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

Chu State, Jinling, Weiyang Palace.

During Shen Lang's mission to the Song Dynasty, Jiang Mengxuan was extremely busy.

Firstly, due to the large-scale submission of sects, the threat posed by martial arts forces to the imperial court has been reduced to its lowest level ever, but this has also brought some unavoidable troubles.

A large number of江湖人士 (jianghu figures) were idle and dissolute, affecting local security and causing considerable trouble for local government offices.

After discussions between Jiang Mengxuan and the Six Ministries, a brand-new government office was urgently established, jointly managed by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Rites.

This newly established government office was called the "Case-Suppressing Office," which was specifically responsible for offering rewards for the capture of criminals who had committed crimes but had not been brought to justice for a long time.

Martial artists in the martial arts world can take on the task of apprehending criminals by posting bounties, and in doing so, they can receive rewards issued by the government.

The reward amount is not low, ranging from ten taels to a hundred taels, or even a thousand taels.

The martial artist who accepts the challenge will receive a document issued by the Ministry of Justice, which will allow them to request relevant clues from local Ministry of Justice offices during the capture of criminals, and will also provide them with food and lodging.

The document will only be retrieved and destroyed once the criminal is apprehended, the reward money is received, and the perpetrator has been captured.

From then on, these martial artists who sought bounties had a completely new identity—

Ghostwriter.

The purpose of establishing ghostwriters was to provide a way out for people in the martial arts world, while also soothing their bewildered state of mind.

Many martial artists embarked on a path of pursuing bounties from the very beginning of the establishment of the "Case Investigation Bureau".

The second matter was that the Northern Yan sent people to discuss matters related to arms trade with the Chu Kingdom.

The negotiations went very smoothly, and the State of Chu sold 1,500 rifles, 24 Gatling guns, four 75mm mountain guns, and corresponding ammunition to the State of Northern Yan in one go, which allowed Jiang Mengxuan to make an extra profit.

Meanwhile, spring conscription has begun again, but this time there are only 40,000 new recruits.

It wasn't that Jiang Mengxuan and the Ministry of War were unwilling to recruit more soldiers, but rather that the remaining quota was to be used to reorganize local old troops.

Thanks to the grand scheme orchestrated by Shen Lang and the Empress before the Lunar New Year, there is virtually no resistance to reorganizing the old army units. They can begin large-scale reforms as soon as the military academy officers graduate.

In addition, various trivial matters of the dynasty turned into memorials that fell like snowflakes onto his desk.

For example, instructions on the current situation in Wu region, new developments in Luchuan region, handling of floods and droughts in various places, and instructions on railway expansion, etc.

She is so busy every day that she can hardly rest until late at night.

This is the responsibility that comes with the concentration of power; while wielding great power, one must also bear the responsibility for the rise and fall of a dynasty.

Jiang Mengxuan was busy until the end of March, when Shen Lang finally returned to Beijing.

"What, the sheep-leading ceremony?"

When Shen Lang told her about his experiences in the Jin camp, Jiang Mengxuan immediately became interested.

"Is it like putting a whole, freshly skinned sheepskin on a naked person?"

"Yes, I saw it with my own eyes when I went to the Jin camp that day. However, perhaps out of consideration for my feelings, they left each man and woman with a piece of clothing to cover their modesty."

"They treat people like sheep, leading them around on a leash, and doing it in front of so many people?"

Jiang Mengxuan's eyes gleamed with golden light; clearly, she was genuinely curious about the Jin Kingdom's extremely humiliating etiquette.

Shen Lang raised an eyebrow: "Xuan'er, what are you thinking about?"

Jiang Mengxuan looked thoughtful: "I'm thinking, should we find two people to experiment with this?"

"what."

Shen Lang smiled upon hearing this.

"Forget it, Xuan'er. This kind of barbaric method is not suitable for you. You are the model of benevolence and filial piety in the Great Chu."

Jiang Mengxuan smiled and shook her head: "A Lang, you're wrong. There's no distinction between barbarity and etiquette when dealing with enemies. The Jin Kingdom used this method to humiliate the Song royal family. I imagine Zhao Zhen must have suffered a lot of psychological trauma."

Shen Lang: "I don't know what happened to Zhao Zhen. I only know that after returning to Bianzhou, his wife and Princess Zhao Wan..."

Two other women in the family, unable to bear the immense emotional trauma, chose to hang themselves.

Jiang Mengxuan was taken aback, and couldn't help but sigh: "Indeed, this punishment is like hell for women, just thinking about it makes one feel heartbroken."

Shen Lang cracked his neck: "Forget it, let's not think about such an unpleasant scene. Right now, while Song, Jin, and Northern Yan are preoccupied with their own problems..."

"Let's just resolve the matter in Shu as well; it's been dragging on for quite a while, it's time to take care of it."

Jiang Mengxuan nodded: "It really should be dealt with, but perhaps the situation is better than we thought."

Shen Lang asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Jiang Mengxuan sat down next to Shen Lang and said with a smile, "You may not know, but after Jiang Chong proposed the plan to convert rice paddies to mulberry fields, it caused quite a bit of trouble."

"Is it that farmers are unwilling to plant mulberry seedlings?"

"You'll understand when you see it for yourself; it's not something that can be explained in just a few words."

Jiang Mengxuan smiled mysteriously, then her expression changed slightly: "Ah Lang, my period has started again this month."

"Ah, it's okay."

Shen Lang touched his nose and comforted him.

Jiang Mengxuan looked somewhat disappointed: "But we've tried so hard, why can't we get pregnant?"

I've already seen the imperial physician, and he said there's nothing wrong with my health. Ah Lang, would you like to get checked out yourself?

"No need for further examination." Shen Lang turned his face away. "I think I know the reason."

"Ok?"

Jiang Mengxuan was taken aback.

"what reason?"

"Cough cough."

Shen Lang was extremely embarrassed and didn't know how to bring it up with her for a moment.

"Speak up, we're husband and wife now, what's there to hide?"

"Xuan'er, have you ever noticed that something's missing when we make love?"

"What's missing?"

Jiang Mengxuan asked, puzzled.

Shen Lang opened his mouth, but suppressed his impulse: "There's no rush about having children. We'll definitely have them in the future."

"How can I not be anxious?" Jiang Mengxuan's face was a little pale. "Alang, in three months I'll be twenty-one. At this age, most women's children are already old enough to start their education."

If I remain childless, the royal family will surely find a way to adopt a child for me and make him the crown prince.

Ah Lang, I don't want to give the throne to anyone else. Only our children deserve to enjoy everything their parents have fought for.

So, Ah Lang, I'm really in a hurry right now. Besides, our family won't be complete without a child.

Shen Lang sighed: "I understand, Mengxuan. After things are resolved in Shu, we will definitely have our own child."

"Really? You're not kidding me."

Jiang Mengxuan looked at Shen Lang suspiciously.

"No, I'm just worried you won't be able to handle it."

"What do you mean? I don't understand."

"Don't ask anymore, you'll find out when the time comes. Since you've been feeling unwell these past few days, you should take a good rest. Official business can't be finished in a day."

When the topic of career comes up, Jiang Mengxuan's attention is immediately diverted.

"Sigh, I can't afford not to be busy. If I don't deal with so many things as soon as possible, I'll only get busier and busier in the future."

"I see. Then I'll try to find a way to share your workload." Shen Lang said thoughtfully. "There's so much work; one person simply can't handle it all."

"I'll make arrangements after we resolve the issue of Shu Commandery."

"Ah."

Jiang Mengxuan responded softly, nestled quietly in Shen Lang's arms, enjoying this rare moment alone together.