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

Chapter 342 Prince Su Pleads for Mercy: "Your Majesty, in the arsenal's armory, there are still 120,000 discarded 98K rifles, as well as a thousand Gatling guns and dozens of carbon steel cannons gathering dust. Remelting them would only increase costs."

My suggestion is that instead of keeping the land, we should sell it and exchange it for some real gold and silver, which would also speed up the investment in setting up the new production line.

To be used to develop more advanced weaponry.

Shen Lang looked at Jiang Mengxuan with a smile.

Ye Mo thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I have carefully considered the matter of foreign countries coming to our Chu Kingdom to purchase weapons, and I believe that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks."

"What do you mean?" Jiang Mengxuan asked curiously.

"Your Majesty, if the State of Chu were to sell weapons to neighboring states, what do you think would happen to their armies after they experience the benefits of these weapons?"

Jiang Mengxuan thought for a moment, then said uncertainly, "Naturally, we will continue to purchase weapons from the Chu Kingdom."

Ye Mo nodded: "Indeed, over time, the neighboring countries' armies will begin to rely on our dynasty's arms supplies, thus neglecting their own original military equipment."

At that time, the military lifeline of other countries will be completely in our hands. Even if they harbor ill intentions towards us in the future, what will happen if we prohibit the supply of arms?

These words left Shen Lang speechless.

Ye Mo, that old fox, truly has vision and a broad perspective; he said everything he wanted to say.

Arms sales have always been driven by political considerations, one of the most effective of which is to destroy the opponent's military system, forcing them to operate entirely according to one's own system, thereby depriving them of their ability to conduct independent research and development.

If the other side's military system is built on the foundation of its own military industry, why worry about it rebelling?

The arms suppliers know all the data, improvements, and production of all the weapons. Why would they be afraid of them turning against them?

Jiang Mengxuan thought there was some truth to it, but then raised another question: "What Prime Minister Ye said makes sense, but what if other countries imitate it?"

Ye Mo smiled and said, "Your Majesty need not worry about that. Military research and development cannot be accomplished overnight."

Even if they manage to replicate it in the future, by then the military equipment of my Great Chu will have already advanced by leaps and bounds. What is there to fear?

Shen Lang interjected, "Prime Minister Ye is absolutely right. As long as the core technology is in the hands of our Great Chu, even if we provide equipment to neighboring countries, it will still take a long time for them to be able to replicate it themselves."

During this period, I believe that the military equipment of the Great Chu will be far more advanced than it is now, and no outsider can surpass it in the slightest.

Jiang Mengxuan: "So, according to you two, this arms trade can proceed?"

Shen Lang and Ye Mo nodded in unison.

Jiang Mengxuan let out a long sigh: "Fine, since neither of you has any objections..."

What can I possibly object to? Let them sell; the only question is, should they sell to the Jin or the Song?

“Sell to both countries,” Shen Lang said without hesitation. “However, given the current situation between the Song and Jin dynasties…”

With Song weak and Jin strong, the arms trade still needs to shift towards Song in order to maintain some balance.

Jiang Mengxuan: "But what should we do if the Song Kingdom doesn't have the money to pay for military procurement right now?"

Ye Mo: "Your Majesty, it wouldn't be unreasonable for Chu to provide a batch of military supplies to Song."

Shen Lang continued, "That's also what I meant. Of course, there are conditions to the aid; it's impossible to provide it for free."

We can provide military aid to the State of Song through a loan, and Song can only use this money to purchase military equipment from our State of Chu.

Ye Mo: "I believe that the Duke of Zhenguo's plan is feasible, but in order to stabilize relations between the two sides, I think we should also put forward some conditions to the Song State."

It is suggested that the two countries strengthen their bilateral relations through a marriage alliance. It is understood that His Highness Prince Su has reached marriageable age and has a close relationship with Princess Zhao Fujin of Song.

"Why not use this as a condition to allow His Highness Prince Su to marry Princess Fujin as his princess consort?"

Shen Lang: "I think it's feasible."

Jiang Mengxuan was both amused and exasperated. She instinctively crossed her arms over her chest and crossed her legs again, leaning against the back of the chair.

