The First Lackey Under The Empress

In the fourth floor of the pavilion shrouded in darkness, only the palace lanterns diffused a reassuring halo.

Zhao Du'an met the Empress's bright, lacquer-like eyes sparkling in the firelight, and paused in silence.

He sat cross-legged at the small table, organizing his words, and said:

“This goal is indeed quite difficult.

Although, in terms of military strength, Xue Shence's Jing Camp is sufficient to defeat any single rebel army, with two feudal lords allied and holding firm, attacking either the eastern or western front alone would likely be ineffective.”

After a slight pause, he said with a serious expression:

“Unless, we can break this alliance.

Just like back then, when Your Majesty and I retreated from Luoshan back to the capital, the reason why Prince Jing and Prince Mu failed to break into Linfeng was not only due to the court's obstruction, but also the key was the mutual restraint between the two.”

Xu Zhenguan sighed softly and shook her head:

“You want to break the alliance, but it's almost impossible.

In the current situation, they are like grasshoppers on the same rope, and any further problems will be suppressed.”

How could Zhao Du'an not know this?

He pondered for a moment and said:

“Then let's settle for the next best thing, at least ensure that when Xue Shence attacks Prince Jing, Prince Mu cannot spare much strength to assist.”

The other is the border army under the command of Zhao Shixiong, the commander of the border army.

And the relationship between Prince Mu and Zhao Shixiong, according to my investigation, is not very close.”

Hearing this, Xu Zhenguan was not too surprised, and nodded:

“You're right.

These days, the discussions in the court about the war have all concluded that the Yunfu rebel army is not united, so the threat is not as great as the Jiancheng rebel army.

This should also be the reason why Xue Shence chose to attack the eastern front… Prince Jing's threat is the greatest, and we cannot give the other side enough time to consolidate the territory they have swallowed.”

The court also judged it this way?

Yes, this is not difficult to judge… Zhao Du'an continued:

“So, I plan to sneak into Huaishui, Yongjia City controlled by Zhao Shixiong, and try to understand the situation carefully.

If possible, I will try to assassinate Zhao Shixiong, or use the lack of trust between Prince Mu and Zhao Shixiong to make some waves.

Only by containing the Yunfu rebel army can we hope to recapture most of Huaishui's territory before winter and prevent the court from falling into trouble.”

The smile on Xu Zhenguan's face disappeared, and she immediately retorted:

“Give up the idea of assassinating Zhao Shixiong!

This man is very strong, not only has he trained the border army into an iron barrel, but he himself is also a formidable martial artist.

Although your current cultivation is not weak, no matter how strong a martial artist is, once trapped in an army formation and surrounded by strongmen in the army, they will only be exhausted to death!”

“Your Majesty…” Zhao Du'an was stunned, not expecting the Empress to react so strongly.

Immediately, he seemed to realize something, and his eyes were strange:

“Could it be that Your Majesty is worried about my safety?”

Xu Zhenguan was speechless and couldn't answer for a moment, but instead shifted her gaze.

Under the orange palace lantern, the Empress's warm jade-like face lost the majesty and aloofness of sitting on the dragon throne, but added a lot of gentleness.

She was silent for a moment before saying with a straight face:

“In short, I won't allow you to go.

Are you going to disobey the imperial decree?”

Zhao Du'an laughed.

From the time of the Fengshan ceremony and the return to the capital to launch the counterattack, it seemed that the monarch and her subject had rarely had the opportunity to gather like this.

The Empress's status, as well as the severity of the situation, greatly compressed the space for "romantic love".

When the two were together, it seemed that besides discussing important national affairs, they would at most discuss each other's cultivation.

Far from being like ordinary men and women, who completely let go of their restraint and became deeply attached after sleeping together once.

Ultimately, they both bear and carry too much on their shoulders, and dare not enjoy themselves for a moment, because once they fail, the only outcome is death.

Therefore, for the two of them, this level of sweet talk was almost the limit.

“Okay, I'll listen to Your Majesty and won't risk my life.” Zhao Du'an said seriously:

“But I do plan to go to Yongjia Prefecture.

Unlike Xue Shence, I am not good at leading troops to fight.

On the battlefield, the role I can play is very limited.

Like this time, summoning wind and rain can only be done once.

Instead, if I go behind enemy lines, it can be of greater help to the situation.”

After a pause, he joked:

“Your Majesty must not forget that what I am best at is dealing with 'people'.”

