According to the royal laws of Great Chu, women were to be married by sixteen and men by eighteen. Even as the empress, one could not delay beyond the age of eighteen and had to settle a marriage.
Typically, imperial marriages were handled by elders. The Prime Minister’s office only held the right to recommend candidates. But since the current Royal Mother was not the biological mother of the Empress, and Chu law stated that if both the biological parents of the emperor were absent, the monarch held the right to personally choose a spouse, Ye Mo’s words were, from a legal standpoint, entirely valid.
When it came to matters of love, Jiang Mengxuan had once harbored some innocent yearnings in her youth. For instance, she had inexplicably developed feelings for her third senior brother Xu Jingyan.
Unfortunately, Xu Jingyan’s heart belonged to the Saintess of Profound Destiny Sect—Chu Youwei, and the two had long been betrothed.
That left the eight-year-old Jiang Mengxuan heartbroken for quite some time. She even imagined Chu Youwei as an old, wicked hag.
But as she grew older, Jiang Mengxuan gradually realized that what she felt for Xu Jingyan was simply admiration, not romantic affection.
Besides, as the empress, she could never afford to treat matters of marriage like an ordinary woman searching for her true love. Her future partner would most likely be a political match—no real affection, just an arrangement for producing heirs and consolidating imperial power. She was acutely aware of that reality.
However, Jiang Mengxuan had no desire to marry so soon. All she wanted was to immerse herself in state affairs and bring prosperity to Great Chu.
So she asked, “Prime Minister, given that the nation is facing turbulent times, don’t you think it’s a bit early to discuss my marriage?”
Ye Mo replied, “If Your Majesty believes marriage is too soon, then this old minister suggests first selecting a prospective consort. As for the actual wedding, that can be decided by Your Majesty at your discretion. In the meantime, Your Majesty may assess their character and abilities, and from them choose the most suitable husband to enter the palace and wed Your Majesty.”
These words were skillfully delivered—neither forceful nor overstepping, and spoken with such consideration for Jiang Mengxuan’s interests that not a single flaw could be found. It was this kind of opponent that was the hardest to deal with.
Had Ye Mo taken a hard stance and tried to pressure her into submission, it would’ve been easier to push back. But this old fox had chosen instead to suggest a plan while appearing entirely deferential.
After pondering for a while, Jiang Mengxuan glanced at Ye Mo’s steady posture and responded directly, “Then let the Prime Minister take charge of this matter. I’ve only just ascended the throne and still need your support.”
Ye Mo bowed and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for trusting this old minister. I have already consulted with the Stargazing Office. Three days from now is an auspicious day. On that day, I shall bring the gathered talents for Your Majesty to personally review and select.”
“Very well, let it be as the Prime Minister says. If there’s nothing else, then court is dismissed.”
“Long live Your Majesty.”
As the hundred officials echoed their praise, Jiang Mengxuan, supported by her maids, left the Grand Hall.
Once court dispersed, Lü Lin immediately walked over to Ye Mo’s side and whispered, “Prime Minister Ye, regarding the Li and Xia empires, how should we proceed? I beg your guidance.”
Ye Mo gestured for Lü Lin to walk with him out of the hall. New chapters come out on g.com first.
After putting on his shoes and walking down the jade steps, Ye Mo asked, “Lü Lin, what do you think of Great Chu compared to Great Yan?”
“Great Yan lies east of the northern territories, locked in constant conflict with barbaric tribes. Naturally, their people are fierce and their military strong. In terms of raw strength, Great Chu is indeed slightly inferior.”
Ye Mo nodded. “That’s right. Purely in terms of troops, Great Chu is no match for Great Yan. But if we truly went to war, I guarantee Great Yan would lose.”
Lü Lin asked, “Why is the Prime Minister so certain?”
Ye Mo smiled. “As Minister of War, your perspective is limited to military strength. But nations don’t compete on that alone. According to the Household Ministry’s report last month, over the past ten years, more than 3,000 Yan households have fled into Great Chu to settle and are now registered citizens. Do you know what that means?”
Lü Lin shook his head. “The Yan Empire suffers from bitter cold and its rulers impose unbearable taxes. The people can’t survive and seek refuge in Great Chu.”
