“Long live Your Majesty, ten thousand years!”
“All ministers, rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
At dawn in the Grand Hall of the imperial palace, the thrice-weekly morning court officially commenced.
After receiving the ministers’ greetings, Jiang Mengxuan scanned the hall and asked, “Are there any important matters to report today?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Minister of Rites Lu Yanhui rose from his mat and said, “Your Majesty, this subject has an urgent matter to report.”
“Minister Lu, what is it?”
Lu Yanhui bowed and replied, “Reporting to Your Majesty, the southern state of Li has sent an envoy to our court, claiming that the island of Sanye in the South Dragon Sea belongs to them. They request Your Majesty return it, and in exchange, propose eternal peace between our two nations.”
Jiang Mengxuan said, “Sanye Island has always been part of Great Chu’s territory. Since when did it belong to the Li Empire? Are they not concerned that making such a request might jeopardize the long-standing friendship between our nations?”
Lu Yanhui replied, “Your Majesty, the Li envoy said that even if Great Chu refuses, it doesn’t matter. As of now, Sanye Island has already been occupied by the Li fleet, with both soldiers and martial artists stationed there. What they want now is just a legal justification.”
“What?” Jiang Mengxuan frowned.
“A petty empire like Li dares to provoke Great Chu? Do they really think our military might is just for show?”
She turned to Minister of War Lü Lin. “Minister Lü, you oversee the military. What’s your view on this?”
Lü Lin rose and responded, “Your Majesty, although the Li Empire is small, Sanye Island lies far beyond the reach of our Jinling navy. Moreover, the local sea terrain is highly complex. If we were to dispatch our navy to suppress them, I fear…”
He trailed off, but everyone understood the implication.
In short, despite the Li Empire’s audacity, there was nothing that could be done at present.
It was a helpless truth. Great Chu’s territory was vast, but its control focused mainly on land. Overseas islands, though nominally part of its domain, were almost entirely beyond practical authority.
In fact, since the founding of Great Chu, its maritime territory had been gradually shrinking.
Remote islands and waters were slowly being occupied and eroded by so-called allied states.
The Li Empire was just one reflection of the South Dragon Sea situation.
The key problem was that Great Chu’s conventional naval warships were not suited for long-range operations. Only ships made from spirit-grade materials could function in such distant warfare.
But constructing a single warship from spiritual timber would require at least one-fifth of Great Chu’s annual budget and a vast amount of spiritual Qi to power it. Apart from Wu Zhao Empire, no other nation on the continent could afford such a cost. Read the latest chapters at novelping . com.
Furthermore, on this continent where martial cultivation formed the foundation of power, once a martial artist reached a certain level, they could fly through the air or walk across rivers. While they might not be able to destroy nations with a single palm strike or shatter mountains, they could still move unhindered through entire armies.
Because martial arts were so dominant, technological development in this era was extremely slow.
Even on the battlefield, martial artists remained the main force. Ordinary soldiers were expendable cannon fodder.
So forget about ocean fleets, Gatlings, or Maxims—modern weapons were nothing more than fantasy.
Jiang Mengxuan felt disheartened and shifted her gaze toward Ye Mo, who stood at the head of the ministers.
But Ye Mo sat in complete silence, like a meditating monk, as if none of the proceedings concerned him.
“So, according to all of you, the Li Empire’s invasion of our maritime territory and the expulsion of our people from Sanye Island should just be swept under the rug?”
Lu Yanhui replied, “Your Majesty, we should issue a stern condemnation of the Li Empire and demand a proper explanation for oppressing our citizens on the island.”
“And then?” Jiang Mengxuan pressed. “What happens after the condemnation?”
Lu Yanhui answered, “The matter of Sanye Island… should be tabled for further discussion.”
“Tabled? Further discussion?” Jiang Mengxuan’s expression remained calm, but fury was already boiling inside.
“Minister Lu, since when has the ownership of Sanye Island become a subject of debate?”
Lu Yanhui froze, then quickly dropped to his knees. “Your Majesty, forgive this minister’s lapse in decorum.”
Jiang Mengxuan ignored him and turned her gaze to Lü Lin.
Feeling the sharp gleam in the Empress’s eyes, Lü Lin immediately lowered his head and dared not utter a word.
