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

Chapter 250 The Empress is Jealous! Master Qianhu Asks for Help!
The inner palace, Linhu Hall.

The Empress really didn't lie to Su Mo.

She was genuinely reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and she was even taking notes with great concentration!

The Empress had read so-called storybooks before. Those stories about ghosts, gods, Buddhas, scholars and ladies, love entanglements, or feuds and grudges in the martial arts world were only popular among the common people and did not meet the Empress's standards.

This is the first time I've ever seen such a fantastical story as Romance of the Three Kingdoms!

After reading most of the book, I found that, just as Nangong Sheyue said, it stirred my emotions, shocked me deeply, and gave me a great deal of knowledge.

However, unlike Nangong Sheyue, he did not feel any improvement in his cultivation level.

I don't know if it's because my level of understanding is too high.

Nevertheless, the book's value is not diminished by this at all.

It's no exaggeration to say that any ordinary student who thoroughly studies this book could easily become a brigade commander or even a general!
Even for civil and military officials, the book's principles on how to get along with their rulers are of great reference value!
Even Emperor Leng Liuxi was no exception!

If she were in the same situation as Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan… the Empress was surprised to find that she might not have done any better than them.

Hmm... forget about Sun Shiwan...

It must be inferior to mine.

Fortunately, although he was not as cunning and shrewd as Cao Cao in the book, nor as benevolent and righteous as Liu Bei and supported by his generals, he had Su Mo to help him!

Su Mo was to him what Zhuge Liang was to Liu Bei!
The value of this book is immeasurable. The Empress even regretted agreeing to Su Mo's request to have it printed and distributed!
The Empress turned to chapter fifty-eight, almost finishing the first volume. She was reluctant to finish the last few chapters, lest she feel too bad if there was nothing left. Suddenly, An Wu entered the Linhu Palace with a solemn expression.

"Your Majesty, this old servant has something to report!"

The Empress put away the book and realized that a good half day had passed.

No official business was handled today.

"What is it you wish to report?"

The Empress naturally knew that An Wu would not come without prior notice unless it was something important.

An Wu hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, Commander Lin has sent back a secret message!"

The Empress's face immediately darkened: "Give it to me!"

An Wu stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and presented the Empress with an exquisite copper tube held above his head in both hands.

The Empress examined the wax seal on the copper tube and took out a slip of paper from it.

She glanced at it expressionlessly, then with a slight flick of her wrist, the paper spontaneously combusted and turned to ashes.

"How is the matter of the calming incense going?" the Empress asked An Wu.

An Wu hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, this old servant has selected fifteen people with heart and lung deficiencies to use as calming incense day and night."

"Now all three symptoms have worsened, and there are three people..."

He paused slightly: "Moreover, three people are on the verge of death, and the imperial physicians have examined them, all saying they will not live more than three days!"

The Empress's face instantly darkened!

Su Mo really didn't lie to me!
The tranquilizing herb is indeed deadly to people with heart and lung insufficiency!
The Empress's pretty face grew increasingly gloomy, but after a moment's hesitation, she said calmly to An Wu, "Summon Lin Moyin back to the capital."

An Wu was slightly taken aback: "Your Majesty, Commander Lin just..."

The Empress waved her hand to interrupt him: "This matter cannot be rushed!"

He paused, then continued, "It's almost the end of the year. If I don't let Lin Moyin come back and meet Su Mo, I'm afraid Su Mo won't let me off the hook..."

An Wu was speechless. He naturally knew why the Empress didn't use the Phoenix Cry Division, but instead sent Lin Moyin, the Right Commander of the Thousand Household, to investigate the Prince of Qi.

His Majesty is jealous!
Fearing Su Mo's dissatisfaction, they summoned the person back!
He respectfully acknowledged the order and withdrew from the Linhu Hall.

The Empress picked up the thick Romance of the Three Kingdoms again, flipped to the few pages she was looking at, but in the end she resisted the urge, put it back, and went to read her own notes.

Upon seeing the thick stack of notes on the table, the Empress was suddenly taken aback. She then realized that Su Mo's first volume of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, although extremely thick, contained more words than ordinary books, at least 300,000 words!
The Empress picked up the Romance of the Three Kingdoms again and casually flipped to a page to look at it.

