Chapter 554: Layout Thousands of Miles Away
Humans are social animals.
Therefore, it is always difficult to escape the fate of being compared. The higher you stand, the clearer and more obvious people's comments will be.
Zhao Duan understood this principle very early, so he just smiled:
"Xue Shence is indeed stronger than me in the field of combat. He's not a child, so why should he strive to be the first in everything?
Winning the battle is a great thing for the court. As for those rumors and the sour words from the scholars, just ignore them."
Well, what he didn’t say was that he had also won a game in Yongjia City some time ago, but the news had not yet been passed back.
Of course, even if he assassinated Wang Qi and sent the "achievements" of rescuing a group of officials back to the capital, it would only make those who harbored ill will towards him work harder to compare him with Xue Shence, thereby indirectly suppressing his reputation.
As for Zhao Duan's true plan, his plan to alienate Zhao Shixiong and Xu Jingtang, if successful, would likely directly influence the entire Yu Kingdom's war situation...
These things must be kept strictly confidential for the time being and cannot be told to outsiders.
Only a very few people who know what Zhao Duan is doing now understand that once the alienation plan succeeds.
That would be something that Xue Shence could not achieve even if he won several more battles, unless he could destroy Prince Jing Xuwen in one fell swoop, but that was beyond the ability of the imperial army at the moment.
"Let's go to Zuixianlou."
Zhao Duan resisted the urge to pinch the secretary's round face and said gently, "Cheer up, everyone. I'll treat you all to a good meal."
Qian Kerou asked doubtfully, "Sir, aren't we going to the palace?"
Zhao Duan shook his head:
"A great victory on the Eastern Front. Your Majesty must summon all the ministers for at least the next few hours to digest this news.
There will inevitably be some arrangements to make later. I am only going to report on the follow-up, there is no rush."
…
When the group arrived at Zuixianlou, Zhao Duan waved his hand and opened a private room, ordering a feast of fine wine and delicious food. This was to celebrate the successful purge of the Qingliu Party and the great victory on the eastern front.
As time approached noon, more and more customers came into the restaurant. Through the door, one could hear people outside discussing the report of the great victory.
Xue Shence's name appears frequently.
Not surprising.
The hottest topic under the emperor's feet today is the war. Who can not talk about it?
As expected, whenever Xue Shence was mentioned in those discussions, "General Zhao" would be mentioned as well.
Perhaps it was because Zhao Duan had surpassed Xue Shence in the two battles of suppressing the rebellion in Qingzhou and extinguishing the fire in Linfeng some time ago, and many people were holding back their energy.
Now that Xue Shence has won a great victory, rumors are spreading that Zhao Duan's victory was all due to luck and that Xue Shumishi is the best in Dayu.
Upon hearing this, the detectives in Lihua Hall frowned and couldn't enjoy their food.
On the contrary, Zhao Duan, the person involved, seemed to be indifferent and listened with great interest.
Just when the meal was coming to an end, there was a knock on the door of the private room. It turned out to be a group of people who learned that the new detective from Lihuatang was also having dinner in the building, so they came to see for themselves.
"I've heard that a new white-faced police officer has been appointed to the Imperial Court. His behavior is quite similar to that of Zhao Shaobao. He has caused chaos in the court these past two days. But today I saw him."
The first person to enter had a round face and narrow eyes. He looked very drunk, holding a wine jug in his hand and wearing a green robe of a military officer. He looked at Zhao Duan with a hint of hostility.
Zhao Duan looked at the secretary in confusion: "Who is he?"
The latter explained in a low voice:
"A fifth-rank official of the Privy Council."
The Privy Council...the faction of the court military officers, was filled with anger because they were suppressed by Zhao Duan alone in the battle of Qingzhou.
In the past one or two months, the scholars in the city have been praising Zhao Duan and criticizing him frequently. Every time they praise Zhao Duan, they have to belittle the military officers headed by the Privy Council.
Zhao Duan understood in his heart that this fifth-rank official must have been dissatisfied with "General Zhao" for a long time.
