160: Chapter 65 Generous Dowry

Autumn in Jinling City was tinged with a magnificent, regal gold.

Along the ten-mile long street from the city gate to the imperial palace, red silk was draped from one end to the other. Every ten paces, a pair of large red lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, resembling a winding red dragon.

The commoners, young and old, crowded both sides of the street, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the Lin family's wedding procession.

The air was filled with the acrid scent of gunpowder from firecrackers, mingled with the sweet fragrance drifting from the osmanthus trees along the roadside, intertwining into an intoxicating atmosphere under the warm autumn sun.

Imperial Concubine Hui's dowry stretched all the way from the Lin family's villa in the east of the city to the gates of the imperial palace in the west.

There were over two hundred loads!

Each load was packed in fine camphor wood chests, tied with large red silk flowers, and carried by eight sturdy men, causing the carrying poles to bend into arches.

At the very front were gold and silver utensils, with gleaming gold ingots stacked like small mountains, dazzling to the eye in the sunlight. Behind them were crates of silk and fabrics, from Hangzhou silk to Suzhou brocade, in various colors and vibrant hues. Further back were all sorts of treasures, paintings, and calligraphy: landscapes by Tang Bohu, ink bamboo paintings by Zheng Banqiao, and Ming dynasty blue and white porcelain vases—every single item was priceless.

But what truly shocked the onlookers were the few special carriages in the middle of the procession—covered with tarpaulins, yet the metallic luster peeking through the gaps could not be disguised.

Some recognized them as machinery—equipment from production lines. The Lin family's dowry contained not just mountains of gold and silver, but also the hen that could lay golden eggs.

"Good heavens! Did the Lin family bring half their family fortune here?" an old man exclaimed in the crowd.

"Half the family fortune? What do you know?" a middle-aged man dressed as a merchant sneered. "The Lin family is marrying off their daughter, but they are gifting the entire southern trade route! In those unassuming boxes are bank notes, business contracts, and port equity! That is the real dowry!"

"How much is that worth?"

"At least five million taels." The merchant lowered his voice, his eyes full of envy. "With this money, the startup capital for His Majesty's first Five-Year Plan is secured."

The discussions rose and fell, but the wedding procession remained unaffected, marching in steady steps, moving slowly through the busiest street of Jinling City toward the imperial palace.

On both sides of the procession, over a hundred Lin family guards, dressed in brand-new blue cloth jackets and carrying broadswords at their waists, walked with steady paces and vigilant eyes—clearly, they were all well-trained experts.

At the gate of the imperial palace, Li Ling, dressed in bright red wedding robes and riding a tall white horse, was waiting with the welcoming party.

He looked exceptionally spirited today; although there was a trace of fatigue in his eyes from days of overwork, the smile on his lips could not be suppressed.

For once, he was not wearing his military uniform, but rather traditional bright red wedding attire. The dragon and phoenix patterns embroidered with gold thread shimmered in the sunlight, making him look heroic and imposing.

The Princess and Empress Su Wanqing stood on the palace gate tower, overlooking the lively scene below.

The Princess wore a bright yellow phoenix robe with an exquisite gold crown on her head, her eyes filled with smiles. Empress Su Wanqing was in a light cyan dress, wearing a white jade hairpin, looking gentle and dignified.

The two stood side by side—one graceful and luxurious, the other elegant and refined—a delightful contrast.

"Your Highness, look at Imperial Concubine Hui's dowry." Empress Su Wanqing pointed at the red procession stretching for hundreds of meters. "This scale is even grander than when I was married."

The Princess smiled slightly, her tone relaxed. "Are you jealous, sister?"

"Jealous?" Empress Su Wanqing shook her head. "I am happy for Brother Ling. With this dowry, his Five-Year Plan can finally be implemented. He has been worrying about this for months, and now it is finally settled. I only wish the Lin family had sent even more."

The Princess turned to look at her, a flash of approval in her eyes. She hadn't been married into the Li family for long, but she already saw it clearly—Empress Su Wanqing never fought or grabbed, never felt jealousy or resentment; she only had Li Ling's grand ambitions in her heart. Such breadth of mind and character made even her, a princess of royal birth, feel inferior.

"Sister is right," the Princess said softly. "This dowry from the Lin family truly comes at the right time."

The bridal sedan chair landed steadily at the palace gate.

The curtain was lifted, and Imperial Concubine Hui, supported by the matchmaker, stepped out gracefully.

She wore a bright red phoenix robe, with a red bridal veil embroidered with gold thread covering her head, revealing only her fair chin and slender neck. Yet, just by her poised demeanor, she drew a burst of cheers from the onlookers.

Li Ling dismounted and walked to the sedan chair, extending his hand. Imperial Concubine Hui gently placed her hand in his palm; her fingertips were slightly cool, yet firm and steady.

"Your Majesty," she whispered, her voice coming through the veil, tinged with a hint of shyness but mostly composed. "I have arrived."