The font is extremely small, almost like tiny characters, but it is printed very clearly, which is something that ordinary ink could not produce.

More than 800 words were densely printed on the pages, which were seven inches wide and over a foot long!
No wonder it took me most of the day to read this storybook!
If all printing were done using such small movable type, costs could be greatly reduced. No wonder Su Mo planned to print them into a book and sell them.

The profits involved are so great that they could be estimated at tens of thousands of taels of silver!

Putting aside other places, with over 100,000 readers in the capital, even if each of the ten readers bought a copy, it would still sell tens of thousands of copies!

If someone is unwilling to buy books and instead tries to copy them onto paper, the cost of the paper would probably be higher than buying the books directly!

The price of books is already extremely high. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which has several times the number of words of other books, is not too much to sell for five taels of silver per copy, is it?

If we calculate based on 10,000 copies, that's 50,000 taels of silver!

In addition, there are the prefectures, counties, and governments of the Great Wu region...

Hundreds of thousands of taels of silver?

Others' book printing costs account for more than 50%, but Su Mo doesn't need woodblock printing; he uses movable type printing, and he also makes his own cold Su paper, so the cost is less than 10%.

The Empress was dumbfounded...

A single storybook can sell for hundreds of thousands of taels of silver? That's more than enough to support a new army of ten thousand.

It’s so off the mark!

Su Lang is really good at making money!
The Empress couldn't help but wonder how much silver her Su Lang actually had.

Why are several silver gourds missing from the cellar?
Could they have hidden the money somewhere else?

snort!
Could such a tiny place as Gufeng Mountain really have used up so much silver?
Su Lang must have hidden the silver in Lonely Peak Mountain!

The empress began to have serious doubts.

That being said, I haven't been to Lone Peak Mountain for over a month; the last time I went was to the Craftsmen's Camp.

Should we go and take a look sometime?
Should we wait until the end of the year when the court has dealt with its many affairs before making a decision?

……

Su Mo had Xiao Lizhuang invited to the main hall. Seeing the delicate and beautiful young woman who looked like a teenager, it was hard to believe that she was already fifty years old!

He also said that Xiao Lizhuang knew about his relationship with Lin Moyin and came to confront him.

I had some doubts in my heart.

He wasn't afraid that Xiao Lizhuang would be furious and dare to attack him. After all, he was an official of the imperial court, a sixth-rank Jinyiwei commander, and also held official positions in Fengming Division and Tianchang County. No matter how bold Xiao Lizhuang was, she wouldn't dare to openly murder an official.

But she feared that Lin Moyin had strictly forbidden herself from marrying her.

Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher – the words of teachers and elders should not be underestimated.

According to Lin Moyin, her master was extreme and aloof, and forbade disciples of the Su Nu Palace who cultivated the Heavenly Serpent Yin Sha Technique or the Su Nu Xuan Yin Technique to marry before advancing to the Golden Core Realm, or they could only marry disciples of the True Immortal Valley.

By cultivating the Yangtian Technique, one can also dispel the cold poison of the Heavenly Serpent Yin Sha Technique or the Plain Maiden Mysterious Yin Technique.

As long as we explain things clearly to Xiao Lizhuang, there shouldn't be any problems, right?
Su Mo bowed respectfully to Xiao Lizhuang.

Just as she was pondering how to begin, Xiao Lizhuang spoke up first: "Prince Su once said that he was quite familiar with my disciple Lin Moyin?"

Xiao Lizhuang's words were much gentler than her previous cold remarks.

Su Mo couldn't help but feel secretly delighted; judging from her tone, it seemed like things were going well!

A love blessed by the Master is definitely better than one opposed by the Master.

I have never heard Lin Moyin mention her family. I only know that she used to be a maid in a wealthy family and followed her mistress to the Su Nu Palace to cultivate.

The young lady failed to complete her studies, but instead stayed behind and became Xiao Lizhuang's personal disciple.

In Lin Moyin's heart, this master was probably like her mother. Su Mo thought to herself, Lin Moyin's master didn't seem as cold and unapproachable as she said.

