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

Chapter 292 Promotion to the most powerful trial commander in history!

Su Mo returned to the mansion, starving. After having a meal with the women, he summoned Liu Siyun to his study.

Of course, this time we're really discussing serious business!
Su Mo boasted to Princess Baicheng that he had invited Zhong Yin to cut the ribbon, but in reality, Su Mo wasn't very confident.

After all, it's obvious to everyone that Su Mo is going against the Wang family's bookstore.

The Minister of War is already a powerful figure in the court, a leader of a faction, so he would not easily express his opinion or take sides.

Su Mo pondered for a moment, then asked Liu Siyun to grind the ink. He picked up a brush and laid out the paper, writing a large, flamboyant character "微" in his dog-paw style.
They then sealed it with candles and summoned Jiang Laoshi, their number one lackey.

"Sir, what are your orders?"

Jiang Laoshi bowed and scraped as he looked at Su Mo with a fawning smile.

Although Jiang Lan is now considered one of the mistresses of the Su residence, she always maintains a very proper attitude and honestly plays the role of the Su residence's first housekeeper.

Su Mo said in a deep voice, "Take my calling card and go to the residence of Minister Zhong of the Ministry of War. Deliver this letter to him personally!"

"And tell Lord Zhong that the day after tomorrow at 9:00 AM, my bookstore in Qinghefang will be opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and I would be honored to have Lord Zhong grace us with his presence!"

"remember!"

"This letter must be delivered to Lord Zhong personally; it must not be forwarded to anyone else!"

Jiang Laoshi quickly replied, "I understand!"

After hesitating for a moment, he asked again, "What if Lord Zhong refuses to see me?"

Su Mo replied without hesitation, "The letter must be brought back unopened!"

Jiang Laoshi nodded emphatically.

Then, with a somewhat hesitant expression, she finally felt that as the head housekeeper of the Su family, she had an obligation to remind Su Mo.

He gritted his teeth and said, "When will you change the plaque on the gate of your mansion, sir?"

"Should I take care of it?"

"Also, sir, do you think we should change the side entrance of the central courtyard into the main entrance, or find another place to open a side entrance?"

Su Mo was slightly taken aback: "Why?"

Jiang Laoshi quickly said, "Master, you are now the Imperial Tutor, your status is different, the house must be changed to a mansion!"

"Otherwise, when the master's relatives and friends visit after the New Year, they will laugh at the master, and the servants of other mansions will also laugh at me for being ignorant."

“The first and second courtyards were converted into restaurants. According to my suggestion, the first and second courtyards were separated by a wall, and the main gate of the third courtyard was reopened.”

“When distinguished guests visit, we can’t just enter through the main entrance.”

Liu Siyun, who was standing next to her, thought for a moment and then said, "My lord, I think what Brother Jiang said makes sense."

"Although you are not particular about details, Dawu values ​​rules and etiquette, and the etiquette of social standing cannot be disregarded."

Su Mo thought for a moment, then said to Jiang Laoshi, "You can handle this matter."

Jiang Laoshi left, looking excited.

Liu Siyun couldn't help but ask, "My lord wrote the character '微' to Minister Zhong, but I don't understand it. Could it be that it contains some deeper meaning?"

"Will Minister Zhong go to the bookstore to cut the ribbon when he sees these words?"

Su Mo turned to look at Liu Siyun.

Liu Siyun is indeed quite capable.

During the time he was in Wanghai County, he had already set up a bookstore and a clothing store, and even selected the managers and employees, so that he could open for business at any time.

He smiled and said, "It's nothing, just writing a random character."

Liu Siyun stared in disbelief: "Nothing to mean? I don't understand!"

"If that's the case, why have Second Brother Jiang personally hand it over to Lord Zhong?"

She hesitated for a moment, then added, "Is there something I shouldn't know? I..."

Su Mo waved her hand: "Don't think too much about it, it really doesn't mean anything else!"

He paused, then smiled and explained, "Even you would think this word contains a profound meaning. What would that old fox Zhong Yin think?"

Liu Siyun was taken aback for a moment, then her pretty eyes suddenly lit up: "Lord Zhong must ponder deeply what my husband means!"

