Chapter 68: Beautiful Wishes

Liu Che woke up from the bed. He subconsciously turned his head to look beside him, but A Jiao's figure was already gone, and he felt a sense of inexplicable loss in his heart.

Recalling the crazy actions of last night, Liu Che's lips curled into a smile again for no reason. He twisted his body lightly on the bed; he didn't expect that the pleasure a woman could feel was different from what a man felt.

And he could feel that A Jiao was also very satisfied yesterday.

Just as Liu Che was lying on the bed savoring it, Fuqu walked in quietly and stood outside the bed curtain: "Empress, are you awake?"

Liu Che responded lazily: "Hmm."

"The Emperor urges you to get up. Just now the Pingyang Marquis Mansion reported a funeral, the Pingyang Marquis has passed away," Fuqu whispered: "The Emperor asks you if you want to go to Pingyang Commandery together?"

As soon as Liu Che heard this, he sat up from the bed, but the sore waist and legs made him gasp sharply.

Last night was truly too indulgent!

Fuqu heard that the Empress's voice was wrong and hurriedly asked with concern: "Empress, what's wrong with you?"

Liu Che reached out to rub his sore waist, his voice trembling by three points: "It's nothing." However, in his current state, he was afraid he couldn't go to Pingyang Commandery today.

Two days later, A Jiao and Liu Che set off for Pingyang to attend the funeral of Pingyang Marquis Cao Shou.

On this trip, Liu Li didn't follow them to join in the fun, but stayed safely in Weiyang Palace, starting to plan her own plan to earn points.

At present, the points she could get from historical figures were very few, mainly depending on the occurrence of historical events.

It was now September of the fourth year of Yuanguang. After this month ended, the entire fourth year of Yuanguang would be over.

Next month would be the fifth year of Yuanguang.

Liu Li's historical knowledge was limited. The famous historical event that happened in the fifth year of Yuanguang was the deposition of Empress Chen. As for what else happened in this year, she really didn't know.

And in the system panel, the historical events that had not yet been completed were the economic reform related to Sang Hongyang, and the "Southwest Silk Road" related to Tang Meng.

Sang Hongyang's economic reform had been going on for nearly a year, and she didn't know when it would succeed. And the Southwest Silk Road was afraid it would have to wait for Tang Meng to return from the Yelang Kingdom before it could be seen.

Both of these events were unknowns.

So there really were no other ways to earn system points? Liu Li supported her chin and looked at her small notebook with a melancholy face. Without system points, how was she going to live her life in the Western Han!

Zhuqing knocked on the door outside Liu Li's room: "Princess, the Great Agricultural Minister requests an audience."

Liu Li put down her pen, paused for a moment, and said: "The Great Agricultural Minister wants to see me?" Who was the Great Agricultural Minister again?

Oh, it was Sang Hongyang!

Liu Li hurriedly said: "You let the palace people take him to the front hall, I will go immediately."

"Nuo."

Liu Li tidied up her clothes slightly in the room, then put on wooden clogs, and prepared to leave the room for the front hall with a 'da da da' sound.

Sang Hongyang had long been waiting here. Hearing the footsteps unique to the Jianling Princess behind him, he turned around and saw the little Princess running over with cheerful steps.

"Your subordinate pays respects to the Jianling Princess." Sang Hongyang raised his hand to salute Liu Li.

"Great Agricultural Minister, no need for formalities," Liu Li hurriedly said: "What is the matter that you came to Jiaofang Hall to find me?"

Sang Hongyang smiled lightly and said: "Originally, I was going to report to the Emperor, but unfortunately the Emperor left Chang'an and went to Pingyang, so I had to come to find the Princess."

Liu Li was curious: "What is the matter that cannot wait for Father Emperor to return before dealing with it?"

A mysterious smile suddenly appeared on his face, and he slowly stretched his hand toward Liu Li: "Does the Princess want to see the Zhu coins you designed before?"

Liu Li's eyes suddenly lit up: "The Five Zhu coins have been made?"

"Yes." Sang Hongyang nodded slightly and spread out the copper coin in his hand in front of Liu Li: "Princess, please look."

Liu Li took the copper coin from Sang Hongyang's hand and examined this small copper coin carefully.

