I actually preferred Cai Jingjing when she hadn't regained her memories on Earth. Perhaps Ma Xiaorui was right; I might have a bit of a thing for younger-looking people, but Jingjing wasn't exactly a child—she was more womanly than most women, just possessing a certain childishness in her intellect.

Ever since Cai Jingjing recovered her memory, she seemed to understand that I liked her youthful side. So, whenever we spent time together, she would cling to me like a child, wanting to play this and that. Naturally, I happily indulged her, as that feeling was incredibly fresh and new.

Today, Cai Jingjing was decidedly more adult, perhaps due to the setting. There were many people around, including two actual children, and she had just resumed her role as my wife. Given all the circumstances, she felt obligated to carry herself as a mature woman.

Now, this mature woman was beneath me, groaning softly with an unbearable sound that constantly urged me to find the weak points in her defenses. Since Cai Jingjing was lying down with her legs tightly clamped shut, the path for my advance was exceptionally arduous.

I kept lifting her hips repeatedly, and finally, with a cry of pained pleasure from Cai Jingjing, we became one...

After the storm, Cai Jingjing appeared fragile and sweetly shy, her exposed body forcing her to cling tightly to my embrace for cover. "Husband brother, you've been bored lately."

With my desire finally vented, my mood calmed. Holding Cai Jingjing, I reflected on this extraordinary journey of finding my wife. "What's wrong? I hadn't noticed. It's the same as before."

Cai Jingjing said, "Didn't we agree? You still entered me just now. I was worried someone might be peeking."

I laughed. "If you hadn't spread your legs, I couldn't have gotten in. Are you afraid of peeking now? They watched plenty before."

Cai Jingjing deliberately sidestepped the issue of her cooperation. "But today, it's not just our Zhao family people here; there are four outsiders. Even though the Crown Prince isn't old, if he saw me like this, you'd be at a serious disadvantage, you know."

Listening to Ma Xiaoda’s loud snoring, I murmured, "He’s sleeping like a pig right now. You could probably lay a feast right in front of him, and he wouldn't stir."

Cai Jingjing retorted, "Even setting aside what just happened, remember when you broadcasted yourself messing around with Sister Susu and the others for us to watch? That was incredibly dull."

I smiled without answering. Cai Jingjing was merely seeking a bit of solace from me out of boredom. She didn't truly care about those things, and indeed, she soon dropped the subject, moving on to talk about her time while suffering from amnesia. In truth, Cai Jingjing had already submitted to me shortly after I rescued those people in the Imperial Garden. Perhaps she wouldn't have resisted even if I had forced myself upon her then, but the disparity in our positions was too great—she resided in the palace, and I was merely an external official. Unconsciously, this distance grew between us, so the opportunity for me to forcefully claim her never arose—until tonight.

"If you want to reclaim Chenchen," Cai Jingjing suggested, "I think you only have a real chance if you keep her by your side. That would greatly increase your opportunity."

I replied, "But we don't rule this territory. Although the Ma family trusts me deeply now, taking the Princess away might be difficult."

Cai Jingjing countered, "Not necessarily. Ma Da hasn't announced Xu Chen's identity publicly, possibly because he doesn't want too many outsiders knowing, which would make the handover to you easier. You know that a true princess cannot be easily married off to an outsider."

Hearing Cai Jingjing's explanation, I grew delighted. "You’re right. So, do you think Chenchen will come with me? If she refuses, asking Ma Da won't do any good."

Cai Jingjing said, "I need to discuss that with her. But rest assured, with me here, you won't lose your wife. I know you worry about Zhang Guan targeting Chenchen, so I'll help you watch out, to keep your junior wife from being taken advantage of."

"You need to watch yourself too," I warned. "That lad Dan Shi is still holding a torch for you."

Cai Jingjing chuckled. "I know. Which of your wives isn't constantly on the minds of the men in Shuangcheng Nation? It’s because they are all so voluptuous—it’s what the men of Shuangcheng Nation dream of. But what they dream of is their business. Except for Chenchen, who is currently unsettled, none of the others would ever follow another man because they simply aren't worthy!"

Cai Jingjing's words greatly boosted my self-confidence. We embraced and drifted off to sleep. However, when I woke in the morning, I found myself sleeping on a mat on the floor beneath the bed, while Cai Jingjing was sleeping soundly, hugging Hua Qingqing.

Ma Xiaowei was the first to wake up. She looked surprised at the sight and quietly approached me to ask, "How did you end up down here?"

I scratched my scalp. "Maybe I was sleepwalking. Good thing I didn't crawl onto the bed."

Ma Xiaowei suppressed a smile. "And what if you did crawl onto the bed? They are both your wives. Only the three of us siblings are outsiders here."

"Heh heh, don't say that. You should count as an insider too."

Ma Xiaoda's drowsy voice suddenly sounded, "What are you talking about? What outsiders and insiders? Are you whispering sweet nothings so early in the morning?"

Ma Xiaorui's voice chimed in, "It must have been a dream. You snored all night last night; I’m never sleeping with you again."

Ma Xiaoda scoffed, "Dream on. The Empress will be sleeping with me from now on. You go sleep with your consort."

Ma Xiaorui playfully smacked her brother's back. "Nasty! Who wants a consort? If you talk nonsense again, I’m telling Father Emperor!"

With that, Ma Xiaorui covertly glanced at me from the corner of her eye. I knew she was still dwelling on last night's conversation. I had agreed to Yun Yao's terms, but somehow I had ended up entangled in more romantic complications. I couldn't shake off these two princess sisters. I would only be able to explain myself to Yun Yao and the other ladies once I found Ouyang Qian and He Yuqing, and then I could address the matters concerning Linglong, Ma Xiaowei, and Ma Xiaorui.