"In the end, we were completely baffled and gained nothing!"

Su Mo nodded emphatically: "Yes!"

"Then she might personally go to the bookstore to ask her husband, and incidentally attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony!"

Liu Siyun...

"What if he sends his trusted men?"

Su Mo explained, "That's why I instructed Jiang Laoshi to personally deliver the letter to Zhong Yin!"

"He is unaware of the situation and would not send anyone to inquire about it."

"Of course, it's also possible that they won't come at all."

He shrugged: "It's free to try it out!"

Liu Siyun stared at Su Mo in disbelief once again.

My husband is amazing!
Su Mo smiled and said, "You still need to prepare for the shop's affairs tomorrow."

"The woolen skirts and other items to be sent to Princess Baicheng also need to be prepared and sent to the military camp tomorrow."

He sighed, "I'm afraid I won't be able to rest tonight either; I have to go and pay my respects to Commander Nangong."

Liu Siyun was slightly taken aback: "It's so late, is my lord still going out?"

Su Mo smiled wryly, "There's nothing I can do!"

"Lord Nangong is elusive; you can't find him during the day at all. You have to go at night, and he might not even be there by then!"

"I have to go to the Chi residence tomorrow, so I don't have much time to waste."

As she spoke, Su Mo stretched and sighed, "The official rank is getting higher and higher, and the title seems to be rising higher and higher, but the workload is also increasing! It's really exhausting for your husband!"

"I miss the days in Changping County. If only I had a capable concubine like you."

Liu Siyun blushed slightly, leaned close to Su Mo's ear, and whispered, "I will now help my lord relieve his fatigue."

Su Mo frowned.

If we don't teach her a good lesson today, she'll really become lawless!

Hmm... Anyway, Nangong Sheyue probably won't be back at home so soon. If we squeeze in the time, we can definitely find some!
Confucius said, "Reviewing the old helps one understand the new," which is truly true!

Half an hour later, with Liu Siyun's help, Su Mo cleaned himself up, put on his robes, and tidied his appearance, preparing to make a night visit to the Nangong residence.

Unexpectedly, upon opening the door, a tall and graceful figure stood quietly under the moonlight outside the study.

Su Mo stared in shock at Lord Nangong, who was dressed in flowing white robes and possessed an elegant and fairy-like demeanor.

He blurted out, "Sir, what brings you here? When did you arrive?"

Nangong Sheyue glanced at Su Mo indifferently: "You came when Su Xianzi was complaining about his official rank and title getting higher and higher."

"Hmm...I heard from Magistrate Su that I'm elusive and can't be found during the day!"

Liu Siyun's face instantly turned bright red.

Su Mo, without changing his expression, instructed Liu Siyun: "Go back to your room and rest early."

He then smiled at Nangong Sheyue and said, "This humble servant was just about to go to find Lord Nangong, but I didn't expect that Lord Nangong would come to find this humble servant instead."

"Please come inside, sir."

Nangong Sheyue glanced at the study with a disgusted look on his face, then walked silently toward the side hall.

Su Mo coughed twice, gave Liu Siyun a look, and hurried after Nangong Sheyue.

Upon arriving at the side hall, Su Mo personally served tea to Nangong Sheyue with great courtesy, then his expression turned serious: "My lord, what brings you here to see me today?"

Nangong Sheyue's pretty face instantly turned serious: "This concubine is here on His Majesty's orders to deliver to my lord the official title and ivory plaque for the Left Trial Commander!"

"Attached is a secret order from the General Manager of the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office!"

As she spoke, her expression suddenly turned strange. She couldn't help but look at Su Mo again before saying, "Also, His Majesty has decided to promote you to the rank of Hundred-Household Commander of the Phoenix Cry Division, in charge of all overt and covert personnel of the Phoenix Cry Division within Qinghe Ward!"

Upon hearing this, Su Mo was immediately taken aback and stared at Nangong Sheyue in shock: "What?"

"Your Majesty has promoted me to the rank of centurion of the Fengming Division, in charge of the personnel of the Fengming Division in Qinghe Ward?" Nangong Sheyue nodded emphatically: "I have also brought the official document and the ivory token with you, my lord."

