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

The Weiyang Palace was enveloped in a festive atmosphere.

A bustling scene unfolded in front of Junxi Terrace, where the wedding was being held.

The eunuchs and palace maids hurried along, their expressions a mixture of tension and excitement as they busied themselves, carrying various items needed for the grand wedding.

The items were dazzling: magnificent phoenix coronet and wedding gown, exquisite jewelry, vibrant flowers, and auspicious red silk, among other things.

Joy radiated from everyone's face, as if this grand wedding not only belonged to the newlyweds about to enter the hall of marriage, but also touched everyone present.

They meticulously arranged every detail, hoping to make this beautiful moment even more perfect.

Some of the eunuchs carefully arranged the tables and chairs, ensuring they were neat and uniform;

Some palace maids carefully wiped every item in the palace, making them shine with a dazzling light.

The entire Junxi Palace was filled with laughter and anticipation for the Empress's wedding.

Inside Shuixuan Residence, Jiang Mengxuan gazed at the palace where she would spend the rest of her life with Shen Lang, her heart filled with emotion.

He entered the bridal chamber, stood in front of the ever-burning lamp beside the bed, and gently stroked a black silk robe hanging there.

This was the wedding dowry she had the palace embroiderers sew for Shen Lang, stitch by stitch, over a full six months.

According to the etiquette of the Great Chu royal family, a husband who marries into the royal family should wear bright red clothing on his wedding day.

However, those who have rendered meritorious service to the country may be exceptionally allowed to wear dark silk robes.

Don't underestimate the difference in just one piece of clothing; it can make a world of difference in status and prestige.

The emperor's son-in-law, dressed in a dark-colored wedding gown, is eligible to become a close advisor to the royal family and participate in court affairs.

However, since 600 years ago, no newly married prince or emperor's son-in-law has been qualified to wear the dark-colored wedding attire.

Shen Lang is one of only two emperor sons-in-law in the past six hundred years who are qualified to wear black wedding attire.

"Your Majesty, Commander Jiang requests an audience."

Just as Jiang Mengxuan was immersed in the happiness of her upcoming marriage to Shen Lang, Qingwen's voice rang out from outside the door.

"Have him wait for me in the Imperial Study."

"Yes."

Half an hour later, in the Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty, Shu Yingwen accidentally fell off Zijing Mountain. Her body has been collected by the city's government offices, and everything has been arranged properly."

These are his identification tags and a jade tablet documenting his fall from the cliff. Your Majesty, please examine them personally.

Jiang Mengxuan looked at the photographic jade tablet, which showed the entire process of Shu Yingwen falling from the cliff edge of Haoshan Mountain, finally lying at the bottom of the cliff covered in blood and broken pieces.

Then, two members of the Jingwei Division used boulders to smash his chest and cheeks, finishing him off. Once they were certain he was dead beyond any doubt, they crushed the jade tablet.

It must be said that, under Shen Lang's influence, the Jingwei Division has taken the details to the extreme in its work.

The practice of finishing off witnesses with a fatal blow has become standard procedure.

Even the skeleton after being subjected to slow slicing would first be burned to ashes, and then the ashes would be scattered into the sea and a latrine, respectively, to show respect for the deceased.

"Well, you did a great job."

"This is what I should do."

Jiang Mengxuan's expression remained aloof, but she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

With Shu Yingwen's death, the selection of a son-in-law has finally come to an end, and there's no need to worry about Shen Lang misunderstanding him in the future.

"Is there any response from Ganquan Palace?"

"No response."

The Empress closed her eyes, clearly understanding that Ji Yuxi had completely given up on Shu Yingwen.

This also sends a signal that the harem will not interfere with any decisions made by the empress.

This matter is like dropping a needle into the ocean; it leaves no ripples or waves, and is the best way for both sides to maintain a superficial relationship.

"Just back off."

"I resign from my humble position."

After Jiang Chaoyun left, Jiang Mengxuan opened a notebook.

That document records the latest developments in Liu Wu's promotion to Inspector General and his thorough investigation into the salt tax embezzlement case.

It was only upon investigation that I discovered such a shocking and appalling sight.

"Of the 20 million taels of salt tax, they embezzled more than 10 million taels every year. Over 20 years, that's a whopping 200 million taels..."

"Heh, do they really think my money is their private treasury?"

Jiang Mengxuan's face showed an undisguised anger.

The salt tax case alone involved more than 8,000 local officials.

This is just the tip of the iceberg in the thorough investigation. If it continues to go deeper, it is unimaginable how many more people in the Chu Kingdom are involved.

