Chapter 909: Lucky or Unlucky

While Liu Zheng was following Queen Inhyeon and Li Xuanya to do "charity," his pen pal Hamid sent another letter.

It was evident that this time, Hamid had given some thought to how he addressed Liu Zheng.

It had changed from the previous "Lord Liu" and "Vice Minister Liu" to "Big Brother."

Even the phrasing had become more respectful.

This made Liu Zheng chuckle in spite of himself.

In the letter, Hamid expressed his admiration for Liu Zheng's Constitutional Monarchy, which was certainly inevitable.

But he also listed the various limitations the Ottoman Empire faced in implementing a Constitutional Monarchy at this time.

First, Tsarist Russia was a sworn enemy of the Ottoman Empire, and the reforms and growing strength of Tsarist Russia were plain for all to see. Recently, frequent conflicts had broken out on the border between Tsarist Russia and the Ottoman Empire. Under such circumstances, the Ottoman domestic situation had just stabilized and was in need of Centralization of Power; if a Constitutional Monarchy were implemented at this time, it would surely make those Sipahi generals lack unity.

In short.

The content of the letter was full of praise for a Constitutional Monarchy, but it was fraught with difficulties.

Second, the economic development within the Ottoman Empire had actually lagged behind Europe for many years. People in the country, let alone the Gentry, had absolutely no concept of the "capital" or "handicraft industry" that Liu Zheng described. Hamid felt that under these circumstances, a Constitutional Monarchy could be put on the back burner.

:

Third, Britain had risen because of its Constitutional Monarchy, and Hamid also expressed close attention to it. But as things stood, Britain had not yet truly decided a winner against France. He felt that whether a Constitutional Monarchy was applicable still required a period of observation.

The current Ottoman Empire had just experienced the purge of the Janissary, and domestic sentiment was not yet very stable. Especially those Sipahi generals who were waiting to be rewarded for their merits; if you were to introduce a Constitutional Monarchy now, how could you still command them to fight?

From Hamid's perspective.

Liu Zheng smiled bitterly.

He did not feel disrespected because his suggestion was not adopted. He even believed that Hamid had already become a mature monarch. That's right, a Constitutional Monarchy is good and advanced. But specifically, one must look at the specific national conditions.

Actually, if it were Liu Zheng, he would completely believe that it would be no problem for the current Ottoman Empire to engage in a Constitutional Monarchy. Because the Ottoman Empire controlled many important ports and canals in Asia, Africa, and Europe, once this policy was implemented, the takeoff of the Ottoman Empire could be imagined.

Chaos?

It was indeed not suitable.

Hamid's caution was appropriate.

In his reply, Liu Zheng gave high praise to Hamid's caution. He also expressed great worry and concern that the "rebel army" led by Nashadier of the Safavid Dynasty had occupied Port Said. But he also knew that the Ottoman Empire could no longer send troops to reinforce Port Said, as they were preparing for the Third Russo-Turkish War.

Therefore.

Could one not use chaos to control chaos?

Since it was already chaotic enough, why not just take drastic measures?

As for the Constitutional Monarchy

Liu Zheng stated that he was currently promoting a Constitutional Monarchy in the Li Dynasty.

Liu Zheng was willing to form an alliance with Hamid from the standpoint of the Longyan Dynasty.

He would send the East India Company's army to maintain order in Port Said and garrison Port Said.

But there was no other way.

He had to take the Suez Canal, whether by taking advantage of someone's precarious position or otherwise, it had to be taken.

As for how effective it would be, Hamid could wait and see.

After the reply was sent, Liu Zheng felt that he was extremely shameless.

"What's wrong?"

Liu Zheng gave a chuckle.

"Young Master, Young Master!"

Just after giving the letter to the servant, Li Xuanya came running over happily.

Liu Zheng's eyes crinkled into slits from smiling.

At this moment, Li Xuanya looked incomparably pure, looking just like an angel.

These past few days, they had been providing disaster relief and charity, which had eased the sorrow of Queen Inhyeon and Li Xuanya over losing Min Weizhong, their closest relative.

Getting off the carriage, he saw Li Xuanya from afar leading a group of children at play.

Li Xuanya wiped away her fragrant sweat, ran over, and acted coquettishly.

Liu Zheng smiled: "Alright."

Her giggling laughter rippled in the air, lingering for a long time.

"Young Master, shall we build a school for these children? They really want to study!"

"Xuanya is a simple child."

Just then, Queen Inhyeon suddenly appeared by Liu Zheng's side.

"That's great!"

Li Xuanya quickly ran over to announce the news, which immediately drew cheers from the group of children.

Liu Zheng was suddenly speechless, his heart filled with bitter smiles.

Failed Xuanya?

Liu Zheng hurriedly performed a salute.

Queen Inhyeon smiled slightly: "Young Master, please do not fail Xuanya, will you?"

He just smiled: "Does the Queen understand love?"

"Hmm?"

Not to mention, in his plans, there was indeed no place for Xuanya by his side. Because he would soon leave the Li Dynasty, and Li Xuanya would be molded by him into a queen. By then, Li Xuanya certainly could not marry him.

Therefore, Liu Zheng did not know how to answer Queen Inhyeon's question.

She indeed did not understand.

But she knew how to be a good queen.

Queen Inhyeon did not expect Liu Zheng to suddenly ask this question.

Love?

She is the Queen.

She is a presence who serves as the mother of the world.

Her marriage to Li Tun was a political marriage from the start, and the feelings that developed over time happened naturally. But looking back, could this emotion be considered love? She did not know; often, amidst the romances popular in the streets, seeing those loves and hates of life and death, Queen Inhyeon had also once yearned for them.

But she knows her mission.

Queen Inhyeon's eyes lit up as she listened.

A few simple words described something a person might not even experience in an entire lifetime.

She should not be thinking about anything like love.

Liu Zheng laughed heartily and said, "Love is actually very simple. The delight of the hunt when you first meet, the fluttering of the heart after the first encounter, the recklessness during the height of passion, and the mutual support after things settle down. In my view, these are all love."

Queen Inhyeon seemed to hear something in his words, and suddenly, a complex mix of emotions stirred in her heart.

Liu Zheng laughed and said, "Just enjoy the present. To worry about gains and losses for the future when you should be enjoying the moment is an experience one shouldn't have."

Liu Zheng chuckled, looked at Li Xuanya, who was still playing with the children, and said calmly, "Your Majesty, I believe Xuanya has already experienced it. Since she has already experienced it, how could there be any question of failing someone or having regrets?"

"This..."

After saying this, he walked over toward them and began playing with Li Xuanya and the children.

"Love..."

Queen Inhyeon watched the back of this young man deeply, her heart in turmoil.

Her own daughter, falling in love with such a man...

Is it, in the end, good fortune or misfortune?