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

Chapter 278 Promotion! Imperial Tutor!
He saw Xiao Lizhuang waving to him from the crowd.

Su Mo frowned slightly, and roughly guessed that Xiao Lizhuang's purpose in coming was nothing more than the matter of the disciples of Su Nu Palace.

However, Xiao Lizhuang is not only Lin Moyin's master, but also has extremely high cultivation and superb medical skills, even able to cure tuberculosis. Perhaps she will need her help in the future, so it's not good to keep her distance.

After all, even someone at the Martial Grandmaster level like himself had been infected with a cold virus.

It is evident that the virus here has long adapted to the environment. Although it is not resistant to antibiotics, it is resistant to magic and internal energy!
From a scientific perspective, this does indeed make some sense.

Humans can cultivate immortality, so viruses can certainly evolve the ability to infect cultivators!

After greeting Liu Siyun and Yin Rou, Su Mo strode towards Xiao Lizhuang.

Xiao Lizhuang looked at Su Mo who was walking over with a strange expression.

During this time, she traveled to countless places and begged countless people.

Unfortunately, the matter was of great importance, involving not only the Duke of An's mansion and the Princess's mansion, but also being vaguely linked to the cheating in the Immortal Martial Arts Examination.

Naturally, no one dared to stand up for the disciples of the Su Nu Palace.

However, Xiao Lizhuang was, after all, a Golden Core cultivator, and Su Nu Palace was one of the Hundred Immortal Alliances, with considerable connections. Xiao Lizhuang managed to find out some things.

For example, her beloved disciple Lin Moyin, on whom she placed great hopes, actually had an ambiguous and unclear private relationship with Su Mo!
At first, Xiao Lizhuang was quite angry.

Lin Moyin dared to develop feelings for someone outside the True Immortal Valley in private, and even lived with them. How would she deal with the increasingly fierce backlash from the Heavenly Serpent Yin Sha Technique?

Why would the people of True Immortal Valley be willing to make a move?
However, as she learned more and more about Su Mo, Xiao Lizhuang fell silent.

Upon hearing that Su Mo had been accused of adultery with his wife by the Hanlin scholar, she thought he was doomed.

The Hanlin Academy was the stronghold of the upright officials, and many important court officials and cabinet scholars came from the Hanlin Academy.

Su Mo dared to commit adultery with the wife of a Hanlin scholar. No matter how much favor the Empress had, he had offended the scholars to the death, and he was doomed. How could the Empress protect him?

Xiao Lizhuang never expected that Su Mo would be so arrogant as to take action right there in the Dali Temple courtroom, beating the Hanlin Censor half to death.

Xiao Lizhuang was so frightened that she broke out in a cold sweat!
Even a Golden Core cultivator like her wouldn't dare to act so recklessly in court!

Su Mo was completely unharmed!
What shocked Xiao Lizhuang even more was...

Even when Wang Yao of the Wang family personally took action, he couldn't do anything to Su Mo. Instead, he suffered a huge loss and was almost driven to the brink of fainting by Su Mo's anger!
In Xiao Lizhuang's eyes, the powerful and influential Zhang Guojiu was the biggest obstacle in the case of the Su Nu Palace disciples.

Hearing Su Mo call out, it fled in even greater panic, not daring to even look Su Mo in the eye!

Only then did Xiao Lizhuang realize that the seemingly insignificant centurion in her eyes actually wielded unfathomable power. Even the Wang family, one of the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families and the current emperor's maternal uncle, had to avoid his sharp edge!

It's really terrible!

Su Mo had no idea of ​​the shock in Xiao Lizhuang's heart. After approaching, he smiled and said, "I didn't expect that Senior Xiao would also come to Dali Temple to watch my excitement."

"What business does the senior have with me?"

Xiao Lizhuang hesitated for a moment, but tried her best to maintain her composure, and said calmly, "Chi Wuyou..."

Before she could finish speaking, Su Mo nodded: "Chi Wuyou's lung disease has been cured, right?"

"I will deliver the five thousand taels of silver that I promised. However, I do not have that much cash on me. You may come with me back to my residence to collect the silver."

Xiao Lizhuang was immediately stunned.

She deduced that Chi Wuyou's lung disease had been cured, but she never mentioned it to anyone. Even Chi Wuyou himself was unaware that he had actually fully recovered.

How did Su Mo find out?

Could it be that he also secretly treated Chi Wuyou?

Xiao Lizhuang was about to speak.

Suddenly, an old man with a fair complexion and no beard hurriedly walked out of the Dali Temple government office and headed straight for them.