Joyful times are always brief. Since dawn had broken, we couldn't stay here for another day. The Imperial Stables and the Eastern Depot had matters awaiting my attention, not to mention the morning court session, as Ma Da intended to finalize the border relief efforts before the New Year, intending to deploy troops immediately after the holidays.

All external and internal conditions for the border relief deployment were mature. Marauding bandits were rampantly slaughtering the populace of Feiying and Feilong Prefectures. They had progressed from simple pillaging to fortifying captured strongholds. Feiyu County in Feiying Prefecture and Heilong County in Feilong Prefecture had been held by the bandits for a long time. If the court remained inactive, these areas might soon become actual territory of the Wanma Kingdom.

As for external conditions, the Group Army’s Fourth and Fifth Corps had completed their reorganization and were now stationed outside Shuangcheng. They brought their own provisions, and their military pay was being offset by currency seized from Zhu Shou's estate. However, this self-sufficient state could not last long, so they needed to be assigned to local areas. Firstly, this would stabilize the border regions, and secondly, it would allow them to maintain stability while engaging in production and training in their long-term garrisons, achieving self-sufficiency in grain and solving the court's current difficulty in supporting the troops.

On the way to the Hall of Civil and Martial Virtue, the atmosphere was jubilant, adorned with festive decorations. This year’s New Year in Shuangcheng Nation was destined to be unusual. Besides the solemn ceremony for the Crown Prince’s formal court entry on the first day, the court had successfully quelled a rebellion of over a hundred thousand insurgents. Now, they were capable of eliminating the bandit threat in the Southern Marches. These combined achievements certainly warranted grand celebration.

I had constantly been looking for ways to avoid morning court. Frankly, I was unaccustomed to such formalities, but skipping today was impossible, as the main agenda was dispatching troops to aid the border against the Wanma Kingdom.

Back when Pang Hu hosted his banquet, he had asked for my opinion on the border relief matter. Cautiously, I refrained from volunteering myself for the mission. The enthusiasm I felt during the Huyang campaign had waned over time, and Pang Hu also seemed inclined to seek someone else. In his view, I had already proven my excellence through my achievements, so it was time to give a newcomer a chance.

Judging by the attitudes of the Left and Right Chancellors, they also seemed reluctant to support my leading the campaign against the Wanma Kingdom in the Southern Marches. If I left, their influence in Shuangcheng would be weakened. Given the current frail power of the Chancellor's Faction, they were insufficient to contend with the Pang Faction. I was their only trump card for stabilizing the situation and achieving a victory against the odds. Based on the opinions of these two power blocs, it seemed my chances of leading another expedition were slim, but I was content to go with the flow and had never given these matters too much thought.

The previously chaotic court situation became even more volatile with the emergence of the Royal Faction. The Royal Faction held no actual administrative power, but by uniting, they controlled a portion of court officials through their extended family influence. Moreover, the Royal Faction seemed eager to attach themselves to a larger group, leading to fierce contention between the Pang Faction and the Chancellor's Faction to win their allegiance.

Analyzing the intelligence available, the Royal Faction appeared to be leaning toward the Pang Faction, but their ultimate target seemed to be the Crown Prince. Since the Crown Prince and the Pang Faction were mortal enemies, the Royal Faction's closeness to Pang Hu was likely just a temporary façade for self-preservation—a way not to offend either side. Once the Crown Prince assumed power, they would undoubtedly rally behind him; otherwise, without royal backing, the Eight Inner Princes were nothing more than national parasites, and even Pang Hu would not employ a group whose only skill was wasting rations.

Since the Eight Inner Princes did not attend court, their intentions could only be conveyed through several officials within their faction. This resulted in the court factions settling into a tense three-way standoff, with me positioned to play both sides, offending no one and openly supporting no one. I suspect it was precisely because I had yet to declare my stance publicly that Pang Hu was hesitant in choosing a commander for the border relief.

I had no ambition for empty fame; I simply could not bear to see the common people of Feiyu County living in dire misery. Looking at the situation, the border relief campaign shouldn't present major difficulties. I had already laid the groundwork for them. With these forty thousand troops, defeating the bandits should be a simple matter—anyone could do it. My true mission was to find Ouyang Qing and He Yuqing, though I would also take the opportunity to help Ma Xiaoda clean up the court. However, the Pang Faction’s roots ran deep, and this task could not be accomplished overnight; it required time. Moreover, Ma Xiaoda had not yet ascended the throne, and his own power base was not yet cultivated. If I suddenly purged the factional rot, who would manage the affairs of state?

Everyone wore cheerful expressions and exchanged overly warm greetings upon meeting, as if they were old friends long separated. During the time before Ma Da appeared, the atmosphere in the court was warm and friendly. But when Ma Da raised the issue of border relief after the New Year, the hall fell instantly silent.

Ma Da spoke, "Esteemed officials, the bandit suppression campaign is progressing smoothly. We have received the latest military report: Liyang Prefecture has fallen, and the rebels have nowhere to hide, with most fleeing toward the Jin borders. Thus, peace in the Western Frontier is imminent. As for the horse bandits, they have plagued our south long before the recent rebellion. Now that all conditions are met, quelling the bandits is pressing. I propose dispatching General Zhao to lead the expedition once more. Given his previous acumen and success in suppressing the rebels, eliminating the bandit threat should present no difficulty."

