total of 300,000 taels of gold.

In addition to what was looted from the Yan Dynasty, some was also supplemented by Qin Ming.

All to celebrate their return and the bounty they brought.

Qin Ming treated these troops surprisingly well.

It is precisely for this reason that many people are willing to join Daqian’s army.

After arriving here, Qin Ming saw a lot of Daqian troops gathering here.

"Everyone, thank you for your hard work!"

Qin Ming personally stepped forward to greet them.

After seeing Qin Ming, many soldiers were flattered.

"Your Majesty, why did you come here in person?"

Cao Chuan hurried forward, and Qin Ming said with a smile:

"Brothers have worked hard recently. Let's divide this gold among them and send them back for the New Year."

"In addition, I also asked the factory to produce a batch of cotton-padded jacket tickets and distribute them to every returning soldier, ensuring that everyone has at least two."

"Your Majesty, this...how much silver will it cost!"

Cotton-padded clothes were not cheap in that era, but Qin Ming had to ensure that every soldier staying in Yan Dynasty had at least two.

Such powerful welfare benefits made many soldiers applaud loudly.

"Don't worry about the money. The most important thing is not to disappoint the soldiers. Go and distribute the money and clothes first. Then, when you come to the palace, I will host a banquet for you and my generals to welcome you."

Because it was the Chinese New Year period, Qin Ming did not let all the soldiers stay in the barracks to hold a banquet as per the procedure.

Instead, let them go directly home and reunite with their families.

"Okay, I see."

Cao Chuan nodded immediately, and after happily distributing the things with everyone, he brought his generals to the palace.

Inside the main hall, the specially invited chef Yi was still telling Qin Ming vividly about the new dishes he had researched.

Ever since Qin Ming came back, Cook Yi came to the palace on his own initiative and often cooked for Qin Ming on weekdays.

He did work hard.

With his own efforts, he opened dozens of Lingnan restaurants throughout the Daqian territory.

The apprentices he taught had no prejudice at all and spread many of the cuisines Qin Ming was familiar with to many areas of Daqian.

Now, the food alone has great appeal to many foreigners.

Just like the merchant ships coming from Southeast Asia, they would often find several big cities in Lingnan to have a good meal when they arrived at the port of Yinshan County to purchase goods.

"Your Majesty, the people are coming."

At this time, Liu Yueli walked in from outside and whispered to Qin Ming.