On the other side, in Zhao Min's palace.
"The Xuanming Elders died because they weren't strong enough, but how did the Devil Master and Taoist Baisang die?”
"Could it be that this Chen Zhibao is really that powerful?”
In front of the dressing table, Zhao Min's jade-like hands supported her chin, and her pair of lively eyes were filled with confusion.
It was true that Ning Wang's rebellion had her adding fuel to the fire. If it had gone smoothly, they could have directly attacked Da Ming's capital.
The next step was to dismiss Zhu Houzhao and reestablish a new king.
There was already a candidate for this, and that was to make Prince Ning emperor.
This way, he could firmly take over Da Ming's stall.
The last thing to do was to enter with Da Yuan's army, and they could completely swallow Da Ming in one bite.
However, she never expected that Zhu Houzhao would win in the end!
He won so inexplicably!
All of this was because he had underestimated the battle prowess of Chen Zhibao and his Snow Dragon Cavalry.
Not only did he force Prince Ning to swallow gold and commit suicide, but even the two land immortals, Pang Ban and Taoist Bai Sun, did not escape the calamity.
This matter had made her depressed for a long time.
"Princess!"
At this moment, a palace maid walked in.
He then carefully walked to Zhao Min's side and handed her a small note.
"Hmm? This dynasty has finally sent a letter!"
Looking at the note in her hand, Zhao Min was overjoyed. Then, she slowly opened it.
After reading it for a while, she threw the note into the stove and lit it up. She frowned slightly and said,"Zhu Houzhao's secret? Great Ming's foundation?"
There were no surprises!
Dayuan was the same as the other empires. They were also very eager about the hidden strength of Great Ming and ordered Zhao Min to secretly investigate.
Zhao Min pondered for a moment and nodded gently."I know about this matter. You should quickly retreat. Don't let anyone find out.”
"Yes, group leader."
The palace maid responded and slowly left.
After the palace maid left, Zhao Min's lips curled into a smile. Her beautiful eyes looked in the direction of Yangxin Palace Hall as she snorted."Zhu Houzhao, do you think I can't do anything to you just because I let you win the last round? Let's see if you can dodge this time. When I control you, you will belong to me alone. You will do whatever I tell you to do!”
At this moment, Zhao Min was full of confidence because the information that Dayuan brought this time was not just for her to investigate.
At the same time, he also brought a trump card and a complete plan.
That was to capture the leader first!
Dayuan's ambition was even greater, and it was not just to find out what Da Ming was hiding.
Zhu Houzhao himself was also Dayuan's main target.
After all, the original Dayuan was planning to control Zhu Houzhao or make Prince Ning emperor as a puppet, and then break into the Great Ming territory.
This thought remained unchanged.
The only additional request was for Zhao Min to investigate the defenses of the entire palace in preparation for the Yuan Dynasty's invasion.
Da Yuan had even secretly reached an agreement with Ye Gucheng. Soon, a Land Deity would arrive.
Zhao Min wanted to use this opportunity to completely control Zhu Houzhao.
Zhao Min was in a good mood after thinking this through.
She first stood outside the window and looked at the sky. At this moment, dusk was gradually descending.
As long as he waited a moment more, he could begin his first step.
Now, he only needed to continue waiting.
……
Soon, night fell.
Whether it was Wanwan, Yan Fei, or Zhao Min, they all put on their black night suits and started their own plans.
……
At the same time, in the royal study, Zhu Houzhao was still discussing the future plans of the Ming Dynasty with Cao Changqing.
"Minister Cao, after saying so much, do you have any suggestions for Zhen's current actions and Great Ming's future plans?”
Zhu Houzhao asked Cao Changqing with a smile.
Because of the system, Cao Changqing would be directly informed of the current situation by the system.
Zhu Houzhao told Cao Changqing everything he had done during this period of time, so that he could understand the situation of Ming Dynasty better.
He wanted to hear Cao Changqing's opinions and suggestions on his plan.
