Zhang Changle and Zhang Ju are currently hunting down Mu Ye, but there is no concrete news yet.
Si Xitong asked Xie Meixiang to investigate Jack's identity. Sure enough, the investigation revealed that Jack had been a captain in a naval research and development unit in Anluo. He had retired early because he had offended an Anluo noble.
As a captain and a member of the research and development department, she naturally wouldn't let Jack go.
Si Xitong secretly sent someone to sign an agreement with Jack, promising that if he obediently served in the Central Plains for five years, he would be released to go home.
When Jack heard that according to the laws of the Central Plains, he was to be exiled, but the monarch, out of compassion and pity for his repentance, gave him a chance to atone for the sins of the Central Plains.
Jack signed without hesitation.
After Jack signed the agreement, Si Xitong informed Marilyn that Jack intended to stay, and that a contract had been drafted by both parties.
Marilyn's expression changed immediately.
Because this was an agreement signed by the Emperor, Jack couldn't decide for himself whether he could return without the Emperor's permission. If she brought Jack back without permission, it would be tantamount to breaking him out of prison.
She couldn't afford to risk damaging relations between the two countries.
Marilyn was unwilling to give up and demanded to see Jack. Si Xitong refused, keeping all news about Jack tightly under wraps.
At this time, Jack had been assigned to a place in Jiujin to start making a simulated model ship for the officials of the Ministry of Works.
They began to teach them about ships and the principles of physics.
Many people became Jack's students. When the students asked Jack if his country was very prosperous and powerful, and if everyone could travel by boat and sail?
Jack regretfully told these students from the Central Plains that even in his country, only merchants and soldiers were qualified to sail. The poor could only do odd jobs on the ships, such as wiping floors, and were not qualified to sail.
Everyone was very disappointed. Because in their view, the poor are the same everywhere – they are not treated well.
It wasn't until Jack told them that if there were enough ships, and the emperor allowed ordinary people to sail, perhaps the shipbuilding industry could be broken from its monopoly. At this point, Jack gradually became attracted to these studious students.
He never inquired about the whereabouts of the other pirates, because he knew most of them were dead.
Xie Lanzhi returned from Weidu, and the Zhang brothers also sent news of Muye.
Xie Lanzhi received intelligence that Mu Ye was actually a disciple of the Mohist school and a fellow disciple of Xu Xie, the leader of the Mohist school.
She specifically sought out Lu Qing, who had just received a reply from her husband, which Qianqian, who was beside her, had read several times. Confirming her father was alright, she was overjoyed.
Xie Lanzhi asked her, "Given the relationship between Mu Ye and the Grand Master, you should know who the other party is?"
Lu Qing said, "That stinky tycoon told me in the letter that Mu Ye is indeed San Liangzi, but unfortunately he has gone mad with qi deviation."
“Sanliangzi has been extreme since he was a child. If it weren’t for his second senior brother keeping him in check, he probably would have caused a huge upheaval long ago. It’s pretty much the same now. He’s aiding and abetting evil and causing the deaths of so many innocent civilians.”
"His crimes are beyond redemption."
Lu Qing also revealed that the second senior brother of the Mo family was killed by the retired emperor. Now that the retired emperor has been dead for more than 20 years, he fears that Mu Ye will not be able to find anyone to avenge him, and therefore harbors resentment towards the current emperor.
Xie Lanzhi, of course, wouldn't let him off the hook. He caused the deaths of nearly ten thousand Xie soldiers in the delta. Those were all her people.
Lu Qing also told her some bad news: Mu Ye had taken the Giant's sniper rifle and left.
Where would Makino go with a sniper rifle?
Xie Lanzhi guessed. Mu Ye would come to Tianjing!
She couldn't help but ask, "The late emperor was the chief disciple of the Mohist school. Did he also resent him?"
Lu Qing remained silent; her helpless expression revealed that Mu Ye was beyond saving. A man of immense talent had lived on hatred, even inviting foreign invasion of his homeland. It was clear how many innocent people his hatred for the retired emperor had implicated.
His hatred has transcended friend and foe. He's simply killing for the past! In the end, it solves nothing.
Xie Lanzhi commented on this, saying, "A walking corpse."
She must return to the palace immediately and stay by the little phoenix's side at all times.
