What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 214 Su Mo finally stepped out from behind the scenes!

Leng Liuxi stared blankly at Su Mo, whose face was cold and stern, and couldn't come back to her senses for a long time.

After a long pause, he finally exhaled: "Using power to intimidate others?"

Su Mo glanced at Leng Liuxi indifferently: "If the person in question were the Heavenly Mother Sect Leader, what would you be most afraid of?"

"Afraid of His Majesty the Great Wu, and willing to scheme against you?"

Leng Liuxi blurted out, "Of course not!"

Su Mo snorted: "That's settled then!"

As the saying goes, "One force can overcome ten techniques, and one skill can break a thousand pounds! No matter how many paths you take, I will only go one way!"

"It all boils down to one word: kill!"

"Kill her until she's scared, kill her until she has no one left, and the Heavenly Mother Sect will naturally be wiped out!"

Leng Liuxi remained silent for a long time before rising and giving Su Mo a slight bow: "Su Lang's words are like a wake-up call, a resounding revelation. I have learned a great deal!"

The Empress took a deep breath: "What Su Lang said is correct!"

"The worst thing for a general is to be indecisive!"

As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and his voice suddenly turned cold: "A mere fifth-rank Lingtai Lang, kill him if you want, why bother with further consideration!"

"The Heavenly Mother Cult, can it really turn the world upside down?!"

Su Mo nodded: "That's exactly right!"

He was afraid that the Empress wouldn't take down Zou Hou.

Who knows if the activation target will refresh after the mission fails?

The fourth-ranking official in the Ministry of Personnel.

Although he was only a fifth-rank official, he was a typical example of someone with low rank but great power, and was one of the true important ministers of the court.

After hearing Su Mo's murderous and imposing words, the Empress was greatly agitated, feeling that the Heavenly Mother Sect was nothing more than a minor ailment.

She immediately turned to Su Mo and said in a deep voice, "I will go back and report to His Majesty to have Zou Hou arrested!"

Su Mo's expression suddenly turned serious: "Please wait a moment, my lord!"

Leng Liuxi quickly asked, "Does Master Su have any further guidance for me?"

Su Mo's expression grew even more solemn, and his tone became even more serious: "This subordinate does indeed have another matter to discuss!"

Seeing Su Mo's expression, the Empress knew that what he was about to say was very important, and she couldn't help but become solemn as well: "Please speak, Su Lang!"

Su Mo: "My lord, please don't tell His Majesty that I was the one who said these words!"

The Empress's forehead immediately creased with annoyance, her pretty face turning strange. After a long pause, she managed to squeeze out two words: "Why?"

Su Mo blinked, then looked at Leng Xixi with an air of "Is this even a question?" and said, "Because this subordinate is afraid of dying!"

The Empress's forehead black line +100!

Seeing Leng Xixi's strange expression, Su Mo quickly said again, "My lord!"

"That Nine Dragons Demonic Path cultivator is at the half-step Land Immortal realm!"

"The imperial court is full of martial virtue and fears no evil spirits, but this humble servant is afraid!"

"Your Excellency would not want to see your humble servant killed by the Heavenly Mother Cult in a fit of rage, would you?"

The Empress was both amused and exasperated, but finally nodded through gritted teeth: "I know!"

"Su Lang...you're going to drive me crazy sooner or later!"

She paused, then said, "I'm really leaving."

Su Mo quickly smiled obsequiously, "Then shall this humble servant see you off, sir?"

The Empress waved her hand: "Young Master Su, there's no need to see me off."

Su Mo: "Okay!"

Empress...

With a final stomp of her foot, she stormed off in a huff!

Just as they reached the entrance of the government office, Su Mo suddenly called out, "Sir, wait a moment!"

The Empress turned around and looked at Su Mo with a slightly dark expression: "Is there anything else, Su Lang?"

Su Mo coughed and said, "I just remembered something."

"Since Zou Hou was recommended by Grand Secretary Yuan, why don't you inform His Majesty and let Grand Secretary Yuan know about this matter, so that Grand Secretary Yuan can be responsible for interrogating Zou Hou?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress's beautiful eyes lit up instantly, and she exclaimed, "Brilliant!"

Su Mo's suggestion truly touched the Empress's heart!
If Yuan Xingdao is related to the Heavenly Mother Sect, and I hand Zou Hou over to him to deal with, will he become suspicious and feel that his identity has been exposed?

