Chapter 14

"I have lived for nearly seventy years, served under three Emperors, and seen every dirty trick imaginable, yet this is the first time I have encountered such a vicious scheme."

"Yang'er might just surprise us again."

"It has only ruined my reputation."

Hearing this, Gao Feng nodded deeply in agreement.

"Besides, as long as I am still alive, I can surely save his life; while I yet breathe, letting him stir up trouble is not such a bad thing."

Gao Feng said in a grave tone, "Father, there is another matter: today, Song Li's daughter, Song Song Song Qingqing, personally came to break off the engagement, causing quite a stir in Changancheng. How should we handle this?"

"The marriage alliance of our Duke Prefecture is not so easily broken. Since the Song family has shown no benevolence, do not blame me for lacking righteousness. Remove all the younger generation of the Song family from the military, leaving not one behind. Given such immense humiliation, even if I go mad, His Majesty will likely say nothing. But let us put that aside for now; one must enjoy life while one can. Come, let us play chess," Gao Gao Gao Tianlong said, pointing at the chessboard.

Gao Feng's expression changed as if facing a great enemy. "Father, you are the Chess Saint of Great Qian, while I am merely a poor player; is it not somewhat unfair for you to bully me?"

Stroking his beard, Gao Gao Gao Tianlong laughed heartily. "You know how to speak well; how could I bully a junior? I shall give you a one-stone advantage."

Seeing he could not escape, Gao Feng had no choice but to sit down with trepidation, though he could not help but remind him, "Father, let us agree on this beforehand: if either of us loses, neither is allowed to hit the other with the chessboard."

"..."

The Imperial Palace.

Fengluan Hall.

Wu Zhao wore a pure-blood dragon robe of golden yellow, her face cold as ice.

"Your Majesty, are you still thinking about the son of Vice Minister Gao?"

Beside her, Shangguan Wan'er, dressed in a dark green long robe, asked.

Wu Zhao nodded. "Rumors in Changancheng mislead people; such a vicious scheme is something an ordinary prodigal son could never devise."

"Even I have never witnessed such a cruel plot!"

Beside her, Shangguan Wan'er also nodded in deep agreement.

When she first heard of these two poisonous schemes, she too had been suddenly startled.

"This Gao Yang's grasp of human nature, especially the evil within it, is simply terrifying!"

"If Your Majesty uses him well, this Gao Yang will surely become a great talent of Great Qian."

Wu Zhao was somewhat surprised; she knew Shangguan Wan'er's pride all too well.

In all of Great Qian, few could earn such high praise from Shangguan Wan'er.

"Then tell me, between Gao Yang and Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Xinghe, who is stronger and who is weaker? Who can assist me in forging a hegemony unprecedented in history and never to be surpassed?"

Wu Zhao suddenly asked, her eyes filled with an domineering aura even more intense than a man's.

Without hesitation, Shangguan Wan'er replied, "The Cui family, Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Xinghe."

Seeming somewhat surprised, Wu Zhao said, "Do you have so much confidence in Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Xinghe?"

With an unchanged expression, Shangguan Wan'er stated:

"Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Xinghe is not only the top scholar of the imperial examination but also a pillar of the state; his treatise on governing the nation precisely exposes the flawed policies of our Great Qian!"

"If Your Majesty wishes to establish a foundation lasting ten thousand generations, Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Xinghe should be your first choice!"

Wu Zhao remained expressionless, her gaze turning outward.

"Yet I favor this Gao Yang more; I have a premonition that he is the one I seek."

Shangguan Wan'er's heroic face filled with confusion. "Your Majesty, this Gao Yang has a record full of misdeeds; although he is skilled at manipulating hearts, how can his ability to govern compare to that of Scholar Cui?"

Picking up a memorial, Wu Zhao said lightly, "Who is stronger and who is weaker will be known once we test them."

"This year, many regions of Great Qian have suffered great disasters, causing public outrage. Du Du Du Du Jiang, the County Magistrate of Linjiang County, has submitted a memorial stating that grain merchants in Linjiang City are hoarding grain, causing prices to soar uncontrollably."

"Coincidentally, the nearby Qingshui City has also suffered a great disaster, with grain prices rising beyond what the common people can bear."

Shangguan Wan'er's eyes widened as she understood Wu Zhao's intent.

Wu Zhao spoke with an icy tone:

"Draft an edict: Grant Gao Yang of the Duke Prefecture the authority of Surveillance Censor to take charge of all affairs in Linjiang City, and appoint Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Xinghe of the Cui family as Surveillance Censor of Qingshui City to manage all matters there!"

"I demand they stabilize grain prices with the utmost speed and restore peace to the local people!"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Wan'er's face was filled with shock.

Yet she quickly lowered her head and began drafting the edict.

"Your Majesty..." Shangguan Wan'er presented the drafted imperial edict to Wu Zhao.

"Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Cui Xinghe knows propriety and possesses the means; with him guarding Qingshui City, no chaos will arise. However, regarding Gao Yang, you shall accompany him there."

"If I have indeed misjudged him, intervene in time to prevent the situation from worsening further. However, this youth is different from ordinary people; do not act unless absolutely necessary."

"Go proclaim the edict; the disaster waits for no one. Let them depart immediately."

After Wu Zhao finished speaking, Shangguan Wan'er hurriedly left the Imperial Palace.

Once everything returned to silence,

Wu Zhao stood with hands behind her back inside Jin Jin Jin Jin Jin Jin Luandian, her eyes looking through the window over the entirety of Great Qian.

That single glance seemed to transcend time and space; Wu Zhao saw the mountains, rivers, and white waters of Great Qian, and the people of the world.

She spoke to herself, "Father, I will prove to the world that a woman can be Emperor, and that a woman can likewise lead Great Qian to strength!"

"I will not only make Great Qian powerful, but I will also conquer the Seven Nations and end this six hundred years of chaotic times!"

Wu Zhao's voice was cold and sharp, carrying a determination never before seen.