The Empress caught Zhang Jian's gaze and smiled slightly.
"Mother entered the palace today!"
Zhang Jian said calmly, "You don't need to mind Mother-in-law's words. As the Great Xia Emperor, only I can control the world, not the world controlling me!"
This was his confidence.
As the founding Great Xia Emperor, he didn't need to make too many concessions, allowing for greater maneuverability.
Looking at Zhang Jian, who was vibrant and exuding an increasingly rich Emperor's might, the Empress's eyes showed a hint of undisguised tenderness.
She said softly.
"I know you care for me, Your Majesty, but indeed, I have considered this matter."
"Even ordinary officials have three or four wives, yet you have been with me alone for over twenty years, never having other thoughts, leaving everything in the household to me!"
"If it were in my original humble home, it would be fine, but now you are the Great Xia Emperor, setting an example for the world, I will naturally strive to assist you."
"Sometimes marriage alliances are essential measures, and if one alliance can reduce unnecessary loss and risk for your reign, I will surely support you in achieving this reign of Saintly Virtue!"
Hearing this, Zhang Jian glanced at the Empress and laughed.
"Madam has thought of many things!"
He glanced at her, knowing that saying such words must have come from a heart full of grievances.
He could have resolutely refused, but he didn't.
The Great Xia was in need of rebuilding, and the Six Palaces initially needed new Beauties, to fill them.
Traditions of the ancestors still needed to be established.
Without rules, there is no circle, and future Great Xia emperors and kings needed constraints.
Simply put, he could favor the Empress uniquely, but future emperors could not do so, even if just for show, they needed to enrich the Imperial Court and give birth to more talents for the Imperial Family.
Not selecting Beauties for the palace was unrealistic.
The selection of princesses and daughters from the Beichu Royal Family to enter the palace was truly needed, to reduce old Beichu subordinate resistance to Great Xia.
It could also help bridge the gap between the peoples of the two nations and heal blood feuds quickly.
The Empress clapped her hands, and Zhang Jian's eyes moved; from the palace behind them, two exceptionally beautiful women with rich figures emerged, each wearing elegant and exquisite palace attire.
This particular palace dress was graceful, yet the front was slightly low, unable to conceal their creamy-white skin.
"What does Madam have planned?"
Zhang Jian glanced at the Empress, pretending not to know.
The Empress said blandly.
"Your Majesty, Yu Yao and Qu Lian have been with me since they were about thirteen or fourteen. Now they've grown old and cannot leave the palace. It would be best if you grant them a favor so no one else pines after them..."
She spoke with a double meaning.
Zhang Jian was speechless, looking at the Empress, he said.
"I never expected the Empress to become so generous so suddenly!"
The Empress snorted lightly upon hearing this.
"Was I always miserly?"
Zhang Jian laughed when he saw her reaction.
"Of course not, Madam has always been virtuous and graceful, managing household affairs so methodically, if not for your willingness to help, my Zhang Family wouldn't have risen so rapidly!"
Zhang Jian chose the most pleasant words to comfort her.
At this moment, the court was busy with trivial matters, and Zhang Jian didn't linger.
The expeditionary force had succeeded, and he still needed to draft the reward lists, ensuring each general received appropriate accolades.
The worst sin in warfare is unclear rewards and unfair distributions!
The Empress watched as Zhang Jian's figure hurriedly left, her smile faded, replaced by a more complex sigh.
Becoming this nation's mother, she didn't know if it was a blessing or a curse.
But she quickly readjusted her mindset.
The Emperor already had a Madam Bai, which didn't affect her much.
What's more, her entwined years with Zhang Jian ensured her empire court position was unshakeable.
Half a month later, the expeditionary force triumphantly returned, the court dispatching numerous civil and military officials, alongside Second Prince Zhang Zhao, representing the Great Xia Emperor to personally greet the returning generals at the Imperial City gates.
In that instant, Haojing City, already buzzing, reached its pinnacle of excitement once more.
...
Three years passed like a fleeting moment.
Beichu had fallen, and Great Xia's reconquest of the Northern Land was now three years past.
With three years of recuperation, Great Xia's national strength grew day by day.
With political clarity established in the early days, combined with the Emperor's efforts to thoroughly investigate land distribution and curb corruption, the country's situation improved markedly.
Over these years, thanks to the Great Nong Temple's relentless promotion of numerous excellent crops, the people's grain and finances markedly improved.
These superior crops, compared to previous fruits, vegetables, and grain seeds, showed distinct differences.
Not only were they drought and pest resistant, but their yield also dramatically increased.
This alone saved countless lives.
Not to mention the grand redistribution of land, allowing many impoverished, landless people to gain holdings, revitalizing Great Xia's vitality.
The Great Xia Court also encouraged commerce, revitalized crafts, reduced taxes, and allowed wealth to remain with the people.
Today, smiles were increasingly common on the faces of people across the land.
The reputation of the Saintly Virtue Emperor sank deeper into the hearts of the people.
...
In Haojing City, by the Dragon-Suppressing Well.
The surrounding abandoned palaces had been cleaned and replaced by sections of rustic red palaces.
These palaces were arranged per the Five Elements and Bagua, with many skilled artisans bustling within.
In the square, silhouettes commanded with loud voices, many figures surrounded by Spiritual Light performing Magic.
At the center, several Earth Fire Spring Eyes emitted a red glow.
The original Earth Sha True Dragon Well had been abolished, and a new connection was made with the Earth Vein, linking it to the deep subterranean fire.
This area now formed a vast square, arranged in a Nine Palaces Bagua layout.
At the center stood several enormous bronze tripods, towering nine zhang high, covered with images of mountain rivers, or sun and moon god-devil illustrations.
From a distance, one felt a dominating power, as though countless Dragon Qi encircled.
"These are the nine tripods the Ancient Saint King used to suppress the Dragon Vein. Their divine power is grand and profoundly exquisite!"
In the distance, many cultivators watched this scene.
Several elders of the Dong Generation from the Dong Shen Temple stood at a corner observing.
They had recently returned to Haojing City with Song Yingzhen.
With the assignment of land completed successfully, this journey counted as duly accomplished, earning substantial rewards, including various Heavenly and Earthly Treasures from the national treasury, bringing a smile to the Daoists from the Dong Shen Temple.
Dong Jue Daoist watched with curious eyes.
Such Dragon Vein Secret Technique was rare indeed.
Especially the Dragon Suppression Secret Technique inherited under the Saint King Dao Lineage.
Even if its profundity was elusive, witnessing it was good experience.
She also wanted to see what mysteries the Saint King Dao Lineage's Supreme Secret Technique held to suppress an ancient era?
At another corner, Zhang Jian, donned in the Emperor's Robe, stood at the center of the nine Earth Fire Spring Eyes.
Over three years, he had finally assembled all the materials for the nine tripods.
Once complete, Great Xia's destiny would be firmly established, and the Saint King's Great Dao hopeful.
Even facing large Immortal Sects alone, he'd be more confident!