"It is good that you are here." Li Ling squeezed her hand. "Come home with me."

The wedding procession marched grandly into the imperial palace. In the Taihe Hall, the wedding ceremony was held with great solemnity. Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan and the Empress Dowager sat at the head, beaming with joy; civil and military officials lined both sides, shouting "Long live!" in unison; Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai personally officiated, reciting the auspicious words in a resonant voice.

Bowing to heaven and earth, bowing to the elders, and bowing to each other—the process was completed in one smooth flow.

When Li Ling gently lifted Imperial Concubine Hui's veil, everyone present gasped—what a stunning face! Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn pools, her nose bridge delicate and straight, and her lips like vermilion dots. Her skin was so fair it was almost translucent, glowing with a warm, gentle luster in the candlelight.

Her features were so exquisite that they seemed to be carved stroke by stroke by the finest craftsman; even Empress Su Wanqing and the Princess could not help but steal a few extra glances.

"Your concubine, Imperial Concubine Hui, greets Your Majesty." She bowed gracefully, her voice clear and melodious, like pearls falling onto a jade plate.

"Rise." Li Ling helped her up and laughed. "I cannot accept this bow of yours. The dowry you brought is enough for me to build three Dreadnoughts."

"Your Majesty is joking." Imperial Concubine Hui smiled slightly, her eyes flashing with a touch of playfulness. "The dowry is dead, but people are alive. My father said that those gold, silver, and silks are just a greeting gift. The real 'dowry' is the Lin family's trade network across the twelve southern provinces.

As long as Your Majesty gives the order, grain, cotton, iron, and coal from the south can all be transported to Jinling at prices twenty percent lower than the market rate. Moreover, I have brought three hundred accountants and business managers, all of whom are veterans who have been crunching numbers for the Lin family for decades—they are ten times better at managing money than those Hanlin scholars who only know how to read the classics."

Once these words were spoken, the whole hall was shocked. Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai's jaw nearly dropped, Zhang Zhidong's brush slipped from his hand to the floor, and even Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan could not help but sit up straight, staring at his new daughter-in-law in astonishment.

Three hundred accountants!

A supply of raw materials at twenty percent below market price!

What did this mean? It meant that Li Ling's military production costs would be reduced by twenty percent, that the startup capital for the Five-Year Plan would be immediately available, and that his industrial system could be rolled out in the shortest possible time. Those gold, silver, and silks were certainly precious, but what was truly valuable was this massive commercial web that the Lin family had spread across the twelve southern provinces.

Li Ling took a deep breath, suppressing the wild joy in his heart. He had long known the Lin family was wealthy, but he hadn't expected them to be wealthy to this extent. Three hundred professional accountants and a supply agreement at twenty percent below market price—this was even more substantial than five million taels of silver. With these, his Five-Year Plan could transform from empty talk into practical nation-building.

"Father-in-law," he turned to look at Patriarch Lin Xiaolian, who was sitting in the VIP seat, and raised his glass. "I accept this generous gift. I promise you here: as long as I am here, the Lin family's trade routes will not be cut off, the Lin family's banks will not suffer losses, and the Lin family's children will have a place to put their talents to use."

Patriarch Lin Xiaolian stood up, his face glowing, and raised his cup in return. "Your Majesty is too kind. This old subject has only this one daughter; entrusting her to Your Majesty is entrusting the Lin family's century-old foundation to Your Majesty. I trust Your Majesty."

"Good!" Li Ling threw his head back and finished the wine in one gulp. "Then here is to the Lin family and the Tang Country—may we be united for a hundred years, sharing honor and disgrace together!"

"United for a hundred years, sharing honor and disgrace together!" The whole hall responded in unison.

The wedding banquet lasted until late at night, with clinking glasses and everyone enjoying themselves. Li Ling took Imperial Concubine Hui from table to table to toast; everywhere they went, they drew waves of blessings and admiration. Imperial Concubine Hui was poised and articulate, possessing both the shrewdness and capability typical of a merchant's daughter, yet without losing the dignity and elegance of a noble lady, winning applause from the whole hall.

It wasn't until 9:45 PM that the guests began to disperse. Li Ling and Imperial Concubine Hui, surrounded by a group of palace attendants, walked into the newly decorated Qianning Palace—this was the sleeping palace Li Ling had specifically prepared for Imperial Concubine Hui. Although it was not as grand as the Kunning Palace, it was superior in its elegance and exquisite design, filled with the charm of Jiangnan gardens, clearly showing that much thought had been put into it.

Red candles burned brightly in the bedroom, and the room was filled with the mixed scent of osmanthus and sandalwood, drifting slowly in the warm air. Imperial Concubine Hui sat on the edge of the bed, having changed out of her bright red phoenix robe into a light pink nightgown, her long hair draped over her shoulders. The candlelight reflected on her profile, as soft as a fine brush painting. Her fingers lightly rubbed the hem of her clothes, betraying her inner nervousness—though composed on the surface, at the end of the day, she was still just a girl in her early twenties.

