Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"Shen Lang, tell me, how did you do it?"

"Your Majesty need not concern yourself with this. Now that we have acquired suitable land, the next step is to establish an industrial zone."

"No, you must explain to me clearly how you did it and how much it cost."

"Actually, I did not take a single penny. It was Prefect Zeng who was righteous and took the initiative to transfer the land deed to His Majesty's name."

Shen Lang briefly explained the process.

Jiang Mengxuan remained stunned for a long time after hearing this.

Such a despicable tactic, yet so simple and effective.

"Shen Lang, aren't you afraid of offending the entire officialdom of Jinling by doing this?"

"Do you remember what His Majesty promised me? You said that no matter what I do, you will unconditionally support me."

Now that His Majesty has made a promise, what have I to worry about in carrying out my duties? As long as the outcome meets expectations, what does it matter if the methods are despicable?

Moreover, the way Zeng Qian acquired the land was also not exactly honorable.

There's no disagreement about this statement; Jiang Mengxuan also doesn't have a good impression of Zeng Qian.

When he first ascended the throne, he was openly mocked and ridiculed, causing him to lose face several times.

If he were an incorruptible person, that would be one thing, but the problem is that Zeng Qian is also a double standard person with flexible bottom lines.

Being lenient with himself but strict with others is perhaps the most perfect evaluation of Zeng Qian.

Now that Shen Lang had finally gotten revenge for her, she felt a surge of secret satisfaction.

However, she also felt a sense of worry about what Shen Lang would do in the future.

After all, Zeng Qian was a petty and narrow-minded scholar who held grudges. Having suffered such a great loss this time, he would definitely target Shen Lang in the future.

But the words, "Since His Majesty has made a promise, what else do I have to worry about in my work?" stirred a strange flutter in her heart.

"Shen Lang, I don't know how to say it, but in short, I have to thank you this time."

Shen Lang hurriedly waved his hand and said, "No need for thanks, Your Majesty. Shouldn't you pay the reward you promised me?"

Don't thank me. A thank you would be worth a fortune. I'm not that stupid.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan couldn't help but sigh softly: "Although the land issue has indeed been resolved, building a factory and developing technology still requires a large amount of money."

I have heard of your plans for the scale of industry; it will require a lot of money, and we cannot rely on the national treasury for the time being.

At present, I can only use my own private treasury to make advance investments, so Shen Lang, the money I promised you...

"Could I pay you back later when things improve?"

Shen Lang replied, "May I ask how much money Your Majesty currently has?"

Jiang Mengxuan: "Currently, my treasury only has 30,000 taels of gold. I plan to auction off my future dowry, which should raise around 100,000 taels of gold."

"Then Your Majesty should keep that money for yourself."

As Shen Lang spoke, he took out a letter and token containing one million taels of gold that he had just obtained from Ye Mo.

"This is one million taels of gold that I collected from Prime Minister Ye's territory. Your Majesty can use these two items to obtain money and provisions from the Ye family's trading company."

With this money, the initial investment in industrial research and development will be almost covered, enough to last at least a year. After that year-long buffer period, we can scale up production.

Jiang Mengxuan's beautiful eyes widened in surprise, and she exclaimed, "You went to the Prime Minister's residence?"

Shen Lang nodded: "The Ye family has so much money, and Prime Minister Ye is having a headache over how to spend it."

"I merely helped him out of the ordinary, and he's already incredibly grateful."

Numb, completely numb.

Seeing Shen Lang seemingly talking about something insignificant, Jiang Mengxuan felt that everything was so magical and unbelievable.

If anyone in the world could get money from Ye Mo, then Shen Lang would probably be the first.

"Oh, right, there's one more."

Shen Lang then produced the business agreement and slave transfer agreement given to him by Yang Xiong and Wei Donghai.

"The Left Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue are also deeply moved by my efforts and are willing to support my plans."

The prices of minerals will be reduced by 40% from the market price, and the household registrations of artisans and alchemists will be transferred to His Majesty's name.

With these resources, His Majesty's industrial development will proceed much more smoothly in the early stages, and will also save a significant amount of expenses.

So Your Majesty, you don't need to worry anymore. You can start preparing to build the factory and begin production as soon as possible.

Oh right, in order to save costs,

If all goes well, the first steel plant and steam processing plant should be completed on schedule before the end of the year.

Jiang Mengxuan was stunned.

She never expected that asking Shen Lang to find a suitable site for industrial research would result in such a commotion.

What I thought was a step-by-step process turned out to be completely undone by Shen Lang, who arranged everything perfectly so I didn't have to put in any effort.

This level of efficiency far exceeded Jiang Mengxuan's expectations.

Without spending a single penny, Shen Lang helped him smooth out all the steps he would have to take, and even got him the start-up capital.

"Shen Lang is of great use."

Recalling Jiang Shangxian's instructions to her again, Jiang Mengxuan suddenly had a completely new feeling.

Having such a capable subordinate, who is willing to risk offending the entire bureaucratic family of the capital to achieve his goals, is decisive and intelligent; he is far more than just a great asset.

Thinking about this, Jiang Mengxuan became even more determined to keep Shen Lang by her side.

"Shen Lang, I want to thank you again."

