CHAPTER 850: CHAPTER 511: CHAOS SUPPRESSION GRAND COMMANDER (5K)_2

"Hmm..." The Empress initially didn’t pay much attention, but gradually, she felt a tingling sensation flood over her, causing her to comfortably squint her eyes slightly, releasing a soft hum from her nose as her tense skin relaxed.

She truly wasn’t actually angry, nor did she genuinely believe Zhao Douan and Yu Xiu had any relation.

The reason for her feigned anger was more due to a woman’s whimsical thoughts—being the Emperor, her possessiveness was undoubtedly higher than others.

Having a stepping stone to retreat, she also used the opportunity to soften her tone: "Why was she looking for you?"

Zhao Douan didn’t hide it, explaining the matter, knowing it couldn’t be concealed anyway.

"The missing imperial guard from the previous dynasty? Those treasures?"

Xu Zhenguan slightly furrowed his brows: "Is she pursuing those things?"

Zhao Douan skillfully massaged her shoulders, inexplicably thinking of a short video he had seen in his past life—a customer getting a foot massage asked the technician to sit down, then rolled up his sleeves to massage the technician’s feet himself...

His gaze involuntarily shifted downwards, glancing at Zhenbao’s embroidered shoes with golden threads under her dress.

He asked, "Does Your Majesty know what those treasures are?"

Xu Zhenguan replied, "I know some; they are tempting items for cultivators, but over the hundreds of years, many people have tried to investigate them, all to no avail.

She most likely is chasing a mirage.

As for the divine revelation of Great La Ba... it might not be real. If you are tempted, at least reach the pinnacle of the world, ensuring you have enough masters to accompany you before going."

As an Emperor and "Heavenly Human," Xu Zhenguan had little interest in seeking the previous dynasty’s treasures from six hundred years ago.

"I thought the same, so I didn’t agree with her," Zhao Douan agreed wholeheartedly.

Xu Zhenguan expressed satisfaction with a "Hmm," then suddenly said:

"That Xiao Donger, I’ve seen her. Following your suggestion, the court will appoint officials next, sending a troop from the Five Army Camp, assisted by the Xiao family, to pacify the remnants of Qingzhou Road."

Zhao Douan hurriedly said, "I have absolutely no relations with that widow..."

Xu Zhenguan’s mouth curled upwards, cutting him off: "I know."

Phew... you understand everything, yet you’re inexplicably jealous... Zhao Douan continued kneading her shoulders while saying:

"Your Majesty, with wisdom as bright as the sun, I knew those rumors wouldn’t faze you... After all, my affection for Your Majesty is known throughout Great Yu..."

Enjoying the loyal dog’s sweet words, Xu Zhenguan’s mood improved, but suddenly opened her eyes, anger brimming: "Where are your hands going?!"

"...Ha ha, slippery hands, slippery hands." Zhao Douan awkwardly withdrew An Lushan’s claw from the Empress’s collar, feeling only the slickness at his fingertips that stirred one’s heart.

The Empress snorted with laughter, lazily ignoring this dog’s sordid thoughts, then said, "During daytime, before you returned, documents from Ma Yan were sent to me, regarding the interrogation of Li Yanfu’s officials nearing its conclusion."

Zhao Douan cautiously, gently kneaded her white, downy neck, asking:

"What does Your Majesty intend to do?"

Xu Zhenguan calmly and firmly stated:

"Execute immediately. The entire Li Party and those involved in the rebellion will be publicly executed at Cai Market in the coming days. Execute three generations."

Well, the latter because most of the Li Party families are in Huai River, belonging to the "enemy-occupied area," temporarily unable to execute.

It’s foreseeable that once the news breaks, this group of local aristocratic families will completely side with the Eight Princes.

"How do we handle Prince Heng and his son?" Zhao Douan probed, "Imprison them? Strip their titles? Downgrade to commoners?"

This time, the Empress was silent longer before calmly stating, "After interrogation, alongside the Li Party rebels, execute them."

"Your Majesty decides what is best." Zhao Douan softly sighed, not too surprised by the result.

The Empress, despite familial ties, from the moment the Vassal King rebelled, there was no room for negotiation on this matter.

Moreover, everyone was concerned about Prince Heng’s fate as the first prince captured, as it represented the court’s stance on the rebellion.

Xu Zhenguan continued, "Executing Li Yanfu and Prince Heng with his sons serves to shock and exhibit strength, while also as the court’s battle cry for the forthcoming counterattack."

The Empress’s return to the Capital had spread, and it’s foreseeable that now the local rebellious Vassal Kings may have shifted to a strategy of dividing, occupying, and digesting territories.

For the court, the urgent matter is taking advantage of the territories not yet being completely controlled by the Vassal Kings to launch a counterattack.

Once this window of opportunity is missed, once the Vassal Kings establish their roots, it becomes difficult to uproot them.

"Currently, Yanshan King on Iron Pass Road is being blocked at Jubei City by Luo Kedie leading his army; Prince Hejian is restrained by Duke Tang, held at Xiping Road... The only serious threats remaining are the rebel armies of Prince Jing and Mu Prince. One has swallowed Jiancheng Road, the other Yunfu Road, and each army occupies half of Huai River, with Xue Shence leading troops at Linfeng Road to obstruct them. Meanwhile, the crisis in the Capital is resolved, and the Divine Mechanism Camp, Five Army Camp, and part of the imperial guard are to be mobilized to Linfeng Road, cooperating with Xue Shence to reclaim lost territories," Xu Zhenguan analyzed coldly.

"I was about to mention this to Your Majesty," Zhao Douan also became more serious:

"This time the Divine Mechanism Camp has greatly defeated the Qingzhou Army, with morale through the roof, fitting to head south, and I intend to lead the vanguard."

Xu Zhenguan paused, her body still, turning her dainty head, her eyes dark as lacquer, staring at him:

"Prince Jing and Mu Prince are no mere chickens and dogs like Prince Heng. Your firearms are indeed formidable, but as the Grandmaster noted, their success came from surprise. Now that Prince Heng’s army is defeated, news has spread, and they will inevitably guard against and respond. Replicating the victory is now impossible."

Zhao Douan grinned and said: