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

"In other words, does our Great Chu intend to use low wages to acquire cheap labor for mining, road construction, or even farming?"

"Minister Cao has misunderstood. While the salary may be meager for the Great Chu, it is a considerable sum in the countries of Southeast Asia."

Taking the Kingdom of Li as an example, over 90% of its people earn less than one tael of silver a year, not even enough to afford a full meal.

Now that our Great Chu is offering such high salaries, even if the hours are a bit long, they're willing to work happily.

After hearing Shen Lang's words, the noble families and court officials in the hall trembled with excitement.

Now, the local industries of the Great Chu have been seized by those with foresight. It's impossible for them not to be envious of those industrialists who can amass massive wealth without relying on land.

Overseas colonization and expansion presents another huge business opportunity, and they really don't want to miss it again.

Upon receiving the reply, Cao Xianzhi chuckled at Shen Lang, then bowed to the Empress and said, "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion to supplement the regulations concerning the exclusive zone of Great Chu."

Jiang Mengxuan: "Minister Cao, please speak."

"Your Majesty, since this is a designated area, it seems likely that factories and roads will be built in that area in the future."

However, overseas areas are quite far from the mainland, and if an unexpected incident were to occur within the exclusive zone, the imperial court might not have enough time to respond.

Empress: "Minister Cao need not worry about that. Before my triumphant return, I had already instructed the local expatriates to take over the exclusive area and form their own guard. I don't think they'll cause any trouble."

Furthermore, in the second half of the year, I plan to establish new overseas governor's offices, with dedicated personnel to take charge of local military and political affairs, ensuring the smooth transport of overseas resources to Great Chu.

Upon hearing this, Cao Xianzhi shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, what I mean is that relying solely on pressure from our own country will inevitably lead to conflict between Chu and the foreign laborers within the exclusive zone in the long run."

In my opinion, since we have decided to establish a special zone, we should simply win over a group of local nobles and have them assist our Great Chu in managing those expatriates. In return, we can share some of the profits.

In this way, even if the laborers are dissatisfied with their current situation, their primary target will be these local nobles.

Shen Lang was taken aback by these words.

He thought to himself, "Good heavens, so the Ministry of Rites is this insidious too?"

What Cao Xianzhi was thinking was exactly what he planned to implement in the future, but unexpectedly, he was outmaneuvered by him.

It seems these guys aren't stupid at all; in fact, they're much smarter than I thought.

Jiang Mengxuan was also intrigued by Cao Xianzhi's words: "Go on."

Cao Xianzhi: "Your Majesty can bribe a group of local nobles in the South Seas, promise them some benefits, and invite their descendants to come to my Jinling to learn the ways of the King of Chu."

After completing their studies, these descendants of local nobles will undoubtedly be inclined towards the Great Chu. Therefore, should any unrest occur in the South Seas, the Chu state will not need to intervene.

They will naturally be at the forefront, using every means to protect the interests of our Great Chu overseas. In this way, the interests of our Great Chu in its exclusive overseas territories can be completely secured.

After hearing his words, only one string of words flashed through Shen Lang's mind:

Remote farming technology.

Who would have thought that Cao Xianzhi was also a man of strong emotions?

I thought that as an official of the Ministry of Rites, he would give a long speech and criticize me harshly when he heard that I planned to exploit the laborers in the colonies, wishing that I would be hung on the south wall to be judged by time.

But to everyone's surprise, the Ministry of Rites not only did not condemn them, but also added fuel to the fire for the Southeast Asian countries, kicking them while they were down, which profoundly demonstrated what it means to have no shame.

The Empress nodded: "Minister Cao's plan is quite good. Since this plan was proposed by you, why don't you draft the proposal yourself?"

"Sir, obey the order!"

Having achieved his goal, Cao Xianzhi bowed and returned to his official post.

At this moment, Liu Wu also said, "Your Majesty, after the discussion between the Duke of Zhenguo and Minister Cao, I also have a few words to say."

"But it doesn't matter."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Liu Wu accepted the gift and replied, "Since the regulations for the exclusive zone are clear, the laws of Chu should naturally be followed in various parts of Southeast Asia. However, the national conditions overseas are slightly different from those in mainland China."

Simply copying the old methods may not be effective in intimidating people, so I believe we should adopt a two-pronged approach of strictness and leniency.

Strict laws are necessary to prevent unscrupulous individuals from causing trouble, and also to strictly regulate businessmen who will set up factories overseas in the future, ensuring they abide by the law.

As for leniency, it is reserved for those industrialists who dare to venture overseas to explore markets, as long as they can indeed bring sufficient benefits to our Great Chu.

Your subject suggests that we should not dwell too much on their minor flaws.

The saying goes, "Freedom is permitted within the bounds of the law. As long as they don't infringe upon the interests of the Great Chu state, let them do as they please."

Liu Wu's words drew attention from all the officials in the court.

They couldn't believe that this guy, who valued the enforcement of the law more than his own life, would actually propose the avant-garde theory that "freedom is the rule of law when there are many people under the law." It was simply too shocking.

Jiang Mengxuan: "Minister Liu, I am truly surprised that you would say such a thing. Why has your thinking suddenly changed like this?"

Liu Wu calmly replied, "Your Majesty misunderstands. I have not changed at all. It's just that everything is for the greater good. With the establishment of the new exclusive territory, it's natural to mobilize the enthusiasm of those with ambition in Great Chu."

If we continue to use the existing domestic laws, who will be willing to travel overseas? Without the people of our Great Chu stationed on this land, does it still belong to our Great Chu?

Jiang Mengxuan smiled slightly: "Minister Liu's sentiments have made me look at him with even more admiration. Very well, you shall personally draft the overseas exclusive law."

"Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to your high expectations!"

The matter of the colonial law is temporarily put to rest.

Jiang Mengxuan glanced around the main hall and then began to discuss matters related to domestic affairs.

"Minister Lin, how is the land allocation progressing?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, the first batch of land resettlement has been completed since last year."

According to the Ministry of Revenue's plan, each farming household could be allocated five mu of land. For a family of five, that would be twenty-five mu.

Based on a yield of 800 jin per mu after fertilization, the annual grain income is definitely enough to support a family.

There are still 26 million mu of unclaimed land that need to be resettled in batches. Your Majesty, please make the decision personally.

Jiang Mengxuan: "Your Ministry of Revenue is in charge of the nation's finances and grain. How these lands are allocated is entirely up to you. I will only look at the results and will not ask about the process."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I have noted it down. I will continue to make arrangements when I return."

After Lin Yu returned to the official ranks, Jiang Mengxuan continued to ask, "By the way, have the Northern Yan and Song states made any moves recently?"

Ye Mo, who had been meditating like an old monk, suddenly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, the war in Northern Yan has just ended, and the Tianlang clan suffered a great defeat."

However, the war has also plunged the people of Northern Yan into misery, with more than 8,000 Northern Yan citizens recently illegally entering the country.

In order to prevent these foreigners from disrupting border security, I had no choice but to consult with General Wang of Bingzhou.

"Build an earthen city in the border region of Bingzhou to temporarily settle them."

Jiang Mengxuan's eyes lit up: "So, the Northern Yan Kingdom is now in decline?"

Ye Mo was taken aback, having already sensed the impending war in the Empress's tone.