Golden Ranking Appears, My Empress Turns Out to Be Wu Zhao

[Renowned Minister Ranking – Rank 2]

[Xiao He]

[Nation: Vast Sea Dynasty]

[Potential: Capable of becoming a Top Prime Minister of the Nine Provinces]

[Governance Capability Rating: Five Stars]

[Strength: First-Rate]

[Reward: 1x Immortal-Tier Civil Minister Skill Card, 1x Immortal-Tier Spiritual Power Enhancement Card, +50% National Fortune]

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Vast Sea Dynasty.

"Congratulations, Lord, for reaching Rank 2 on the Renowned Minister Ranking."

Numerous officials congratulated Xiao He in unison.

"Haha, this is all thanks to His Majesty's grace."

"If not for His Majesty, there would be no Xiao He today."

Xiao He chuckled. Although inwardly thrilled and excited, he did not lose himself in the moment.

His inner mind remained calm and undisturbed.

In his heart, he held a greater and far-reaching goal.

To assist His Majesty in unifying the entire Nine Provinces.

Compared to that, mere reputation was nothing.

"Let us now discuss the next objective for the Vast Sea Dynasty."

"Marshal Yue Fei and Marshal Han Xin have already conquered the entire Southern Song Dynasty. We must immediately dispatch officials to take over governance."

"Then, we shall use the Southern Song Dynasty region as a springboard to strike at the other nations."

"What do you all think? Should our next target be the Yuan Dynasty or the Northern Song Dynasty?"

"Lord Xiao, naturally it should be the Yuan Dynasty!"

"Our enmity with the Yuan Dynasty is irreconcilable. We must not let them go easily."

"Now is the perfect time to crush them while they are still weak. That way, we gain the territory of a dynasty."

"Not so. If we do that, we will inevitably come into full conflict with the Ming Dynasty."

"The Ming Dynasty is not like the other dynasties."

"Whether in military strength or in the number of powerful individuals, they surpass us."

"Especially the Ming Emperor, he is an Emperor of unfathomable depth."

"If we confront the Ming Dynasty now, even if we win, the cost will be immense."

"That will only benefit the other dynasties."

"And we might lose our chance to unify the Nine Provinces!"

Only a few in the room knew of Zhu Houzhao's true identity.

Those who did were trusted confidants among confidants.

The other officials, naturally, were unaware of such a tremendous secret.

Regardless, the Vast Sea Dynasty must not face off against the Ming Dynasty.

Xiao He frowned slightly as he looked at the officials below, who were fiercely debating, each convinced of their own argument.

In the end, the decision had to come from Xiao He, the Prime Minister.

"Lord Xiao, what do you think our next move should be?"

"Should it be the Yuan Dynasty or the Northern Song Dynasty?"

"Everyone, please remain calm. We must first digest the territory we just gained and solidify our foundation."

"At the same time, we must prepare our forces for battle."

"As for the next target, the Northern Song Dynasty."

"Though the Yuan Dynasty has suffered heavy losses, their foundation remains. They are not to be underestimated."

"On the other hand, the Northern Song Dynasty is in complete disarray."

"Right now, the Northern Song Dynasty faces internal strife and external threats."

"And Emperor Zhao Ji is completely incompetent."

"Such a great opportunity, how can we let it slip by?"

"However, before we are fully prepared, we must not remain idle."

"Immediately dispatch covert agents to the Northern Song Dynasty to sow discord among its forces."

"Make sure the chaos grows worse."

"Before we strike the Northern Song Dynasty, we cannot let them resolve their internal and external crises!"

Xiao He's words settled the matter.

At the same time, a terrifying aura radiated from him.

Causing all the officials to feel suffocated.

What kind of skill was this?

Could it be the Immortal-Tier Civil Minister Skill rewarded by the Heaven Dao?

Just the pressure alone was no weaker than the Land Immortal Realm.

==========

Yuan Dynasty.

Temujin's expression was dark as he looked at his Prime Minister, Yelu Chucai.

Yelu Chucai still hadn't appeared on the Renowned Minister Ranking?

Could it be that he surpassed Rank 2 and became Rank 1?

Though Temujin was confident in Yelu Chucai's talent.

He did not believe that Yelu Chucai could outshine Zhang Juzheng of the Ming Dynasty or Li Si of the Qin Dynasty.

And those two only ranked 3rd and 4th. The chance of Yelu Chucai making the ranking was slim.

If that was the case, how could he receive the benefits of the Heaven Dao Reward?

His original expectation for Yelu Chucai had now turned into disappointment.

A sense of annoyance and dislike began to grow within Temujin.

Furthermore, in recent times.

He found that Yelu Chucai's policies always clashed with his own ideals.

Which made him more and more impatient with the man.

"Khan, please have mercy on General Guo Kan. He has always been loyal to the Yuan Dynasty and never had any thoughts of betrayal."

"Though he once served under Prince Ruyang, he now has nothing to do with him."

"General Guo Kan is exceptionally talented in leading troops. He is the best candidate to counter Yue Fei and Han Xin. We must not lose such a man!"

Yelu Chucai pleaded sincerely.

No one expected that after wiping out Prince Ruyang's entire household, Temujin would begin targeting officials and generals associated with him.

Many of whom were supremely capable.

Guo Kan, once a senior general under Prince Ruyang.

Held extraordinary military talent.

He was highly valued by Yelu Chucai, who specifically requested to have him.

