Chapter 24: The Formation of the Shadow Guard
In the Empress’s phoenix-like eyes shone an unprecedented brilliance, dazzling and radiant.
“Excellent!”
“What a splendid imperial examination!”
“What a worthy disciple of the Son of Heaven!”
Overcome with excitement, she suddenly rose from the soft couch, her ample chest heaving violently, carrying a warm fragrance that radiated intense fervor.
Her mind and heart were entirely consumed by the two words: “Imperial Examination.”
After a long moment, she forced down the overwhelming emotion and sat back down, yet those terrifyingly bright phoenix eyes remained fixed unblinkingly on Zhao Yi.
“What about the cement?”
“This divine material—how do you intend to use it?”
The moment had come.
Finally, the question struck at the heart of the matter.
Zhao Yi immediately abandoned his posture of a strategist surveying the land, his expression turning grave, even somber.
“Your Majesty, you understand the situation of Great Zhou better than I do.”
“To the east lies the powerful Qi, ever watchful and covetous. To the south, the barbaric Yue tribes frequently harass us. To the west, the fierce Qin harbor ambitious designs. To the north, the savage Di are a persistent threat.”
“Great Zhou is truly a land of four fronts—one misstep, and the nation may fall!”
His words instantly chilled the previously heated atmosphere in the imperial study.
The Empress’s face grew serious as well.
Zhao Yi’s voice was steady and forceful.
“Therefore, this cement has two primary uses.”
“First, to build roads!”
“To construct thoroughfares and irrigation channels! To unite Great Zhou’s vast territory with these indestructible cement roads!”
“Then, merchants will travel unhindered! Military orders will be delivered at lightning speed! Armies will march swiftly, arriving as if by magic!”
“Second, to build fortifications!”
“To rebuild the Great Wall! To reinforce the border passes! To forge Great Zhou’s frontiers into a true steel defense with cement!”
“Cement structures will endure a thousand years! No matter how ferocious the northern Di cavalry, they will only sigh before our walls!”
“In this way, Great Zhou can advance or retreat at will, securing an invincible position!”
Zhao Yi paused, then lowered his voice further.
“But Your Majesty, this material is the lifeblood of the nation! Its formula and origin must be personally guarded by you, classified as the highest secret! Not a single detail can be leaked!”
The Empress nodded solemnly, deeply convinced.
Yet Zhao Yi’s expression soon turned troubled.
“But Majesty... everything requires money.”
He rubbed his hands together, a shrewd and worldly glint in his eyes.
“Whether building roads or fortifications, these are gold-devouring beasts. The national treasury’s current state is...”
The Empress furrowed her brows tightly once more.
“Great Zhou has always prized agriculture over commerce; merchants hold low status and pay light taxes. But they are truly wealthy!”
A mischievous gleam sparkled in Zhao Yi’s eyes.
“Therefore, I propose raising the status of merchants appropriately, allowing them to earn and gain face. But more importantly, to... increase commercial taxes!”
“Make these fat cats pay their fair share for the realm of Great Zhou!”
He chuckled slyly, revealing his cunning nature.
“Of course, this is a steady and long-term approach.”
“If you want quick money, the fastest way is... to confiscate property.”
He straightened his spine, eager and ready.
“When the time comes to raid that old dog Wang Defa’s home, Your Majesty, you must let me lead that operation!”
“I have experience! Skilled expertise! I guarantee to leave not even a scrap of his undergarments behind!”
The Empress was stunned speechless by his shameless audacity.
She looked at Zhao Yi’s expression, as if he could already dig three feet into someone’s house, and felt her worldview shift once again.
After a long moment, she forced out a few words through clenched teeth.
“Is what you’re saying... even human talk?”
“You’re really something else.”
Though she scolded him aloud, in her heart she felt unprecedented exhilaration.
The way she looked at Zhao Yi changed completely.
This man not only possessed talent capable of shaping the world, but also wielded the art of slaying dragons and butchering oxen.
He was a capable minister for times of peace.
In the Empress’s heart, a long-gestating idea finally took full shape.
“Zhao Yi,”
her voice became utterly serious,
“I will establish an institution independent of the Three Departments and Six Ministries, answering only to me.”
“To supervise all officials, gather intelligence, and eliminate dissenters!”
Zhao Yi’s heart leapt violently.
The Empress’s phoenix eyes, like twin blades, pierced straight through his soul.
“This institution, I entrust to you.”
“I want you to build the framework for this ‘Shadow Guard’!”
“This matter must remain absolutely confidential!”
Boom!
Zhao Yi felt as if a thunderclap had struck his mind, leaving him dazed.
Shadow Guard?
Supervise officials?
The thought made his face go pale in an instant, cold sweat soaking his back.
With a “thud,” he once again slid from his chair to his knees, crying and wailing with practiced skill and tears streaming.
“Your Majesty! It must not be!”
“My family line is thin for three generations! I still hope to continue the Zhao family and pass down our name!”
He clung to the leg of the Empress’s desk, sobbing heart-wrenchingly.
“If you make me do this—holding the power of life and death—I don’t know how many enemies I will make. I will surely meet a terrible fate! This will sever my roots and cut off the Zhao lineage!”
“I beg Your Majesty to withdraw this decree!”
The Empress stared at his pitiful, wretched display, initially stunned, then understanding dawned.
Her peerless beauty instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot.
This damned bastard thought she meant to make him a eunuch?!
“Get out!”
Her chest heaved violently with anger, finger jabbing at Zhao Yi’s nose as she cursed.
“I only asked you to build the institution—I never said anything about that thing of yours!”
Zhao Yi’s crying abruptly stopped.
He looked up blankly, tears still clinging to his face.
“Huh?”
“You don’t want that thing of mine?”
The Empress’s anger flared at his foolishness.
“I want the contents of your brain! Your strategies! Who the hell cares about that thing of yours!”
Zhao Yi instantly understood.
He sprang to his feet, dusted off his knees, his face now void of sorrow, replaced by an extremely ingratiating smile.
“Got it!”
“Why didn’t Your Majesty say so earlier!”
He straightened up, chest puffing proudly.
“Rest assured, Your Majesty! I will forge for you an invincible, undefeated elite army!”
“I guarantee to deal decisively with all those who dare to disobey!”