"Are you not going to take me seriously?"

"I can let everything else go, but Prince Su is, after all, my imperial brother. Shouldn't he consult me ​​before deciding whether or not to marry?"

Upon hearing this, the two stood up and bowed to the Empress in apology.

"Your Majesty, forgive me."

"Alright, stop trying to pull this on me."

Jiang Mengxuan waved her hand, stopping the two from their clumsy act.

"We still need to ask Prince Su for his opinion on this matter. After all, marriage is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qingwen rushed over to report: "Your Majesty, Prince Su is outside the palace requesting an audience, saying he has important matters to ask of you."

It's true what they say, "Speak of the devil, and he appears!"

"Summon him into the palace."

After Jiang Mengxuan finished speaking, Ye Mo wisely stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have important matters to attend to at Xuanzheng Hall. I will report back to Your Majesty later. I will take my leave now."

"Yes, Prime Minister Ye, take care."

After watching Ye Mo leave, a young man of about sixteen years old rushed into the reception hall in three quick steps.

Before Jiang Mengxuan could speak, he knelt on the ground and cried, "Royal sister, please save Princess Fujin!"

"What happened? Tell me slowly."

Jiang Jing cried and said, "Your Majesty, I have just received news that the Song emperor intends to send Princess Fujin to the Jin kingdom for a marriage alliance in order to appease the Jin's invasion."

"Your Majesty, I have admired Princess Fujin since childhood. She sent a letter in the dead of night pleading for help. Please, Your Majesty, save Fujin!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan glanced at Shen Lang, whose expression also showed a strange look.

Shen Lang said, "Your Highness Prince Su, please stand up and speak. It is improper for you to kneel like this."

Jiang Jing immediately turned to Shen Lang: "Brother-in-law, you are a peerless hero, you must have a way to help me, right? Please save Princess Fujin!"

If she were sent to the Jin Kingdom for a political marriage, her life would be completely ruined.

Jiang Jing is a typical love-struck person, having been deeply in love with Zhao Fujin since childhood.

Hearing that his beloved was about to fall into the hands of a ruthless wolf, he was extremely anxious and could no longer care about anything else. He ran straight to Jiang Mengxuan and burst into tears.

Shen Lang frowned: "Alright, stop crying. Look at your behavior. Is this how a dignified Prince Su behaves? Don't embarrass your royal sister."

Jiang Jing hurriedly said, "Brother-in-law, I know my abilities are mediocre. Now that Princess Fujin is in trouble, I can only ask you and my elder sister for help."

I desperately hope that my elder sister and brother-in-law can help me this time and save Princess Fujin from this misery.

Jiang Mengxuan sighed and looked at Shen Lang, saying, "That Zhao Ji is really something. Princess Fujin is his own daughter, how could he be so heartless as to send her into the wolf's den?"

Shen Lang shook his head: "Zhao Ji was never a wise ruler. His purpose in keeping the throne was only to indulge in pleasure. It's really not surprising that he could do such a thing."

Jiang Jing was still sobbing: "Brother-in-law, Imperial Sister, please, save Princess Fujin!"

Jiang Mengxuan flicked her phoenix sleeves: "Alright, get up and speak. What kind of behavior is this, Prince Su, crying and sobbing like this?"

Seeing that Jiang Mengxuan was showing signs of relenting, Jiang Jing stood up and stood aside, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Since you have such deep affection for Princess Fujin, and she turned to you for help the first time she was in trouble..."

Why not simply propose marriage to the Song Kingdom, and have you marry Princess Fujin as your queen?

"Really, Your Majesty?" Jiang Jing was overjoyed upon hearing this. "You really allow me to marry Princess Fujin?"

Jiang Mengxuan nodded: "Tomorrow I will have the Ministry of Rites prepare the marriage certificate. The Song envoy is also here, so I will have him take it back with him and send Princess Fujin to you as your wife as soon as possible."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness!"

Jiang Jing immediately stopped crying and smiled, kneeling devoutly in front of Jiang Mengxuan to express her gratitude.

"I'm really speechless."

Seeing this, Shen Lang could only shake his head with a wry smile.