After failing the imperial examination, he began to wield immense power after entering the palace!

Empress Yang took the box and casually handed it to Li Fan.

"This is the Black Jade Healing Ointment presented by the Great Buddha Temple, specially used for healing injuries."

"Whether it's a knife wound, sword wound, internal injury, or damage to the meridians, apply this and it will heal within three days."

"You've just entered the Eastern Depot. That place is dangerous; there are open and covert attacks, and it's impossible to guard against everything."

"Take it, you might need it."

Li Fan took the box with both hands and carefully opened it.

The box contained a small piece of shiny black plaster, its surface gleaming with a warm sheen and emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

The medicinal fragrance was neither too strong nor too weak, but rather refreshing and soothing; just smelling it made one feel comfortable all over.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!"

Li Fan kowtowed deeply, his voice filled with gratitude.

This is a really good thing; the Empress is truly generous with good things.

Empress Yang waved her hand casually:

"Stop kowtowing, get up."

"Serve me well, and I will not mistreat you."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Li Fan stood up and carefully put the box of Black Jade Bone-Mending Ointment into his pocket.

He took two steps back and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"If Your Majesty has no further instructions, this servant will take her leave."

"Okay, go ahead."

"It's late, be careful on the road."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Li Fan turned around and walked towards the door.

Ginkgo saw him to the door and whispered:

"Eunuch Gao, please wait."

"Thank you, Sister Ginkgo."

Li Fan cupped his hands in greeting to her and strode into the night.

Empress Yang leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes for a while.

Her voluptuous body relaxed, her chest rising and falling gently with her breath.

Ginkgo walked in from outside and whispered:

"Your Highness, Eunuch Gao has left."

Empress Yang hummed in response, without opening her eyes.

Ginkgo hesitated for a moment, then asked in a low voice:

"Your Majesty, do you think this Gao Jin is trustworthy?"

Empress Yang opened her eyes, a deep light flashing in her phoenix eyes.

Whether it's believable or not is unimportant.

"The important thing is that he's useful."

She paused, a slight smile curving her lips.

"And he's very smart."

"A smart person doesn't do stupid things."

Ginkgo nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Empress Yang stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.

The night breeze blew in, ruffling her long hair that fell over her shoulders.

The moonlight shone on her elegant and noble face, as if it were coated with a layer of silver powder.

"A mere eunuch, on his first day in the Eastern Depot, killed a centurion, confiscated a spy, and forced Feng Bao to retreat."

"Now you've come running to pledge your loyalty to me."

"This kind of person is either an extremely useful knife."

"Or...?"

Her voice trailed off, carried away by the night wind and into the moonlight.

"He is an extremely dangerous person."

……

On the palace road.

Li Fan walked briskly, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The black jade ointment in her arms emitted a faint medicinal fragrance, which could be smelled even through her clothes.

Consort Xie bestowed upon them the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle and the Tianshan Snow Lingzhi.

Empress Yang bestowed upon them Tiger and Leopard Pills, Golden Silk Soft Armor, and Black Jade Bone-Mending Ointment.

Both sides are sending him equipment, resources, and benefits.

The life of a traitor is indeed comfortable.

But Li Fan knew very well that this kind of life wouldn't last long.

Sooner or later, Consort Xie and Empress Yang will clash head-on.

At that point, he will have to make a choice.

Which side to stand on, which side to jump to, or...

I won't stand on either side.

Go it alone.

……

Eastern Depot, duty room.

Li Fan pushed open the door and strode inside.

Chen Tie and Zhang Miaozhen were already waiting inside. When they saw him return, they both stood up.

"Admiral!"

Li Fan didn't say much, he just nodded to Chen Tie.

"Go, summon all the servants who accompanied us on our errands today."

"yes!"

Chen Tie turned and left.

In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.

Thirty or forty agents from the Eastern Depot poured in from all directions and lined up in front of the duty room.

They stood ramrod straight, looking much more energetic than during the day.

After all, he still had ten taels of silver in his pocket, which was a real benefit.

Li Fan walked out of the duty room, stood on the steps with his hands behind his back, and slowly scanned the crowd with his gaze.

"Now, you're coming with me on an errand."

The guards looked at each other in bewilderment.

One of the bolder guards mustered his courage and asked:

"Admiral, where...where are we going?"

Li Fan glanced at him, his tone indifferent:

"Just follow our family rules, and don't ask questions you shouldn't."

The guard shuddered and immediately lowered his head.

"Yes, I know I was wrong!"

The other servants also shut their mouths, and no one dared to ask another word.

This is exactly the effect Li Fan wanted.

Orders must be obeyed without question.

Without asking why, without making any compromises, we can go whenever we want and stop whenever we want.

This is the Eastern Depot he wanted.

Chen Tie stood aside, watching this scene, lost in thought.

He vaguely understood why the admiral was spending money to win people's hearts today.

Only when these people receive benefits will they willingly obey.

Once obedience becomes a habit, they will continue to do so even without being paid.

That's a sophisticated tactic.

"Walk."

Li Fan waved his hand and strode towards the door.

Thirty or forty guards followed closely behind, their footsteps echoing in unison on the blue brick floor of the East Depot.

Zhang Miaozhen followed beside Li Fan, a hint of doubt flashing in her phoenix eyes.

"Admiral Gao, where are we going?"

Li Fan talked as he walked, his tone as casual as if he were discussing what to eat tomorrow.

"Arrest them."

"Who should we arrest?"

"Zhou Wenyuan."

Zhang Miaozhen suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Her phoenix eyes widened as she stared at Li Fan in disbelief.

"Arrest Zhou Wenyuan?"

"Admiral Gao, have you obtained Her Majesty's permission?"

"Um."

Zhang Miaozhen opened her mouth, wanting to ask how she had persuaded him, but she swallowed the words back.

But in the blink of an eye, he got it done?

"Admiral Gao, you... are truly amazing."

Li Fan smiled but didn't reply.

at this time.

The back room of the Eastern Depot.

Feng Baozheng sat in a grand chair, holding a cup of tea in his hand, slowly sipping it.

Zhao Fu slipped in from outside the door, bowed, and reported:

"Master, Gao Jin is back."

Feng Bao grunted an "Mmm," without even lifting his eyelids.

"Why did he come back?"

"Reporting to the Commander, after he returned, he immediately summoned a group of guards, and then led them out again."

Feng Bao's fingers paused slightly on the teacup.

He put down his teacup, a hint of doubt flashing in his deep-set eyes.

"Out again? Where to?"

"I don't know, he didn't say."

"Those spies didn't know either; they only knew they were accompanying the admiral on official business."

Feng Bao frowned, a vague unease creeping into his heart.

What is this little eunuch doing, taking people out in the middle of the night?

Zhao Fu hesitated for a moment, then whispered his guess:

"Master, could it be... that they're going to arrest Zhou Wenyuan?"

Feng Bao chuckled and shook his head.

"impossible."

"Zhou Wenyuan is Consort Xie's man. No matter how arrogant Gao Jin is, he wouldn't dare to touch Consort Xie's pawn."

"Unless he doesn't want to live anymore."