Chapter 640: Observations

The secondary capital of the Great Zhou.

The city gates stood wide open, and officials knelt to welcome the arrival. A potential military conflict was averted, and Empress Wu Zhi was given a significant display of respect.

Wu Ming vividly remembered the scene of that day. Now, several days after the army’s entry into the city, he was dressed in plain clothes, strolling along the main street, experiencing a completely different atmosphere.

Although the court was in decline, it had not yet collapsed. Even as a secondary capital, the city retained a certain grandeur. The streets were neatly arranged and clean, with shops lining both sides in orderly rows. In terms of liveliness and bustle, it even surpassed the city of Dingzhou.

At this time, Prince Ding’s army had taken over the city’s defense. With no major battles occurring and many local troublemakers in hiding, public order in the city was actually better than before. Many citizens took to the streets, buying wine and meat or measuring cloth for new clothes, seemingly eager to celebrate their survival after the crisis.

“Indeed, under the Emperor’s rule, the people seem to have more vitality and a better quality of life!”

In ancient times, regional differences were significant. The residents of the secondary capital were among the most privileged in the entire empire.

After wandering around for a while, Wu Ming entered a tavern and found a seat.

“Great Zhou has nurtured scholars for three hundred years, and today is the time for them to uphold righteousness and sacrifice their lives!”

Suddenly, a bold and impassioned voice came from a nearby private room, filled with indignation, catching Wu Ming’s attention.

“That Prince Ding, like a hen crowing at dawn, has overstepped his rank by claiming royal titles. Now he has brazenly surrounded the city and even demanded that officials kneel to welcome him—an act of madness beyond reckoning!”

Through the door, one could faintly see a scholar with disheveled hair and an open chest, dressed like a madman, holding a large cup of strong wine: “Now he is even to be appointed Chancellor, receiving the highest honors, surpassing all officials, overseeing both civil and military affairs. Truly, if this can be tolerated, what cannot be?”

“Brother, be careful with your words! Be careful!”

Several others at the adjacent table looked worried and immediately tried to dissuade him.

After all, the Great Zhou had been the legitimate dynasty for three centuries, and even at its end, there were still loyal subjects.

For example, on the day Empress Wu entered the city, several elderly scholars blocked her procession and pleaded desperately. If not for the quick reflexes of her personal guards, they might have even died by dashing their heads against the ground—a scene of unwavering loyalty and stirring passion.

However, Wu Zhi’s momentum was unstoppable, and she carried herself with dignity, indifferent to the criticism of thousands, yet she did not overly punish those old fools, even declining the imperial conferment and the Nine Marks of Honor.

Wu Ming naturally understood her intentions.

A ruler values practical benefits over empty titles.

Moreover, her title of “Prince Ding” was self-proclaimed. If she accepted the court’s recognition, it would be inappropriate.

In contrast, the position of Chancellor, which the young Emperor was reluctant to grant, was only obtained after Wu Zhi pressured him with her army.

After all, the Chancellor is the head of all officials, bearing the great responsibility of assisting the Emperor in governing the realm. If the Chancellor’s authority becomes too great, it could even overshadow the imperial power.

Wu Zhi’s interest in this position was naturally for this very reason.

She did not come to revive the Great Zhou. Holding the Emperor as a puppet to command the feudal lords was merely a temporary expedient. Eventually, she would inevitably follow the path of “he who can replace him.”

“Master!”

At this moment, two plainclothes men approached, acting like servants and whispering in his ear: “What should we do with these hotheaded scholars?”

With a nod from Wu Ming, they would immediately arrest these men, making an example of them to suppress the city’s unrest.

“Not yet. Wait until the formalities are settled!”

Wu Ming waved his hand, his attitude quite magnanimous. After all, Wu Zhi had not yet been appointed Chancellor. Once she assumed the position, she could issue decrees and enforce them lawfully, dealing with any who resisted.

“Understood!”

These attendants were all trusted men. Some clever ones had already gone to inquire from the tavern keeper, obtaining the names and backgrounds of the scholars. When the time came, none would escape.

“Scholars rebelling—three years and still no success…”

Wu Ming sipped his wine and ate his food, watching the bustling street with a thoughtful expression: “Overall, the situation seems fine. Although some scholars express grievances, they are merely complaints…”

The scholars and philosophers were not fools. With Wu Zhi holding the upper hand, anyone who dared to oppose her would be made an example of. Who would be so eager to die?

Returning to the Prince’s Mansion along the way.

This was presented by Zhang Duan and Ku Chong, reportedly once the residence of a certain Prince, with vast grounds and deep courtyards, exuding royal dignity.

At this time, with numerous personal guards sealing off the streets and patrolling back and forth, it added a sense of imperial majesty.

Inside the hall, Wu Zhi had just finished receiving guests, her face showing signs of fatigue: “Coming to the secondary capital, I finally understand the state of the court. The sight is shocking—among the civil and military officials, there is not a single one who does not betray the country…”

She seemed to smile bitterly: “If not for my rule that only officials of the third rank or above may request an audience, the gates would be blocked by carriages and horses by now!”