The weight of the Five Zhu coin in her hand was still very light, after all, the raw material was copper. However, the table and chair pattern she designed herself on this small copper coin, and the words "Fourth Year of Yuanguang" on the back, were very clear.

It made Liu Li love this Zhu coin so much that she couldn't put it down.

"Have the weight and size been measured?" Liu Li raised her eyes to look at Sang Hongyang.

Sang Hongyang nodded: "After careful inspection by the copper experts, there is no problem with the fineness and weight, so I intend to bring it to the Emperor for verification. If the Emperor thinks there is no problem, the Water Balance Commandant will start mass-producing the Five Zhu coins."

"But Father Emperor is not in Chang'an now," Liu Li said: "You have to wait for him to return."

"It is also fine for the Princess to verify," Sang Hongyang said: "After all, the Five Zhu coin was designed by the Princess, and the Emperor also explained before leaving that if there is any inconvenience, you can report to the Jianling Princess."

Listening to Sang Hongyang's words, Liu Li was slightly stunned. A Jiao was... giving her the right to handle political affairs?

"Princess?" Seeing Liu Li didn't make a sound, Sang Hongyang looked at Liu Li hesitantly.

Liu Li came back to her senses. She smiled and nodded: "I think it can be mass-produced, and my opinion is that it is best to produce a sufficient number of Five Zhu coins before the arrival of the fifth year of Yuanguang to replace the inferior Zhu coins on the market."

Hearing this, Sang Hongyang raised his eyebrows slightly: "That is natural. Now is the time for all feudal states to pay their annual tribute, which is exactly the best time to change the currency."

Liu Li nodded vigorously: "Hmm."

After negotiating the matter with Sang Hongyang, Sang Hongyang bowed and retired. Before leaving, he suddenly stopped, turned to look at Liu Li, and called out deeply: "Jianling Princess."

Liu Li looked at him: "Is there anything else?"

"I heard before that you fell off a cliff and went missing. I was quite worried, fortunately you returned safely."

Listening to his words, Liu Li blinked her eyes and smiled with pursed lips: "Thank you, Minister Sang, for your concern."

Sang Hongyang said very solemnly: "Please take care of yourself in the future, the Great Han cannot do without you!"

Sang Hongyang had never thought that the person who truly appreciated him and agreed with his views was not the Son of Heaven who grew up with him, but this little girl who was only six years old.

Because of her support, the Emperor would agree with his reform philosophy and even let him carry out the reform to the end. So when facing Liu Li, Sang Hongyang had never treated her as a six-year-old child.

She was his Bole, the future of the Great Han.

Liu Li pursed her lips slightly, suddenly feeling her eye sockets heat up, and a feeling of being cared for. She also nodded solemnly: "Okay."

Liu Li felt that the first Five Zhu coin she designed herself had commemorative significance, so she asked for this Zhu coin from Sang Hongyang, and asked Zhuqing to help her prepare a small box, in which she collected this Five Zhu coin.

Just when Liu Li was full of expectations that Sang Hongyang would completely complete the economic reform and she could get the event reward, news came from the paper mill that Sun Qiu had produced paper that met the requirements!

Hearing this, Liu Li couldn't wait to prepare the carriage to go to the paper mill to see the paper made.

Because she was too excited, she accidentally tripped when getting on the carriage and nearly fell. Fortunately, the guard following her reached out to support her, and Liu Li didn't fall and break her front teeth.

【Ding, unlocked Zhao Yingqi's favorability: 2.】

Liu Li: "???"

She stood on the carriage and turned to look at the guard who was supporting her, her eyes full of disbelief.

What's going on? Why could this guard in front of her unlock favorability? Is he also a historical celebrity?

But the problem was, she hadn't heard of the name Zhao Yingqi at all, does this person really exist in history?

Zhao Yingqi's favorability toward her, 1 point of favorability could only be exchanged for 1 point, this point was quite useless to Liu Li.

Zhao Yingqi met the Jianling Princess's surprised gaze, and his heart was also full of confusion: "Why is the Princess looking at this subordinate like this?"

Liu Li came back to her senses and smiled, pretending to ask casually: "I haven't seen you before?"

