Frontier Army Warrior

Chapter 1178 Authentic Royal Pancake

If I can regain control of the eight prefectures of Zhenxi, and with the fighting power of the Zhenxi Army, I will surely be able to march into the capital, destroy Emperor Taisho Zhao Zheng, and reunify the country.

Just thinking about it gets his blood pumping.

Based on the advice of several senior officials, Zhao Cun began to appoint officials on a large scale, promising them high positions and generous salaries, and making empty promises.

As long as one can persuade the officials of those prefectures, one can become a legitimate high-ranking official in the imperial court.

This includes current state and local officials; anyone who acts in accordance with imperial orders can be promoted and given a higher rank.

After all, Zhao Cun represented the legitimate imperial dynasty. Although everyone understood that he was just making empty promises to his subjects, many officials were still tempted.

He secretly hid the imperial edict in his home.

Among the officials who were tempted, the highest-ranking was Wu Ruolin, the prefect of Jingxi Prefecture. He was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) during the reign of Emperor Dazong, and his education and background promoted the orthodox system.

He was also the only official in Lin Feng's administration who retained the original prefect after he took control of the eight prefectures in Zhenxi.

In Wu Ruolin's mind, even though he had accepted Lin Feng's jurisdiction, he still felt that Lin Feng was still the regent under the rule of the Great Dynasty.

Moreover, Lin Feng, the regent of the Great Dynasty, is currently nowhere to be found, neither alive nor dead. Who knows what will happen to him in the future?

Even if Lin Feng returns alive, he will still have to accept the jurisdiction of the imperial court and the emperor's decree.

Therefore, when the imperial court sent someone to persuade him, and presented the emperor's letter of appointment, they said on the spot that as long as Wu Ruolin obeyed the emperor, he could take up the post of Minister of Personnel of the imperial court, a second-rank official.

Such a lucrative offer led Wu Ruolin to tacitly accept the jurisdiction of the Grand Court and even the Emperor's appointment.

Now that I have accepted the imperial court's appointment, I must do some work for the court.

It is undeniable that the imperial court is currently facing extreme difficulties and is facing a severe shortage of funds. It needs to collect some tax revenue from the Jingxi Prefecture to replenish the national treasury.

Although Jingxi Prefecture is now very wealthy, the court's funding gap is too large, so it dares not go too far and can only operate slowly and steadily.

With Wu Ruolin's help, Zhao Cun's enthusiasm soared. With money in hand, he could do more and bigger things.

First, they recruited the Imperial Guards to protect the palace. Second, they spent more money to have the ministers lobby more generals and officials of the Zhenxi Army.

After discussion, they felt that they had to challenge the jurisdiction of the Zhenxi Army. Only by taking control of the army could they protect their gains and legitimately exercise imperial power.

At that time, those who are obedient and compliant with the court will still be able to hold official positions.

Those who disobey the imperial court's orders will be executed along with their entire family on charges of treason, to prevent future troubles.

After these ministers worked hard, they did achieve considerable results, but this also caused widespread anxiety within the eight prefectures of Zhenxi.

The Zhenxi Army was relatively stable, but the officials in the various prefectural offices had their foundations shaken, becoming fickle and opportunistic.

All the information was gathered and ended up in Bai Jing and Wang Qian's hands. The two of them got together to discuss the current situation and how to deal with it.

Bai Jing looked at Wang Qian with concern.

"General Wang, they dare to openly come to us to lobby for the placement of officials. You can imagine what the situation will be like in the various prefectures and cities."

Wang Qian only knew how to fight and charge into battle; he was completely unfamiliar with political maneuvering and could only scratch his head and grimace in worry.

Finally, he managed to say, "Sister-in-law, whatever you say goes. The eldest isn't here, so I'll listen to you."

Although Bai Jing wanted to prioritize stability, he saw that many officials had been dragged into the mess, and if he didn't take action soon, it would be very disadvantageous for the Zhenxi Army.

"Send someone to bring Li Donglai, Zhang Changyou, and Xie Zhong here so we can discuss how to maintain stability in the eight prefectures of Zhenxi."

Wang Qian still frowned: "Sister-in-law, there are still the Taisho Imperial Guards outside Tianzhi Prefecture, and Li Donglai from Lindu Prefecture can be transferred over."

Bai Jing shook her head: "Prince Zhao Jian of the Great Zheng Dynasty is in Luocheng, and he is already in a mess with the pirates. The Great Zheng Imperial Guards under Tianzhi City will withdraw sooner or later, so there is no need to worry."

She's quick-witted and has followed Lin Feng for many years; she can also analyze the current battle situation.

"Alright, I'll send someone over right away."

Wang Qian readily agreed and got up to go out and arrange manpower.

Unexpectedly, just as he reached the door, he almost bumped into Bai Jing's guards.

The guard quickly bowed and retreated.

Wang Qian laughed and said, "Look at how anxious you are, what major event has happened?"

The guard looked up at Bai Jing, and seeing Bai Jing nod slightly, he bowed.

"General Wang, a scout from outside the city just delivered a battle report. Because it was urgent, they almost bumped into you."

"Oh, did they say something was so urgent?"

Wang Qian was also reckless, and he didn't care much about asking questions he shouldn't ask.

Bai Jing could only wave her hand and say, "Bring the battle report over, General Wang, let's take a look together."

Wang Qian immediately turned around and returned to his seat.

Such an urgent battle report piqued his curiosity.

Such urgent reports must be related to one's own Zhenxi Army. If it were an administrative matter or a logistical problem, there would be no need to be so nervous.

The guard presented the battle report to Bai Jing with both hands.

Bai Jing remained calm and steadily took the report, unfolding it.

However, the next moment, her hand trembled, and she almost dropped the battle report on the ground.

Wang Qian stared wide-eyed at his sister-in-law, a rare sight for someone as composed as him.

With Lin Feng absent, Bai Jing became the backbone of the group. Therefore, Bai Jing always appeared in front of everyone with a calm, reserved, and unflappable demeanor.

This attitude is the best way to reassure all the officials in the eight prefectures of Zhenxi.

Wang Qian also wanted to learn from her, but he always almost jumped up when something happened. Not only was he impulsive, but he also swore. He was nothing like the commander-in-chief of the Zhenxi Army.

A blush crept onto Bai Jing's face, her hands began to tremble uncontrollably, and her beautiful eyes gradually filled with tears.

Wang Qian was so anxious that he scratched his head and cheeks, but he didn't dare to get closer to look. He could only stare at Bai Jing's face with a grin.

Bai Jing calmed down in a moment and casually handed the battle report to Wang Qian.

Under Lin Feng's coercion, Wang Qian also learned to read and studied a few books.

He glanced at the battle report and jumped up from his chair, holding it high above his head, mouth agape, ready to shout it out.

Bai Jing frowned and raised her hand to shout.

"General Wang, be quiet!"

Wang Qian just opened his mouth wide, but dared not make a sound. His body stiffened and he slowly sat back down in the chair, but he still held the battle report in his hand high above his head.

He swallowed hard, looking at Bai Jing with a look of surprise and delight.

Bai Jing's lips curled slightly, she simply nodded at him, and then shook her head.

Wang Qian finally let out a long breath, took back the battle report, carefully rolled it up, and returned it to Bai Jing.

Bai Jing waved for everyone in the room to leave, then lowered her voice.

"No one is allowed to leak the news of Lin Feng's return to Funing City. He has his reasons, understand?"

Wang Qian nodded firmly: "Yes, don't worry, sister-in-law, I won't tell anyone even if you beat me to death."