If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

The new ship is more than three times larger than the Bull Demon King-class, but its complexity is not simply a matter of being three times more complex. Therefore, it will take some time to turn it from blueprints into a physical object.

京师

"Your Majesty, the Dazi Kingdom currently has 100,000 iron cavalry stationed there, eyeing our northern border with hostility. I dare to volunteer to lead the troops into battle."

From the ranks of the military officers, a burly man stepped forward and volunteered in a deep, resonant voice. This man was none other than Duke Lu Da.

"Your Majesty, I believe that it is best to negotiate at this time. The current treasury is not sufficient to support a large-scale war between us and the Dazi Kingdom."

The speaker was Song Boshe, the Minister of Revenue. He was in charge of the finances of the Great Dragon Empire. People in charge of money all have a common problem: money comes in easily, but it's hard to get it out.

"Hmph, they've already come to our doorstep, and we're still just backing down? What dignity does my Great Dragon Empire have left?"

"Do you know how much silver the Great Dragon has to spend in a war? If that silver were used to improve people's livelihoods, how much could be accomplished?"

"If the nation loses face, what's the point of talking about people's livelihood?"

For a time, the ministers from both the civil and military camps were arguing fiercely in the court. Li Tiancheng helplessly pressed his temples, as he was also unable to make a decision immediately. On one hand, the military generals were right; the dignity of the nation could not be violated. On the other hand, the civil officials also pointed out the truth: the Great Dragon Empire had not been established for very long, and the national treasury did not have much money.

"Retreat."

Already annoyed, and with the two sides arguing so fiercely, Li Tiancheng's temper flared up. He roared and got up to leave.

Li Tiancheng left the morning court session in a rage, as he hadn't had a moment of peace lately.

"Father, you're angry again."

Princess Li Xixue knew that her father, the emperor, had been in a bad mood lately because of court affairs, so she waited in the back hall early in the morning.

"Xue'er, did you wait for your father today on special occasion?"

"Knowing that Father Emperor has been in a bad mood lately, Xue'er specially had someone make some delicious food. Father Emperor, please come with me."

Facing his beloved daughter, Li Tiancheng immediately showed a long-lost smile and followed the little girl all the way to the Empress's palace.

"See Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, please rise."

Empress Yang Nan was originally the daughter of an official in the previous dynasty. Since marrying Li Tiancheng, the two have always been deeply in love. Although they are both quite old, their relationship has remained strong.

After marrying Li Tiancheng, Empress Yang devoted herself to being a good wife and mother. Even after becoming empress, she was a model of virtue for the nation and a true example of womanhood. It was precisely because of Empress Yang that Li Tiancheng no longer needed to worry about the harem.

"I've met my mother."

Princess Li Xixue was favored by Li Tiancheng not only because she was well-behaved and cute, but also because she was the daughter of Empress Yang.

"Your Majesty seems to be in a good mood today, is there something good happening?"

Li Tiancheng had been in a bad mood lately, and the news had spread throughout the palace. So when Empress Yang saw that her husband seemed to be in a good mood today, she couldn't help but ask him.

"Haha, Xue'er said she made something delicious today, how could I, as her father, not be happy?"

"Father and Mother, please wait a moment, the dishes will be served shortly."

After Li Xixue finished speaking, she asked her personal maid to urge him/her.

"Princess, the food is here."

Soon, the palace maids had filled the table with food.

At a glance, Li Tiancheng understood that these dishes all looked quite familiar.

"Xue'er, I've never seen these dishes before. Did you prepare them?"

"Mother, how could I have that ability? These dishes were made by a man named Zhou Wu, the one who went to the dock with Father to see the big ships last time."

After Xue'er's reminder, Li Tiancheng realized why the face looked so familiar.

"You brought Zhou Wu here?"

"Father, I had the imperial chef make it."

"The imperial chef can make this?"

Li Tiancheng didn't remember bringing the imperial chefs with him at the time.

"Um, I described it to the imperial chefs, and then they made it."

"oh,"

Knowing his daughter well, Li Tiancheng suddenly felt a little flustered. However, Empress Yang seemed eager to try. She hadn't gone last time because she wasn't feeling well, and when she returned, she heard unanimous praise from her husband, son, daughter, and sisters, which made her regret not going.

"Xue'er, then quickly introduce her to your mother."

"Okay, Mother, this dish is called boiled shrimp. Please try it."

Xue'er was very thoughtful. Knowing that her mother had never eaten shrimp before, she picked one up herself, peeled the shrimp meat, and then gave it to her mother.

"Bah~~~"

Unexpectedly, Empress Yang couldn't help but spit it out after only a few bites. Xue'er took a closer look and saw that there were some dark things in the shrimp meat. She didn't know what they were. If Zhou Wu were there, he would definitely complain that the shrimp was cooked without even removing the shrimp vein.

Li Tiancheng, who was standing to the side, had a slight sweat on his forehead. Sure enough, the result was just as he had imagined.

"Mother, this might not be done well. Please try this."

They changed several dishes, but there was always something wrong with this or that, which made the little princess a bit unhappy.

"Xue'er, don't be unhappy. Your father and mother are very happy that you have this thought."

"Wow~~~~~"

It would have been better if you hadn't mentioned it, because once you did, Li Xixue started crying.

. . . . . . .

At the Crown Prince's residence, Li Junren also received the news. He was also concerned about every detail of what happened in the court today, as he had been discussing with his advisors how to handle the matter. To be honest, he also wanted to directly confront Da Zi, but Da Long was indeed willing but unable to fight against external forces at the moment.

However, after several days of discussion, the Crown Prince's think tank did not offer any constructive suggestions. They advocated either war or peace, but they did not know how to fight or how to make peace.

To appease the people, Li Tian ordered Crown Prince Li Junren to embark on a nationwide tour.

"Brother Crown Prince, how long will you be gone this time?"

Upon learning that her elder brother, the Crown Prince, was going on a tour, Li Xixue went to the Crown Prince's residence to see him off.

"It'll probably take at least a month."

It's impossible to visit every place in the surrounding area in just one month, but the main purpose this time is to appease the people. As long as everyone knows that the Crown Prince is on an inspection tour, there's no need to go to every place. If that were the case, it would probably take more than half a year.

Where are we going?

"The palace has already planned the route: depart from the capital, head west, and return when we reach Jinshan Prefecture."

The palace also has strict requirements for the Crown Prince's travels. The north is currently being eyed covetously by the Dazi Kingdom, so the safest route is to go southwest.

"Jinshan Prefecture? That name sounds familiar."

There aren't many places that Li Xixue can remember, so she is currently trying hard to recall why this place is so memorable to her.