Zhao Yingqi replied: "When the Emperor left Weiyang Palace, he specifically ordered this subordinate to come and protect the Jianling Princess's safety."

"Oh, oh." Liu Li nodded: "So that's how it is." But who is this Zhao Yingqi?

Looking at his appearance, he didn't look handsome, just about thirty years old. Liu Li racked her brains and couldn't equate Zhao Yingqi with any historical celebrity, it was really strange.

Sitting in the carriage, Liu Li tried to ask the system: "Can you give me a hint and tell me who this Zhao Yingqi is?"

【Command error, unable to prompt.】

Liu Li: "..." She realized that as long as it was related to the task, the system couldn't give her any hints.

However, Liu Li suddenly thought of using the 【Encyclopedia】 skill to jam the system's bug. So she clicked the skill and asked: "Who is Zhao Yingqi?"

【Zhao Yingqi, son of Zhao Mo, the Wen King of Nanyue, and the third monarch of the Nanyue Kingdom.】

Liu Li: "!!!"

Good heavens, she shouted good heavens!

Who would have thought that the third monarch of the Nanyue Kingdom would actually be a guard in Weiyang Palace at this moment?!

After finally calming down her shocked mood, Liu Li quietly lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked at Zhao Yingqi who was walking with the carriage.

This person looked about thirty years old, with a rough face and a full beard.

So why would the future monarch of the Nanyue Kingdom be a guard in the Great Han? This is too strange! She didn't know much about the history of the Nanyue Kingdom, it seems she could only wait for Liu Che and A Jiao to return and ask Liu Che.

The carriage stopped in front of the paper mill. Palace attendants had been waiting at the door for a long time. Seeing the Jianling Princess's carriage coming, they hurriedly came to welcome: "Princess's holy carriage."

Liu Li couldn't wait to drill out of the carriage and jumped off the carriage stepping on a small stool: "Take me to see the paper made quickly."

Attendant: "Princess, please come in."

Passing through the layers of courtyards in front of the paper mill, Liu Li came to the courtyard where the paper was dried last. She saw a row of paper dried with bamboo boards in this courtyard.

Liu Li leaned closer to look at the paper in front of her. The color was definitely incomparable to the paper produced by modern machines. The paper here presented a brownish-yellow color.

She reached out and gently touched the thickness and texture of the paper, and was surprised to find that the paper felt only a little rough, which was much better than the unevenness before.

It could be said that this was paper that could be put into use!

Sun Qiu walked over from somewhere: "Princess, what is your opinion on the paper in front of you?"

Liu Li gave Sun Qiu a thumbs up: "Awesome." In such an era, being able to make such paper was already very remarkable, Liu Li really admired it.

Sun Qiu was puzzled: "What does awesome mean?"

Liu Li smiled: "That's not important, what's important is that you must produce more paper according to this standard in the future!"

After experiencing this success, Sun Qiu patted his chest with great confidence and said: "Princess, don't worry, this matter is on me. However, if you want more paper, the current paper mill is too small and there are not enough hands."

Liu Li said: "Don't worry about this, I will talk to Father Emperor and change you to a bigger place."

As she spoke, she turned her head to look at the paper in front of her again, and she couldn't put it down.

Seeing Liu Li so satisfied, Sun Qiu was also proud in his heart. He said: "Princess, why not give this paper a name."

Liu Li suddenly thought that when people mentioned ancient paper in modern times, they would say it was Cai Hou paper, named after Cai Lun.

Now that they had improved the paper in the Western Han, Liu Li thought of what she had promised Sun Qiu before, to name it after Sun Qiu. Before she could speak, she heard Sun Qiu say: "Why not call it Jianling paper."

"Hmm?" Liu Li looked at Sun Qiu: "Why call it Jianling paper?"

Sun Qiu said bluntly: "It was you, Princess, who made me change the raw materials of the paper, and it was you who gave me the opportunity to work in Weiyang Palace, so I think it is most reasonable to name this paper after your title."

Liu Li raised her eyebrows and didn't be polite: "Okay, let's call it Jianling paper."

【Ding, host improved papermaking technology and named it Jianling paper, rewarding 1000 points.】

Hearing the system's prompt, Liu Li took a deep breath, both surprised and surprised: "Isn't improving papermaking technology something that happened in the Eastern Han Dynasty hundreds of years later? I still have points rewards for improving it now?"

