The Empress's No.1 Lackey

"Clarification is of no use, Your Majesty should know that rumors are fiercer than tigers. Throughout history, rumors have spread widely, while rebuttals are ignored, why is that?

The minister believes that the most critical point is that rumors better align with the people's expectations. Only rumors that the people are willing to believe can spread far and wide.

Conversely, if the people are unwilling to believe a rumor, no matter how widely it is spread, it will have little effect.

The Kuangfu Society's slander succeeded simply because many in the populace disapproved of Your Majesty, a woman, claiming the throne, and are even more unwilling to believe that Your Majesty is the one who saved the king. Therefore, rebuttals and clarifications are likely to have little effect."

Xu Zhenguan mused: "Then what do you propose?"

"Fight poison with poison," Zhao Douan replied with a smile:

"The people also dislike the corrupt Confucians in the court; there's already a deep disdain for these officials among the common folk.

Thus, when we publicly execute and behead this traitor, we just need to provide ample evidence of his vile private scandals.

For instance, let Yun Xi accuse Zhuang Xiaocheng of having improper intentions towards her as his female disciple... she is surely willing.

Yes, it's best to wait until the rebels escorted by Magistrate Luan arrive in the capital, then subvert them, and let them stand up to expose and accuse. Zhuang Xiaocheng wants to leave his name in history? Well then, let him be remembered in disgrace, forever a historic shame!

In this way, his private scandals will be widely spread, and as long as the Kuangfu Society, represented by Zhuang Xiaocheng, appears more filthy, vile, and untrustworthy, their slander of Your Majesty will collapse on its own."

The Empress was stunned, her gaze upon him growing peculiar:

"I've suddenly begun to believe the rumors of you being sinister and deceitful from the common folk."

These tactics were indeed somewhat ruthless.

Scholars most value their reputation, and Zhao Douan straightforwardly intends to ruin Zhuang Xiaocheng's name.

Especially in smearing his private life... While the ministers in the court might have thought of it, no one dares to openly propose such a suggestion, as it would make them appear too scheming.

But Zhao Douan dares to mention it, after all, his own reputation is already in tatters...

"Then proceed with your plan. You captured him, and he almost killed you before. I feel at ease letting you handle him." Xu Zhenguan thought, such a dirty job wasn't for him, and decisively passed it on.

Zhao Douan said: "I have another idea, I hope Your Majesty can conceal my survival for a few days and not reveal the existence of Zhuang Xiaocheng. Let's wait until Magistrate Luan's team arrives in the capital, and during this time, Your Majesty could try suppressing the 'Li Party.'

Xu Zhenguan was slightly taken aback: "Suppress the Li Party?"

Zhao Douan smiled brightly: "After returning home, I conversed with my aunt, and learned that some time ago, Li Yanfu publicly inquired about my situation, popping up during New Year's Eve. This debt ought to be settled. If I'm right, due to the news of my 'death,' the Li Party must be celebrating these days. If Your Majesty were to suppress the Li Party under the pretense of venting anger, Li Yanfu will likely not resist, and internally, the Li Party won't either... No one dares to provoke an enraged and irrational emperor... Besides, they would probably think it's acceptable to exchange a little profit for the minister's life."

Xu Zhenguan opened his mouth, gaining deeper insight into this man's "revenge for the smallest grievance" and "scheming," and murmured: "You didn't plan to do this while arranging your fake death, did you?"

"How could I? This idea only came to me recently." Zhao Douan said righteously.

Xu Zhenguan's eyes were full of suspicion, but she decided to trust him: "...Alright, we'll give it a try as you suggested."

Zhao Douan nodded satisfied: "There's one more thing..."

"..." This time, Xu Zhenguan's expression truly changed, two consecutive "poisonous schemes" had her on edge, dreading another unscrupulous tactic.

But Zhao Douan spoke seriously: "I feel something is wrong. Your Majesty, what do you think of Zhuang Xiaocheng's wit and wisdom?"

"Naturally exceptional."

"Exactly. On my way back to the capital, I've been pondering. Since Zhuang Xiaocheng had planned to perish with me early on, with his intelligence, he must have arranged in advance for how the Kuangfu Society would operate after his death."

Zhao Douan spoke earnestly: "In the battle of Feng City, the rebels suffered heavy losses, but surely many remnants still linger. It is likely that Zhuang Xiaocheng had long identified a 'successor,' someone who would continue to lead the society after his death. Furthermore, he was willing to die trying to kill me, indicating he believed his successor was sufficient to offset his death's impact."

Xu Zhenguan was startled, falling into contemplation.

With his reminder, the Empress also realized this blind spot.

Zhao Douan asked: "Your Majesty, who in the Kuangfu Society do you think might succeed?"

Xu Zhenguan pondered briefly, then shook her head:

"In the Kuangfu Society, there is hardly a second with enough prestige and capability to lead. Qi Yuchun and Ren Kun are incapable, and as for Xu Jianwen's widow, Queen Wen is too meek. The Princely Heir left by my second brother is too young, serving only as a figurehead."

Zhao Douan said: "So, no one can succeed?"

"No, you're right. Zhuang Xiaocheng couldn't have left a mess, he must have chosen a successor." The Empress stood up, pacing the study, and after a moment of thought said:

"But indeed, I cannot think of anyone, unless the entire Kuangfu Society loses its independence and submits to one of the Eight Princes. But this doesn't align with Zhuang Xiaocheng's character... Nevertheless, who else could it be? Unless Xu Jianwen is resurrected, the Kuangfu Society is bound to fragment..."

Zhao Douan was taken aback, a light suddenly flashing in his mind, he looked at Zhenbao in surprise: "Resurrection of Jianwen... Your Majesty, do you think that's possible?"