If it were unrelated to the Heavenly Mother Sect, one would naturally know that this was due to one's trust in him and that it preserved his dignity. How could one not be secretly grateful to me?
snort!
I forgive you this time!

If you dare to anger me again, I will... I will forgive you this time!
The Empress was excited and rushed back to the Imperial Palace, to the Hall of State Affairs.

He then sent someone to summon Yuan Xingdao to the palace for an audience.

To facilitate audiences with the emperor or to present matters to him, the Grand Secretariat and the Six Ministries were located in the outer court, close to the inner court.

Not long after, Yuan Xingdao arrived outside the Lizheng Hall. After being summoned, he respectfully entered the Lizheng Hall.

"I see your Majesty!"

The Empress slightly raised her hand: "Minister Yuan, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Yuan Xingdao stood up, brushed the dust off his sleeves, and then said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty summoned me. May I ask what brings you here?"

The Empress smiled and looked at Yuan Xing, saying, "If I remember correctly, Minister Yuan was the third-ranked scholar in the 23rd year of Emperor Taizu's reign?"

Yuan Xingdao was taken aback for a moment, then quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I am honored to have been selected by Emperor Taizu and I am the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination of the twenty-third year of Yongde."

"Emperor Taizu appointed me as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, and it has been more than 27 years since then."

The Empress nodded: "Over the years, Minister Yuan has been diligent and loyal to the imperial affairs, and has made great contributions to the Great Wu. The late Emperor trusted and valued him highly, and promoted him to Grand Academician of the Observatory of Stars, and also put him in charge of the Imperial Observatory, and to work in the cabinet!"

"Just like the late Emperor, I trust you with the same confidence and believe that you, my dear minister, are loyal to the Great Wu and the court!"

Yuan Xingdao's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately knelt down: "This is the duty of a subject. I am terrified and do not deserve such praise from Your Majesty!"

The Empress said gently, "My dear minister, please rise!"

After Yuan Xingdao stood up, the Empress's expression suddenly turned serious, and she said in a deep voice, "I have just received a secret report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"A corpse has been found in the Fu family mansion at Shilipo, outside the city..."

Yuan Xingdao was immediately taken aback.

What business is it of the Embroidered Uniform Guards to discover the corpses?
Is it...

Yuan Xingdao's brows furrowed immediately.

But then I realized it was impossible.

How could the Embroidered Uniform Guard attack me for no reason?
Besides, Lu Su wouldn't be so naive as to think that a mere skeleton could bring down a senior cabinet official like himself, would he?
The Empress gave Yuan Xingdao a deep look, then slowly said, "If I'm not mistaken, that skeleton should be the remains of Zou Hou, a fifth-rank official of the Imperial Observatory!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Xingdao was immediately shocked and exclaimed, "How is this possible?"

"I received Zou Lingtai this morning..."

His voice suddenly paused, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he took a deep breath: "Does Your Majesty mean that the Zou Hou I saw was an imposter?"

The Empress nodded slightly: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard reports that the fake Zou Hou is suspected to be a member of the Heavenly Mother Cult."

"I am deeply shocked. I never imagined that a heretic from the Heavenly Mother Cult could infiltrate the court."

"My dear minister, you have earned my deep trust and respect, and therefore I intend to entrust this matter to you. I hope you will capture all the Heavenly Mother Cult members who have infiltrated the court!"

Yuan Xingdao's expression shifted slightly, then he said solemnly, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's high expectations!"

The Empress smiled and said, "Of course I trust you, my dear minister!"

"but……"

She paused slightly, then frowned slightly: "The Immortal Martial Arts Tournament is approaching. If this gets out, the court's prestige will be lost."

"This matter should not be publicized."

"Zou Hou is naturally unable to continue serving as the chief examiner. What does Minister Yuan think is the best person to take over as the chief examiner of the Immortal Martial Arts Grand Examination?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Xingdao immediately stiffened, pondered for a moment, and said, "Zhang Heng, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Shen De, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, both have imperial business to attend to and have already left the capital."

"I believe that it would be better for Chi Wulei, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, to take over as the chief examiner of the Immortal Martial Arts Grand Examination."

The Empress nodded: "This matter still needs to be discussed with the cabinet ministers before a decision can be made."