Xiao Lizhuang's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly bowed respectfully to the old man: "Junior Xiao Lizhuang greets Senior An!"

An Wu looked at Xiao Lizhuang with slight surprise, then smiled and said, "So it's Palace Master Xiao!"

"I never expected that after more than 30 years, Palace Master Xiao would still look exactly the same, without any change."

Xiao Lizhuang quickly said, "My cultivation method is special, I hope Senior An will forgive me."

An Wu nodded slightly and ignored Xiao Lizhuang.

Instead, Su Mo became surprised and suspicious.

According to Lin Moyin, her master looks young, but is actually in his sixties or seventies. Unexpectedly, he calls An Wu, who looks to be in his fifties or sixties, "senior"!

He couldn't help but ask, "Does Uncle An know Palace Master Xiao?"

An Wu smiled and said, "My family has met Palace Master Xiao several times, but we'll discuss that later."

He changed the subject: "Lord Leng has something to discuss with Lord Su. Please come with me, Lord Su."

Su Mo was immediately taken aback: "Lord Leng has also come to the Dali Temple?"

An Wu smiled and explained, "Lord Leng has always cared about Lord Su."

"Now that Lord Su has been accused of adultery by the Hanlin Academy's Censor, how can Lord Leng not come to listen in on the proceedings in person!"

Su Mo...

I felt a little touched!
Of course, the Empress had given the order that Su Mo would eventually have to act, regardless of whether he dared to move or not.

Therefore, Su Mo turned to look at Xiao Lizhuang, who looked a little confused, and said apologetically, "I have something to attend to."

"Senior, you may come with Siyun to my residence to wait. If you urgently need money, Siyun can withdraw it for you. If you have other matters to discuss with me, we can talk in detail when I return to my residence."

He then gave Liu Siyun and Yin Rou a few more instructions before following An Wu back to Dali Temple.

Xiao Lizhuang stared at Su Mo's retreating figure with an increasingly complicated expression, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Su Mo... is Lord Su very familiar with Senior An?"

Liu Siyun was unaware of Xiao Lizhuang's true identity.

However, seeing that Su Mo treated the girl with exceptional respect, he naturally wouldn't neglect her and quickly said, "Uncle An and Young Master are indeed very familiar with each other. Uncle An often visits Young Master's residence as a guest."

Xiao Lizhuang couldn't help but swallow hard!

In the world of cultivation, the Daoist path is revered.

An Wu is Tianying Zhenren, one of the nine Tianying who besieged Jiulong Zhenren fifty years ago. His cultivation level is unknown, but it is far higher than Xiao Lizhuang's.

Of course, she was also much older than Xiao Lizhuang.

Xiao Lizhuang even guessed that An Wu was over two hundred years old.

Of course, as long as the foundation of the Dao is not damaged, the Golden Core Realm can live for three hundred years, and the Heavenly Infant Realm can live for more than five hundred years. An Wu is not actually old!

Whether considering their level of cultivation or their age, An Wu could have Xiao Lizhuang address him as "senior"!
This is also why the Empress, despite ascending the throne, maintained a high level of tolerance towards her court officials.

After all, she didn't damage her foundation like Emperor Wu Taizu. Even with a heart condition, living for three hundred years shouldn't be a problem. She has plenty of time to outlast the court officials and slowly consolidate her power!
……

In the back hall of the Dali Temple, Zhang Yu and his two companions, their backs slightly sweating, reported on the trial.

The Empress listened expressionlessly, then nodded: "I understand."

He paused, then continued, "Someone reported cheating in the Immortal Martial Arts Examination. I have already ordered the Phoenix Cry Division to investigate. It turns out that it was just a person who failed the exam and was resentful that caused it."

"The case involving the disciple of Su Nu Palace, the consort of Princess Jinling, and the nephew of the emperor's brother-in-law is unrelated to the corruption case. It is late in the year, so the Dali Temple should close this case now and avoid causing any further trouble."

Zhang Yu readily agreed.

The Empress waved her hand: "My beloved ministers, you may step down."

Zhang Yu and the other two breathed a sigh of relief, quickly thanked him, and left.

They had hoped to avoid offending either side, but it seems they've now thoroughly offended the Wang family.

Without needing to discuss it, the three of them secretly decided to side with the Empress.

It's just that, out of a scholar's integrity, they couldn't immediately show their loyalty.

Once outside the inner hall, Zhang Yu saw An Wu leading Su Mo toward him, and his expression immediately turned strange.

