My wife is an immortal black snake.

Page 195

It's one thing if Minsheng Technology only covers up to 975.

You guys are really not going to care about education and industry anymore?!

As a military superpower, you should be proud of your heavy industry—and you're still using technology from 960?! It's 1042 now?! An 80-year gap, how can you compare...?

And what the hell is this about archaeological technology reaching 1045? Ursus, is your empire also built on grave robbing?!

Forget it. I've figured it out. If I hadn't come to this world, the Ursus Empire would have been doomed sooner or later.

Yang Hao was quite impressed by the chaotic technological development of the Ursus Empire, and even more so by the fact that the Ursus Empire was like a giant with a missing leg and a deformed body—but no matter what, he was glad he had come here now.

He needs to plan the future development path for the Ursus Empire, prioritizing industry, then people's livelihood, and finally the military... But then again?

Why the hell did you lock two research slots? There are three here! Why did you lock two for me?!

Yang Hao stared in bewilderment at the two locked research slots, completely unaware that His Majesty the Emperor had somehow appeared behind him, watching him with great interest.

So why were two research slots locked? Yang Hao searched for the reason in bewilderment, and finally he actually found it—

[Due to a severe shortage of researchers in the Ursus Empire, the research slot has been reduced from three to one.]

...

"Um, Your Majesty?"

"Ok?"

"May I ask—before you took office, did the Ursus Empire experience any brain drain?"

"Ah—if you mean during the previous economic crisis? That was because of trade with the Gallic Empire. During the reigns of my father and grandfather, quite a few researchers did go to the Gallic Empire to have fun."

"...And now?"

"The Gallo-Gallic Empire is gone, don't you think?"

"...Waaaaaahh ...

"Why did you suddenly yell?! -- Ah, head maid? I didn't do anything to him, don't worry."

Yang Hao was truly desperate, really.

You could say that all those talented researchers went to Columbia, Casimir, or even the Great Yan and Victoria, but why did you all choose to go to the Gallic Empire?!

Is a lifespan of fifty years really that tempting?! It doesn't matter if you die, at least leave behind your research results!

Now look what's happened—how the hell am I supposed to replenish this generation of scientific research talent that's been lost for decades?! Even if I were to resume basic education, it would take at least another decade or more?! Please, don't create another mess for me...

"And by the way, Mr. Wang Jue—it wasn't just scientific research talent that suffered a severe loss at the time, but even capable administrative personnel were affected, right? That's why you're now receiving those erroneous reports from officials—our situation here has indeed become this dire."

"...Hiss...I've already mentioned this before...Your Majesty, please tell me honestly, what else was stolen from the Gallic Empire by Ursus?"

Ah—Yang Hao already mentioned this before, it's nothing serious, he can handle it, really...

Those drops of cold sweat, not tears, okay? Really, Head Maid Monica, you really don't need to wipe my tears...

That's all. Really.

"hiss..."

The only good news.

Yang Hao burst into tears of joy, truly, he was so happy he cried – if that was all, he still had a way to salvage the situation, really!

So, after wiping away his tears with a handkerchief handed to him by the head maid (who seemed to have been there for some time), Yang Hao used the only remaining research slot in the Ursus Empire on research related to nuclear energy. Then, he set his sights on the neighboring Great Flame.

After all, how should I put it? Judging by the time, Princess Wei Qing and her embassy staff should be arriving soon, right? Sigh, Ursus and Great Yan have been friendly neighbors since ancient times, and we've already built an embassy, ​​preparing for trade exchanges, don't you think? It's only right that we complement each other in scientific research...

Furthermore, since we've already achieved mutual support and assistance in scientific research, it's reasonable for us to spend some money to hire your technical personnel on a long-term basis, right?

If all else fails, the capital company in Kazimir has quite a few researchers. Ah—anyway, Kazimir's own company will be wiped out along with the original government anyway, so keeping those researchers there is a waste. Besides, Theresa will be family with us afterward, so she can just come and get whatever she wants and technology—so let's just give those researchers to us then?