No one spoke, and naturally, I remained silent. The temperature seemed rather low these two days; perhaps it was due to the high elevation of the inner city. I shivered, drawing my hands together and hiding in a corner. The ministers glanced over several times before spotting my location, but as soon as they confirmed where I was, they immediately averted their gazes.

After a long silence where no one responded, Ma Da continued, "Since no one objects, I believe this matter can be settled..."

"Your Majesty, this humble servant has a petition to present." Someone finally spoke from below. Looking over, I saw it was an insignificant official—a fence-sitter who floated between the various factions, offending none.

Ma Da nodded. "Speak. I promised to listen to all counsel and never rule autocratically."

"Your Majesty, this humble servant believes sending General Zhao to the border is inappropriate."

Ma Da looked displeased. "Inappropriate how? Can you find anyone more suitable than General Zhao?"

"This humble servant cannot. However, General Zhao has just returned from suppressing the rebellion. If he is sent immediately to the border relief, the people might speak ill of Your Majesty, saying you fail to cherish your officers and exhaust your famous generals like tireless oxen..."

"Silence! I had no such intention!" Ma Da was incensed.

The minister who offered the counsel instantly knelt on the floor. "Your Majesty, forgive my transgression. I shall never speak so carelessly again."

Ma Da regretted his outburst after shouting, as the minor official's point wasn't entirely baseless. General Zhao’s talent was undeniable, but since entering the court, he had been burdened with successive heavy responsibilities. Not long ago, the Huyang Prefecture battle resulted in sixty to seventy thousand casualties on both sides, indicating the extreme ferocity of the fighting. Logically, the man deserved a break. Yet, here he was, immediately taking charge of the Imperial Stables and reorganizing the Eastern Depot. Assigning him the border relief mission on top of that would indeed give critics ammunition.

Realizing this, Ma Da said, "You are pardoned. Continue."

"This humble servant dares not."

Ma Da pressed, "I ordered you to speak, so speak. Are you afraid I will go back on my word?"

"I am terrified. Since Your Majesty commands me to continue, I shall proceed. Your Majesty, General Zhao is a genius, a fortunate general for our dynasty, and a lucky star for Your Majesty. But precisely because of this, Your Majesty should cherish him all the more. Analyzing all conditions, victory in the border relief campaign is all but certain; sending anyone should not affect the overall situation. Furthermore, this humble servant believes General Zhao's current priority should be the Eastern Depot."

Ma Da inquired, "Explain!"

The official continued, "Your Majesty, this matter should have been reported to you by the senior officials. The Dog-Slaying Gang, which previous purges failed to eliminate within Shuangcheng, has recently become rampant. They have repeatedly assassinated high court officials; several ministers have already met misfortune. As Your Majesty's intelligence agency, the Eastern Depot bears inescapable responsibility. Usually, they monitor officials, but is the safety of the officials not also their charge? Even if personal security falls outside the Depot’s scope, an organized gang threatening the Emperor’s safety means the Eastern Depot holds significant blame."

I understood then. Preventing me from joining the border relief was likely just a pretext; the true objective lay in what followed. This fellow was trying to impeach me. However, what he said was fact: the Dog-Slaying Gang did fall under the purview of the Eastern Depot’s jurisdiction. Yet, the gang’s organization was extremely tight-knit, and the Eastern Depot had only recently been established, with much of its work still pending. They had no leads whatsoever in investigating this group.

I did not wish to defend myself or offer excuses, as the Eastern Depot had indeed given them cause for complaint on this matter. It would be better to return and strengthen my efforts than waste breath on excuses.

Before Ma Da could speak, Pang Hu stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I believe the words of Supervisor Yu are overly sharp."

The first official to speak was indeed a Supervisor. Seeing Grand Tutor Pang step forward to object, he remained unfazed. "Grand Tutor, how should I have phrased my statement?"

Grand Tutor Pang said, "Your Majesty, it is right for you to show concern for your subjects; otherwise, how can we encourage everyone to strive eagerly in service to the court? However, the Dog-Slaying Gang cannot be eradicated overnight. Since the Eastern Depot's establishment, public safety in the inner and outer cities has markedly improved. Moreover, they uncovered a group of corrupt officials and even traitors like the Yu family colluding with rebels. We cannot blame the Eastern Depot for the recent surge in the Dog-Slaying Gang's activities. To my knowledge, they have done their utmost in this matter, but after repeated court suppression, the gang's actions have become more secretive. Demanding the Eastern Depot eliminate them in a short time is simply forcing the impossible."

Ma Da nodded deeply. "Grand Tutor Pang speaks wisely, aligning perfectly with my thoughts. However, the Dog-Slaying Gang must be rooted out completely. General Zhao."

I emerged from my corner. "Your servant is here."

Ma Da commanded, "I order you to take charge of this matter. Set the deadline at three months. You must apprehend or eliminate every member of the Dog-Slaying Gang to prevent any further harm to court officials. The current atmosphere is one of widespread panic, putting the court in a difficult position. My entire hope rests upon you."

Since the Emperor had spoken the Golden Edict, I had no choice but to accept the command. As for how to eradicate this damned Dog-Slaying Gang within three months, I had no idea. But I held no affection for them, as they had tried to assassinate me without discerning friend from foe. If I caught their leaders, I would certainly lock them up and torment them mercilessly.

"As Your Majesty commands, your servant obeys."

Ma Da then addressed the Supervisor and Grand Tutor Pang. "You two, continue."

