Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

Shen Shanzhang, whose original name was Shen Qingci.

The headmaster of Luming Academy, the largest academy in the capital.

The foremost Confucian scholar of the Great Yan Dynasty.

However, this person was too upright, and also had an extremely sharp tongue.

When Emperor Qing'an invited her to the palace to give lectures, she criticized him mercilessly in front of the entire court.

Therefore, he was not favored by Emperor Qing'an.

They have always been excluded from the center of power.

"Chief Xuan Chenshan."

A moment later, the palace doors opened.

A plump woman with a round face walked in.

Chen Shao had no memory of ever meeting her; he had only heard of her.

This woman is quite talented and extremely aloof. She wouldn't even give a second glance to a useless prince like Chen Shao.

So people only know his name but never see him.

To her surprise, this woman, who was rumored to be fierce, actually had such a stunning face.

Her face is three-dimensional and slightly aloof, as if she is untouched by worldly affairs. Paired with her slightly chubby round face, she has a bit of the feeling of Little Dragon Girl.

Her skin was fair, and her lips were light in color.

The key point is that she is a slightly plump woman, and although it is a loose robe, she wears it in a way that gives off a uniform-like allure.

Her figure is so hot!

"This humble woman, Shen Qingci, greets the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty."

Shen Shanzhang bowed slightly and paid his respects to the Empress Dowager and Chen Shao.

Neither humble nor arrogant, just right.

When his gaze fell on the other two, instead of paying homage, he smiled slightly, making no attempt to hide his mockery.

He chuckled.

"No need for such formalities, Headmaster Shen."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly. "You've come at the right time. There's a thorny issue I'd like to hear your opinion on."

"The position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard has become vacant. The Grand General and Chancellor Han have each recommended one person: Yuwen Chendu or the Second Prince Chen Shu. Which one do you think is more suitable?"

The Empress Dowager naturally wanted Yuwen Chen to take the position, but with Han Cao around, it was out of the question.

Even though she is the Empress Dowager, she cannot rule unilaterally.

Headmaster Shen is impartial, does not form factions, and is upright and selfless. If she recommends him, it would be a good compromise.

Shen Qingci's gaze swept over the two of them.

He sneered:

"One is brave but lacks strategy and has great ambition but little talent; the other is effeminate and seeks fame and fortune. It would be a misfortune for the Great Yan Dynasty if either of these two were to become the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Yuwen Huagu was instantly enraged.

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

Han Cao, being slightly more composed, said, "Mr. Shen, please be careful with your words."

"I'm talking nonsense? Why should I be careful what I say?"

Yuwen Gugu: "..."

Han Cao: "..."

Chen Shao: This woman is so powerful... those are two top-tier ministers...

But the two of them really had no way to deal with Shen Qingci.

Although Shen Qingci did not hold an official position, he enjoyed great renown in the Great Yan Dynasty, and it would not be an exaggeration to call him a leader among scholars.

He is a role model for scholars.

To touch her is to go against all scholars in the world.

Besides, she wasn't afraid of death.

Who would mess with someone like that for no reason?

The Empress Dowager's lips twitched. "In your opinion, Headmaster Shen, is there a suitable candidate?"

"have."

Shen Qingci answered without hesitation:

"Chief Constable of the Six Doors, Bai Bingbing!"

The Six Doors were under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice.

Specializing in investigation, apprehension, and interrogation.

Unlike the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Six Doors only handled cases involving ordinary people and officials, and did not participate in the power struggles of the imperial court.

Despite her young age, Bai Bingbing possesses an extraordinary talent for solving cases.

Moreover, he is a cursed lone star.

The two are very close and are best friends.

"Captain Bai is upright and incorruptible, and possesses profound cultivation. He is the most suitable person to serve as commander."

Yuwen Gu couldn't help but interject:

"Shanzhang, how can a constable from the Six Doors become the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? This is against the rules."

"Then why did the Empress Dowager ask me?"

"you..."

"What do you mean, 'you'? I have no selfish motives whatsoever, unlike some people."

"I..."

"What do you mean, 'I'? It's fine if I have selfish motives, but the problem is that I'm so stupid."

Yuwen Huagu remained silent.

Han Cao kept his eyes down, his mind focused, and said no more.

Chen Shao watched in stunned silence.

The way of an emperor lies in balance, a saying the Empress Dowager once heard Emperor Qing'an say.

It wouldn't be good for anyone to be the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard these days.

We do need a neutral party.

Bai Bingbing has no influence in the court and is destined to be a lone minister.

She nodded immediately.

"I trust the people recommended by Headmaster Shen."

"Your Majesty, you have no objection to promoting Bai Bingbing to the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, despite the usual procedures?"

Chen Shao clasped his hands in greeting:

"I trust Professor Shen's character and have no objections."