After today's great victory on the eastern front, he finally stood up straight and took advantage of his drunken state to show off to his fellow "General Zhao" faction and vent his anger.
In response to this, Zhao Duan, who was always vindictive, was unusually magnanimous.
Since it was the scholars who instigated the flattery, it was reasonable for the people in the Privy Council to vent their anger on him.
However, Zhao Duan was not angry, but this Du Chengzhi was a little annoyed.
With a gloomy face, he threw the wine jug onto the table in displeasure.
"This Chief Justice is so unreasonable! I came here to pay a visit, but you asked me who I am. Do you think I have no regard for the Privy Council?!"
Behind him, there were people gathered outside to watch the fun, looking like they were watching a show.
Zhao Duan frowned slightly. He really didn't know this person. Although he had had drinks with officials from the Privy Council several times before, he had to be at least fourth rank or above to be seated at the last seat.
This fifth-rank official is not even qualified to meet Zhao Duan.
"You want to pick a fight?!" Hou Ren was furious. He stood up suddenly, grabbing his sword.
Chen Juan and Qian Kerou also looked at him unfriendly.
"This is the Emperor's territory, and we've just won a great victory on the Eastern Front. It's a joyous occasion. Wouldn't it be a laughingstock if word got out that we were using swords and guns?"
A tall, thin, middle-aged man in a long gown walked out of the crowd. He had a dignified demeanor and a disdainful look. He seemed to be speaking fairly, but in fact he was secretly mocking Lihuatang for being ignorant.
Zhao Duan frowned, and the secretary beside him whispered:
"This is the Dean of the Imperial College, a fifth-rank official and deputy to the Chief Priest. He's a member of the Qingliu Party."
Zhao Duan sighed softly, laughed at himself, and thought that what the old supervisor said was so accurate.
As a newly appointed inspector, he was indeed being watched by many people. His move to clean up the imperial court had, as expected, offended some people.
However, he touched the mask on his face and thought that if it weren't for this mask, how could these fifth-grade trash have the courage to jump out and act sarcastic?
"Old Hou, sit down and eat." Zhao Duan said calmly.
Hou Renmeng sat down reluctantly.
Seeing that this recently famous white-faced police officer chose to endure and retreat, the two fifth-rank officials from the Privy Council and the Imperial College became more arrogant and complacent.
He turned around and walked away with a swagger.
The crowd of onlookers retreated in disappointment.
"Chen Siye, I just heard you talk at the banquet, repeatedly claiming that Commander Zhao's reputation was overrated. But I remember that you were the one who previously praised and criticized Commander Zhao. Now you are looking for trouble with Lihua Hall. This is not the way of a gentleman."
Suddenly, a scholar with ordinary appearance and slightly dull temperament walked out of the crowd and said seriously.
Zhao Duan was stunned for a moment. It turned out to be an old acquaintance, Dong Shusheng, the eldest grandson of Grand Tutor Dong.
Chen Siye frowned:
"I know that Master Dong has some personal relationship with Commander Zhao. If you don't like us speaking the truth, I will keep silent for the sake of the Grand Tutor.
I heard that Master Dong submitted his resignation to the Chief Priest, and will postpone his studies to join the army in Xiping Road. He will leave after attending this year's Golden Autumn Literary Gathering?
Mr. Dong should pay more attention to his future."
Zhao Duan looked surprised. Dong Da wanted to join the army?
Go to Xipingdao to participate in suppressing the rebellion?
This was a choice that surprised him somewhat.
Dong Da bowed calmly without responding.
Watching the group of people disperse, Zhao Duan thought to himself that once he went to the battle, he would not know whether he would live or die. Dong Da should be considered the first serious "friend" he made after traveling through time.
When we have the Golden Autumn Gathering, it’s time to see him off.
After this little incident, everyone lost their appetite for food. Zhao Duan stood up, paid the bill, and left Zuixianlou and went to the palace.
Hou Renmeng and Chen Juan suddenly stayed behind on the pretext of "going to the toilet", and only let Qian Kerou drive to take the adults into the palace.
