Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 912 - 752: Unprecedented Achievement

Chapter 912: Chapter 752: Unprecedented Achievement

Four shichen before Li Xuan executed Yexian, a continuous drizzle fell over Beijing.

Inside the Wenhua Palace of the Forbidden City, Yu Hongshang was sealing documents delivered by the cabinet with a white-bright lamp.

At Yu Hongshang’s lower left, the Sili Bureau eunuch Qian Long, standing to one side, was momentarily distracted by the nearby white-bright lamp.

The white-bright lamp was a recent invention, and according to The Court’s patent law passed half a year ago, the patent was registered under the name of County Prince Fenyang, Li Xuan.

These lamps, powered by electricity, were ten times brighter than candlelight.

Therefore, when introduced in early June, they became explosively popular within Capital City.

The official residences and homes of nobles and the wealthy in Capital City almost universally adopted them; just by running an electric wire and installing a few dozen white-bright lamps, their estates were brightly illuminated.

This made the ’Hydroelectric Plant’ outside the city, owned by Fenyang Prince Mansion, incredibly profitable. Just from the installation fee for the electrical wiring, they earned seven hundred thousand silver yuan. Additionally, the monthly fee for electricity reached three hundred thousand yuan per month. Lamp bulbs sold even more, at a rate of fifty teals apiece, with fifty-seven thousand sold in two months.

The imperial palace alone contributed over ten thousand bulbs, costing nearly a million teals of patterned silver.

This immense profit made many envious.

Qian Long knew that some audacious folks, patent law notwithstanding, were attempting to replicate the light bulbs and even the hydroelectric machines.

However, these attempts were not very successful. The hydroelectric machine, purely a combination of hydraulics and machinery generating electricity without runes, was cost-effective.

The secrecy of Shenqi Union and Prince Fenyang Mansion was strict, and, to date, no one had replicated the hydroelectric machine; many still did not understand its principles.

As for the light bulbs, they were also quite troublesome.

Some had figured out that the filaments inside the bulbs were made of tungsten wire, but the type of transparent glass used for sealing the exterior remained a mystery.

The lifespan of this tungsten wire also perplexed many.

If one did not seek mass production, light bulbs were actually easy to replicate. They were helpless against the spherical shape of the transparent glass, though a hollow transparent crystal could easily be found.

The problem was that the same tungsten wire filaments could only last a few days. After a few days, not only would the filament completely burn out, but the bulb itself would become pitch black.

It was unclear what secret lay inside the bulb that allowed it to remain functional for months, continually bright as ever.

Speaking of glass, Qian Long thought of the glass factory owned by the Fenyang Prince Mansion and recalled the large, transparent glass panels recently installed at the mansion.

Particularly those water pavilions renovated with floor-to-ceiling windows, they were bright and spacious with excellent views, and combined with the landscape, they were stunningly elegant, evoking much envy.

This glass was not yet available on the market, but Qian Long anticipated that it would be another highly profitable business.

Qian Long was also planning to replace the glass in many of the palace buildings to avoid the gloom and perpetual lack of light.

However, Prince Fenyang seemed not very supportive, stating it clashed with the style of the Forbidden City and would detract from its aesthetics.

He suggested that before any remodeling, it would be best to consult an expert to design the overall aesthetics.

But Qian Long’s current thoughts were driven by the concerns of Prince Fenyang.

According to a recent dispatch from the Xiuyiwei, just at the beginning of the Hour of Wu today, Prince Fenyang led four hundred thirty thousand men to Podi Mountain, ready to confront the ninety-three thousand strong army led by Khan of Shiwei, Yexian, in a decisive battle.

The outcome of this battle was critical not only for the future defense of the north but also for the stability of the current Court.

Thus, since receiving this dispatch, Qian Long had been in a distracted state.

As Qian Long’s mind wandered amid scattered thoughts, Yu Hongshang had finished processing the last memorial. She lazily stretched and asked Qian Long, "Is there still no news from the north?"

Snapping back to attention, Qian Long solemnly shook his head, "The latest news came at dusk, brought by Fire-Eye Crow, saying the two sides had just begun to engage. Judging by the time of dispatch, it should have been towards the end of the Hour of Wu."

He then bowed, "Princess, do not worry. County Prince Fenyang has never lost a battle, and he’s never failed to conquer; he will surely win decisively."

"I’m actually not too worried. Xuan is a master strategist. By the time Yexian was forced to fight, he was already defeated."

Slightly amused, Yu Hongshang looked out into the night sky beyond the great hall, then at the brightly lit front courtyard illuminated by the white-bright lamp, "Since it was the end of the Hour of Wu, the battle must already have a victor."

Normally, a battle involving one hundred and fifty thousand people could last a month or two without surprise.

If it were like the current situation in Xi’an City, with high fortifications and deep trenches, and both sides well-supplied, it could easily drag on for two or three years, with battle lines stretching for hundreds of miles.

However, Yu Hongshang knew that in today’s battle, both sides intended to settle it quickly. Furthermore, Podi Mountain featured flat terrain, a vast plain that could accommodate a million men for battle.

Li Xuan had also specifically written to her before the battle, providing a detailed analysis and forecast, predicting that the Jin Army would achieve a decisive victory within two shichen.

Yu Hongshang trusted Li Xuan implicitly and believed in his judgment.

Thus, that afternoon, Yu Hongshang remained composed, her demeanor distinctly different from the anxious court officials in the front courtyard.

