CHAPTER 851: CHAPTER 511: CHAOS SUPPRESSION GRAND COMMANDER (5K)_3

"I know. So, I didn’t plan to really become a general leading troops with a little bit of gunpowder. I’m an amateur in military maneuvers and formations. I might be able to talk big, but I’d be no match in actual confrontation."

Xu Zhenguan paused: "Then why did you..."

"Because Her Majesty needs it." Zhao Douan said earnestly:

"At the current Linfeng frontline, what’s most urgently lacking isn’t manpower or firepower, but confidence and trust. Her Majesty’s return, along with the news of Qingzhou Army’s defeat, can provide confidence to the frontline. However, Her Majesty has difficulty in giving sufficient trust to the frontline generals, including Xue Shence. Similarly, the soldiers at the front also have to consider the views from the Capital. To avoid mistrust between the ruler and ministers, many decisions must be relayed back and forth to the Capital for approval... In this back and forth, the opportunity for action can be lost instantly. Therefore, Her Majesty needs a trustworthy and influential person to oversee the military at the frontline."

As a "civil servant" for two lifetimes, Zhao Douan was clueless in warfare, but he has at least seen pigs run although he hasn’t raised one.

In his previous life, he flipped through historical records of "civil wars" and was especially touched by the trust issues between commanders and frontline soldiers within a large system.

Especially in the context of the rebellion of Zhao Shixiong, Wei Xianzong, including the two imperial guard commanders within the Imperial City, the Empress... and the entire court inevitably cast a significant shadow of doubt on the loyalty of the generals leading troops from outside.

In the face of the general fragmentation and allied sieges of the vassal kings, how could they ensure the frontline generals wouldn’t defect?

Sending out "supervisors" and "military governors" was the only solution they could think of.

After much thought, the most suitable candidate was Zhao Douan.

Being absolutely impossible to defect, and having achievements like crushing the Qingzhou Rebel Army, he could be a competent military governor.

Equipped with the title of "Imperial Consort" and his renowned reputation, to a certain extent, he could act flexibly at the front, making decisions without being hindered by the distant Capital.

"For me..." Xu Zhenguan paused, her heart seemed to be struck, her eyes softened, contrasting with her earlier rash actions... A hint of guilt arose in her heart.

Zhao Douan smiled and continued: "I’ve already thought it through; once I lead the Capital Camp reinforcements, I’ll first meet Xue Shence to stabilize the troops. After that, since the two vassal kings have torn open the Huai River and each occupies half, creating two human-made ’East-West Front’ battlefields, I can cooperate separately with Lord Xue to deal with those two rebel kings. Haha... I’m already quite familiar with that dog Prince Jing, but Mu Prince of Yunfu remains unfamiliar to me. As for that Southwest Border Army General, Zhao Shixiong, sharing my surname, I’ve heard his name enough times to grow calluses in my ears, I’m curious whether this man has three heads or six arms."

Xu Zhenguan smiled softly, gently lifting her head to look at the spirited "Little Forbidden Army," softly saying "Hmm," with a hint of admiration in her eyes: "Since you have made your decision, if you need anything, just say it."

Zhao Douan pondered for a moment, gazing passionately at the Empress, his line of sight digging inside the open collar.

Xu Zhenguan merely said indifferently: "You can’t break my defense."

"..."

Thus Zhao Douan’s defenses were broken, and he blurted out in exasperation: "I need people, like that Wei Xianzong."

The Empress’s eyes flickered. She was already aware of the encounter between Zhao Douan and Yuann Li in the afternoon — Mo Chou had reported it all to her.

Understanding that Zhao Douan was giving her a way out, she nodded pleasantly: "Alright, I’ll give them to you. Anything else you need?"

Zhao Douan: "I want a sufficient title, one that can equal Xue Shence’s position."

The Empress said: "I can appoint you as ’Chaos Suppression Grand Commander,’ one rank higher than a governor, with the authority to oversee and restrain. Anything else?"

Zhao Douan fell into thought once more, then suddenly stood up, rotated the chair along with the seated Empress by ninety degrees.

Then, amid the Empress’s bewildered gaze, he squatted down eagerly: "Your Majesty, after massaging your shoulders for so long, do you want your feet massaged too?"

Xu Zhenguan’s expression went blank, her eyes carried three parts of shock, three parts of bewilderment, three parts of confusion, and one part of disdain...

The next second.

A palm-sized, easily held embroidered shoe kicked over: "Get out!"

Zhao Douan sidestepped timely, retreating to the doorway, muttering: "You’re getting angry again, I didn’t even charge you money..."

After speaking, before the Empress could lose her temper, he hurriedly slipped away, pushed open the door, and went out.

Yet, behind him, there wasn’t a killing blow of Taia Sword he’d expected, just an exasperated voice drifting over: "What’s the name of your massage technique?"

She thought it was quite good, planning to have her female officials learn it for future use.

Zhao Douan didn’t turn back, improvising: "Eighteen Touches."

...

...

The sunset sank into the ground, the daylight extinguished.

After the Empress had a simple dinner at Zhao Mansion, she returned to the palace.

Zhao Douan didn’t join the palace excitement; after eating and drinking his fill, he turned back to his room.

He lit the candlestick.

Waiting for the orange firelight to soak the room.

He stood on the empty floor, taking out a silver scroll, gave it a slight shake, and a red half-body armor fell with a "bang".

Along with it came a "crackling" sound, a heap of bizarre and diverse weapons and magic artifacts.

Forming a small mountain.

Not only these, Zhao Douan also pulled out two large chests from under the bed, all filled with similar items inside.

These were the spoils of the Battle of Baihua Village and the treasures from "Master Gu Huo’s" vault.

"If I feed all of these to the Red Flame Saint Armor, it should restore it to peak condition, right?"

Zhao Douan held the book "Zoroastrianism" given to him by Zhenbao, opened to the page corresponding with the "Sacrificial Refinement" array.

Using a brush dipped in specially mixed cinnabar, he sketched a complex hexagram array on the floor.

Once accomplished, he placed the Red Flame Saint Armor at the center of the array.

Then, standing at the "spell position" of the array, he placed his palm on the cinnabar on the floor, channeling vigorous Qi energy.

"Sizzle—"

The crimson cinnabar abruptly ignited, and the entire array spread out mysterious halos, a surreal blaze flaring up.

The "Red Flame Saint Armor" at the center of the array lit up, gradually, the piece of armor floated on its own, seemingly worn by an ethereal Fire God.

"Rumble..."

The black face mark at the front of the armor suddenly twisted and deformed, opening a "big mouth," revealing a "hole" as dark as a black hole.

The crimson armor also transformed into a furnace.

Waiting for feeding and sacrificial refinement.

"Is this how it works?" Zhao Douan swallowed, looking at the heap of various magic artifacts and weapons beside him, feeling a strong premonition in his heart:

"Perhaps, the Holy Armor I feed will be more potent than in Prince Heng’s hands."