Working behind enemy lines… This was the new positioning Zhao Du'an had found for himself.

Xue Shence was standing alone in the front, while he, who was better at fighting with people, could sneak behind enemy lines and cause the enemy to collapse from within.

Just like when he first crossed over into this world, he repeatedly brought down the big figures in the court.

How could Zhao Shixiong compare to the former Li Yanfu?

Wasn't he also defeated by him?

At this moment, he suddenly thought of the Kuangfu Society and the Grand Tutor Zhuang Xiaocheng.

If Zhuang Xiaocheng had been lurking in the capital, repeatedly causing the court to fall into passivity, then why couldn't Zhao Du'an learn from the enemy?

Also pull up a "Kuangfu Society" to instigate the enemy's generals to rebel and destroy the enemy's base camp?

Xu Zhenguan stared at him deeply, seeing that Zhao Du'an was determined.

She was silent for a moment, then suddenly picked up the white porcelain wine pot on the table, poured him a glass of wine, and said in a very gentle voice:

“If you have made a decision, then go ahead, but you must be careful and put your own safety first.”

At this moment, she had the temperament of a wife seeing her husband off to the front line.

However, this was only for a moment.

She was, after all, not an ordinary woman, but the banner of this dynasty.

Although it seemed "easy" to sit in the capital, she had to deal with memorials from various battlefields every day and control the overall situation.

More importantly, the Empress was a banner, and only with her presence could the situation be stabilized.

Zhao Du'an sat cross-legged and gladly accepted the Empress's service.

He winked and smiled:

“Don't worry, I'm still waiting to quell the war and marry Your Majesty.

Last time it was only seven days, next time let's strive for fourteen days.”

Well… I hope I can step into the Celestial Realm before the wedding, otherwise it will be too embarrassing…

Faced with his "teasing", Xu Zhenguan surprisingly did not turn her face, and gave him more food.

Zhao Du'an awkwardly said:

“Your Majesty, don't be like this, I can't eat it all, I always feel like I'm being offered up on Qingming Festival…”

Xu Zhenguan said “Oh” and said lightly:

“Then why don't you leave yet?”

Tsk, is she angry now?

I didn't say anything… Zhao Du'an complained in his heart, but he also knew that his spirit had not rested well, and he really couldn't stay too long.

Otherwise, if he consumed too much, it would probably cause permanent damage to his spirit.

He got up to leave:

“I'll take my leave now…”

Anyway, it's easy to come back later.

This mural is equivalent to opening a portal for him, making it easy to harass the Empress in the future…

Therefore, this time there was no reluctance to leave.

Xu Zhenguan suddenly stopped him and said:

“Zhao Shixiong's rebellion is a bit strange.

You can pay attention to it.

Although the late Emperor ignored court affairs in his later years, he was not confused.

The southwestern border army is adjacent to Southern Xinjiang, and he would not easily arrange a general he could not trust there.

Although Zhao Shixiong is unruly and not very obedient, it is probably not ordinary high officials and generous salaries that can make him willing to serve Prince Mu.”

Zhao Shixiong's defection to Prince Mu may have hidden reasons?

Zhao Du'an was slightly surprised, not expecting Zhenbao to have this evaluation of this border army general.

“I know.” Zhao Du'an nodded and stepped into the mural.

Watching him disappear, Xu Zhenguan quietly fell into a daze.

She didn't have too many expectations for Zhao Du'an's success.

How much can a small number of people hiding behind enemy lines influence the situation?

But since Zhao Du'an wanted to do it, she wouldn't say anything disappointing.

However, in order to ensure the safety of his lurking, the information about this “behind enemy lines operation” must be strictly confidential.

Even the high-level officials in the court cannot know.

Xu Zhenguan got up, carried the palace lantern, and walked out.

He was busy for the sake of Yu State, and she shouldn't rest either.

… …

… …

Just when Zhao Du'an was chatting privately with the Empress, the aftermath of this battle was still spreading.

The victims returned to the city one after another.

And in a certain Chinese medicine shop in the county seat, Nie Yurong's return was greeted with surprise by the several Embroidered Uniform Direct Envoys led by the young Kongkong, who had been waiting here.

“Sister, you're back?” The nimble, monkey-like Kongkong said in surprise.

The other Embroidered Uniform Envoys also saluted excitedly.

Nie Yurong said with a cold face:

“The imperial court is powerful. They have already captured General Su and killed General Lu Tong, the monk Fanlong, and others. Seeing that things were not going well, I left in the chaos.

