Chapter 713: Chapter 696 Wanzhuang Discusses Strategy

Zhao Changhe could understand that some people, despite having no direct involvement, were connected through associations or kinship; they might not be labeled as “conspirators” but could still be considered “accomplices.” Normally, they would not face execution but would be dismissed and investigated. Some might have even been truly involved, but could not manifest their intentions as the main conspirators were swiftly quashed—should these people be thoroughly investigated?

As per Tang Wanju’s suggestion, the former should certainly not be pursued, and she even wanted to let go of the latter.

Tang Wanju said, “Acts of merit are no match for blunders; I have already released Dingjiang, who has recently proven quite useful. I believe that if we show magnanimity and do not pursue them, they will genuinely dare not harbor any more thoughts and will be more diligent and cautious, fearing that their past may bring them trouble.”

Zhao Changhe grunted, “Hmm,” agreeing that this was human nature.

“However, this incident, where Dingjiang was ordered to attack me, differs in nature… Much like whether to forgive Dingjiang depends solely on me, if it were merely a rebellion, Your Majesty could indicate that only the ringleaders be punished, to win over the people’s hearts. But involving the invasion of people from the Alien Clan into the capital, that is a matter of principle. If Your Majesty doesn’t pursue it thoroughly, it would seem as though securing power supersedes all else… And I certainly can’t be the one to act the generous person, for then it would seem as if I’m using this incident to gain fame and cultivate my own clique, becoming a traitorous official.”

Zhao Changhe laughed, “Then should I become a traitor?”

“Because you can cultivate your own clique, the Cui family is already your clique; no one would dare object,” Tang Wanju bit her lip, murmuring softly, “And… Tang Wanju is your clique too. Do you want to rebel? Wanzhuang is willing to be the vanguard and help you eliminate that person.”

“…”

I think you really do want to kill her, the truth always comes out through jokes…

Tang Wanju scoffed twice to mask her emotions, “Anyway, why not just act as a treacherous official; aren’t you one? Spending nights in the Dragon Bed, humiliating the Empress Dowager, if this were recorded in history…”

“People would say a man should indeed be so, I’m certain.”

Tang Wanju: “?”

Zhao Changhe embraced her, “This treacherous official will even humiliate the head of the Demon Suppression Department…”

Tang Wanju struggled, “We’re discussing serious matters!”

“Alright, alright, serious matters,” he said, but once he held her, he would not let go. Zhao Changhe slightly exerted strength in his arms, plucked the head from the chair, seated himself comfortably in her place, then held and cradled the head on his lap.

So soft, so fragrant.

Being held in her own office made Tang Wanju feel even more embarrassed than elsewhere; she always felt that there might be people outside…

Zhao Changhe’s hand climbed over to Gusu Huqiu, his mouth asking, “Serious matters? I’m waiting for you to tell me…”

Tang Wanju’s mind went blank, and she couldn’t think of any serious matters, and she babbled in continuation of their previous conversation, “In fact, there are many officials who genuinely believe that the influence should not be too broad, but no one dares to stand up and say so openly; you are the only one who can.”

She finished the sentence only to realize how embarrassing it was to discuss serious matters in such a posture, with the poor head’s face flushing red to the ears, attempting to struggle while he distracted her, “What do you need me to do? Speak in court?”

Tang Wanju instinctively responded, “If you’re too lazy to attend court, just submitting a memorandum would suffice. These matters only need someone to lead, and naturally others will follow. And your visit today could also be construed as related to this matter, just to shut me up…”

This is truly an official fully invested in serious matters, whose thoughts can be redirected towards them effortlessly, paired with the entertaining scene of a man playfully sticking his hand inside her clothing.

Zhao Changhe could not help but laugh, “Shut your mouth, how? With noodles?”

Tang Wanju, red-faced with anger, contemptuously stomped on his toes and twisted around.

Others might say using noodles to shut someone’s mouth was fine, but who knows how many would imagine what might be shutting the head’s mouth at this moment in the office. It’s almost the same anyway… How can one be so playful while discussing affairs?

Feeling overwhelmed by the sensations, her puffed-up look drove Zhao Changhe’s playful instincts, he leaned closer and whispered by her ear, “Then shut me up.”

Tang Wanju hurriedly said, “Stop, I just ate noodles… mmm mmm mmm…”

Quickly, her head was turned, and she was kissed thoroughly.

With eyes wide open as she was kissed, Tang Wanju no longer stomped his feet, her hands nervously pushing against his chest, always fearful that this brute might misbehave here where it was absolutely forbidden, any slight sound and all would be exposed…

Seeing her flustered state was utterly adorable, Zhao Changhe couldn’t indeed let the head feel ashamed, and quickly let her go, yet deeply affectionate, kissed her forehead numerous times, “My dear head is just too adorable…”

Even though he was truly affectionate, Tang Wanju was still infuriated by his playfully manipulative demeanor, bitterly saying, “I’ve changed my mind. If you ever come to power, you’d certainly be an unprecedentedly foolish ruler!”

Zhao Changhe just hugged her lightly, resting his chin on her head, and said nothing.

As Tang Wanju ranted for a while, feeling his genuine affection, her heart sweetened, humming and nestled into his arms, pinning down his mischievous hands to keep them still.

Zhao Changhe also remained still, the two quietly embraced, enjoying a moment of warmth on this cold winter afternoon.

