Villain: After I died, all the heroines cried themselves to sleep.

With Feng Lu and Li Tonggu taking the lead, the others also stepped forward to express their admiration for the king's wisdom.

Luo Zheng watched expressionlessly, only able to inwardly scream "Holy crap!"

Are all the officials in the court just sycophants?

In the end, it was Fan Ze who had some insights.

"Upon hearing that the states of Wei and Zheng have withdrawn from Hangu Pass, I fear retaliation from our country and thus intend to form an alliance with the state of Qi."

The states of Qi and Liang were located in the east and west, respectively, and their national strengths were almost equal.

Even the State of Qi, with its abundant fish and salt resources and the Jixia Academy attracting talented individuals, far surpassed the State of Liang in both economic and academic fields.

The so-called "Vertical Alliance" was actually formed by various states outside the Great Wall to counter the threat posed by the Liang state after it underwent Wei Yang's reforms and seized the lands of Ba and Shu.

"The State of Chu was previously at odds with our country and was also part of the alliance of states. However, the current King of Chu was once a hostage in our country. If Your Majesty restores good relations with him, it may be possible to break the alliance of the four states of Qi, Chu, Wei, and Zheng."

To put it simply, it's a classic example of using horizontal alliances to break vertical alliances.

Zhang Yi, the former prime minister of the Liang Kingdom, was a strategist who used this strategy of alliances to break the alliance of states outside the Great Wall.

Luo Zheng's suggestion is very much in line with Liang's long-standing foreign policy.

Although that was not his original intention.

After all, in his predetermined fate, he was still a puppet king of Liang at this time and was not familiar with the diplomatic situation of the ten kingdoms.

"In that case, let's leave this matter to Marquis Xiang."

Luo Zheng shamelessly accepted the praise from the officials.

Without making a sound, he handed the matter over to Marquis Xiang.

This was an opportunity to make a name for himself, and of course, the Marquis of Xiang could not refuse.

……

After the court assembly ended and the officials left, Zhao Wei soon came to see Luo Zheng.

Luo Zheng thought the other party was tattling on him.

As a result, Zhao Wei did not mention anything about matters of the court, but instead chatted with Luo Zheng about the past.

From helping Prince Chu return to Liang and ascend the throne, to helping Zhao Ji secure her position as the Empress, to having Zhao Ji recognize Luo Zheng as her adopted son, and finally to being pleased that Luo Zheng ascended the throne as king.

The only thing not mentioned was his support for Luo Zheng in the court during the six years since Luo Zheng's return to the country.

But his words were full of implications for this.

This is an attempt to appeal to emotions.

"Now that Your Majesty has ascended the throne, you still need to be wary of Marquis Xiang and Chancellor Fan. Both of them are veterans of three reigns and have deep roots in the court. If they are allowed to grow too powerful, they may hinder Your Majesty's authority."

Zhao Wei earnestly advised.

"Prime Minister Zhao need not say more."

Luo Zheng smiled dismissively, seemingly unconcerned.

"When I was campaigning against Lord Pingliang, my cooperation with Lord Xiang was seamless. No matter how powerful he becomes, can he ever surpass me?"

How could he not know what Zhao Wei was thinking?

In a predetermined fate, the other side used this pretext to launch a political struggle that lasted for several years.

He eventually ousted the other factions and seized power for himself.

Luo Zheng hadn't forgotten that Zhao Wei had previously planned to use Zhao Ji as a bargaining chip.

He hasn't settled accounts with the other party yet!

"If there is nothing else, then Prime Minister Zhao may leave."

Luo Zheng waved his hand dismissively.

"..."

Zhao Wei stood there, frozen.

After a long while, he finally lowered his head, slowly bowed to Luo Zheng, and took his leave.

Luo Zheng watched the other person leave.

He left Xianyang three years ago to go it alone, so how could he possibly let Zhao Wei take over again?

Just then.

No sooner had Zhao Wei left than Feng Lu and Li Tonggu arrived.

"Your Majesty is truly wise!"

These two sycophants immediately launched into a fawning and flattering tirade.

Luo Zheng was not particularly fond of treacherous and wicked officials.

