The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Chapter 1003 - 564: The Little Heavenly Master Arrives

Murder? Yu Xiu, who opened the door hastily and only wore a simple Daoist robe, froze for a moment and habitually reached out to tie her hair, frowning:

"I’m not going to interfere..."

The female Daoist reiterated her principles.

Hehe, I hope you’ll still be so stubborn when Zhang’s crane arrives... Zhao Douan responded rudely to her, "I know."

Yu Xiu stared deeply at him for a moment and nodded, "Please wait a moment."

She closed the door, and the lights inside lit up, casting the shadow of the female Daoist getting dressed on the window.

Moments later, the tidy and neat Daoist maiden, with her messy hair tied into a Daoist bun, stepped out into the courtyard, her snow-white sleeve raised toward the sky, revealing a white arm.

"Shoo!"

A bright green sword light shot from the ground, rushing toward the heavens.

"Tonight is the full moon, Jin Jian is cultivating outside, I’m summoning her back," Yu Xiu explained.

Zhao Douan took the opportunity to find Sun Xiaozhun, who was guarding Taicang, briefly informing him that he was going to Yongjia and asking him to stay on guard.

Returning, he happened to see the bright green flying sword return like a shooting star in the night sky.

A figure almost blending into the darkness, wearing a robe embroidered with golden lines and having delicate facial features and slightly curled hair tip—like a sprite of the night.

Slowly floated down from the sky.

Jin Jian’s boot tip lightly touched the ground, one hand grasping the Magic Wand, the other gently pushing the golden-rimmed glasses on her nose, her dark eyes gazing at Zhao Douan:

"What happened?"

The night-time Young Priestess emitted a mysterious aura, transformed from the sleepy-head she was during the day.

Zhao Douan had already ordered three warhorses to be brought over, stood up, and said, "No time to explain, get on the horse quickly."

...

The three of them sped out of the Prefecture City, heading south.

A bridge had already been set up over Yongjia River, with Capital Camp Soldiers guarding both ends. The three proceeded smoothly into Yongjia City, the sky already brightening.

A red sun leaped up, tearing apart the dawn’s darkness, illuminating the entire Yongjia City.

An unusual atmosphere surged within the city, because Zhao Shixiong had opened the city gates to surrender; there hadn’t been any chaos inside, but the sudden change of flags still caught the citizens off guard.

Zhao Douan arrived at the Yongjia Prefecture.

He ran into a familiar Five Army Camp officer coming out, pausing:

"Governor? Why are you here?"

Zhao Douan dismounted and led the two priests, one big and one small, inside, speaking in a commanding tone:

"Pass the order, summon the city’s leaders for a meeting!"

...

In a moment.

Inside a large house within the government office.

Zhao Douan sat at the central main seat, waiting for familiar faces to arrive one after another.

The first to arrive were Lang Shiba and Ji Yue, who had been sent ahead by Zhao Douan to escort Yuan Feng to accept the surrender.

Then came Yuan Feng with a square face, and the top military officers of the Five Army Camp.

"Governor!" Yuan Feng stepped into the hall, respectfully saluting—the Commander was thoroughly won over by Zhao Douan.

He might have been unruly in Qingzhou or when eliminating Su Dan, but this time, with Zhao Shixiong surrendering, he was completely convinced.

"Good, have a seat and report on the situation in the city?" Zhao Douan nodded, motioning for them to sit.

Yuan Feng didn’t dare delay and quickly gave a brief report; the process was extremely smooth, concluding with:

"Master, last time from the prison you rescued the Yongjia Prefect and other local officials back. This time, after retaking Yongjia, the officials who had joined the rebels were all removed, conveniently allowing them to resume their original posts; thus, the city’s turmoil was minimal."

Zhao Douan nodded.

Letting the original local officials take over was the fastest way to stabilize Yongjia.

Moreover, the place hadn’t been occupied for long, so he wasn’t worried about stability.

"By the way, that... Du Ruhui..." he recalled this matter, casually asking.

Yuan Feng replied, "Du Ruhui has been promoted, he is extremely capable, and it’s a good thing you rescued him last time. Do you want to meet him?"

Zhao Douan waved his hand, "No need, just asking."

The urgent matter now is to capture and kill Mu Prince, he has no interest in small issues; the reason for asking about Du Ruhui was to send a signal.

After today, Zhao Douan’s inquiry about Du Ruhui will spread locally, and his casual remark will help the latter eliminate countless obstacles and allow him to rise smoothly.

The current Zhao Douan already possesses the ability to change a court official’s fate with his words and actions.

As they spoke.

Footsteps approached from the courtyard, Zhao Douan looked up to see Zhao Shixiong and his wife, Gongsun, walking over.

The border army general nicknamed "Skinny Tiger" was as imposing as the day before. Even though the city had changed hands, he still exuded a majestic aura.

Unignorable!

With a voluptuous and tall figure, Gongsun followed beside her husband, not carrying a Longsword, and lowered her eyes slightly under Zhao Douan’s gaze.

The couple stood at the door, bowed slightly, "Greetings, Governor!"

Zhao Douan laughed heartily and got up to greet them, "General and Madam, no need for formalities, please sit down quickly."

His attitude was also sending a message throughout the Capital Camp: if Zhao Douan respects defectors so, the others would not dare act rashly.

This was to help Zhao Shixiong reestablish himself in the court.

Zhao Shixiong gratefully glanced at him, softly exhaling, "Thank you, Governor."

Once the couple took their seats.

Zhao Douan addressed directly, "Today’s meeting is to discuss the matter of heading south to quell the rebellion..."

Yuan Feng was the first to express his opinion, "According to your instructions, the army can be ready to march in half a day at most. However, I’m worried that the Eastern Front may aid them..."

Zhao Douan responded casually, "Don’t worry. I’ve already sent a message to Xue Shence; next, he will handle the restraint of Prince Jing, while we should seize this time window to push south and defeat the enemy."

After a pause, he turned to Zhao Shixiong, "General Zhao, based on your understanding of Xu Jingtang, how do you think he would react now?"