The number of women participating in the selection process was immense, as was the number of beauties. Many found themselves overwhelmed.
Under normal circumstances, faced with so many beautiful women, they would undoubtedly try every means to possess them.
Regardless of how many concubines they took, they would be willing.
However, these people were participating in Lin Tian's selection of a consort, and the situation was entirely different.
While they might harbor thoughts about other beauties,
Often, their greed would outweigh their reason, and many would become fearlessly bold.
They would dare to do many audacious things.
But when it came to Lin Tian, they did not possess such audacity.
Lin Tian's prowess was forged through countless battles.
According to incomplete statistics, Lin Tian had personally killed well over a hundred thousand people.
He alone had slain over a hundred thousand, and the army he led had killed millions.
The thought of such deeds was terrifying.
If he dared to kill so many enemies, it was conceivable that if they wronged Lin Tian, if they became Lin Tian's enemy, their fate would be no better.
It was precisely because of this that Lin Tian's selection process not only saw no disruption but also saw everyone diligently fulfilling their duties.
Even those participating in the selection dared not easily plot against their rivals.
Otherwise, if Lin Tian discovered it, they would not only be disqualified but might also face severe repercussions.
If they were held accountable, not only would they suffer, but their families would also not fare well.
Their entire clans might even be annihilated.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, they naturally behaved themselves.
This compliant behavior, in turn, made Lin Tian's selection process proceed more smoothly.
After several rounds of elimination, a hundred women passed the selection.
These hundred women were true beauties, not merely depicted in portraits.
Each of them had been verified and their identities confirmed.
When they appeared before Lin Tian, he too felt a sense of being overwhelmed by beauty.
There were so many beautiful women that Lin Tian felt at a loss on how to proceed.
Moreover, each of them was exceptionally beautiful, so much so that Lin Tian struggled to speak further.
In terms of appearance alone, each possessed her unique characteristics, which Lin Tian found very satisfactory.
However, satisfaction was one thing, but it did not mean he could select a suitable consort from among them!
What he cared about even more was emotion.
But he had not interacted much with these women, and there was not much emotional connection.
Ying Zheng, seeing Lin Tian's dilemma, spoke:
"If you ask me, why not take them all? The Emperor has three thousand beauties; increasing your harem by a hundred consorts is perfectly acceptable!!"
"Besides, you still have no heirs; it's time to make an effort!!"
Ying Zheng said this with a hopeful expression.
He truly wished for Lin Tian to have children soon, so that Great Qin would have a successor.
At the same time, Ying Zheng felt a strong desire to have grandchildren.
If Lin Tian had children now, Ying Zheng might abdicate immediately, not travel, and help Lin Tian raise the child.
This was a wish he held in his heart.
Hearing Ying Zheng's suggestion, Lin Tian recalled a saying from later generations: "Children make choices; adults want them all."
However, Lin Tian was not the type to want them all. Although selecting a hundred women as consorts was tempting,
Lin Tian did not want to become engrossed in it.
His arrival in Great Qin was not merely for enjoyment; he also wanted to do something for Great Qin.
If he were to simply indulge and make no changes, then his journey would have been in vain.
Therefore, Lin Tian still needed self-control and could not be too unrestrained.
Ying Zheng was unaware of Lin Tian's thoughts.
However, he could sense that Lin Tian truly did not wish to take all one hundred beauties as consorts.
Because of this, Ying Zheng ordered that the information of all one hundred women be delivered to Lin Tian.
"These are the identities and information of the hundred beauties. Study them carefully and see if there is anyone you are pleased with!!"
"Alright!!"
Lin Tian took the information and began to study it thoroughly.
It had to be said that the hundred beauties who reached the finals were all exceptional.
Each of them was extremely beautiful, possessed distinguished backgrounds, and was exceptionally intelligent.
Any one of them could manage independently; they were truly talented women.
However, one person particularly caught Lin Tian's attention.
This person was named Cao Qing, the daughter of a merchant.
Her family had been merchants for generations, possessing immense wealth.
Cao Qing was even more remarkable. Although she rarely appeared in public and was not the head of the Cao family, she had already secretly taken control of all of the Cao family's businesses.
She made the decisions for all of the Cao family's major and minor businesses.
Even businesses involving countries like the Peacock Kingdom had Cao Qing's involvement.
Under her management, the Cao family prospered, becoming even stronger.
Upon seeing Cao Qing's information, Lin Tian had a very strong feeling.
This was the historical figure, Widow Qing.
She was a true business genius and had donated a great deal of wealth to Great Qin.
However, at this time, Widow Qing was not yet a widow; she had not yet married.
Despite her formidable abilities, she was still young.
Seeing Cao Qing like this, Lin Tian was indeed moved.
With such a person, Great Qin would undoubtedly be managed well.
To some extent, Cao Qing would become his helper.
It was for this reason that he specifically requested a meeting with Cao Qing.
Cao Qing, like the other beauties, was a natural beauty.
But unlike the others, she possessed a temperament that others could not match.
This temperament was called clarity.
She could always maintain her composure, remaining a rational person.
She remained calm in the face of adversity, possessing great wisdom disguised as foolishness.
Yet, within this rationality, there was her humanity, a yearning for life.
When Lin Tian met her, her face blushed, and she was nervous.
But amidst her nervousness, she did not lose her composure.
This demeanor was unexpected and endearing.
Subsequently, Lin Tian met with Cao Qing several more times. After these encounters, Lin Tian had gained a sufficient understanding of Cao Qing.
It had to be said that Cao Qing was truly likable, surpassing others in both appearance and inner qualities.
Because of this, Lin Tian directly told Ying Zheng that he had taken a liking to Cao Qing.
This was something that Ying Zheng already knew without him needing to say it.
Although the daughter of a merchant might have a somewhat lower status, as long as Lin Tian liked her, anyone would suffice.
Thus, the selection for Crown Princess was settled: Cao Qing.
...