The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

The study of the residence of the Princess Zhenguo.

The plaque, replaced overnight, gleamed with a deep, rich luster in the setting sun.

Although the mansion had been hastily reorganized, it was still bustling with activity.

Yun Jin dismissed everyone else, leaving only Qingdai to serve her.

She had changed out of her heavy court robes and was now wearing only a moon-white casual dress. She sat behind her desk, with a blank roster of officials and a brief organizational chart of the Northern Imperial Guards and the Ministry of Revenue's Department of Finance spread out in front of her.

There are so many things to do, I don't know where to start.

Establishing one's own government and appointing one's own officials sounds like an immense power, but in reality, it's an enormous challenge.

The chief clerk, the military advisor, and the various subordinate officials... these important positions require people who are virtuous and capable, and absolutely loyal and reliable.

Besides Su Che, the only people she could use were military generals like Zhou Bo and Zhao Jianing. Pang Xiaopan was a merchant, and Night Owl and Grey Falcon were intelligence chiefs; none of them were suitable candidates for civil service positions.

As for the officials in the court, those who sided with her at this time were either opportunists or low-ranking officials who were not capable of being of great use.

The title of Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards sounds prestigious, but the Imperial Guards system in the Northern Army is deeply entrenched, with most of the generals being sons of nobles or representatives of various factions. Who can she, a princess who was parachuted in as Deputy Commander, command?

The inspectors of the Ministry of Revenue were even more troublesome.

The Ministry of Revenue was the imperial purse, but it was also the place where corruption was most rampant and relationships were most complex.

Without the authority of an imperial sword, a position as an "inspector" is like throwing a stone into the sea – meaningless.

"Your Highness, Mr. Su has arrived," Qingdai announced from outside the door.

"Please come quickly."

Su Che, still dressed in his blue robe, entered calmly.

He seemed oblivious to the uproar at Linde Hall during the day and the chaos in the mansion at the moment, his gaze calmly sweeping over the blank roster in front of Yun Jin.

"gentlemen."

Yun Jin stood up, her brows furrowed with weariness and seriousness.

"You must already understand the Emperor's intentions regarding today's situation. The establishment of your own residence, the Imperial Guard, the Ministry of Revenue... it seems like you have power in your hands, but in reality, every step is fraught with difficulties. Yun Jin... doesn't know where to begin."

Su Che walked to the desk, looked at the architectural diagrams, and said calmly.

"Your Highness need not worry. Although His Majesty's actions have put you in a precarious position, they have also given us a legitimate opportunity to expand our power. The key is how to transform this title into real strength."

He pointed to the blank list of officials.

"The most important thing in establishing a government and building a strong base is the personnel. If there is a shortage of civil officials, we can start from three aspects."

Firstly, exceptional promotion. Your Highness could petition His Majesty to hold a special imperial examination or issue a special decree to select talented individuals from humble backgrounds, those who failed the provincial examinations, and even experienced clerks, to serve in the government and be trained. This would win over the hearts of scholars from humble backgrounds and also avoid excessive entanglement with the established powers in the court.

Secondly, they secretly recruited officials. Through Pang Xiaopan's business and the old subordinates of "Diting," they sought out officials who were frustrated by factional infighting or who had real talent but were not in office, promised them a bright future, and secretly brought them into their service.

Thirdly," he looked at Yun Jin, "we will employ the people His Majesty left for Your Highness."

"The person left behind by Father?" Yun Jin was taken aback.

"Marquis Weiyuan is the one in the open. In the shadows, there must be some old ministers, nobles, and even eunuchs who are loyal to His Majesty or the royal family and have a favorable impression of Your Highness. Your Highness can secretly contact them and win them over. These people have deep roots and may be of great use at crucial moments."

Yun Jin nodded and noted it down.

Su Che then pointed to the organizational chart of the Northern Army.

"The power of the Imperial Guards should not be rushed. Your Highness's position as deputy commander is a check on His Majesty and also our entry point."

The first step is not to try to control the entire army, but to firmly grasp a well-equipped and highly capable personal guard battalion within the Imperial Guard that is completely obedient to His Highness.

The group doesn't need to be large, just three to five hundred people, but they must be absolutely loyal. They should be personally led by Zhao Jianing or Night Owl and stationed at or near the Princess's residence.

With this camp in place, Your Highness's safety in the capital is assured, and you also have a sharp weapon ready to be used at any time.

"The second step is to win over and divide the enemy. The Imperial Guard is not a monolithic entity."

Some were loyal to the imperial power, some were opportunistic and wavering, and some had already been bought off by the third prince.

Your Highness can use your position as Deputy Commander, under the guise of inspections, rewards, and verification of military records, to contact lower-ranking officers, especially those from ordinary backgrounds who have risen through the ranks based on military merit and are dissatisfied with the status quo. Offer them promotions and generous rewards, and gradually cultivate our own people.

