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

After discussing the relevant matters with Wang Jian and taking him to complete the formalities for enlisting in the military academy, he remembered that the female doctor had gone to Shuixuan Residence to examine Jiang Mengxuan's pulse. Only then did he rush back to inquire about the situation.

As a result, before they even reached Shuixuan Residence, they encountered Xue Lin, the imperial physician and personal attendant of the Empress.

Xue Lin bowed directly to Shen Lang and said, "Greetings, Duke Zhenguo."

Shen Lang: "Physician Xue, you may excuse yourself from the formalities. May I ask what is the cause of His Majesty's illness?"

Xue Lin smiled slightly: "His Majesty is in good health and has no illness. Duke Zhenguo need not worry. I will go back and prescribe some medicine to help His Majesty calm down."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that you're alright."

But then he realized something was wrong: "Since His Majesty is perfectly healthy, why is medicine being prescribed?"

Xue Lin couldn't help but smile: "His Majesty instructed that if the Duke of Zhenguo inquires about the diagnosis results, I must conceal them from him."

"But Duke Zhenguo, there is something I must remind you: from now on, you and His Majesty should exercise some restraint in your marital relations."

Shen Lang frowned, not understanding what this was all about.

The couple's sex life wasn't unrestrained, so why does she seem to think it's her responsibility?

Xue Lin gave Shen Lang a meaningful look, then bowed again, tightened the medicine box on his shoulder, and passed by her.

"baffling."

Looking back at Xue Lin's retreating figure, Shen Lang continued walking towards Shui Xuan Residence.

"Duke Zhenguo".

Just then, Jiang Chaoyun called out to Shen Lang.

"What's the matter?"

"Lord Zhenguo, this is a secret report sent by the Jingwei Division from both the Song and Jin states."

Upon hearing that the news concerned the Song and Jin dynasties, Shen Lang immediately pulled Jiang Chaoyun aside.

"Speak, what has happened in the State of Song?"

Jiang Chaoyun replied, "Duke Zhenguo, the brothers from the Jingwei Division have reported that many things have happened in the Song Kingdom recently."

I've already told you about the reforms, and recently we launched a large-scale northern expedition, in which the Song state swiftly captured Xiangzhou Prefecture.

"Ok?"

Hearing this, Shen Lang was stunned for a long time.

"Did the Song army become stronger, or did the Jurchens become weaker?"

Shen Lang was highly skeptical of such a fantastical plot. The Song army could defeat the Jin people, but not now. It was simply impossible for the Song army's combat strength to undergo such a qualitative change in such a short period of time.

Jiang Chaoyun immediately took out a battle report: "Duke Zhenguo, take a look at the records of the two countries' battle achievements recorded by the Jingwei Division brothers, and you will understand. This kind of victory is very strange."

Shen Lang opened it and took a look, and immediately burst out laughing.

"Ha, the twenty-five armies marched north, and in just one month, the vanguard and main force advanced to Xiangzhou Prefecture, conquering cities and seizing territory with unstoppable momentum, hahaha..."

He couldn't help but feel that such a record was simply too exaggerated. Based on Shen Lang's understanding of the Song army, it was absolutely impossible for them to achieve such a record.

How many casualties did the Jin army suffer?

"There were about a hundred people in total, including forty-six soldiers. The Jin guards were all old and weak. They collapsed as soon as they encountered the Song army. The oldest of them was sixty-nine years old."

"So, where is the main force of the Jin army?"

"Everyone was focused on the situation in Northern Yan and didn't pay any attention to the Song state, which allowed the Song army to take advantage of the situation."

After listening to the intelligence analysis, Shen Lang immediately got a general idea.

Jiang Chaoyun added, "Duke Zhenguo, do you know who is advocating for the Song army's northern expedition this time?"

Shen Lang replied directly, "Who else could it be but Ye Fan? Ye Fan must have become the most prestigious person in the Song Dynasty by now, right?"

Jiang Chaoyun: "The Duke of Zhenguo is indeed wise. I never expected that Ye Fan, that traitor from Chu, would be doing so well in Song."

