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

Three days later, inside the Xuanzheng Hall.

"Your Majesty, the total amount of silver seized during this confiscation of property is 36,240,000 taels, gold 2,270,000 taels, silk 850,000 bolts, and brocade 160,000 bolts."

In addition, there are 187 mansions, 227 mines for copper, iron, coal, lead, and stone, and one gold mine and one silver mine.

There are 55 salt wells, 4.12 million mu of arable land, 300,000 mu of forest, 430,000 mu of grassland, 1,800 shops, and 142 manors.

There were 76,000 maids and slaves, 1,700 craftsmen, 91 alchemists, and nearly two million livestock, mules, horses, cattle, and sheep.

All accounts have been tallied by the Ministry of Revenue and are basically confirmed to be accurate. Your Majesty, please review them.

Hearing Ye Mo mention such a huge fortune, Jiang Mengxuan trembled all over.

She knew that aristocratic families were wealthy, but she never imagined they were this wealthy.

Even if she gets 40% of it, it would still be an astronomical figure that cannot be ignored.

"Yes, all wealth will be registered and allocated by the six departments to the national treasury for unforeseen needs."

Jiang Mengxuan's meaning was very clear: only after deducting the 40% that I was entitled to could I be registered.

This was something I had discussed with Ye Mo beforehand.

Ye Mo naturally had no objection to this.

"Everything has been arranged as Your Majesty instructed. However, Your Majesty, there is still one thing I do not understand. May Your Majesty enlighten me?"

"May I ask, Minister Ye?"

Ye Mo cupped his hands and asked, "Your Majesty's request for twenty million taels of silver has already been prepared by this old minister."

"Your Majesty, could you please tell this old minister what you intend to do with so much money?"

Jiang Mengxuan did not hide anything: "It's alright to tell Prime Minister Ye. I want to build a railway that runs through Jinling to Nanzhao."

This would allow for the continuous transport of manpower and resources from the Jiangnan region to the southern frontier.

"railway?"

Ye Mo frowned.

"This old minister is dull-witted, may I ask Your Majesty what a railway is?"

Jiang Mengxuan stood up and asked, "May I ask Prime Minister Ye, what is the main mode of transportation for communication between the north and south of our Great Chu?"

Ye Mo replied, "The most convenient way is naturally along rivers and lakes, achieving the goal of transporting large quantities of supplies with minimal loss."

Jiang Mengxuan nodded: "That's right, but what if the river is narrow, or if there is a drought?"

Ye Mo replied, "Naturally, we would divert rivers into the Yangtze River and dig canals, but this would be extremely costly and wouldn't yield results in the short term."

Even after the canal is successfully dug, it will be necessary to constantly monitor water level fluctuations every year and to remove silt to prevent blockages in the canal.

If goods are transported by land to reach their destination, the consumption is several times that of river transport. If ten pounds of goods are transported to their destination, it would be difficult to obtain even three pounds.

However, this will also lead to a rise in local prices.

Jiang Mengxuan turned around and looked at the Great Chu State Map hanging on the screen.

"What if I said there was a mode of transportation that could carry over hundreds of thousands of bushels of supplies at a time, traveling at a speed of one hundred li per hour from Jinling?"

"We can reach the border of Nanzhao in less than three days, and it will only require one percent of the original manpower. What do you think, Prime Minister Ye?"

"Is Your Majesty joking with this old minister?" Ye Mo could hardly believe his ears. "If those martial artists who have cultivated to the Immortal Realm are indeed acting alone, as rumored..."

This old minister might believe it to some extent, but please forgive this old minister for having reservations about achieving this level of capability with ordinary human strength alone.

After listening, Jiang Mengxuan smiled slightly: "Yes, let alone you, even I find this plan unbelievable, but I still believe it."

Ye Mo asked, "Was it proposed by Commander Shen again?"

Jiang Mengxuan nodded: "Yes, Prime Minister Ye must find it absurd, right?"

Unexpectedly, Ye Mo said, "Your Majesty, if this is Commander Shen's suggestion, then this old minister thinks it is worth a try."

Jiang Mengxuan was taken aback and turned to look at Ye Mo.

“Your Majesty, I am not a pedantic person. If I am not mistaken, the Imperial Guard was also established by Commander Shen, right?”

Besides him, this old minister truly cannot think of anyone else in the Great Chu capable of creating weapons that could reduce even martial artists to the level of ants.

Jiang Mengxuan: "So, Prime Minister Ye also supports Shen Lang?"

Ye Mo: "This old minister dares not deceive Your Majesty. I do not like Shen Lang, but if Shen Lang can indeed help Your Majesty and make our Chu Kingdom strong,

The old minister would also fully support all his actions if the railway could truly replace the canal.

