From cute to empress

Chapter 147 Suddenly enlightened

"Your Majesty, good news has arrived from the border: General Zhenbei has returned victorious!" The guard's voice echoed in my ears, hazy and indistinct, as if through a thick veil. When I heard the words "Zhen Youcai," my heart felt like it was being gripped by an invisible hand, and breathing became difficult.

"Where is General Zhen now?" I calmed myself down and tried to sound calm.

"Your Majesty, General Zhen is already outside the palace gates awaiting your orders."

"Xuan!" I almost gritted my teeth and said this word.

In a moment, a familiar figure appeared in my sight. He was still dressed in military uniform, standing tall and straight, with an unwavering heroic air between his brows. However, compared to a few years ago, his face had a more mature look, a deeper tone that I couldn't decipher.

"Your Majesty, I am Zhen Youcai." He knelt on one knee and spoke in a loud voice.

"My dear, please stand up." I tried hard to suppress my inner excitement and gestured for him to stand up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." He stood up and looked at me with a piercing gaze, as if he wanted to see through me. "I came back this time and heard that something had happened in the court..."

I took a deep breath and briefly recounted the story of Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu. His face grew increasingly gloomy as I spoke, and by the end, his fists were clenched tightly.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will get to the bottom of this matter!" His voice was filled with undisguised anger.

I looked at him, and a warm feeling welled up in my heart. Yes, with him around, what else do I have to fear?

For the next few days, we were practically inseparable, discussing countermeasures together. He brought the latest battle reports from the border, as well as detailed intelligence on those foreign powers. And I, in turn, filled him in on the situation at court, as well as the details of Chairman Zheng and the businessman Liu.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan that may be able to catch them all in one fell swoop..." A gleam of light flashed in his eyes, and a confident smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

My heart trembled, a premonition rising: a storm is about to come... Zhen Youcai whispered his plan to me. My heart trembled, yet I couldn't help but applaud. This scheme he had set up was so interconnected, so carefully planned. If Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu dared to harbor any evil intentions, they would surely fall into our trap.

"What do you think, Your Majesty?" Seeing that I was silent for a long time, he thought I was still hesitating.

"Okay! I'll do as you say!" I took a deep breath and said with a firm look in my eyes. At this point, I had no choice but to trust him.

Over the next few days, we proceeded according to plan. I pretended to relax my vigilance against Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu, even deliberately spreading false information to make them believe I had succeeded. They fell for it and began to unscrupulously collude with foreign envoys, attempting to reap huge profits in trade negotiations.

On the day of the negotiations, I, along with Zhen Youcai and several other trusted ministers, sat face-to-face with the foreign envoys at the negotiating table. The atmosphere was tense, with both sides trading blows and refusing to give in. Chairman Zheng and businessman Liu fanned the flames, trying to get us to compromise.

"Your Majesty, the conditions we offer are already very generous. Please consider them seriously." Seeing that I was reluctant to nod, the foreign envoy's tone became tougher.

"Mr. Envoy, the conditions you've proposed are indeed somewhat difficult for us to accept," I said calmly, putting down the documents in my hand. "However, our country has always upheld the principles of peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit. As long as you can show sufficient sincerity, we are not without room for negotiation."

"Oh? I wonder what sincerity Your Majesty means..." The foreign envoy raised his eyebrows, with a cunning gleam in his eyes.

I smiled slightly, my eyes sweeping over everyone present, finally landing on Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu, the businessman...

I smiled slightly, my eyes sweeping over everyone present, finally landing on Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu, the businessman, "You two, don't you agree?"

Chairman Zheng and businessman Liu's expressions suddenly changed, and they stammered, unable to speak. I had already expected them to deny it, so I gave Zhen Youcai a look. Zhen Youcai understood and immediately presented the evidence he had prepared.

"These are the account books and letters from the private transactions between Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu and the foreign envoys. The evidence is irrefutable!"

Upon seeing this irrefutable evidence, Chairman Zheng and businessman Liu paled and collapsed to the ground. The foreign envoys, unaware of our preparedness, were speechless.

"Mr. Envoy, I deeply apologize for the actions of these two businessmen." I spoke calmly, yet with undeniable authority. "Our dynasty has always valued business ethics and will not tolerate any behavior that harms national interests! Come, take these two away and interrogate them strictly!"

Chairman Zheng and businessman Liu were dragged away by the guards. The foreign envoys also realized the seriousness of the matter and dared not play tricks anymore. They had to sit down honestly and renegotiate with us.

Ultimately, thanks to my persistence and Zhen Youcai's negotiation, the two sides reached a mutually beneficial trade agreement. This agreement not only safeguarded our interests but also provided a level playing field for foreign businessmen and brought new opportunities for economic development in both countries.

The trade market prospered again, ports were bustling and orderly, and merchant ships laden with goods sailed back and forth between the two countries. Domestic merchants also gained more development opportunities under a fair competition environment. They no longer relied on collusion with foreign forces, but instead created their own wealth through their own wisdom and sweat.

"Your Majesty, look!" Zhen Youcai pointed at the prosperous scene outside the window, a joyful smile on his face. "All this is thanks to you!"

I walked to the window and looked at the thriving scene in front of me, my heart filled with a sense of accomplishment and longing for the future.

"This is just the beginning..." I said softly, but my eyes were looking further away...

"Youcai, look at this prosperous age, it's like a dream..." I leaned lightly against the stone wall of the city wall, looking into the distance with a dazed look. The rows of houses were coated with a layer of gold under the setting sun, and people were coming and going on the streets, creating a peaceful and prosperous scene.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhen Youcai stood beside me, following my gaze, his eyes also filled with emotion. "When we first arrived in the capital, it was in chaos, corrupt officials were rampant, and the people lived in dire straits. Now, this prosperous era has finally been realized under your rule, bit by bit."

"This prosperous era is not only my credit, but also yours, and the credit of all those who have fought for it." I turned to look at him and said seriously, "Without you guarding the border and resisting foreign enemies, without your repeated reminders and help, I would not be able to get to where I am today."

Zhen Youcai heard this and a shy smile appeared on his face. He scratched his head and said honestly, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. This is what I should do."

"No, Youcai, what you have done for me has far exceeded the duties of a subject." I gently held his hand, my eyes filled with gratitude and... other emotions. "Thank you for always being there..."

Zhen Youcai looked into my eyes, his eyes full of tenderness. He was about to say something when he was interrupted by a burst of hurried footsteps.

"Report—" A guard quickly ran up to us, knelt on one knee, and said in a panic, "Your Majesty, the south of the city... the south of the city..."

"What happened in Chengnan? Tell me quickly!" I suddenly had an ominous premonition in my heart and asked anxiously.

The guard took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice, "People in the south of the city...in the south of the city have contracted a strange disease. Their bodies are covered in rashes and they have high fevers that won't go away. Several people have already...several have died suddenly!"

My heart sank suddenly, and an inexplicable sense of fear instantly spread throughout my body.