The Imperial Capital of Great Jin.
As the capital city of Great Jin, revered by the Nine Provinces and the prosperous heart of the nation’s dragon vein, its construction style is equally unique.
The entire city is circular, surrounding and protecting the central palace. The surrounding buildings are divided in the form of the Taiji Eight Trigrams. In front of the palace moat, there is a massive square covering hundreds of acres.
Originally, the central square was empty. When it was first built, it was intended for military parades and coordination, and occasionally for oath-taking ceremonies, which was quite convenient.
However, who could have thought that since the founding of Great Jin, there have been continuous battles, big and small. Except for the Imperial Guard and the palace guards protecting the Imperial Capital and the palace, the other troops never had the chance to return to the capital. They were either fighting or on the way to fight, rendering the central square practically useless.
Now.
Two statues stand in the central square, one male and one female. The female statue is none other than the Empress of Great Jin, exuding unparalleled grace and imperial majesty.
The male statue depicts a scholarly figure in a green robe, looking gentle and refined, with a tall and elegant stature, but his face is not depicted.
Hundreds of craftsmen were busy, guarded by the palace guards. This project was personally supervised by the Minister of Personnel.
“Immortal Grade Primordial Meteorite, Immortal Grade Silk Bone Gold, Immortal Grade Nine Nether Cold Iron! Dozens of tons were transported here, almost depleting the national treasury of these three mineral veins, all to build these two statues!” The Chief Censor of the Censorate, flipping through the accounts, slapped his thigh in distress.
The more he looked at the accounts, the more shocking they became. The white-haired Chief Censor clutched his heart, feeling breathless, and cried out in pain:
“All three of these Immortal Grade mineral veins from the reparations of the seven major forces were used to build two useless statues. With the nation at war, how can we waste resources like this!”
“I must submit a memorial!”
The Minister of Personnel crossed his arms, glanced sideways at him, and said calmly, “Submit a memorial? Against whom? Against Your Majesty?”
“This is the Empress’ decree, to build statues of the Empress and the Empress’ Husband. If you want to submit a memorial, it can only be against Her Majesty.”
Upon hearing this, the Chief Censor stroked his beard and thought carefully, then said, “Her Majesty? If it’s Her Majesty, then she must have her considerations. As ministers, we shouldn’t trouble Her Majesty.”
“Heh…” The Minister of Personnel chuckled expressionlessly.
Since the Empress ‘discussed the empire over a sea of blood,’ the court officials’ reverence for her had reached a peak!
Even the Chief Censor, known for his fearless remonstrations, had to consider his life when he heard the words “Her Majesty.”
Buzz!
At this moment, a teleportation array on the east side of the central square lit up, and three figures appeared.
“The Imperial Capital is here, my task is complete, farewell.” A female court official said casually and left gracefully.
The Minister of Personnel looked at the female court official with a strange expression, watching her pretend to be graceful while looking back reluctantly, and muttered, “What kind of posture is that? Doesn’t her neck hurt?”
Meng Qingzhou cupped his fists and said, “Thank you.”
Hearing the familiar voice, the Minister of Personnel’s eyes lit up. He quickly approached and said:
“Meng Qin!?”
“Why are you back in the Imperial Capital? Weren’t you supposed to retire to the countryside with your wife?”
Although he was a member of Present Village, the Minister of Personnel had not been there for the past few days, busy with the statue construction, and knew nothing of the recent events.
“Summoned by Her Majesty.” Meng Qingzhou smiled, speaking sparingly.
Suddenly, the sound of metal clashing reached his ears, a noise that conveyed a sense of bustling activity.
“By the way, may I know your name, sir?” Meng Qingzhou cupped his fists and asked.
Since he could recognize Meng Qin at a glance and approach him without arrogance, he was likely a court official.
“Not at all, my surname is Fan, given name Chen, and I serve as the Minister of Personnel.” The Minister of Personnel returned the salute.
Meng Qingzhou nodded indifferently, pointing in the direction of the noise, and asked, “May I ask Minister Fan, what is being done here?”
The Minister of Personnel glanced back at the statues and smiled:
“Her Majesty has decreed the construction of statues of the Empress and the Empress’ Husband. The cost is not cheap. Dozens of tons of three Immortal Grade mineral veins were transported here, resources that could have been used to forge ten Immortal Grade spiritual treasures.”
Hearing this, Meng Qingzhou was astonished.
The once wise and domineering Empress, who could sacrifice anything for unification, now had such an absurd day!?
To build two statues, she spent so many resources, it was simply outrageous!
“I heard that Great Jin is beset by internal and external troubles. Is it appropriate for Her Majesty to be so extravagant?” Meng Qingzhou asked in disbelief.
The Minister of Personnel smiled helplessly, folding his sleeves and looking up at the hundred-meter-tall statues, saying:
“There is no choice. The Empress and the Empress’ Husband are deeply in love.”
“Precisely because the nation is at war, and Her Majesty is not absolutely confident in winning, she indulged once, building these statues in the Imperial Capital. Even if the war is lost, the proof of her and the Empress’ Husband’s love will remain forever.”
“Even if one day, the Imperial Capital of Great Jin falls into the hands of others, such sturdy statues will be difficult to destroy. Her Majesty… just wants to leave a trace of her and the Empress’ Husband.”
Meng Qingzhou was moved and couldn’t help but sigh, “I see, Her Majesty and the Empress’ Husband are truly a divine couple.”
Who would have thought that the Empress, married as a wife, would have such a pure side of love.
The Minister of Personnel looked at Su Qingqiu, who was following Meng Qingzhou, with a strange expression. The two exchanged glances but said nothing.
Anyone else saying this would be fine, but coming from you, it just feels a bit odd…
At this point, Meng Qingzhou could no longer suppress his curiosity and asked:
“May I ask, what is the name of the current Empress’ Husband, and who is he, to…”
“To capture the heart of the Empress?”
Is there really such an extraordinary man in the world, someone who could even rival him?
The Minister of Personnel suddenly coughed violently, his face turning red, and he quickly waved his hand:
“Well… Sword Saint, I am not feeling well, I must take my leave, take my leave.”
With that, the Minister of Personnel leaped gracefully and sprinted away at a hundred-meter dash speed.
Quick retreat, this place is not safe to stay!
“Weirdo.” Meng Qingzhou pouted, turning to Su Qingqiu, about to speak.
Su Qingqiu’s expression changed slightly, anxiously looking around, trying to change the subject.
Oh no, the Minister of Personnel can slip away, but I can’t. If he asks, how should I answer?
“Hey! Master! There’s something wrong with this statue.” Su Qingqiu suddenly pointed at the statue and shouted.
“What’s strange about it?” Meng Qingzhou asked, successfully distracted.
“Logically, as the ruler of a nation, the Empress should be standing in front, with the Empress’ Husband as a subordinate. But this statue is the opposite, with the Empress being held by the Empress’ Husband, leaning on his shoulder like a little bird, this… this… isn’t appropriate.”
Hearing this, Meng Qingzhou was amazed.
Goodness! This extraordinary man not only captured the Empress’ heart but also seems to be the head of the household!
“Impressive! I, Meng Qingzhou, admit that you are even more formidable than me, truly a dragon among men.” Meng Qingzhou gave a thumbs up.
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