After announcing to the world and starting to plan the Western Expedition, Liu Mingzhi never left the palace for many days.
All the food and accommodation were in the back hall of Qinzheng Hall, silently waiting for the soldiers of the Hu Xiang Guard to escort Lu Fengshuang back to the capital.
Sisters Hu Yanjunyao and Yun Xiaoxi gave birth to a son and a daughter to Liu Mingzhi many days ago. Only then did Liu Mingzhi take time out of the palace for half a day to silently guard the birth of the two daughters.
Huyan Yunyao gave birth to a son named Liu Zhengwen, and Yun Xiaoxi gave birth to a daughter named Liu Keke.
A pair of children have been added to his knees. In the past, Liu Mingzhi would have been so happy that he could smile from ear to ear, and he would definitely be by his sisters' side.
But now Liu Mingzhi's focus was entirely on the important matter of another western expedition. After confirming that the two women and children were safe, he left the mansion and returned to the palace again.
At that time, watching Liu Mingzhi's back hurriedly away, the Queen supported the court pillar and retched several times, smiled and caressed her flat belly, and temporarily concealed the fact that she was pregnant with Liujia again.
The Queen knew in her heart that if she told the heartless person that she was pregnant again, he would definitely be distracted.
Knowing that state affairs were of paramount importance, the Queen chose to hide the good news with her sisters and did not tell Liu Mingzhi.
In the Qinzheng Hall, Liu Mingzhi was standing in front of a map with a group of military attachés, discussing softly.
After a long time, Liu Mingzhi handed the bamboo pole to Song Qing and asked him to continue discussing countermeasures with the military attachés. He then turned and walked towards Gumo Rongrong who was sitting on the chair.
Looking at the beauty's round belly, Liu Mingzhi's eyes were full of guilt.
"Rong Rong! Thank you for your hard work."
"It's okay, I came by carriage, I'm not too tired!"
"I asked you to send people to inform the kings of the Western Regions to assist the commander-in-chief Zhang Mo in raising grain and grass. Isn't it all done?"
"Don't worry, husband, everything is done."
"It's really hard for you. However, food and grass are of great importance. I really don't feel safe leaving it to those officials from Honglu Temple who speak Western Regions.
You are the only person around your husband who understands the dialect of the Western Regions and can accurately convey your husband's words.
At the same time, my husband has also sent a message to Zhang Mo, asking him to treat the kings of the Western Regions in a peaceful manner and not to cause a rift over the collection of grain and grass and damage the relationship between the Western Regions and the imperial court.
If you and I work together, there shouldn't be much of a problem with the food supply.
By the way, after my husband returned to the imperial court, you were still in the Western Regions and did not lead troops and horses with Commander Zhang to come to the east to come to the rescue. Have you ever heard of the rumors about the country of Dashi and Parthia?"
Gu Mo Rongrong thought for a while: "I have heard something about it, but it's not very detailed.
At the beginning, my husband, you marched westward and stopped your troops in the Kingdom of Dayuan. Later, you ordered the Kingdom of Dayuan, Dayuezhi and other countries to continue to hunt down the remaining troops and horses of the Parthian countries who were unwilling to surrender, and then returned to the court with your troops.
At first, the kings did obey your instructions because of your husband's power. But later, when you led a large army to return to the court, the Western Region fell into civil strife again.
The reason is that after the war in the Western Regions ended, my husband divided some territories and cities of some kingdoms that desperately resisted the Western Expedition army to those countries that initially followed you in the Western Expedition.
Because of your power at that time, those kings agreed very well.
But after you left, there were disputes over the transfer of territory.
A civil strife that lasted for more than two years did not gradually subside until the Anxi Protectorate was established and under the suppression of Zhang Fushuai.
During this period, I accidentally heard about the Parthian Kingdom and a country I had never heard of before, and for some unknown reason, they got into a war.
But husband, you also know that my country, Gumo Kingdom, is the kingdom that has the most cities among all the kingdoms. At that time, everything was waiting for prosperity. After I came to power, I have been focusing on rectifying the internal affairs of the government, so I didn’t pay too much attention to it.
Parthian affairs."
Liu Mingzhi pondered for a while and nodded slightly: "I see, it seems that in so many years, the Parthian Kingdom has either been swallowed up by Dashi, or it has surrendered to the court of Dashi.
Just wait, we will know the specific situation when Lu Feng and Lu Feng enter the palace!
There is a lot of noise in the palace, so you should go back first. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, you must seek medical treatment in time, you know?"
