The First Lackey Under The Empress

The palace martial arts competition is over?

Yuan Li was stunned for a moment, then raised his head to look at the high-hanging sun. He wasn't surprised: "What was the result?"

"The imperial family's retainers won." The censor was very excited and eager to share the news he had gathered.

Won? They actually won? Yuan Li was also stunned. Because Xue Shence had given a firm judgment that they would lose, he was particularly surprised: "Oh? Tell me more."

The censor immediately gesticulated wildly, embellishing the story of how Zhao Du'an defeated Xiao Ran with a peach wood branch, attracting many officials from the Censorate to watch, marveling repeatedly.

"As expected of Shao Bao Zhao."

"Hmph, a mere Jianghu brute dares to run wild in the capital. It serves him right to lose face and roll back home."

The officials discussed animatedly. Although this matter seemed to have nothing to do with the imperial court, it involved face, and the imperial palace's great victory made all the officials feel honored.

It's him again… Yuan Li was slightly distracted, and the hand hidden in his sleeve gripped the document tightly, as if he had an idea.

"Let's go, let's take a trip to the palace, it's a good opportunity to congratulate His Majesty." Yuan Li said faintly.

The censor Chen Hong smiled wryly, thinking that their visit would undoubtedly dampen His Majesty's good mood.

… …

Inside the Imperial Garden.

A large group of palace maids scattered behind, while in front of the eunuchs' and maids' eyes, the Empress and Shao Bao Zhao walked almost side by side.

In the spring, the Imperial Garden was already a green expanse, with trees sprouting and flowers blooming.

Zhao Du'an lagged slightly behind, glancing at Xu Zhenguan's exquisite and sacred profile.

"Peach Blossom Sword, you've learned it well." The white-clothed Empress didn't look at him, just walked slowly, her casual clothes, which were almost like a skirt, almost dragged on the ground.

The hem of her robe was long enough to spread on the ground, sweeping across the green grass as she walked.

In order to attend today's competition, she changed into slightly more formal clothes.

"This subject was fortunate enough to win, thanks to His Majesty's teaching of swordsmanship." Zhao Du'an said sincerely.

Xu Zhenguan "heh"-ed, turned her head slightly, and looked at him with a smile that was not a smile:

"When I learned this Peach Blossom Sword back then, I was far inferior to you."

Ah, this… How do you want me to respond to that? I can't say, because this set of swordsmanship is similar in meaning to the "Opening Heaven" sword technique passed down by your ancestors, and is suspected to be the same set, so I learned it with half the effort, right?

Zhao Du'an laughed dryly:

"Just as that Tang retainer is willing to risk his life for the honor of the imperial family, this subject is also doing his best to maintain the face of our royal family."

Who is "our royal family" with you? Xu Zhenguan pretended to be angry, and was too lazy to correct his occasional verbal advantage in private.

"I have already ordered the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the southern Feng Chan ceremony." She said suddenly.

The topic changed abruptly, Zhao Du'an was stunned for a moment, and then said with disappointment:

"When will it be?"

Xu Zhenguan said as she walked:

"Feng Chan is a major event. At the New Year, I ordered the Sitianjian to observe the stars and set a good day, which is about this summer."

Summer… Isn't that when I crossed over last year… Zhao Du'an thought for a while and said:

"Since Your Majesty has made a decision, this subject will definitely help with all my strength."

Xu Zhenguan bit her plump lips, and looked at him with a strange look:

"I thought you would dissuade me."

Zhao Du'an shook his head seriously and said:

"The Eight Kings are eyeing us covetously, the Eastern and Western Buddhist sects are also restless, and it's also the time for the Wu Xian Kui's battle… It's a blessing for the world that Your Majesty can cross the threshold of a true Celestial Being as soon as possible. This subject's petty selfishness is insignificant in comparison."

Xu Zhenguan's beautiful eyes stared at him quietly, and Zhao Du'an met her gaze calmly.

The fairy-like earthly emperor's spiritual sense enveloped the entire garden, and she could even hear the rhythm of the heartbeat of the person in front of her.

"What you said is actually true." Xu Zhenguan's expression was complicated.

Zhao Du'an laughed openly:

"Does Your Majesty think that this subject is really only thinking about dual cultivation, ignoring the country and the people?"

