The playboy county magistrate

"I'm worried that Princess Ning'an might secretly instigate minor border skirmishes. She could use this to create momentum and smear you, Master, for deliberately severing diplomatic ties and disregarding the people's livelihood," Tang Zheng said with some concern.

"As expected." Li Xuanzhi said calmly, "She is best at using situations to create opportunities. Whether it is public opinion, people's livelihood, or border stability, they are all pawns in her game."

"She thought today's stalemate was an accident, but little did she know that it was all the result of His Majesty's tacit approval."

Tang Zheng was slightly taken aback, a look of doubt on his face. "His Majesty tacitly approves?"

Li Xuanzhi slowly withdrew his gaze, his tone calm and steady.

"Why do you think His Majesty entrusted this matter entirely to me at this particular time? Why, knowing Princess Ning'an's ambitious intentions, did he still allow the Northern Desert delegation to resume negotiations?"

Tang Zheng was speechless for a moment, and after thinking for a long time, he couldn't come up with a solution.

"Your subordinate is dull-witted and begs for guidance, Master."

"What His Majesty desires has never been a false peace achieved through mere concessions," Li Xuanzhi said softly. "In recent years, the northern deserts have been recuperating and growing stronger. They have repeatedly used the guise of trade to spy on the border and stockpile supplies, their ambitions already blatantly obvious. It's just that previously, the two countries only had minor frictions, without any large-scale direct conflict, and the court had no reasonable opportunity to restrain the northern deserts."

"Previously, the court was rife with factions. As the one who initiated and implemented the new policies, I was naturally the best person to break the deadlock. Moreover, I have now established a firm foothold in the court, and with Grand Tutor Wang paving the way, I am the best person to make the final move."

"Your Majesty used me to directly reject the unreasonable demands of the Northern Desert, thwarting their schemes and forcing them to reveal their true colors and ambitions. Only when the other side bares its fangs first can the Great Yong Dynasty have a legitimate reason to suppress the Northern Desert's arrogance and gain the moral high ground."

"After seeing that even the northern deserts have been ruthlessly suppressed, those small countries will naturally become more cautious and follow the lead of the Great Yong. They will not dare to harbor any wicked intentions for at least ten years. And these ten years are enough for the Great Yong to recuperate, develop and consolidate its strength, so that it can better deter those countries in the future."

Tang Zheng finally realized what was happening and sighed sincerely:

"His Majesty is a man of profound wisdom; his plans were laid so far in advance! It appears that you, my lord, are facing a crisis head-on, caught in a public opinion trap. In reality, His Majesty is using this situation to his advantage, luring the enemy out of their hiding place!"

Li Xuanzhi nodded. "Grand Tutor Wang launched his attack in court to pave the way, His Majesty secretly acquiesced to the delegation of power, and I confronted him head-on. These three moves are interconnected, all for the purpose of completely eliminating internal and external troubles."

Princess Ning'an thought she was lying low and observing, waiting to reap the benefits. Little did she know that from beginning to end, she was part of His Majesty's carefully laid plan.

Tang Zheng admired Li Xuanzhi more and more, and also understood why the relationship between civil and military officials had always been tense.

The civil official's mind is truly exceptionally sharp. Not to mention, his master now practices physical exercise daily and has even found a martial arts instructor.

"Only you, my lord, have the brains and the ability to figure all this out. If it were me, I'd probably still be sitting there like an idiot, letting that Princess Ning'an from the Northern Desert set her conditions, getting all flustered and scratching my head in frustration."

Just as the carriage rounded a bend and came into view of Li Xuanzhi's house, a loud and clear voice came from behind the carriage—

"Is that the esteemed presence of Commissioner Li Xuanzhi ahead?"

Li Xuanzhi lifted the carriage curtain and looked back, immediately telling Tang Zheng to stop and continue driving. Once the carriage came to a stop, he immediately alighted and quickly walked towards the back.

The visitor was the emperor's chief eunuch, the one who served him as the imperial attendant.