"Your Majesty, I analyzed it just now and my intuition tells me that Your Majesty has already done very well. Now that Your Majesty has military power in hand, at least the Ming Dynasty will not worry about chaos internally.”
Cao Changqing smiled and agreed with Zhu Houzhao.
Of course, this was not flattery, but the truth.
To Da Ming, he was already beyond cure.
If he didn't use a strong medicine, it wouldn't be able to produce much effect.
However, Cao Changqing added,""However, Your Majesty, in terms of future plans, I think that Your Majesty might as well look into the long term. For example, opening up the sea to strengthen the country externally, and suppressing the vassal kings internally!”
"Oh? Interesting! Continue!"
Hearing this, Zhu Houzhao's eyes could not help but light up, and he thought of many things at once.
However, he still wanted to hear Cao Changqing's specific thoughts as a reference and supplement.
As the emperor, he was not arrogant. His decisions were not necessarily perfect. They could even be wrong.
All of these needed a capable official to correct them, not someone who could blindly tinker with them.
"I know that Your Majesty is ambitious, but even if Your Majesty holds the military power in the Great Ming Empire, its internal economy is still a little poor. Once we have a direct conflict with these empires, the losses will still be too great.”
"Even if a war is launched, it will cause a chain reaction. If you are not careful, it will lead to a war between the countries of Nine Regions. It is not in the interest of His Majesty and Ming Dynasty to be in a mess.”
"But if we go out to sea to plunder those foreign races, it will be different. On one hand, we can develop Great Ming's sea power. On the other hand, Great Ming can also plunder resources without any scruples and continuously strengthen its own foundation.”
"The second is to suppress the vassal kings. Although these people are relatives of the emperor, His Majesty also knows that the vassal kings have their own armies and even have the right to ride horses in their territories. With the examples of King Pingnan and Prince Ning, although they may be able to stay quiet for a period of time after being suppressed by Chen Zhibao, how long can they stay quiet?”
"Therefore, I believe that this vassal king must be removed in order to completely hold all the military power in his hands. By concentrating his strength on the foreign races on the sea, he can quickly restore the strength of the Great Ming Dynasty and revitalize it.”
Cao Changqing spoke frankly and frankly, expressing his thoughts in one breath, and then waited for Zhu Houzhao to consider.
As a character obtained from the system's lucky draw, he was 100% loyal to Zhu Houzhao, so there was no problem of being suspected by the emperor.
If there was anything to say, it only depended on whether Zhu Houzhao would accept it.
"Yes! This method is not bad!"
After listening to Cao Changqing's words, Zhu Houzhao's mind was running rapidly. It took him a long time to show a satisfied expression.
The method was feasible and basically safe.
On the one hand, they could develop the internal economy of Great Ming, and at the same time, they could develop the sea. This was almost the Nine Provinces 'version of the Great Voyage.
This was indeed a good idea!
He was even more satisfied with Cao Changqing's performance.
This time, the System Lottery was worth it!
It provided him with a new train of thought!
He already had the intention to send Cao Changqing to the cabinet to handle government affairs, but after thinking about it, he decided to wait.
He needed to take Cao Changqing to see someone first!
This person was none other than Li Chungang!
Next, Zhu Houzhao had to deal with Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng's matters.
……
At the same time, Wan Wan and Lady Yan appeared outside Li Chungang's palace under the dim night sky and hid in a dark corner.
For this operation, the two of them did not send their own people to test the waters. Instead, they chose to come personally.
This matter was too important to allow any mishaps, so they did not send their subordinates.
On one side of the roof, Wan Wan was wearing a black night-traveling outfit. She kept flashing and leaning against the wall, trying to hear the movements inside.
On the other side of the roof, Lady Yan was wearing a layer of black muslin, almost blending in with the night sky, making it hard for others to notice her.
Unfortunately, perhaps because of the same plan, the two of them actually hid in the same position.
"You, who are you?"
