What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 258 The System's Rewarded Divine Power is Too Amazing!

Seeing Leng Liuxi's tone falter and her brows furrow, Su Mo was immediately startled and hurriedly asked, "May I ask, sir, what is it?"

Leng Liuxi opened her mouth and exhaled slightly: "Although the pure yang physique is rare, since ancient times, there have been countless cultivators, and many people have possessed this physique, numbering in the thousands."

"But only one in a hundred can advance to the Golden Core Realm."

She gave Su Mo a deep look: "Does Su Lang know the reason behind this?"

Su Mo stared at the Empress in astonishment.

According to her, those with a pure Yang constitution are geniuses in cultivating immortality and should be more likely to advance to the Golden Core realm.

Why is it that only one in a hundred can be found?

He asked instinctively, "Why is that?"

The Empress didn't keep Su Mo in suspense and immediately explained, "Things always have advantages and disadvantages, and the pure yang constitution is no exception."

"This physique allows one to cultivate pure Yang techniques with twice the results, but if one's Dao heart and realm cannot keep up, it is very easy for one's Dao heart to become abnormal, fall into evil paths, or even die from excessive Yang fire burning the body!"

She hesitated for a moment before saying, "Lin Moyin has a Yin Sha constitution and cultivates the Heavenly Serpent Yin Sha Technique."

“Su Lang… if you cultivate together with him, you should be able to reduce the hidden dangers of excessive Yang energy.”

Su Mo's brows furrowed instantly.

The Empress was right when she said that Lin Moyin had a Yin Sha constitution and that her cultivation was fraught with danger.

She cultivated the Heavenly Serpent Yin Sha Technique with extraordinary speed, but the side effects were also very obvious.

Could the Yang Soul rewarded by the system really be as the Empress said, carrying the risk of going berserk?
Well, in any case, it won't hurt to cultivate together with Lord Qianhu and harmonize Yin and Yang!

Just as Su Mo was thinking, the Empress frowned even more: "The most terrifying aspect of the Pure Yang Physique is that when breaking through from the Returning Aperture Realm to the Golden Core Realm, the pill tribulation encountered is twice as fierce as an ordinary pill tribulation!"

"Such sorcerers usually cannot keep up with their cultivation of Daoist techniques, and it is even more difficult for them to withstand the Dan Tribulation. Therefore, only one in a hundred can achieve the Golden Core stage."

"Of course, if one survives the Tribulation of Core Formation safely, the power of one's Daoist techniques will far surpass that of a Golden Core cultivator of the same level!"

Su Mo hesitated for a moment: "What should this subordinate do?"

The Empress thought for a moment and said, "My lord's cultivation level has improved too quickly. He needs to stabilize and solidify his foundation. There is no need to rush to improve his cultivation level. He should focus on cultivating his Dao heart!"

"In addition, try to obtain magic treasures before reaching the Returning to the Origin Realm, and refine them as your natal magic treasures."

"The power of a magic weapon is ten times that of a precious artifact. If it is refined to the sixth grade or above, it is very likely to survive the Pill Tribulation!"

Su Mo couldn't help but smile wryly: "What kind of magic weapon would I have, let alone a sixth-grade magic weapon... How about a treasure artifact? For example, my sword embryo?"

The Empress chuckled: "A precious artifact is obviously out of the question."

"I've never heard of many Golden Core Realm sorcerers relying on magical artifacts to survive their Core Tribulation!"

Undeterred, Su Mo pressed on, "What about nurturing a precious artifact into a magical treasure?"

The Empress shook her head: "Upgrading a treasure to a magic weapon is almost impossible."

"This requires an immense stroke of luck; finding a way to imbue a magical artifact with a spirit is probably even more difficult than directly acquiring a magic weapon!"

She paused slightly, then continued, "It's a pity that the spirit of the demon-subduing pestle of my lord was scattered. Otherwise, after collecting the remaining parts, it would be the most suitable magic weapon for overcoming tribulation."

Su Mo's heart stirred slightly.

His own sword embryo, didn't it contain a half-sword spirit?

Is there a chance to upgrade the magic weapon?

Seeing Su Mo's expression, the Empress assumed he was worried about the tribulation and comforted him, saying, "Don't worry too much, Su Lang."

“Now that you are only at the Soul Stabilization Realm, even with a Pure Yang Body, it will take you more than ten years, or even longer, to advance to the Returning Aperture Realm.”

"Once you return to the Qi Realm, I will find you a suitable magic weapon to help you overcome the tribulation."