Su Mo was completely speechless.

The Empress's charisma is truly something he can't help but admire!

This principle embodies the idea of ​​not using those you doubt, and trusting those you use!
Let's not even talk about Qinghefang Hundred Household Office, it's a low-end version of Beizhenfusi.

The only thing that could restrain the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office was Leng Liuxi herself, and the Fengming Division.

One of the main tasks of the Phoenix Cry Division is to monitor the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Now, the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office is under my control, as are the personnel of the Fengming Division in Qinghefang.

Doesn't that mean I can act with impunity and do whatever I want in Qinghefang? No one but the Empress can control me?
The lucrative business in Qinghefang is so great that it would definitely rank among the top three in the entire capital city.

The floating ships, gambling dens, Datong Temple... all made a fortune every day!

No wonder Nangong Sheyue's expression was so strange when he said he was promoted to the position of Chief Flag Officer of the Fengming Division!
Unexpectedly, the Empress acted so swiftly.

It seems he has truly given up on the idea of ​​entering the imperial court as an official.

But this is better.

As a naive young man, I am indeed not as cunning as those old foxes in the imperial court.

It's better to stick to working in an intelligence agency.

There are two long legs here you can hug, so you won't be sold out and still be counting the money for the seller!
As for how the Empress will maintain her status as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Phoenix Cry Division, and how she will outwit and outmaneuver the important ministers of the cabinet, she probably already has a plan in mind.

With mixed feelings, Nangong Sheyue handed Su Mo the official document, the token, and the secret order!
Su Mo accepted it with mixed feelings.

Nangong Sheyue took a deep breath and said, "I have come to see you, my lord, for another matter!"

"My lord, do not forget that His Majesty ordered you to manufacture a telescope!"

"His Majesty's intention is that fifty sets must be built by March of next year! Are you confident, young master?"

Upon hearing this, Su Mo felt a slight chill: "March?"

Nangong Sheyue nodded emphatically: "Yes! March!"

Su Mo turned his head and looked around, then lowered his voice: "Your Majesty doesn't want to go to war with the Northern Di, does he? Is there enough time for the new army?"

Mobilizing a large army cannot be done in ten or eight days.

The larger the number of people, the longer it takes to assemble troops and prepare supplies, often taking two or three months!

Nangong Sheyue frowned and said in a low voice, "Regardless of whether His Majesty intends it this way or not, the Northern Di have always raided south during the summer harvest, and a war with our Great Wu is inevitable."

"The telescope must be sent to the army in the northern frontier in advance, just in case."

Su Mo thought for a moment and said, "I will do my best."

"Sir, collect as much high-purity white crystal as possible, and also prepare skilled jade craftsmen to send to the craftsmen's camp on Lone Peak Mountain!"

Nangong Sheyue nodded with a serious expression.

Then, with an even more serious expression, she looked at Su Mo and said, "I have come to see my husband because I have another important matter to discuss!"

Seeing Nangong Sheyue's serious expression, Su Mo was startled again and quickly said, "Please speak, my lord!"

Nangong Sheyue hesitated for a moment, then parted her cherry lips slightly: "Has the second volume of Romance of the Three Kingdoms been written yet?"

Su Mo looked at Nangong Sheyue with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

Seeing this, Nangong Sheyue rolled her eyes at him, annoyed: "His Majesty asked me to ask!"

"Um……"

"If you finish writing it, please give me a copy as well. I really want to see it!"

Su Mo was speechless. Nangong Sheyue was so engrossed in the novel that he could only say, "There are still two or three chapters left before the manuscript is finished."

“Master Meng’s youngest daughter has gone home for the New Year, which has slowed things down considerably. Once the manuscript is finished, I will send it to you as soon as possible.”

Nangong Sheyue nodded, about to speak, when suddenly his expression hardened, his right hand instantly pressing against the crescent-shaped blade at his waist, and he said in a low, wary voice, "My lord, be careful!"

"Someone..."

Before he could finish speaking, a suspicious and aged voice came from outside the side hall: "Hmm? You young man, you are quite sharp-eared and sharp-eyed, and you were able to discover my whereabouts. That is truly remarkable!"