"My dear minister, please wait in the hall for a moment. I will send someone to invite Chief Minister Xiao and others to the Lizheng Hall to discuss this matter."

Yuan Xingdao solemnly replied, "Your subject obeys!"

When Xiao Yuan and the others arrived at the Lizheng Hall and heard about this, they were speechless.

He ordered someone to urgently summon Zhang Heng back from the capital.

Judging from the expressions of Yuan Xingdao, Wang Hua, and Yang Ji, it was clear they would not agree to this proposal! Another court hearing?

Do you really think the Empress has no temper?
In the end, they could only reluctantly agree to appoint Chi Wulei.

After leaving the Lizheng Hall and returning to the Cabinet, Wang Hao naturally found Xiao Yuan's residence.

The two looked at each other for a long time, then smiled bitterly and remained silent.

Finally, Wang Hao sighed and asked, "Prime Minister Xiao, have we fallen into a trap?"

Xiao Yuan smiled wryly and said, "Is that even a question?"

The two fell silent again.

I already felt that His Majesty's sudden transfer of Zhang Heng and Shen De away from the capital for an inspection tour was rather strange.

I can't believe the hook was left here!

Wang Hao remained silent for a moment, then sighed, "I never imagined that Zou Hou was actually an imposter from the Heavenly Mother Sect!"

"His Majesty must have already suspected something, no wonder Yuan Xingdao..."

Xiao Yuan immediately waved his hand: "Minister Wang, be careful what you say!"

Immediately, his expression turned serious, and he lowered his voice, saying, "The Heavenly Mother Sect's underhanded methods are ultimately not respectable and are not worth worrying about."

He sighed and said with a bitter expression, "Your Majesty's actions this time... have truly surprised me greatly."

Wang Hao was silent for a moment, then gave a bitter smile: "Actually, this is still better than the case of the founding emperor..."

He didn't continue, but changed the subject: "Now we can finally focus on our work!"

Xiao Yuan naturally understood what he meant.

In the later years of Emperor Taizu's reign, he slaughtered so many people in the court that heads rolled and all officials fell silent!
Emperor Wu Taizong was not much different!

They thought that, thanks to the painstaking guidance of the court officials, a benevolent crown prince had finally emerged, and that once the crown prince ascended the throne, the court officials could finally live a good life.

As a result of the Xuanwu Gate Incident, the Empress ascended the throne!

The Empress's martial prowess surpassed that of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong, and she ascended the throne in such a manner. How could the ministers not be afraid?

With everyone feeling insecure, who would truly work for the court?

Natural disasters and man-made calamities are frequent throughout the Great Wu region, and this is the main reason why the imperial court lacks control over the local areas!
Now that the Empress knows how to play power games, it might actually be a good thing.

It's better than the empress getting angry and coming to court with a knife, ready to kill someone at any moment!
……

The Empress was in a good mood after Sun Tzu's Art of War proved successful in practice.

I need to find someone to share it with.

This person could not possibly be one of those foolish eunuchs or palace maids around him.

Just as he was about to change into his everyday clothes and leave the palace, he wanted to see how Su Mo taught geomancers to draw maps.

My own male... Imperial Preceptor's skills shouldn't be learned by others while I, his disciple, can't learn them!

Just as the empress was about to return to the palace in disguise.

Suddenly, a guard outside the palace reported: "Your Majesty, Minister of War Zhong requests an audience."

The Empress was slightly taken aback, but had no choice but to sit back on the dragon throne: "Summon them!"

Tall and imposing, with a square face and a stern expression, Minister of War Zhong Yin strode into the Lizheng Hall indignantly: "Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Empress: "My dear Minister Zhong, rise!"

"What business do you have with me, my dear minister?"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yin became even angrier and snorted, "Previously, An Wu went to the Ministry of War's Department of Military Affairs and transferred away a hundred geomancers."

"I heard from the officials of the Ministry of Personnel that An Wu was acting on His Majesty's orders, and they dared not obstruct him!"

"I am puzzled, and that is why I have come to ask Your Majesty, what is the reason for this?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress immediately felt a headache coming on.

This Minister of War was upright and honest, neither partisan nor affiliated with any faction, and valued rules and regulations above all else.

