Kangning Palace.

Yun Chu arranged for people to bring Lin Shi and her sister-in-law Liu Qianqian into the palace.

Looking at Yun Chu’s appearance dressed to look older, Lin Shi couldn’t help but sigh: “Chu’er, you… ah…”

What sins had her Chu’er committed? Her first marriage was to a man like Xie Jingyu. She had thought the second marriage would be happy and fulfilling, but unexpectedly Chu Yi just like that… Chu’er was only in her twenties, yet she had become the Empress Dowager, spending the most beautiful years of her life in this lonely rear palace, slowly withering away all alone…

“Mother, I’m doing well.” Yun Chu wore a smile on her face. “I’ve invited Mother and Sister-in-law into the palace because there’s something I’d like to ask you both to help handle.”

Liu Qianqian raised her eyes: “It’s about the grain supplies, isn’t it?”

Yun Chu nodded: “These past few years, after every autumn harvest, I’ve stockpiled large quantities of grain. After grain has been stored for over two years, I sell it at low prices to the poor common people. While disposing of old grain, I also purchase new grain to ensure the granaries are always well-stocked. I just reviewed the accounts—adding up the grain from several cities, there’s approximately five million shi in total…”

“Hiss!”

Both Lin Shi and Liu Qianqian drew in sharp breaths.

They both knew that Yun Chu was stockpiling grain and would even buy grain from other countries, but they didn’t know she had actually stockpiled as much as five million.

“Great Jin and Dongling are separated by the sea. This battle will be a protracted war requiring massive grain supplies. Five million seems sufficient for now, but if the war drags on for a year…” Yun Chu shook her head, stopped discussing the war, and paused before saying, “Having grain alone isn’t enough—we also need fodder. I’ll take out most of my dowry for Mother and Sister-in-law to help purchase fodder. Then, in the names of the Yun family and the Empress Dowager, we’ll donate the grain and fodder to the court without compensation.”

Liu Qianqian nodded earnestly.

With the court now in a three-way standoff, the Empress Dowager needed to do these things to win over the neutral faction. The young emperor needed to gain enough support to make the Prince Regent step down.

She spoke: “I also have some dowry remaining. I…”

“Sister-in-law.” Yun Chu pressed her hand. “I have silver, plenty of silver.”

Not even mentioning that hot spring estate, just considering that large ship alone—it could go to sea three times a year, and each time brought her enormous wealth. Taking goods to sell overseas, she could earn forty to fifty thousand taels of silver. Then bringing goods back to the southern docks, she could earn over forty thousand more. Finally, bringing goods from the south back to the capital, she could earn at least thirty thousand. One round trip could earn over a hundred thousand taels in total.

The year before last, she invested a hundred thousand taels of silver to build another ship. These past few years, the two large ships had earned her over a million taels of enormous wealth.

Others only knew she was doing maritime trade, but they didn’t know she had seized the advantage and made a fortune. Merchants who entered the market later could no longer earn such enormous profits.

With money and grain, many matters didn’t need to cause worry.

After seeing off Lin Shi and Liu Qianqian, Yun Chu began reviewing memorials.

Previously, before she began ruling from behind the curtain, the court’s memorials were handled by the five ministers assisting the government. Now that she was in charge, the memorials were delivered to her.

She would first read through all the memorials. Some major matters would be discussed at tomorrow’s morning court. Some meaningless memorials she would casually write a line of comments on. Some matters neither large nor small, she would deliberately select a few typical cases, then when Chu Hongyu came over for the evening meal, mother and son would discuss and deliberate on these issues.

In her previous life, Yun Chu hadn’t had much contact with court affairs. Although she was immersed in them in this life, her political acumen still wasn’t as sharp as some veteran ministers.

She needed to read many history books, reading until midnight every day, striving to absorb knowledge so she could handle court matters.

“Mother Empress!”

Chu Hongyu’s voice came from the doorway. Only then did Yun Chu put down the history book.

The little one called out “Mother Empress” at the door, but after entering, immediately changed his address: “Mother, I’m so hungry. I could eat three big bowls of rice today.”

Yun Chu touched his somewhat damp hair: “Did you fall in the water today?”

“I fell in three times.” Chu Hongyu swallowed the food in his mouth and couldn’t help but say excitedly, “I only brought one set of clean clothes, so I followed Chen San to sneak into his courtyard to find clothes to change into. We were almost discovered by his parents—that was close, so close!”

Yun Chu: “…”

Even if the Minister of Works and his wife had discovered them, they probably would have pretended not to see.

She put down her chopsticks: “How’s the research going?”

“Almost…” Chu Hongyu paused, incredulous: “Mother, how did you know I was researching something?”

Yun Chu laughed: “With those little schemes of yours, did you really think you could hide them from your mother?”

“Exactly, exactly.” Chu Changsheng smiled with curved lips. “Isn’t Big Brother just researching how to quickly capture the enemy’s ships during naval warfare?”

Chu Hongyu touched his nose.

He had wanted to give his mother a surprise, but unexpectedly she knew everything.

“If there’s anything you need help with, just ask your mother.” Yun Chu served him a piece of fish belly. “After the grain supplies and military funds are gathered, the reinforcement soldiers will depart in about half a month. The journey will take another half month to reach the destination. After arriving at the front lines, they’ll still need to deploy troops and arrange formations. You still have time—don’t rush.”

How could Chu Hongyu not be anxious? He was dying of anxiety.

The next day during morning court, he was thinking about this matter. When Ouyang Ye was teaching him and he became a bit distracted, when Ouyang Ye inquired, he simply spoke directly: “Teacher, this student has a question to consult.”

Ouyang Ye listened attentively.

“Regarding naval warfare, our Great Jin has little experience, while the people of Dongling are extremely skilled at surprise attacks at sea.” Chu Hongyu spoke in a measured pace. “I’ve read the battle reports sent back from the front lines. Dongling’s warships are less than one-third the size of our Great Jin’s, yet they can make our Great Jin retreat without even fighting… The reason is that their ships are small, more flexible and adaptable, focused on surprise attacks. Our side has difficulty controlling their ships and can only watch helplessly as they successfully raid and escape… I was thinking, could we develop something to control their ships, turn naval warfare into land warfare, then annihilate Dongling in one stroke? I have preliminary blueprints now. Let me draw them out…”

“Though His Majesty is young, you have excellent ideas. However…” Ouyang Ye shook his head. “This old man isn’t very skilled in these matters and can’t offer His Majesty any suggestions.”

Chu Hongyu’s little face fell: “Ah, then I’ll think about it some more…”

“His Majesty could seek out the Minister of Works.” Ouyang Ye spoke. “Every Minister of Works excels at these clever techniques and tricks. Perhaps he could give His Majesty some ideas.”

Chu Hongyu’s eyes lit up.

Yes! The Minister of Works had much more experience than him. When one should seek help, one should seek help.

After class ended, Chu Hongyu changed his clothes, brought along a group of followers, boarded a carriage, and sneaked out of the palace.

Chu Rui, who was walking toward the Imperial Study, saw the carriage leaving the palace and a cold sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Since the young emperor was so clueless, he didn’t mind going to negotiate a deal with Yun Chu.

He turned his steps and headed for Kangning Palace.