The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Chapter 977 - 554: Strategies Across Distant Lands (Part 2)

However, he touched the mask on his face and thought to himself, if it weren’t for this mask, where would this group of fifth-rank riffraff get the courage to act so snidely?

"Old Hou, sit down and eat," Zhao Douan said calmly.

Hou Renmeng reluctantly sat down.

Seeing the recently famous white-faced Arresting Officer choose to endure and retreat, the two fifth-rank officials from the Privy Council and the Imperial College became even more arrogant and complacent.

They turned and swaggered away.

The onlookers dispersed disappointedly.

"Supervisor Chen, I just heard you at the table repeatedly claim that Commander Zhao is overrated. But I remember that you were one of those who previously praised Commander Zhao excessively. Now you’re picking on Lihua Hall, which goes against the way of a gentleman."

Suddenly, an unassuming scholar with a rather wooden demeanor stepped out of the crowd and said seriously.

Zhao Douan was taken aback; it was an old acquaintance, Mr. Dong, the eldest grandson of Grandmaster Dong.

Supervisor Chen frowned, "I know Mr. Dong and Commander Zhao have some personal ties. If you can’t stand us speaking the truth, I won’t say anything for the Grandmaster’s sake. However, I’ve heard that Mr. Dong has submitted his resignation to the Sacrificial Official and is going to enlist on Xiping Road, leaving after participating in this year’s Golden Autumn Gathering’s Literary Society? Mr. Dong should pay more attention to his own future."

Zhao Douan’s eyes were filled with surprise; Dong Da was planning to trade his pen for a sword? To join the pacification on Xiping Road?

This was a somewhat unexpected choice for him.

Dong Da calmly clasped his hands and didn’t respond.

Watching the group disperse, Zhao Douan thought about the unpredictability of life once one goes to war. Dong Da should count as the first genuine "friend" he’d made since his transmigration.

When the Golden Autumn Gathering arrives, it would be fitting to see him off.

After the brief interlude, no one was in the mood to eat. Zhao Douan got up to settle the bill and left Zuixian Building to head to the palace.

Hou Renmeng and Shen Juan suddenly used the excuse of needing the restroom to stay behind, only allowing Qian Kerou to drive and send the lord to the palace.

The two waited in an alley outside Zuixian Inn for about half an hour until they finally saw Supervisor Chen and the drunken Chief Steward being escorted by friends as they left and parted in different directions.

"One each?" Hou Renmeng folded his arms, revealing a toothy grin.

"I can’t fight as well as you, so leave the bookish one to me. And, keep it clean." Shen Juan pulled out two face-covering cloths, handing one to Hou Renmeng, "Don’t cause trouble for the lord."

"Watch and see. Hmph, the lord is magnanimous and doesn’t stoop to the level of villains, but when have the people of Lihua Hall not fought back when provoked?"

"... Don’t cripple them."

"I know my limits."

The two masked themselves, drew their knives, and went their separate ways, tailing their targets.

...

...

Imperial Palace.

Zhao Douan entered the palace, first allowing Qian Kerou to drive back, and then found Sun Lianying to inquire.

He learned that the Empress was indeed holding an impromptu small court meeting.

"Xue Shence used the firearms you studied in the Divine Mechanism Camp to catch Prince Jing off guard, seizing control of nearly two counties and a section of canal. However, expanding the gains further won’t be easy," the Old Director said, holding a horsetail whisk, laying out the Eastern Front battle report for him.

He added, "The Empress cannot spare a moment currently. If you have urgent business, I can request her to come out."

Zhao Douan waved his hand, "No need for that. Let her continue her work. I just came to report on the final loose ends of the purge case, all written in the memorial. Just pass it on to the Empress for me. It’s nothing urgent. The Lihua Hall affair is concluded, and in the next few days, I’ll be staying in the Martial Arts Hall."

After explaining, he turned and headed straight to the Martial Arts Hall.

After greeting Eunuch Hai, Zhao Douan entrusted his body to Hai for care, allowing his Divine Soul to exit his body, pass through the palace walls, and enter the Stone Wall.

...

Linfeng, Taicang Prefecture government office.

Lying in an ancient-styled room, Zhao Douan opened his eyes.

Feeling the abundant Qi Mechanism within him and the mostly digested "Fasting Pill," he rubbed his face and muttered to himself, "This truly is a nimble flesh body."

Fortunately, he had entered the Worldly Realm; in a state of breathing meditation, his body could be sustained purely by the Fasting Pill.

Otherwise, having to return daily just to eat and relieve oneself would be a bothersome endeavor.

Pushing open the door and stepping out, he saw three figures sparring in the courtyard.

The Jade Sleeve Priestess dressed in an elegant light blue dress, her face veiled, sat in the pavilion while a flying sword flickered across the courtyard like a flash of light.

Lang Shiba wielded a curved blade, hair disheveled, while Ji Yue, with white pupils and a red robe, wet from sweat, opposed the flying sword.

Although Xue Shence had taken away the Divine Mechanism Camp, along with some tributors led by Tang Jinzhong.