"Yeah, I will take good care of my body and the child in my belly. If there is anything else that needs my help, just ask Chengfeng and the others to notify me."
"I know, slow down on the road."
"Okay, I'll take my leave!"
"Chengfeng, take your aunt back to the house and then come back."
"Yes, Father!"
"Aunt Rongrong, my child is supporting you."
“So sensible!”
The figures of Mo Rongrong and Liu Chengfeng could still be seen in the palace. Song Yu, Minister of the Ministry of War, and Yang Tao, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, walked in quickly holding memorials.
"Your Majesty, Song Yu and Yang Tao, are here to see you!"
"No gift!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"How is the joint preparation between the two departments going?"
"Reporting to your Majesty, it has been tested and is completely feasible. Let Yang Shangshu explain it first."
Yang Tao, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, did not hesitate, lowered his head and opened the memorial in his hand.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, you ordered the gunpowder to be sealed up and let the craftsmen transport it to the Western Regions before reloading the cannonballs. It is indeed feasible.
It completely increased the speed of transporting artillery and artillery shells several times.
Now, the two ministers have jointly dispatched manpower to seal a large amount of gunpowder and load it into trucks. They only need to wait for His Majesty's order to transport it to the Western Regions before the army sets off.
When the army arrives at the countries in the Western Region, the artillery with sufficient shells can be deployed to the army for use at any time."
Liu Mingzhi slapped his hands fiercely: "Okay, great!
Cast as many cannons as you can, and prepare as many cannonballs as you can.
This western expedition was different from the past.
We currently do not understand the terrain, environment and troop strength of the two countries, so rashly engaging in close combat would be irresponsible for the lives of the expeditionary soldiers.
Therefore, if you make one more cannonball, the casualties of several soldiers will be reduced. The lives of the soldiers are much more valuable than the cannonball.
Don’t be afraid of wasting your money. Spend it and capture Tianzhu. The two countries will come back in the end!”
As soon as Liu Mingzhi finished speaking, the voice of Jiang Yuanming, the Minister of Household Affairs, came into the hall.
"Your Majesty is right, as long as the money spent can be returned to the national treasury, I will not hesitate to sell it."
Liu Mingzhi looked towards the palace door and saw Lao Jiang walking into the palace with a memorial in his hands. Liu Mingzhi pointed at Lao Jiang and shook his head with a smile.
"You old thing, why are you so generous this time? Why don't you cry with me about your poverty?"
"Your Majesty, I have also figured it out. This army expedition is no small matter.
It doesn't matter if they win, but if they lose, the money in the treasury may be given to the two small barbarian countries as war reparations.
In this case, I might as well spend my money in real terms, arm our expeditionary army to the teeth, and give these two sons of bitches a small barbarian country a good beating.
No matter how much money you spend, it will all come back in the end.
In this battle, we must bring out the might of my great dragon and the might of my heavenly dynasty.
Let these two small barbarian countries that are not kings, and even the courts in the barbarian lands further away, tremble with fear when they hear the power of my Great Dragon Celestial Dynasty.
He and his mother are nothing more than an old minister!
If this revenge is not avenged, the old minister will not be able to rest in peace even if he dies.
The old minister must make these barbarians who have no understanding of the king's behavior take a long time to remember and let them understand the meaning of the customs clearance documents wholesaled by the old minister.
The so-called customs clearance must not only be unobstructed in the state capitals of Dalong and the subordinate countries, but also be accessible to the whole world.
Otherwise, the four words "Customs Clearance Document" would be inconsistent with the name!
The reputation of my Great Dragon Heavenly Dynasty has been ruined!"
Seeing Lao Jiang gritting his teeth, Young Master Liu, who had been depressed for many days, burst out laughing, causing the officials in the palace to subconsciously look at Liu Mingzhi.
Liu Mingzhi smiled lightly and patted Lao Jiang on the shoulder.
"You old thing is getting more and more far-sighted!
You are right, I must win this battle to establish my great dragon reputation in one fell swoop.
Let all nations in the world, except the Western nations, know that there is a giant dragon that they cannot offend in the far eastern land."
"Your Majesty, Holy Ming!"
"Report, report to Your Majesty.
The officers and soldiers of the Huxiang Guards have escorted the two young masters Lu Feng into the capital, and are now waiting outside the palace gate to see them!"
Liu Mingzhi's eyes narrowed, and the excitement in his eyes was self-evident.
"pass!"
"According to the order! I retire!"
"Chengzhi!"
"My son is here!"
"Inform all the officials in the palace and come to the palace immediately to see you."