The Empress's favor and trust in Su Mo is simply outrageous!
Tian Guan's speculation may not be untrue.

The Empress might actually make Su Mo a prince!
Zhang Yu hesitated for a moment, then proactively cupped his hands in greeting to Su Mo: "Eunuch An! Lord Su!"

With the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices leading the way, Tian Guan and Hu Ye also took the initiative to greet Su Mo and An Wu.

Su Mo dared not be negligent and quickly returned the greeting, saying, "This humble official greets you gentlemen!"

"Thank you, gentlemen, for speaking up for me in court and clearing my name!"

"Since His Majesty has summoned me, I cannot express my gratitude in many words. I hope you will understand!"

Zhang Yu stroked his beard, nodded, and slowly said, "We, your subjects, naturally prioritize the imperial affairs."

"Lord Su, please go quickly!"

Su Mo stepped into the inner hall and, as expected, saw the Empress waiting there with a dark expression.

Before he could speak, the Empress snorted heavily, "How dare you! You actually dared to injure someone in the Dali Temple courtroom!" Su Mo glanced at the Empress's favorability rating.

Hey!
No price reduction!

He feigned helplessness and said, "Isn't there nothing I can do?"

“That scoundrel He Heng led his men to trespass into my fiefdom. Isn’t it normal for him to get beaten? To save you from making things difficult, I’ll just kick him.”

The Empress's expression softened slightly, but she still snorted, "That doesn't mean you should hit someone in court!"

"Just wait for the Wang family to impeach you in court!"

Su Mo raised an eyebrow slightly: "Even if I don't punish He Heng, the Wang family will still send people to impeach me, won't they?"

The Empress glared at Su Mo: "With such a sharp tongue and eloquent arguments, no wonder even Wang Yao couldn't win an argument with you in court!"

"You call this 'no way out'?"

The Empress raised the weekly report in her hand: "What is the meaning of this?"

"How dare they spread rumors that Wang Yao and He Heng... have homosexual tendencies, and even want to lock Wang Yao and He Heng up together, to sleep in the same cell!"

As the Empress spoke, the corners of her mouth suddenly curved upwards, and she finally couldn't help but laugh: "You actually wrote a ridiculous poem, something like 'I envy neither mandarin ducks nor immortals, but only King He every day!'"

"Do you want to drive the entire Wang family to their deaths?"

Su Mo quickly said, "I told you it was a misunderstanding, and Wang Yao has admitted it. Please don't spread rumors, sir!"

The Empress straightened her face and said, "Anyway, hitting someone in court is wrong!"

"If they are not punished, they will become even more lawless in the future!"

"Hmph! I'm going to fine you your salary!"

"unless……"

Su Mo asked instinctively, "Unless what?"

The Empress immediately replied, "Unless you recite that poem to me in a proper and respectful manner!"

Su Mo was both amused and exasperated. After a moment's thought, she finally chose the familiar poem: "Ten miles of calm lake, frost fills the sky; every inch of black hair is tinged with sorrow for fleeting years. Alone under the moon, I long for companionship; I envy not the immortals, but only the mandarin ducks."

The Empress repeated it slowly and softly.

Finally, he snorted and said, "That's much more proper, but it sounds like a woman lamenting in her boudoir. It's far inferior to Shi Huiyin's unyielding spirit and heroic character!"

"You are not allowed to tell anyone about this poem!"

After a pause, the Empress quickly added, "Well... I was afraid that if word got out, the Wang family would hate Su Lang even more!"

Su Mo...

He could only nod in agreement: "Rest assured, sir! This humble servant will certainly not tell any outsiders!"

The Empress nodded in satisfaction, then pointed to the weekly newspaper: "Is this the newspaper you were talking about?"

Is there a deeper meaning behind this?

She always felt there was something wrong, but she couldn't figure it out, so she decided to just ask Su Mo, the "Imperial Tutor," directly.

It's not like it's the first time!
Su Mo hesitated for a moment, his expression slowly turning serious, before finally saying, "My lord, don't underestimate this newspaper!"

"This is the key weapon for me in my battle against the Wang family!"

Upon hearing this, the Empress was immediately taken aback: "Is this the most crucial weapon in the fight against the Wang family?"

"Isn't the key to fighting against powerful clans the pinyin system created by Su Lang?"

Su Mo: "There's no rule that there can only be one type of weapon!"

Empress...

Su Mo immediately added, "As you can see, the Wang family may not truly be benevolent, righteous, and trustworthy!"

"The reason why the vast majority of people think that the five surnames and seven clans are of high moral character is simply because they control the power of public opinion!"

