Ji Wuxin spoke from the bottom of his heart. At this moment, he truly felt that the future of the Great Zhou Empire was filled with light.
Fortunately, he had seized the opportunity to win over Cao Shu in time. Otherwise, such a talent would have been missed.
Cao Shu wore a faint smile. Judging from Ji Wuxin’s expression, the position of Prime Minister was now completely secured. He said modestly, “Your Highness overpraises me. These are merely minor tricks.”
These two strategies would also become the core of his future plans to control the Great Zhou Empire. Especially the Heavenly Martial Division… once fully established, it would almost certainly become the strongest force within the empire.
At the same time, it would serve as his own military power to sideline Ji Wuxin and ensure his own safety.
Cao Shu had no intention of allowing Ji Wuxin to discard him once his usefulness ended, like abandoning a bow after the birds were gone or cooking the dog once the rabbit was dead.
Since he intended to follow in the footsteps of his Cao clan ancestors, he would go all the way, ensuring that the Emperor would never be able to threaten him from beginning to end.
The true master of the Heavenly Martial Division could only be him.
It could only become the blade in his hand.
Old Jia stood to the side, listening for a long time, yet he still couldn’t understand much. After all, he was just a steward. Still, it all sounded incredibly impressive.
In short, ever since returning this time, the Marquis had changed completely… a total transformation.
Even the future Emperor had personally come to the Marquis Manor to invite him. The position of Prime Minister was almost certain now.
Thinking of the Marquis’s future instructions, Old Jia felt a surge of determination. As a subordinate, he absolutely could not act carelessly anymore. He had to carry out every order properly.
Ji Wuxin, still envisioning the future of the Great Zhou Empire, gradually returned to reality and let out a sigh.
The ideas were excellent, but the current court was still dominated by the Second Prince’s faction.
After ascending the throne, those people would likely restrain him. Installing Cao Shu as Prime Minister would not be easy.
Cao Shu naturally understood his concern and said, “Your Highness is worried about the Second Prince, correct?”
“Yes…” Ji Wuxin replied, “You know as well that my second brother has deep foundations. He will likely obstruct us. However, Marquis Cao, rest assured, the position of Prime Minister will be yours. I will find a way to handle him.”
No matter what, that position had to go to Cao Shu. At present, no one else was capable of taking it.
Cao Shu said calmly, “There is no need for Your Highness to trouble yourself with this. As long as Your Highness is determined, I have my own way to deal with the Second Prince.”
Since he had already planned to become Prime Minister, he had naturally prepared a way to deal with Ji Wuyi.
“What?”
Ji Wuxin was astonished. Not only had Cao Shu proposed two brilliant strategies for stabilizing the empire, he also claimed to have a way to deal with Ji Wuyi.
Could he really be that capable?
Ji Wuxin looked at Cao Shu in surprise, finding him increasingly mysterious and formidable.
Curious, he asked, “What method do you have, Marquis Cao?”
Cao Shu replied, “This method is confidential and not convenient to reveal.”
If he said it, Ji Wuxin would be the first to turn against him.
“Very well,” Ji Wuxin said. Since Cao Shu did not wish to explain, he would not press further. In fact, it saved him trouble.
Ji Wuxin glanced at the sky outside. Then he stood up and said, “It’s about time. I should return to the Royal Palace. Marquis Cao, we shall speak again another day.”
“Alright,” Cao Shu also stood up and said, “Your Highness, allow me to see you off.”
“Mm.”
As the door opened, Zhao Si was still waiting outside. However, the unpleasant odor had already been washed away. While the two had been talking, servants from the Cao residence had taken him to bathe.
Zhao Si was extremely pleased. He felt that Cao Shu’s arrangement was excellent. Working with a smart person truly felt comfortable.
Seeing that neither of them showed any signs of anger, it was clear they had reached a good agreement inside. Smiling, he stepped forward and greeted them, then followed behind without saying more.
On the way out of the manor, Zhao Si leaned closer to Cao Shu and said quietly, “Marquis Cao?”
Cao Shu gave a slight nod. No words were needed. They both understood.
Zhao Si was instantly overjoyed. Cao Shu had promised that as long as he brought Ji Wuxin here, all the credit would belong to him.
This was a tremendous achievement.
With the new ruler about to ascend, merit was essential to secure one’s position. Loyalty alone would not suffice. Zhao Si had agreed without hesitation back then.
Now, Cao Shu’s nod confirmed everything.
Zhao Si felt extremely satisfied.
After bidding farewell to Cao Shu at the gate, Ji Wuxin returned to his own residence and instructed his servants to bring mourning clothes.
Suddenly, Zhao Si dropped to his knees and cried out, “Your Highness, this old servant has committed a grave crime. I beg Your Highness to punish me!”
Ji Wuxin was stunned by this sudden move and asked in confusion, “Lord Zhao, what crime have you committed?”
Zhao Si said, “This old servant deserves death. On the day the Emperor passed, there was actually no Royal Edict. Before his passing, he could only give a verbal order and lacked the strength to write it. This servant feared that a verbal order would not convince others and that ill-intentioned people might take advantage of the situation to stir chaos. So, I boldly took it upon myself to write it down and affixed the imperial seal.”
Zhao Si had risen to this position not merely through loyalty, but also through cunning.
It would be impossible to claim credit directly by saying, Your Highness, that throne is not yours—it was given to you by my alteration. That would be courting death. Saying it this way was far better.
Ji Wuxin was shaken. He did not expect such a truth. He stared at Zhao Si for a long time.
The Royal Edict was not written by his father… yet the handwriting was so similar that even he had not noticed.
His thoughts raced rapidly before he finally stepped forward and helped Zhao Si up.
“Lord Zhao, you are not guilty. On the contrary, you have rendered great service. Rest assured, not only will I not punish you, I will reward you heavily. Rise, rise.”
Zhao Si’s eyes filled with tears as he said excitedly, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
At last, he had secured this merit. He was deeply grateful to Marquis Cao.
Ji Wuxin then asked, “Marquis Cao accompanied Father Emperor during the journey. Does he know about this matter?”
Zhao Si replied, “On that day, Marquis Cao was not in the Traveling Palace and is unaware. As for the others who knew, this servant has already dealt with them.”
He had already sworn a Heart Demon Oath and could not betray Cao Shu.
Ji Wuxin immediately felt relieved. It was good that Cao Shu did not know. “Good… that is good.”
…
[Ding! Ji Wuxin has developed fear toward Zhao Si. Backstab successful. Obtained 3000 villain points]
Receiving this notification, Cao Shu smiled faintly.
“Ji Wuxin may be young, but he already possesses some of the instincts of an Emperor.”
By giving the credit to Zhao Si, he had effectively sold him out. Someone like Zhao Si, rootless and without backing, desperately needed merit to secure his position.
No matter how Zhao Si dressed up his claim for credit, the Royal Edict ultimately did not come from the late Emperor. That alone planted seeds of suspicion.
Moreover, Zhao Si had always been on Ji Wuxin’s side, yet he had also eliminated everyone in the Traveling Palace. Didn’t that clearly suggest something suspicious?
Zhao Si was the only one who knew about the altered Royal Edict. He could not be kept for long. Once he lost his usefulness, he had to be eliminated.
Now that Ji Wuxin feared Zhao Si, when the time came for Cao Shu to act, he would not have to worry about Ji Wuxin showing mercy simply because Zhao Si was a 1st stage Golden Core Realm cultivator.
In fact, Ji Wuxin might even personally take action.
“Zhao Si should be thanking me right now, haha.”
Thinking of this, Cao Shu’s mood became even more delighted.