Puppet Emperor, the Empress Wields All Power and Calls a Deer a Horse

Chapter 37 Ten Thousand Years-Enlightenment Tea! Shadow Guards Appeared!

Xue Wuyan squinted his eyes slightly, his gaze falling on Gu Changsheng. He bent forward slightly and cupped his hands in a formal salute.

“No need for such formalities, Left Prime Minister!”

Gu Changsheng waved his hand and smiled lightly.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Xue Wuyan straightened up, his expression kind, and asked,

“Your Majesty, is the reason you summoned this old minister here related to the Qingzhou rebellion?”

“The Qingzhou rebellion—I already have a solution.”

Gu Changsheng’s expression was calm, as he gestured for Xue Wuyan to come closer and smiled warmly.

“Left Prime Minister, why not first sit down and have some tea, then we can discuss the matter of the Qingzhou rebellion.”

“Since Your Majesty insists, this old minister shall accept the invitation.”

Xue Wuyan was full of surprise and curiosity.

At this critical moment, the emperor still had the mind to drink tea?

Could it be that His Majesty really had found a way to resolve the rebellion in Qingzhou?

Without further thought, Xue Wuyan saluted and sat opposite Gu Changsheng. Reaching out, he picked up a cup of tea from the table and took a small sip.

As soon as the tea entered his stomach—

In an instant!

Xue Wuyan’s expression changed slightly as he felt a pure energy surge within him. His aging body seemed to have been cleansed and revitalized, and even his cultivation advanced significantly.

“The Ten Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea!”

Sensing the changes in his body, Xue Wuyan looked at the tea in his hand, his face filled with amazement as he murmured to himself.

Just one cup of this tea had given him, a peak-level master, such immense benefits. This tea must be the legendary Ten Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea, with such remarkable effects.

However, this tea was an incredibly rare treasure, with only a few remaining in the hands of some sages of Shen Zhou.

Although he held the prestigious title of Left Prime Minister of the Zhou Dynasty and was a peak-level master, he had only had the good fortune of tasting it a few times in his life and didn’t possess any himself.

The value of this tea is beyond measure. But why did the emperor have such a rare treasure in his possession?

“If the Left Prime Minister finds this tea to his liking, I have more and would be happy to gift you some.”

Suddenly, Gu Changsheng’s lips curled into a subtle smile as an ancient jade box appeared in his hand out of nowhere, which he then offered to Xue Wuyan.

“Your Majesty, this old minister is deeply grateful.”

Xue Wuyan’s gaze flickered, and after hesitating for a moment, he finally reached out to accept the jade box.

As the Left Prime Minister of the Zhou Dynasty, Xue Wuyan naturally understood the principle of ‘softened by favors, bound by gratitude’.

He wanted to refuse the emperor’s gift, but the Ten Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea had too much value to him—he simply couldn’t turn it down.

[Ding! Left Prime Minister Xue Wuyan has developed a sense of loyalty to the host, altering the course of events, and earning 10,000 plot points!]

At that moment, the system’s notification rang in Gu Changsheng’s mind. He remained silent, but inwardly, he couldn’t help but smile.

Xue Wuyan was the representative of the neutral faction in court. If he could win over the Left Prime Minister, the entire neutral faction of ministers would surely follow.

Offering a small amount of Ten Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea in exchange for Xue Wuyan’s gratitude and allegiance was a profitable trade for him.

“Your Majesty, regarding the Qingzhou rebellion, do you already have a solution?”

After savoring the Enlightenment Tea, Xue Wuyan placed the cup down and looked at the calm expression on Gu Changsheng’s face, asking thoughtfully.

“I do have a plan, but I would first like to hear what the Left Prime Minister suggests.”

Gu Changsheng lightly sipped his tea, his eyes gleaming as he smiled.

Upon hearing this, Xue Wuyan pondered for a moment and then said in a deep voice:

“In order to quell the Qingzhou rebellion, the Zhou Dynasty must quickly dispatch powerful forces and troops to first eradicate the rebellious cultivators within Qingzhou. After stabilizing the internal unrest, we can rely on Qingzhou’s defensive formations to withstand the millions-strong beast army from the barbarian wilderness for half a month, giving time for the various regional princes and lords to send reinforcements. By then, the barbarian army will surely retreat.”

Gu Changsheng listened with a smile, his tone meaningful as he said,

“That is indeed a good plan, Left Prime Minister. But the success of your strategy hinges on the assumption that the regional princes and lords will send troops to reinforce Qingzhou and help resist the barbarian beast army. If these princes and lords are unwilling to assist, then Qingzhou’s fall would be inevitable.”

Hearing this, Xue Wuyan furrowed his brows, his expression heavy with concern.

Indeed, he had overlooked this critical point. If the regional princes and lords refused to lend aid, relying solely on the imperial court’s forces would lead to tremendous losses in pacifying the Qingzhou rebellion. After all, the barbarian beast army numbered in the millions—a threat the Zhou Dynasty could not afford to underestimate and one that required careful consideration.