Supervisor Yu glanced at Grand Tutor Pang. "Your Majesty, this humble servant believes that since our victory in the border relief campaign is assured, we should treat this as an opportunity to train our troops. After all, Your Majesty mentioned that the people of the Jin Kingdom are treacherous, and conflict between our armies might erupt one day. But looking around Shuangcheng Nation, besides General Zhao, who else can truly lead troops in battle? Therefore, this border relief mission is a perfect chance to train capable generals. With a large and skilled army in the future, even ten Jin Kingdoms attacking us would pose no threat."

Grand Tutor Pang concurred. "Your Majesty, from a long-term perspective, this old servant also agrees with this view. Supervisor Yu speaks the truth; we severely lack usable commanders."

Ma Da nodded. "Indeed, your considerations are very thorough. But who should be sent?"

Supervisor Yu stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this humble servant dares to recommend Qiu Zhijie."

Qiu Zhijie also came from a military family, but his lineage had declined, and he currently held only the minor rank of General without any real authority, essentially 'banished' to a post in the Ministry of Personnel. Even Grand Tutor Pang had not bothered to court such a figure. Supervisor Yu’s recommendation felt like an attempt to muddy the waters.

If Supervisor Yu had proposed someone from the Pang Faction, he would certainly offend the Chancellor's Faction, and proposing someone from the Chancellor's Faction would offend the Pang Faction. Thus, by nominating an inconspicuous person unaffiliated with either, he ensured everyone would reject the choice, after which others could propose their candidates, and the matter would no longer concern him.

As expected, no sooner had Supervisor Yu spoken than someone from the Chancellor’s Faction raised an objection before Grand Tutor Pang could react. "Your Majesty, this is highly inappropriate. Qiu Zhijie is not capable enough to command forty thousand troops!"

Members of the Pang Faction also stepped forward. "We also deem it unsuitable!"

Supervisor Yu retreated slightly and took no further part in the debate, standing rigidly as if the matter held no relevance to him. I was puzzled as to why he would play the sacrificial pawn. The man he recommended had no apparent connection to Grand Tutor Pang. What was the reason? Was this merely a calculated retreat strategy?

The two factions argued briefly before the representative of the Royal Faction also jumped into the fray. Since notice of the debate over the border relief commander had been issued earlier, everyone had already formed their opinions. Some did recommend me, but given Supervisor Yu's earlier reasoning and Ma Da's subsequent order for me to rigorously investigate the Dog-Slaying Gang, the calls for my appointment were weak and lacked fervor, as shouting too loudly risked incurring the Emperor’s displeasure for being insensitive to his officers.

After an entire morning of contention, the ministers had worn down their verbal ammunition and largely settled on three potential candidates: Zhang Guan, son of Zhang Shouren of the Central Guard; Hu Chong, son of Prince Hu of the Eight Inner Princes; and Qi Lianshan, the Martial Scholar. Zhang Guan represented the Pang Faction, Hu Chong represented the Royal Faction, and Qi Lianshan represented the Chancellor's Faction.

The ministers resorted to manipulation within the hall to determine who would lead the forty thousand troops as Marshal. Fortunately, the Palace Guards intervened in time, otherwise, the dispute might have escalated to fatal violence. Due to my cautious approach to politics, my previous military expeditions had not caused great ripples among the factions. But now, the situation was different: in their eyes, whoever controlled the forty thousand soldiers held the potential to steer the future political course.

Yet, they failed to consider that Liyang and Huyan each commanded sixty thousand troops. This force of one hundred thousand was meant for permanent garrison duty, meaning it could not remain indefinitely under the direct control of the commanding general. However, it was not impossible that they might refuse to relinquish military authority for a long time. Still, the current state of the Twin Cities Kingdom was far from the days when they could not muster troops for deployment. The hundred thousand soldiers served as a check against one another; no single faction dared to rebel. Furthermore, I had reserved ten thousand elite troops for the Imperial Stables, coupled with four airships. Their debate was practically futile. Still, it presented a golden opportunity to bolster our own strength, making their reluctance to let go understandable from their perspective.

Mada painfully waved his hand, signaling an end to the morning court session, to be resumed after lunch. The incessant noise had given him a terrible headache. I followed the stream of ministers out of the Hall of Civil and Military Virtue. A small eunuch suddenly beckoned to me from a secluded spot, giving me a discreet signal. I lingered at the rear of the departing crowd, and the eunuch approached me. "General Zhao," he whispered, "The Emperor has a message for you: he requests your company for lunch."

With the Emperor’s invitation, refusal was out of the question. I followed the little eunuch to the private dining hall. Truthfully, I disliked eating here; the room was too vast and open, never feeling as comfortable as dining at home.

Seated at the table, Mada remained silent for a long time without touching his chopsticks. Finally, he sighed, forced a cheerful demeanor, and said, "You handled the bandit suppression admirably. As a side benefit, Xiaorui and Xiaowei also received high praise from the court officials, being called the most promising and accomplished princesses of the Ma family."

"Your Majesty, you have mentioned this several times already. The small service I rendered is hardly worth your continued concern," I replied.

"It is worth it, absolutely. The most crucial point is this: you assembled a hundred thousand soldiers for Us. Do you realize the shift in attitude among the ministers once they learned We commanded such a force? Even Grand Tutor Pang now seriously considers every word We utter. You have silently re-established the dignity of the Emperor. The formation of this army, completed under the radar, completely caught them off guard. I suspect this is precisely why they are now fighting over the position of Marshal for Border Reinforcement—whoever controls this army controls the future direction of the Twin Cities Kingdom."

