The First Lackey Under The Empress

“Lord… This…” The old man of the Lu family was stunned, seemingly still unable to believe his ears.

It wasn't until he met Zhao Du'an's eyes, which seemed calm but actually harbored murderous intent, that he suddenly woke up.

“Is there a problem?” Zhao Du'an asked expressionlessly.

“No problem! This old one will immediately order people to inform and prepare the banquet.” The white-haired old man agreed readily, then slowly got up and sent his servants to prepare.

Zhao Du'an then contentedly raised his buttocks and said:

“Tidy up a quiet courtyard. This official has no residence in the city. The yamen is crowded, and I’m worried there’s not enough room. I plan to stay in the Lu residence for a few days.”

The dignified Grand Commandant actually wants to stay in our house?

If it were in the past, the Lu family would have been overjoyed, unwilling to let go of this opportunity to curry favor with the Empress's favorite.

But now, they could only complain inwardly, ten thousand times unwilling.

But they could only grit their teeth and accept it, and even had to put on a happy expression.

Immediately, the old man ordered his servants to tidy up, while smilingly inviting Zhao Du'an to go to the inner hall for tea and a short rest.

Zhao Du'an nodded happily, turned around, raised his hand and patted Zhao Shande, the “Grain督督,” on the shoulder, and said with a gentle smile:

“The matter is resolved. Go and get the grain with the Lu family. Since you are also surnamed Zhao, hold your head up high in the future, and don’t disgrace the ‘Zhao’ surname.”

After saying that, he strode into the inner hall with a flourish.

Only the old clerk Zhao Shande was left standing there, flattered. He hadn't recovered yet, just staring blankly at the Lu family members around him.

The other party changed their previous arrogance and indifference, and complimented and apologized to him almost eagerly.

Zhao Shande felt uncomfortable all over. At this time, he suddenly remembered to ask the eldest son who was left to cooperate with his work:

“May I ask… who is this lord?”

The eldest son of the Lu family looked at him in surprise, and said with a strange expression:

“Brother Shande doesn’t recognize this person? He shares the same surname Zhao as you. Who else in the city has the surname Zhao now?”

In his mind, a name flashed like lightning…

The Empress's close minister, the Grand Commandant who quelled the rebellion, the Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince… Zhao Du'an.

Zhao Shande's breathing quickened, he opened his mouth, in disbelief—

This young man who had been chatting and laughing with him all the way, and was very gentle, was actually the famous King of Hell Zhao?

On the other side, Zhao Du'an swaggered into the inner hall and talked with the old master of the Lu family for a while. The servants who had been sent out to convey the “banquet invitation” returned one after another, bringing unexpected news.

The core area of the prefectural city was so big. The wealthy households in the city had moved into the city center due to the war, so sending a message was very convenient.

“The gentry in the city all have matters and cannot come?”

Zhao Du'an smiled noncommittally, “Can’t come, or don’t want to come?”

The servant said timidly:

“Qian Yuanwai of Datong Bank said he was sick in bed and unable to come. Li Datongjia of Kangzhuang Rice Shop said he was not in the city and was currently outside of Taicang… Also…”

He announced the names one by one, giving reasons for declining.

Zhao Du'an listened calmly, then suddenly smiled and looked at the old man Lu:

“Do you think these people really have something going on, or are they pretending?”

Old Master Lu hesitated and said, “Lord, please calm down. This old one will personally invite them again.”

“No need,” Zhao Du'an said lightly to the servant:

“You go again and tell them about the banquet tonight, and then you don’t need to wait for any response from the other party, and you don’t need to say anything else.”

Just inform, no need to wait for a response?

Old Master Lu was stunned at first, then cold sweat oozed from his temples, as if he understood something:

“Lord, if someone still refuses to come…”

“They will come.” Zhao Du'an got up and walked towards the courtyard prepared for him by the Lu family, only leaving behind a sentence:

“If they really don’t come, they will never have to come.”

…

…

After the armies of the Divine Machine Battalion and the Five Military Battalions entered the city, they were arranged to set up camp in specific areas.

Because the original military camps were insufficient, a part of the government's warehouse buildings were simply vacated for camping.

“Wei Xianzong, there’s no water in the vat. Didn’t you hear me telling you to fill it up? Are you deaf?”

In a camp, a soldier scolded a person not far away in a cold voice.

Wei Xianzong was now wearing a gray, dirty clothes, with the word “兵” (soldier) on his chest.

His hair was disheveled, and his face was haggard. At this moment, he was sitting wearily beside a pile of wood, panting silently.