However, his appearance, coupled with his old-fashioned way of speaking, does give people a very strange feeling.

Su Mo immediately replied, "I dare not conceal this from you, senior. My relationship with Lord Lin is indeed very close; we are bosom friends!"

Xiao Lizhuang's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Unexpectedly, Su Mo used the phrase "closest friends," which is not something that can be used in ordinary relationships.

She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "In that case, does Master Su know the whereabouts of my beloved disciple?"

Su Mo was taken aback upon hearing this.

What does this mean?
Are you not here to interrogate me?

Could it be that we misunderstood Zhang Xuzu and the others again?
He looked at Xiao Lizhuang with suspicion: "I don't understand what you mean, senior. Could you please explain it more clearly?"

Xiao Lizhuang hesitated for a moment, then said calmly, "I have something to discuss with my beloved disciple..."

"The results of the Immortal Martial Arts Grand Examination were released early this morning."

Su Mo frowned, not expecting that the results of the Immortal Martial Arts Competition had already been released.

Xiao Lizhuang continued, "When my disciple was looking at the list, she got into a conflict and was arrested by the Dali Temple. Therefore, I wanted to find Moyin to go to the Dali Temple, but I heard that my beloved disciple has been away from the capital for many days, and even the Right Jinyiwei does not know her whereabouts..."

As she spoke, she frowned and looked at Su Mo again: "The commander of the Right Guard, a thousand-man of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, suggested that I come here to find Su Mo, saying that Su Mo should know where I am."

Su Mo was taken aback again.

It turns out that Xiao Lizhuang didn't come to confront him because she knew about her relationship with Lin Moyin!

However, it was not appropriate for him to stand idly by when something happened to a disciple of the Su Nu Palace.

Let's get to the bottom of this first.

Su Mo shook his head and said, "To be honest, senior, I also don't know where Lord Lin is now."

Seeing Xiao Lizhuang's eyebrows furrow, he pondered for a moment, his gaze falling on Xiao Lizhuang, and slowly said, "In ordinary disputes, even if the government wants to arrest someone, it is Wannian County or Changzhi County that will step in."

"Who exactly did this senior disciple clash with, and what was the nature of the conflict that led to his arrest and detention by the Dali Temple?"

The Dali Temple is the highest judicial organ of the Dawu Dynasty, and one of the Three Judicial Offices.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was promoted to the third rank, and together with the Ministers of the Six Ministries, the Censor-in-Chief, and the Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review, he was one of the Nine Ministers, holding a high position and great power, and was one of the inevitable candidates recommended by the court.

A case that can escalate to the Dali Temple is certainly not an ordinary case.

Seeing Xiao Lizhuang hesitate and remain silent, Su Mo initially intended to ignore the matter. However, considering that Lin Moyin might ask about it later and he wouldn't know how to answer, he added, "Although I am only a centurion, I have some connections in the capital. Perhaps I can help you gather some information."

He naturally wouldn't speak too definitively.

If Xiao Lizhuang still doesn't tell, I'll just secretly find out for myself.

Xiao Lizhuang's delicate face showed hesitation. After thinking for a while, she said, "My few unworthy disciples accidentally injured Princess Jinling's consort..."

Upon hearing this, Su Mo gasped in shock and stared at Xiao Lizhuang in astonishment!
No wonder it escalated to the Dali Temple!
Princess Jinling, as the eldest princess, is also the eldest legitimate daughter of Emperor Wu Taizu and the elder sister of Empress Wu!

It is said that he used to be extremely fond of the Empress, but after the Empress assassinated the Crown Prince, he completely broke with the Empress and stayed in the Princess's residence without ever showing his face!
Are the disciples of the Su Nu Palace too lawless? They even dared to hit Princess Jinling's husband? And even injured him?

Su Mo was speechless.

What left him speechless was that Xiao Lizhuang hesitated for a moment before adding, "With Princess Jinling's husband, there was also a young man surnamed Zhang... who is said to be Zhang Shouning's nephew."

Su Mo was truly speechless.

Princess Jinling is troublesome enough, not to mention that old bastard Zhang Shouning has also been dragged into this!