Su Mo was stunned for a moment upon hearing this.

Ip Man Mountain?
Has this guy been released?
Even though he had been taught a lesson and crushed by himself yesterday, and knew he was wrong, he wrote to His Majesty to confess his guilt.

But shouldn't the Empress wait a while and temper his temper?

Why release him immediately?
Furthermore, do these so-called immortal Taoist masters and sorcerers not like to knock on doors?

The same was true for Lin Moyin and Wang Xiuzhi back then, and also for the Empress and Nangong Sheyue later on.

Ye Wenshan's unannounced arrival left Su Mo feeling utterly helpless.

Don't you guys have any privacy?
How did White Tiger Pill manage to find the housekeeper's yard?! (White Tiger Pill is feeling very wronged! All the visitors are big shots; I can't do it myself!)
Just as Su Mo was filled with doubt, a figure flashed before her eyes. Ye Wenshan, dressed in an old, simple robe, appeared on the seat to the right of Nangong Sheyue.

He first looked Nangong Sheyue up and down for a while.

He then poured himself a cup of tea without any hesitation and drank it all in one gulp.

"interesting!"

Ye Wenshan looked at Su Mo with a half-smile: "The commander of the Fengming Division meets with the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the middle of the night, without worrying at all about His Majesty's displeasure!"

He looked at Su Mo intently again: "You lad, you've truly surprised me."

"No wonder you could guess my identity and tricked me out of a Great Heaven-Mending Pill!"

Su Mo quickly said, "This junior thanks True Person Ye for the divine pill!"

Ye Wenshan snorted and was about to speak when Su Mo continued, "Yesterday His Majesty told me that a single Great Heaven-Mending Pill should not be enough for me to advance to the mid-stage of the Divine Transformation Realm..."

"Two should be enough."

Nangong Shoots the Moon...

Ye Wenshan's face darkened, and he glared fiercely at Su Mo, gathering his strength in his dantian: "Get out!"

Su Mo laughed and said, "I was just joking with you, please don't take it to heart."

He paused, looking at Ye Wenshan with great curiosity: "Senior, how did you suddenly get out of Dali Temple Prison?"

"What brings you to my humble abode?"

"Does he intend to discuss astrology with a junior?"

Upon hearing this, Nangong Sheyue looked at Su Mo in surprise!
She was shocked enough when Ye Wenshan came out of Dali Temple prison.

He was the former Director of the Imperial Observatory, a veteran of three reigns, and a founding hero. His sudden release from prison is undoubtedly a major earthquake for the court!

She, the Left Commander of the Fengming Division, hadn't received a single word of it!

Also, what did Su Mo say?
Ye Wenshan, the court's recognized foremost astrologer, came to him to discuss astrology.
Although Nangong Sheyue knew that Su Mo's knowledge was unfathomable, this was still too outrageous! She had never heard him say that he knew anything about astrology before!
What shocked Nangong Sheyue even more was that Ye Wenshan's expression turned serious, and he nodded without hesitation: "Not bad!"

"I have come here precisely to inquire about the astrological knowledge of Master Su!"

"in addition……"

Ye Wenshan paused slightly, his eyes narrowed, and a cold glint flashed as he stared at Su Mo: "According to His Majesty, I was able to get out of Dali Temple Prison this time because County Magistrate Su pleaded with His Majesty on my behalf?"

"Your Majesty, did you also suggest that I be reinstated to my former position?"

Upon hearing this, Su Mo frowned slightly.

Nangong Sheyue's body trembled slightly involuntarily, and her beautiful eyes stared intently at Ye Wenshan!

Ye Wenshan was also staring at Su Mo.

Su Mo thought for a moment and smiled bitterly to himself.

It seems the Empress said that on purpose, so that Ye Wenshan would owe her a favor!
But you should at least tell yourself in advance.

The Empress probably never expected that Ye Wenshan would come looking for her the moment he was released from prison!
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "That's right!"

"Master Ye's astrological skills are somewhat lacking..."

Upon hearing this, Ye Wenshan's expression changed.

Nangong Sheyue has a black line on his forehead!

(End of this chapter)