The Empire will continue to win

So you're trying to flatter me, huh?

Wenxiang:

"The Empress Dowager's words were like the sun breaking through the clouds, truly hitting the nail on the head. I believe that even if Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were reborn, they would not have been any better."

Gui Liang:

"The Empress Dowager is a descendant of Chief Minister Chiang Kai-shek, and her family has a profound learning background. We, her subjects, could never learn her wisdom in governing even if we studied for ten lifetimes."

Even the most serious official, Shen Zhaolin of the Ministry of Revenue, couldn't help but bow and say:

"The Empress Dowager is absolutely right. Using the name of righteousness to pressure the southeastern regions and get the gentry there to contribute to the military expenses is truly a brilliant move."

Yu Xian had remained silent until now. He thought, what does war have to do with my Ministry of Justice? That's the job of the Army and Navy. I, the Minister of Justice, should just focus on catching spies and wielding power.

But now that he had come to this point, he had to speak up.

"Your Majesty's strategic vision is remarkable. Even before the war has begun, the foundation for victory has already been laid. I predict that our army will sooner or later trample the capital."

Empress Dowager Cixi felt elated, as comfortable as drinking ice water on a summer day, and she became even more determined to give Shen Moqing an important position in the future.

It would be best to keep this kid as an unsung strategist, keeping him under a high-ranking position and generous salary, so he can give you advice.

.........

Sudden.

Yan Fu stood up again, looking worried, and said, "Your Majesty, I have a concern."

"Go ahead and say it~"

The beautiful Empress Dowager Cixi was immediately enraged.

"If the imperial court declares war on Dongsang, what will happen to the previously announced great victory over Goryeo? Also, how do you explain the fact that the war has already spread to Liaodong?"

That's how academics are: full of passion, but clueless about politics.

Everyone's face darkened.

The Empress Dowager gritted her teeth and said, "Since Minister Yan has raised the question, surely you have a solution in mind?"

"I do not yet have a foolproof plan."

"As the Minister of the Navy, you should have thought of a solution before raising a problem, instead of just raising a problem without knowing how to solve it. Yan Fu, this is irresponsible and lazy."

"Your subject acknowledges his guilt."

Yan Fu blushed deeply, overwhelmed with shame.

When it comes to workplace manipulation, even three Yan Fus combined wouldn't be a match for Empress Dowager Cixi. And even three Empress Dowager Cixis combined wouldn't be a match for Professor Shen.

"My son, Shengbao, Yanfu, and Shen Zhaolin, you should discuss this carefully: how to fight, who to send, and where to begin? Once you have a perfect plan, report back to me and my sister."

"Your Majesty, we will obey your decree."

From beginning to end, Empress Dowager Cixi maintained steady control; this is the art of leadership.

The Imperial Conference concluded successfully.

After disembarking~

The two empress dowagers went to see a play hand in hand. Today's performance was a 19th-century foreign opera, Romeo and Juliet.

.........

Nanyuan.

Gun factory, conference room.

"Inspector Shen reports that Zhang Zongyu, a member of the factory security team, is gone."

What does it mean when someone dies?

"He hasn't come to work for many days, and we couldn't find him in the dormitory."

"When was it discovered?"

"It might have been on the day you were assassinated."

Shen Moqing opened the attendance sheet. Recently, a total of three people had been absent from work. In addition to Zhang Zongyu, there was another person named Hong Xiuquan and another person named Na Fugui.

Instantly, my heart rate spiked.

It really is Lion Camel Ridge.

"Who is this 'Na Fugui'?"

"Ahem, the day you were assassinated, Old Na jumped out of the window and broke his leg on the spot. His family said he was seriously injured and probably died. This is his resignation letter."

So it was that damned Master Jing!

Shen Moqing decisively tore up the resignation letter and slammed his fist on the table: "Yanshan Heavy Industry isn't a brothel. He can't just come and go as he pleases. If he wants to resign, he must return all the monthly salary he's received over the years, otherwise..."

Otherwise, we should investigate whether he is a traitor.

A while later.

"What should be done with the two people who are still detained?"

"Which two people??"

"Those two people you didn't hand over to the Ministry of Justice."

"Take me to see it."

Shen Moqing slapped his forehead, realizing he had almost forgotten that there were too many things to do.

On the day of the assassination attempt, he ordered 11 of the 13 suspected spies to be transferred to the Ministry of Justice, while the remaining two were temporarily detained.

It took many twists and turns.

They arrived at an underground cell converted from an abandoned warehouse.

The two suspects were detained separately.

The security team first unlocked the iron lock on one of the rooms.

Shen Moqing walked in:

"I don't want to wrong an innocent person, nor do I want to let a guilty person go free. Prove your innocence!"

Silence, for at least half a minute.

"I'm very busy. If you don't speak up soon, I'll have to hand you over to the Ministry of Justice."

"Supervisor Shen, I have indeed been wronged." From the corner, a thin young man finally spoke up.

"Where's the evidence?"

"This humble servant dares to speculate that you arrested people based on questions five and six of the 'Employee Situation Survey,' didn't you?"

Fifth question:

Are you willing to join the garrison's frontline repair depot, with unchanged salary and a six-month deployment period?

Willing? Unwilling?

pick one of two.

(Please select according to your own preference; do not force yourself.)

The sixth question:

Please write down the name of the most hardworking, honest, and reliable colleague in your workshop (please be sure to fill in the information truthfully, as it is related to the candidate recommended by the front-line garrison's repair shop).

Then, those who simultaneously met the criteria of "willing" for question five and were recognized by their colleagues as the most honest person for question six were all arrested by them.

Unfortunately, I missed Hong Xiuquan.

That old bastard actually checked the "I don't want to" box!

.........

Shen Moqing did not answer directly, but instead looked at the young man. Although he was thin, he had large, clear eyes and a broad forehead, which made him seem intelligent.

"If Your Excellency insists on distorting the truth, I have nothing more to say but death. If Your Excellency truly intends to distinguish right from wrong, I would like to ask: are honest people always spies?"

"Of course not."

"But aren't the people the supervisors arrest mostly honest people? I'm willing to serve my country, but I've been arrested as a spy. It's laughable, pathetic, and lamentable." The young man suddenly became emotional.

"You were there that day too; none of the other 11 were honest people."

"Yes. Your Excellency's bravery is unparalleled; I, Gu Hongming, admire you greatly."

"What's your name?"

"Gu Hongming".

Shen Moqing was startled; she had encountered another historical figure. How lucky she was.

"Do you have any official rank or title?"

"Yes, I am a scholar who has passed the imperial examination."

"In the fourth year of the Xuanwu era, you joined this factory through social recruitment. Your registered name at the time was Gu Mancang, and your educational level was county-level school. How do you explain this?"

"For survival."

"Oh?"

"My ancestral home is in Fujian. My ancestors went to Southeast Asia to make a living. In my generation, I wanted to return to my motherland to serve the court. In the first year of Xuanwu, I passed the provincial examination in Guangdong, ranking 9th. The following year, I sold all my family property and went to the capital to take the imperial examination."

"And then?"

"After arriving in the capital, I rented a small room in the southern part of the city and spent my days studying at my desk, rarely going out. In the fourth year of Xuanwu, I took the imperial examination but failed. I was deeply discouraged and fell seriously ill. After recovering, I decided to give up the imperial examination."

Why?

"Because I discovered that the imperial examination system was a trap."