Your Majesty the Empress, I am really not a traitor!

"It's really smooth."

Sitting in the carriage, Xia Yuxiao couldn't help sighing.

The central avenue of the Weixi Empire was built on rammed ground with large stone slabs up to ten centimeters thick. It is even more able to achieve a tight fit.

While ensuring that the stone slabs can be spliced ​​together without leaving too many gaps, a special local mud is used to glue and fill the gaps.

The road built in this way is naturally expensive, but it has also become the most famous avenue in the entire Weixi Empire. The entire avenue is spacious and flat, and people riding in carriages will not feel the violent bumps like dirt roads or gravel roads.

"The central avenue was very spectacular when it was first built. Cassidel II used almost all the domestic surplus pack animals to transport stone materials. In addition to the later construction of the palace and the cathedral, the Weixi Empire at that time almost used a The mountain was dug up."

Facing His Majesty's exclamation, Qin Ji explained.

This road is indeed one of the wonders built by humans. At that time, after the completion of this road, it almost drove the economic and regional exchanges along the entire Weixi Empire. As a result, the development of the Weixi Empire gained full momentum. .

Therefore, the Central Avenue is not called the Central Avenue because it runs through the most prosperous area of ​​the Weixi Empire, but because it created the most prosperous area of ​​the empire, it was later called the Central Avenue.

"This kind of consumption... is really terrifying."

In Xia Yuxiao's mind, she calculated an amazing account almost at once.I have to lament the vigor of the Weixi Empire back then.

"Your Majesty is the same today. After the canal is completed, it is foreseeable that you will leave a strong mark in the history books in the future," Qin Ji said with a smile, "However, the canal is indeed much more difficult than the stone road. Now that Daxia has a certain background, it is really difficult to support the construction of the canal."

"Where are we staying tonight?" Xia Yuxiao suddenly asked such a question.

Qin Ji poked his head out, asked the Duke a few words in Weixi language, and then re-entered: "He said, tonight we will stay in a place called Yanjing City ahead, where the Weixi Empire used to be. The salt industry center has now become a commercial transfer point."

"Sounds good."

"Yeah, Yanjing City was originally the salt-making center of the Weixi Empire. The salt produced is of high quality, not only for domestic use, but also exported to foreign countries. It can be said that it was an important city in the Weixi Empire. Now it seems The salt wells are approaching exhaustion, but now that the salt-making technology is relatively developed, there is no need for salt wells. The infrastructure here was very good back then, and many chambers of commerce settled here, so it simply became a commercial transfer station, although not as good as in the past Brilliant, but also prosperous."

Xia Yuxiao couldn't help being curious about how Qin Ji loved this place.

This guy knows quite a lot, and it's no wonder that the first emperor arranged exchange talents according to the list he recommended.

"Qing has such a deep understanding of everything about the Weixi Empire. Could it be that he has studied it before?"

"It's just that I'm curious about this country," Qin Ji smiled, "Your Majesty, the Weixi Empire is one of the few countries in the human world that dares to oppose the church, and this country has a history of more than 500 years. It may not be a long time, but... under the influence of the church for 500 years, I have not been suppressed thinking, but tried to break free, so I am very interested in this country."

"Do you think they can be allies?"

"I'm afraid not."

Qin Ji looked outside and said in a low voice.

Xia Yuxiao leaned on her chin and looked at the captain with interest: "Tell me."

"We can cooperate, but we can't become allies," Qin Ji said, "For us, the Weixi Empire still has the church as a common enemy, but once the church is successfully suppressed, I am afraid that the next goal of the Weixi Empire will be unification The human world—seems far away, but in reality, it's not impossible."

"Before that, we could cooperate with them, but we couldn't really trust them completely. Once we trust them, it will form an unfavorable factor for our strategic decision-making in the future."

"I don't think there's anything wrong with being an ally."

Xia Yuxiao said suddenly.

"His Majesty?"

"Who stipulated that to form an alliance, you must know each other?" Xia Yuxiao sneered, and she stroked the warm jade ornament in her hand, "We have conducted a talent exchange with the Weixi Empire, and you must be aware that the Weixi Empire is not They didn't really trust us, they said that they couldn't give us some core things because of the church's restrictions, and they still didn't dare to trust us to put it bluntly."

