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

Qin Imperial Palace.

"Your Majesty, I have found information regarding the Rank 5 on the Confucian Immortal Ranking, Zhang Danfeng!"

"Oh? Speak."

"This man's ancestors once competed with the Founding Emperor of the Ming Dynasty for control of the dynasty, but ultimately failed."

"Even his father once served the northern nomads and sought to overthrow Ming Dynasty's rule."

"It can be said that Zhang Danfeng's family has a deep-rooted enmity with the Ming Imperial Family."

The Shadow Secret Guard Leader Zhang Han reported the newly gathered intelligence.

"Oh? That means that Zhang Danfeng is an enemy of the Ming Dynasty, not a friend?"

Ying Zheng was immediately intrigued.

If they could recruit this Mythical Realm cultivator, the strength of the Qin Dynasty would greatly increase.

"Your Majesty, Zhang Danfeng is different from his ancestors. He doesn't care much about power or fame."

"He holds no hostility toward the Ming Dynasty either."

"In fact, he was a close friend of the former Young Guardian of the Ming Dynasty, Yu Qian."

"He would never do anything to harm the interests of the Ming Imperial Court."

"That's not necessarily true. Back then, when the Ming Emperor killed Yu Qian, it caused quite a stir across the Nine Provinces."

"Since the Ming Dynasty killed his close friend, there's no way Zhang Danfeng felt nothing."

"He might even be hiding hatred deep within his heart."

"It's just that, with the Ming Dynasty currently in a dominant position, he's kept it buried inside."

"If that's the case, then this is an opportunity for the Qin Dynasty."

"If we recruit him, he can be our vanguard. Why not?"

"With the Qin Dynasty as his backing, whether for revenge or to claim the world, it's not out of the question."

"For the Qin Dynasty, there are only benefits and no downsides."

Ying Zheng spoke calmly.

After all, if he were in Zhang Danfeng's shoes, he definitely wouldn't let go of such a deep grudge.

Judging others by himself.

This Zhang Danfeng might be just the kind of talent the Qin Dynasty urgently needed.

"Zhang Han, send someone to the Ming Dynasty immediately to track his whereabouts."

"As long as he is willing to join the Qin Dynasty, I am willing to treat him as a monarch."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will see to it right away!"

"By the way, have Fu Nian and Yan Lu from the Little Sage Manor been captured?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the two are currently fleeing toward the Han Dynasty. The Shadow Secret Guard and Net Trap are cooperating fully to capture them."

"Do not let them escape."

"If they can't be captured alive, then kill them on the spot."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Now that the Little Sage Manor has been wiped out, it is time to deal with all the Confucian scholars within the Qin Dynasty."

"Sow discord, divide them, win them over, and let them fight among themselves."

"Those who can be used by us shall live."

"Any Confucian scholar unwilling to serve in the Qin Dynasty must be executed without exception!"

"This task shall be carried out by the combined forces of the Black Ice Platform, Net Trap, and the Shadow Secret Guard."

"This matter must succeed. Failure is not an option!"

==========

Tang Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.

"How is this possible? Another one from the Ming Imperial Court?"

"Why did the Ming Dynasty have so many Confucian Immortals?"

"What about the Confucian scholars of my Tang Dynasty? What about the scholars from other Imperial Courts?"

"Are they all useless?"

Li Shimin was clearly irritated.

With each new Golden Ranking announcement, the number of cultivators from the Ming Dynasty kept increasing.

To the point that it made him feel hopeless.

"Your Majesty, we still have a chance. This newly ranked individual is not truly aligned with the Ming Imperial Court."

"If the conditions are right, he might not be unwilling to serve our Tang Dynasty!"

"Or, we can use him to sow discord between him and the Ming Dynasty, making them turn on each other as enemies."

"Good. I'll leave this matter to you, Master Yuan!"

"By the way, Master Yuan, have you found my brother?"

"What exactly is he after?"

"Is he still searching for the hidden Crown Prince's child?"

"Your Majesty, according to the Unseen Ones' investigation, Li Bai is currently traveling with Qin Dynasty's Xun Kuang. His purpose remains unclear."

"I will continue to investigate!"

==========

Yuan Imperial Palace.

Temujin stared coldly at the ranking.

Beside him, Prince Tolui's expression was also grim.

At present, the situation within the Yuan Dynasty was growing increasingly dire.

Ogedei, Jochi, and Chagatai were all scheming with ambition, trying to split the Yuan Dynasty apart.

This had greatly weakened the national strength of the Yuan Dynasty.

Meanwhile, their greatest threat, the Ming Imperial Court, was growing ever stronger.

Temujin felt a mounting sense of urgency.

"That damn Ming Dynasty is about to gain another Mythical Realm cultivator."

"Father Khan, I know Zhang Danfeng."

"His relationship with the Ming Dynasty is quite delicate."

"Why don't we invest some effort and fully win him over?"

"Tolui, do you have a plan?"

"Father Khan, if he is willing to join the Yuan Dynasty, why don't we offer him the position of Prime Minister?"

"I've looked into it. His father once served as Prime Minister for the Wala of the northern steppes under the Yuan Dynasty."

"If he becomes our Prime Minister now, wouldn't it be fulfilling his father's ambitions?"

"As for the rumors in the Martial World that he is a carefree and unrestrained scholar uninterested in fame or power, I believe it's just an act."

"Merely a tactic to avoid raising the suspicions of the Ming Imperial Court."

"If he truly had the chance to taste wealth and power, would he really let it go so easily?"

"Father Khan, if we give him this opportunity, he might very well accept it sincerely."

"In doing so, we would not only gain a Mythical Realm cultivator, but the Ming Dynasty would lose one."

"In fact, Ming Dynasty might even gain a Mythical Realm enemy instead."

"With a bit of manipulation, wouldn't Zhang Danfeng turn against the Ming Dynasty entirely?"

"Hahaha, good. Tolui, I'll let you handle this."

"I'll be waiting for your good news."

"Rest assured, Father Khan. I won't disappoint you!"

Now that the three, Ogedei, Jochi, and Chagatai, had fractured the Yuan Dynasty, the only one left qualified to inherit the entire dynasty was Tolui.

As long as he took the throne.

He would have plenty of ways to deal with those three rebellious brothers.

Especially Ogedei.

How dare he scheme against him in secret?

That traitor Yelu Chucai pretended to support him on the surface, but was actually on Ogedei's side behind the scenes.

All this time, he had been nothing more than a chess piece for Ogedei and Yelu Chucai.

Those two sat back reaping the benefits from the shadows!

Despicable!

He would kill them both eventually.

Buzz!

Hm?

A new ranking has appeared.

A ripple spread through the sky.

The Confucian Immortal Ranking had updated once again.