The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Chapter 976 - 554: Strategies Across Distant Lands

Humans are social animals.

Therefore, it is always difficult to escape the fate of being compared. The higher one stands, the more evident and clear the public’s critiques become.

Zhao Douan understood this truth early on, so he just smiled:

"In the field of warfare, Xue Shence is indeed stronger than me. We are not children, why vie for everything? Winning battles is a great thing for the court. As for those rumors circulating outside, the sour words from scholars, just ignore them."

Hmm, what he did not mention was that he had also won a battle in Yongjia City some days ago, but the news hadn’t come back yet.

Of course, even if he sent back the "record" of assassinating Wang Qi and rescuing a group of officials to the Capital, it would only make those who harbor malice against him work harder to compare him with Xue Shence, thereby indirectly suppressing his reputation.

As for Zhao Douan’s real plan, the strategy to sow discord between Zhao Shixiong and Xu Jingtang, once successful, could likely directly influence the entire war situation in Yu Country... These matters must be strictly confidential for now, and cannot be shared with outsiders.

Only a very few, who know what Zhao Douan is currently doing, understand the impact once the strategy of sowing discord succeeds.

It will be something that even several more victories by Xue Shence couldn’t surpass, unless Xue Shence could single-handedly wipe out Prince Jing Xu Wen, but that difficulty is beyond the current court troops’ capabilities.

"Let’s go, to Zuixian Building." Zhao Douan resisted the urge to pinch his secretary’s round face, gently and indifferently said: "Let’s all be happy, I’ll treat you to something good."

Qian Kerou asked in confusion: "Sir, are we not going to the palace?"

Zhao Douan shook his head:

"The great victory on the Eastern Front means His Majesty will at least summon ministers for several hours to digest the news. Following that, some arrangements will inevitably have to be made. I am just going to report the follow-up later on, no rush."

...

The group arrived at Zuixian Building, and Zhao Douan waved his hand grandly, booked a private room, and ordered good wine and food to celebrate the successful cleanup of the Pure Stream Party, and additionally the great victory on the Eastern Front.

As time neared noon, the restaurant also became increasingly busy, and through the door panel, one could hear discussions about the great victory outside.

Xue Shence’s name appeared frequently.

Not surprising.

Under the current Emperor’s reign, the hottest topic revolves around the war, who wouldn’t discuss it? And predictably, in those voices of discussion, whenever Xue Shence was mentioned, it inevitably involved "Commander Zhao."

Perhaps, some time ago, Zhao Douan had suppressed Xue Shence’s brilliance in two successive battles of pacifying the rebellion in Qingzhou and extinguishing the fire in Linfeng, many people were holding back a sense of frustration.

Now, Xue Shence’s grand victory led to rampant statements about Zhao Douan winning merely by luck, claiming that Minister Xue was truly the number one of Great Yu.

Hearing this, several arresting officers from Lihua Hall frowned deeply, their meal losing its flavor.

Instead, Zhao Douan, the person involved, seemed unaffected, listening with great interest.

However, as the meal reached its end, the door of the private room was suddenly knocked, and strangely enough, a group had learned that the new Master of Lihua Hall was also dining in the building, and came to see for themselves.

"I heard about the new white-faced arresting officer at the Imperial Court, who acts like Junior Guardian Zhao, stirring chaos throughout the court in these days. Today, we finally meet."

The leader entered, round-faced with narrow eyes, heavily drunk, carrying a wine flask, wearing a military officer’s blue robe, and looked at Zhao Douan with a hint of hostility in his eyes.

Zhao Douan confusedly turned to his secretary: "Who is he?"

The latter quietly explained: "He is a Chief Steward of the Privy Council, a fifth-rank official."

Privy Council... the court military officer faction, due to the battle in Qingzhou, the court military officers had been suppressed by Zhao Douan alone without any chance. Having held back anger, in the recent one or two months, city scholars praised Zhao Douan and frequently used tactics to elevate one while suppressing another, every time praising Zhao Douan, they would belittle the military officer faction led by the Privy Council.

Zhao Douan realized it, thinking that this fifth-rank official had long been dissatisfied with "Commander Zhao", and today with the great victory on the Eastern Front, finally straightened up his stance with drunkenness to come find someone from "Commander Zhao’s" faction to show off his frustration.

To this, Zhao Douan, unusually magnanimous for once, did not seek revenge for the smallest grievance.

Since the scholars incited praise to suppress, the Privy Council faction taking out anger on him is also understandable.

Nonetheless, Zhao Douan was unperturbed, but the Chief Steward became a bit annoyed, threw the wine flask on the table heavily, with a grim face and displeasure said: "This Master has no sense, I have come to pay respects actively, yet you ask who I am, are you not regarding my Privy Council?!"

Behind, some gathered for the excitement, a posture ready to watch the show.

Zhao Douan slightly frowned, for he truly did not recognize this person. Although he had drunk with officials from the Privy Council before, it must have been at least fourth-rank and above to be seated at the lower table.

This fifth-rank Chief Steward simply didn’t even qualify to meet Zhao Douan.

"You want to cause trouble?!" Hou Renmeng was furious, he stood up suddenly, hand already grabbing his saber.

Shen Juan and Qian Kerou also gave unfriendly looks.

"This is under the Emperor’s reign, with the great victory on the Eastern Front, a day of celebration, using blades and guns, wouldn’t that be laughed at if spread?" From among the crowd, a tall, slender middle-aged man in long robes stepped forward, behaved elegantly, with a disdainful gaze, seemingly speaking fairly but subtly mocking Lihua Hall for being ignorant.

Zhao Douan tightened his brows, his secretary whispered: "This is the Dean of the Imperial College, also a fifth-rank official, the Sacrificial Officer’s assistant. A member of the Pure Stream Party."

Zhao Douan sighed softly, smiling to himself, thinking that the Old Director’s words were indeed accurate.

As the new Master, Zhao Douan is indeed being watched by many. His movements in cleansing the court did not surprisingly offend people.