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

[The Renowned Marshal Ranking has now been fully updated]

[In three months, a new ranking will be announced]

==========

Ming Imperial Palace.

Zhu Houzhao had returned safely with Long Bixia.

As for Wu Qi, Ge Nie, and Wei Zhuang, they had naturally been brought to the capital as well.

Ready to be summoned at any time.

Now that Zhu Houzhao had set his sights on them, refusal was no longer an option.

In the Imperial Study.

Zhu Houzhao sat at the head, skimming through report after report, both intelligence scrolls and memorials.

Ten lines at a glance.

His handling of affairs was exceptionally efficient.

With his current level of mental acuity, these tasks were mere trifles.

He handled them with ease.

"Your Majesty, the Iron Courage Divine Marquis Zhu Wushi is waiting outside the hall."

"How long has he been waiting?"

"Your Majesty, he's been waiting since morning. It's been almost half a day now."

"In that case, let him in."

Zhu Houzhao replied calmly.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

With the Emperor's summons, Iron Courage Divine Marquis Zhu Wushi entered the Imperial Study.

"Your subject Zhu Wushi greets Your Majesty!"

"No need for formalities, Uncle."

Zhu Houzhao's gaze shifted slightly as he looked at the Iron Courage Divine Marquis.

He sighed inwardly.

Ever since Zhu Wushi was thoroughly defeated by him last time, Zhu Houzhao had directly stripped him of all titles.

He was even placed under house arrest at Dragon Guarding Manor to reflect on his actions.

It wasn't until recently, when Cao Zhengchun reported that Zhu Wushi had broken through and reached the Heavenly Human Realm, that Zhu Houzhao recalled him.

This man's ambition was too great. Truth be told, any other Emperor would've found a reason to eliminate him long ago.

But to Zhu Houzhao, that was the worst possible move.

Setting aside his ambition, Zhu Wushi was quite capable.

Killing him would be a waste.

Since that was the case, why not make use of him once more?

If he performed well, Zhu Houzhao wouldn't mind sparing him, or even granting him Heaven Fragrance Cardamom to heal the woman he still held dear in his heart.

But if not...

If he failed to prove his worth, he could not blame Zhu Houzhao for being ruthless.

Only by continuing to show value could Zhu Wushi live well.

That was the least he could do to earn the Emperor's mercy.

As for whether his ambition might one day harm the Emperor...

There was no need to worry about that.

If Zhu Houzhao couldn't suppress someone as minor as Zhu Wushi, how could he hope to suppress the Emperors of other nations?

Even if Zhu Wushi reached the God Demon Realm, Zhu Houzhao would remain unbothered.

Let alone now, when he was merely at the Heavenly Human Realm.

In Zhu Houzhao's eyes, he was no more than an ant.

"Uncle, wait on the side for now."

"Cao Zhengchun, summon Wu Qi, Ge Nie, and Wei Zhuang for an audience."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Wushi's eyes narrowed slightly.

Wu Qi, Ge Nie, Wei Zhuang, these names were certainly familiar to him.

Especially Wu Qi, a figure from centuries ago.

In terms of military strategy and tactics, he stood among the absolute elite in all of the Nine Provinces.

And now, even this man had been brought under the Emperor's command.

But why had the Emperor summoned him to be present as well?

Just as Zhu Wushi was still puzzled.

Three figures entered the hall.

"Your subjects Wu Qi, Ge Nie, and Wei Zhuang greet Your Majesty!"

"Rise. I trust the three of you are mentally prepared by now."

"This subject is willing to serve Your Majesty to the best of his abilities."

Wu Qi once again bowed, though reluctantly.

To be honest, he truly had intended to pledge allegiance to Zhu Houzhao, hoping to realize greater ambitions in the upcoming war to unify the Nine Provinces.

But now?

Though the end result was the same, the process was completely different from what he had envisioned.

In his original plan, the first step was to scout Hundred Yue City, followed by establishing contact with the Ming Emperor.

Then, using his knowledge and expertise, he would gain Zhu Houzhao's trust and favor.

Eventually, he would be entrusted with great military and political authority in the Ming Dynasty.

That would be his chance to showcase everything he had learned.

But unexpectedly, he had failed right at the first step.

As soon as he entered Hundred Yue City, he was immediately captured.

One was proactive, the other forced. The outcome was not what he had hoped for at all.

And after spending time around the Emperor, he realized just how terrifying and difficult to deal with Zhu Houzhao was.

His brilliance and unfathomable depth left Wu Qi deeply shaken.

He felt overwhelmed.

Even compared to the Qin Emperor, Ying Zheng, Zhu Houzhao was more fearsome.

But by the time he wanted to retreat, it was already too late.

He had been thoroughly forced onto this ship, with no way off.

Though he had now been granted the role of main marshal of one of Ming Dynasty's armies, he understood all too well.

The Emperor didn't actually value him that much.

He wasn't even considered as highly as Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang.

To think that he, who had once been known as the Martial Saint and a myth of the battlefield, had ended up like this, it was truly tragic.

Yet he couldn't flee.

If he did, the consequences would be even more dire.

Helpless, he could only focus on winning the upcoming war.

"Very well. Since that's the case, I hereby appoint you, Wu Qi, as main marshal of the Third Army against the Qing Dynasty."

"Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang, you shall be the left and right vanguard."

"Iron Courage Divine Marquis Zhu Wushi will serve as the military supervisor accompanying the army."

"You will lead 300,000 troops and set out immediately!"

"This war must end with the complete destruction of the Qing Dynasty!"

"Do not disappoint me."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Uncle, this time, the Four Great Agents of Dragon Guarding Manor will also accompany the army to assist in gathering intelligence."

"This is the last chance I will give you."

"Make the most of it."

==========

Empress Palace.

"Your Majesty, why did you suddenly release the Iron Courage Divine Marquis and even give him so much authority?"

"That man's ambition is too great. If he turns, it could jeopardize the entire campaign against the Qing Dynasty."

"I can sense that his ambition hasn't faded, but instead has grown even more inflated."

"And he's hiding it even deeper."

"Heh, I'm well aware of all that."

"But he has one fatal weakness, and that weakness is already in my hands. He has no choice but to obediently act as a pawn."

"Besides, Uncle is quite capable. In some situations, his usefulness surpasses others."

"Keeping him is beneficial to me."

"Don't worry, Empress. Everything is under control."

"If even Wu Qi is under my control, do you think a mere Iron Courage Divine Marquis is worth worrying about?"

"Speaking of which, I truly don't understand. Our Ming Dynasty has no shortage of capable generals. Why must we use Wu Qi?"

"300,000 soldiers!"

"If anything goes wrong, the entire Qing Dynasty campaign could collapse."

"In any case, I don't like this so-called Martial Saint."

"I even greatly dislike him."

Empress Wu Zhao made no attempt to hide her disdain for Wu Qi.

"Empress, with your strength now, why be concerned about someone like Wu Qi?"

"Look further ahead."

"If he ever threatens the Ming Dynasty, I'll simply kill him."

"Besides, he won't dare betray me. Nor will he dare to harm the Ming Dynasty's interests."

"This man is full of desire for power, and he fears death. That is both his weakness and, to me, a valuable asset."

"Enough, let's not talk about such dull matters. It's already late, we should rest."

With that, he didn't wait for the Empress's reply.

He lunged forward, wrapped her in his arms, and carried her into the chambers.

The Palace maids Qing'er and Shangguan Wan'er exchanged glances.

They smiled faintly and exited the hall.

Not daring to interrupt in the slightest.

==========

Border between Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty.

Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang had already changed into the distinct general's armor of the Ming Dynasty.

They now looked far more imposing and regal.

Their temperaments were completely different from when they were merely sword cultivators.

Even now, they found it hard to believe.

They were actually leading troops into battle?

"Senior Brother, from now on, our rivalry will no longer be about swordsmanship, but the results we achieve on the battlefield."

"In swordsmanship, you are a step ahead of me for now. But in commanding troops, you're far behind."

"You take the left, I take the right. Good luck."

"This war against the Qing Dynasty is my best chance to rise to prominence."

"Senior Brother, don't let me leave you too far behind!"

With that, Wei Zhuang rode off, leading a vanguard force toward the right flank.

Ge Nie remained silent for a moment, then led his own troops toward the left.

Every enemy must be wiped out.

Inside the war tent of the Third Army.

Wu Qi stood before a hanging map, deep in thought.

This battle, he not only had to win, but he had to win brilliantly.

Only then could he make Zhu Houzhao truly see his worth.

After all, the other two armies were led by renowned marshals, Qi Jiguang and Hua Mulan.

They could not be underestimated.

He had to surpass them both.

"Someone, summon the Iron Courage Divine Marquis."

Soon, Zhu Wushi entered the tent.

"Greetings, Marshal."

Even Zhu Wushi didn't dare show the slightest disrespect to this legendary marshal of the Nine Provinces.

In terms of both command and personal strength, Wu Qi left him in the dust.

He was hoping that by earning some merit in this campaign, he could erase some of the crimes on his record.

"Divine Marquis, I have a task for you."

"Lead the forces of Dragon Guarding Manor along this path and inspect every city."

"Also, investigate every power and cultivator located along this route."

Wu Qi solemnly traced a highly complex route across the map.

This would be their path of advance.

Though challenging, success would allow them to reach the Qing Capital as quickly as possible.

Only by capturing Emperor Hongli alive could he prove his worth.

Victory alone would not be enough to display his brilliance.

"Marshal, what if we're discovered by enemy cultivators?"

"No need to hesitate. Kill on sight."

"Yes, Marshal. I understand what to do."

"Good. I want this war finished within three months, before the next Golden Ranking appears."

"The head of Hongli is mine to claim."

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

List of Characters:

Number One Under Heaven ( 天下第一 )

・Zhu Houzhao ( 朱厚照 ) — Emperor of Ming Dynasty

・Cao Zhengchun ( 曹正淳 ) — Master of Eastern Factory

・Zhu Wushi ( 朱无视 ) — Master of Dragon Guarding Manor

Qin's Moon ( 秦时明月 )

・Wei Zhuang ( 卫庄 ) — Master of Quicksand

・Ge Nie ( 盖聂 ) — Imperial Bodyguard of Qin Dynasty

Chronicle of Eastern Zhou ( 东周列国志 )

・Wu Qi ( 吴起 ) — Prime Minister of Chu Kingdom