The court officials were in an uproar. Only a few who had participated in the “Present Village” project knew the specifics, while the majority of the officials questioned Meng Qingzhou’s appointment as the commander-in-chief of the three armies.
As the court meeting dispersed, the officials walked along the imperial path, discussing fervently.
An elderly cabinet member, with white hair and leaning on a cane, loudly rebuked:
“I acknowledge Minister Meng’s achievements and his position as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, but this battle concerns the fate of the nation. How can it be treated as child’s play? Minister Meng has no experience in commanding troops. How can he be appointed as the commander-in-chief?”
Jiang Canghai, the Sea Prince, nodded slightly and echoed, “Your Majesty has too much faith in Minister Meng. Commanding an army is not just theoretical. No matter how intelligent he is, without battlefield experience and countless failures, how can he achieve greatness in one battle?”
Some even whispered:
“It can only be said that Minister Meng’s beauty strategy has succeeded greatly. The Empress has been blinded by love.”
Meng Qingzhou, trailing at the end of the crowd, walked slowly with a blind cane, ignoring the officials’ words as if he hadn’t heard them.
In truth…
Not only the officials but even Meng Qingzhou himself wanted to say, “Your Majesty, are you out of your mind?”
It’s not that he lacked confidence, but he was self-aware. No one is perfect. Meng Qingzhou had never read military books, nor had he been on a battlefield. He didn’t understand military strategy, let alone commanding the three armies and coordinating a million troops in a war that determined the nation’s fate.
As the officials bid farewell, each sighing and no longer as spirited as before, Meng Qingzhou walked alone on the imperial path, maintaining his silence.
Until…
At the end of the imperial path, Dongfang Liuli, in a plain white dress, holding an oil-paper umbrella, smiled charmingly as she looked at him.
“What’s wrong? The grand commander-in-chief looks so troubled. That’s not a good sign.”
Meng Qingzhou was surprised, “You already know?”
Dongfang Liuli approached Meng Qingzhou, covering both of them with the umbrella, and they walked side by side, leaning on each other.
“Of course,” Dongfang Liuli smiled lightly, “because I’ll be going too, serving as your advisor to help you with strategies.”
Upon hearing this, Meng Qingzhou frowned, feeling a bit displeased.
Seeing this, Dongfang Liuli’s heart skipped a beat, knowing that Salted Fish Meng was again inwardly cursing the Empress. She quickly explained:
“Don’t misunderstand! It has nothing to do with the Empress!”
“Originally, I was to be the commander-in-chief, coordinating the troops. But Your Majesty was worried I would be questioned, so she pushed you to the forefront. After all, with Minister Meng’s achievements, no one dares to outright dismiss you from the position. So, you have to bear this for a while.”
Meng Qingzhou’s frown eased, but he had a new question, “You said… originally you were to be the commander-in-chief? What do you mean?”
Shouldn’t it be Qin Fenghuo or Jiang Canghai? How could it be a mere female official?
But thinking of some secrets Dongfang Liuli might be hiding, Meng Qingzhou didn’t continue.
Dongfang Liuli, full of confidence, said, “To be honest, your wife is the greatest military strategist of the Great Jin Dynasty. On the surface, I’m just a female official, but in reality, I’m the dynasty’s hidden weapon!”
“Hmph… scared yet?”
Meng Qingzhou was indeed startled.
Such intimidating titles, and his wife had two of them—’greatest military strategist’ and ‘hidden weapon’!
“Really? I haven’t read much, don’t lie to me.” Meng Qingzhou was full of doubts.
In the original story, there was no mention of an extraordinary woman named Dongfang.
If his wife were so formidable, how could she remain unknown? Unless…
Meng Qingzhou thought of a possibility and suddenly realized, recalling that in the original story, the Empress was defeated, lost her throne, and her confidants were slaughtered by Zhao Yuhuan.
Could this include his wife?
So Dongfang Liuli hadn’t had the chance to show her talents and was killed in the cradle!
“Damn Zhao Yuhuan, I let you die too easily.” Meng Qingzhou ground his teeth, wishing he could drag his soul from the underworld and flog it.
Under the moonlight, Dongfang Liuli’s exquisite profile shone brilliantly. Her large, sparkling eyes gazed at Meng Qingzhou as she restrained her smile and sincerely said:
“Don’t be afraid, I’ll guide you!”
Meng Qingzhou immediately smiled, rubbing Dongfang Liuli’s little head, and said:
“Afraid of what? I just don’t want to work for the evil and domineering Empress. But since it involves you, I’m more than willing.”
Dongfang Liuli’s eye twitched, not feeling the slightest bit touched, repeatedly chewing over the phrase ‘evil and domineering Empress.’
So after all this, the Empress still had such a terrible image in Meng Qingzhou’s mind.
Suddenly.
A voice transmitted into Dongfang Liuli’s ear, “Are you struggling with how to restore the Empress’s image?”
“None of your business.” Dongfang Liuli knew who it was as soon as she heard the voice and retorted without hesitation.
Already in a bad mood, this demoness came to add to her troubles.
“Don’t worry, since we made a pact, I won’t break my word. I’m here to help you.” Qiong stood on a mountain peak outside the Imperial Capital, looking forlorn, and continued to transmit her voice.
“Help me? Are you so kind?” Dongfang Liuli was skeptical.
Standing on the peak, Qiong looked up at the sky helplessly and honestly said, “Of course, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. I’ll help you, but you have to help me too.”
“Let’s hear it.” Dongfang Liuli showed a bit of interest.
Qiong transmitted, “I… can’t find Sword Saint Grandfather. He seems to have disappeared. Isn’t Meng Qingzhou the Sword Saint Grandfather’s master? He must know where Grandfather is. Help me find Grandfather, and I’ll help you restore the Empress’s image. How about that?”
Dongfang Liuli hesitated. She had always been strong and relied only on herself, never depending on others.
But this time, she really didn’t know how to restore the Empress’s image in Salted Fish’s heart.
“Hesitating? Then I’ll make a further concession. I’ll help you win this war!” Qiong decided resolutely.
After a moment.
Dongfang Liuli had to nod with difficulty and transmitted, “I agree to your request. However, I never take advantage of others. If you truly help me win the war, I don’t mind announcing to the world and giving your foreign tribe a piece of unclaimed land to settle.”
“If you help me restore the Empress’s image, I’ll not only help you find the Space-Time Sword Saint but also bring him to see you!”
“Deal.” Qiong’s voice gradually faded until it disappeared.
A deal concerning the Sword Saint and the Empress’s Husband was made right in front of Meng Qingzhou.
Meanwhile, Meng Qingzhou pushed open the gate of the Qin residence, greeted by Big Yellow Dog’s enthusiastic pounce, and took out a pack of immortal-grade dog food…
Immediately, the Qin residence echoed with the Sunlight Lord’s earth-shattering howls!
“Woof woof woof!”
It’s New Year, it’s New Year!
………………………
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