Su Mo was also moved upon hearing this.

The Empress is indeed very good to me; she even said she would find me a magical artifact!
Although it is unknown whether the situation will remain the same in a decade or two.

But at this moment, she clearly truly believed it.

Treasures are already extremely rare. Lin Moyin, who is at the Returning to the Aperture Realm, only has a fourth-grade magic weapon, the Sword Control Book.

After obtaining the sword embryo, he is currently trying to collect materials to refine the sword embryo treasure; as for magical artifacts, forget about it.

Su Mo looked at the Empress with a solemn expression: "Your Majesty's favor is deeply appreciated by this humble servant!"

The Empress waved her hand and laughed, "It's still early. You can thank me later!"

Immediately, her pretty face suddenly turned bitter: "Uh... my lord needs to hurry up and get the military funds for the new army. I'm almost driven crazy by Princess Baicheng!"

Su Mo nodded: "Rest assured, my lord, I will certainly live up to your expectations, however..."

Leng Liuxi asked instinctively, "But what?"

Su Mo sighed: "This subordinate will be going to Wanghai County in the next couple of days. The matter of the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office and the sale of wool sweaters will have to be postponed for a while."

"However, this is also a good time to advertise and promote the wool sweaters. When they go on sale, it will be much more effective."

The Empress became suspicious: "What is my lord doing in Wanghai County?"

"Also, what is advertising?"

Su Mo first explained the Empress's second question: "Advertising is about spreading the word widely."

“For example, Zhang Xuzu and others personally rode bicycles and let the whole city watch, which was a way of advertising bicycles.”

He hesitated for a moment, then added, "You may also wear the wool cloak that I have given you more often."

The Empress nodded slightly.

She trusted Su Mo's business acumen quite a bit and understood the meaning of the advertisement, so she figured the sweater wouldn't go unsold.

The second question, Su Mo did not hide from the Empress, after all, it was difficult to hide: "This humble servant went to Wanghai County, it was related to shipbuilding."

"This humble servant wishes to set sail as soon as possible to capture the Kun."

The Empress was taken aback: "Why?"

Su Mo smiled wryly and said, "It's all because of the soap incident."

“Originally, I controlled the soap production of Zhang Xuzu and his group to prevent the people from running out of oil. Now that Na Rong and Marquis Heyuan are going it alone, they will not listen to my advice. I am afraid that the price of oil will skyrocket and cause unrest among the people. So I can only try to obtain oil from the Kun fish.”

The Empress's expression darkened slightly.

She knew more about the soap than Su Mo did, and even without Su Mo saying it, she knew that the Marquis of Heyuan was backed by the Prince of Rong.

"Shipbuilding is not something that can be done in a day. Is it too late for Su Lang to start building a ship now?"

Su Mo smiled and said, "This subordinate is well aware of the situation and will make Marquis Heyuan suffer a great loss this time."

After thinking for a moment, Su Mo added, "This subordinate has already instructed Zhang Xuzu and the others to find a way to raise the price of oil..."

The Empress frowned and said resolutely, "This is unacceptable!"

He then said in a deep voice, "People cannot live without oil. They are already struggling financially. If we raise the price of oil, how can they afford it?"

Su Mo quickly replied, "My lord, please grant me three months!"

"I guarantee that the price of oils will come down after March!"

He refused to believe that the 600-ton warship awarded by the system would fail to catch whales.

When a large amount of oil is transported back, and then some speculation is done, the public tends to follow the crowd, so it's easy to fool them, and the price of oil will naturally drop rapidly.

The Empress frowned as she looked at Su Mo: "March?"

As she spoke, her pretty face turned serious: "Are you sure, my lord? This is no laughing matter!"

Su Mo nodded: "This subordinate is more than 80% confident!"

"If it really doesn't work, Your Excellency can issue a decree banning the sale of soap."

He snorted heavily, "Even if I have to give up this soap business, I will not let Lord Heyuan gain even the slightest benefit!"

After a moment's thought, the Empress realized that the matter was indeed feasible.

The King of Rong and the Marquis of Heyuan are neighbors, and the King of Rong has a considerable number of troops. If he were to obtain a large amount of silver, the consequences would be severe.

Su Mo's method might just cause Rong Wang a great loss!

She nodded: "Very well, I will give you three months!"

"Humph!"

"That Marquis of Heyuan is truly hateful. Su Lang, you must help me teach him a good lesson!"

