Chapter 246: Rewarding Nine Times

Calling for "ten thousand years"?

Since ancient times, only kings and emperors are hailed with "ten thousand years"; how could one ever hail the Queen with "ten thousand years"?

What does this Queen mean?

Luo Zijun's heart was suddenly in turmoil, filled with shock and suspicion; he did not know if the Queen was joking on purpose, or... if she truly had other intentions.

But in such a setting, with such a disparity in status, how could the other party possibly joke with him like this?

As for having other intentions, that also seemed incorrect.

Even if the other party truly had other intentions, how could she possibly tell him so brazenly?

What on earth does she mean?

Is she testing his loyalty to a certain status, or what?

Luo Zijun was puzzled and lowered his head, not daring to speak.

At this moment, the graceful figure draped in robes inside the room seemed to have turned around; her majestic gaze was looking at him through the beaded curtain, and she spoke again: "Why, did you not hear what this palace said?"

The tone was majestic and cold, and it carried a threatening air that made one's heart tremble with fear.

Seeing this, Luo Zijun made a decision in his heart immediately.

When one is under the eaves, one must bow one's head; regardless of her intentions, the entire Daliang is now in her hands—who would dare to defy her?

"Ten thousand years" it is, then.

He hurriedly said respectfully: "Commoner Luo Zijun wishes the Queen ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!"

It is not a title, but a blessing; this should be fine.

"Audacious!"

Who would have thought that as soon as these words were spoken, a cold shout suddenly came from the inner room.

That figure said in a chilling tone: "Luo Zijun, you are so bold! You dare to be without father or sovereign, and hail a woman like this palace with 'ten thousand years'! This is rebellious and treasonous; do you wish for your entire family to be executed?"

Luo Zijun: "..."

He cursed inwardly, but said calmly: "Please calm your anger, Queen. This commoner was just wishing the Queen ten thousand years; it is not being without father or sovereign, nor is it rebellious."

"Clatter..."

The beaded curtain rattled.

That figure from the inner room dragged her skirt and walked out, looking at him with cold eyes: "Since ancient times, only the King is wished ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years. What sinister intention do you have by wishing this palace ten thousand years?"

Luo Zijun lowered his head and said respectfully: "May the Queen examine this clearly; this commoner has no sinister intentions. This commoner merely felt that since the King can have ten thousand years, the Queen should naturally accompany the King in having ten thousand years as well. Only then can there be the dragon singing and phoenix crying, harmony like the zither and flute, favorable weather, and together bestow grace and blessings upon the people of our Daliang."

The room went quiet for a moment.

The Queen gave a cold snort, and the previously chilling tone seemed to soften slightly: "You are quite good at sophistry."

Luo Zijun lowered his head and said: "As a scholar, this commoner only knows facts and reason; I am not engaging in sophistry."

"Hmph!"

The Queen gave another cold snort, her charming peach-blossom eyes staring at him as she looked him up and down. Only then did she drag her long skirt, walk to the chair on the side, and sit down. She picked up a teacup, parted her red lips slightly, blew gently on the hot tea inside, and said indifferently: "I had you come here today to ask you: was that discourse of yours regarding the Seven Kingdoms Rebellion today truly spoken by you?"

Luo Zijun looked at the floor and said respectfully: "It was just a casual remark from this commoner, not to be taken seriously; I hope the Queen will not blame me."

The Queen raised those eyes that looked hazy and misty, looked at him, and said: "Are matters of state something to be spoken of casually? You said the Wu Chu Allied Forces going to Zhao is a lie, and that a sneak attack on our Daliang is the truth—how much certainty do you have?"

"This..."

Luo Zijun hesitated, not daring to answer.

The Queen said in an indifferent tone: "Just answer; this palace pardons you."

Luo Zijun dared not say more, and could only say: "Seven parts certainty."

"Seven parts?"

The Queen's gaze flickered, and she stared at him for a while longer before lowering her head to take a light sip of tea, a look of contemplation appearing between her beautiful brows.

"In matters of war, let alone seven parts certainty, even if there were only five parts, it would be worth the risk."

The Queen set down her teacup, looked at him again, and said: "Then how does Young Master Luo think our Daliang should respond now?"

If Luo Zijun did not have a favor to ask, he would never dare to discuss such a matter concerning the survival of the state so casually.

After a moment of deliberation, he said respectfully: "This commoner believes that our Daliang should mobilize the whole country now, immediately transport sufficient grain and supplies into Lin'an, and at the same time, recall all the rear-guard and other irrelevant garrison troops to defend Xiyi and Jingbi, forming a pincer formation with Lin'an City to prepare for battle. The old, weak, sick, and disabled in the city should be evacuated immediately starting now, letting them take refuge in Xingyang or Luoyang first, so as not to waste the soldiers' grain and various supplies when the battle becomes intense and the enemy besieges the city..."

