Chapter 1005: The Threat from Tsarist Russia

The family was reunited, and it was truly a joyous occasion.

Liu Zheng felt this warmth, and a sincere smile appeared on his face.

Since coming to this world, these people were his family.

He could feel their unconditional trust in him. This also helped him begin to integrate into this world even better. He should guard them, he should protect them, he should let them live better lives, and he should let them live longer so they could accompany him for a longer time.

With these people around, how could he not work hard?

Because they had been separated for too long, Liu Dahao rambled on endlessly.

But that was fine; during the time they were apart, many stories had happened to everyone, and it was appropriate for Liu Dahao to ask about them, so they began to share.

Liu Dahao was sharing news about his wife's second pregnancy; he was so delighted, and even told Liu Zheng that as an older brother, he must prepare a grand gift for his precious daughter! This left Liu Zheng unable to laugh or cry; it seemed Liu Dahao was obsessed with having a daughter.

Then, Liu Zheng told them everything that had happened in Liaodong and the Li Dynasty.

Although he spoke nonchalantly, the few of them knew how thrilling it had been.

Afterward.

Jiang Xuan also shared his days in the Ottoman Empire and Central Asia; this was actually what the others were most interested in.

Naturally, Liu Zheng also paid attention to the Ottoman side; after all, at this time, the Ottoman Empire was still a buffer zone between him and the Western countries. He needed a relatively strong Ottoman Empire, but certainly not an absolutely powerful one. This was why, even though the Mughal Empire was gone, Bukhara was gone, Kokand was gone, and the Putu Kingdom was now almost dominant, Liu Zheng still had to secretly support various religious groups in the Middle East. There was no other reason; he did not want a powerful, stable, major power to emerge in the Middle East.

After hearing Jiang Xuan's account, Liu Zheng felt relieved.

Hamid was still not decisive enough.

If he had been willing to listen to Liu Zheng and directly reform into a constitutional monarchy, the strength of the Ottoman Empire would have been right before his eyes.

It was a pity.

He had hesitated.

So in this Russo-Turkish War, the Ottoman Empire was once again defeated miserably. Russia had achieved absolute victory once more.

"How is Ling Chen doing? And Nashadier?"

Liu Zheng asked thoughtfully.

Nashadier was also someone Liu Zheng was quite concerned about. Because of the Suez Canal!

With the development of Longyan, conflict with Western countries would be inevitable. He had to take the Suez Canal!

"Lord Ling said he has already begun making contact with Nashadier, and Nashadier's combat effectiveness is still reliable. He has completely controlled that area!"

Jiang Xuan laughed heartily.

Only then did Liu Zheng heave a sigh of relief.

"It's just..."

Jiang Xuan paused, then continued laughing: "The Young Master will likely have to bleed money again! Lord Ling said the cost to develop a canal is not small!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zheng waved his hand: "Go tell your Sister Yue Ru!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

In any case, whenever Liangzhou was short on money, they would just look for Zheng Yueru.

In Liu Zheng's mind, the image of that capable, strong-willed woman surfaced once again.

Actually...

He also felt a bit of heartache; he knew how busy Zheng Yueru was every day. For the sake of silver and money, the entire operation in Liangzhou was no small burden. From Liangzhou itself to the Western Regions, to the Southern Barbarians, and now to Liaodong and Central Asia, there were simply too many places spending money... He found it hard to imagine how much his head would ache if he had to manage the accounts of Liangzhou himself.

Zheng Yueru...

Thinking of her, Liu Zheng's heart softened.

If he finished all this work, he would definitely give Zheng Yueru a formal status.

That was inevitable.

"Actually... what I am most worried about right now is not Central Asia."

Liu Zheng chuckled.

The others looked over one after another.

Especially Qin Zhangfeng.

Listening to the story of the Li Dynasty and the story of Jiang Xuan, he felt his blood boiling. He hadn't fought a war in a long time... his hands were itching!

"Then what is it?"

Qin Zhangfeng asked excitedly.

Was the Young Master about to stir up trouble again?

Liu Zheng chuckled: "Tsarist Russia."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone gasped.

Liangzhou.

Zheng Yueru was currently writing furiously.

"Need money again, need money again!"

Zheng Yueru sighed deeply, her dark eyebrows slightly furrowed.

She felt she had aged a lot recently!

It was too annoying.

There was too much of it.

Even if Yintan City were an advanced dairy cow, it couldn't be milked like this! They had just finished collecting accounts today, and in the blink of an eye, it all had to be given away. Good heavens, it was Liaodong, and then Central Asia...

Fortunately.

The construction in the Western Regions had now entered a regular track. That is to say, they didn't need to keep pouring money in from Liangzhou anymore; they were already seeing returns.

But Central Asia, Liaodong, and especially that Suez Canal in the Young Master's plan.

This is yet another massive sum of money that needs to be poured in!

And every time this young master spends money, it's like a bottomless pit. Each one is a massive project that leaves people in awe!

It's difficult.

It's vexing.

Burning the midnight oil.

Zheng Yueru continued to calculate the accounts.

But from time to time.

She would also look out the window; the face of the woman who was now the richest person in Longyan, despite its powerful aura, would still reveal a few expressions of girlish naivety.

Young master.

How are things in Jinghua?

What about him now?

What does he look like now? Has he matured? Has he become more handsome?

……

"Attack!"

"Drive all these hairy ones back for me!"

"Drive them to the other side of the river!"

In Liaodong.

Niu Chaofeng's barbaric expansion was still continuing.

The Niu Chaofeng of today was no longer that bad boy from the village who used to jump around; wearing a military uniform, his temperament was extraordinary. Status is always the best tool for tempering a person. In Liaodong, there was no one now who did not know the great name of Niu Chaofeng. And with the tacit approval of the Liaodong Prefecture, the troops under his command had expanded from the previous three thousand, five thousand, to a full thirty thousand!

Thirty thousand!

At this level, this was completely an army, not just a simple armed militia.

Niu Chaofeng naturally knew that thirty thousand was already the limit, the limit that the Liaodong Prefecture could tolerate. Any more, and he feared the Liaodong Prefecture would feel he had great ambition and he would easily be purged.

Thirty thousand.

Ten combat regiments.

Such an organization had already begun to slowly become regularized.

Titles like legion commander, general, and deputy general were becoming more and more numerous.

The stronger the strength, the greater the responsibility.

Niu Chaofeng naturally knew this point.

The clearing of these hairy ones, from the small villages at the very beginning to the small towns of today, meant the other side also began to have organized troops. Their resistance was also becoming more and more intense. Their combat effectiveness was also becoming more and more powerful.

He understood in his heart.

As the expansion continued.

Vice Minister Liu.

Young Master Liu.

The time when he would truly be needed was about to arrive.