This remark made Wu Ming chuckle: “Only in the capital can one realize how small their rank is. Here is the heart of the Great Zhou—just a brick thrown randomly might hit a noble or a high-ranking official. Officials of the seventh or eighth rank are merely insignificant.”

“Indeed…”

Wu Zhi turned her head and suddenly bowed to Wu Ming: “I have not yet congratulated my husband! Zhang Duan just told me that the Emperor is about to arrange a marriage, and I will have another younger sister!”

“Oh, that…”

Wu Ming touched his nose. The princess rumored to be betrothed was the current Emperor’s biological sister, titled Duanrui, known for her beauty and intelligence.

Of course, her status was the most important.

Being the Emperor’s sister was one thing, but secretly, she was said to be the reincarnation of a celestial being, the daughter of the Heavenly Emperor.

In this regard, aside from Wu Ming, there were few in the world daring to take her as a concubine.

“A princess, willingly becoming a concubine for my husband. I heard the Emperor was so enraged he fainted and spat blood, but eventually the girl herself, understanding the greater good, convinced him.”

Wu Zhi’s face bore a faint smile mixed with a hint of jealousy.

Actually, this was her own doing—to use this event to demonstrate her ability to manipulate the Emperor at will. Yet, as a woman, although she had willingly offered her husband a concubine, the feelings that arose at the moment were somewhat complex.

Wu Ming immediately sensed this subtle emotion.

He chuckled lightly, stepping forward to lift Wu Zhi’s fair and radiant chin: “I owe it all to my wife! Without borrowing your prestige, how could the Emperor agree to marry his sister to me? How can I thank you?”

At this, Wu Zhi’s face turned rosy red, and she lightly spat.

After some teasing, the two finally turned to serious matters.

“In the grand court meeting the day after tomorrow, the Emperor will formally appoint me as Chancellor. This cannot be changed. But once in position, what do you think I should do?”

Wu Zhi looked at Wu Ming with anticipation, for only she knew that her husband was not only unfathomably powerful but also possessed an extraordinary grasp of the overall situation.

For example, this time, she had originally been locked in a standoff with two regional lords in Lingzhou, but when he showed interest and gave a few hints, Ding Bao and Ma Meng quickly became insignificant clowns and autumn grasshoppers. Now she was entering the secondary capital, about to grasp the reins of power!

“My lady already has a plan, why ask me?”

Wu Ming winked: “Xuzhou is cold and harsh; surely you’ve longed to return home?”

“Exactly!”

Seeing her secret plans exposed, Wu Zhi admitted openly: “Fortunately, my husband is not my enemy, or else I truly wouldn’t know what to do.”

“Relocating the capital requires caution, but this is a land of four battles, indeed not suitable for prolonged stay.”

Wu Ming nodded, agreeing with Wu Zhi’s idea.

Relocating the capital!

Once she assumed the position of Chancellor, the first major action she prepared was to move the court. Not to Dingzhou, at least to Lingzhou.

After all, Xuzhou had just been taken, controlling only a small part, with several rival powers watching nearby, making it an unsuitable location.

Retreating to the rear would effectively preserve their strength.

Moreover, through this relocation, the court and officials would be completely sidelined, becoming mere puppets, unable to interfere in the slightest.

“The movement of the population can be postponed, but the Emperor and officials must move immediately!”

At this, Wu Zhi’s face turned grim: “Our spies have already reported that since my arrival in the capital, feudal lords across the land have become restless. Several major lords near Xuzhou are secretly conspiring to launch a campaign to rescue the Emperor!”

Clearly, seeing Wu Zhi’s actions, many feudal lords could no longer remain idle.

They too had capable advisors who understood that allowing Wu Zhi to control the court and gain legitimacy would lead to unimaginable consequences.

Power without legitimacy makes a tyrant or a hegemon.

Legitimacy without power is merely symbolic, subject to manipulation.

But when the two combine, it is the turn of the feudal lords to tremble.

Now Wu Zhi is already the greatest feudal lord in the land. They certainly do not wish to see her gain legitimacy, allowing her to command the realm with righteous authority.

“Hmm… this is indeed a matter of concern, but nothing to worry about. Once you become Chancellor, simply send imperial envoys to confer titles upon the regional commanders and governors across the land!”

Wu Ming smiled slightly and said directly.

“Those feudal lords possess power but lack legitimacy. Now gaining recognition from the court, they will naturally be overjoyed. Most will likely agree immediately. However, this will also mean they have indirectly acknowledged the authority of the court and your prestige.”

“Moreover, names and titles must not be given lightly.”

Wu Zhi’s eyes lit up: “If we subtly incite them during the conferral, causing the regional lords to fight among themselves, using the big to control the small, wouldn’t this be a great opportunity for our dominion to expand?”

She immediately thought of several strategies, some leveraging existing advantages, others guiding the situation to our benefit, all with a high chance of breaking up this anti-Ding alliance, making her admire her husband even more.

A single casual remark from Wu Ming left her with profound reflections, sparking a sudden clarity in her thinking.

Such composure and talent, employing strategies seamlessly, like a gazelle hanging its horns—leaving no trace—perhaps even national talents like Zeng Yu would be inferior.