Compared to powerful ministers like Zhao Wei, even sycophants seem quite respectable.

Listen to Li Tonggu's praise.

"When Your Majesty sought to make peace with the State of Chu, I initially thought that Your Majesty intended to feign weakness to lull the Empress Dowager and the Marquis of Xiang into a false sense of security, so that I could find their weakness and drive them out of the court. I never imagined that Your Majesty would also be plotting a horizontal alliance."

See? Not only does he align with my thinking, but he also speaks very well.

Feng Lu, who was standing next to him, shook his head.

"I once served as a messenger. Your Majesty is a man of profound wisdom and foresight. How could your actions be so simple? There must be a deeper meaning behind them, but we are simply too ignorant to know it."

Okay, I guess I just thought too much about myself.

Luo Zheng thought to himself, "This is what I'm thinking."

They sensed the probing gazes of the two.

He immediately adopted a mysterious and inscrutable demeanor.

"I know what I'm doing, you two don't need to overthink it."

As Luo Zheng spoke, he swiftly changed the subject.

"Did you see Zhao Xiang on your way here?"

"We did indeed see it."

Li Tonggu and Feng Lu nodded.

"I have entrusted the affairs of the State of Chu to the Marquis of Xiang. You are former retainers of the Chancellor of Zhao, so you might as well spend more time paying attention to him."

Luo Zheng instructed the two men.

Feng Lu and Li Tonggu were originally Zhao Wei's men.

However, being a treacherous and wicked man, he had no loyalty whatsoever. After going to Hanyang with Luo Zheng, he decisively switched allegiance.

To prevent Zhao Wei from resorting to desperate measures, Luo Zheng planned to have these two men keep an eye on him.

Feng and Lu pondered for a moment.

It dawned on me.

"I see, Your Majesty's wisdom surpasses mine!"

The two men bowed respectfully to Luo Zheng.

"..."

Luo Zheng looked at the two people whose eyes were shining and twitched the corner of his mouth.

Did those two find out again?

……

In the days that followed, the Liang Kingdom, following Luo Zheng's orders, dispatched envoys to the nine kingdoms.

The states of Yan, Song, Chen, and Wu were of average strength and did not border Liang, yet Liang still treated them with great courtesy.

Although Qi was not as close to Liang as it was, and even allied with Wei and Zheng, Luo Zheng still did not break off relations with them.

This was Fan Ze's suggestion, titled "Befriend distant states while attacking nearby ones."

In fact, both Fan Ze and Wei Ran are quite capable and accomplished.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have remained in the court for so long and stood firm.

If they are overthrown by King Liang in the future.

There is only one reason.

How can I allow someone else to snore beside my bed?

The arrogant and decadent King Zheng of Liang needed absolute power and could not tolerate dissenting voices.

The remaining four states are Tang, Wei, Zheng, and Chu.

The states of Wei and Zheng were held accountable, but relying on their alliance with Qi, they refused to admit their mistakes.

They even accused the Liang Kingdom of encroaching on the territories of both countries over the years.

The two sides are now completely at odds.

Luo Zheng had many acquaintances in the Tang Kingdom, and they were the ones he paid the most attention to.

After Luo Zheng returned to his country, he often sent letters to Zhuang Ji. However, when he went to Hanyang to take up his post, the journey was arduous and the contact became much more difficult.

Now that I have become the King of Liang, of course I must tell him this good news as soon as possible.

They also wanted to find out about the situation of the former Tang people.

The envoy fulfilled his mission and brought back the information that Luo Zheng wanted to know.

"Lady Zhuang has been living a secluded life for the past three years, and I have been unable to pay my respects to her. However, her maidservants report that she is in good health, but has fallen ill from missing him, and is very happy about Your Majesty's ascension to the throne."

"Three years ago..."

Luo Zheng's eyes flickered slightly.

It happened to be the time when he went to Hanyang to assume his post.

She must be resentful that he cut off contact.

Luo Zheng sighed inwardly and continued to ask.

"Where are the others?"

"Ning, the daughter of Lord Anling, left home to study martial arts under a master and wandered the streets and rivers, and has not returned to this day. Lord Mafu died of illness, and his son Tong is currently observing mourning. Jin, the son of Lord Wujing, traveled to the northern border and his whereabouts are unknown."