“Exactly,” Ye Mo said. “Tell me, how long can a nation ruled solely by brute force last? Governing a country is about governing the people. Life is understood through contrast. You can have the mightiest army, but if your people starve, your nation will never be truly strong.”
Lü Lin immediately said, “If that’s so, why did Master force Her Majesty to cede three prefectures to Yan? Would it not be better to destroy Great Yan entirely and eliminate future trouble?”
Ye Mo paused and looked sideways at Lü Lin.
But Lü Lin stood his ground, eyes filled with passion and indignation.
After a long silence, Ye Mo finally said, “Lü Lin, are you blaming me?”
Lü Lin shook his head. “No, I know my master must have his reasons. I just don’t understand. Great Yan is our greatest threat. If Master believes we can defeat them, why do we surrender land and pay hundreds of thousands in tribute annually?”
Ye Mo sighed, “With your current impulsiveness, are you really suited to sit in that position? Do you know what it would cost Great Chu to destroy Great Yan? At least ten years of national budget. Is such a hollow victory what you want? After the war, how many of our people will be displaced and homeless—have you thought of that?”
“But at least it would cleanse Great Chu of its humiliation.”
“Humiliation, my ass!” Ye Mo jabbed a finger at Lü Lin’s forehead.
“Tell me, what humiliation? Where?”
“Loss of territory, forced peace talks—is that not humiliation?”
“Three abandoned prefectures, all located within enemy territory, traded for peace in Bingzhou. That’s humiliation? Thirty thousand taels a year for open border trade, from which we now earn several times that in return—what kind of humiliation is that?”
“Lü Lin, how did I teach you? Everything must be observed from multiple angles. Don’t get stuck on a single point. If you were just one of those shallow court officials, I wouldn’t even bother talking to you. But you’re a second-rank official, head of the War Ministry. Will you still keep such a narrow view?”
“Sacrificing imperial face in exchange for the people’s peace—is that truly shameful?”
Ye Mo jabbed at Lü Lin again, filled with disappointment. “Looks like you’re still not convinced. Then let me ask: what if Great Yan were to fall? What then?”
Without thinking, Lü Lin answered, “If Great Yan falls, our borders are secured. Peace across the land.” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“Peace, my ass!” Ye Mo smacked him on the head.
“Border threat eliminated? You, a dignified War Minister, actually said that? Great Yan, for all its faults, is still a civilized state that understands honor and law like we Chu people. If Great Yan collapses, then what we’ll face will be the Wu Zhao Empire to the east and its vassal, the Sirius Nation—an army of wolves and tigers. Those beasts only know how to kill and breed, and have an unquenchable hunger for land. Do you want the armies and people of Great Chu to face such bloodthirsty savages?”
At that, Lü Lin finally understood.
He bowed and said, “Master, I understand now. You chose to compromise with Yan to let them shield Chu from Wu Zhao’s threat, correct?”
Ye Mo finally relaxed.
“Good. After all that, do you still think the issues with the Li and Xia empires are difficult to handle?”
Lü Lin shook his head. “No. After your explanation, I no longer think they’re problems at all. Compromise doesn’t always mean weakness—it’s a way to gather strength and wait for the decisive strike.”
Ye Mo finally smiled with relief. “You’re still salvageable. Remember this—those who hold command must assess the situation and never fight unjust wars. If you remain stubborn, you’re not fit to hold this position.”
“Please calm your anger, Master. I understand now.”
Ye Mo pointed at his face, then turned and left the palace without looking back.
…
Nightfall.
While political arguments stirred the court, a carriage moved slowly down Huaiyan Street in Jinling’s East Market.
“What do you think, Brother? This place is great, right? I didn’t lie to you, did I?”
“Hehe, it’s definitely interesting.”
“More than interesting! The full-body massage here is thrilling—they specialize in the unconventional. I had the pleasure once, and I still savor the memory.”
Shen Lang looked at the lantern-lit brothels on both sides, feeling a bit uninterested.
If nothing unexpected happened, tonight would be the first time he’d taste meat in this world.