Hunting system, and I ended up becoming the empress!

"Lord Zhao Bupi, whom the prince mentioned that day, is indeed the biggest competitor for the position of leader of the Imperial Guards. I know that I may not be able to defeat him."

The two men sat opposite each other, and Xiao Zhixing poured him tea with a smile, "Is it because we are no match for him, or is it because General Zhang is afraid that Your Majesty will be suspicious of him?"

Zhang Shanhai smiled bitterly, "I can't hide it from Your Majesty, because Gui Xiongguan and you have a brotherly relationship, and I sincerely admire Your Majesty's ability, Your Majesty..."

Sending him here this time was also a test. Your Majesty and Chief Jiang both wanted to test the depth of his relationship with Xiao Zhixing.

He knows his own strengths and weaknesses, has no interest in forming cliques, is straightforward, and doesn't have the brains for it.

He admired Xiao Zhixing and naturally respected her, but it was impossible for him to truly betray the emperor.

However, the leader of the imperial guard must be loyal to the emperor, and even if he is asked to kill Xiao Zhixing one day, he has to obey orders.

This was also the reason why Jiang Bozhou hesitated and did not immediately propose to the emperor that he should take the throne.

The emperor probably understood the underlying reason.

Xiao Zhixing motioned him to drink tea and said with a smile: "This king also values ​​General Zhang's straightforward character. Your honesty and loyalty are unquestionable and admirable. That's why this king wants to give you a push without asking for anything in return."

There are many benefits in trying to push this person who has some affection for you to the position of leader of the Royal Guards.

The process is a bit difficult.

Zhao Yunqi would never allow the leader of the Imperial Guard to be disloyal.

Zhang Shanhai struggled and hesitated after hearing this.

I don't know whether I should accept this tempting golden branch.

Once he accepts Xiao Zhixing's help, he will definitely have to repay it in the future. The prince said that he does not ask for anything in return, which means he must want a bigger reward.

Xiao Zhixing said softly, "Zhao Bupi is indeed your majesty's nephew, but he is also a descendant of the Zhao family. I heard that he has a close relationship with Zhao Zhong, the young tutor of Zhao. Some people also say that the eldest prince has been deposed, and your majesty wants to adopt a son from the clan to inherit the throne. This Lord Zhao is of the right age..."

Zhang Shanhai was horrified as he listened.

He, he didn't even think about this!!

I haven't heard of such rumors.

Xiao Zhixing smiled faintly. Of course, this rumor was arranged by her.

Because the Ghost Guard did hear that some members of the Zhao clan were discussing privately, asking Zhao Zhong to write a letter to the emperor to consider adopting a descendant of the Zhao family.

Xiao Zhixing also had an idea and simply brought up Zhao Bupi. Who said he was the best among the descendants of the Zhao family?

Zhang Shanhai was speechless for a moment, his head buzzing, and he didn't know how to react.

Xiao Zhixing continued, “Once this rumor gets out, Zhao Bupi might even have to give up his position as the leader of the Jingwu Guards in order to avoid suspicion.”

Others might even doubt whether the emperor had such thoughts, or they might protect Zhao Bupi.

She was sure that Zhao Bupi would definitely be abandoned.

If this plan had been made earlier, the Emperor System and Zhao Yunqi would not have needed to set up a plan to select a crown prince. They could have directly trained Zhao Lin and Zhao Bupi early on.

Having said that, it is incredible that Zhao Yunqi would agree to this incredible plan.

Zhang Shanhai's mind finally became clearer. "Well, if Your Majesty really means this, then I..."

Wouldn't that mean there is even less chance?

Xiao Zhixing smiled mysteriously, "Do you believe in me?"

Zhang Shanhai wiped his face and said, "I am stupid, so I naturally believe in you, Your Majesty. You are a smart person."

"That's it. You just need to wait patiently and pretend that you know nothing. The opportunity will come when the time comes."

Anyway, this rumor has nothing to do with Zhang Shanhai or Xiao Zhixing, because she had people slowly making arrangements after she found out about it two months ago.

Zhao Yunqi also summoned Zhao Zhong to beat him.

Even if it were revealed at this time, Zhao Yunqi would not associate it with Zhang Shanhai.

All he had to do was be the person who got hit by a pie in the sky and Zhao Yunqi had to settle for second best.