Mada was astute; he must have long seen through the machinations within the court. It was fortunate that I returned and immediately relinquished command of the troops; otherwise, I might now be facing countless accusations of hoarding military power, perhaps even raising Mada's suspicion that I intended to assert myself independently.

"Your Majesty, initially, I was simply unable to manage those surrendered soldiers and officers. Letting them go without reorganization risked further local unrest. Thus, after consulting with the two Supervising Officers, I made a snap decision on the field."

"A fine decision, Zhao. The Twin Cities needs commanders like you. It is a pity that men of your caliber are so scarce. General Zhao, you now carry heavy responsibilities, and certain factions are using public opinion to challenge your right to command troops. What is your perspective on this matter?"

"Your Majesty, the trial of the new recruits is certainly justifiable, and I concur with the measure. Moreover, I genuinely intend to clean up the security situation in the Twin Cities. Your Majesty may not be aware, but I myself was recently targeted by the Dog-Slaying Gang. Therefore, I hold them in utter contempt."

"To think such a thing occurred! General Zhao, your personal security must be reinforced. Shall I assign the Inner City Guards to protect you?"

"I thank Your Majesty for your concern, but my safety is not an issue. However, allowing them to continue their random killings will lead to complete chaos. Therefore, for the time being, I plan to shift my focus of work entirely to the Eastern Depot."

"That is prudent. However, I wish to hear your opinion on the three candidates for the marshal position."

"This..." I hesitated. "I have only recently entered the court and do not know them deeply enough to offer truly fitting opinions."

Mada chuckled. "Are you afraid of offending someone?"

"Not exactly, Your Majesty. I merely fear that personal feelings might influence my judgment of the men."

"You refer to Zhang Guan? I understand he harbors feelings for Xu Chen."

"Your Majesty must understand my relationship with Princess Xu Chen. I do not fear stating this plainly: because he relentlessly pursues Xu Chen, we are now rivals in love, though he might still be unaware of my connection with the Princess. Nevertheless, I have developed a secret resentment toward him."

Mada laughed heartily. "You are certainly honest."

"I am the sort of person who speaks and acts boldly. Given my lack of goodwill toward Zhang Guan, compounded by the unclear internal power dynamics in the court, I—without fear of Your Majesty's censure—wish to recuse myself from selecting the candidates for the border reinforcement mission."

Mada spoke as if to himself, yet also addressing me. "How could I not know the schemes these three factions are employing? However, these individuals cannot be offended right now. I must devise a method to satisfy them all."

"Your Majesty, isn't that simple? Send all of them! The Inner Eight Princes lack military command, but as royalty, they can serve as supervising officials. As for the other two, they can be appointed as the primary and deputy marshals based on their capabilities."

Mada slapped the table. "An excellent idea! Three parties monitoring and checking each other—this is the true art of governance."

Mada, in his good spirits, immediately ordered wine. Having suffered a headache from last night’s drinking, I could not refuse the leader of the Twin Cities Kingdom’s insistence; I had to drink a few cups to honor his mood. However, I used this as an excuse to request leave for the afternoon. I truly wished to avoid the clamor of those voices and instead visit the Eastern Depot to arrange the hunt for the Dog-Slaying Gang.

Mada, pleased, readily granted the leave. Besides, there was nothing more for me to do there. Since I had decided to remain detached and had already handed over my military authority, it was better not to interfere, lest Grand Tutor Pang become suspicious of me. After all, I had not yet become his most trusted confidant; rumor has it that achieving that status often requires one to practically become a protégé, something I doubt I could manage.

A-Mao and A-Gou have both returned to the Eastern Depot. The Depot's strength has increased significantly. Due to the massive number of soldiers we integrated after the battle at Huyang, A-Mao worked wonders, selecting five thousand elite troops to bring back to the Depot. Entering the Middle City Gate caused considerable trouble, and ultimately, the training had to be completed under the Imperial Stables’ jurisdiction before the men could be dispersed across the Outer, Middle, and Inner Cities. Securing personnel within the Inner City was greatly facilitated by Ma Xiaoda’s help; otherwise, achieving the subtle infiltration would have been almost impossible.

The Eastern Depot wasn't the only one playing its own long game; A-San was also actively gathering strength. The bandit suppression in Liuyang Prefecture was nearing completion, and he would soon return to the city with the forces from the Imperial Stables, increasing their total strength to twenty thousand, fully equipped with heavy and light weaponry. At that point, I wouldn't even spare a glance for the hundred thousand Imperial Guards. Therefore, there was no need for me to try and win over Pang Hu.

I am the sole Chief Overseer of the Eastern Depot. The Second Overseers are the brothers A-Mao and A-Gou. The Third Overseers have been increased to five, based on necessity, with dozens of Captains and Centurions below them. Due to my headache, I didn't dwell too much on administrative matters, simply approving the personnel promotions the others proposed based on merit.

The Eastern Depot’s entire focus will shift from all other fronts to the apprehension of the Dog-Slaying Gang. Intelligence analysis suggests the gang is preparing for action soon, likely targeting Ding Kui, who has recently ignited public outrage in the Twin Cities.

Honestly, if the Dog-Slaying Gang hadn't attempted to assassinate me, perhaps I would have shown them leniency. After all, the people they killed were corrupt officials hated by the common folk. But not only did they cause chaos and target me, but they also constantly agitated Pang Hu’s nerves. Due to their actions, Pang Hu's defenses are now extremely tight, and even his top lieutenants are heavily guarded. This, in turn, makes it difficult for Ma Xiaoda to cleanse the court. Furthermore, the targets chosen by the Dog-Slaying Gang are becoming increasingly insignificant—even focusing on someone like Wanlicai’s minor subordinate. Killing a thousand men like that would never shake Pang Hu’s foundation.

