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

"Madam, think about it carefully. If you were the leader of the Hu people, would you be willing to enjoy a comfortable life with your tribe, gradually lose your prestige among your people, and eventually become indistinguishable from them?"

Or would they rather be the light of their faith in harsh conditions? The answer is obvious: no matter how difficult things are for the tribal chief, their life is definitely more comfortable than that of the tribe's people.

Their allegiance to the State of Chu didn't significantly enhance their own strength. Instead, what would they think when their clansmen, who once revered them like gods, gradually stopped looking up to them?

Jiang Mengxuan gave a wry smile: "It seems I underestimated these Hu people. After your explanation, I understand the reason."

Upon closer reflection, it does seem that the conditions offered by the Wu Zhao Kingdom were indeed more generous, after all, they had hundreds of millions of people to support them.

Of course, I wouldn't agree to such generous terms.

Shen Lang: "Therefore, the question of whether going to war with Wu Zhao Kingdom would affect the people is simply non-existent."

In recent days, I have analyzed the intelligence transmitted by Ban Dingyuan and come to a very serious conclusion.

That's the structure of the common people in Wu Zhao Kingdom; it's already collapsed, and it can't get much worse.

Jiang Mengxuan was taken aback: "If the common people collapse, wouldn't that put the entire dynasty on the verge of destruction?"

Shen Lang shook his head: "Not necessarily. Wu Zhao's situation is rather unique. The country is rich but the people are weak. The people are under Li Hong's oppressive rule."

They were already numb, like worms, accustomed to poverty and exploitation. If war broke out, they wouldn't even need to worry about their people reacting.

In fact, if used properly, it could even become an asset to us.

Jiang Mengxuan nodded thoughtfully: "So, once Chu and Wu Zhao go to war, Wu Zhao will not only have to face the army of our Great Chu, but also their own people?"

Shen Lang smiled slightly: "Perhaps, those so-called friendly nations will also become our help, who knows?"

Jiang Mengxuan: "Since that's the case, let's go to war with Wu Zhao. I plan to personally lead the army to Wu Zhao."

Shen Lang: "If my wife insists on going to the battlefield, then I will have no choice but to accompany her, even at the cost of my life. However, this expedition is no small matter."

We must be fully prepared so that this battle will secure the greatest possible benefit for our Chu state, and in doing so, establish Chu's influence in the western continent.

Jiang Mengxuan: "It seems my husband had anticipated this all along?"

Shen Lang smiled without saying a word: "It's all about being prepared for a rainy day."

Jiang Mengxuan: "Currently, our Great Chu has sufficient war material reserves, the only problem is ocean transportation..."

Shen Lang: "Currently, each of the naval fleets has two large supply ships, and each of the five fleets has one accompanying them, which can guarantee the living and logistical needs of the ocean-going fleets for a year at sea."

Moreover, the sea route to the Western Continent is entirely comprised of our Chu colonies. We can order them to prepare supplies in advance, which will make up for all the expenses incurred from our homeland to the Wu Zhao Sea.

We could also occupy the surrounding sea kingdoms of Wu Zhao before the war even begins, but…

He then changed the subject: "To ensure the success of this expedition, I think we should also involve private transportation companies."

Jiang Mengxuan thought for a moment: "As of last week, there were about 27 private shipyards in my Chu Kingdom, of which only two met the qualifications for ocean-going operations."

However, their largest merchant ships could only transport about two thousand tons of goods at a time, and whether they could withstand the storms of long-distance ocean voyages was also a question.

“There’s no need to consider that at all,” Shen Lang replied with a smile. “As long as they are willing to accept ocean shipping orders, then we will sign the relevant contracts, and all the consequences must be borne by these transportation companies themselves.”

Jiang Mengxuan nodded: "Okay, I'll do whatever you say. What should we do about the cabinet?"

"cabinet?"

Shen Lang grabbed the fishing rod and pulled the fishing line sharply.

Then a ten-pound carp soared directly into the void.

"Let's wait for Ban Dingyuan to return before making a decision. Whether to fight or make peace depends on what they have to say."

Jiang Mengxuan picked up the carp and frowned: "How do you plan to eat this carp?"

Shen Lang: "Adding orange peel to the soup makes it even more delicious."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan and Shen Lang exchanged a smile.

……

Time flies. On June 12th, at the port of Jinling, the Ban Dingyuan delegation, after more than three years, finally set foot on the land of the Great Chu again.

Early in the morning, Shen Lang and his generals and officials were already waiting at the port.

He only smiled when he saw Ban Dingyuan's figure appear on the deck...

The two of them, along with Ban Zhao, rode in a four-wheeled carriage back to the palace.

Ban Zhao carefully surveyed the bright and dazzling city, her eyes filled with hope and reassurance.

Ban Dingyuan also sighed: "I didn't expect that this place would change so much in just three years."

Shen Lang, who was observing the materials sent by Ban Dingyuan, casually remarked upon hearing this: "Not only Jinling, but the entire Great Chu has undergone considerable changes in the past three years. You can experience it for yourself later."

After saying that, he glanced at Xiao Banzhao and asked, "Is this the sister you adopted?"

Ban Dingyuan hurriedly said, "Commander, I'll have to trouble you again. Could you please make an exception this time?"

I need to help my little sister register her household registration. I'm thinking of sending her to school next year; she's a very smart child.

Upon hearing this, Ban Zhao stood up, walked to Shen Lang, and respectfully curtsied, saying, "Greetings, Your Excellency."

Shen Lang gently stroked Ban Zhao's head: "Little sister, do you like it here?"

"Ah."

Ban Zhao responded meekly, her eyes filled with confusion as she looked at Shen Lang.

Shen Lang nodded: "Alright, just because you're called Ban Zhao, I'll pull some strings for you. Tomorrow, have your brother go directly to the General Affairs Department, and someone will take care of your household registration."

"Thank you principal."

Ban Dingyuan immediately thanked him.

Shen Lang casually took out a pendant and handed it to Ban Zhao: "Xiao Zhao, it's fate that we met today. I'll give you this pendant as a gift."

Ban Zhao glanced at Ban Dingyuan, and seeing him close his eyes for a moment, she accepted the gift: "Thank you for your reward, sir."

"Just call me Uncle, calling me 'adult' is too formal, hahaha."

After the joke, Shen Lang turned to Ban Dingyuan seriously and said, "I'm asking you, should Wu Zhao have been beaten or not?"

"We have to fight."

Ban Dingyuan replied directly.

"Principal, I've never felt such a strong desire to go to war in my entire life. You haven't seen how Wu Zhao Kingdom treats living people..."

"They've been domesticated into animals devoid of any dignity! Our Great Chu's declaration of war against Wu Zhao is absolutely a just war!"

Shen Lang frowned: "Is it really that exaggerated?"

Ban Dingyuan: "Principal, how would you feel if you saw a living person being tortured to the point that even bowing down was a luxury?"

Shen Lang smiled and said, "You should know that I am a very rational person and I am not easily swayed by emotions."

Ban Dingyuan replied, "Principal, I am also a rational person, but this time..."

I intend to act on my impulses and launch a war against Wu Zhao, to completely awaken this fallen nation!