"Your Majesty, I do not need thanks. What I need is something practical."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan's eyes narrowed.

Does he really like money that much?

With such a beautiful woman like me right in front of you, don't you really have any thoughts about me?

"Shen Lang, I am very curious. You obtained a million taels of gold from Ye Mo. Even if you took a portion of it, I would not have noticed. Why didn't you do that?"

Shen Lang replied, "A gentleman loves wealth, but he acquires it in a proper way. Although I am but a humble man, I understand this principle."

This money was intended for the construction of the factory; how could I possibly keep it all for myself? I will only take my share and nothing more.

After all, money earned honestly is money spent with peace of mind.

Jiang Mengxuan smiled faintly: "It seems you have quite a few principles. You've done a great service this time, saving me so much money."

"It would be unreasonable for me to refuse again, so I will bestow upon you three thousand taels of gold."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Shen Lang was overjoyed.

Three thousand taels of gold! Damn, I'm rich now! That's twice as much as we agreed.

From this perspective, although the empress is somewhat cunning, she is also quite generous.

"Don't rush to thank me," Jiang Mengxuan continued. "Regarding the construction of the factory, I hope you will personally oversee the project."

Shen Lang: "That's no problem, but Your Majesty, my current rank is centurion. If I were to supervise the construction of the factory, I would need to receive a separate salary."

Jiang Mengxuan smiled slightly: "Of course, just name your price, whatever is appropriate."

"Two hundred taels of silver per month, and all the workers' living arrangements and salaries must be personally arranged by this humble servant."

"Alright, I agree. I feel at ease entrusting this matter to you."

Jiang Mengxuan agreed very readily, and her gaze toward Shen Lang became more and more pleasing to the eye.

"If there is nothing else, then I will go and survey the terrain first."

Shen Lang cupped his hands in greeting and prepared to leave.

"Wait, there's something else I want to ask you."

Jiang Mengxuan suddenly called out to him.

"Does Your Majesty have any further questions?"

"you……"

Jiang Mengxuan hesitated for a moment, but still mustered up her courage to ask, "What is the relationship between you and Su Yun?"

"Relationship? I'm his boss, she's my subordinate, that's all there is to our relationship."

Shen Lang was puzzled.

"Apart from that, is there no other relationship?"

"This humble servant does not understand what Your Majesty means."

Jiang Mengxuan didn't know how to ask for a moment, but after thinking for a while, she had a sudden inspiration.

"Shen Lang, extend your left hand so I can see it."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang's expression instantly turned somewhat unpleasant.

"What's wrong? Is something troubling you?"

"No, it's just that I'm curious to know why there is such a thing as 'Guardian Yang Sand'."

As he spoke, Shen Lang reluctantly extended his left palm.

When she saw the bright red cinnabar mark on Shen Lang's wrist, the weight that had been hanging over her heart finally lifted.

All the rumors targeting Shen Lang have been debunked.

Does this thing embarrass you?

Jiang Mengxuan asked curiously.

Shen Lang: "I dare not deceive Your Majesty, for this would be a great wound to my heart."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan smiled and said, "Alright, you can go back now."

"Then I shall take my leave."

After speaking, Shen Lang slowly retreated towards the palace entrance.

"Oh, by the way, Your Majesty."

As they approached the door, Shen Lang turned back and pointed to the bowl of white fungus soup.

"It's understandable that Your Majesty would like to eat some white fungus soup to relieve the heat during the hot summer, but please put less of the celestial river grass in it, otherwise Your Majesty will feel even hotter the more you drink it."

After saying this, he cupped his hands in a respectful bow, turned around, and left.

Jiang Mengxuan frowned and immediately picked up the bowl of white fungus soup and brought it to her nose to smell it.

"As expected, they released the Heavenly River Grass. It seems that Shu Yingwen is not as harmless as she looks."

After speaking, Jiang Mengxuan poured the white fungus soup into the golden bowl beside her.

Heavenly River Grass is a top-grade ingredient in the Taiwu Continent. Consuming a small amount in winter can ward off the cold, but in the sweltering heat, if consumed for too long or in too large a quantity at once...

It can cause people to become hopelessly lustful.

Fortunately, he didn't touch any of the things Shu Yingwen made.

otherwise……

Jiang Mengxuan recalled the fates of several female emperors of Chu, and even on this hot day, she couldn't help but feel a chill.

The forbidden book of the imperial court, "The Secret Records of the Empress," records that before her, there were six empresses in the State of Chu, whose personalities were completely different before and after their ascension to the throne.

Their ambitions are no less than Jiang Mengxuan's.

However, within ten years of ascending the throne, the once wise and intelligent empress quickly lost interest in imperial power and degenerated into a lustful and unsatisfied woman.

Whenever Jiang Mengxuan thinks of the numerous cases of debauchery and shocking morals recorded in "The Secret History of the Empress," she feels as if her soul is trembling.

Will I become like that?

She really didn't dare to think about it.

The only thing I can do is eliminate any conditions that might cause a change in my personality, and not give any opportunity to those who are targeting me from the shadows.

She had no other choice.

This is Jiang Mengxuan's nightmare, but she has never shown it to outsiders.