She slightly opened a corner of the carriage window and looked at the escorting soldiers outside: "I can understand their defenses, we are guarding against them, and they are also guarding against us. We have learned some technologies from the Weixi Empire, but from the previous Judging from the news sent back by Daxia's envoys in the Weixi Empire, the Weixi Empire has great reservations."

"Since you know, then why do you teach the personnel of the Weixi Empire the water conservancy and formation techniques of Daxia..."

"As I said, we are fortifying each other." Her eyes were like deep holes, staring at Qin Ji. "One of the conditions for breaking the fortification is that one side shows sincerity. Now Daxia is just like me. It’s the same as what my younger brother said, it’s a pool of stagnant water, do you think I don’t want to revive this pool of stagnant water?”

"But I can't mobilize domestic foundations on a large scale right now, it will only be counterproductive. In this case, it is better to bring some things from the outside to use first. Weixi Empire is such a good 'ally', I use it and we have already used it The main purpose is to exchange something that is rotten and basically difficult to break through in a short period of time, and it is not easy for them to understand the essence, in exchange for an ally's defense."

"In their view, Daxia's water conservancy technology and combat formation are Daxia's top-secret technology, which is true. But these top-secrets, they have only learned a little superficial. In their view, this is our trump card. In our It seems that this is just the surface - even if we teach them formations, it will take decades or even hundreds of years for them to establish a complete system for using formations."

"And what I want is an ally who puts down his defenses and is willing to help me revitalize Daxia. As for those superficial things, they are just for sharing. If they give it, they will give it. If they have the ability, they will give up the existing magic system. Go learn our combat system. Anyway, I have already told them the 'top secret', so they have to consider reciprocating."

Chapter 14 Temporary residence

It was already evening when the convoy arrived in Yanjing City.

Preparations have been made for the welcome here. Xia Yuxiao was welcomed by the city lord of Yanjing City as soon as she entered the city.This city, as we know before, is a commercial hub city, and the entire Yanjing City is still very lively even in the evening.

People on the street lit up the lights, and in the tavern next to the street, the boss was trying his best to sell the fruit wine he had just brewed.And at the entrance of the chamber of commerce in the distance, crowds and groups of people gathered, some were buyers, some were sellers.

The night here seems never to be tired. Under the afterglow of the setting sun, some unreasonable industries also came out. The moment they appeared, the soldiers drove these guys into the alley.

This made Xia Yuxiao feel a trace of truth.No matter where it is, no matter how well-developed a city is, there will always be shadows that its light cannot shine. Of course, Weixi's soldiers are obviously prepared for emergencies, driving those people away in time to leave a good impression on the guests .

In fact, everyone basically did this, and she also knew that it was impossible for the Weixi Empire not to have these dark sides.But she didn't come here to criticize current affairs, so she had the right to ignore it.

The place where they stayed was the private mansion of a local nobleman. This place was used by the nobleman to entertain distinguished guests. The Weixi Empire temporarily requisitioned his mansion, cleaned up and remodeled it, and became Xia Yuxiao and Qin Ji's temporary residence.

After the duke sent the guests to the mansion, he left calmly after chatting for a while, giving the guests of Daxia enough personal space.

The entire mansion can be described as luxurious. There are more than [-] guest rooms inside, not counting the rest rooms, servants' dormitories and other rooms, and the master's own bedroom is even more luxurious. .

This mansion is now fully "occupied" by Daxia. According to diplomatic etiquette, it is now equivalent to Daxia's own territory. Therefore, while retaining the face of the Weixi Empire as the host, Qin Ji also kept the mansion inside as much as possible. They are all arranged to accompany Longwei.The outside protection work is left to the host, but the "territory" of Daxia is all guarded by the dragon guards.

While the defense was being arranged, Xia Yuxiao summoned the accompanying eunuchs and the commander of the bus in the living room, coordinated the itinerary for tomorrow's carriage and horses, and then returned to the bedroom to review the documents she had brought.

Yes, Xia Yuxiao also brought some documents in the car. These documents are not urgent matters that need to be dealt with immediately, but some planning documents.By the way, I have to think about the content and etiquette of the two-day diplomacy.