Next, the imperial army will inevitably cleanse and investigate us. Everyone, prepare yourselves and immediately find an opportunity to leave in the chaos. We must report what happened here to the Prince as soon as possible.”

The crowd did not doubt him and immediately responded.

The young Kong Kong asked curiously, “Big sister, where are we retreating to? Yongjia City?”

“Yes.” Nie Yurong nodded indifferently.

Yongjia is one of the prefectural cities in the Huaishui region, now garrisoned by Zhao Shixiong, the commander of the border army.

It is where the main force of the Yunfu Dao army is located, and the military strength there is far greater than what Su Dan had.

Nie Yurong raised her hand and released blue paper cranes one by one. The paper cranes flew into the air and disappeared into the sky.

Not only her, but countless spies lurking in Linfeng were also quickly transmitting the results of this battle to various forces.

It is conceivable that it will cause a new round of sensation.

… …

Eastern front of Huaishui.

A meeting of high-level Jiancheng Dao officials, presided over by Prince Jing, Xu Wen, was being held.

Suddenly, a messenger knocked on the door.

The heir, Xu Jinglong, raised his buttocks, stepped forward, took the latest intelligence from the Prince's secret agents in his hands, and handed it with both hands to Prince Jing, who was dressed in luxurious clothes and had the air of a hero.

Prince Jing took it with a calm expression. When he saw that the imperial court had defeated Su Dan and regained the lost territory, he was not surprised.

This was expected.

But when he saw that Su Dan had burned the city, and Zhao Douan had borrowed the power of the gods to perform cloud and rain, affecting the climate within a radius of dozens of miles, reversing the battle situation.

Prince Jing's pupils shrank slightly, and a look of shock and anger appeared on his face. He sneered:

“Good, Zhao Douan, you can still come out to stir things up at this time.”

He had regretted countless times not going all out to strangle Zhao Douan in advance.

Lu Yan'er glanced at him curiously, her expression unchanged.

Soon, after a group of high-level Jiancheng Dao officials had read the news, they were all shocked.

“Su Dan dared to implement a scorched earth policy? Prince Mu is more daring than I imagined!”

“Heh, Xue Shence was also deceived. It seems that he has been the Privy Councilor in the capital for too long and is not as good as he used to be.”

“This Zhao Douan… why is it him again?! Cloud and rain, can he already use such methods?”

The crowd discussed, their expressions varied.

Prince Jing snorted coldly and said indifferently:

“It must be some kind of magic trick. The imperial family's foundation is still there, so it's not surprising, but there's no need to worry. If it could be used on the battlefield, why would he create rain? On the battlefield, Zhao Douan's cleverness will soon lose its effect.

Just act according to the original plan. Immediately attack the eastern front to contain the imperial court's power. This Prince has reached an agreement with the princes who have started the rebellion to contain and block each other. At most by the end of the year, the imperial court will inevitably run out of supplies and will collapse without being attacked.”

The generals nodded happily, with an air of confidence.

… …

“Su Dan was captured… Lu Tong died in battle…”

“Zhao Douan!”

On a training ground, Prince Mu, Xu Jingtao, wearing armor, clutched the latest military intelligence sent by the Embroidered Uniform Direct Guard from the front line, his face gloomy.

“Father…” A young general walked over, trying to comfort him:

“That place couldn't be defended anyway. As long as Yongjia Prefecture isn't lost, and we wait a few more months, the situation will definitely reverse…”

Prince Mu, Xu Jingtao, took a deep breath, feeling the gazes around him, and suppressed his anger, his expression returning to calmness:

“That's right. This Prince is not in the mood to practice. Arrange a banquet and invite Prince Huai'an and several aristocratic family heads from Huaishui to meet tonight.”

Prince Mu had been getting very close to the various families in Huaishui recently, and his purpose was to win their support.

“By the way, send a letter to Zhao Shixiong, saying…”

Xu Jingtao took a few steps, then suddenly stopped, thought for a while, and said:

“I will personally draft the content later.”

… …

Inside an inconspicuous restaurant.

The Second Prince, Xu Jianwen, put down his chopsticks and looked at the latest battle report with interest. He smiled, put down the letter, and raised his head to the two people in front of him:

“It seems that Zhao Douan has grown a lot during this period. If you were to face him again now, would you still have a chance of winning?”

Qi Yuchun, the former commander of the Imperial City Guard, had a solemn expression:

“This is not good news.”