But the remaining cultivators stayed in Taicang, assisting Zhao Douan in guarding the western line.

However, it was too boring for cultivators, so sparring and training became routine.

"Where’s Jin Jian?" Zhao Douan asked while stretching his body.

Yu Xiu opened her eyes: "Catching up on sleep, are you looking for her?"

No... let the child sleep, the time difference is hard to handle... Perhaps Earth’s modern society suits her night owl nature better... Zhao Douan shook his head: "Just asking. Did Song Jinxi send back any messages?"

Lang Shiba sheathed his curved knife and took a letter from his bosom: "Master, it just arrived this morning."

After returning from Yongjia, Song Jinxi made a brief rest, then departed with the Shadow Guard to the Huai River.

Zhao Douan tore open the envelope, glanced inside, nodded, and smiled: "Very good, it seems things over there are proceeding smoothly. We’ll just have to wait now."

At this time, before the government office, Magistrate Sun Xiaozhun ran in excitedly, and upon seeing him, he exclaimed: "Governor, have you emerged from closed-door training? Just in time, we’ve just received news, a great victory on the eastern front..."

Old Sun, you’re falling behind, the news from the Capital is faster... Zhao Douan nodded calmly: "Let me guess, Xue Shence caught Prince Jing off guard with firearms, probably capturing two counties and a section of the canal."

Sun Xiaozhun was shocked, and after a moment of disbelief, he said, genuinely impressed: "Master, your foresight is unparalleled!"

Zhao Douan said calmly: "Prince Jing suffered a setback, he’ll surely ask Mu Prince Xu Jingtang for aid, next keep an eye on Zhao Shixiong, and put some pressure on him."

"Alright." Sun Xiaozhun nodded, then worriedly said: "Master, with the natural barrier of the Yongjia River, Zhao Shixiong can hold the territory with just half his forces; if he moves, it might be difficult to stop him."

Zhao Douan glanced at Old Sun, smiling: "First, he must be able to move freely; let’s wait and see, it will take some time. It may take up to a month, or as little as twenty days, for the situation to change."

Sun Xiaozhun blinked, then tentatively asked: "Did you send Tributor Song out as part of a plan?"

Zhao Douan smiled without answering, looking south with his hands behind his back.

What he didn’t say was that he sent out more than just Song Jinxi to complete a crucial step.

It wasn’t just Nie Yurong and her insiders.

There was also a third force, always moving within the Martial World, following his orders, but gradually being overlooked by others.

"Yun Xi and her group... should also be ready to take action."

...

...

In the area where the Huai’an Prince Mansion is located, over hundreds of years, several major families interconnected various gardens, which almost became a prosperous area comparable to a prefecture city.

After Xu Jingtang occupied the western front of the Huai River, he seized this fertile land before it fell into Prince Jing’s hands.

Just east of Xu Jingtang’s residence, "Hundred Generations Garden," not far away, another enclosed residence was recently occupied by a "mysterious" young girl.

In the afternoon, a side door of the house opened, and a fair-skinned, young girl emerged, surrounded by maids and guards.

She wore a gorgeous long dress, the hem reaching her heels, with the soles of her pale yellow embroidered shoes glimpsing as she walked.

At the age of blossoming adolescence, her bright and lively eyes, combined with her high spirits, presented an imposing aura that caught people’s attention.

At first glance, she seemed like the offspring of a prestigious family, greatly favored and pampered.

Zhao Ke’er, having just stepped out the small door and attempting to board the carriage, suddenly saw a group of armored soldiers approaching to escort the carriage.

The smile on Zhao Ke’er’s face disappeared, and she coldly stared at the leading military officer: "I told you, don’t follow me!"

The officer’s face remained stern, his tone respectful: "We are under the command of the Second Young Master, to ensure Miss’s safety."

Zhao Ke’er frowned, sarcastically saying: "Ensure safety or surveillance?"

The officer remained silent.

Zhao Ke’er huffed in annoyance, knowing further words would be futile, nonetheless stepped into the carriage; the bearers lifted it steadily, heading towards the Confucius Temple.

The silent Yunfu rebel army followed along the sides of the carriage, scaring the people into retreating with fear.

Zhao Ke’er’s identity was unique; she was the only daughter of the Border Army Commander Zhao Shixiong.

Late to marry, Zhao Shixiong had difficulties conceiving a child due to an error in martial arts training years ago, hence only had an only daughter, whom he doted upon exceedingly.

When Yunfu rebelled, Zhao Shixiong and the Gongsun couple led their troops to the front, expanding territory for Mu Prince.

Zhao Ke’er, however, was used as a "hostage," always within Xu Jingtang’s range of vision.

Though she was a "hostage," to avoid creating a rift with Zhao Shixiong, Zhao Ke’er enjoyed a privileged life with few restrictions.

Until recently, the Second Young Master of Mu Prince’s Manor suddenly dispatched soldiers, supposedly for protection, but in actuality tightening surveillance on her.

This greatly displeased Zhao Ke’er.

After traveling two streets, the sulking girl inside the carriage suddenly heard a commotion outside.