So, where else can we fill the gap in researchers? The place with the most researchers in the world is Colombia, followed by... Victoria?

Colombia has to pay to poach them, what will Victoria do? Ah—Kosiché, do you know anyone in Victoria? If you do, please help me out—

"In short, my lord? I feel you might need to go back and rest? Well, this isn't work that needs to be finished right now, is it?"

"...hiss..."

"—Head Maid? Let's take this man, who seems to have temporarily given up thinking, back with us. Sigh, hopefully Duke Kosice can have a good chat with him about life after he finishes his work—if he's busy with work all day, he won't be able to get a proper rest."

"Your Majesty—no matter what, this is the mess you left me with!"

"I am aware of this, so please take a good rest so that you can work better."

"hiss..."

Can't refute.

Looking at Her Majesty Catherine's already growing belly, Yang Hao sighed bitterly. Before returning, he thought that this was not only for himself, but also to prevent his child from facing such great pressure at birth.

He is still responsible.

Chapter 59

10 month 7 day.

Kazimir's diplomats requested an audience with His Majesty the Emperor of Ursus for the third time, but each request was politely declined—no, outright rejected—by the imperial government. Ursus was now retaliating for Kazimir's previous disgraceful act of insulting their diplomats, simply because they knew Kazimir was desperate and, even if it meant eating excrement, could only beg for Ursus's help under public pressure and other constraints.

So even after being rejected several times, the diplomats from Casimir had no choice but to bite the bullet and come back another day. And it was today that Kosichean's new heir arrived—a very lovely Miss Phidias.

"If nothing unexpected happens, you can carry out your plan in two days at the latest, my dear." After letting Miss Fydia go to her room to rest, Kosiche turned to Yang Hao and said, "An assassination of the Ursus nobles will allow us to intervene in the war in Kazimir, and will make the Kazimirs owe us even more, further escalating their internal conflicts—the only problem now is, how should we intervene? News from the front lines indicates that the Columbians seem to have stopped on the mountain ridge just a stone's throw from the Grand Knights' territory, awaiting reinforcements."

"Their poison gas weapons also need resupply, but I feel they are more likely waiting for the arrival of those experimental nuclear weapons—I have already temporarily produced 20 sets of radiation protection suits at the Martian Military Factory for researchers and those who need to carry lead boxes to collect nuclear contaminants. However, if they really intend to use dirty bombs to attack the Grand Knights directly, then there's nothing I can do about it now."

"Let's take it one step at a time. His Majesty's blade has already been sent to Colombia, and news should come back by tomorrow at the latest."

"Huh? They've already gone? Did they bring the lead boxes?"

"No. When they left, Ms. Kal'tsit hadn't yet developed the box."

Yang Hao sighed, thinking to himself that the Emperor's inner guards were indeed very efficient—if only they could directly kill or capture the researchers studying nuclear energy in Colombia, or even bring back those enrichment rods. But the problem was, that was impossible; those were uranium-235 enrichment rods!

Even wearing a full hazmat suit, no one would dare to directly touch those things... So after realizing that this was just his imagination, Yang Hao went all out and thought about his recent preparations.

Recently, Yang Hao has been working hard to prepare for the [core].

During this period, he had the Martian military factory, which had previously been responsible for producing the Crimson Gold equipment, produce 20 sets of nuclear radiation protection suits as an emergency precaution. However, Ms. Kal'tsit and the research institute needed at least two of these suits, and even if the remaining 18 were given to a select group of reconnaissance personnel, it would only be enough for a maximum of 18 people. What could 18 reconnaissance personnel do? At most, they could collect some research materials from the contaminated battlefield and bring them back, or try to recover or transport unexploded dirty bombs to a safe place for burial. That was about it.

In addition, he commissioned the factories in the Duchy and Saint-Jean-de-Provence to produce large quantities of lead protective plates. These plates would later prove useful, though only for passive defense; but as the saying goes, it's always better to be prepared than not.