【Yes, the system will give certain rewards based on things created by the host that do not exist at present. The rarer the thing, the higher the reward.】

Liu Li was puzzled: "Then before I grew potatoes and chili peppers, and some vegetables and fruits that didn't exist in this era, why didn't you reward me?"

【Those things are all products in the mall and cannot be counted as created by the host. The raw materials must originally exist in the current era.】

It could actually be like this! Liu Li understood that she needed to use the materials currently available to create new things to get points rewards.

Although improving papermaking technology only rewarded 1000 points, it was better than nothing. She was finally not at 0 points! She would cherish these 1000 hard-won points. And she had to think carefully about what she could create.

On the third day, the Emperor and Empress who went to Pingyang Commandery finally returned. Liu Li took the initiative to hand over the Five Zhu coins and Jianling paper to Liu Che and A Jiao for inspection.

After seeing the softness of the facial tissue, Liu Che was still dissatisfied with the paper made by Sun Qiu. Liu Li complained angrily: "This is already the best paper produced at present. If you want something like facial tissue, you have to enter the industrial age first."

"What is the industrial age?" Liu Che was curious.

Liu Li raised her eyebrows and said: "It'

Liu Che still didn't understand: "What is a machine?"

Liu Li: "..." If she were to explain this, it would probably take three days and three nights. She simply changed the subject: "In any case, I think this paper is already quite good, and I have already ordered Sun Qiu to produce it according to these specifications."

Liu Che nodded: "The first batch of produced paper should be sent to the Imperial Academy for those Doctors to use for copying."

He spoke with disdain, but he was clearly satisfied in his heart. Liu Li pursed her lips: "By the way, I also gave this paper a name—Jianling Paper." As she spoke, she raised her eyes to observe Liu Che's reaction.

Upon hearing the name, Liu Che did not have any particular reaction. A Jiao praised: "A good name."

"Mother, papermaking requires more space and manpower, so I suggest moving the paper mill to Shanglin Park. There is plenty of space there to expand. Moreover, the Feathered Forest Guard and the Qimen Army are both training there, so we can have soldiers take turns on duty at the paper mill to stir the paper pulp."

After hearing this, A Jiao nodded: "We shall follow Li's arrangement."

Since Shanglin Park was mentioned, Liu Che remembered something; he waved for Fuqu to present the items.

Liu Li stared at the basket in Fuqu's hands and said in surprise: "Is this... lychee?" In the basket was a large bunch of round, plump lychees.

Liu Che said: "When we were returning from Pingyang Commandery, we passed by Shanglin Park and heard that the lychees there were ripe, so we went to pick a few bunches."

Liu Li reached out and picked a lychee, peeling off the outer skin. The flesh inside was white and moist. She put it in her mouth and took a bite; it was icy, sweet, and incredibly delicious.

"So delicious." The sweet, rich taste made Liu Li squint her eyes in happiness.

Seeing her like this, A Jiao pursed her lips and smiled: "This whole bunch is for you; you can savor it slowly."

Liu Li nodded: "Thank you, Father Emperor."

However, Liu Li did not enjoy it alone. She peeled the lychee shells and stuffed one into A Jiao's mouth and one into Liu Che's mouth before she began to eat the remaining lychees with peace of mind.

While eating, Liu Li did not forget to ask Liu Che about Zhao Yingqi of the Nanyue Kingdom: "Father Emperor, there is a guard by your side named Zhao Yingqi; do you know this person's background?"

Hearing this, Liu Che thought for a moment and said: "Him? He is the Crown Prince of the Nanyue Kingdom. Why are you asking about him?"

Liu Che really did know Zhao Yingqi's background!

Liu Li quickly said: "Father Emperor, please tell me—since Zhao Yingqi is the Crown Prince of the Nanyue Kingdom, how did he come to Weiyang Palace to be a guard?"

Liu Che recalled for a moment and said: "That was back in the sixth year of Jianyuan."

In the southwest of the Great Han, there was actually not just the Nanyue Kingdom, but many other small nations, such as the Minyue Kingdom (located in modern-day Fujian Province).