After a while, Tang Wanju finally spoke softly, “Apart from asking if there’s anything you need help with, you have your own reasons for seeking me out, don’t you?”

“Mm… I’m just too lazy to talk about it, holding you brings peace and joy to my heart, I’ll talk about it later.”

“Come on… In this chaotic world, when do we have the time to rest in peace… Once we have settled the world, I’ll accompany you under the flowers and the moon, playing the zither and painting.”

Zhao Changhe, holding the soft and fragrant body, still didn’t feel like talking, experiencing a lack of energy. Tang Wanju finally showed some annoyance, “You… Let me guess, you are planning to leave, aren’t you?”

“Mm.”

“Since you proposed that Vermilion Bird stir things up in Jinzhong and you trust her capabilities so much, it’s unlikely you will go yourself. Given the current situation where Qin and Jin are compelled to unite, handling the Three Jins will inevitably involve considering Guanglong, and you are most likely going to solve the problem with the Li Family. But you can’t solve it alone, so it’s highly like that you will contact Li Shentong in Ba Shu to see his stance. Li Shentong had previously attacked Hanzhong and was extremely furious about the Li Family’s actions during the Dragon Slaying Battle, making him a potential ally… Your trip will definitely take you to Ba Shu.”

Zhao Changhe listened quietly, his heart filled with a deep sigh, eventually resolved to a single word, “Yes.”

“Moreover, Li Shentong and Yuxu have been close friends for many years, having both participated in the Dragon Slaying Battle, these two cannot be viewed separately. Coupled with Thief Saint obtaining the Longevity Heaven God Axe, you are likely to seek Thief Saint, and for that, you also must go to Kunlun. Between the two, you might first visit Kunlun, since sending an emissary to Li Shentong might suffice, but Kunlun requires your presence. So, you came to me because you find Kunlun dangerous and wanted my insights?”

“Yes.”

Tang Wanju finally laughed, “Aren’t there nails from the Four Symbols Sect there, like Liu Tuzhang or such… Why doesn’t Vermilion Bird offer her advice and instead comes to ask me?”

Zhao Changhe coughed dryly, “Liu Tuzhang was exposed last time we were there; he has already withdrawn. How could he stay put? That would be like the Four Symbols Sect provoking Yuxu.”

“Their nails have withdrawn, but my Demon Suppression Department doesn’t have nails there either. What use is asking me?”

“This is where your intelligence comes in, always able to analyze…”

“If you really want my advice, I would suggest you not go at all, would that be possible?”

“…”

“Since it’s not possible, then my suggestion is to take a different route, find someone to accompany you.”

“Who?”

“Sisi,” Tang Wanju said leisurely. “First and foremost, interacting with Li Shentong shouldn’t just involve righteous talks. No matter his initial motivations, he now heads his faction and needs to be responsible for many under his power. Alongside discussing rights, they need to know we aren’t here to ask for his favor, but that we also pose a threat. Where’s the threat? Miao Region is right behind them.”

Zhao Changhe hissed, he hadn’t thought about these considerations.

“Don’t take this as mere colluding with the Alien Clan; the difference is that this Alien Clan is submissive to you, and at your disposal.” Tang Wanju turned her head, her gaze burning into him, “Can you guarantee that?”

Zhao Changhe hesitated for a moment: “I should be able to.”

Tang Wanju nodded, “That is the weight you carry, unique from all others in the world.”

She paused, then continued, “Now about the Thief Sect… Ji Chengkong and those people aren’t suitable; they’re already old and barely make the rank of Hidden Dragon, might even be off the list now. Among the Thief Sect, only Sisi truly embodies their ideals. Initially, it might not have just been out of Thief Saint’s generosity not to pursue Sisi; this reason was part of it. In other words, Sisi can truly influence Thief Saint’s decisions. Apart from that, Thief Saint has been in Kunlun for a long time, what’s his relationship with Yuxu? Did you ever look into that?”

“No, the nature of everyone’s relationships hasn’t reached the point of tracing to their roots.”

“Then this time, by taking Sisi north, the relationship will be established.”

Zhao Changhe earnestly said, “The suppression of the Four Symbols Sect by you is truly not without reason.”

“There is no need to praise Wanju…” Tang Wanju spoke softly, “In today’s turmoil, there isn’t much we can do, all we can do is to create a stable support behind you. As the lord campaigns abroad, your concubine is in constant fear day and night, just hoping for your safe return. Stop being so cavalier about your own life… Even if nothing substantial is accomplished, no matter how bad the situation, remember we are here to bear it together.”

Zhao Changhe said, “Don’t worry, the heavens are blind, such a rotten person as myself won’t die easily.”

It was unclear if those words were a promise or a jest.

Tang Wanju, not bothering to discern, whispered, “All the ships that have sailed are not the right ones; the setting sun casts a feeble light over the gentle flowing waters… In past years, reading poetry, I thought I understood. Since you headed south to Qinghe, merely a few months have passed, yet my thoughts are already burning anxiously, my eyes constantly watching, realizing how shallow the words on paper are.”

Zhao Changhe’s mood for jokes faded, he whispered softly, “Rest assured.”

“You bear the burden of unifying the world, we cannot hold you back. Miles away on this journey, we don’t know the day of reunion… Remember, there is someone in the capital waiting for you.”

[End of Volume Seven]