I, Kangxi, am here to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming!

That evening, Hong Xiguan stormed into Cining Palace.

Even the usually meticulous greetings were performed somewhat perfunctorily.

He looked like a child who had been bullied outside and went home to complain to his parents, his face full of grievance and anger.

Damn it! That bastard Ao Bai is practically shitting on my face!

To say "It's not your place to make the decision" in front of the entire court? Is that something a subject should say?

I can't swallow this! I have to get Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, the ultimate boss, to stand up for me!

"Grandmother!" As soon as Hong Xiguan saw Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, he recounted the events that had occurred in the court that day, embellishing the story.

"That Ao Bai is far too arrogant! How could he possibly treat his grandson as the emperor? He clearly doesn't respect you or the late emperor!"

Hong Xiguan cleverly transformed his grievances into a challenge to the entire imperial power.

"Grandmother, do you think he... he's become suspicious? Has he realized that his grandson... isn't..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already quite clear.

Yes, I'm going to tattle!

Not only should they accuse him of disrespecting imperial authority, but they should also shift the blame for "my identity being exposed" onto Ao Bai!

I refuse to believe that you, her own mother, could stand by and watch your biggest secret be exposed without doing anything!

However, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's reaction was completely unexpected by Hong Xiguan.

The old lady showed no anger or attempt to comfort him; she simply listened quietly, then raised her eyelids and looked at Hong Xiguan with an almost icy, scrutinizing gaze.

"Are you done talking?"

Hong Xiguan was taken aback.

"In the end, this matter is your fault." Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's voice was devoid of any emotion.

What the heck?!

It's my fault, isn't it?!

I was publicly humiliated by my subordinate, and you, as the chairman, not only didn't help me, but you also turned around and criticized me? Are you kidding me?!

Hong Xiguan was a little confused.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang slowly began to speak: "You have not yet assumed personal rule. In the court, your duty is to listen, learn, and observe, not to freely express your opinions, much less to argue with the regents about national policy!"

"Who do you think you are? You're the emperor, but right now, you're just an eight-year-old emperor! What gives you the right to question the decisions of veteran ministers like Ao Bai, who have weathered decades of trials and tribulations?"

"You say Taiwan is part of China and cannot be ceded, that's true, and it sounds impressive! But can ambition put food on the table? Can it turn into warships and cannons to defeat Zheng Chenggong?"

"Politics is about compromise and exchange! It's about using any means necessary to achieve the ultimate goal! To cede a remote, undeveloped island today in exchange for long-term peace and stability along the southeast coast—in their eyes, this is a very worthwhile deal!"

"Your impulsiveness today not only failed to change the outcome, but also exposed your true thoughts, making Ao Bai wary of you!"

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's words were like a wake-up call, instantly snapping Hong Xiguan out of his anger and sending a chill down his spine.

Yeah... I was too impulsive.

I used a modern person's "political correctness" to challenge the core interest group of a feudal dynasty.

I thought I occupied the moral high ground, but in their eyes, I was just a naive, arrogant little kid.

Today's behavior is like an intern pointing their finger at the CEO at the board meeting and saying that his strategic plan is a pile of shit.

It's considered kind of the boss not to fire you on the spot.

Hong Xiguan finally understood the insurmountable gap between himself and a top player like Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang.

"As for whether Ao Bai has become suspicious," Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's tone softened a bit, "you don't need to worry about it. Whether he is suspicious or not is not important. As long as you and I insist that you are Xuan Ye, he will not be able to cause any trouble."

"I have my own ways to deal with him. What you need to do now is remember today's lesson."

"Before assuming full power, listen more, observe more, learn more, and speak less! And above all, avoid any further direct conflict with Ao Bai!"

"Yes...Grandson, I know I was wrong." Hong Xiguan bowed his head and respectfully replied.

This time, he was truly convinced.

Good, this is a good opportunity to reduce contact with Ao Bai in informal settings, so that Ao Bai feels excluded from the "royal circle" and that he feels that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor both harbor resentment towards him.

This feeling of isolation, over time, is enough to make even the most impulsive person more anxious and irritable.

The more agitated Ao Bai becomes, the more likely he is to make mistakes!

……

After returning to the Southern Study from the Cining Palace, Hong Xiguan sat alone for a long time.

The humiliation in the imperial court and the reprimand from Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang made him understand one thing completely.

I can no longer be a "mascot"!

It is foolish to place all your hopes on Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang!