The Department of Military Affairs was an agency under the Ministry of War. Logically, even if one wanted to mobilize personnel from the Department of Military Affairs, one would have to go through the Ministry of War.

If only one or two people were called upon, Zhong Yin might have tolerated it.

Now almost all the geomancers in the Bureau of Geography have been transferred away.

No wonder Zhong Yin came in such a menacing manner demanding an explanation!

The Empress hesitated for a moment before saying, "An Banban was indeed acting on my orders."

Zhong Yin immediately asked in a deep voice, "What is the reason for this?"

Thinking of the new army she was about to form, which would inevitably involve the Ministry of War, the Empress said in a deep voice, "If you want to know the reason, Minister Zhong, go back and change into your everyday clothes, and wait for me outside Xuanwu Gate!"

Zhong Yin was taken aback upon hearing this, and then asked, "Does His Majesty wish to leave the palace?"

The Empress's pretty face darkened slightly: "Am I not allowed to leave the palace?"

Zhong Yin hesitated for a moment: "Your subject dares not!"

"Your Majesty, I will go back and change into ordinary clothes immediately!"

He naturally became suspicious.

I wonder what connection the Empress's summoning of the geomancer from the Bureau of Ceremonies had with leaving the palace, and why she specifically instructed me to change out of my official robes.

The Minister of War changed into ordinary old man's robes and went to Xuanwu Gate.

Before long, a strange four-wheeled carriage emerged from Xuanwu Gate.

Behind the four-wheeled carriage, there was another common two-wheeled carriage.

Two female knights in black armor stepped forward: "Lord Zhong, please!"

Zhong Yin boarded the two-wheeled carriage with suspicion and confusion.

The two vehicles sped away from the imperial city.

Zhong Yin secretly observed the rather strange carriage in front of him.

On the flat Suzaku Avenue, the four-wheeled carriage didn't seem particularly special.

Once outside the city gate tower, one arrives at the official road.

Zhong Yin was immediately taken aback to discover that the four-wheeled carriage moved quite smoothly.

Even on the official road, the two-wheeled carriage I was riding in was incredibly bumpy!

However, Zhong Yin's attention was quickly diverted from the four-wheeled carriage.

What puzzled him most was why the Empress wanted to leave the city incognito!

What is the connection between this and calling upon the geomancers of the Zhifangsi?
Direction forward...

Lone Peak Mountain?
Could it be related to the recently bestowed title of Gufeng Mountain?

Zhong Yin's face involuntarily darkened.

Su Mo, the newly enfeoffed Marquis, was granted the fief of Gufeng Mountain and was a geomancer.

Zhong Yin naturally connected the two matters.

His Majesty transferred the geomancers from the Bureau of Military Affairs to draw maps of that Lonely Peak Mountain? And a full hundred of them?

Nonsense!

It’s just off the mark!
The more Zhong Yin thought about it, the more terrifyingly dark and gloomy that square face, which was already serious and had the inscription "keep away" on its forehead, became!
In his eyes, Gufeng Shanzi was nothing more than a sycophant who was granted the title of Gufeng Shanzi because he had won the favor of the Empress.

The entire Lonely Peak Mountain was granted to him as his fiefdom, and Zhong Yin had no choice but to accept it.

This is the imperial right, and subjects are not allowed to interfere.

The entire land belongs to the Leng family; it's impossible that His Majesty doesn't even have the power to bestow land upon his subjects.

However, using public power to perform private affairs for treacherous officials is related to the imperial court.

Zhong Yin could not tolerate it!
Now that he is a geomancer in the Bureau of Works, will he need the Ministry of Works to build his fiefdom in the future?
Just as Zhong Yin was getting angry.

The carriage suddenly stopped.

They had arrived outside the artisan camp, the location of the Longxiang Guard's headquarters.

Xiahou Yi, the trial commander of the Longxiang Guard, personally stepped forward to pull the carriage.

The empress, draped in a white cloak, stepped down from the four-wheeled carriage.

Zhong Yin got out of the car with a dark face, about to speak.

The Empress suddenly said calmly, "Minister Zhong, remember this: I am now a centurion of the Phoenix Cry Division. Don't let it slip."

Zhong Yin was stunned and forgot to question the Empress.

Is he now a centurion in the Fengming Division?

What does this mean?
Also, don't let it slip to anyone.
(End of this chapter)