Granting him independent command of an army.

From then on, Guo Kan rose rapidly.

Winning every battle.

His military achievements were outstanding.

Were it not for the likes of Muqali, the Four Great Generals, Si Hanfei, and Prince Ruyang overshadowing him, he would have already been renowned.

But as those men either died or defected, Temujin finally took notice of him.

Yet remembering that Guo Kan had once served Prince Ruyang.

Temujin immediately decided to have him executed.

Seeing Yelu Chucai still pleading for him only made Temujin more suspicious.

Could it be that because of Prince Ruyang, the Prime Minister had grown disloyal?

And Guo Kan might be his trusted subordinate?

If so, then this man could not be allowed to live.

"Prime Minister, say no more. I see rebellion in Guo Kan's bones. He will definitely betray me in the future!"

"The more talented he is at leading troops, the more dangerous he becomes."

"Guards, arrest Guo Kan and execute him immediately!"

The more Yelu Chucai tried to protect him, the more determined Temujin became to eliminate him.

As for Guo Kan's military abilities?

What a joke!

If he was really that great, why didn't he make the Nine Provinces Generals Ranking?

Since he wasn't ranked, it meant he wasn't worth much.

Killing him was no loss.

Temujin gave Yelu Chucai a cold glance.

If Yelu Chucai wasn't the Rank 1 on the Renowned Minister Ranking, then it meant he wasn't as exceptional as imagined.

Moreover, if he harbored disloyalty.

Then as the Prime Minister of the Yuan Dynasty, he was a grave threat.

When the time came, he too would be eliminated.

Yelu Chucai shivered from Temujin's glare.

He never expected Temujin to be this ruthless.

Not giving him even the slightest dignity.

Ever since the failed Southern Song Dynasty campaign.

The Khan's temper had grown worse by the day.

Unpredictable and violent.

Was this still the wise and mighty Genghis Khan?

With his intellect, how could he not understand Temujin's thoughts?

The incident with Prince Ruyang had become a thorn in Temujin's heart.

And Yelu Chucai, in recent matters, had often been connected to Prince Ruyang.

Thus, Temujin's distrust and dislike of his Prime Minister deepened.

Now, Temujin only tolerated him in hopes he would appear on the Renowned Minister Ranking.

But if he didn't.

Then it would be time for Temujin to raise his blade.

==========

Tang Dynasty Palace, Taiji Hall.

"Your Majesty, I have disappointed you."

"Please punish me for my failure."

Changsun Wuji wore a bitter smile as he bowed before Li Shimin.

At first, he was supremely confident about making it onto the Renowned Minister Ranking.

But now that the Rank 2 has been revealed.

He began to lose faith.

Compared to Zhang Juzheng of the Ming Dynasty, Li Si of Qin Dynasty, and Xiao He of Vast Sea Dynasty, he might not be able to surpass them.

It seemed he had no fate with the ranking.

If that were all, it wouldn't be too bad.

But if His Majesty grew disappointed in him, that would be a disaster.

"Wuji, you have committed no crime."

"Whether or not you made the Renowned Minister Ranking, you are still my right arm."

"That is an undeniable fact."

"If the Renowned Minister Ranking didn't choose you, it means you still have areas to improve."

"But you need not dwell on it. Just make improvements in the future."

"As long as you give your utmost to assist me in unifying the Nine Provinces, who else deserves the top position more than you?"

"By then, who are Xiao He, Zhang Juzheng, or Li Si to stand alongside you?"

Li Shimin spoke proudly.

His tone is full of ambition and confidence.

Changsun Wuji below was stirred to the core, his face filled with emotion.

Yes.

Even if he didn't make the ranking, so what?

As long as he helped His Majesty unify the Nine Provinces, who dared say he was inferior to those renowned ministers?

"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost, using all I have learned in my life, to assist Your Majesty in building a true Tang Dynasty golden age."

"To unify the entire Nine Provinces!"

"Good. With your words, I look forward to it!"

"You and I, working together, how can we fail?"

"Wuji, from now on, begin planning the war against the Sui Dynasty."

"I hope that within three years, we can completely destroy the Sui Dynasty."

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Ming Dynasty Palace.

"Xiao He? He's Rank 2?"

"Could someone really be better than him?"

Zhu Houzhao frowned slightly, puzzled.

From what he knew, all those capable of contending for Rank 1 were already ranked.

So who else had the qualifications to be number one?

A flash of insight lit up his mind.

Could it be him?

Wu Qi?!!

That man was not only formidable in warfare but also remarkably capable in governance.

Could the Golden Ranking have named him first?

It shouldn't be!

Though Wu Qi was indeed outstanding, his governance abilities might not surpass those of Xiao He, Zhang Juzheng, or Li Si.

Moreover.

Wu Qi had already been appointed a military general in the Ming Dynasty.

How could he possibly be involved in civil governance?

Zhu Houzhao racked his brain but couldn't find an answer.

If it wasn't Wu Qi, then none of the other officials in the other dynasties fit either.

Could it be that even among ministers, there were hidden ones?

Perhaps one who lived in seclusion somewhere in the Nine Provinces?

Just as Zhu Houzhao was lost in thought.

The Golden Ranking in the sky radiated light.

The final name was about to be revealed.

Not only Zhu Houzhao but everyone across the Nine Provinces stared intently at the ranking.

Who was it?

Who truly deserved to be first on the Renowned Minister Ranking?