"Sir, in the matter of investigating the Dog-Slaying Gang, this subordinate has been remiss in his duties. Please administer punishment, Sir." A-Gou stepped forward.

"Everyone has witnessed your performance. Since the Dog-Slaying Gang has managed to resurface after several attempts by the court to wipe them out, they must be growing stealthier each time. I am not interested in assigning blame for poor performance right now; instead, I require everyone to neutralize the Dog-Slaying Gang in the shortest time possible!"

A Third Overseer hesitated. "Sir, forgive my impertinence."

"Speak."

"Sir, this subordinate actually believes the Dog-Slaying Gang are not entirely villains."

I remained silent. Then another Third Overseer spoke up. "Sir, this subordinate concurs. Please reconsider, Sir."

A-Gou coughed. "Sir, what they say is true. The Dog-Slaying Gang still enjoys a good reputation among the common people. This is why they can remain hidden for so long; many citizens are willing to provide them cover. With the support of thousands upon thousands of commoners as their base, they naturally evade our various inquiries."

I rubbed my slightly disheveled hair. In truth, I held no strong binary view of good or evil regarding the people on Gemini. Those good to me are good people; those who are not are bad people. It is that simple. But from the perspective of the common folk, the side they support should be the just one. And indeed, the Dog-Slaying Gang is killing ‘dogs’—but they mistakenly categorized me in that group.

I always accept the opinions of my subordinates candidly, analyze them, and then make the correct judgment. This is why they support me. Putting aside personal bias, perhaps my attitude toward the Dog-Slaying Gang has been overly harsh. Since everyone brought it up, I will adjust the strategy.

"If matters are indeed as you describe, I wish to speak with the leader of the Dog-Slaying Gang. After all, we draw salaries from the court. If court officials are behaving improperly, that matter should be handled by the Judicial Department, not by them acting as an execution squad. Of course, for those truly beyond remedy, assassination might be unavoidable. However, communication must occur between both sides on this matter. Otherwise, if I cannot give the Emperor an accounting regarding the Dog-Slaying Gang, not only will I be punished, but all of you will be implicated."

The overseers understood the gravity of the situation. Their first lesson at the Eastern Depot was absolute obedience to orders. If I commanded them to arrest or execute someone, they would not hesitate. But I never employed a policy of pure coercion, and they were accustomed to reporting any thoughts to me. Presenting their current opinions was merely for my consideration.

"Thank you, Sir, for showing mercy to those rebels. We will find a way to disseminate this message. If they prove ungrateful and continue to oppose us, then they should not blame us for showing no mercy to the Dog-Slaying Gang!"

When I attended court, the women had returned to the Zhao Residence. By the time I returned in the evening, they had all reverted to their usual composure, the atmosphere of late-night drinking and intimate conversation entirely gone. Women can be exceptionally good at feigning propriety sometimes, but I enjoy it. The more prim they act in public, the more unrestrained they become in private; this contrast deeply fascinates me.

Shi Qing brought the water for washing my face and stood by, holding the towel. "Are you planning to wipe my face again?" I asked.

Shi Qing was no longer as reserved as before, smiling. "Yes, Master. You aren't planning to run away again, are you? What's wrong with this? Other masters enjoy the service of their staff."

"They are them; I am me. If I were to run, this Zhao Residence is such a small place—where could I possibly go?"

"Then don't run, Master. It is perfectly normal for us maids to bathe and change our master’s clothes. There is nothing to be embarrassed about."

I flinched and waved my hands. "It might be normal for others, but not in our Zhao Residence. With so many wives, surely one of them can bathe me. Please do not put me in an awkward position like this again in the future."

Shi Qing said nothing, watching me wash my face with a gentle smile. After I finished, she meticulously and tenderly wiped my face from the side, her expression akin to caring for a newborn infant. If I hadn't strongly objected, I fear she would already be doing the washing for me.

"Sister, I brought the fruit. Brother picked these this morning from the Imperial Stables valley when he entered the city. Master should eat a few," Shi Shuang entered the room, carrying a fruit platter.

I turned and bolted out of the room. I simply had to find a way to quiet these two sisters, or I wouldn't dare return to the Zhao Residence. In the corner of the courtyard, beneath the ginkgo tree, Linglong was partially uncovered. I called out, "Linglong, is dinner ready? I want to rest early after eating."

Linglong looked up hastily. "Ready, ready! I’ll bring the dishes right away."

Linglong ran off. From beneath the ancient ginkgo tree, a plump figure emerged. I was confused. "Gu Fei, why are you hiding here? What mischief are you up to, sneaking around?"

Gu Fei looked flustered. "N-nothing, Sir. I was just speaking with Miss Linglong."

Linglong once mentioned that Gu Fei harbored feelings for her that went beyond friendship, but Linglong assured me she would marry no one but me in this life, so I wasn't concerned about their relationship.

"Where is Man Fu? I haven't seen him since returning," I asked.

Gu Fei replied, "He found someone to take his post and said he went out to buy something."

"Has he been absent from his post often recently? Is there something going on?"

Gu Fei’s words were slightly evasive. "Perhaps. I heard he just found a girlfriend and is probably discussing marriage."

I smiled. "That's good news. Don't forget to invite me to the wedding feast. If you need anything, just ask. We are not short on funds now; don't let the brothers feel slighted."