She can sacrifice my opinion for the greater good today, but she can sacrifice me for even greater interests tomorrow!

In this cannibalistic Forbidden City, the only one you can rely on is yourself!

I must, as soon as possible, build my own team!

A force that is absolutely loyal and obeys only my orders!

Hong Xiguan's gaze fell on the few laughing and playing children outside the door.

Cao Yin, Li Xu, Zhao Chang, Zhao Sheng...

They're the ones!

These bondsers come from humble backgrounds, but their future wealth and glory are all in my hands.

They are my true loyal followers!

And so, from that day on, the style of the South Study quietly changed.

Hong Xiguan stopped forcing them to read the dry Four Books and Five Classics and began to build a deep "brotherly bond" with them.

He didn't talk about national affairs, only about romance and "extraordinary skills and crafts".

For example, Hung Hei-kwun would vividly recount to them the political intrigue details in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" that were not written in the book.

"Look, why did Zhuge Liang dare to use the Empty City Stratagem? Because he accurately predicted Sima Yi's suspicious nature! But more importantly, Sima Yi also needed a living Zhuge Liang to maintain his position in Cao Wei! This is called 'nurturing an enemy to enhance one's own importance'! In the future, if you encounter a similar situation, you should consider whether your opponent also needs you to be alive?"

Cao Yin, Zhao Chang, and others listened with rapt attention, feeling that the Emperor knew more than even the Grand Secretaries of the Hanlin Academy!

At night, the South Study would light candles and engage in a mysterious "game".

This game was named "Wolf Repelling" by Hung Hei-kwun.

That's right, it's Werewolf!

This is practically a teaching tool tailor-made for palace intrigue!

Logic, pretense, rhetoric, human nature... After a game, it's clear who the bad teammates are and who the formidable opponents are!

That night, the game started again.

The participants included Hong Xiguan, Zhao Chang, Cao Yin, Li Xu, Zhao Sheng, and Liang Jiugong.

Hong Xiguan, as the "Judge of Heaven," distributes identity tokens.

Alright, in this round, let's give Zhao Chang the "Werewolf" card and see how this future prime minister lies.

Let's test Cao Yin's insight by making him a "prophet".

Lee Hee, as the "hunter," will see if he dares to fire at the crucial moment!

Games start.

On the first night, Zhao Chang's "werewolf team" decisively eliminated a civilian.

At daybreak, Hong Xiguan announced the news of his death.

He looked at Zhao Chang, only to see that his expression remained unchanged, and he even showed a look of deep sorrow.

"Outrageous! A 'wolf' has infiltrated our ranks! In my opinion, Li Xu, who spoke the least last night, is the most suspicious! He must be feeling guilty and dared not say more!"

Zhao Chang's words were righteous and indignant, directly shifting the blame to others.

Holy crap! What amazing acting! With this talent for twisting the truth, it's a waste that he's not in the imperial court!

It was the turn of "Prophet" Cao Yin to speak.

Cao Yin frowned and said, "Last night, I examined Li Xu, and he is a good person. As for what Zhao Chang said, I think that too much talk will inevitably lead to mistakes, while speaking little may be a sign of caution. This matter still needs further observation."

Not bad! Cao Yin, that kid, has a very clear head!

The game continues.

After several rounds, Zhao Chang, with his excellent acting skills and ability to incite others, successfully led the "werewolf" camp to vote out two civilians.

The situation on the field is extremely unfavorable for the "good guys" camp.

At this crucial moment, it was Li Xu's turn to speak.

He had been forced to the edge of a cliff, and all eyes were on him.

Li Xu took a deep breath, looked intently at Zhao Chang, and slowly spoke.

"I don't know who the 'wolf' is, but I know that if I'm stabbed tonight, this arrow in my hand will surely be aimed at... Zhao Chang!"

Pretty!

That's the power of the "hunter"!

Li Xu, that kid, he's got guts! He knows he can't outsmart Zhao Chang logically, so he simply abandons the logic and flips the table, demanding a one-for-one trade!

This ruthlessness, this resolute willingness to perish alongside superiors, is exactly what I need!

As expected, Zhao Chang's expression changed slightly upon hearing this.

That night, the "Werewolf" team hesitated; they dared not kill Li Xu again.

Ultimately, due to a mistake, "Prophet" Cao Yin survived to the end and led the "good guys" to victory.

The game ended, but everyone was still excited about the tense situation they had just experienced.

Hong Xiguan, however, leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smile on his face.

Through this little game, he has already roughly seen the outline of his future team.