Chapter 2033: Gradually Advancing Conspiracy

Merchant ships coming and going will no longer need to specially detour around the cape; going directly through the new waterway will save another half a month of time.

The topography of this world is primarily shaped by the immense power of nature.

"The weather is favorable; a sea journey of just over a month is not long," He Chunhua continued, "What else do you know about the Yangshan Archipelago?"

"It's located in the sea southwest of Mou Kingdom, opposite Blade Port. I heard it was originally an uninhabited island, but then it was bought and developed. Now it's an important stop on the golden shipping route, with thriving commerce. Many merchant ships arriving from the east pass through the Yangshan Archipelago."

He Chunhua asked a few more questions, and the more he learned, the more astonished he became. In recent years, he had striven to govern diligently, not wasting a single day, but he never expected He Lingchuan's accomplishments to far surpass his own.

Well, really!

He composed himself and began preparing to select candidates for the diplomatic mission.

After the court session concluded and the officials dispersed, he suddenly recalled something:

Should he tell his wife and He Yue about this?

The last time, father and son had a falling out in the Coiling Dragon Illusion, and He Lingchuan vanished without a trace. He Chunhua had assumed he would never see him again, so upon returning home, he had simply said that his eldest son had unfortunately died.

He Yue had been depressed for over two months, and Ying Hongchan had been in tears constantly.

What could he say now? That his eldest son wasn't dead, but was thriving overseas and had made quite a name for himself?

His wife would surely scold him to death!

If He Lingchuan wasn't dead, why did he flee thousands of miles away? How would he explain that to his younger son?

His eldest son was always a thorn in his side, bringing him endless vexation. Ah!

The thought alone made him want to scratch his head.

With his hands clasped behind his back, he sighed inwardly. As he walked through the corridor, several palace attendants hastily bowed.

Not until the monarch's figure disappeared did they quietly murmur, "The King is smiling so happily; is there some good news in the palace?"

In recent days, Nanrong He and his sons have been accompanying Emperor Jiuyou, clearing out stubborn local strongholds in other areas.

The Nanrong family alone had eliminated two powerful enemy factions and reclaimed a large city. Their military achievements were truly outstanding, earning them public commendation.

Nanrong He's sons fought alongside key figures like Luo Xie and Wanqixing, becoming quite familiar with them.

The Nanrong army was integrated into the Dragon God Army, undergoing round-the-clock training.

The Nanrong family quickly integrated into the Dragon God's army, adapting well, just like the Luodian and Peiguan people.

Environment and atmosphere are infectious. The Dragon God Army's atmosphere was purer than any army they had previously encountered.

Nanrong He personally witnessed the Dragon God Army's training methods, logistical support, and operational efficiency. Deeply impressed, he also felt fortunate to have made the right choice.

No wonder Luodian, the Allied Forces, and Bixia had all been defeated one after another. Against this smoothly operating war machine, the Nanrong family would have no chance, even if they resisted stubbornly.

Furthermore, Emperor Jiuyou had told him directly that the Dragon God Army's training would soon conclude. At that time, an army of 400,000 would march into Yao Kingdom, swiftly defeating Baitan and eliminating the Heavenly Demon An's strongest minion in the Glimmering Gold Plain!

Four hundred thousand troops!

Aside from the Glimmering Gold Empire a thousand years ago and Yao Kingdom before its palace coup, Nanrong He had never heard of any other power in Glimmering Gold possessing an army of this size.

With an army of this magnitude, wouldn't they simply overwhelm any opponent?

Another battle concluded, and since it was near his home, Nanrong He took the opportunity to make a quick visit.

To his surprise, just as he stepped through the door, a servant rushed over:

"Nanny Wang requests your presence. The young lady has had a persistent high fever since last night, and several doses of medicine have had no effect."

Nanrong He had six sons but only one daughter, whom he cherished deeply. This was evident in her name, "Ying An."

"She's had a high fever since last night? Why wasn't I informed sooner?" Despite being preoccupied with many concerns, Nanrong He hastily prepared his carriage and rushed to Huanxi.

Fortunately, the journey wasn't far; they arrived in an hour and a half.

Huanxi was the most beautiful flower stream in Nanrong, with continuous blossoms from spring to autumn and ice flowers in winter, offering beauty in all four seasons.

This season was perfect for pear blossoms to bloom, like jade trees covered in spring snow filling the valley, their subtle fragrance drifting into one's sleeves.

Nanrong He, however, had no mind to admire the scenery and galloped his horse into Huanxi Lodge.

The manor's guards saluted him, and Nanny Wang rushed out to greet him, "Master."

"How did the young lady get sick?"

Nanrong He knew his daughter was naturally frail, so he always carried talismans and elixirs for warding off illness, misfortune, and plague.

"She went to play by the stream yesterday and came back with a fever, often muttering deliriously."

"Did she go into the water?"

"She only dipped her feet in the stream, and not for long, just a quarter of an hour." Nanny Wang hardly dared to breathe, as the young lady's illness was a lapse in her care. "She just woke up again and had some porridge."

"I'll go see her."

The spring wind was chilly, so his daughter's boudoir had its doors and windows tightly closed. Nanny Wang knocked and announced his arrival, and a voice from inside said, "Come in."

Nanrong He walked in. A subtle fragrance filled the room, and a dim lamp by the bed illuminated the figure behind the gauze curtain.

Nanrong Ying'an was the first to speak, calling out "Father" in a sweet, soft voice.

"How did you get sick?" Nanrong He sat on the chair by the bed. "Give me your hand."

"My head feels very dizzy," his daughter said, extending her hand. He gently took her pulse.

Her pulse was deep and sluggish, like a common cold, but occasionally there was a startled tremor, as if something was blocked.

"Was there anything unusual in the stream yesterday?"

"No," Nanrong Ying'an countered, "Why do you look so worried, Father?"

Nanrong He casually replied, "It's nothing."

"I heard from Nanny and the servants that Father has sworn allegiance to the Dragon God?"

"...When did Nanny Wang become such a gossip? "What does that have to do with you? Just rest and recover."

"How does it not concern me?" Nanrong Ying'an sat upright. "If the Dragon God comes, maybe he won't let me keep Huanxi all to myself and will kick me out."

"You are my daughter, Nanrong He's daughter; who would dare harm you?" Nanrong He chuckled. "Besides, why would the Dragon God specifically trouble a young girl like you? I saw the Dragon God today; he's a rare and dashing talent! In a few more years, perhaps..."

Nanrong Ying'an then said, "I heard that the Dragon God doesn't allow surrendered lords and nobles to remain in their ancestral lands; they must relocate elsewhere."

Nanrong He found it strange. "Who told you that?"

His daughter usually lived secluded in her boudoir, caring little about outside affairs. How could she know such details?

"My maternal uncle said that the lord of Qu'an City, Chen Xianhe's family, moved away two months ago for this very reason," his daughter pressed. "Is this true?"

Nanrong He did not answer directly. "You've lived in Huanxi for many years; aren't you tired of the scenery here? There are countless beautiful places in the world; I'll find you another beautiful scenic spot."

He was trying to coax her, but he implicitly confirmed her words.

Nanrong Ying'an groaned softly, "My head is so dizzy. Oh, right, I just remembered, yesterday while playing in the water, it felt like something pricked my palm."