While she was writing vigorously in her bedroom, there was a knock on the door.

"Who?"

she asked.

The dragon guards guarding outside the house immediately replied:

"Your Majesty, Lord Taiwei please see me."

"come in."

The luxurious carved wooden door was pushed open, Qin Ji walked into the bedroom, then bowed and saluted: "Your Majesty."

"Is there a problem?"

Xia Yuxiao combed her hair. She had already changed into her pajamas and untied her hair. It was quite unexpected that Qin Ji would visit at this time.

"Your Majesty, this is the technology list of the Weixi Empire that I sorted out. It contains various technologies and resources that my Great Xia may need. During diplomacy, you can talk to the other party about these resources first."

In fact, it is not difficult to sort out these things. This list is what he had already thought about before he set off, because after the satellite came back, he told himself a lot of technology that the Weixi Empire was superior but was unwilling to give, so Qin Ji naturally wanted to take advantage of it. With this diplomatic proposal.

Xia Yuxiao took his list, then glanced sideways at her pajamas, and pulled the slipped pajamas over her shoulders: "Well, I will consider these, thanks for your hard work."

"Where, this is what I should do."

The thought in Qin Ji's heart is: as long as you don't give me any moths, I will be satisfied.

"You can't sleep?" Xia Yuxiao noticed at this time that Qin Ji's clothes were still the normal clothes he wore during the day, and he didn't change into casual clothes.

"Well, I have some insomnia today."

Qin Ji did not deny that he did suffer from insomnia, not because of anything else, but because of work.

There is no way, although Xia Yuxiao is the emperor, he was in charge of many plans for this trip, which did increase the workload. Up to now, his mind is still clear and he has not entered a state of rest.

"If you can't sleep, why don't you just chat with me here for a while."

While talking, Xia Yuxiao quickly took her jade seal and pressed her seal on a planning document about dredging waterways.

"Yes."

"Sit whatever you want," she waved her hand, then paused for a moment, "ah, don't sit on the bed."

"I dare not."

Qin Ji was naturally not vigorous enough to dare to sit on His Majesty's bed, so he sat on the sofa in the bedroom.

"Do you know why I brought you out this time?" Xia Yuxiao didn't look at him when she said this, but was still focused on her official documents.

"I don't know."

"Because I believe that your ability is trustworthy."

She seemed to be speaking casually.But the next words made Qin Ji feel a little bit wrong:

"Look, even if you and I leave Tai'an City, as long as you make arrangements in advance, Tai'an City will be as stable as Mount Tai. Daxia is really lucky to have a talent like you."

This is quite straightforward.

But Qin Ji could hear something was wrong.

what?What are you remembering again?

"I don't have such a great ability, His Majesty is absurd."

"Modity is not always a good thing," Xia Yuxiao smiled gently, "Now that we are all in a foreign country, I can rest assured that you have arranged for us in China. Then, on the side of the Weixi Empire, I think you can also take on great responsibilities."

"The minister came here this time to accompany you, what's the big responsibility?"

"No, this diplomacy now is a good time to fight for the interests of Great Xia," Xia Yuxiao sighed, "To be honest, I don't know what to do in my heart. Qing has a better understanding of the Weixi Empire, and he has worked with Weixi Empire before. They have some communication, this matter, I am afraid it depends on you."

"But if there is a need, His Majesty just speaks, and the minister will assist His Majesty."

"That's good," she finished, put down the pen in her hand, and then stretched, "Qing is planning to stay up with him tonight?"

"No, I'll go to sleep in a while."

"Well, rest more, you can't have any problems at this time." She lay down on the table with a tired look, "I brought a lot of medicine for this trip, and there is a sedative pill, let them give it to you in a while." You get a pair."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After thanking Qin Ji, he stood up and prepared to leave.

"Oh, right."

Xia Yuxiao remembered something: "That duke is a hereditary duke, right?"

"Exactly."

"Arrange for someone to give him some gifts tomorrow, and make some words about their emperor."

She explained it briefly.

Qin Ji immediately understood what she meant: "Understood, I will handle it tomorrow."

"Okay, go get the pill."