At this moment, Zhao Du'an, who is known as a "traitorous official" to the outside world, and has always been glib and impure in front of the Empress, has a frank and pure gaze.

Xu Zhenguan bit her lip lightly, and a touch of tenderness and apology appeared in her eyes.

Well, although it's strange, she actually felt a little guilty at this moment, as if it was her fault for not practicing dual cultivation with the person in front of her…

Like a bad woman, she always dangled a carrot in front of a pure-hearted man, dangling him to strive and fight, and just when he was about to eat it, she suddenly took the carrot away.

"Your Majesty's Feng Chan is going to Luoshan? This subject remembers that this mountain is in the territory of Jiancheng Dao." Zhao Du'an frowned and mentioned the key issue:

"Can't you change one?"

Jiancheng Dao is the farthest place from the capital in the southeastern territory except for Lingnan.

It is also Jing Wang's sphere of influence. It is conceivable that it will not be smooth for the Empress to go there to hold the Feng Chan ceremony.

Xu Zhenguan smiled helplessly, with a hint of doting in her eyes, as if Zhao Du'an had asked a naive question:

"Do you think Feng Chan can just find a famous mountain? I am performing Feng Chan in order to use this etiquette and the national fortune dragon energy on the body of the Ninth Five-Year Supreme to break through the threshold of heaven and man. Luoshan is the best choice.

I know what you are thinking, it doesn't matter, I have been on the throne for three years, even if I leave the capital, my cultivation will not change much, my uncle… Heh, even if he is unwilling in his heart, he can't do anything to me.

It's nothing more than using some off-site methods to try to obstruct the ceremony, but it doesn't matter. I will send people south in advance to Jiancheng Dao to prepare, and then, I will settle the affairs in the capital, and then I will personally go south to Luoshan."

Well, is this the confidence of a Celestial Being? Listening to her clear arrangements, Zhao Du'an knew that the Empress's decision could not be changed.

"This subject dares to ask, what are Your Majesty's chances of winning the Feng Chan promotion?" He hesitated and asked this somewhat presumptuous question.

Xu Zhenguan said calmly: "Between six and seven."

Fortunately… It sounds like the probability is quite high… Zhao Du'an breathed a sigh of relief, but then he thought, will the Eight Kings and even the various cultivation forces of Yu Kingdom be safe and self-sufficient and not destroy it?

But on second thought, standing from Zhenbao's perspective, there are indeed not many choices.

People can't completely choose their own lives, the higher they stand, the more involuntary they are.

In the garden, the two stood quietly, speechless for a while.

"Okay, let's not talk about this," Xu Zhenguan smiled sweetly:

"If it weren't for you today, the royal family would really lose face. I ordered the Imperial Dining Room to prepare delicacies. Let's stay in the palace for lunch."

No, what I want to eat is not rice… Zhao Du'an thought weakly, and was about to nod in agreement when he suddenly noticed in the corner of his eye that at the end of the stone road in the distance, a little eunuch was hurrying over with small steps, holding a duster.

Seeing His Majesty and him together, he hurriedly braked and shouted from a distance:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Yuan Gong has something important to request to see you!"

Yuan Li is here? Requesting to see you at this time? Zhao Du'an was surprised.

Could it be that he learned of the royal family's victory, so he came to congratulate? Well… If it were a lower-level official, it might be possible, but with the status of "Leader of the Qingliu Party", he wouldn't be so flattering…

What Yuan Li calls "important matters" must be no small matter… With mixed thoughts, Zhao Du'an cupped his hands and said:

"Yuan Gong must have something serious to do, Your Majesty, go and see him, this subject will go for a walk by himself."

Xu Zhenguan said lightly: "Let's go see Yuan Gong with me."

… …

Imperial Study Room.

When Zhao Du'an and the Empress returned together, just after sitting down for a while, footsteps came from the corridor outside. Yuan Li, wearing a cyan duijin official uniform of the Imperial Censor, different from the scarlet robe, stood at the door and said respectfully:

"This subject dares to disturb Your Majesty."

Behind him, old acquaintance Censor Chen Hong didn't say a word, bending over ninety degrees.

"Come in, please sit down."