It was the early days of the Western Jin Dynasty, and the Spring Festival was just half a month away. The first thing the Western Jin would do upon its founding was to establish diplomatic relations with Anluo. Then, the two sides would sign a trade agreement, granting them freedom of navigation at sea.
Xie Lanzhi had seen Anluo in Aqina's dream. Although he did not invade the Central Plains, he took advantage of the situation and seized a lot of resources from the Central Plains.
Anro even used the tactic of stationing troops to gradually undermine the unity of various countries in order to expand his own power.
It's a good thing that Little Phoenix has now washed away the stains of history.
The next step is to be wary of Anro during the cooperation.
Xie Lanzhi thought for a moment, then glanced at Lu Qing, who was staring intently at the letter. Remembering the leader of the Mohist school, a thought flashed through her mind: perhaps it was time to bring the Mohist leader back to the Central Plains.
From Lu Qing's attitude, it can be inferred that the leader of the Mohist school harbors no resentment towards the Central Plains.
With Aqina dead, the leader of the Mohist school no longer owes anyone anything. The Northern Xiongnu are no longer worthy of enjoying his talent.
"Lu Qing, you must miss the Grand Master very much?"
"Qianqian will be nine years old after the New Year. Do you miss your father?"
Qianqian nodded immediately. Lu Qing, on the other hand, became wary: "Marshal, what are you planning to do?"
Xie Lanzhi smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm too busy praising the Grand Master. Besides, His Majesty needs him to serve us."
"The establishment of the Western Jin Dynasty now requires a lot of preparation, and the Grand Master is also a member of the Western Jin Dynasty."
"Isn't it the Mohist school?" Lu Qing asked with a complicated tone, "Just the Grand Master."
Xie Lanzhi fell silent. Instead of sending Qianqian away, she stared at Qianqian and said, "The ideals of the Mo family are too lofty. You and I both know that they cannot be achieved in a short time."
"But the Western Jin Dynasty would accept some of the Mohist ideas, then discard the dross and gradually correct them. It might not be possible within a hundred years, but what about two hundred years?"
"As long as the seeds take root and sprout, sooner or later more and more people will accept the idea that everyone is equal and there is no distinction between superiors and inferiors."
Upon hearing this, Lu Qing's shock was no surprise to Aza.
"Marshal, you, you are...."
Xie Lanzhi said, "I know I come from a powerful family and a family of military generals, so saying this is not in line with my position. You may not believe me, or even think I'm being hypocritical."
"I am clearly a beneficiary, how can I undermine my own cause?"
"But Lu Qing, have you ever thought that we are all human beings? As long as we are human beings, we should be allowed to live in this world like human beings."
Every human being should be allowed to live in the world like a human being.
Lu Qing's gaze gradually became complicated. In the past, she thought that His Majesty was the most special one because His Majesty possessed the ideals and open-mindedness that aligned with the Mohist school. These were the qualities that the Mohist school wanted to see.
Only now did she realize that the one influencing His Majesty was herself. Marshal Xie Lanzhi.
Finally, she bowed solemnly to her: "I beg the Marshal to bring my son to the new Tianjing and contribute to the construction of the Western Jin Dynasty."
"Alright!" Xie Lanzhi returned the greeting with a cupped hand. Finally, she patted Qianqian's head, and under Qianqian's puzzled gaze, Xie Lanzhi turned and mounted a horse, heading back to the palace.
Qianqian looked at the figure in the distance and said, "Marshal Sister seems very happy."
Lu Qing said proudly, "Of course it's because of your father! Your father will definitely be willing to return to the Central Plains to serve, and then the construction of the entire Western Jin Dynasty will have your father's disciples."
As she spoke, she patted Qianqian's head: "And you, you must study hard. And then become someone like Marshal Sister."
Qianqian nodded, still somewhat bewildered.
Later, Qianqian changed her name to Lu You. She became the first female captain in the history of the Western Jin Dynasty and traveled around the world.
Xie Lanzhi returned to Lanzhang Palace but did not see Si Xitong. She then realized that Si Xitong would be busy until very late again today.
Si Xitong appointed three ministers at Jianzhang Palace: Wang Zheng, Lü Qing, and Hai Yun. The three were appointed Ministers of Personnel, Revenue, and Justice, respectively.
Wang Zheng, a minister who had personally experienced the battlefield, was promoted to Minister of Personnel. Lü Qing became Minister of Revenue. Hai Yun became Minister of Justice.
