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

While Shen Lang was stirring up trouble in Shu, Jiang Mengxuan, who was in the capital, also had no free time during this period.

She first used swift and decisive measures to force the eight princes to relinquish their military power.

Although the number of troops was not large, each vassal king had only a few thousand troops, with the most, the King of Lingnan, having only four thousand men.

However, the fact that these vassal kings had troops was always a hidden danger. Therefore, Jiang Mengxuan did not ignore the fact that they had few troops and took all the military power into her own hands.

After taking back the military power of the vassal kings, Jiang Mengxuan focused all her energy on one thing.

Movable type printing.

In fact, several years ago, after Shen Lang gave her a hint about printing, Jiang Mengxuan had the idea of ​​making books available to everyone in the world, but she hadn't put much effort into printing technology in the past few years.

However, this is easier said than done.

Because the script used in the Chu state was the same as that used in the Han state.

Because the Chinese character system is so vast, carving it alone requires a huge amount of manpower and resources.

Initially, Jiang Mengxuan used woodblock printing, but wood is prone to moisture, and any slight deviation when engraving on paper greatly affects the reading experience.

Then, Jiang Mengxuan used the copper type printing method that Shen Lang had suggested.

However, a new problem arose. Experiments revealed that the traditional inks of the Chu state could not color the copper characters. No matter how many times the paint was applied, it would easily slip off, seriously affecting the printing quality and efficiency.

This problem was finally solved last April by two painters from Jinling Chemical Plant.

They successfully formulated an ink that could adhere to copper lettering for a long time, thus solving the problem of the ink being too thin.

But soon, new problems arose.

There are always slight errors in the height of the copper characters. No matter how you adjust them, the printed font will always be uneven in color, which also affects the aesthetics.

Fortunately, last month, when Jiang Mengxuan was inspecting the Jinling Industrial Zone, she saw the spring process test and immediately thought of installing multiple springs at the bottom of the printing plate, then dividing the content to be printed into sections, and pressing it flat with a cover plate to obtain a complete printed booklet.

After more than ten days of experimentation, the movable type printing technology finally achieved a breakthrough, marking the imminent end of the era in which aristocratic families controlled books.

Before Jiang Mengxuan could be happy for long, Ji Yuxi came running over, tears streaming down her face, begging for mercy.

"My son, Jiang Chong is your elder brother. He wouldn't do anything to betray you. Please, for the sake of family, let him go."

Ji Yuxi cried her heart out.

Since Shen Lang went to Shu, she has been paying close attention to the situation in Shu County.

When I received the news of Jiang Chong's arrest yesterday, I immediately felt like the sky was falling.

Jiang Chong is her only reliance at present, and also the best bargaining chip to control Jiang Mengxuan and maintain her own status.

But now, when the news of Jiang Chong's arrest for treason arrived, she felt an unprecedented fear and immediately went to plead with Jiang Mengxuan for mercy.

In response, Jiang Mengxuan calmly replied, "Mother, are you aware that my elder brother is holding military power in Shu and has secretly hidden a dragon robe in a secret room in the Prince's residence?"

"My son, someone must be framing him," Ji Yuxi vehemently defended Jiang Chong. "No matter what your brother is like..."

They wouldn't do something so outrageous; there must be other reasons.

"A frame-up?" Jiang Mengxuan looked incredulous. "Does Mother mean that my husband intentionally framed my elder brother?"

Did they prepare dragon robes and thrones in advance, and even recruit hundreds of thousands of troops to garrison various states in Shu?

"Mother, you don't actually believe my husband could have planned something so meticulously in such a short time, do you?"

Ji Yuxi panicked: "No, my son, listen to me. I have no suspicion of Shen Lang, but he is definitely not that kind of person."

Jiang Mengxuan: "Whether my imperial brother is truly plotting a rebellion is for the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review to investigate."

If the Emperor is indeed innocent, then he will remain the Prince of Shu of the Great Chu.

I also believe that my elder brother is innocent, so Mother Empress need not worry any longer.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuxi felt a tightness in her chest.

Jiang Mengxuan's meaning couldn't be clearer.

Involving the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review is tantamount to handling official business strictly, and no one should be allowed to get involved privately.

In other words, Jiang Mengxuan has no intention of letting Jiang Chong go.

The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became. Seeing Jiang Mengxuan's calm and composed demeanor, Ji Yuxi suddenly knelt down in front of her.

"Mother, what are you doing? Get up quickly."

"My son, I'm begging you. He is my own flesh and blood. Please forgive your brother this time, for the sake of the time I raised you."

"Mother, please get up and we can talk about it later."

"My son, if you do not agree, I will kneel here forever. I know that Chong'er has committed a capital offense this time."

If investigated by the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review, he will certainly have no chance of survival. I only have this one son; my daughter was married into the Phoenix Palace when she was not yet six years old, and I fear I will never see her again in this life.

"Please, have pity on me, for I am all alone and helpless."

Just as Ji Yuxi was about to kowtow to Jiang Mengxuan, Jiang Mengxuan's delicate hand had already supported her arm.

Jiang Mengxuan whispered in her ear, "Mother, what nonsense are you talking about?"

What do you mean by saying you're all alone and helpless? Do you no longer see me as your daughter? Or do you never consider me family at all?

Ji Yuxi was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer her words.

Jiang Mengxuan gently helped her up, led Ji Yuxi to sit beside her, and then took her hand.

"Mother, I also very much want to save my elder brother, but the crimes he has committed this time have far too many implications. Even if I wanted to protect him, I couldn't."

The entire court knew that King Jiang Chong of Shu was holding considerable military power and plotting a rebellion, and the advisors arrested in Shu had all confessed to it.

What do you expect me to do? Forcefully protect my elder brother?

Ji Yuxi's face instantly turned pale and lifeless.

Jiang Mengxuan's words were tantamount to telling herself that Jiang Chong was doomed and there was no way to save him, so there was no point in wasting time.

"Your Majesty may not know, but I have also been feeling quite agitated these past few days. Some officials in the court have even submitted memorials urging me to reorganize the inner palace."

They said the Empress Dowager's virtue was unworthy of her position, and they were clamoring to remove you from your post as Empress Dowager, then hand you over to the Ministry of Justice for trial.

As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Mengxuan clearly felt Ji Yuxi's hand trembling uncontrollably in her palm.

"My son, what should we do? I know nothing about the situation in Shu."

Ji Yuxi understood that since she could no longer protect her son, she had to ensure her own safety.

If she were to be deposed as Empress Dowager because of this, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Now, his status and life and death are completely in the hands of this daughter with whom he has no blood relation.

"Mother, rest assured, even if my brother is ultimately convicted, you will still be my mother."

This will never change; I will take care of you in your old age and see you to your death, ensuring you enjoy eternal wealth and honor.

Jiang Mengxuan's comforting words finally put Ji Yuxi's mind at ease.

Now that things have come to this, the most important thing is to protect your own assets.

As for sons, let's leave it to fate.