The Empress sat behind the desk covered with bright yellow silk, with a gentle smile. Immediately, a palace attendant gave him a seat, while Zhao Du'an stood beside her.

"Thank you for your holy grace."

Yuan Li sat down, Chen Hong stood respectfully behind him, and Daqing Yi raised his head to see Zhao Du'an smiling at him, and couldn't help but nod in agreement, saying:

"Before entering the palace, this subject learned that Shao Bao Zhao defeated the Qing Dynasty's brute, congratulations."

"Yuan Gong is being polite." Zhao Du'an smiled, "A small victory, but it bothers Yuan Gong to congratulate me."

Xu Zhenguan smiled and went straight to the point:

"Yuan Gong suddenly entered the palace, presumably not to congratulate me."

Yuan Li's face became slightly serious and said: "This subject does have something to report, please take a look at it, Your Majesty!"

From his sleeve, he presented the document with both hands. Zhao Du'an glanced at it, his DNA moved, and he walked over to take it with great familiarity, and presented it to Zhenbao.

Well, when I was a beast in my previous life, similar behaviors almost became an instinct.

You are quite considerate… Xu Zhenguan glanced at him, her slender jade fingers opened the document, and after only two glances, her sunny face suddenly sank, and a contained anger surged, her eyebrows raised like iron hooks, and then she raised her eyes and stared at Yuan Li:

"How can there be such a thing?!"

Yuan Li was not surprised by the Empress's anger, and said loudly: "There is indeed such a thing!"

"Pa!"

Xu Zhenguan threw the document on the table, and the good mood brought about by winning the competition disappeared!

Seeing Zhao Du'an confused, she suppressed the urge to get angry and said to him:

"You can take a look too."

What's the matter, such a big reaction, the menstrual water will be angered out later… Zhao Du'an muttered in his heart, picked up the document and unfolded it to read it, and immediately his face sank.

Rather than saying it was a document, it was better to say it was an impeachment memorial, and the person being impeached was none other than the Marquis of Liu'an, a noble in the capital.

Yes, a marquis!

Zhao Du'an is not familiar with this marquis, but he has also met him twice. This person was originally a descendant of a noble, and because of his marriage with the royal family, he was relatively close to the royal family in the noble circle. He did not participate in the Xuanmen coup, and later, when the Empress ascended the throne, this Marquis of Liu'an was also considered safe.

When the New Deal was promulgated last year, the Marquis of Liu'an began to operate frequently, trying to find a job in a new yamen in the capital that presided over the New Deal, namely: the "New Deal Division".

After careful consideration, the Empress believed that Marquis Liu'an, though not outstanding in ability and rather mediocre, was still reliable.

Furthermore, the New Governance Department also needed to give the noble families some benefits, so she allowed him to work there, and indeed, nothing went wrong.

At the beginning of the year, because the Yu Kingdom was rectifying officialdom and abolishing a large number of redundant officials, it was necessary to appoint new local officials to promote the new policies. Therefore, this Marquis Liu'an had been responsible for this part of the work for the past few months, but unexpectedly, he was suddenly impeached.

The charge: bribery and selling of official positions!

In layman's terms, Marquis Liu'an took advantage of his position to accept bribes from local officials, turning the appointment and removal of new officials into a business.

Zhao Du'an didn't find it surprising when he saw this, but when he saw the regions involved in the selling of official positions, he understood the truth behind the Empress's anger:

Jiancheng Prefecture!

"I want to hear the details," Xu Zhenguan said, her eyes like lightning, staring at Yuan Li.

The Imperial Censor Chen Hong, standing behind Yuan Li, stepped forward and respectfully saluted:

"Your Majesty, this impeachment is a secret report from a Supervising Censor in the Huai River Waterway. After it was sent to me, I felt that the matter was of great importance, so I first verified it. Seeing that there were indeed doubts, I presented it to Lord Yuan."

Chen Hong first explained the origin, and then recounted the details of the process:

"After the new year, because the appointment and removal of local officials in Jiancheng Prefecture had not yet been decided, Your Majesty sent Marquis Liu'an south to inspect the local conditions in Jiancheng Prefecture. When Marquis Liu'an passed through the Huai River Waterway, he was received by a fifth-rank official from the local area, who invited the famous courtesan, Miss Xichun, to accompany him.