“Minister Lü, you are in charge of the military. Are you planning to watch as our territory is gradually devoured by these vassal states without doing anything?”
Lü Lin closed his eyes, then braced himself and said, “Your Majesty, if you truly wish to wage war against the Li Empire, you must be prepared for heavy losses. By my estimation, we would lose at least 200,000 naval troops, a thousand warships—and even then, I cannot guarantee the desired outcome.”
Jiang Mengxuan frowned slightly.
Lü Lin continued, “Your Majesty, while Great Chu’s navy has no issues with coastal defense, a campaign deep into the South Dragon Sea would require long-term warfare preparations. First, we must ensure secure supply lines through treacherous waters. Second, we must contend with the Li navy’s counterattacks. Though their ships are inferior, they know the sea and weather well. Their sailors and officers grow up on the sea—every one of them adept in water combat, making them difficult to deal with.”
“Third, the South Dragon Sea’s Jiao race has long been friendly with the Li Empire and nearby small states. If they unleash sea beasts to harass us, the consequences will be unimaginable. Lastly, the cost of such a long-distance campaign—just in basic figures—would exceed 60 million taels of silver. Your Majesty, are you truly prepared for such a war?”
With this analysis, Jiang Mengxuan’s rising fire was instantly extinguished.
Although Lü Lin belonged to Ye Mo’s faction, his assessment was objective.
War demands real silver. Logistics alone had bankrupted many empires throughout history.
Jiang Mengxuan could not push the national treasury into a crisis over a minor empire like Li.
Not to mention, the war with the Yan Empire had just ended, and the nation desperately needed time to recover.
“Your Majesty.”
Finally, Ye Mo spoke.
“The matter with the Li Empire can be shelved for now. What must be addressed immediately is the issue of the Xia Empire. Though the Yong and Liang provinces are no longer under our control, they are still, nominally, Great Chu territory. If we continue to neglect them, we’ll permanently lose the people’s loyalty in those regions.”
Jiang Mengxuan said, “Prime Minister, it’s been 200 years. How many people in Yong and Liang still consider themselves part of Great Chu?”
Ye Mo replied, “There is still loyalty. Even if only one person remains loyal, Your Majesty should not give up.”
Jiang Mengxuan said, “Since Great Chu moved its capital to Jinling two hundred years ago, we have provided food and aid to the Xia Empire every year. Yet they continue to press southward, pillaging the Heluo region annually. Do you really think this situation should continue?”
Ye Mo said, “Your Majesty, precisely because we have continued to provide grain and resources, the Xia Empire has stopped its armies at Heluo. If we cease these shipments, their 400,000 elite cavalry will launch a full-scale invasion. The destruction would be unimaginable.”
“So you’re saying Great Chu has no strength to fight back? That we must let them beat us without consequence?” Jiang Mengxuan’s emotions finally stirred. “What a joke. The Li Empire bullies us. The Yan Empire bullies us. Now even the Xia Empire can trample on us. Are our armies just for show?”
Ye Mo replied, “Your Majesty, it’s not that this old minister wishes to bring disgrace to our nation. But the Xia Empire and the Yan Empire are allies. If we strike Xia, Yan will retaliate. At present, Yan’s military strength surpasses ours. If we don’t compromise, we’ll be attacked from both sides. I beg Your Majesty to consider the greater good and not act on emotion.”
“Please consider the greater good, Your Majesty!”
As soon as Ye Mo finished, the entire court of civil and military officials bowed in unison.
Faced with such a situation, what else could Jiang Mengxuan say? She could only compromise.
“Fine. Since the Prime Minister already has a plan in mind, you shall handle this matter as you see fit.”
“Many thanks, Your Majesty.”
After completing his bow, Ye Mo added, “Your Majesty, there is another matter to report. In nine months, Your Majesty will turn eighteen. According to our imperial law, at that time, Your Majesty may select a worthy consort to serve at your side. This minister has carefully selected several outstanding young talents. If there are no objections, please choose an auspicious day to summon them to the palace and select one personally.”
Jiang Mengxuan said, “This matter must be discussed with my mother at Qingyu Peak before I decide.”
Ye Mo’s expression shifted. “Your Majesty’s consort selection has nothing to do with the Royal Mother. Though Your Majesty is a woman, you are also the sovereign of Great Chu. Everything should be under your command!”