Chapter 468

Still the familiar routine, still the familiar taste.

"Su Qing, have you eaten?"

What the hell, have you eaten!

Su Qiao was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, please eat; I have already eaten before I came."

Hearing this, Zhu Youjian nodded in satisfaction and quickly gulped down the porridge.

Wang Chengen, standing nearby, watched with eyes turning green.

Your Majesty, where is your royal etiquette?!

After finishing the porridge, he waved his hand, dismissing the maids and the eunuchs attending him.

Only then did he say to Su Qiao, "Su Qing, you have worked hard on this southern journey. Although I did not go along this time, I know you encountered many difficulties and fell into danger several times. My heart was deeply worried..."

Su Qiao couldn't help but roll his eyes; it was simply absurd.

What the hell is the point of such sickening sentimentality?!

It's completely out of line!

Goosebumps are rising all over my body!

He quickly spoke up: "Your subject is terrified! Your Majesty's care for your subject is so great that I am moved to tears!"

Uh...

Interrupted by Su Qiao like that, Zhu Youjian finally came to his senses.

I think I was a bit too over-the-top just now!

Even acting like that is a bit sickening.

Not to mention Su Qing is right here in front of me; it's terribly awkward!

"Ahem, ahem, ahem, fortunately Su Qing has returned safely and achieved great merit. It is almost the New Year; does Su Qing have any reward he desires?"

Zhu Youjian quickly smoothed things over and calmed down a bit.

Su Qiao shook his head and refused: "Your Majesty, I have no requests! By the way, when I took the treasure from Yangzhou, I casually took a few items as souvenirs; I trust Your Majesty will not punish your humble subject?"

"Hmm?" Zhu Youjian was stunned upon hearing this, then shook his head to veto and said, "It is of no consequence. By the way, on this southern journey, Su Qing, tell me the details."

"Yes!"

Su Qiao originally planned to return early after finishing his report.

But Zhu Youjian was simply too enthusiastic and was very curious about the things Su Qiao encountered on his southern journey.

He kept grabbing Su Qiao and asking non-stop, missing almost no detail.

At noon, he was even forced to stay for a meal.

Only after all the inquiries were finished was Su Qiao finally allowed to leave.

However, there were gains; when leaving, he was given a pile of rewards.

Su Qiao never expected his first New Year to be celebrated under such circumstances.

There were no friends or relatives, nor was it his original world; instead, it was just himself and Liu Rushi spending it in a mansion in the late Ming.

Amidst the sounds of firecrackers and fireworks, Su Qiao and Liu Rushi first watched the fireworks and lanterns on the street, then joined the crowds to watch many performances.

It was almost the hour of Zi before they followed the crowd home.

After returning home, the servants had already prepared the New Year's Eve dinner, which was brought up, accompanied by the midnight drumming and the festive sounds of fireworks and firecrackers.

Su Qiao and Liu Rushi, in perfect harmony, spent the first New Year of the late Ming.

Early the next morning, the steward led the servants to pay New Year's greetings together.

Su Qiao and Liu Rushi took out the red envelopes prepared long ago and handed them out one by one.

Touching the thick red envelopes, everyone wore happy smiles on their faces.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

Su Qiao had just finished the Lantern Festival and originally intended to rest well.

But Zhu Youjian seemed determined not to let him go, sending someone to notify him to enter the palace again to discuss matters.

Although he was extremely reluctant in his heart.

He still had to enter the palace.

Upon entering the main hall, Su Qiao discovered that, aside from Grand Councilor Sun Chuanting who was still in Fujian, everyone else was basically present.

The Ministers of the Six Ministries, plus several Grand Councilors and Zhu Youjian, were all there!

Although he did not yet know what the matter was, just by looking at the scene, Su Qiao knew it must be something major.

Yes, the treasure of Emperor Yang of Sui, escorted over the past two days, had arrived in Jingcheng.

Although various troubles were encountered along the way.

Yet, facing an escort force of nearly ten thousand soldiers, even if people from various factions were envious and restless.

There was no way to openly block them!

Who would dare to block them!

The army would simply crush and roll over anyone; they wouldn't even stop!

So, despite such and such minor troubles in between, it was still safely and on time delivered to the capital.

Luo Yangxing also breathed a sigh of relief.

Since it was not a problem regarding the treasure of Emperor Yang of Sui, it must be something else.

Su Qiao thought about the major events that might happen recently.

Then he thought of the Dutch, who were stirring!

As expected, Su Qiao entered, listened carefully to the discussion between the other ministers and Zhu Youjian, and found it was indeed about the navy and the issue with the Dutch.

The Dutch have stirred up trouble again recently, showing signs of becoming even more presumptuous and provocative.

All the ministers in the hall spoke with one voice: fight!

This was the result of Zhu Youjian's previous purge of the court.

Otherwise, there would surely be a large group of people advocating for peace.

However, even if one advocates for war, it must align with reality.

Zhu Youjian then turned his head to ask Su Qiao, "Su Qing, you previously went to Fujian; did you see the situation of the Fujian Navy?"

"I took a general look."

"Then, in your opinion, if we fight the Dutch, can the Great Ming win?" Zhu Youjian asked eagerly.

Su Qiao quickly replied, "Your Majesty, if the Great Ming fights the Dutch, victory is certain. In the past, it would have been a pyrrhic victory, but now it is different!"

"Oh, tell me!"

A crowd of ministers, along with Zhu Youjian, looked at Su Qiao curiously, wanting to hear what he had to say.

Su Qiao began to explain, "Previously, I said it would be a pyrrhic victory because our Great Ming navy's warships were aging, and they were small with few cannons. In comparison, the Dutch warships were extremely tall and large, and each warship was equipped with dozens of cannons. One volley could easily blow up our small treasure ships. Even in ramming, we would suffer losses, so I said it would be a pyrrhic victory!"

"However, last year, I, together with the Ministry of Works and the craftsmen, developed new-style warships and new-style cannons. Currently, they have all been built at the shipyard in Tianjinwei. Whether it is the cannons or the new-style warships, they are superior even to the warships of the Franks. The blood, courage, and skills of the Great Ming navy soldiers are no worse than those of the Dutch. If we have the new-style warships and cannons, we can absolutely defeat the Dutch with ease!"

Su Qiao's words made Hong Hong Chengchou, the Minister of War, brighten up.

That was right; he had previously been frowning while analyzing the situation with Zhu Youjian.

What Su Qiao said just now completely erased the disadvantages he had listed earlier!

324, Zhu Youjian wanted to test!

He immediately stepped forward and said excitedly, "Your Majesty, if it is truly as Mr. Su says, then the Great Ming will surely win!"

Hearing this, Zhu Youjian was also very happy.

Who does not want a thorough and satisfying great victory?

The Dutch have been so presumptuous; he had long wanted to teach them a lesson.

Moreover, this is not the first or second time.

Since the Great Ming lacks nothing and has the certainty of victory, Zhu Youjian's thoughts grew more complex.

"Su Qing, if I send you to Fujian to oversee the military and political affairs of Fujian, do you dare to guarantee that you can sweep away the Dutch?"

After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Youjian suddenly stared at Su Qiao and asked.

Su Qiao's heart cursed.

He had only just returned from the southeast not long ago, and now he was being sent away again?

However, since Zhu Youjian had asked, Su Qiao could not refuse to answer.