Wu Qiu was officially appointed Minister of War, abolishing the position of Right Chancellor. Li Ling became Minister of Rites. Wei Zhao became Minister of Works. Wei Gong was appointed Right Vice Minister. A Zha was appointed Left Vice Minister. Lu Qing also became the first Assistant Minister of Works.
Many ministers initially disagreed with Lu Qing's appointment as Assistant Minister of Works. However, after lobbying by Ministers Wu Qiu, Li Ling, and Wang Zheng, other departments learned of Lu Qing's significant role in the war, which surprised many.
It turns out that the anesthetic powder used on wounded soldiers was developed by Lu Qing.
Her title of "Master of the Household" was well-deserved.
However, many people worry that the Six Ministries are focusing too much on the Ministry of Works, fearing an imbalance of power.
Si Xitong had already considered this point; she re-established a Customs Department, subordinate to the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War. In other words, officials from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War could enter the Customs Department through examinations.
The other four departments recognized the future potential of the Customs Department and requested its opening to increase the number of officials in the four departments.
Si Xitong agreed. However, the prerequisite was passing a written assessment and then completing a year-long internship at the entry level before being offered a permanent position. She would receive a lower salary than other applicants, but it wasn't a complete loss of opportunity.
This system of mutual exchange and reliance between departments alleviates the pressure of transferring newly added officials in the four ministries, increases the pressure of elections, selects the best and most capable, eliminates incompetent officials, and avoids redundant staff.
Si Xitong was busy until midnight before returning to Lanzhang Palace.
Xie Lanzhi lay on the tea table, almost falling asleep while waiting. She had good hearing and noticed faint footsteps at the door.
She quickly looked up: "Little Phoenix."
"I'm back." Si Xitong stepped into the palace and walked towards Xie Lanzhi.
The two stood facing each other, having not spent time alone together for many days, their eyes filled with longing for one another.
Xie Lanzhi removed the phoenix crown from her and massaged her shoulders. Si Xitong took the opportunity to lie in her arms, and the two of them walked towards the hot spring pool in the back hall.
Marilyn proactively contacted Twin Islands to travel to Anro, wanting to report the fighting there to her motherland.
However, news that returned revealed that Venice had already informed its motherland of the Delta War. Furthermore, Venice claimed that it and a man from the Central Plains named Li had personally observed the battle at sea.
Venice concealed the sinking of Joseph because they feared that Duke Alexander, who was connected to Joseph, would find out. They blamed themselves.
Venice then relayed Li's account verbatim to the old king.
In truth, Venice was unaware of the situation in the Central Plains seas. It assumed Li was well-informed, but Li was oblivious. It was simply a case of being blinded by a superior nation's mentality.
Unexpectedly, the deception fooled Venice. Venice believed that even if he was wrong and discovered, he could use Li from the Central Plains as a shield, since Li had told him everything about the Central Plains.
In the end, everyone will just think that the people of the Central Plains are cunning.
Although Marilyn felt that Venice had not entered the Central Plains at all, she did not expose him.
Anluo is set to establish diplomatic relations with the Western Jin Dynasty in just half a month, so there's no need to delay trade between the two great powers over such a trivial matter. As long as Anluo can establish trade with the Western Jin Dynasty, her motherland will be able to crush the surrounding countries.
Later, Marilyn visited the Ministry of Works and discovered that the Central Plains' weapons were not advanced. She found this strange; if their weapons were outdated, how could the Central Plains still defeat the Shenyas Legion?
The mere defeat of the God As Legion was enough to shock the entire Western world.
Because the God As Legion is essentially a mobile armed force, ranking among the top three in the West. Even if Anro were to fight the God As Legion, he wouldn't dare say he could defeat them immediately. It might take months or even years.
Meanwhile, the Shenyas Legion was annihilated in the Central Plains in less than half a month. The excellent ship engineer Jack was also unfortunately captured.
Marilyn's every move was under Si Xitong's control. She was well aware of the strength of the overseas forces, and that the Western Jin Dynasty could not completely overtake them for the time being. At this time, information warfare was extremely important.
Si Xitong secretly initiated an information warfare operation, instructing the Western Guard to target the Anluo envoy delegation in Fengxi Town. From then on, no matter what Marilyn said, the envoy delegation would not agree with her.