"Lord Li, this is His Majesty's oral decree."

"I am aware of today's discussions. Minister Li upheld the bottom line of the nation and refused unreasonable demands. His actions were fair and appropriate, which greatly pleases me."

"The ambitions of the northern deserts are obvious and should not be tolerated. From this day forward, Li Xuanzhi shall be in full charge of all matters concerning border trade and defense. He may freely deploy border troops and allocate food and defense supplies. First, stabilize the people's livelihood, then strengthen the border defenses, and calmly deal with the changes in the northern deserts."

Not only Li Xuanzhi, but even Tang Zheng's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

Li Xuanzhi bowed respectfully as he received the imperial decree.

"Your Majesty, I will obey your decree and will certainly not fail in your trust."

The chief eunuch nodded with a smile. "Her Majesty the Empress has instructed that Lord Li and his wife have an excellent relationship. It is unknown how long Lord Li will be away at the border. If he really misses her, he may take his wife with him. The old lady will have her own people protecting her, and absolutely no unimportant people or dangers will approach her."

Li Xuanzhi naturally understood the implied meaning behind the Imperial Eunuch's words.

He could bring his wife with him; this was a favor granted by the emperor. Li Xuanzhi's mother, Zhang, the matriarch of the Li family, remained in the capital as a hostage.

The living conditions and other circumstances of the hostages depend entirely on how Li Xuanzhi acts at the border.

The eunuch delivering the decree nodded again with a smile and said softly:

"Your Excellency enjoys the Emperor's favor and possesses exceptional abilities. You are certain to achieve victory in this foreign affairs. His Majesty also said that Your Excellency has worked hard and can return to your residence to rest after handling the matters at the post station. He instructed the people in your residence to prepare the necessary items for this trip and that there is no need to go to the palace to report immediately."

night.

"My lord, the Northern Desert delegation appeared to have stayed inside the post station the entire time, with no one venturing out. They seemed to be behaving themselves. However, through a small door at the back of the post station, several Northern Desert spies who looked exactly like our Great Yong were seen coming and going, and then quietly left the capital, their whereabouts unknown."

Li Xuanzhi's eyes darkened slightly. "Their whereabouts are unknown, which means they are deliberately hiding."

"My subordinates have already sent people to track them down, but the other party's movements are mysterious and they are extremely good at hiding. They are most likely assassins trained in the northern desert for many years."

"There's no need to pursue them," Li Xuanzhi said slowly. "Since she intends to have people conceal their whereabouts, she will never let us find any clues easily. Rather than wasting energy tracking where those people went, it's better to wait and see."

"Understood."

The night was quiet and still.

The next morning.

In the imperial court, an imperial edict spread throughout the court and the countryside—

The mission to the northern desert region is deliberately stirring up public opinion and building up its own power, making the border situation increasingly tense.

Li Xuanzhi was ordered to inspect the border with imperial insignia, taking overall command of the northwestern border military affairs, trade and logistics, and foreign affairs checks and balances. He was to leave the capital immediately and head to the border to take charge.

The imperial edict was issued, and the entire court was shaken.

Everyone assumed that yesterday's diplomatic negotiations had stalled, and that the court would at most slow down trade and strengthen defenses.

No one expected His Majesty to be so decisive, directly delegating power to Li Xuanzhi, a civil official, to personally go to the border and take charge at the front line.

This journey to the border is long and the situation is uncertain. I will not be able to return in just a few days, so everything at home must be settled properly.

Inside the main hall, Li Xuanzhi, who was granted an exception by the emperor to not attend court today, was gathered with all his family members.

Li Xuanzhi's mother, Madam Zhang, who is now the matriarch of the Li family, sat in the main seat, her expression dignified but unable to hide the concern and worry in her eyes.

Having weathered half a lifetime of storms, she had long since seen through many things. She knew her son now held a high position of power and bore heavy responsibilities. It was a time of extreme glory, but also of extreme danger.