The winter in the Great Yu Dynasty is biting with cold winds, as the vast Central Plains are covered with a layer of silver frost and snow. However, the distant Old Port still remains warm as spring, with sunlight gently spilling over the land, carrying a sense of laziness and leisure.

The Eastern Princess, her belly large, personally brewed a cup of ginseng tea for Xu Qing.

In her past years, others always revolved around her, and now to proactively do these servants' tasks, she indeed put in great effort.

Because of this child, there is hope in her heart; even if she does not deeply love Xu Qing, the child's father, by a mother's instinct, she makes careful plans for the little life inside her.

Moreover, in her view, there is no man more suitable for her in this world than Xu Qing.

Xu Qing was perfect in every aspect, except that he couldn't marry her as his main wife.

But for the Eastern Princess, this was not the most crucial matter.

Even though Xu Qing once forced her to swear never to set foot in Central Earth or covet the Xu family's estate, she had her own calculations.

People can change; who can be certain of what the future holds?

Besides, after conquering the Southern Ocean, Xu Qing would undoubtedly promote the East Sea Gang, as she carries Xu Qing's child—a unique and irrefutable advantage.

Recalling her previous poetry duel with the "Big Sister" Feng Wu, the Eastern Princess realized she was not yet a match for her and could not compete with her for the time being.

On the other hand, in Fusang, the legendary stories of the heroes from the Three Kingdoms are long-lasting.

Thus, being exposed to these from a young age, the Eastern Princess was well-versed in the Three Kingdoms tales of Central Earth, considered herself a Central Earth connoisseur, and even without a master's guidance, she grasped much of the art of intrigue and strategy naturally.

She understood that she had to avoid the sharp edges when necessary; endurance was something she must practice for now.

In her mind, the true "Great Hero" was Sima Xuanwang, who could endure humiliations that ordinary people couldn't bear and could act decisively at the most critical moments.

As for the oath at Luoshui, in her view, it was merely the arbitrary criticism of the strong by ordinary people.

Undoubtedly, Sima Xuanwang was the most successful figure among the Three Kingdoms, a fact as irrefutable as iron.

She secretly thought, "A man who can bend and stretch is a true man."

Now, bowing and scraping before Big Sister Feng Wu as the Eastern Princess was nothing to her.

She carefully attended to Xu Qing, while stealing a glance at him, seeing him intently hand-drawing intricate mechanical diagrams with structures complex and wondrous, the likes of which she had never seen before.

Curious, she gently asked, "Xu Lang, are these the latest mechanical diagrams researched by Master Gu?"

Her words were filled with astonishment.

Despite knowing that Gu Daoist received numerous resources from the Great Yu Dynasty, creating astonishing things like the steam engine, the exquisite nature of this mechanism still far exceeded her imagination.

The invention of the steam engine blazed a new trail, while this mechanism elevated the existing Mechanism Skill to an insurmountable peak; the complexity and profound understanding of mechanisms they demonstrate cannot even be compared on the same day.

Xu Qing did not hide anything and frankly said, "This was something I co-researched with Tianling Shangren."

The Eastern Princess was so shocked upon hearing this that she almost thought she misheard.

Xu Qing already had many unbelievable things about him, yet this still had a massive impact on her, even more so than the unimaginable act of a man raping the enemy's daughter and then winning her over completely.

She couldn't help but ponder, does Xu Lang have the ability to control people's minds?

At this thought, she felt her scalp tingle.

Some things, once you start to think closely about, the more frightening they become.

Looking at her expression, Xu Qing understood, but he didn't bother to explain.

The human heart is indeed too dark, complex, and changeable to dwell upon. Therefore, judging by actions over intentions is the better approach.

Even the old demon of Black Mountain, dignified as the creator and the world's number one master, cannot control the thoughts of ordinary folks in the Great Yu Dynasty towards him.

Sometimes, Xu Qing imagines rubbing that old demon a hundred times over in his mind! Could he even get bullied by the old demon in his dreams?

Then Xu Qing went on to explain the purpose of the mechanism in detail.

After hearing it, the Eastern Princess was somewhat unable to grasp it and questioned, "With husband's military strength, we could directly crush the Western Ocean pirates and those rebellious natives. Why go through such trouble to compete in mechanisms and firearms?"

"We have an old saying in Central Earth, 'Prosper in adversity, perish in ease.' Without enemies in the Southern Ocean, we'd have plenty internally. Additionally, it's a contest between Oriental Mechanism Skill and Western Firearms Divine Skill, a clash of Eastern and Western wisdom, this exchange can foster greater advancements," Xu Qing explained patiently.

He well understood that war is the strongest driving force for technological development.

Many awe-inspiring technologies from his past life inevitably intertwined with war. With the Southern Ocean as this testing ground, Xu Qing believed, the technological advancement of the Great Yu Dynasty would quickly accelerate.