Ren Kun, the Earth God術 Master sitting next to him, glanced at him:

“Dogs biting dogs is nothing but a mouthful of fur. What's so bad about it? It's just that the imperial court won a small victory… Well, twice. So what? The main force of the powerful princes hasn't even been deployed yet.”

Qi Yuchun ignored him and looked at the Second Prince: “Your Highness, are we really not going to do anything?”

Xu Jianwen smiled and said, “I told you not to rush, it's not time yet.”

“What time is it?”

“When the imperial court, Prince Mu, and Prince Jing really start tearing at each other, suffering losses on all sides.”

… …

Inside a certain temple.

The long-missing monk Bianji stepped forward and arrived at the deepest meditation courtyard.

His clear eyes respectfully turned to the tightly closed door:

“Abbot, Fanlong is dead. He was killed by a priest from the Celestial Master's Mansion. Zhao Douan won a great victory on the western front…”

He told the intelligence he had obtained. The Shenlong Temple had deep roots. Even without the main altar, the intelligence network was still powerful.

A gentle breeze came, and the green leaves rustled.

Bianji waited for a while, shook his head helplessly, and turned to leave, knowing that Abbot Xuan Yin had gone wandering again.

His eyes were a little complicated:

“Abbot, Abbot, the six-hundred-year foundation of the Shenlong Temple is collapsing little by little. Aren't you worried at all?”

… …

The name of Yongjia City comes from the “Yongjia River.”

For thousands of years, this river that runs through Huaishui has carried countless poems. There are many branches of the river, densely packed, like blood vessels, interspersed throughout the streets and alleys of the entire city.

At this moment, on a large flat area on the riverbank outside the city, the southwestern border army is conducting daily training.

The vicious sun hangs high in the sky, and the bare-chested border army men are sweating like rain, empty-handed, or holding sticks, fighting in pairs.

The southwestern border army is best at fighting, not marching and deploying, because they have been defending against the Liao people for many years.

Everyone is a good hand at hand-to-hand combat.

At this moment, the fighting is in full swing. The shouts of the soldiers on the yellow mud ground are loud and continuous. Those who are covered in sweat from the fighting plunge into the river to rinse off.

When a man who is about fifty years old, surprisingly “short,” with a thick beard, arrives with a smiling face accompanied by a tall woman and several generals, the border army men who are fighting in pairs become excited.

The shouts are raised several levels with boiling blood!

The Great General has arrived!

Zhao Shixiong's military management methods are not bad. The southwestern border army has been loyal and devoted to him for many years.

Many border soldiers only have the Great General in their hearts, not the imperial court. This man, who is clearly shorter than many soldiers and doesn't look very surprising, has extremely high prestige in the entire border army!

Even the lame院长 of the Shantang in the capital, after many years, still reminisced about the years he served under Zhao Shixiong when chatting with Zhao Douan.

It's evident.

“The Great General is here! Everyone, get out of the river and train hard! If anyone doesn't put in the effort, I'll touch his quilt at night!” A general shouted with a smile.

In the river, the bare-chested men scrambled to get ashore, their expressions excited, without any displeasure at being urged, but instead crowding in front of Zhao Shixiong.

“Great General, I've mastered the spearmanship you taught me last time. I'll show it to you!”

“Bullshit! What spearmanship do you have, Tie Dan? Are you trying to embarrass yourself in front of the Great General?”

“Are you talking about me? Let's have a one-on-one fight! Whoever loses will wash socks for a month!”

“Come on! If you lose, you'll wash for the whole squad!”

“You wash for the whole battalion!”

… …

Zhao Shixiong looked at the lively scene with a smile.

Suddenly, a messenger ran over, and the tall woman with amazing hip proportions, about thirty-four years old, and quite beautiful, walked over.

A moment later, she returned and whispered:

“The battle report from the front line says that Su Dan was captured, Lu Tong died in battle, and the army failed to retreat. He wanted to burn the city, but Zhao Douan performed cloud and rain and invited the gods to stop him. It was a complete defeat.”

The short man, whose appearance was quite contrary to the majestic name of “Zhao Shixiong,” smiled indifferently and did not look at the battle report.

He just squinted his eyes and stared at the border army training in the sunlight, and said softly:

“A small matter, as expected.”

— —

Wrote a detailed outline of the next plot, and it feels okay. The next chapter will open a new plot. I hope to restore stable daily updates of five chapters in March..