The Empress's No.1 Lackey

The ministers were still feasting and composing poetry, but not for Buddhism, Taoism, or the court, but for their own fame.

The themes of the poetry were not limited to "competing in magic."

Because it was autumn, there were also many poems with "autumn" as the theme, or more broadly, with "life's encounters" as the theme.

"So, today is not only my celebration but also a literary gathering?" Zhao Douan looked puzzled.

He thought to himself, no wonder he hadn't seen many military officers along the way.

Perhaps Xue Shence claimed to have insights into the Sword Dao was false, and avoiding competing in poetry with the literati was true.

No wonder the Empress had told him earlier that tonight there would be literati praising him with their poems... It was probably arranged by the Empress.

The goal was to demonstrate the court's strength to the world and to chase the glory days of the Taizu dynasty... It could be understood as a propaganda tactic.

And this Xu Junling, known as the "talented woman of Jiangnan," who excels in poetry... seemed to be in her element.

"It seems I have underestimated myself. Afterwards, would the Commandery Princess please compose some fine poems for me?" Zhao Douan teased with a smiling squint.

Xu Junling sat upright, her slender fingers holding a jade cup, and she smiled lightly:

"Mr. Zhao is said to hold the title of a scholar, but I dare not embarrass myself."

The surrounding ministers all laughed:

"The Commandery Princess is too modest."

"Ha ha, do not trouble Mr. Zhao."

They all knew that although Zhao Douan was talented and insightful in administration and economics, he had never written poetry or articles.

Even if he could write, he certainly couldn't compare to Xu Junling, or even to the talented women and men like Han Congee.

Zhao Douan had a smile on his face, meeting Xu Junling's beautiful face which faintly carried a provocative expression, his lips slightly curved, and he thought to himself:

"I can't be bothered with you."

...

...

While the Capital was immersed in its bustling excitement.

Thousands of miles away, amidst the night.

On a towering mountain peak, within Forbidden Mountain Villa, the main branch of the Kuangfu Society.

A fiery red lantern also followed the corridor, crossing pillar by pillar, stepping over one flight of stairs after another, reaching the tall building next to the cliff within the villa.

"Grand Tutor, has there been news from the Capital?"

The legal wife of Xu Jianwen, who initiated the coup, now also titled as Princess, dressed in a long gown, carrying the lantern, looked forward with a worried face toward Zhuang Xiaocheng, whose grand sleeves fluttered.

With the demeanor of a Great Scholar, though he was elderly, he was still spirited.

Having heard her, he turned back, seemingly smiling in the darkness, shaking his head:

"Princess, do not worry, it is not a letter from the Capital."

The Princess visibly relaxed, sighing:

"These past few months, the Capital has been sending nothing but bad news. Many masters we sent out have been defeated, and a few days ago, it was reported that the people Prince Jing planted in the Privy Council were also exposed.

Not only that, but the blueprints for firearms that were obtained through great difficulty were also diminished in value due to those new firearms... I am truly fearful of news from that end."

Zhuang Xiaocheng looked disheartened, feeling the same way.

After the arrest of the Thousand Faces God, the remaining members of the Capital sub-branch urgently severed many operations, sending the news back.

Since the Thousand Faces God was one of the top experts in Heavenly Gang, holding much internal intelligence, Zhuang Xiaocheng urgently ordered people across different regions to move.

Cutting off the original channels of communication and switching to new ways was another turmoil, only then stabilizing the situation.

Yet, it was learned that Prince Jing had also suffered a heavy blow, and another spy failed.

And all this was still connected to "Zhao Douan."

Zhuang Xiaocheng had even heard some complaints within the Society, blaming him for not eradicating the problem at the root, which led to great trouble.

"Princess need not worry, the Capital is the Fake Emperor's stronghold, easy to defend but hard to attack, our defeat there is expected.

However, compared to the vast territory of Great Yu, the Capital is just one prefecture, and even if abandoned, it serves to draw the Fake Emperor's energy, granting us a major victory for the overall strategy, a gain greater than the loss in military terms."

Zhuang Xiaocheng spoke confidently:

"Moreover, currently there is a rivalry between Buddhist Tao and others in the Capital. If my calculations are correct, the Long Shu Bodhisattva from Divine Dragon Temple has long been brewing plans, and this time will surely win a great victory.

When Divine Dragon Temple gains momentum, it will break the balance of the three factions within the court, compelling the Fake Emperor to act, and that will be the opportunity for me to execute my strategies...

Hehe, I have already arranged the steps in advance, just waiting for the Buddhist win, then let them realize that the minor victories before are irrelevant to the overall situation."

Translated, in a nutshell:

We're winning big!

The Princess's expression relaxed somewhat:

"With the Grand Tutor saying this, I am much relieved. By the way, who sent the letter today?"

Zhuang Xiaocheng came out of his magnificent arrangements and smiled:

"It's from Taicang County, a secret letter."

The Princess paused, then suddenly thought of something:

"The Taicang Silver Mine?"

Zhuang Xiaocheng nodded slightly, stroking his beard:

"This matter is quite interesting. If my guess is correct, someone has made a move in secret, haha, the Fake Emperor wants to implement reforms, and he can't avoid this chess piece. We just need to watch silently from the side, and perhaps reap the benefits."

A gust of mountain wind blew, Zhuang Xiaocheng's grand sleeves fluttering, appearing like a legendary strategist.

He turned his back, hands behind him, looking in the direction of the Capital, smiling:

"Counting the days, today the Buddhist Tao rivalry ends, and I have already arranged for people to propagate that the Royal Family is weakening and the Buddhist Law is flourishing—this evident strategy, let's see how that Fake Emperor, and that... Zhao Douan, respond?"

...

...

Zhangtai Garden!

As the night deepened, the entire manor was immersed in a joyful atmosphere.

Zhao Douan's battle today, though it actually changed little, swept away the decline of the Royal Family and provided an excellent point for "publicity."