The hot sweat soaked his clothes and pants, and there were some scars on his body.

He raised his head, his eyes restrained under his black hair, and said calmly:

“I have filled all ten large vats in the camp by myself.”

“Filled?” The soldier suddenly pushed hard, and a whole vat of clear water covered the ground. He mocked:

“Where is it full? Isn’t it still empty? Isn’t it?”

Around, the other idle soldiers also laughed and echoed: “Yes. It’s empty.”

Some people also followed suit and pushed down the water vat, letting the water flow down, and loudly urged Wei Xianzong to continue fetching water.

The dignified Commander is now reduced to a petty soldier at the bottom.

Ever since the surrounding soldiers learned that this newcomer was once a big shot, they had an object to amuse themselves with.

During this period, Wei Xianzong worked hard in the camp, and anyone could boss him around, even insult him in person.

There are not many opportunities to bully a commander who was once unattainable.

“What are you looking at? I told you to work, didn’t you hear? Do you want to hit someone?”

The soldier was startled by Wei Xianzong's eyes, and became fierce again.

Wei Xianzong was expressionless, his hands gradually clenched tightly, finally loosened, and silently got up, picked up the bucket, and walked towards the well.

The laughter and scolding behind him gradually moved away.

Suddenly, a figure blocked his path. The other person was wearing the uniform of the “Imperial Guard Battalion” and frowned at him:

“Former Qingzhou Commander Wei Xianzong? Come with me. Privy Councilor Xue wants to see you.”

…

…

Wei Xianzong was taken to the yamen and met Xue Shence in a room not far from the “headquarters.”

“Raise your head and speak.”

Xue Shence was sitting behind the desk. Seeing that Wei Xianzong had been lowering his head since entering the door, his eyes were on the floor, and he said calmly.

After the latter raised his head, revealing a haggard and much thinner face, Xue Shence looked complicated and said:

“I didn’t expect that the next time you and I meet again, it would be in this situation.”

Wei Xianzong, who had been particularly silent since being captured, smiled self-deprecatingly:

“Privy Councilor called this humble person over, surely it’s not just to ridicule me.”

The two had a superior-subordinate relationship before, so naturally they knew each other.

It’s just that Wei Xianzong was a general supported by Yuan Li, and was not in the same faction as Xue Shence.

“Now the military affairs in the city are busy, I really don’t have time, and I don’t have the interest to ridicule you. I have read the detailed battle report records of your battle with the Five Military Battalions on the Qingzhou border. Yuan Feng also recognizes your combat ability. He said that putting you in Qingzhou was a waste of talent.”

Xue Shence said seriously: “Do you want to atone for your sins and get out of the current situation?”

Under Wei Xianzong's messy black hair, his eyes suddenly lit up: “What do you want me to do?”

Xue Shence folded his hands on his lower abdomen and sat upright:

“I am preparing to select a group of elites from the army to form a ‘Dare to Die Battalion’ to carry out an extremely dangerous, high-risk, and low-success rate mission. After thinking about it, you are the most suitable person to lead this Dare to Die Battalion.”

Wei Xianzong's eyes moved, his expression suspicious:

“You dare to let me lead troops?”

He didn't ask what the mission was, how difficult it was, how dangerous it was, or whether he could complete it. What he asked was this.

Xue Shence smiled slightly:

“Since Grand Commandant Zhao dared to risk being impeached in the Golden Luan Hall, and fished you out of the death row, and specially put you in the Divine Machine Battalion and brought you to the front line, how can I not dare to use you?”

Wei Xianzong stared at him seriously for several seconds and said:

“When will the Dare to Die Battalion be formed? When will it act?”

Xue Shence said: “I have already ordered people to select personnel, and it can be formed tomorrow, and it will be on the battlefield at the latest the day after tomorrow.”

Wei Xianzong nodded and said: “I am willing.”

Xue Shence nodded in satisfaction and immediately ordered the guards to send Wei Xianzong back to the camp to pack his things, and then he would go to the temporarily formed “Dare to Die Battalion” to serve as an officer.

Watching the other party leave, another person walked in outside the door, it was Shi Meng, the commander of the Divine Machine Battalion.

“Lord, this Wei Xianzong’s ability must be sufficient, but… can he really be trusted?” Shi Meng looked hesitant.

Xue Shence stood up, his expression as usual and said: “I don’t know.”

Shi Meng was stunned.