Even if it's only a partial function, it's still an act that benefits all people.

How could an old minister object? Between public and private matters, private matters are minor, and public matters are major.

Please rest assured, Your Majesty, regarding the matter of raising funds for the railway...

This old minister will implement it as soon as possible; Your Majesty, please do not worry.

Seeing Ye Mo's sincere expression, Jiang Mengxuan fell into deep thought.

The image of the late emperor, before his death, holding her hand and speaking earnestly, flashed through her mind: "My son, after you ascend the throne, you must listen to Prime Minister Ye's advice. Although he is a powerful minister, he still cares deeply for the Great Chu. As long as you don't pressure him..."

He won't pose a threat to your throne. The person you should be wary of is your mother. Without Prime Minister Ye by your side, you can't defeat her.

Jiang Mengxuan only believed half of what he said.

She did not give important positions to her mother's Ji clan, but she also adopted an antagonistic attitude towards Ye Mo.

Looking back now, he realized that after ascending the throne, he encountered countless obstacles and faced danger several times. It was only by overcoming all opposition that Ye Mo was able to secure his position on the throne.

After the Jingwei Division was established, she ordered the assassination of many peripheral forces of the Ye family, but Ye Mo never mentioned a word about it, and even felt as if it had never happened, which was very unusual.

Upon careful analysis, it seems that Ye Mo has never made things difficult for him; on the contrary, he has always been secretly on his side.

No wonder Shen Lang said there was no need to be too confrontational with Ye Mo; that would be a complete waste of energy. Instead, they should try to cooperate.

He was the first to understand the Prime Minister's Mansion, even before I did.

Thinking of this, she suddenly asked, "Prime Minister Ye, I ask you, is there any hope of recovering the old capital, Chang'an?"

Ye Mo raised his eyes and replied solemnly, "Perhaps not before, but the performance of His Majesty's personal guards has given this old minister hope."

Your Majesty, this old minister has been showing weakness to the Xia Kingdom all these years because our Chu Kingdom has consistently been at a disadvantage when facing the Xia Kingdom's iron cavalry.

The senior officials and the Ministry of War have carefully studied infantry-cavalry confrontation tactics, but the best results from each study can only be achieved by relying on the terrain in localized areas.

If these advantages cannot annihilate a large number of cavalry, they are ultimately insignificant and will not affect the overall situation.

However, the firearms of the Imperial Guard are the bane of cavalry. This old minister earnestly implores Your Majesty not to cease the development of such firearms; they are far more reliable than warriors.

"This is the right path, and we must persevere no matter what. The path to a strong Chu army lies in these firearms. I urge Your Majesty to continue."

Hearing Ye Mo say this, Jiang Mengxuan's trust in him increased slightly.

"If Prime Minister Ye is truly willing to support me, then raise the twenty million taels of silver for me as soon as possible. Within three years, I will ensure that the railway connecting Nanjing and Nanzhao is completed."

"This old minister will certainly do his utmost!"

After Ye Mo finished speaking, he added, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager can now grant permission."

Jiang Mengxuan: "Yes, I have already sent someone to inform Shen Lang. After all, she is still my mother in name, the Empress Dowager of Great Chu, the mother of the world."

……

At the same time, outside the gate of the Jingwei Division.

After Shu Yue delivered the Empress's handwritten document, Ji Yuxi and her entourage were finally released.

Facing the murderous glares from Ji Yuxi and her group, Shen Lang grinned and said, "Your Majesty, I'm truly sorry. This is all my fault; I failed to investigate thoroughly."

Okay then, I'll punish myself with three drinks as an apology, alright? You're a magnanimous person, you won't really hold it against me, right?

These words nearly caused Ji Yuxi and the Empress Dowager's entourage to collectively lose their temper.

During her short three-day prison sentence, Ji Yuxi was doused with honey water, suffered from flies and insects, and is still feeling very uncomfortable; even her hair is tangled.

As for the others, they suffered even more. They all experienced the Jingwei Division's "warm hospitality" and almost everyone had some bruises on their bodies.

Especially Rong Momo, who was beaten dozens of times and her buttocks were almost bleeding.

And you still dare to make sarcastic remarks?

Rong Momo, clutching her swollen buttocks, immediately shouted, "You think you can just let it go after offending the Empress Dowager? You're so naive!"

Shen Lang looked completely innocent: "Then what else do you want? I've already apologized, do you want me to kowtow to you?"

"No way, no way! The Empress Dowager, the mother of the nation, wouldn't possibly lack even this much magnanimity, would she?"

That tone, that infuriating expression, was enough to make Ji Yuxi tremble with anger.

She vowed that, given the chance, she would squeeze this arrogant little brat dry.

Then he'd be castrated and become a eunuch!

Let's see if you'll still be laughing then!