When Xiao Lizhuang saw Su Mo's expression turn strange, she knew he was afraid of Princess Jinling's husband and Zhang Guojiu.

She cupped her hands in a respectful gesture towards Su Mo and said solemnly, "If you, County Magistrate Su, have any way to contact me, I would be grateful if you could do me the favor. I will remember this kindness and repay you in the future!"

Su Mo thought to himself that Xiao Lizhuang was indeed good to her disciples; no wonder Lin Moyin both respected and feared her!
If it were anyone else, they probably would have run that far.

With a delicate, youthful face, yet gesturing with her hands clasped and speaking in a manner heavily influenced by the martial arts world, the scene is incredibly incongruous!

Su Mo looked at Xiao Lizhuang's pretty face, his thoughts wandered for a moment, then he thought for a moment and said in a deep voice, "Senior, rest assured, I will try to see if I can contact Lord Qianhu."

"However, this matter is of great importance..."

"Even if Lord Commander Qianhu intervenes, I'm afraid he won't be able to come up with a solution!"

Xiao Lizhuang's face instantly darkened. After a moment of silence, she nodded to Su Mo: "I hope County Magistrate Su will find a way to inform my disciple of this matter."

"I'll take my leave!"

She got up to leave, but Su Mo suddenly called out to her, "Senior, wait!"

Xiao Lizhuang was taken aback: "Is there something else, County Magistrate Su?"

Su Mo sighed: "This matter involves Princess Jinling and Zhang Shouning, so I'm afraid it won't be easy to resolve."

Zhang Shouning knew about his relationship with Lin Moyin, and now that the people of Su Nu Palace had fallen into his hands, he would not let it go easily.

Even Xiao Lizhuang might get involved.

We need to get her to heal Chi Wuyou first.

Su Mo then said, "In my opinion, money is definitely needed to resolve this matter."

"May I ask, senior, how is Chi Wuyou's tuberculosis condition now?"

Xiao Lizhuang frowned immediately, not expecting Su Mo to bring up Chi Wuyou's matter at this time.

However, what Su Mo said is also true.

Since his disciple had gotten into such a big mess, even if he had to swallow his pride and ask those old monsters in the capital to intervene, or ask his senior brother at Datong Temple for help and connections, he would definitely have to spend a lot of money.

Su Mo promised to give 10,000 taels of silver if Chi Wuyou was cured, and even if he had to help out, he would still get 5,000 taels of silver.

Therefore, Xiao Lizhuang frowned and said, "Over the past month or so, I have revitalized her life force considerably, but as I said before, tuberculosis cannot be eradicated."

She paused, then squinted at Su Mo: "Does County Magistrate Su have a solution?"

Su Mo nodded: "Senior, please wait for me for a moment!"

While Xiao Lizhuang was filled with suspicion, Su Mo personally went to the study and took out a porcelain bottle containing allicin.

"This is a medicine made according to my secret recipe. The medicine in the bottle should be taken over seven days. It may be helpful in treating tuberculosis."

Xiao Lizhuang was slightly taken aback. She took the porcelain bottle, uncorked it, and smelled it.

A strong, spicy, and pungent smell, along with a strong odor of alcohol, filled her nostrils, almost causing Xiao Lizhuang to sneeze.

She considered herself knowledgeable and skilled in medicine, yet she had no idea what medicinal ingredients were used to make the contents of the bottle; she only knew that it tasted like strong liquor!
However, Su Mo had no reason to harm Chi Wuyou, who was on the verge of death.

Xiao Lizhuang was anxious about her disciple's matter, so she simply asked about the contraindications and methods of taking the medicine, then grabbed the bottle and hurriedly left!

After Xiao Lizhuang left, Su Mo's face suddenly darkened.

He naturally couldn't possibly find a way to notify Lin Moyin.

It's better if Lin Moyin doesn't come back!

Su Nu Palace has now offended both the imperial family and the powerful relatives of the emperor. They will be severely injured, if not killed. Su Mo certainly doesn't want Lin Moyin to come back and drag her into this mess!

However, we still need to investigate the exact circumstances.

I'm going to use the back door of Nangong Sheyue and Princess Baicheng anyway, so I might as well find out something while I'm at it.

(End of this chapter)