Chapter 145: Using the nation as a chessboard, strike at the economy!

Outside the Imperial Palace.

The morning sun bathed the earth; it was not as scorching as at high noon, but rather warm and comfortable when it shone upon one's body, pleasant and cozy.

Gao Feng's face darkened, and he couldn't help but say, "You unfilial son, tell me honestly, where were you looking at the very end?"

"Do you know that is a crime of great disrespect?"

Gao Feng lowered his voice, looked around, and then looked at Gao Yang, his words filled with heartache.

"Father, how did you know I was peeking at the Empress?" Gao Yang asked with a curious face.

"I have traversed the officialdom for decades. In this imperial court, the most important skill is to observe words and expressions. How could I not know what you were looking at?"

"You little beast, you didn't expect this, did you? You were caught by me after all, weren't you?"

Gao Feng snorted coldly, looking somewhat smug.

"If that's the case, then Father was also peeking at the Empress. Otherwise, how would you know I was peeking, and even where I was looking?"

"Father, you are also being highly disrespectful. If Mother finds out about this, tsk tsk."

Following Gao Yang's words, Gao Feng's expression froze, his eyes widening.

This made perfect sense, leaving him speechless for a moment.

And this brat was actually threatening him?

"I heard from Lu Luo that on the first day out of the city, you were already looking at Commandant Shangguan's legs in the carriage. And last time, when you said you were looking straight ahead, were you being just as insolent?"

Gao Yang shook his head. "That, I was not."

Gao Feng suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. In the imperial court, there were many eyes and ears; a casual glance was fine, but in private, it was different.

The Empress would certainly notice.

Before he could fully relax, Gao Yang added, "Last time, I was looking at her legs."

"Hiss!"

Gao Feng instantly looked up, gasping for air.

He was Gao Feng's own flesh and blood; whether he was lecherous or not, how could he not know?

Could he resist not looking?

Just as he was about to explode in rage, Gao Yang walked quickly to one side.

"Commandant Shangguan, what a coincidence." Gao Yang greeted her.

Because he knew Shangguan Wan was coming, Gao Yang had deliberately acted up in front of Gao Feng.

The main point was to be rebellious!

Shangguan Wan's face was icy. She walked up, first nodded coldly at Gao Feng, and performed a salute.

Gao Feng was used to this; the entire court knew that Shangguan Wan was not one for smiles and was fair in her dealings.

Even when facing Prince Wu Long, she remained expressionless.

When Shangguan Wan's gaze touched Gao Yang, she forced a smile onto her face. "Assistant Minister, His Majesty wishes to see you."

After speaking, Shangguan Wan nodded at Gao Feng and prepared to leave.

But Gao Feng quickly said, "Commandant Shangguan, may I have a word with you?"

Shangguan Wan was stunned, but she still followed Gao Feng to the side.

After hesitating, Gao Feng began, "Commandant Shangguan, as the old saying goes, if a son is not taught, it is the father's fault. I heard that when my unfilial son was alone in a carriage with you, he spoke wildly and was very lecherous. I ask that you do not take it to heart."

Shangguan Wan was stunned, and immediately thought of Gao Yang's lecherous act of wanting to look at her legs.

But soon, the image of Wang Zhong's misery, the vicious plot in the Rouge Pavilion, and Wu Cheng's misery surfaced in her mind.

Her icy face remained expressionless. Only after a long while did she say, "It is of no matter. It was just a look at my legs; I am not such a petty person."

Having said that, Shangguan Wan walked away.

Gao Feng: "???"

He watched the backs of the two as they left, his whole person left in a daze in the wind.

Could it be that he was out of touch with the times?

Nowadays, upon a first meeting, can one just talk about looking at legs?

"…"

Soon, Gao Yang followed Shangguan Wan to the Imperial Study.

Inside the Imperial Study.

Wu Zhao was standing by the window waiting. Upon hearing of Gao Yang's arrival, she said coldly, "Summon him!"

Gao Yang entered the Imperial Study and quickly saluted. "Your subject, Gao Yang, pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Spare the pleasantries. I ask you, do you truly have a brilliant plan to deal with Zhao Guo?"

Wu Zhao spoke directly, her phoenix eyes falling on Gao Yang, filled with expectation.

If Gao Yang had one, it would be for the sake of Da Qian, and she could still tolerate him.

But if he did not, then she would settle the new and old accounts together.

Not to mention gouging out his eyeballs, at the very least, it would be thirty heavy strokes!

"Your subject does indeed have some brilliant plans, but just now in the court, I could not speak of them. I ask Your Majesty to dismiss those around us!"

"That was indeed my mistake, a slight oversight. But inside and outside the Imperial Study, all are my people. You may speak freely." Wu Zhao spoke slowly.

Gao Yang's gaze swept over the eunuchs waiting in the Imperial Study. He still wore a solemn expression as he said, "The matter I wish to discuss today is of great importance. Apart from Commandant Shangguan, I ask Your Majesty to dismiss everyone else."

Gao Yang persisted.

Almost in a single sentence, he piqued Wu Zhao's curiosity.

Gao Yang's reaction made her realize that what he was about to say was definitely not simple.

Its level of ruthlessness might even far exceed his previous vicious plots.

"All of you, withdraw."

Although the eunuchs around her had been vetted dozens of times to ensure their loyalty.

But at this moment, she did not hesitate to clear out these eunuchs and maids.

"I have done as you requested. Now speak, what vicious… brilliant plan have you thought of again!"

Gao Yang bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. It is just that the method your subject has next is too important. It must never reach the Six Kingdoms, otherwise, it is our Da Qian that will suffer."

"If this plan is used well, it can even resolve Zhao Guo without spending a single soldier or weapon, without shedding a drop of blood!"

"And what it can resolve is not just Zhao Guo!"

Once these words were spoken.

Both Wu Zhao and Shangguan Wan were stunned.

Resolve Zhao Guo without a single soldier or weapon, without shedding blood?

Even Wu Zhao felt a wave of shock in her heart.

"If it is truly as you say, I will never be stingy with rewards." Wu Zhao took a deep breath, her gaze solemn.

If there truly was such a strategy in the world, then looking at legs, just a casual glance, was not worth mentioning.

For the sake of the Da Qian world, for the sake of imperial hegemony, she would endure it for now.

Gao Yang did not keep them in suspense. He casually spread out a sheet of rice paper, picked up a brush, and began to draw on it.

And he wrote as if possessed by a spirit, without the slightest hesitation.

Wu Zhao leaned in, full of expectation. The next second, her brows furrowed tightly.

She saw that on the rice paper, crooked diagonal lines outlined seven regions, and each one had a large character written on it.

These characters were like ghost talismans, incredibly ugly. Only by looking roughly could one barely recognize them as Qi, Chu, Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, and Qian.

"How can there be such ugly handwriting in the world?" Wu Zhao was shocked.

Shangguan Wan also said with a serious face, "Your subject has seen too many writings. No matter how ugly the writing is, I do not comment, unless I cannot help it."

"This writing is indeed ugly."

Gao Yang's old face flushed, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

The original owner's handwriting was quite ugly, and he himself did not know how to use a brush at all, so this writing was indeed hard to describe.

Seeing this, he directly changed the subject.

His eyes stared straight at Wu Zhao, his face filled with powerful confidence.

"Your Majesty, what your subject wants to tell you today is how to set up a game, using the nation as a game, to strike precisely at the economy!"