Just then, a lady-in-waiting entered, "Your Highness, several regent ministers request an audience!"

Yu Hongchang gave a slight nod, "Let them be admitted! Let those court officials waiting outside come in as well."

Just now, she had also seen these officials walking this way, followed by other court officials of the 4th rank and above.

By now, the time was approaching the Hour of You, close to when the locks of the Forbidden Palace are fastened.

Yet, these officials entering the palace used various excuses to stay, some even went directly in front of Wenhua Palace to pay respects, hoping to meet the Princess who governed the nation.

This was undoubtedly against the rules; even a slightly more fastidious king would be thunderously furious, but Yu Hongchang could understand them.

At this moment, the outcome of the northern battle was closely linked to countless people within and outside the Court, naturally pulling at the hearts of many.

After Yu Hongchang finished speaking, the expression on the lady-in-waiting’s face showed that she wanted to speak but hesitated. She seemed inclined to advise, yet was also uncertain.

Yu Hongchang knew what she wanted to say; this lady-in-waiting was worried that those court officials might be insolent due to the northern expedition and offend the royal dignity.

After all, these past two months had seen these ministers repeatedly perform the act of submitting memorials at the foot of the palace stairs and intercepting the royal carriage to offer advice, more than once.

Yet unconcerned, Yu Hongchang shook her head slightly, "Just let them in, that’s all; don’t worry about anything else. Also, send a message to the palace gate, telling them they need not lock up tonight."

Shortly thereafter, led by Chen Xun, a group of high ministers entered the hall in a single file.

Chen Xun usually looked frail and elderly, but upon entering, his eyes shone brightly as he looked at Qian Long, "What’s the situation? Is there any new message?"

Qian Long immediately shook his head, "Not yet! The latest message was this evening’s, saying that the two sides had already engaged."

As he said this, he gave a cold glance at the ministers, "But according to the Xiuyiwei, our Jin Dynasty has a great chance of success. The Baihu under Prince Fenyang’s command from the Xiuyiwei are all knowledgeable in warfare.

Also, the Deputy Guanjunrong Envoy, Shang Hong, had also presented a memorial saying that Prince Fenyang has seven victories, and Yexian of Vala also has seven defeats."

He was also wary that these civil ministers might commit some impropriety in front of the palace, so he warned in advance.

Before Qian Long could finish, a scoff came from the crowd, "At the Battle of Muye, King Zhou was also confident of his inevitable victory; at the Battle of Julu, Zhang Han and Wang Li also held full confidence.

Wars are perilous by nature; if victory could be so easily predicted, how would there be the Battle of Red Cliffs? Or the Battle of Fei River?"

Qian Long glanced sideways and saw that it was indeed the newly appointed left Qiandu Yushi, Zhang Jiuling.

Half a year ago, Wei Zhen was transferred to deputy Zuodu Yushi, and subsequently, a fierce struggle ensued between Prince Fenyang and several regent ministers in the Court.

In the end, the regent ministers exchanged six million silver yuan for shipbuilding funds for Prince Fenyang’s concession.\

Over the past month of Prince Fenyang’s northern campaign, this left Qiandu Yushi was the most jubilant among them.

Zhang Jiuling’s statement immediately caused a buzzing uproar among the officials present.

They were deterred by Qian Long’s cold gaze, daring not to overstep, merely whispering among themselves.

Some voices, whether intentionally or not, were audible throughout the hall.

"With 430,000 facing 940,000, to confront an enemy twice one’s size and still be confident of victory is an arrogance unparalleled in history, save for Prince Fenyang."

"Yexian also dared to engage because he also held certainty of victory."

"Prince Fenyang indeed wins every battle he engages in, but Yexian is also a famous general and Khan, renowned for decades. I believe in this battle, Prince Fenyang has truly acted rashly."

"And he even recklessly wages war in the wilderness, is he just relying on those firearms? With hundreds of thousands of troops deep in MoBei, weather, geography, and people, which is on our Jin’s side?"

"Even if victorious, what benefits are there? Initially, the Great Ancestor and Emperor Taizong swept across the steppes, driving the Meng Wu people to nowhere, yet what is the situation now? Prince Fenyang is too fond of grand achievements, squandering national strength for his so-called accomplishments. If he wins, so be it, but if defeated, he would be the eternal sinner who pushed our Jin Dynasty into an abyss of danger."

"Plus, with the troops guarding the supply lines, it is a total of 700,000 elite troops! If this force is lost on the steppes, how many decades would it take for Jin to recover its vitality?"

Unable to listen further, Yu Hongchang tapped her fingers on the desk.

Beside her, Qian Long immediately huffed, "Silence!"

Once the hall quieted down, Yu Hongchang spoke calmly, "Ministers, I am aware that you each have your own views about the northern expedition. But as people say in folk dramas, ’once bought, leave it as is.’ The battle between our Jin Army and the Meng Wu at Podi Mountain has already begun, so please, let’s remain calm and await the outcome?"

After she finished speaking, the ministers finally calmed down.

Just at this moment, a Fire-Eye Crow suddenly transformed into a beam of light and landed at the steps of the throne.

Qian Long’s spirits lifted, and he directly went over to remove the message tube from the leg of the Fire-Eye Crow. He glanced at the talisman paper inside and could not help his eyes lighting up with joy.

"Your Highness, Prince Fenyang has achieved an exceptional feat at Podi Mountain! This battle has been a great victory, with at least five hundred thousand enemies decapitated!"

Upon his declaration, the hall instantly erupted into a tumult.