At the same time, gather evidence of illegal activities by generals who have been bribed by the Third Prince, and, if necessary, eliminate them swiftly.

"The third step is to befriend the Commander-in-Chief. Feng Tang, the Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Imperial Guards, is a former retainer of His Majesty from his time as a prince. He is cautious, loyal to the imperial family, but has always remained neutral on the struggle among the princes."

Your Highness can show him respect, and inquire about military affairs with the courtesy due to a junior, without infringing upon his fundamental interests, in order to at least ensure that he remains neutral and does not side with the Third Prince.

The argument was clear and logical, and highly feasible. Yun Jin listened, and the light in her eyes gradually returned.

"As for the inspector of the Department of Revenue," Su Che's lips curled slightly, "this is perhaps the easiest place to make a breakthrough."

"Oh? What do you mean by that, sir?" Yun Jin asked, puzzled. It was common knowledge that the Ministry of Revenue was rife with corruption.

"Because the Ministry of Revenue was the most chaotic, had the most loopholes, and was the easiest to produce 'political achievements'."

Su Che said, "Your Highness, this inspector has the power to investigate."

We don't need to touch the core issues like salt tax, canal transport, and the national treasury from the very beginning.

They started by investigating the most inconspicuous, yet easiest to embezzle, accounts such as "local granaries," "procurement of materials for craftsmen," and "local surplus."

Pang Xiaopan's business network and the "Listening" intelligence can provide us with a wealth of clues.

Your Highness only needs to seize one or two cases with solid evidence, not too many implications, but still capable of shaking the court and the public, investigate them thoroughly, and make them airtight.

At that time, His Highness's reputation for "sharp insight" and "managing the country's finances" will be established, and he will have a foothold in the Department of Revenue and even the Ministry of Finance.

More importantly, through investigations, we can place our people in key positions within the Ministry of Revenue under guise of "assisting in investigations" or "accounting."

He looked at Yun Jin with a deep gaze: "Your Highness, power is not bestowed by His Majesty, but earned by oneself."

The three key positions—the government office, the imperial guards, and the finance department—are also the toughest challenges.

By devouring them, His Highness will truly have the power to rival the Third Prince.

What we need to do now is calm down and, step by step, transform His Majesty's "enlightened weapon" into our own "powerful tool."

Yun Jin felt a sudden sense of clarity, and the heaviness and confusion of the past few days vanished.

With Mr. Su here to analyze the current situation and devise strategies for her, what else does she have to fear?

"Your words are truly insightful, sir. I have learned a great deal." She bowed respectfully. "However, this will likely escalate the conflict with my third brother. Father... his days are numbered, and then..."

"Therefore, our actions must be fast, accurate, and ruthless."

Su Che's voice turned cold, "Before His Majesty passes away, we must seize as much real power as possible, place people in positions of authority, and establish a firm foothold."

At the same time, we must also be wary of the Third Prince's actions. Mr. Jia is a treacherous and cunning man; Your Highness must be careful.

In addition, we should also pay attention to the Northern Di.

"Luan Di Maodun has just suffered a defeat, but his sons and remnants of his army still remain, and they may cause trouble."

"I understand." Yun Jin nodded, a sharp glint in her eyes. "Starting tomorrow, we will proceed as you have planned, and each of us will act separately."

The imperial court, the imperial guards, and the Ministry of Revenue—three fronts working in parallel. Now that I've accepted the responsibility of being the Princess Who Protects the Nation, I will shoulder it all!

Su Che looked at the woman in front of him who had quickly shaken off her fatigue and rekindled her fighting spirit, and a hint of barely perceptible admiration flashed in his eyes.

This is the collaborator he chose—a true player who can rise up in dire straits, remain clear-headed in the face of power, and stand firm in the storm.

"If Your Highness makes a decision, I, Su, will do my utmost to assist you."

He cupped his hands and said, "The first thing to do right now is to draft a list of officials for the Princess's residence, and... to petition His Majesty to transfer Zhou Bo, Zhao Jianing, and other meritorious generals from the northern frontier to the capital to take up their posts. This matter should be done as soon as possible."

"Very well! I will draft a memorial now, please review it, sir." Yun Jin walked behind the desk and spread out paper and pen.

Outside the window, night was deepening and the north wind was howling.

The study in the residence of the Princess Zhenguo was always brightly lit.

In the still of the night, a power struggle concerning the future of the empire quietly began.

The two sides in this game are a strategist in blue robes who remains behind the scenes and has calculated everything, and a princess who stands in the spotlight and is just beginning to shine.

Their opponents are the third prince, who has been cultivating his power for many years and whose influence has grown significantly; the deeply entrenched forces in the court; the powerful enemies from all sides who are eyeing them covetously; and above all, the lofty, cold, and ruthless... imperial power itself.

The road ahead is long and fraught with danger.

But the game has already begun, and there is no choice but to move forward.