Finally, the last thing Yang Hao did was to use up his accumulated political points and influence to draw strong condemnation from countries around the world for Colombia's actions.

Condemnation—it might not be very effective. But it's enough to annoy people. And as part of the same camp that condemns, Yang Hao can also help Ursus improve relations with other countries and facilitate more cooperation in the future.

Just like now—after Princess Wei Qing arrived in the Duchy of Kosichè with her embassy staff, they signed various contracts, including commercial agreements and scientific research cooperation. In a sense, besides mutually guaranteeing independence, signing defense agreements, and even military alliances, Ursus and Great Yan have become good friends and partners.

It seems that this will happen as long as Yang Hao doesn't allow Ursus to expand eastward. However, he really doesn't intend to expand eastward—he just wants to move westward as soon as possible and take down Columbia and Lord K first.

"I have to go to the embassy of the Great Yan today—if nothing unexpected happens, we will encounter that assassination in the presence of a person in charge of the Great Yan."

"It would be great if another major power could be a witness."

"But I think something messy will definitely happen then... Sigh, after all, in the eyes of outsiders, you really are dead, right? Then I'll be all alone in the public eye, and I'll probably attract a lot of attention..."

"I suppose so. And perhaps you'll need to take some care of Miss Green's health."

"Ugh?"

“Monica told you, right? My previous body briefly regained consciousness before it died.”

"...so..."

“Give her one last act of kindness. You know I can’t do what she doesn’t want to do—this is what she’s hoping for. Something that will make Ursus a better place.”

"...Sigh. I understand."

Indeed, the time has come—it's time to say goodbye to Miss Green.

Although Yang Hao had imagined how he would face her when he first made this plan... he knew that no matter how much preparation he did, it would be useless. Miss Green, Koschke—they were two different, yet closely connected individuals. In their complex relationship, Miss Green was undoubtedly the most vulnerable party in the balance.

Although Koschei couldn't do what Miss Green didn't want to do, Miss Green also didn't know exactly how much Koschei had done. She only hoped to make Ursus stronger; in other words, she wouldn't refuse or be unwilling to do anything that would make Ursus stronger.

But—will she really not regret it?

When she was dying, and no one even told her how Ursus had changed, wouldn't she regret it? Although she and Koschei should share memories in a certain sense, wouldn't she regret not being able to witness all of this as a normal person?

.....

Yang Hao reached out and grasped Kosich's hand. He would witness it all.

Chapter 60

On the afternoon of October 7, Yang Hao arrived at the embassy of the Great Yan in the Dukedom of Kosichè.

Although the Great Yan already had a consulate in Saint Jun Castle, considering the upcoming exchanges with the Duchy of Kosiché, it would be better to set up a new consulate here. However, when they arrived and saw that Saint Jun Castle and the Duchy of Kosiché had been joined together, seemingly inseparable, they were dumbfounded.

However, since the building materials had already been brought over, the engineering design drawings had been completed, and the appointment letters for Princess Wei Qing's entourage had been issued, they couldn't just leave it like that, could they? So, under the guidance of the Duke's officials, they built their own embassy on their land [the ruins of the noble buildings that had been destroyed by the Templars], in a place relatively close to the Duke's mansion.

Princess Wei Qing, naturally, also moved in here because of her responsibility to promote friendly exchanges between the two countries. Currently, she is in the reception room of the newly established embassy, ​​receiving Mr. Yang Hao, whom she hasn't seen in a long time, in the presence of guards from both sides.

"please."

"Nice tea—although I'm not a big fan of tea, this green tea really does make me feel refreshed."

Taking a sip of the green tea produced in Da Yan, savoring its bitterness and fragrance, Yang Hao placed the teacup back on the coffee table and smiled as he praised Princess Wei Qing.

"If you like, you are welcome to come anytime—but Mr. Yang Hao, according to protocol we should be the ones visiting you first, so why are you here today?"