Send away Zhang Shanhai who is still a little confused.

Xiao Zhixing wants to get the list of autumn beauties collected by Ghost Guard, among whom several have a high chance of entering the palace.

She didn't intend to do anything, she just wanted to take the opportunity to arrange a few people to be with them.

The former dynasty and the harem are always inseparable.

The next day, after seeing Duke Li and Zhang Shanhai off, she immediately packed up and returned to Beiyuan.

Because her birthday was coming up, Nanny He kept urging her to go back, saying that Xiao Yuanshan and others had sent gifts.

The Ghost Guards sent news that on her coming-of-age day, a man who was the master of her life and whose identity was unknown came to her house again to send gifts.

"My subordinates tracked the other party to Xiazhou, but he disappeared." Sun Rui said ashamed.

Let Sun Rui step down.

Hei Hu contacted her and said, "I have caught up with him. He went to the border between Xiazhou and Qingzhou."

Xiao Zhixing immediately thought of the village where Xiao Yuanshan was staying. She was a little looking forward to it. Would it be like that?

Bai Feng also spoke up, "Come back soon, I feel like the second group of people from the Northern Barbarians looking for Xiao Long is coming soon."

Xiao Zhixing nodded, "Don't confront them first."

"I know. Hehe, I have been researching protective formations recently and have made some progress. Just wait, I will be able to figure it out soon. Then we won't be afraid of those weapons anymore."

"Thank you for your hard work, my dears. I'll give you a kiss."

The two animals were immediately delighted.

She instructed Lu Yao, Jiang Pu and others to continue the disaster relief work, and she hurried back to Beiyuan with her guards and Cen Heng.

Cen Heng is now obsessed with improving the seismometer. He not only wants to enhance the precision of the instrument, but also expand its measurement range and accuracy.

Xiao Zhixing asked him to copy two more, and at least give one of these treasures to the imperial court.

Returned to Beiyuan four days later.

Nanny He and Hongmei reported to her about the birthday gifts received.

"The unknown lord sent twenty Ferghana stallions and mares this time, and one hundred thousand taels of gold."

Still so generous.

The other party seemed to know that she was planning to build a horse farm, and the stallions and mares they sent were all top-quality breeds.

Seeing that she was calm and silent, Nanny He asked softly, "Does Your Majesty know who this is?"

Xiao Zhixing shook his head, "I don't know either."

She sent someone to deliver the horse to Guixiong Pass and returned to her work again.

I was so busy that on my birthday, I was forced by Nanny He to eat longevity noodles.

She didn't plan to make a big deal about it, but her officials all sent gifts.

Knowing that she was not fond of extravagance, they gave her gifts to the best of their ability and heart. Most of them were local specialties or things they had taken the lead in creating, nothing fancy.

Xiao Zhixing sent a special message for this reason. She liked these gifts very much and praised them.

Regarding a half-meter-high top-grade jade horse sent by someone, Xiao Zhixing had it returned. Although he did not criticize the other party, he also made his attitude clear.

This incident became a popular story for a while.

What the superior likes, the subordinates will certainly follow.

Her pragmatic spirit influenced the officials below her and also corrected the atmosphere in the northern state.

【Yellow barrage: Congratulations to our prince for turning sixteen! ! Throw flowers! 】

[Red barrage: I really admire you. I just realized that the prince is only sixteen years old! ]

【Green barrage: Wow, I was still crying because I didn’t do well in the exam when I was sixteen.】

[Yellow barrage: Who dares to treat the prince as a sixteen-year-old girl? It's been less than two years, and the crisis in Dasheng has been temporarily alleviated, and everything in the north is thriving! ]

[Red barrage: We admire this! Prince Yuansheng is really working very hard and never stops! ]

【Green Barrage: We calculated that she works all year round and rests for an average of two to three hours every night. She either works or practices, and has no entertainment. Family members, who among you is as hardworking as she is?】

[Yellow barrage: Although I feel a little sad, I am still extremely proud. This is our Prince Yuan Sheng! ]

Xiao Zhixing herself didn't feel anything. If she rolled with all her strength, she could kill everyone.

On the third day after his birthday, the Ghost Guard sent a message, and Zhao Bupi's affairs officially began.

(Thanks to @喜欢蒙獒的雷系玄力 for the first reward!)