Immediately, he heard Xue Shence explain:

“But I believe in Zhao Du'an. Since he dared to throw people into the Divine Machine Battalion, it means that he thinks this person can be used. The battle situation is critical, so we should not stick to conventions and recruit talents, and besides, Wei Xianzong is not a mediocre person?”

After a pause, he added with a wry smile:

"Besides, we need to use every method we can right now. Wei Xianzong's move is just one of several plans we have, and it's a very late-stage one. I never had much hope for him anyway.

Even if he fails, the loss is bearable. Let's go, back to work."

Inside the "headquarters," a group of generals were still formulating plans. Xue Shence had only taken a moment to step out.

After taking a few steps, he suddenly remembered something and said:

"Send out more scouts to investigate the enemy's movements. Also, be vigilant near the Jingying within the city, to see if there are any suspicious individuals."

Shi Meng suddenly realized, saying:

"Sir, are you worried that the Yunfu rebels will send spies into the city to scout out military intelligence?"

Xue Shence nodded, worriedly saying:

"The Mu Wang Manor has secretly cultivated an assassin intelligence team called the Embroidered Uniform Direct Guard, so we must be on guard."

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…

Backyard of the Prefectural Office.

Nie Yurong pushed open the door and had just walked into the courtyard when she saw the smiling, yet somewhat effeminate, eunuch walking towards her.

Nie Yurong hurriedly bowed respectfully:

"Eunuch Song. This subordinate's injuries have improved somewhat. May I ask what arrangements are next?"

This "Embroidered Uniform Envoy" within the Embroidered Uniform Direct Guard faithfully played his current false identity.

The Shadow Guards nominally belonged to the Imperial Clan's retainers, hence the subordinate address.

Song Jinxi said with a beaming smile:

"Director Zhao said that you risked your life to deliver intelligence this time, saving the Taicang Silver Mine, which is a great achievement. You should rest and recuperate here for the next few days, and we will request credit for you later. How can we allow meritorious officials to shed blood and tears?"

"…" Nie Yurong forced a smile, her fists clenched silently.

Damn it! How did I, an agent of the Mu Wang Manor, become a meritorious official of the imperial court?

After carefully inquiring and learning that Director Zhao had successfully protected the silver mine and annihilated the rebel forces, Nie Yurong was silent.

This was a little different from her plan.

To enhance the authenticity of her impersonation, she deliberately allowed herself to be chased by Yunfu's soldiers, and also deliberately revealed the news of a light cavalry raid.

However, she did not specify the exact location of the light cavalry attack.

The purpose was to gain Zhao Du'an's trust without actually sacrificing anything.

She had originally anticipated that after encountering Zhao Du'an on the road, this treacherous minister by the Empress's side would immediately lead troops to the city to provide support.

Later, learning that there was indeed a light cavalry raid would just corroborate her words.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Du'an actually guessed the direction of the attack based on such vague information.

Nie Yurong inadvertently did the imperial court a great favor…

However, everything was worth it.

"Hehe, this is all this subordinate should do." Nie Yurong curiously asked:

"Where is the Director? And why isn't Mo Zhaorong here?"

Song Jinxi said with a beaming smile:

"Mo Zhaorong is resting in her room. As for Lord Zhao, he just went out. Did you need to see him?"

"No, no." Nie Yurong waved her hand and turned back to the room. After turning around, her eyes suddenly became deep.

Judging from Song Jinxi's reaction and the lenient treatment she received, she had not been suspected and had successfully infiltrated the Prefectural Office.

However, Nie Yurong did not intend to scout for military intelligence—her goal was to find an opportunity to assassinate Zhao Du'an, and if that was not possible, to settle for assassinating Mo Zhaorong.

Only by killing someone of that level could the impact on the balance of war be significant enough.

However, according to the intelligence, Zhao Du'an's cultivation was not bad, so Nie Yurong did not dare to act rashly and could only slowly look for opportunities.

"Hmph, so what if he's in the Worldly Realm? As long as he's still human, there will be times of carelessness, and he can be killed. Throughout history, there have been countless strong people who have capsized in the gutter and been assassinated because of carelessness."

Nie Yurong's eyes were cold. As one of the top assassins in the Embroidered Uniform Direct Guard, she had plenty of patience.

She just needed to wait.

However, what she didn't notice was that after she turned around, the smile on Song Jinxi's face slowly faded, and his eyes turned cold.

Staring at her back, this eunuch, who was the most skilled assassin among the Imperial Palace's retainers, stood like a ghost.

Next door, Jin Jian, who was lying sprawled on the bed, suddenly stretched lazily, mumbled a sentence in his sleep, and went back to sleep.