"Wait."

The Queen interrupted his words and asked: "Do you think the enemy forces might break through cities all the way and besiege our Lin'an City?"

Luo Zijun lowered his head and said: "Yes."

Seeing him so certain, the Queen frowned slightly: "Is our Daliang army really that vulnerable?"

Luo Zijun said: "It is not that the Daliang army is vulnerable, but that the Wu Chu forces are brave and skilled in battle, and since it is the beginning of their uprising, they will perish if they do not succeed; thus, their momentum is at its peak. Even if it were the Great Yan army, I fear they would not be a match if they were to fight now."

The Queen's expression changed several times, and she looked at him again and asked: "Then, if the other party besieges the city, how much grain do you think we need?"

Luo Zijun said: "At least enough grain to last three months."

The Queen's expression changed: "Three months? Is it that long? Yujing has already received news that the main army will arrive in Luoyang in a few days. If the enemy forces really intend to attack our Daliang, the Great Yan army will come to rescue us soon. Why does Young Master Luo speak of a duration as long as three months?"

It seems that father-in-law did not dare to say some things.

Since Luo Zijun had already spoken to this extent, he naturally would not hide anything anymore, and lowered his head: "This commoner just said that the enemy forces are at the peak of their momentum at the start of their uprising. Even if Yujing sends troops to quell the rebellion, they might only guard Luoyang and Xingyang and will not leave to come to the rescue. After all, the Zhao army and other forces might directly attack those places... and also..."

"And what else?"

The Queen narrowed her eyes.

Luo Zijun said: "Recently, Yujing has been stripping the territories and power of various vassal kings. Our Daliang is the wealthiest; although it has not started yet because of the Empress Dowager, it must have been brewing for a long time. At this time, the invasion of the Wu Chu Allied Forces is just the right opportunity to let our Daliang act as the vanguard to weaken our strength..."

The Queen was silent for a moment, looked at him, and said: "If Yujing really does that, are they not afraid that our Daliang will rebel along with them?"

Luo Zijun said: "The late king and the Emperor were biological brothers; Daliang has always been loyal to Great Yan, and besides, the Queen is still here. Moreover, those Seven Kingdoms would absolutely not trust our Daliang. Even if we truly rebelled, we would likely still be an isolated army facing the Great Yan army, so..."

"So Yujing is certain that we will not rebel, right?"

The Queen's gaze was icy.

Luo Zijun lowered his head and said, "Yes."

Outside the window, the sun gradually slanted westward from its zenith.

At this moment, the Queen suddenly took a letter from her sleeve, looked at him, and said, "In fact, this morning, the Seven Kingdoms already sent letters urging us, Daliang, to join them in purging the court... If the late King were still here, they naturally wouldn't dare to trust us, but now that the late King is gone, the Seven Kingdoms still know that at such a critical moment, they need to win over us, Daliang; let alone Yujing?"

Luo Zijun looked at the letter in her hand, pondered for a moment, and said, "The Queen is right; the late King is gone, which is a change in circumstances. I estimate that the letter from Yujing will also arrive soon. They will likely try to win us over as well, promising us all sorts of benefits to make Daliang cooperate with the Yujing army and attack Zhao from the flank. But if the Wu Chu Allied Forces attack us first, the army in Yujing will absolutely not rush to our rescue immediately. They will likely appease us on one hand while sitting on the mountain watching the tigers fight, all while gathering their main force at Luoyang to guard against us..."

The Queen's expression shifted for a long time, and she looked at him deeply and asked, "Young Master Luo, what do you think we should do? Or rather, who should we help?"

Luo Zijun's heart skipped a beat.

That the Queen would actually ask such a question at this time meant that she...

"I need to maintain control over Daliang."

The Queen stated her intention straightforwardly.

Luo Zijun fell silent, not daring to answer.

The Queen stared at him for a while, then suddenly stood up, walked before him, and actually extended a slender, jade-like finger to lift his chin, commanding in a majestic voice, "Raise your head and look at me!"

Luo Zijun's heart trembled; he raised his head and looked at her.

The face before him was cold and majestic, yet also bewitchingly beautiful, especially those peach-blossom eyes filled with a hazy mist that were soul-stirring.

"I want you to answer me: who should I help so that I can ensure I can always control Daliang!"

The Queen said in an aggressive tone.

"You must answer, otherwise, your entire family will be executed!"