The two waited in the alley outside Zuixianju for half an hour, and finally saw Chen Siye and the drunk Du Chengzhu come out and leave separately, surrounded by their friends.
"One for each person?" Hou Ren hugged his arms and showed his white teeth.
"I'm not as good as you in fighting, so leave the reading one to me. Also, be careful with your hands and feet." Chen Juan took out two face coverings and handed one to Hou Renmeng, "Don't cause trouble for the adults."
"Just wait and see. Humph, your Excellency is magnanimous and doesn't bother with scoundrels, but when have we in Lihua Hall ever failed to fight back when we were picked on?"
“…Don’t cripple him.”
"I know what I'm doing."
The two men, wearing masks and holding knives, followed separately.
…
…
Imperial Palace.
Zhao Duan entered the palace and asked Qian Kerou to drive back first, while he went to find Sun Lianying to ask.
I learned that the empress was indeed holding an impromptu court meeting.
"Xue Shence used the firearms you researched in the Divine Machine Camp to catch Prince Jing off guard and recapture nearly two counties of territory and a section of the canal. However, expanding on these gains won't be easy."
The old supervisor held a whisk in his hand and told him the battle report on the eastern front.
Finally, he said, "Your Majesty cannot be free for a while. If you have something important to say, I will go and ask His Majesty to come out."
Zhao Duan waved his hand:
"No need. Let her go ahead. I'm only going to the palace to discuss the follow-up to the purge case. Write it all down in a memorial and pass it to His Majesty on my behalf. It's nothing serious. The matter at Lihua Hall has come to an end, and I'll be staying at Wugong Hall for the next few days."
After explaining this matter, he turned around and headed straight for the Martial Arts Hall.
After greeting Eunuch Hai, Zhao Duan left the body to Old Hai to help look after it, and his soul left his body, passed through the palace wall, and entered the stone wall.
…
Linfeng, in Taicang Prefecture Yamen.
Zhao Duan, lying in an antique room, opened his eyes.
Feeling the Qi filling up his body and the "Bigu Pill" that had been mostly digested, he rubbed his face and muttered to himself:
"It's still true physical dexterity."
Fortunately, he entered the worldly realm, and in the state of breathing and meditation, his body could survive only by relying on the fasting pills.
Otherwise, just coming back to eat and poop every day would be a hassle.
I pushed the door open and walked out into the courtyard, where I saw three figures sparring with each other.
The Jade Sleeve Priest was wearing an elegant green long dress and a veil on her face. She sat in the pavilion, but a flying sword was flying back and forth in the courtyard like a stunning wild goose.
Lang Shiba holds a scimitar, while Ji Yue, with disheveled hair, wet white eyes and red clothes, fights against the flying sword.
Although Xue Shence took away the Shenjiying and some of the offerings headed by Tang Jinzhong.
But the remaining few masters of cultivation stayed in Taicang to assist Zhao Duan in guarding the western front.
But for practitioners, it is too boring, so practicing together becomes a daily routine.
"Where is the golden tablet?" Zhao Duan asked while stretching his body.
Yuxiu opened her eyes: "I'm catching up on some sleep. Are you looking for her?"
No... Let the child sleep. This time difference is hard to deal with... Perhaps modern Earth society is more suitable for someone like her who is naturally good at staying up late... Zhao Duan shook his head.
"Just asking. Could Song Jinxi send a message back?"
Lang Shiba put away his scimitar and took out a letter from his pocket:
"My lord, it was just delivered this morning."
After returning from Yongjia, Song Jinxi took a short rest and then left again with his shadow guards, heading towards Huaishui.
Zhao Duan tore open the envelope and took a look, then nodded with a smile on his face.
"Very good, it seems that everything is going well over there. All we have to do is wait."
At this time, the prefect Sun Xiaozhun ran in excitedly from the front of the government office. Seeing him, he said in surprise:
"Commander, have you come out of seclusion? It's just perfect. I just got news of a great victory on the Eastern Front..."
