The atmosphere in the main hall was tense.Xiao Ming and Hóngyún stared at each other for a long time before Hóngyún let out a soft sigh. “It’s only been half a year, yet Your Highness treats me like a stranger.”“Miss Hóngyún, let’s get to the point. Do we really need to exchange sweet nothings and talk about eternal love? Besides, you’ve always been entangled with the Wáng family. Do you think I don’t know that?” Xiao Ming said indifferently.Hóngyún chuckled lightly. “Your Highness has indeed changed. It seems that over the past five years, Your Highness has truly been biding your time. Back then, I found it strange why a prince of the empire would mingle with the Wáng family.”Xiao Ming frowned and remained silent.Hóngyún had first met Xiao Ming at a banquet hosted by the Wáng family. That very night, Wáng Shìjié had sent Hóngyún to Xiao Ming’s mansion, and Xiao Ming had been overjoyed at the time.But now, things had changed. Looking back, Xiao Ming couldn’t help but feel wary o

Fire tubes? What are those?”Pang Yukun looked puzzled. As a civil official, he had little knowledge of military weapons, so he asked.Fire tubes were the local term for cannons in the Great Yu Empire. The earliest cannons came in various shapes, with tube-like designs being the most common, hence the name “fire tubes.”In Xiao Ming’s previous world, fire tubes were also known as fire lances.Back then, the use of fire lances began in the Song Dynasty and matured during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. By the late Ming Dynasty, the Ming army was heavily equipped with firearms.However, even with firearms more advanced than those of the Qing army, the Ming Dynasty still met its downfall.Therefore, Xiao Ming did not believe in the supremacy of weapons, as it was the people who wielded them that determined the outcome of wars.Over the past few months, Xiao Ming had deeply realized that the core of governance was to unite the people of his fiefdom around him. Only when his commands were fol

Clinton nodded, and after a few seconds, he turned to Frank, looking him in the eyes.“I think I will have to go through this when I can, Mr. Barton.”That didn’t seem like what Frank and the ladies wanted to hear, their eyes stared widely at the young heir.It was hard for them to get rid of the patches of disappointment that was strained all over their faces, their lips parting slowly while they tried to find their words.“Young…” Frank stuttered, and then he turned to the ladies, hoping that one of them was going to help him at that moment, but none of them could say a word.They both shared the same bemusement as he, taking glances at each other before they finally returned their gazes to Clinton, hoping that he was going to change his mind.“But this is a very good deal, Young Master.” Frank finally pushed the words out, staring at Clinton with wide eyes.“I promise you, you will not regret doing business with us.” His voice had become a little bit desperate, his eyes still wide

A gentle, warm breeze wafted through the Bishui Pavilion, carrying with it the faint scent of spring from the newly sprouted greenery in the courtyard.Consort Zhen’s delighted expression did not escape Xiao Wenxuan’s notice. He smiled and said, “However, don’t get too excited just yet. The Fei family is not an easy one to deal with. Prince Qi’s marriage will have to wait for some time.”“As long as the consort is a daughter of the Fei family, it will be worth it even if Ming’er has to wait a few more years. But Your Majesty, please make sure to choose a good one from the Fei family for Ming’er.”“Of course. At the very least, it must be a daughter from the main branch of the Fei family to be worthy of my son. Although Xiao Ming had many faults in the past, a prodigal son who returns is more valuable than gold. Now, he must be worthy of the Fei family.”Consort Zhen nodded. “But Your Majesty, what about Empress Zhao…”“You don’t need to worry about that. The Crown Prince’s consort is

The glaring sunlight extended into the court, illuminating the fine dust particles floating in the air.The heated arguments between civil and military officials, as well as the princes, filled Xiao Wenxuan’s heart with irritation.Like everyone else, he knew that the Great Yu Empire was no match for the barbarians. When Prince Zhao had visited the capital recently, his words had been filled with apprehension about the barbarians.Although Prince Zhao’s underlying message was a plea for more money and supplies from Xiao Wenxuan, it was clear that the once-mighty Zhao family, known as the “Iron Curtain of the North,” was showing signs of strain.Meanwhile, Prince Liang and Prince Yong were barely holding their own against the barbarians’ constant raids. Over the years, the treasury’s funds and the equipment from the Artillery Bureau had been funneled to these three northern princes.Coupled with the annual tribute payments, the Great Yu Empire’s treasury was now empty, leaving no resou