The pedestrian told him everything he knew.

"The other girl named Linglong, according to the academy's teachers, left the academy with a young man after the king left."

"..."

Luo Zheng waved for the pedestrians to leave.

He seemed to be deep in thought.

He had long anticipated that Tang Ning would become a female knight-errant.

Tang Tong was preparing to inherit the throne from Ma Fujun, and Li Jin went to the northern border to gain experience, which was in line with the development of the predetermined fate.

As for Linglong, despite her being an important historical figure, Luo Zheng had never heard of her.

Clearly, Linglong is just an alias for her.

Before Luo Zheng could figure it out...

Marquis Xiang then came to pay his respects and informed him of the situation in the State of Chu.

"The King of Chu is deeply grateful for Your Majesty's assistance in Hanyang and also intends to renew friendly relations with our country."

It's easy to say, but in reality, it involves various exchanges of interests.

Finally, after negotiations between the two parties.

The State of Chu sent a hostage to the State of Liang, and in return, the State of Liang married the daughter of its former king to the State of Chu.

After a moment's hesitation, Marquis Xiang continued.

"I originally intended to follow the old custom and have the daughter of the Chu state marry into the Liang state, but in the end, this could not be realized."

"It's alright."

Luo Zheng didn't care.

It is likely that the "daughter" that Marquis Xiang was referring to was Ji Mi.

Ji Mi had someone she loved, so she naturally refused a political marriage and married the infamous King Liang.

Luo Zheng was not in a hurry to take her into his harem.

Anyway, I've got the dowry.

He patted the Tai'a sword at his waist.

……

Soon, the State of Liang married off its daughter to the State of Chu, and the State of Chu sent a hostage to Liang, thus formally restoring friendly relations between the two countries.

As the person in charge of the whole affair, Marquis Xiang's prestige in the court soared.

Luo Zheng also bestowed great rewards upon him for this.

Even Zhao Wei lowered his guard and tried to curry favor with Marquis Xiang.

Upon seeing this, Fan Ze narrowed his eyes, then suddenly seemed to realize something, a hint of surprise and uncertainty flashing in his eyes.

Marquis Xiang was overjoyed.

He personally facilitated the alliance between Liang and Chu, disrupting the four-nation coalition, which can be considered a great achievement.

For a time, he was the talk of the town.

A month later, a major event occurred in Xianyang.

A hostage prince of Chu killed a minister of Liang in a private fight and fled back to Chu to escape punishment.

Luo Zheng was furious and immediately questioned Marquis Xiang in court.

"You, Lord Xiang, once asked me to restore our old friendship with Chu, and I agreed. Now, the Chu hostage has killed my Liang officials and fled. What do you suggest we do?"

"My state of Liang is willing to marry its daughter to Chu, but Chu is unwilling to marry its daughter to Liang. You sent a hostage to Liang and even killed one of my ministers. Is this how you handle things?"

"Are you a minister of Liang or Chu?"

"..."

Marquis Xiang was stumped by the question.

At the same time, I felt very indignant.

It was clearly the king who first proposed making peace with the State of Chu, so why did he turn his back on us so suddenly? Now it's all my fault.

He was so angry that he immediately tried to defend himself.

Just then.

Zhonglang Teng Mian burst into the imperial court.

He stood upright and bowed respectfully to Luo Zheng.

"Your Majesty, an assassin just infiltrated the palace with malicious intent, but was captured on the spot by the palace guards."

"Who dares to be so bold?"

Luo Zheng demanded an explanation.

Teng Mian dared not hide anything and quickly answered.

He claimed to be a retainer of Zhao Xiang, named Lai Ao.

"what……"

Zhao Wei was shocked and felt dizzy.

He collapsed to the ground.

Marquis Xiang also heard this.

His face, which had been flushed with anger, instantly lost all color.

"..."

The room was completely silent; you could hear a pin drop.

The officials were dumbfounded.

The situation in the court was changing too fast; they couldn't keep up at all.

Only Fan Ze glanced subtly at Luo Zheng, whose face was gloomy.

My heart is filled with awe.