Old Sun, you can't do this. The news is not as fast as that in the capital... Zhao Duan nodded calmly:
"Let me guess. Xue Shence caught Prince Jing off guard with firearms and probably captured two counties and a section of the canal."
Sun Xiaozhun was shocked and was stunned for a moment before he said sincerely:
"My lord, you have a wonderful plan!"
Zhao Duan said calmly:
"Prince Jing has suffered a loss, so he will definitely ask for help from Prince Mu, Xu Jingtang. Next, keep an eye on Zhao Shixiong and see if he makes any moves. Put some pressure on him."
"Okay." Sun Xiaozhun nodded, and then said worriedly:
"Sir, Zhao Shixiong can hold his territory with only half his troops thanks to the natural barrier of the Yongjia River. Once he moves, I'm afraid it will be difficult to stop him."
Zhao Duan glanced at Old Sun and smiled:
"First, he needs to be able to move. We'll see. It'll take some time, maybe a month or twenty days. The situation might change."
Sun Xiaozhun blinked and suddenly asked tentatively, "Your Excellency sent Song Gongsheng out. Did you make any arrangements?"
Zhao Duan smiled without saying a word, with his hands behind his back, looking towards the south.
What he didn't say was that Song Jinxi was not the only force he sent out to complete the crucial step.
Nie Yurong and her gang were not the only ones involved.
There is also a third force that has been walking around in the world, obeying his orders, but has gradually been ignored.
"Yunxi and the others... should be ready to take action."
…
…
In the area where the Huai'an Palace is located, many large families have connected gardens for hundreds of years, making it a prosperous area that is almost as prosperous as a provincial capital.
After Xu Jingtang occupied the western line of the Huai River, he snatched this fertile land from Prince Jing before he could do so.
Just to the east of the "Bai Shi Garden" where Xu Jingtang lived, in another independent house not far away, a girl with a "mysterious" identity also moved in not long ago.
In the afternoon, the side door of the house opened, and a fair-faced young girl walked out, surrounded by maids and guards.
She was wearing a gorgeous long dress that reached down to her heels, and her light yellow embroidered shoes were faintly visible as she walked.
At the age of 18, she has bright eyes, a lively expression between her brows, and a good aura, which attracts people's attention.
At first glance, he was the son of a wealthy and well-known family, who was extremely favored.
Just as Zhao Ke'er walked out of the small door and tried to get into the sedan chair, she saw a group of armored soldiers coming over and following the sedan chair.
Zhao Ke'er's smiling face lost its expression as she stared coldly at the leading military officer:
"I told you not to follow me!"
The military officer's face was stern and his tone was respectful:
"We are following the Second Young Master's orders to protect the young lady."
Zhao Ke'er frowned and said sarcastically, "Is it a guard or a surveillance?"
The military officer remained silent.
Zhao Ke'er snorted in annoyance, knowing that it was useless to say more, but she still lifted her legs and got into the sedan chair. The sedan bearers carried the sedan chair and walked steadily towards the Confucius Temple.
The Yunfu rebels followed the sedan silently, and the people along the way retreated in fear.
Zhao Ke'er's identity is very unique. She is the only daughter of Zhao Shixiong, the commander of the border army.
Zhao Shixiong married late, and something went wrong in his early martial arts training, which made it extremely difficult for him to conceive a child. Therefore, he only had an only daughter, who was almost spoiled to the sky.
After the Yunfu uprising, Zhao Shixiong and the Gongsun couple led their troops to the front line to expand the territory for King Mu.
As a "hostage", Zhao Ke'er is always in Xu Jingtang's sight.
However, in order to avoid creating a rift with Zhao Shixiong, Zhao Ke'er, although a "hostage", lived a privileged life and was not subject to many restrictions.
Until recently, the second son of Prince Mu's Mansion suddenly sent troops, ostensibly for protection, but in fact to intensify surveillance of her.
This made Zhao Ke'er extremely dissatisfied.
After walking two blocks, the girl who was sulking in the sedan suddenly heard a commotion outside.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