The Imperial Tutor has finally taken the initiative to give a lesson!
The Empress involuntarily sat up straight and asked in a deep voice, "What is the power of public opinion?"

Su Mo thought for a moment: "Simply put, it's about having a voice!"

"Powerful families control the power of public opinion. They can make the people know whatever they want them to know, and the people will have no way of knowing what they don't want them to know!"

"Even if I win the court case as it is now, as long as the Wang family spreads the word and continues to slander me, the rumors will spread like wildfire, and the people will surely believe that I have an affair with Officer Yin!"

The Empress glanced at the weekly report, raising a slight brow: "The power of public opinion that Su Lang speaks of is similar to the imperial court's official gazette?"

Su Mo gave the Empress a thumbs up: "Your Majesty is truly intelligent, able to draw inferences from one instance!"

"The imperial gazette is the channel for the court's public opinion. In addition, notices and similar documents also count."

As he spoke, Su Mo frowned: "However, the imperial gazette has a major flaw!"

The Empress immediately followed up, saying, "Only officials can read it; the common people have no way to read it?"

Su Mo nodded: "That's exactly right."

"Therefore, I have established this story weekly to serialize Romance of the Three Kingdoms, hoping to arouse readers' desire to continue reading and sell the weekly in large quantities!"

"Most of the people who listen to storytelling in teahouses are ordinary people, which provides a voice for the lower classes and prevents the teahouses from being controlled by powerful families!"

The Empress was dumbfounded!

I never imagined that Su Lang would think so far ahead!

He truly is the man I chose... well, the imperial tutor I chose!
Su Mo glanced at the Empress, picked up her teacup without ceremony, took a sip of fragrant tea, and then said, "In addition, I have started a column featuring works by famous authors."

"Other things, such as anecdotes, strange tales, and even agricultural knowledge, astronomy, geography, etc., I will add them one by one."

“As long as the weekly newspaper’s sales increase, scholars will naturally contribute articles to the weekly newspaper for fame and fortune. In this way, scholars will have a channel to voice their opinions, and the weekly newspaper will have a wider reach.”

The Empress frowned slightly: "A true Confucian scholar would probably not publish his works in a weekly newspaper."

Su Mo pointed to himself and said, "Has my lord forgotten Mr. Zhiru?"

The Empress rolled her eyes at him: "As you say, this is a channel for public opinion, and it must be printed frequently. How many great works can be published by just one Mr. Zhiru?"

Su Mo smiled and said, "The weekly report is printed every seven days."

"I believe that even without other great Confucian works, just the works of Mr. [Name] alone should be sufficient to support us for three to five years."

Empress...

Why do I feel like hitting Su Lang?

It's a shame that this guy, while in prison, told Ip Man Shan that he only had a basic understanding of poetry and literature!
You dare to talk about hundreds of poems and lyrics? Is that what you call a little knowledge?
In addition, he also plans to create columns on astronomy, geography, and agricultural knowledge.

Doesn't this imply that one is proficient in everything from astronomy and geography to farming?
So annoying!

We really need to improve his cultivation level as soon as possible, otherwise I'm afraid I might accidentally kill him!

The Empress regained her composure, her expression suddenly becoming extremely serious. She looked intently at Su Mo and said, enunciating each word clearly, "Su Mo!"

"I wish to appoint you as my Imperial Tutor!"

Su Mo was suddenly stunned.

Imperial Tutor?

Leng Liuxi referring to herself as "I" proves that this was not a joke!

But doesn't she want to be her husband herself?
Su Mo stared at the Empress in astonishment, noticing her extremely serious face, clearly indicating she was not joking.

His expression turned serious, and he took a deep breath: "Your Majesty, what virtue or ability do I possess to be the Imperial Tutor!"

The Empress interrupted Su Mo without hesitation: "Su Lang, don't say any more!"

"I am well aware of Su Lang's talent and learning; no one but Su Lang is fit to be my imperial tutor!"

Su Mo frowned, and hesitated before saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your appreciation!"

"But I have already taken Yin Qiguan as my disciple and am exhausted from teaching her alone. I fear..."

The Empress said calmly, "If that's the reason, then I will kill her!"

Su Mo was dumbfounded!

Finally, he said with a wry smile, "Since that's the case, then I have no choice but to reluctantly become Your Majesty's teacher..."

The Empress's face instantly lit up with a smile, and she gave a resounding "Mmm!"

"Tonight, I will bring the six gifts for becoming a disciple to Su Lang!"

Su Mo...

(End of this chapter)