Li Ling walked over, sat down beside her, and casually picked up a candied fruit from the fruit plate on the table. "Would you like something sweet?"

Imperial Concubine Hui was stunned, then smiled. "Your Majesty, are you trying to coax me like a child?"

"How old are you?" Li Ling held the candied fruit to her lips. "Twenty? Twenty-one? In my eyes, you are just like a little girl."

Imperial Concubine Hui hesitated for a moment, then opened her mouth and bit into the candied fruit. The sweetness melted on the tip of her tongue, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus and honey, causing her tense nerves to relax unknowingly. She looked up at the man who had become her husband—younger than she had imagined, more easygoing than she had imagined, and yet more imposing than she had imagined. There was an indescribable power in his eyes, as if he could see through all things in the world, and yet as if he were always plotting something.

"Your Majesty," Imperial Concubine Hui put down the candied fruit and said seriously, "I want to discuss a serious matter with you."

"Speak."

"Although my father has agreed to provide you with raw materials at twenty percent below market price, this agreement has a prerequisite."

"What condition?"

"Within five years, Your Majesty must establish your own steel and coal production capacity." Imperial Concubine Hui said, enunciating every word, her gaze serious. "No matter how extensive the Lin family's trade routes are, they cannot continue to provide blood transfusions for you forever. Only when you have your own blood-forming capabilities can the Tang Country truly become strong. My father said he will help you open up all trade channels, but if you are still dependent on imports after five years, he will re-evaluate the feasibility of this agreement."

Li Ling was silent for a moment.

He had originally thought Patriarch Lin Xiaolian was just an ordinary southern merchant, but this statement made him look at his father-in-law with new eyes. Merchants talk business, and naturally, they wouldn't do a losing deal. But behind Patriarch Lin Xiaolian's words was clearly a longer-term vision—he wanted to see a self-reliant Tang Country, not a "customer" that would forever depend on the Lin family. This perspective already transcended the scope of an ordinary merchant.

"Your father is a clear-headed man." Li Ling nodded. "I promise you, within five years, the Tang Country's steel and coal production capacity must achieve self-sufficiency. If I cannot do it, I will personally visit your father to apologize."

"Your Majesty is too serious." Imperial Concubine Hui smiled slightly. "Both my father and I believe that Your Majesty can do it. Otherwise, I would not have married over here."

The night wind outside the window gently blew the curtains, and the candlelight flickered in the wind before stabilizing again. The two were silent for a moment, and a subtle atmosphere flowed in the air—both strange and intimate, containing both the barriers of a political marriage and a few degrees of real warmth.

"Wanqing." Li Ling suddenly spoke, calling her name.

"Hmm?"

"I have said that my harem does not need vases. Since you have married over here, you are my subject and also my partner. Whatever I do in the court, you can watch, ask, and offer opinions. You are the daughter of the Lin family, raised in the marketplace since you were young; your vision and methods are far stronger than those women deep in the palace. I hope you can utilize your strengths to help me manage the purse strings and crunch the numbers well."

Imperial Concubine Hui's eyes lit up. She had originally prepared herself to be treated as a decorative ornament—in this era, for a woman marrying into the imperial family, the greatest "career" was nothing more than bearing children and managing the harem. But Li Ling's words allowed her to see another possibility.

"Does Your Majesty not think that as a woman, I should not interfere in political affairs?"

"Political affairs?" Li Ling laughed. "What are political affairs? In the final analysis, it is just accounting. Accounting for population, grain, money, and military equipment. Whoever can calculate clearly can govern the country well. I am not short of generals who can fight, but I am short of talent who can crunch numbers. Your arrival just happens to fill this gap for me."

The corners of Imperial Concubine Hui's mouth slowly curled into an arc. It was a heartfelt smile, much more vivid than those dignified and appropriate smiles from before. She suddenly felt that marrying this man might really not be a wrong choice.

The night deepened, and the red candles flickered in the breeze, casting their shadows on the wall, overlapping together.

Meanwhile, at the other end of Jinling City, in the secret room of the Intelligence Bureau, Chen Zhiyuan was rapidly typing on a newly installed radio. On the screen, strings of encrypted telegrams were transmitting at high speed. The source of the telegram—the northwest border; an urgent report from the Special Forces had just arrived.

"A large-scale armed gathering has been discovered outside Yumen Pass, numbering about five thousand, well-equipped, suspected to be infiltration by foreign forces. Requesting further instructions."

Chen Zhiyuan looked at this line of text, his expression grave. He picked up the telephone, hesitated for a moment, and then put it down. Tonight was Li Ling's wedding night; should he send this intelligence?

He stared at the line of text, lost in thought.

Outside the window, the starlight of the autumn night spilled coldly onto the rooftops of Jinling City, as if foreshadowing something.