He had an important plan gradually taking shape in his mind: the "Heavenly Palace Project."

This was a crucial step towards the Great Yu Dynasty transforming into the nascent form of an Immortal Dynasty.

On the other hand, asking a Martial Saint for help carries a great cost in terms of favors.

And the more Fu Xuan makes a move, the closer he is to achieving his transformation.

At that time, Xu Qing would almost simultaneously lose the combined strength of Fu Xuan and the Vajra Demon King, which would be very disadvantageous for him.

On the other side, he still hadn't found the chance for a Heavenly Demon Transformation of Ji Changxi.

Ah, this step is indeed very difficult.

Perhaps because the old sage Ji Changxi has lived for such a long time and has seen too many stunning personalities, or maybe she has an unforgettable first love in her heart, she doesn't have a particularly deep impression of Xu Qing, who can't even enter her dreams.

Of course, Xu Qing couldn't use force against Ji Changxi. Besides her noble status, she was his savior, and Xu Qing had always adhered to his principles.

…

…

After Xu Qing crafted the machine blueprints, he immediately sprang into action.

Xu Qing also sent people to "place" the family members of the Fang Immortal Dao defectors.

Defectors with family members are more easily utilized, which is an unspoken rule in this world and the secret for the upper class to control the lower class.

Only with a home and family can one be called a well-born person.

Without a home or family, one is seen as a highly unstable force by the Officials.

While soothing, there is also great caution.

On the other hand, the morale of well-born soldiers can be more readily utilized and more easily disciplined.

Even a person with no attachments, no matter how ordinary, requires immense effort from the Officials to control him, yielding little value and creating an unstable factor.

For such people, Han Feizi and Shangjun Book have their evaluations and strategies.

Xu Qing has always made the best use of everything.

Whether those chosen to stay in Great Yu's Navy or the conquered Southern Ocean native forces, Xu Qing actively helped them solve their family issues.

This expenditure must not be spared.

…

…

Under Xu Qing's meticulous planning, the mechanism manufacturing work proceeded vigorously.

The craftspeople controlled by the Fang Immortal Dao overseas defectors worked day and night under lucrative incentives.

Meanwhile, the Asura Demon King transformed into the appearance of the Heavenly Spirit Sage, wandering among the defectors.

His lifelike aura gradually calmed the defectors' uneasy hearts, greatly accelerating their integration.

The defectors whose family members were "placed" understood deeply that their fates were closely tied to Xu Qing, and worked even more diligently. They knew that only by serving well under Xu Qing could their families live peacefully.

And those watermen and native lower-class locals who received Xu Qing's help in solving family issues were so grateful, their morale soared.

However, just when things seemed to be going smoothly, new problems arose.

One day, a logistics officer rushed in, urgently reporting to Xu Qing: "Sir, there's a problem with the material supply. The originally agreed South Sea Merfolk Tears shipment was severely attacked by mysterious sea monsters en route, causing heavy losses. Now, there are not enough merfolk tears remaining to satisfy the demands of mechanism manufacturing."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing frowned, aware that South Sea Merfolk Tears were key materials for the mechanism's operation.

Without them, the entire plan could come to a halt.

He pondered for a moment, then decisively ordered: "Immediately send people to investigate these sea monsters' origins, ensuring the remaining merfolk tears are safely escorted back. Also, mobilize all forces to search for alternatives for merfolk tears in various parts of the Southern Ocean."

Upon learning of this, the East Sea Gang Princess couldn't sit still and sought out Xu Qing, resolutely saying: "Xu Lang, the East Sea Gang has operated in the Southern Ocean for many years and has some connections. I'll have the brothers help in finding merfolk tears or suitable substitutes; perhaps this can alleviate the crisis."

Xu Qing looked at her and nodded gently: "Thank you for your efforts."

…

…

At the Court of Yingtian Prefecture, some were dissatisfied with Xu Qing's delay in returning to the Court to accept formal commendation.

Rumors spread that this was Xu Qing's indication of preparing to establish himself.

And some newspapers seeking attention extensively reported on this matter.

In the Court, some Pure Stream officials launched a new round of impeachment against Xu Qing, accusing him of wantonly reckless actions in the Southern Ocean, squandering significant manpower and material resources, and now, with ulterior motives, hesitating to return, harboring treacherous intentions.

Of course, the bigwigs at the Court were not surprised by such things.

Since ancient times, commanders controlling large armies and campaigning outside have never been free from rumor attacks.

The key lies in the Emperor's attitude.

The Longevity Emperor lay on a jade bed, while the Temple Master told him stories from Journey to the West, all crafted by Xu Qing.

Especially the descriptions of the Heavenly Palace, which were quite captivating.

After finishing a chapter, the Longevity Emperor still yearned for more, immersed in the splendid blueprint drawn by Xu Qing.

After a while, he slowly asked, "State Preceptor, tell me more about Xu Qing's 'Heavenly Palace plan'?"

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