Because of his advocacy for the Northern Expedition, he was granted the title of Marquis of Dingjun, granted the privilege of entering the court without bowing (requiring the Nine Bestowments), and became the Grand General of the Protectorate Army, controlling 30% of the Song Dynasty's military power.

His status has surpassed that of the six ministers of the Song Dynasty, and he is also the Grand Commandant of the Palace Guard. In the current Song Dynasty, Ye Fan's reputation is even more resounding than Zhao Huan's.

Shen Lang closed the battle report: "Notify the Jingwei Division and tell them to continue monitoring the situation in Song. Everything about Ye Fan must be relayed to me immediately."

"Yes."

After receiving the order, Jiang Chaoyun added, "By the way, the Jingwei Guard, who infiltrated the Jin Kingdom, also reported that Murong Ke borrowed grain from the Jin Kingdom some time ago. Due to the war, the fields in Northern Yan have been abandoned, and there will definitely be a grain shortage this year."

It is said that a fixed ration of grain has begun in Yanjing (Beijing), and even the compensation for the families of soldiers who died in battle has been reduced to one dou (a unit of dry measure), and even then, it cannot be distributed on time. Life is indeed very difficult.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang's eyes suddenly flashed: "So, the people of Northern Yan are now short of food and have to borrow grain from the Jin Kingdom to maintain order?"

Jiang Chaoyun frowned: "Judging from the intelligence we submitted, it's probably true."

Shen Lang immediately stroked his chin and paced back and forth, beginning to analyze the pros and cons.

Jiang Chaoyun couldn't help but ask, "Duke Zhenguo, what are your thoughts now?"

Shen Lang shook his head without answering, instead pondering whether to launch an attack at this time, taking advantage of the fact that both Northern Yan and the Tianlang Clan were weakened, and directly send troops to Youzhou to annihilate Northern Yan in one battle.

But he managed to suppress the urge.

The construction of the north-south railway is only just beginning, with the first phase expected to be completed in two years.

If troops were to be sent directly to Youzhou, the cost of supplies allocated from the central government would be too high, and the industrial base in the north was only just beginning and would be difficult to scale up in a short time, thus failing to provide the basic supplies for the new army's northern expedition.

Therefore, the battle against Murong can only be carried out after the north-south railway is completed and the basic transportation infrastructure is in place.

Having figured this out, Shen Lang immediately suppressed his idealistic impulse and said to Jiang Chaoyun, "We must continue to closely monitor intelligence regarding Northern Yan."

"We must strive to control their every move so that our Great Chu can make appropriate strategic and tactical adjustments."

"Yes, please rest assured, Duke Zhenguo. Leave everything to me. The intelligence has been delivered. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

"Walk slowly without sending."

Watching Jiang Chaoyun leave, Shen Lang pondered how to find an opportunity to talk to Northern Yan and see if he could exchange grain for the desolate Gobi Desert north of Bingzhou.

Back when he joined the army in Bingzhou, Shen Lang had already noticed that there were huge mineral resources beneath the Gobi Desert, but the people of Northern Yan themselves were unaware of it.

"Let's go back and discuss this with Xuan'er. If we can successfully exchange grain for land, then the matter will be easily resolved."

Thinking of this, he immediately headed towards Shuixuan Residence.

"See the Emperor!"

As soon as they entered the palace gate, Qingwen and Amber bowed to Shen Lang in unison.

At this moment, the two women had faint smiles on their faces, their cheeks slightly flushed as if hinting at something.

Shen Lang noticed this but didn't point it out, pretending not to know: "No need for formalities. Where is His Majesty?"

Qingwen: "Your Majesty, Her Majesty is resting in bed. She instructed me that Your Majesty may go to her to inquire about the reason upon returning to the palace."

"Oh, I see."

Shen Lang responded and then strode into the Shui Xuan Residence room.

“Ah Lang…”

Upon entering the inner room, he saw Jiang Mengxuan lying on her side on the windowsill, gazing at Shen Lang with affection.

You're going to be a father.

"what?"

Instantly, Shen Lang turned into a "ha cat," staring at Jiang Mengxuan with a completely bewildered expression.