Marquis Liu'an fell in love with that courtesan at first sight and was very fond of her. It is said that he lingered there for several days because of this, before continuing south to perform his official duties."

"And almost at the same time, that Miss Xichun was suddenly redeemed by a wealthy merchant named Yang from the local area and married into his family… But more than a month later, this Miss Xichun changed her name and surname and appeared in Marquis Liu'an's private residence… And the candidate for the new Prefect of Jiancheng Prefecture was also finalized as that fifth-rank official…"

Good heavens, good heavens… Zhao Du'an listened from the side, clicking his tongue in amazement.

How could he not understand that this was a classic case of "sexual bribery"?

The laws of the Yu Kingdom stipulate that officials may not redeem or sell prostitutes or actors, but do not restrict others from giving them as gifts. Therefore, the practice of "transferring pockets" has arisen among the people.

That is: if an official takes a fancy to a girl, a merchant will often redeem her and then privately give her to the official.

This is a typical operation.

Zhao Du'an was even certain that to operate to the level of a prefect, it was definitely not enough to just have a courtesan; a large sum of money must have been given to Marquis Liu'an as well.

And it was likely an astronomical figure.

But how could a fifth-rank local official afford so much money? Zhao Du'an pondered slightly and came up with the answer:

The Huai River gentry!

"…Your Majesty," Yuan Li slowly opened his mouth, his expression solemn:

"If this matter is true, with the status of that fifth-rank official, he would definitely not be able to influence Marquis Liu'an. I suspect that some clans in the Huai River Waterway are secretly supporting him behind the scenes.

As everyone knows, those large families in Jiangnan are extremely resistant to the new policies. If they can pave the way with money, buy and sell official positions, and support some officials to take on important positions… this possibility is extremely high. And to solve this kind of matter, I am afraid that a swift and decisive action is needed."

Xu Zhenguan's face was covered with frost, and she said calmly: "Someone."

A female official immediately walked in from outside the door.

The Empress said emotionlessly:

"Order Ma Yan, the Director of the Imperial Prison, to immediately arrest Marquis Liu'an and related personnel for questioning, with the Censorate supervising. I will give you one day. By this time tomorrow, I want to know the results."

Yuan Li got up and responded at the same time as the female official: "As you command!"

Then, the three of them walked out of the Imperial Study with swift and decisive steps. It was conceivable that there would be another bloody storm later.

Involving such a major matter as New Governance officials, the Empress will definitely seize a typical case, thoroughly investigate it, and kill the chicken to warn the monkey… How dare they, their lust blinding them to such an extent, actually daring to accept any bribes… Zhao Du'an shook his head, not having the slightest sympathy for such stupid people.

"Do you see, they have already started to act," Xu Zhenguan suddenly said.

Zhao Du'an comforted her: "This matter has not yet been clarified, and based solely on the words of a patrolling censor, it may not necessarily be…"

Xu Zhenguan sighed. She suddenly turned her head and shook her head with some bitterness:

"You don't have to comfort me. In fact, how much Marquis Liu'an actually received, or whether he received anything at all, is not the key, is it not?"

Zhao Du'an was silent. He calmly revealed the truth:

"Those local gentry families may not have really hoped that this method would succeed. At least, they may not have expected this matter to succeed. However, as long as one case appears, it will make Your Majesty lose trust in those local officials."

Xu Zhenguan sighed softly. She said angrily:

"How can I not want to believe? But the discovery of one case often means that there are still many more cases hidden beneath the surface. Moreover, even if the officials who take office are all clean,

once they take office, sitting in that position, facing the gold, silver, women, and land offered by those local powerful families… with both soft and hard tactics, how many can remain unchanged? Can resist corruption?"

Zhao Du'an was silent.

Any reform is bound to be accompanied by such chronic diseases, especially since the Huai River and Jiancheng Prefecture are adjacent, and many large families are connected by the same breath.

And behind Jiancheng Prefecture, there is Prince Jing supporting them, so those local powerful families will only be more unscrupulous.

"Your Majesty, treating the symptoms but not the root cause will never work," Zhao Du'an suddenly said.

Xu Zhenguan glanced at him: "What do you want to say?"