The Empress is truly angry!
She has a share in the soap business!
Marquis Heyuan betrayed his promise and went to help King Rong make money, even stealing money from her bowl. No wonder the desperate Empress was furious!
If it weren't for the fear that punishing a Marquis of Heyuan would alert King Rong and the other lords, the Empress would have taken action against him long ago!

Seeing that the Empress's pretty face had darkened, Su Mo laughed and said, "Don't worry, my lord, I will make that Marquis of Heyuan pay dearly and give you a good beating!"

After a pause, he changed the subject and said, "Since Your Majesty is able to sleep peacefully, I will take my leave. I have matters to attend to tomorrow morning."

The Empress blinked her beautiful eyes, instantly adopting a pitiful expression: "Now I can't sleep..." Su Mo...

What else can he do?
Seeing the Empress's pitiful expression, he somehow became bolder.

He reached out and took the Empress's soft hand, then pulled the quilt up to cover her, and smoothed Leng Liuxi's hair.

"My lord, go to sleep. I will wait until you are asleep before I leave!"

The Empress hummed in agreement, nodded gently, and obediently closed her eyes.

My long eyelashes kept fluttering, but I still couldn't fall asleep.

While thinking about the ship, Su Mo also considered how to intimidate the grain merchants and purchase enough rice.

After an unknown amount of time, the Empress finally fell into a deep sleep.

But Su Mo couldn't leave.

His hand was held tightly by the Empress.

Su Mo was both amused and exasperated.

Is he worried that he'll really run away once she falls asleep?
Since there's no way to escape, I can only sleep lying down.

The next day, Su Mo woke up and, as before, was lying on the bed, covered with a brocade quilt.

To Su Mo's surprise, it was still pitch black outside, probably only dawn.

I used to sleep until Chen Shi (7-9 AM) before naturally waking up.

What surprised Su Mo the most was...

The quilt still held the Empress's scent, and a faint sleeping mark next to it remained warm, indicating that the Empress had only recently left.

Su Mo was dumbfounded.

The Empress didn't sleep next to me before, did she?

He knew perfectly well that the fact that he had inexplicably gotten out of bed without noticing anything was definitely because the Empress had done something.

Su Mo even had some doubts; the Empress was probably not only at the Golden Core Realm, but very likely at the Infant Realm!
It's not too easy to cast a spell to put yourself to sleep.

He couldn't help but lift the covers to take a look. Thankfully, his robes were intact... Well, "thankfully" doesn't seem to apply here, but even if he had shared a bed with the Empress, nothing indescribable should have actually happened.

Su Mo was about to get up, her feelings complicated.

Just then, I saw a petite woman carrying a copper plate, a face towel, and other items coming over.

Su Mo remembered seeing this woman before; she was the female official standing next to the Empress's carriage when he first met her.

In the past, when I woke up, the toiletries placed on the table were all brought by this female official.
When Zhao Hanxiang saw Su Mo wake up and stare at her with wide eyes, she was immediately startled.

Didn't His Majesty say that Lord Su would not wake up until the time it takes for an incense stick to burn?

She asked in a slightly panicked voice, "Lord Su, how did you wake up? His Majesty said... uh..."

Su Mo felt completely bewildered: "What? How did I wake up? What did His Majesty say?"

Zhao Hanxiang quickly replied, "His Majesty didn't say anything!"

"Hmm! Please make yourself at home, Lord Su. I shall be leaving now!"

After saying this, he put down the copper basin and hurriedly left in a panic.

Su Mo was a little confused.

Is it necessary to be so afraid of yourself? You're not going to eat people, are you?
However, Su Mo didn't think much of it. After quickly washing up, he tidied his appearance and robes in front of the bronze mirror, then passed through the Imperial Garden as if he knew the way well and left through the back gate of the palace.

Last night, Su Mo unexpectedly completed the Empress's hidden mission, and the rewards were far better than he had expected. Not only did he receive a cultivation cheat, but he also gained the ability to summon wind and rain. Su Mo was in a pretty good mood.

But soon, Su Mo's face darkened.

Su Mo, sitting upright in the main hall of the third courtyard of the Su residence, looked at Jiang Laoshi with a dark face: "Are you sure you want to hand over my name card to the managers of Baofeng and Lifu Grain Stores?"

Jiang Laoshi quickly protested his innocence: "Master, I really did deliver your visiting card, and the grain shop manager received it personally."

"I also told you that the master will receive them at Chenshi (7-9 AM)."

Su Mo snorted: "Then why aren't they here?"