Luo Zijun was silent for a moment, then had no choice but to say, "Then the Queen can only find a way to make the Wu Chu Allied Forces truly join the other five kingdoms' allied forces to attack Luoyang. When the two sides are in a standoff, they will naturally send people to win over Daliang with greater benefits. At that time, the Queen can take the opportunity to propose conditions to both sides. Then we stall; whoever is about to win, we help them."

"Of course, the prerequisite is that from now on, we must recruit soldiers and buy horses, expand the army, and train troops to strengthen the country..."

"Because if we do this, no matter who wins, they will come to trouble us. But if our strength is great, the victorious side, having just experienced a great war, will certainly not take action against us for the time being. They will fulfill their promises first to appease us and wait until they have recovered their vitality before settling scores. However, during that period, we can rapidly develop our strength..."

Having said this, he paused, looked at the hazy, alluring eyes before him, and said, "Actually, this is very dangerous. After all, our Liang Kingdom is too small; no matter who we offend, I fear that..."

"Are you very afraid?"

The Queen looked at him straight in the eyes, her body very close to his, the swell of her chest almost pressing against his torso, and he could clearly smell the faint, feminine fragrance emanating from her.

Luo Zijun dared not lower his head, nor did he dare to keep staring into her alluring eyes; his gaze could only drift over her pert, delicate nose as he said, "This commoner..."

"From now on, you are my advisor; you may refer to yourself as 'subject'."

A phoenix-shaped Jade Tablet appeared in the Queen's hand, which she handed to him, saying, "Take this Jade Pendant; you can come into the palace to find me at any time, and no one will dare to make things difficult for you."

Upon hearing this, Luo Zijun hurriedly took a step back, lowered his head, raised his hands, and respectfully received it, saying, "Many thanks, Your Highness."

The Queen stared at his refined and handsome face for a few more moments and said, "In a few days, we should know if these ideas of yours are right or wrong. If you guessed correctly, I will give you a reward that will satisfy you."

Luo Zijun did not hesitate further, immediately knelt on one knee, lowered his head, and said, "Your Highness, this subject has a request."

The Queen was startled for a moment and said, "Speak."

Luo Zijun explained the situation regarding Jile Villa, where officials and merchants colluded and committed all kinds of evil, and stated that the Prince of Nanhe was the owner behind it.

After listening, the Queen said indifferently, "I thought it was some major matter; why would you need to beg for such a trivial thing? That Prince of Nanhe is a piece of trash. I already took away his military power a few days ago and was already planning to raid his home. Since he has committed such evil deeds, I naturally will not spare him."

She paused, then added, "Tomorrow... no, in two days, I will send people to assist you. You will personally lead the men to wipe that place out; whether to arrest or kill, you decide."

Luo Zijun was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Many thanks, Your Highness!"

The Queen looked down at him from above and suddenly said, "I don't like that form of address. In front of outsiders, you may call me that, but when it is just the two of us, I hope you can call me Master."

Luo Zijun remained silent.

The Queen let out a cold snort and said, "What, you don't want to be my servant?"

Luo Zijun still kept his head lowered and said nothing.

The Queen looked at him coldly for a few more moments and said, "Then call me Your Majesty. Master or Your Majesty, choose one yourself."

Luo Zijun was silent for a while longer, then respectfully said, "Your Majesty."

"Hmph."

The Queen let out a cold snort, and seeing that it was almost dark outside, she said, "Very well, go. If a single word of our conversation today spreads, you know the consequences."

"This subject would not dare."

Luo Zijun bowed and retreated, sweating profusely.

Only when he walked out of the pavilion did he let out a long breath.

Who could have imagined that the Queen actually wanted to emulate Wu Zetian and ascend the throne as Empress!

It was already dark outside; Bai Daxiaojie must have been waiting anxiously.

He quickened his pace.

At the same time.

Before a window on the pavilion, the Queen, dressed in a bright red robe, was looking at his hurriedly retreating back with flickering eyes.

After his back disappeared into the garden in the distance, she suddenly said, "Qing'er, prepare yourself. Since he has talent, looks, strategy, and is so obedient, then tonight, I will reward him first... nine times."

The young girl behind her heard this, the corners of her mouth twitched slightly, and she respectfully said, "Yes."

When she lowered her head and bit her pink lips to exit the room, her fair, delicate face was already full of a blush.

When Luo Zijun arrived at the main hall and saw Bai Daxiaojie, the palace maid who had followed him suddenly said, "Young Master Luo, Bai Xiaojie, you may leave the palace now."

Luo Zijun was stunned: "Is the Queen not seeing Bai Daxiaojie anymore?"

The palace maid said, "She is not."

Bai Meixue, who had been waiting here for an entire afternoon, narrowed her eyes upon hearing this.

At this moment, the veil of night had quietly fallen.

(End of chapter)