Zhao Du'an sighed softly and said:

"Lord Yuan has almost pointed it out just now. He also knows that in places where local clans are entrenched, the newly appointed local officials are isolated and weak. Marquis Liu'an is one, but he is definitely not the only one.

Only by passing a sharp enough knife to knock on those clans, people and dogs are not much different, they are all beasts. If you hit them hard enough, the dog will remember."

Xu Zhenguan was silent.

Zhao Du'an volunteered: "Your Majesty, I am willing to go there and be this sharp knife."

Xu Zhenguan did not nod, but stared at him with a pair of beautiful eyes:

"That is Jiancheng Prefecture, Prince Jing's territory. He assassinated you once last time. Are you not afraid?"

Zhao Du'an smiled slyly: "Has Your Majesty forgotten that there is still my informant by Prince Jing's side?"

Prince Jing's Consort? Lu Yan'er? The descendant of that Pei Niannu?

Xu Zhenguan suddenly remembered this, her eyes lit up. Last time, Zhao Du'an told her how he had subdued Lu Yan'er and developed this Consort into a spy.

Zhao Du'an spoke eloquently:

"Prince Jing's foundation lies in his territory, in his control over all forces in Jiancheng Prefecture, and perhaps he also hides private soldiers and experts… But in terms of cultivation experts, there may not be many. Moreover, Lu Yan'er is by his side, so I can obtain intelligence from Consort Lu at any time. Of course, I will not joke with my own life, nor do I think that the high rank of Divine Chapter is enough to break into the dragon's pool."

Xu Zhenguan seemed to have guessed something: "You mean…"

Zhao Du'an smiled:

"Didn't Your Majesty just tell me that you will be arriving at Luoshan for the Fengshan ceremony in the summer? Someone needs to go to Jiancheng Prefecture near Luoshan in advance to prepare? I thought, why not do both things together? I can use the identity of the White Horse Supervisor's envoy, who is preparing for Your Majesty's Fengshan ceremony, to go south to Jiancheng Prefecture along the canal.

While preparing for the Fengshan ceremony, I can knock on the heads of those troublemaking wealthy families. As long as I bring enough experts, and Your Majesty is still behind me, and will arrive later… Unless Prince Jing immediately rebels, what else can he do besides spitting in my face?"

Xu Zhenguan stared at him seriously:

"Have you really decided? You… have done too much for me, there is no need…"

Zhao Du'an smiled and said:

"Has Your Majesty forgotten that you once told me that for a martial artist's path of cultivation, hiding in the safe capital city will never allow one to advance? Only through tempering can a martial artist be brave and diligent. I also want to enter the Mundane Realm as soon as possible. If…"

He paused, his expression unusually serious, and said:

"If Your Majesty's Fengshan ceremony succeeds and you advance to the Celestial Realm, the Yu Kingdom will inevitably be stable, which would be best."

He paused and said: "If… Your Majesty does not get your wish, if I can advance to the Mundane Realm, I can also use the Dragon Soul to help Your Majesty climb to the Celestial Realm again."

The implication:

You try to advance with the Fengshan ceremony first. If you don't succeed, then we'll cultivate together again and fight a second battle.

Adding double insurance to the promotion.

The Empress's fair cheeks suddenly turned red, and she spat:

"Nonsense, get out. I want to summon the important ministers to discuss matters."

No… I'm talking about serious matters with you, why are you blushing… Moreover, what about the promise to keep me for dinner? Zhao Du'an opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but a jade hand gently pressed on his chest.

Zhao Du'an retreated lightly, flying out of the Imperial Study like a falling leaf, standing in the garden, helplessly watching the double carved doors of the study close.

Hey, no…

Zhao Du'an sighed softly, turned his head and glared at the many palace maids in the surrounding corridors who were secretly staring at him with strange eyes:

"What are you looking at? Haven't you seen flirting before!"

A group of palace maids lowered their heads, their shoulders shaking, trying hard to hold back their laughter.

Zhao Du'an sighed, stepped away from the bedroom, and went straight to the Martial Arts Hall. Since he was preparing to go south for the Fengshan ceremony, he had to bring Lao Hai with him.

Martial Arts Hall.

Song Jinxi stood at the door, his eyes lit up when he saw him coming: "Young Protector Zhao, the Qingshan people are leaving."

…