"On the one hand, it is to consolidate a stable friendship with Da Yan; on the other hand, it is to continue to explore diplomatic issues in depth; and finally, it is to ask Da Yan if they have ever come into contact with any mystical beings before."

"Hmm? I recognize the first two, but the last one? What do you mean by that?"

Princess Wei Qing's eyes held a hint of wariness for some reason. Yang Hao, seeing this, realized this might be a secret from the Great Yan side—but then again, I was just worried that you guys had also signed a psionic contract and might end up causing me trouble, how did I end up being misled about something similar?

"Can you tell me honestly, did you sign a contract?" Thinking this, Yang Hao smiled and shook his head, explaining:

"Actually, it's because of the problems left over from our former trading partners—the Gallo Empire. After all, as everyone knows, they were inexplicably wiped out, leaving the world with a group of refugees and very problematic land, right? We've recently discovered similar cases here, but I don't know what the situation is like in Yan Kingdom."

"...Please rest assured about this. We, the Great Yan, know our place—we will not have any contact with those mystical fellows."

"That would be best. In that case, let's talk about diplomatic matters."

"Diplomatic issues..."

"In other words, while strengthening technological exchanges with Yan Country, we hope to engage in deeper exchanges and communication..."

They discussed various terms of future cooperation. Yang Hao didn't actually have high hopes for these things; more than anything, he hoped to use this time of communication to set a trap for Princess Wei Qing—a trap that would allow her to witness Koschche's assassination when she visited the Duke's mansion two days later.

But this can't be made obvious; it's best to make it seem like a sudden accident... We can't let the people of Yan realize that this is a trick they orchestrated themselves, while at the same time making them believe that the Colombian assassins might be planning to assassinate the princess of Yan.

So as they chatted, Yang Hao shifted the topic from the diplomatic issues that had already concluded to the welcome reception.

"The guests from Kazimir have been quite troublesome lately. They insulted our diplomats and even attacked our people before... Sigh. But if they keep lingering here, there's not much we can do. So this welcome reception is actually for you."

"Oh? In that case, it seems I have no choice but to go. But Mr. Yang Hao, are you so sure nothing will happen at that party?"

Princess Wei Qing smiled, then looked at Yang Hao with a strange expression. Yang Hao looked at her calmly, because he truly didn't know how Koschche would end his life, so he really didn't know what would happen there.

therefore...

"How could that be? No one would cause trouble in a place like this." He laughed heartily, planting the chess piece he had set up. "Don't worry, Princess Wei Qing, just come along. We'll make sure you have a very enjoyable party, how about it?"

...

Princess Wei Qing looked at the composed Yang Hao with her deep gaze. After a moment, seemingly genuinely believing he wasn't lying, she smiled and said:

"...Since we've come this far, then I'll accept it."

"--Well then, my wife and I will welcome you when the time comes."

"But may I make one request? Could you please prepare more desserts for the party?"

"Sweets? Do you like sweet foods too?"

"also?"

"When I came from Colombia, I really couldn't get used to the strong flavors of Ursus food... It was either too salty or too sour. In the end, the only food I could tolerate was a moderate amount of salty and sweet. So after I came here, my wife asked the chefs at the Duke's mansion to adjust the flavors a little to be sweeter so that I could take care of myself."

"I see, I understand now... Hehe, Mr. Yang Hao? I'm really looking forward to the party in two days. I hope you can surprise me then."

"There will definitely be."

Yes—it was indeed a surprise. Yang Hao felt that for the Great Yan, there couldn't be anything more surprising than a duke of a duchy going insane because his wife was assassinated, ultimately forcing the Ursus Empire to intervene in the Kazimir region.

If there's anything else, it would be the scene where the capable husband, after becoming depressed, returned home and stayed indoors, seemingly "enjoying life." For Princess Wei Qing and the Great Yan Dynasty behind her, that would certainly be a pleasant surprise, wouldn't it?