Back then, the Minyue Kingdom launched a war against the Nanyue Kingdom, and the ruler of Nanyue, Zhao Mo, could only seek help from the Great Han. After receiving the request for help, Liu Che arranged for troops to help Nanyue repel the Minyue Kingdom.

Afterward, Liu Che also dispatched the Grand Master of the Palace, Yan Zhu, as an envoy to the Nanyue Kingdom to invite Zhao Mo to Chang'an to pay homage to the Son of Heaven, showing submission to the Great Han. As it turned out, this Zhao Mo was afraid that if he went to the Great Han, he would never return, so he feigned illness to avoid it and sent the then-Crown Prince of Nanyue, Zhao Yingqi, to Chang'an to serve as a guard for Liu Che.

After hearing Liu Che's account, Liu Li was speechless for a moment. To put it nicely, Zhao Yingqi was a guard; in reality, he was no different from a hostage.

However, the fact that this Zhao Yingqi could become the ruler of Nanyue in the future shows that he still had some ability.

"Why are you asking about him out of the blue?" Liu Che was puzzled.

Liu Li did not hide it and said: "The Heavenly God hinted that Zhao Yingqi will become the third ruler of the Nanyue Kingdom, so I was just asking."

"Oh?" This clearly piqued Liu Che's interest. He raised his eyebrows and said: "If Zhao Yingqi becomes the ruler of Nanyue, it could allow the Nanyue Kingdom to submit to the Great Han sooner."

Listening to Liu Che's words, Liu Li suddenly understood. In history, Zhao Yingqi was clearly in the Great Han, yet he was still able to inherit the throne of Nanyue; Liu Che's help likely played a part in that.

After the paper mill finished drying the first batch of paper, it was handed over to the Son of Heaven, totaling about twenty sheets. Afterward, the paper mill would be relocated to Shanglin Park.

A Jiao bestowed gifts upon everyone at the paper mill and even promoted Sun Qiu to an official rank with a salary of one thousand shi.

Sun Qiu happily accepted the reward; he had never imagined that someone of his slave background could actually become an official.

The twenty-something sheets of paper produced were sent to the Imperial Academy. The headmaster, Dong Zhongshu, was very pleasantly surprised and couldn't put them down. Afterward, he asked the eunuch who delivered the paper: "When will Princess Jianling return to class?"

The eunuch returned to convey the message truthfully.

Liu Li: "..." The Imperial Academy had already started classes at the beginning of the ninth month, but Liu Li had just returned to the palace at that time and used the excuse of needing rest to avoid going to school.

More than ten days had passed in a flash, and Dong Zhongshu was urging her to return to class.

Helplessly, the next day, Liu Li had to put her little schoolbag back on and head to school facing the morning sun.

Upon returning to the classroom, everyone saw Liu Li and came over to show their concern. From this, it was evident that Liu Li's status in the hearts of her classmates was still quite high.

Sang Qian stuffed a jade pendant engraved with the character "Sang" to Liu Li: "This is for you."

Liu Li held the exquisite jade pendant and asked curiously: "What is this?" The jade pendant was pure white, clearly carved from top-quality jade, and worth a fortune.

Sang Qian curled his lips and said: "Next time you end up stranded outside again, no matter where you are, as long as you take this jade pendant to any shop under the Sang family, you will receive the best treatment."

Liu Li gripped the jade pendant tightly but said: "Sang Qian, do you really want to see me stranded outside again?"

Sang Qian: "?"

"I kindly give you something, and you think of me like that?" Sang Qian said angrily: "Then give it back to me."

Liu Li tucked the jade pendant into her bosom to hide it: "There is no reason to take back something given as a gift. Although you don't have good intentions, I still thank you."

She said the latter part of the thanks with particular sincerity.

Sang Qian gave a light sneer and, acting quite proud, turned and returned to his seat.

Thinking of how everyone was showing their concern for her in different ways, Liu Li was suddenly filled with emotion. She suddenly felt as if she were gradually integrating into this era.

And these children of marquises, who were of similar age to her, would also be the future of the Great Han. She hoped that the Great Han in this space-time could develop better and better. May the common people not have to be displaced, and may everyone have food to eat and a house to live in.

She must strive to build a beautiful new Great Han and make the Great Han the most prosperous country in the world today!!