Wan Wan looked at the person in front of her and thought that she had been discovered. She couldn't help but turn pale with fright.
Just as she was about to make a move, Concubine Yan said coldly,""You're Wanwan, I'm familiar with your voice!”
She had to be familiar with him. That night, she had heard so much that her head had exploded.
"Consort Yan? Why are you here?"
Wan Wan was even more confused now. The power she had just mobilized in her body also calmed down, and her pair of bright eyes became extremely vigilant.
She subconsciously thought that Concubine Yan had followed her and even bribed her trusted aides. Otherwise, how did Concubine Yan know that she would carry out a night attack?
"If you can come, why can't I?”
Lady Yan glared at Wan Wan and snapped.
At this moment, she was very depressed. She did not expect that she was not the only smart one. Just as she was about to ask for information, a colleague came.
Could it be that there was a spy under him?
However, something didn't seem right!
It was impossible for Great Si Ming and Young Si Ming to betray him, and there was no need for that!
Or was it because something had happened to Great Qin?
"Hehe! I didn't expect Sister Yan Fei to be so smart. Could it be that she also discovered that His Majesty often comes here?”
Since she was recognized even though she was an acquaintance, Wanwan decided to stop pretending and reverted to her usual seductive and enchanting demoness image.
This sentence was also a test!
If Concubine Yan admitted it, then he would have to clean up his subordinates.
Otherwise, something big would happen sooner or later!
"Humph! I didn't expect you to be such a scheming person, or rather, the Sui Dynasty behind you is even more scheming.”
Lady Yan said coldly.
She could tell that Wanwan was testing her.
But wasn't he also testing Wanwan?
She had spent a lot of effort to get Zhu Houzhao to become a habit.
However, Wanwan's reaction seemed more like she had collected the information herself, which made Lady Yan feel more at ease.
As long as there was no traitor, everything was fine.
Otherwise, if he was exposed in Da Ming, then it would really be dangerous.
She wasn't worried about running away!
He was very unwilling!
"Hehehe! Since my sister has also discovered it, why don't we sneak in together and take a look? Perhaps we can discover some big secrets and share them together.”
Wanwan giggled. At this moment, she was certain that Yan Fei was the same as her.
Since there wasn't a traitor, Lady Yan must have found out herself.
They could explore together since they didn't have a choice.
If they cooperated now, they could continue to cooperate in the future.
To lay a good foundation for the future!
"Alright!"
Concubine Yan thought for a moment and nodded.
There was nothing wrong with cooperating with Wanwan. This was a huge risk, so one more person could help.
In fact, if the situation was worse, he could let her die with him.
"Happy cooperation!"
Wanwan was all smiles.
As they spoke, the two of them began to move. Under the cover of the night, they sneaked into this mysterious forbidden area step by step.
The moment they entered, the two of them felt a little strange.
This was actually just a simple courtyard.
There was a stone table and a few stone stools. Beside it was a fake mountain with flowing water flowing down from above.
The overall architectural style was completely different from the grandeur of the palace. Instead, it gave people the feeling that it was the elegant residence of a recluse.
"This…"
Wanwan and Concubine Yan's expressions became lighter and their eyes met. They didn't expect this to be the place.
He had thought that it would be an important place for the militarists, where a secret camp or some great killing weapon was hidden.
Looking at it now, it gave people a quiet and unique feeling.
Tell the truth!
He was a little disappointed!
This also eased the tension in the two of them, and they felt much more relaxed.
However!
Just as the two of them turned to look at the stone table.
At some point, an old man was sitting at the stone table.
An old man with a broken arm was short, skinny, cross-eyed, and had a goatee.
He was wearing an old and tattered sheepskin coat, and his nose was drooling from time to time.
The moment they saw the old man, both Lady Yan and Wanwan widened their eyes. Their expressions changed drastically and they subconsciously wanted to run away.
But it was too late!
At this moment, the space around them seemed to have frozen.
It was dangerous!
It was dangerous!
It was dangerous!
……
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]