Gu Fei was touched. "Sir, you are too kind to us. This little one... this little one doesn't know how to repay you."

I patted Gu Fei’s shoulder. "No need for such formalities. I know Kong Wu and Sun Chang have both become military commanders, and this must have affected you deeply. Give it some time, and I will certainly arrange for your transfer to the Imperial Stables."

"No!" Gu Fei stated firmly. "Sir, Gu Fei is willing to remain by your side to protect your safety. With Sun Chang and Kong Wu gone, I must take responsibility for your security. If even a slight accident befalls you, Gu Fei deserves ten thousand deaths!"

"It’s not that serious. However, I truly cannot be without you right now. How about you wait until Man Fu is married and has more time before you leave?"

"No!" Gu Fei said urgently. "Your security cannot be entrusted to him!"

I was puzzled. "What do you mean? Man Fu is quite clever; handing things over to him shouldn't result in errors."

"Ah Fu is clever, but he is young and restless. I fear he might not take adequate care of you, Sir. Therefore, I will not leave your side."

"Very well, then. Just don't resent me for keeping you tethered to my side. Hurry up and prepare dinner. You must be tired from running around outside with me all day."

Gu Fei replied, "Sir, compared to you, we had it much easier."

Seeing that Gu Fei seemed preoccupied, I tried to reassure him. "Gu Fei, if you have taken a liking to a young lady, tell me. I know I might have wronged you in one particular matter, but love requires two parties. Do you understand what I mean?"

Gu Fei interrupted me. "Sir, you misunderstand. I cherish Linglong like an elder brother; this humble one would never dare have improper thoughts."

I apologized. "Ah, I know this has caused you some distress, but regarding matters of the heart, I truly cannot..."

Gu Fei cut me off again. "Sir, please do not say any more. I will prove my words through action. As long as you treat Linglong well, I am happy. I know you are a kind master who cherishes beauty, Sir. Linglong will not suffer any injustice with you."

"Then, when Linglong and I marry, you will take the position of the elder brother-in-law."

Gu Fei grinned widely. "Naturally. I must get to lord it over you just once!"

Linglong called from a distance, "Master, dinner is ready! Are you still chatting?"

Gu Fei dined with the personal guards, though they all ate the same food. I disliked them preparing special meals for the retainers. Gu Fei said to me, "Sir, please go ahead. This subordinate will go down to eat."

Before the meal was finished, A-Mao called. He reported that brothers stationed on the periphery of the Dog-Slaying Gang’s area had intercepted a piece of news: the top leader of the Dog-Slaying Gang would appear at the Azure Cloud Tower in the Outer City tonight. Based on this intelligence, and after checking Ding Kui’s recent movements, A-Mao was certain the Dog-Slaying Gang planned to strike Ding Kui tonight.

Although I had decided in the afternoon to attempt communication with the Dog-Slaying Gang leader, releasing the message would take time, and their response would also take time. Achieving a consensus with them instantly was impossible. The only course of action was to deploy defenses at the Azure Cloud Tower in advance, hoping to capture the leader when he moved to assassinate Ding Kui.

With time pressing, I couldn't finish eating. I quickly conferred with the others and decided to personally lead the assault to the Azure Cloud Tower to confront the Dog-Slaying Gang leader. If he was sensible, things would end there; if not, we would ensure they ended in bloodshed tonight.

The Eastern Depot had nearly three thousand men in the Outer City. We deployed over five hundred elites in layered defense: the first line inside the Azure Cloud Tower; the second line within a hundred meters outside the tower; and the third line spanning five hundred meters around the tower. To avoid alerting the enemy, the first line personnel dared not carry conspicuously large weapons, instead hiding short swords and laser pistols while posing as various patrons drinking and visiting courtesans inside the tower. The second line posed as small vendors soliciting customers in front of the tower, ready to act as needed. Of course, their baskets were well-stocked with hidden blades, swords, and firearms. The third line had already positioned missile launchers and cannons hidden in nearby residences, ready to bring out the heavy ordnance if a fight broke out.

Linglong followed closely behind, disguised as my young attendant, while Gu Fei, due to his excessive weight, was kept away from the tower to avoid drawing attention. Yun Yao had also wanted to enter the Azure Cloud Tower—perhaps to monitor me—but no matter how she dressed, her substantial chest was impossible to conceal. It was utterly absurd for a woman to enter a brothel. Thus, she had to stay behind. At this moment, Yun Yao envied Linglong's petite figure, as it required no disguise, whereas she always had to go through great trouble when cross-dressing.

Posing as wealthy young masters, we entered the Azure Cloud Tower and secured a quiet room through the madam, paying a sum to dismiss the serving girls under the pretense of waiting for friends. A-Mao stood ready inside to take my orders, while A-Gou directed the main force outside, communicating via cell phones.

Since we were deploying in advance, all preparations were complete before Ding Kui arrived. Unless the Dog-Slaying Gang had planted hidden agents before us, their operatives should still require some time to reach the location.

A-Mao entered the room and whispered, "Sir, we have replaced all the stable boys and servants in the back courtyard with our own men. To prevent those people from leaking secrets, we had to ask them to stay at the Eastern Depot for the night. Unfortunately, we couldn't locate the courtesans in time, so we must use the previous staff. Hopefully, no one will notice the discrepancy."

I replied indifferently, "If they notice, they notice. Success is naturally the best outcome, but failure is also acceptable. I haven't placed all my hopes on this single operation."