Yu Xiu, who was sitting cross-legged beside him, sighed softly and closed her eyes.

…

Lu Family Residence.

Zhao Du'an was assigned to live in a rather luxurious courtyard with elegant arrangements and a strong scholarly atmosphere.

In particular, the clusters of banana trees in the courtyard grew extremely lush, and a group of white and fat geese were raised in the pond.

Zhao Du'an praised the environment greatly, quite satisfied. Because he hadn't eaten lunch yet, he ordered the Lu family's servants to catch the fat geese and pluck their feathers in the courtyard to roast and eat.

He also complained that the maids were clumsy and deliberately called the Lu family's female relatives over to chat and relieve boredom, and to learn about the local customs.

The three sons of the Lu family, the youngest of whom was not yet married, while the wives and concubines of the eldest and second sons were all beautiful and gentle. Before Zhao Du'an called them over to accompany him, they were all chaste and virtuous women.

But after seeing Zhao Du'an's demeanor and appearance, they immediately "acquiesced."

"Please drink this iced mist fruit wine, my lord. It's most thirst-quenching." The first madam held the wine pot with her slender hand, pouring wine for King Yama Zhao shyly.

Zhao Du'an looked at the iced fruit platter, the utensils covered with water vapor, and the crystal-clear wine, and sighed softly:

"Prices in the city are soaring, and the people are short of food, but the Lu residence is a different scene."

The first madam was stunned, her expression slightly stiff, vaguely feeling that the atmosphere was not right.

The second madam next to her was young and introverted, and had not said much, but her eyes frequently glanced at Zhao Du'an's face, her heart pounding like a deer. When Zhao Du'an occasionally looked over, she hurriedly turned her head away, pretending to be afraid.

Heh… How many of the children of large families who marry wives and take concubines have any feelings? They are all just acting.

However, Zhao Du'an could imagine how suffocated the Lu family's men who were guarding outside the courtyard must be feeling.

Occupying the magpie's nest, snatching wives and concubines to accompany him in drinking… They're not angry? The Lu family is quite tolerant.

But… you're so tolerant, how can this official find fault and deal with you?

Zhao Du'an sighed faintly, picked up the iced fruit wine infused with the first madam's love, and drank it.

Suddenly, footsteps came from outside the courtyard. Zhao Du'an raised his eyes and smiled.

He waved his hand, drove away the two young madams of the Lu family who were accompanying him in drinking, and patted the low wooden chair beside him that had been warmed by the first madam's buttocks:

"Prefect Sun, you've come at the right time. The roast goose is just cooked, sit down and have some."

Sun Xiaozhun walked over with a wry smile, sat down with a thud, looked at the scenery of the banana pond, and the roast goose and fruit wine, and said with a wry smile:

"Director, you're doing things so quietly, you're going to scare people to death. This official wasn't paying attention, and you've already caused such a big thing. Now the gentry in the city are all as anxious as ants, coming this way."

Zhao Du'an glanced at the gradually setting sky and smiled:

"Did the Lu family send you a letter?"

Sun Xiaozhun was stunned, nodded, and said:

"This official was busy arranging the military camp and only received the news just now, so I thought I'd come over and take a look. The Lu family didn't say anything."

Zhao Du'an took a sip of wine and sneered:

"They don't need to say anything. They can't be sure whether this official knew about today's banquet in advance, but having you, the local official, come over will always make them feel more at ease than having me here alone.

Heh, people, having a few acquaintances on the scene will always make them feel more at ease. Just like the military rations, Prefect Sun, you couldn't do anything about them before, could you?"

Sun Xiaozhun's heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat broke out:

"Director, this official has absolutely never favored the Lu family. The reason why I used relatively gentle methods before was only because a great enemy was present, and I needed the help of this group of gentry… That's why…"

He was worried that he would be questioned, after all, failing to collect military rations effectively, whether it was because the Lu family refused to give them or because he, the prefect, had secretly received benefits and refused to exert himself… This was also difficult to say.

Zhao Du'an said warmly:

"Prefect Sun, there's no need to be nervous. I still trust your character. I also know that as a local official, if you want to work in Taicang Prefecture, it's impossible not to consider the face of this group of local snakes, so I'll do the things that offend people."

He smiled slightly:

"Today, just think of me as coming to support you."

Sun Xiaozhun was stunned, swallowed, and couldn't help but say:

"What is your Excellency going to do today…?"

"You'll see what I'm going to do later." Zhao Du'an watched the last ray of afterglow fall from the sky, smiled, and stood up:

"Let's go, the banquet is about to begin."