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

"How can a small, insignificant state sit alongside the ruler of a superior nation?"

"Your Highness is too kind. Chu and Qi are not subordinate to each other. You and I are both rulers of the same country and should be treated as equals. Your Highness, please take a seat."

Hearing Jiang Mengxuan's words, Tian Ying was flattered and sat down at the tea table next to the Empress.

Qingwen served each of them a cup of tea at the right time, and then stepped back behind Jiang Mengxuan.

Jiang Mengxuan picked up the teacup and asked softly, "Your Highness, have you come to see me at this time because you have already thought about the conditions I mentioned to you at the teahouse?"

Tian Ying: "Yes, but there are still some things I don't fully understand about the deal Your Majesty mentioned to me before, so I came here specifically to ask Your Majesty to explain it to me in more detail."

Jiang Mengxuan nodded: "I understand. Then I'll explain it to you in more detail. Before at the teahouse, I told you that there are two types of iron ore trading models."

One option is to buy out the mining rights for your country's mineral resources for the next few years in a single transaction, after which the mining operations will be entirely managed by your country's own mine owners.

Another payment method is a profit-sharing system, where profits from mined ore are shared among the shareholders. However, this takes into account your country's specific circumstances.

The equipment for mining will still be provided by my Chu Kingdom; however, your country will only receive a small portion of the profits.

For the first thirty years, the profit distribution is tentatively set at 70/30, with your country receiving only 30%. A new profit distribution plan will be discussed after thirty years.

However, this dividend is sustainable, flowing in continuously every year. I wonder which trade method Your Highness intends to choose?

Tian Ying carefully calculated it, but still didn't quite understand, so she said to Jiang Mengxuan, "Your Majesty, I'm not very familiar with these business matters."

"Could you give me some advice on which option would benefit Qi the most?"

Jiang Mengxuan said, "From my perspective, it would naturally be best to acquire all the mining rights at once, but if we want to profit in the long term..."

Naturally, profit sharing is more advantageous, but ultimately it depends on Your Highness's choice.

After thinking it over, Tian Ying decided to choose long-term cooperation and opted for the second trade model: "Your Majesty, I choose the second model to cooperate with the State of Chu in the long term. However, I have one more condition, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it."

Jiang Mengxuan: "Your Highness, please don't be so polite, please speak."

Tian Ying: "I think the State of Chu can provide the State of Qi with a batch of your army's weapons at a low price to arm the Qi army."

Jiang Mengxuan narrowed her eyes: "How much weaponry does your country need?"

Tian Ying: "Three thousand rifles, and we hope you can also provide six infantry guns."

Jiang Mengxuan smiled slightly: "As long as an agreement is reached with your country, then your country will be an ally of my Chu Kingdom. Chu Kingdom will naturally fulfill its obligations as an ally. I will send these cannons and rifles to you at that time."

Tian Ying was taken aback: "Your Majesty, have you agreed?"

"You have no joke."

Tian Ying was completely taken aback by the Empress's decisive and straightforward reply.

Such powerful firearms would not be easily shown to other countries, yet the Empress was willing to use them to support her.

Is this what a grand vision looks like?

In an instant, Tian Ying's admiration for Jiang Mengxuan deepened even further.

"Your Majesty, I don't know how to thank you enough. If you ever need anything in the future, Qi will do its best to fulfill your request."

"Your Highness is too kind. We hit it off immediately. I happen to be inspecting the military camps right now. Would Your Highness be willing to accompany me?"

"I swear to follow Your Majesty to the death at Your Majesty's invitation."

Jiang Mengxuan was somewhat taken aback by Tian Ying's heartfelt enthusiasm, so she simply got up and walked out of the governor's mansion.

Tian Ying hurriedly followed, and the two walked one after the other towards the military camp inside the city.

At this moment, the local garrison in Haizhou camp had all cut off their queues and were standing in a group in the drill ground, receiving instructions from Li Jing, the brigade commander of the Imperial Guard.

"Can any of you tell me who you are?"

"What is your purpose in becoming sergeants?"

"Is it to live a life of idleness and waiting for death, to defend one's country, or to be loyal to the emperor in Shengjing?"

He glanced around at the crowd; their faces were all blank, as if they themselves didn't know why they had joined the army.

After all, they had taken over the position from their fathers, and with almost no military pay, they lived in poverty and ignorance, not knowing what the purpose of joining the army was.

Li Jing: "Do you know why you were defeated? Was it because my Chu army had superior artillery fire? If you think that, you are sorely mistaken."

"The biggest reason you were defeated by us is that you, as soldiers, did not know why you were fighting."

"They had no thoughts or ideas, and when they were oppressed by those military officers and soldiers, they didn't dare to stand up and resist."

"An army without a soul, even if you are given the same equipment, will still be nothing more than a helpless rabble."

"However, don't be discouraged, because from now on, I will help you regain your dignity as soldiers as quickly as possible!"

"Now, everyone, face left and begin the ten-lap run around the training ground. Hurry up!"

At Li Jing's command, two thousand former Haizhou soldiers immediately began to run.

The Empress and Tian Ying stood side by side at a distance, watching.

"Your Majesty, have these former Wu Zhao troops already submitted to your command?"

"Yes, Haizhou is now part of my Chu Kingdom's territory. This is inseparable from the local support. I am new here, and if I want to completely stabilize the security of Haizhou, I will have to rely on them in the future."

Upon hearing this, Tian Ying nodded: "But these officers and soldiers have become accustomed to accepting bribes, they..."

"That was before. Now that they have chosen to join the Chu army, those bad habits and vices of the past must be completely eradicated."

After Jiang Mengxuan finished speaking, she walked towards another military camp.

When Tian Ying saw the scene of this military camp, she was greatly surprised.

Inside the camp, Chu soldiers moved in an orderly fashion, changing their military postures repeatedly in response to the officers' commands.

They didn't seem to have any cultivation fluctuations, but they possessed an aura that would make even a mountain collapse before them stand firm.

"This is the army of the Chu Kingdom. What do you think, Your Highness?"

"Your Majesty, how did you manage to be so different in spirit and demeanor compared to those former Wu Zhao troops?"

Jiang Mengxuan smiled faintly: "This is not my achievement, but my husband's. He single-handedly created this army that has fought all over the world."

I brought these to show you to remind you that an army cannot function solely on advanced weaponry; it also requires a proper level of training.

"Are you really only planning to take the weapons and not have me send instructors to train them?"

Tian Ying's eyes lit up: "Does Your Majesty mean you are willing to help my Qi Kingdom train its army?"

Jiang Mengxuan: "That's natural. After all, Haizhou is too far from the Chu Kingdom's mainland. If my friendly nations become stronger, they can better protect my interests."

Upon hearing this, Tian Ying was so moved that she almost burst into tears.

"Your Majesty, you are so good to me. I am willing to follow you forever."

At this moment, Tian Ying completely transformed into the Empress's devoted fan.