A-Mao pulled out several packets of powder. "Sir, we have anesthetic, aphrodisiac, and poison here. Which one should we use on them? Administering drugs to the stable boys and servants, who are our own people, is extremely easy. With these drugs, capturing the masters you encountered last time should not be difficult."

"No need for poison; if we kill them, we can't interrogate them. Use plenty of aphrodisiac and anesthetic. If they choose not to drink, fine, but if they do, we will ensure they regret it."

"Yes, Sir." A-Mao left to check if Ding Kui had arrived and to arrange for some medicated wine for the others.

As A-Mao left, Linglong giggled. "Master, you are so wicked, giving people aphrodisiacs."

"Am I more wicked than the men upstairs and downstairs who visit prostitutes?"

"They visit prostitutes because they don't have a wife as beautiful as you at home. If a man had a wife of every type, like you do, who would bother coming here?"

"That’s not entirely true. Every woman possesses a distinct feeling and flavor. Even the most beautiful wife can eventually become tedious to look at..."

I dared not speak further, clamping my hand tightly over my mouth; if those words ever got out, I’d be dead. As expected, Linglong chuckled strangely, "Master, if I shared what you just said with the other sisters outside, what do you think the result would be?"

"The result," I said, "would be the start of a world war. For the sake of peace on Gemini, I suggest you pretend you never heard a thing."

Linglong replied, "Fine, remember this: you owe me a favor. For a romantic and heartless man like you, did I perhaps choose the wrong person in?"

I worried, "You aren't planning on abandoning me, are you? I was just speaking off the cuff, and besides, I didn't invent the concept of aesthetic fatigue; I just wanted to discuss it with you."

Linglong countered, "It’s not like we don't have other men interested in us. If you genuinely treated us like other men treat prostitutes, it would be unforgivable, and I would incite the sisters to leave your side."

I reassured her, "Don't worry, the wives can be absolutely sure on this point. I would never sleep with a woman who holds no genuine feeling for me; every person on Earth knows that."

Inside a secret chamber beneath a rice shop.

The three leaders of the Dog Slayers Gang were deep in plotting. Due to the increased vigilance of the Pang faction personnel in recent days, they hadn't achieved any success for quite some time. Although they had managed to breach the personal guard line of that official scoundrel Zhao, assassinating such a high-ranking officer required the right opportunity; otherwise, success was unlikely, so that operation could not be rushed.

Fortunately, tonight the Dog Slayers Gang could once again stir up popular fervor and support. Killing would surely be a cause for great public satisfaction. However, the outer city was teeming with Imperial Guards and agents of the Eastern Depot, meaning even the assassination of a minor figure like demanded meticulous advance planning of every detail.

had devised a perfect assassination plan based on the intelligence received: sending someone disguised as a pimp to get close to , then striking suddenly to ensure a fatal blow. Normally, killing such a minor figure wouldn't warrant the Second Leader’s involvement. The Second Leader, in his thirties, was in his prime vigor, possessed formidable martial arts skills, and had yet to meet his match. He hadn't been present the night the Old Leader attempted to assassinate official scoundrel Zhao; otherwise, he claimed, the matter would have been settled long ago.

The reason the three leaders were acting in concert tonight was that the Dog Slayers Gang wanted to seize this chance to boost their notoriety, causing disruption across the Twin Cities during the New Year holiday, ensuring that the Emperor and the dog villain Pang had no peace. They only knew indulgence and never concerned themselves with the suffering of the common people. By executing today, the Dog Slayers Gang also intended to deliver a New Year’s 'greeting' to the Emperor on behalf of all the populace.

This 'greeting' was meticulously crafted by experts hired by the Dog Slayers Gang. The message enumerated over a hundred crimes committed by the dog villain Pang, hoping the spectacle would be large enough for the Emperor to see these charges. If he was a wise ruler, he would punish according to the law; if he proved to be a foolish tyrant, then eventually they would just have to kill him too.

The Third Leader, , urged, "Big Brother, I think you shouldn't go on tonight's operation. Although there's no intelligence confirming an ambush by officials around Qingyun Tower, it’s better to take precautions. Second Brother and I are more than capable of handling this matter."

The Big Leader refused, "No, I must go. When I first took over this position from my father, some brothers in the gang already had doubts. If I don't even show up for such a major event as the assassination and the declaration of 's crimes, I fear even more brothers will raise objections."

argued, "Big Brother, we cannot satisfy every single brother. As long as Second Brother, the Elders, and I obey you, that is enough. Furthermore, Qingyun Tower is not a place for women. Moreover, your identity is hard to conceal—we certainly can’t have you dress up as a prostitute to sneak in."

The Big Leader was resolute, "So what if I have to pose as a prostitute? As long as I can fulfill Father’s grand wish and kill the dog villain Pang, I wouldn’t hesitate to lay down my life. I recall that when my father was in power, he always led from the front during every assassination attempt. Perhaps the brothers have reason to doubt me because I haven't participated in several operations since I took charge. Therefore, I cannot miss this opportunity today."

The Second Leader nodded, "Third Brother, agree with the Big Leader. You know her temperament well enough. Besides, is a wastrel who knows no martial arts; assassinating him will be child's play. He serves no significant purpose to the court, so he certainly won't enjoy close protection from the Imperial Guard. A few of us can create a diversion for the Big Leader to slip into Qingyun Tower; it won't be difficult. Then, I will strike to kill and hang his head on the archway of Qingyun Tower. You assist the Big Leader in reading out 's list of crimes. If we all act together, we should be able to retreat before the soldiers arrive. With our other brothers acting covertly, half of the outer city will be lively tonight."