After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 561 Interested in mining?

After reporting for duty at the Hanlin Academy, Jiang Xiaoqi came out immediately.

After all, he also had another identity: the prince's tutor.

After taking sick leave, I haven't been to the palace to teach for many days. Today I came here firstly to find some peace and quiet, and secondly because I have some things to report to the Second Prince.

One was the matter of the Japanese pirates, and the other was the poetry gathering at the Ministry of Rites' residence.

Also, the Fifth Prince seems to have been quite quiet lately, and Jiang Xiaoqi is worried that he might be brewing some big move.

Therefore, they also needed to go into the palace to exchange information and share what they had.

"Are you feeling any better, sir?"

The second prince looked concerned, and he seemed somewhat distracted these past few days.

Chen Lin has already finished decorating the pastry shop and is just waiting for the opening date.

The Second Prince was thinking of waiting until Jiang Xiaoqi recovered before choosing a date to meet, and Chen Lin, as the person in charge, naturally had no objections.

"Ahem, I'm fine now, Your Highness. Today is not a day for lectures according to the calendar, but I have something to report."

Upon hearing this, the Second Prince immediately gave his trusted confidant Chen Lin a wink. Chen Lin understood and went out to keep watch.

"What? Sir isn't sick? Then, you took so many days of sick leave, is that..."

The Second Prince certainly didn't think Jiang Xiaoqi was trying to slack off; his intuition told him that his master might have done something big.

It wasn't some major event like translating clues for Prefect Li, but rather the kind of major event that surprised everyone.

Jiang Xiaoqi recounted the details of the missing persons cases in Beijing and nearby prefectures, and also told about his personal trip to Tianjin Port after translating the clues.

Of course, some unimportant details have been omitted, such as the drill, the robot, and how he personally dealt with the ninja and the hostage-taker leader.

Even so, the second prince's eyes remained wide open.

He walked around Jiang Xiaoqi several times, checking her over and over again before finally stopping.

"Sir, you...you've been a bit reckless this time!"

Jiang Xiaoqi was a few years younger than the Second Prince, but the Second Prince always treated him with the respect due to a teacher.

This is the first time that someone in a superior position has spoken to someone younger in such a tone.

Hey, how to describe it? It was pretty enjoyable.

Jiang Xiaoqi was confused, while the Second Prince's eyes sparkled. What on earth was he having such a good time with?

"It wasn't exactly reckless. I didn't show myself; I just secretly helped Lord Li with a small favor."

They had plenty of men and didn't really need me. I was just curious about that group of Japanese pirates, so I went along to take a look.

"Curious about the Japanese pirates? I've heard that the people of that tiny island nation are as short as dwarfs. Would you like to see just how short they really are?"

Jiang Xiaoqi smiled but remained silent. Of course, he knew how short the Japanese pirates were at this time. What he was curious about was why these Japanese pirates had set their sights on the Great Zhou.

Are there no other options near Japan? Why go all the way from nearby Zhou to snatch people? Do they look down on the Koreans' genes? How picky!

However, without the advanced plastic surgery technology of later generations, the Koreans' appearance is indeed not presentable. Don't be fooled by their small size; they are quite cunning.

"Does the Second Prince know that although they come from a small place, their little land is rich in minerals?"

"Oh? What kind of mineral is it?"

"Silver, the reserves of silver are very large."

"Silver?" the Second Prince murmured to himself. This was quite unexpected. Such a small island nation actually had silver mines.

"Hmm, Your Highness, would you be interested in mining a silver mine for fun?"

"W-what? Sir, you mean we're going to cross the ocean and mine in Japan? That's a bit..."

Isn't that a bit far-fetched?

Jiang Xiaoqi smiled mysteriously, "Your Highness, please don't be impatient, let me explain in detail. Japan is actually currently divided into various factions, with constant internal strife and various forces fighting each other."

Why don't we take advantage of the chaos to enter the fray, make Japan a complete vassal state of the Great Zhou, and legitimately acquire silver to strengthen our nation's power?

Moreover, it can resolve potential threats to the sea frontier sooner. As far as I know, although the Japanese pirates are small, their ambitions are quite great!

"To resolve potential threats in advance, nip future adversaries in the bud, and prevent the people of Great Zhou from becoming prey—is this not a meritorious deed for the present and a benefit for future generations?"

The Second Prince's eyes gradually brightened. "What you say makes sense, sir. However, we must proceed with caution and not act rashly. Besides, our Great Zhou does not currently have any ships capable of long-distance voyages."

Jiang Xiaoqi nodded, "Of course, I have secretly had people collect intelligence on various forces in Japan. We will make plans when the time is right."

Furthermore, given that the Japanese pirates have taken the initiative to attack this time, we can also use this opportunity to justify our future plans to land on the island and begin mining.

The second prince stood up and paced back and forth. “This plan is excellent, but we still need to discuss this with Father Emperor. We need to mobilize a large number of troops, train the navy, and build warships.”

These are all serious matters! Sir, you should advise the Emperor on this matter.

Jiang Xiaoqi cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, the value of this matter and plan is diminished when it comes from my mouth."

"Oh? Then who should I send to convey this message? Right now, I only have Qiu Jiafu and his son, Tan Jiafu and his son, and you, sir."

Hmm~ It's indeed just a handful of people. This personnel configuration is not only inferior to the former Third Prince, but even the current Third Prince or Fourth Prince.

"This candidate... is both far away and right under our noses!"

Jiang Xiaoqi looked up and stared directly into the Second Prince's eyes.

This glance left the Second Prince stunned for a long time.

"I?"

Sir, what kind of joke is this!

"Sir, please don't joke! It couldn't possibly be me!"

"Your Highness, how long do you intend to carry this heavy shell?"

Jiang Xiaoqi spoke seriously, without a hint of joking.

"Does the gentleman mean that we no longer need to pretend?"

"No, let's wait until after the Tong family's poetry gathering."

"Why? Is something wrong with the Tong Family Poetry Gathering?"

Jiang Xiaoqi took out an invitation from his pocket and handed it to the Second Prince.

"This is an invitation from the Tong family. As far as I know, the Tong family's poetry gathering this time is going to be very grand."

"That's right, it's somewhat unusual. The list of invitees doesn't seem to have changed much from previous years, but it has actually been adjusted."

My invitation was an exception. All the invitations had been sent out four days ago, but I suddenly received this one yesterday.

Rather than saying they're opportunistic, it's more accurate to say they're weighing their options.

"Measure? Measure what?"

"To gauge my standing in the Emperor's eyes as a compiler of the sixth rank."

The official reward for saving the people has not yet been issued, but the date for the Tong family's poetry gathering has already been set.

Before this invitation was sent out, Minister Tong probably had a long discussion with his advisors.

Jiang Xiaoqi spoke with a half-smile, as if she had witnessed it herself.