"Then it's settled. By the way, Your Majesty, last time I said I'd find you a tutor to properly teach you, and that's Mr. Shen."

"what?"

"What, you're not happy?" Shen Qingci didn't know if Chen Shao was happy or not, but seeing that Chen Shao wasn't overjoyed, but instead had a strange expression, she was unhappy.

"That is my wish, but I dare not ask."

"It's your honor to teach you."

"..."

A small court assembly was held, and everyone was happy.

The Empress Dowager punished Xie Yong, venting her anger.

Yuwen Huagu felt he had gotten away with not letting the Second Prince become the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Han Cao also felt he had made a profit.

Shen Qingci also felt that with the nation facing a life-or-death crisis, she could finally try to turn the tide again, become the imperial tutor, and even find a job for her best friend, so she felt she had gained something.

No one dared to embezzle Xie Yong's property; it was all turned over to the national treasury.

Including the money Chen Shao received as gifts, the total amount reached more than 660 million taels, and Chen Shao felt he had made a profit.

......

[Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the side quest—Collecting Silver. You have been granted one chance to draw a prize. Do you wish to draw a prize?]

"Smash that son of a bitch!"

The familiar scene lights up again, a dazzling starry sky...

This time was different, though. It was just an ordinary couple sitting across from each other drinking. After they had eaten and drunk their fill, they were happily chuckling to themselves, looking completely relaxed and normal.

Those scenes were also skipped directly.

This is?

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have drawn a general card and obtained the entry: Outlaw Hero.]

[Grassroots Hero: You are most skilled at handling snakes. If there are snakes around, you can even control them, and you have a natural attraction to anything related to snakes.]

"???"

So, after all this time, Xu Xian is considered a card player?

[Friendly reminder: Three terms can be combined once, and the combined term is random.]

[Activate side quest: To gain a foothold in the court, you must build your own faction. The quest involves recruiting soldiers and gaining the unwavering loyalty of some ministers.]

......

The Imperial Study.

Shen Qingci stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from Chen Shao.

"Since the Empress Dowager has asked me to teach you, I will do my best."

"The Empress Dowager said you have no manners and told me to discipline you properly."

"Originally, I should have taught you how to restrain your selfish desires and become a sage within and a king without."

She paused, then changed the subject.

"However, that was the teaching method in a peaceful and prosperous era. Now, the Great Yan is in turmoil, with powerful ministers in power internally, the Northern Barbarians eyeing it from the outside, and the Yellow Turban Rebellion. If we continue to teach you to be a saint step by step, by the time you have learned it, the Great Yan will have perished."

"So, I've decided to teach you something practical first: the art of managing people."

Why aren't you saying anything?

Chen Shao's gaze remained fixed on the other woman's round buttocks.

This must be very easy to raise, right?

I've seen many buttock models in my past life, but none of them seem to compare to this gentleman.

Seeing that he didn't react, Shen Qingci suddenly turned around.

But Chen Shaozheng stared intently...

"You lecherous scoundrel! What are you looking at!"

"Sir, you misunderstand. I was just thinking."

Chen Shao snapped out of his daze and straightened his expression:

"May I ask Headmaster Shen, what is the art of managing people?"

"The art of managing people can be summed up in four words: a combination of kindness and severity."

She suddenly took two steps forward, placed her hands on the table, and leaned down.

He whispered, his face almost touching Chen Shao's:

How do you view your current situation?

So white... Chen Shao didn't mean to peek, but when she leaned in like that, it was as if she were offering herself up to his face.

It's absolutely spectacular!

"This is how I see it..."

"How do you see it that way?"

Shen Qingci suddenly sensed something was wrong and followed Chen Shao's gaze.

He instantly flew into a rage.

"Is that all you see?"

Caught red-handed, Chen Shao slammed his fist on the table and stood up with a loud bang.

"Mr. Shen, you don't really think I'm looking at this, do you?"

He pointed to Shen Qingci's chest.

...But she was too close, and she was so beautiful, it would be a bit abrupt not to look at her, Chen Shao thought to himself.

Then his expression turned serious:

"I saw two big mountains."

"Oh!"

Shen Qingci originally thought that he was a decent emperor who could stand up to the opposition in the court and vow to defend the capital.

Looking back now, it seems I wasted my time.

Chen Shao sighed, "One is the civil official group led by Han Cao. They control the government and only care about their own interests."

"There is also the Yuwen family, who control the military power in the capital region and even the palace. I have no personal freedom at all."

"Mr. Shen, I am walking on thin ice."

Are they these two mountains?

Fortunately, there is no mind-reading ability in this world. Shen Qingci could tell that Chen Shao's expression was genuine.

He straightened up and straightened his clothes a little.

"You're not stupid either."

"..."

"That's why I said I'll teach you the art of managing people first, so you can take down these two mountains."

are you serious?