At that moment, Gu Changsheng spoke again, a cold smile appearing on his face:

“The Qingzhou rebellion is no accident. According to my investigation, Lin Lei, the governor of Qingzhou, has long been secretly colluding with the Demon Sect and the barbarian beast clans. I’ve also uncovered news that Lin Lei plans to abandon the city and flee, leaving Qingzhou to its fate.”

“How can that be possible?”

Xue Wuyan’s pupils contracted, his face paling in disbelief. He knew Lin Lei’s background very well.

Lin Lei had been personally chosen by the previous emperor to serve as the governor of Qingzhou and had always been loyal to the Zhou Dynasty.

How could he have colluded with the Demon Sect and the barbarian beast clans?

“This is bad. If what Your Majesty says is true, and Lin Lei betrays the empire, then Qingzhou is in grave danger. Even if the Zhou Dynasty mobilizes its armies and sends strong reinforcements now, it will be too late.”

Suddenly realizing the severity of the situation, Xue Wuyan’s expression darkened.

Even if the Zhou Dynasty immediately dispatched troops, it would take at least three days for them to reach Qingzhou at the fastest speed. By then, Lin Lei would have long fled, and Qingzhou would already have fallen.

“Your Majesty, we must act quickly and prepare for the worst, making plans for Qingzhou’s fall and minimizing the losses.”

Xue Wuyan’s face turned grim.

I never imagined that Lin Lei, the governor of Qingzhou, could hide so well.

None of the civil or military officials in the court sensed anything amiss.

Lin Lei will be the culprit behind Qingzhou’s fall.

He deserves to die.

“Prime Minister, since I am already aware of everything, how could I possibly allow Qingzhou to fall?” Gu Changsheng smiled faintly, his eyes landing on Xue Wuyan’s worried face.

Hearing this, Xue Wuyan was taken aback. After a moment, realization dawned, and his heart filled with excitement.

Indeed!

Since the Emperor had known in advance about Lin Lei’s collusion with the demonic sect and the barbaric beast tribes, how could he not have made preparations?

“Deploying troops and generals takes time. By the time reinforcements arrive in Qingzhou, Lin Lei would have already fled, and the city would be lost.” Gu Changsheng said. “I plan to send the Shadow Guards and go with you to Qingzhou immediately. We will eliminate the traitor Lin Lei, quell the rebellion, and secure control of Qingzhou.”

Upon hearing this, Xue Wuyan was curious about the Shadow Guards’ capabilities. “Your Majesty, how powerful are these Shadow Guards?”

“Rest assured, Prime Minister. The Shadow Guards are more than capable of quelling the rebellion in Qingzhou!”

Gu Changsheng’s tone was commanding as he called out, “Shadow Guards, assemble!”

As soon as the command was given, Xue Wuyan’s expression changed, and he turned his gaze toward the void as if he sensed something.

The next moment, ripples spread through the air around the Imperial Study. Figures in black robes, their faces cold and their auras terrifying, emerged from the void. Their identities were concealed, but their presence was overwhelming.

“Impossible!”

Xue Wuyan muttered, his eyes narrowing. “All these figures in black… they’re all experts at the pinnacle of cultivation!”

Hundreds of such experts!

Xue Wuyan’s heart raced in disbelief.

How had the Emperor managed to amass such a terrifying force?

No wonder he dared to confront the Empress Dowager in court.

Among the figures, the one leading them exuded an aura so immense that even Xue Wuyan felt a sense of danger. This person must be a peak Great Expert, one of the most formidable.

Could all these experts be a hidden force left by the late Emperor?

Xue Wuyan speculated, then quickly dismissed the thought.

The late Emperor could never have mustered such a powerful group, not even during his reign.

“These hundreds of Shadow Guards will accompany you to Qingzhou to suppress the rebellion.” Gu Changsheng said, his gaze meaningful. “I trust you will not disappoint me.”

It was clear to Xue Wuyan that Gu Changsheng had intentionally revealed his strength to him. The Emperor’s demonstration of power was a calculated move, aimed at winning Xue Wuyan’s loyalty in the ongoing political struggle.

“Your Majesty, I will not fail your trust!” Xue Wuyan, brimming with confidence from the support of the Shadow Guards, bowed deeply, his tone filled with newfound resolve. With such powerful allies, he had no doubt that they could suppress the rebellion in Qingzhou.

As Xue Wuyan left the Imperial Study with the Shadow Guards, Gu Changsheng’s eyes gleamed coldly. He murmured to himself, “Empress Dowager, this time your schemes will not succeed.”

In the original storyline, Qingzhou was lost, allowing the barbaric beast tribes to invade the heart of the Great Zhou Empire, causing untold suffering.

Xue Wuyan was gravely injured in his attempt to quell the rebellion and nearly lost his life.

But now, Gu Changsheng had prepared carefully. The Empress Dowager’s plot was destined to fail.