Chapter 172: The Office Was Blown Up

After finishing the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, Yan Ning had nothing to do, and while feeling bored, she copied a map.

She simply drew the outline, using cinnabar to mark the borders of the Daxia dynasty, while using black ink to draw the maps of other countries.

Like those scattered little countries in Europe, she drew them but didn't write their names.

Yan Ze came over to take a look and laughed: "Ningning, you aren't thinking of conquering the Earth, are you?"

Yan Ning actually gave it some thought: "I often saw people lamenting in short videos that if Qin Shi Huang had lived a few more years, they wouldn't have to learn English."

"I suspect that if we could beat up all the other countries, we might actually make future generations grateful that they don't have to rely on the English CET-4 and CET-6 exams."

Yan Ze's tiger-like body shuddered, "You've actually thought about this?"

Yan Ning nodded seriously: "I have indeed thought about it. We have the most advanced matchlock guns and Gunpowder; attacking other countries would be a dimensionality-reduction strike. If we don't hurry to invade them, are we just waiting for them to come and invade us?"

"But that's just thinking about it. After all, there are no suitable means of transportation right now, and managing things across several oceans is truly quite troublesome."

Yan Ze hadn't expected his daughter to have such great ambition.

However, he still patted Yan Ning's shoulder cheerfully: "Not bad, though I don't know if we can accomplish it while we are on the throne."

Yan Ning said: "We can. We've eaten so many Spirit Fruit, we will surely live to be a hundred. When the time comes, let's wipe out Japan first."

Not long after, several officials requested an audience.

Yan Ze let them in.

Everyone immediately saw the map on the Table Desk.

The Minister of War was somewhat curious: "What is this drawing?"

Yan Ning pondered for a moment before saying: "This is a World Map. I have drawn out the other countries, and this red line marks the map of our Daxia dynasty."

The others also crowded around, and they began to discuss in low voices.

"I thought that apart from Woguo, we wouldn't be troubled by other countries by the sea. I didn't expect that another great power existed."

Yan Ning sighed, "Yes, there are so many other countries. It's difficult to attack them, but if we don't, I feel like they want to come and attack us."

At this time, Grand Tutor Chen asked: "Your Highness, is this map reliable? Could it be that those places don't exist?"

Yan Ning shook her head, "It is reliable. These places do exist, they are just quite far away. But we must be on guard."

The Minister of War frowned deeply: "Previously, after we successively defeated the Japanese pirates and the Northern Frontier tribes, some people felt there was no need to maintain so many troops, and the Ministry of Revenue even cut military expenditures. But now it seems that besides Japan, there are quite a few dangers; we still need to train our troops well."

Yan Ning nodded: "That is indeed so."

At this moment, the Minister of Personnel pointed to several places and spoke gloomily: "Your Highness, I think here, here, and here are all very suitable for farming. Why don't we..."

The Minister of War said: "But our Daxia is a land of ritual and propriety; is it not quite right to initiate a war..."

Yan Ning pointed to the places the Minister of Personnel had chosen: "This is the Northern Frontier; it is too cold and impossible to farm. There are no plains here, so it is also inconvenient for farming."

The Minister of Personnel pondered.

After a long while, he spoke: "Indeed, we are a land of ritual and propriety, so let's forget it then."

That change of heart was truly fast.

The group concluded that no matter what, they must develop their military first; even if they didn't attack others, they had to have the means to protect themselves when others attacked.

After discussing for an entire afternoon, they finally left.

Just now, Yan Ning hadn't said a word.

After the people left, Yan Ze asked: "Ningning, do you have some good method?"

Yan Ning hesitated: "I don't know if this counts as a good method."

Yan Ning was thinking that the Spirit Fruit they had exchanged from the cultivation plane might come in handy.

They had already saved up quite a few fruit pits.

Yan Ning had tested it; when the Seed was planted in Spirit Soil, the effect was about the same as what the immortal had given. If planted in ordinary soil, the fruit's efficacy would be much lower, but it would still have an effect and could help strengthen the body.

Moreover, if the quality wasn't enough, quantity could make up for it; if they ate more, they could also strengthen their physiques.

Yan Ning told Yan Ze her thoughts.

She asked with a smile: "Father, do you think this method is suitable?"

Yan Ze was lost in thought.

After a long while, he spoke: "I don't know if this kind of fruit can be planted in the frontier; the climate there is freezing."

Yan Ning said: "There is no need to worry about that. I have tested it; they sprout and grow just the same whether planted in winter or summer. After all, they are Spirit Fruit."

Yan Ze nodded, "Tonight when we go back, we will start checking how many fruit pits are left."

Yan Ning thought for a moment and continued: "I think that besides strengthening the physique, we also need some powerful weapons, such as Cannon, and we should also train some naval forces."

Yan Ze nodded: "That should indeed be the case."

Yan Ning said to him: "Father, I will go find Yun Shu and have him see if Cannon are difficult to make, and while I'm at it, see if he can come up with more weapons."

Having said that, Yan Ning went to the Imperial Academy.

Before she even reached Yun Shu's office, she heard a loud "Boom—" and a thick cloud of black smoke billowed out from the door.

Yun Shu was lying on the ground, clutching a large cloth bag in his arms, protecting it tightly.

At this moment, Yun Shu's face was completely black, and his hair was frizzed up; he looked quite miserable.

Yun Shu wiped his face with a handkerchief, looking somewhat embarrassed.

At this time, teachers and students from several classrooms had all come out, looking at this scene in surprise.

This was already the third time this month.

Quite a few people had come out to watch the excitement.

Yun Shu said to everyone: "I'm fine, don't worry about me, you all go back to class first."

The crowd left, and Yun Shu also took Yan Ning to his office.

He explained to Yan Ning: "Your Highness, I accidentally used the wrong reagent, and that's why..."

Yan Ning looked at his miserable state, feeling somewhat speechless.

It was truly too miserable.

Yan Ning carefully selected one unremarkable Jade Tablet from over a hundred Jade Talismans.

She handed the Jade Tablet to Yun Shu: "Wear it close to your body; it can block three fatal attacks."

Yun Shu was somewhat surprised.

Yan Ning explained: "My father's Golden Finger."

Yun Shu was a bit curious; what kind of Golden Finger was so impressive, having both a Storage Space and all sorts of modern things?

However, Yan Ning did not explain, so he did not press further, instead asking about another matter: "His Highness, did you come here today for something?"

Yan Ning said: "Mm, a very important matter. Can you make that Cannon?"

Yun Shu thought for a moment and nodded: "I can try. I have watched related videos, and it does not look very difficult."

Yan Ning asked again: "Our army is still lacking some firearms and ammunition. Matchlock guns are not good enough; can you think of something suitable?"

At this moment, Yun Shu hesitated slightly: "It is somewhat difficult, but I can try."