It was almost 7 AM, and Su Mo had been waiting for a full half hour.

Not to mention the managers of the two grain stores, not even a single employee showed up.

Jiang Laoshi said indignantly, "Could it be that those two are ungrateful and think that you, sir, are easy to bully?"

"Your Excellency must teach them a good lesson so they'll know how formidable you are!"

This was a message I delivered myself.

Jiang Laoshi was furious that they didn't give him, the head housekeeper of the Su residence, any face at all!
Su Mo's face grew increasingly dark, then he snorted heavily, "Prepare the car!"

Jiang Laoshi immediately became excited and hurriedly said, "Master, should I call everyone up?"

Su Mo looked at Jiang Laoshi expressionlessly: "Who are you calling?"

Jiang Laoshi subconsciously said, "Master, weren't you going to smash those two grain shops? You can't possibly do it yourself, can you?"

Su Mo glared at the guy speechlessly: "Go to the Left Detention Center!"

Jiang Laoshi...

Although the Empress has taken back Su Mo's Hundred-Household Badge from Shangzuo, Su Mo's connections in Shangzuo are still there.

Especially the lower-ranking guards and captains of the Upper Left Guard should not show too much respect to Su Mo!

Su Mo is now their bread and butter. The income he earns from delivering takeout to Baiyujing and Yanyulou every month is more than his monthly salary!

In name, the money came from a takeout shop secretly run by Wei Zhengguang, but the truth behind it was clear to the officers and soldiers of the Left Guard.

Upon seeing Su Mo's arrival, the guards on duty greeted him warmly and then immediately reported to Wen Yannian, the current commander of the Upper Left Guard.

Wen Yannian was slightly surprised by Su Mo's sudden visit.

Although Su Mo has been removed from his position as the Left Commander of the Imperial Guard and there have been no other arrangements, outsiders who do not know the details see Su Mo as if he has lost the emperor's favor.

But Wen Yannian had personally witnessed Su Mo's imposing presence.

The manager of Tianyi Tower caused trouble at Su Mo's residence and was severely beaten by Su Mo.

In the end, the signboard of Tianyi Tower was smashed by people from the palace. Even now, Zhang Shouning, who is a Duke and the emperor's brother-in-law, can't do anything about it!

It's clear that Su Mo's background is incredibly powerful!
He was a ruthless man who could rival Zhang Guojiu!
Wen Yannian personally brewed tea for Su Mo, then smiled and said, "Young Master Su, what brings you here?"

Su Mo gave a wry smile: "I've come to ask Lord Qianhu for help!"

Wen Yannian was taken aback: "Ask for help?"

"Is Magistrate Su joking with me? Is there anything I can do to help Magistrate Su?"

Su Mo's face suddenly darkened: "Lord Qianhu should know that I am here on behalf of the court to comfort the disaster victims. I have gathered more than 20,000 disaster victims in Gufeng Mountain County."

"Unfortunately, merchants are cunning and profit-driven, forgetting the court's kindness and disregarding its difficulties!"

Wen Yannian...

He really wanted to say something to Su Mo in a human way.

However, before he could speak, Su Mo paused slightly: "I can't buy any more grain!"

Wen Yannian's brows furrowed immediately.

As a commander of the Imperial Guard, he naturally knew a great deal about the situation at Lonely Peak Mountain.

If the disaster victims of Gufeng Mountain go hungry and cause trouble at the foot of the capital, the blame will likely fall on the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

After a moment's thought, he said decisively, "Such unscrupulous merchants are indeed hateful. What does County Magistrate Su want from me?"

Su Mo slowly uttered a single word: "Investigate!"

"Check it every day!"

"Investigate every branch of Baofeng Grain Store and Lifu Grain Store!"

"Not only should the shopkeepers and employees be investigated, but those who go to buy grain should also be thoroughly investigated!"

After a pause, a sharp glint flashed in Su Mo's eyes: "I will ensure that these two grain shops cannot release a single grain!"

Wen Yannian gasped in shock, looking at Su Mo with a mixture of shock and apprehension!

To everyone's surprise, Su Mo added, "Rest assured, Commander, no matter what powerful backers these two grain stores have, I will take them all on!"

"Not just Shangzuosuo!"

"I will make a trip to the Phoenix Cry Division shortly!"

Wen Yannian was even more shocked, and involuntarily swallowed hard!
This solitary mountain peak is too ruthless!
Crucially, their background is incredibly powerful!

(End of this chapter)