The rise of powerful clans has seriously jeopardized the foundation of the nation. If the foundation of the Great Chu were not still relatively stable, this situation would have completely revealed its disadvantages within a few years.

Jiang Mengxuan grew increasingly angry, wishing she could immediately bring all these troublemakers to justice.

But she quickly regained control of her emotions.

"Let's settle everything with them after the wedding."

……

The wedding was on the ninth day of the seventh lunar month, three days before the ceremony.

Early in the morning, Shen Lang headed straight out of the city and rushed towards the Jinling Gun and Cannon Factory.

Last night he received some incredibly good news.

After a year of dedicated research, the development of the Maxim heavy machine gun finally achieved a substantial breakthrough, along with breakthroughs in alloy steel technology.

Da da da da——

Inside the test firing range, Shen Lang piloted a Maxim helicopter that had just appeared and conducted a high-intensity test firing experiment.

In just one minute, a full six hundred bullets were fired.

A rock, used as a target a hundred meters away, was reduced to a pile of scattered rubble by a hail of bullets.

"Whoo~"

After the test firing, Shen Lang breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling very satisfied with Maxim's performance.

The key point is that the Maxim gun uses a dual cooling principle of water cooling and air cooling, which greatly reduces the weight of the gun and makes it easy for soldiers to carry and quickly move to a new position.

Deng Hongyu cautiously stepped forward and asked, "Duke Zhenguo, is there anything you're dissatisfied with regarding the firearms that needs improvement?"

Shen Lang asked, "How many of these prototypes do you have now?"

Deng Hongyu: "We have a total of three machine guns used for the experiment. After our inspection, they have fully met the standards specified in the Zhenguo Duke's blueprints."

Shen Lang nodded: "Gradually cease production of hand-cranked Gatling guns, and replace four of the original six Gatling gun production lines with Gamax manufacturing equipment."

We must ensure the production of 120 heavy machine guns on one production line within one month. If we're short-handed, we'll hire more; don't try to save money.

Once production stabilizes, two more complete production lines will be installed.

Deng Hongyu said, "Duke Zhenguo, with the existing technology and equipment, after some improvements, producing 120 heavy machine guns per month shouldn't be a problem."

However, the alloy steel manufacturing process has only recently been developed and is not yet perfected; the concern is the lack of sufficient raw materials.

Shen Lang thought for a moment and then smiled, "Then let's try the converter steelmaking method. Right now, there's a large volume of mineral resources being transported from various regions..."

The existing steel production capacity is insufficient to support current industrial development; it's time to expand further.

As he spoke, he took out the converter steelmaking manual that he had prepared beforehand and explained the principles to Deng Hongyu one by one.

After Shen Lang finished speaking, Deng Hongyu couldn't help but sigh, "Duke Zhenguo, sometimes I wonder if you are the alchemist or I am the alchemist."

Shen Lang replied with a smile, "I just had an idea. Ultimately, it depends on you people who put it into practice."

Just go ahead and do it. Don't worry about funding; I'll take care of that. By the way, now that the Maxim machine gun has been developed...

While you're improving the raw materials, you should also put the development of a light machine gun on the agenda.

Deng Hongyu immediately assured him, "Please rest assured, Duke Zhenguo, now that there has been a breakthrough in alloy technology, the development of light machine guns will naturally follow."

Give me three months, and I will definitely develop a brand new light machine gun according to the blueprints.

"Alright, I await your good news. When I return, I will personally request His Majesty to grant a substantial reward to everyone involved in military research and development."

"Then I thank you in advance, Duke Zhenguo."

Shen Lang patted his shoulder and nodded with satisfaction.

"By the way, where is Su Yun?"

"She's on leave today; she went back to visit her mother. Is there anything the Duke of Zhenguo needs me to tell him?"

"No, tell her she doesn't need to work too hard, just do her job well."

"I will certainly convey the message on behalf of the Duke of Zhenguo."

Shen Lang nodded and added, "After the breakthrough in alloy smelting technology, the materials will be prioritized for use in artillery and Maxim gun barrels."

Once the technology is fully mature, a comprehensive upgrade of firearms will be carried out. Furthermore, the Jiangnan Shipyard and the Jinling Dockyard have already begun construction of battleships simultaneously.

If it's convenient for you, please follow up. If Su Yun needs any help, she can contact me. Thank you for your hard work during this time.

"Please rest assured, Duke Zhenguo, I will make proper arrangements. I wish you and His Majesty a happy marriage in advance."

"Ha, thank you for your kind words. I appreciate it in advance."

After saying that, Shen Lang waved his hand, mounted his warhorse, and galloped towards Jinling City.