Originally, in the early autumn of the second year of the Li Yang Auspicious Talisman, the civil and military officials of the Chu Imperial Court wished they could divide the world. But in a short three months, there was an atmosphere of mourning. If it was not for Grand Preceptor Sun Xiji being neither sad nor happy, and Cao Zhangqing showing no signs of taking over military power from Xie Xibian, the court would have been in chaos. But to Empress Jiang Si, who sat on the dragon chair and wore dragon robes, there was no difference whether she was looking at a group of glowing officials or a group of frowning officials. She even had some mockery that no one knew about. Earlier, Da Chu had defeated the strong on the Guangling River and wiped out Vassal King Zhao Yi's Guangling Navy. Later on, they had successfully ambushed the Nanjiang army's important supply base. At the time, the most clamorous discussion was something like, "A country cannot do without a ruler, a ruler cannot do without an empress." The current Empress of Da Chu, although a woman, still needed an "empress" to conform to etiquette, right? Therefore, Song Maolin, who was known as Da Chu's Twin Jade Annulus along with Xie Xibian, and the eldest grandson of the Song household who was known as the "Northern Xu and Southern Song" along with the Prince of New Liang, had the most support. Perhaps it was because Song Maolin was so outstanding that even Grand Tutor Sun Xiji hinted to Cao Changqing, who was far away from the court, that he might as well agree to this marriage. Not only was it beneficial to the stability of the Jiang family of Da Chu, but the young Empress could also not be considered "lowly."
But as the number one general of Nanjiang, Wu Zhongxuan, parted ways with Vassal King Zhao Yi and returned to Guangling with the dual identities of Liyang Minister of War and Great General of the Southern Expedition, Lu Shengxiang finally revealed the fangs that a famous general should have. Song Li, who had also been to Great Peace City, snatched all the military power from Guangling King Zhao Yi's hands. Especially with Chen Zhibao and the elites of the Shu Lands entering the battlefield, Da Chu's front lines shrank. From frequent reports of victory, they went into a passive defense. The enthusiasm in the court that seemed to be close to attacking Great Peace City was like a bucket of cold water poured over their heads. Most of the officials and nobles were like frosted eggplants. It was at this time that Cao Changqing, who had the intention of sharpening Da Chu's young generals, finally withdrew from the Guangling River Navy and returned to Da Chu's capital with the identity of Grand Marshal of Da Chu as well as Minister of War. It had to be known that when Jiang Si ascended the throne as Emperor, Cao Changqing was still the Commander of Da Chu's Navy. His official position was even half a rank lower than the three old generals. He was only the same as the disciple of the Eastern Front's Commander, Xie Xibian, who was only a secondary second rank. Without Cao Changqing overseeing Divine Phoenix City, the people were in a constant state of anxiety. With Cao Changqing's Divine Phoenix City, even if he did not bring a single soldier, the dark clouds above Da Chu's capital immediately dispersed and the sun could be seen again.
In reality, everyone was well aware that without Jiang Si, the new Da Chu would not be able to restore the country. However, without Cao Changqing's previous running around everywhere, perhaps it would be a lamentable situation where they would not have the strength nor the will to restore the country.
After the morning court was dismissed, Cao Changqing, who did not have the time to participate in the morning court, went to the Imperial Palace to report. He changed into a brand new set of court robes and was led by a eunuch from the Ceremony Directorate. He quietly waited outside the Imperial Study for an audience with His Majesty, following the etiquette of a ruler and his subject. The old eunuch from the Ceremony Directorate was apprehensive. If it was in the past, His Majesty, who had already known that Cao Changqing had arrived at the capital, let alone receiving him in the Imperial Study, he would have welcomed him outside the capital. This meant that His Majesty and the Minister of War, whom he had always respected as his own elder, had most likely developed a knot in their hearts. This was definitely not a good thing for the country. The expressionless Cao Changqing waited at the foot of the steps. He smiled bitterly in his heart. Of course, he knew why His Majesty had left him hanging outside. His Majesty was angry, very angry. At the time, the old Grand Preceptor had strongly recommended Song Maolin, and he had neither agreed nor refused. How could she not be angry? The fact that he did not use the Great Liang Dragon Sparrow Sword to attack Cao Zhangqing was already giving face to his uncle.
Cao Changqing didn't make a sound after the worried old eunuch bent down to close the door. He stood in place without making a sound. The Imperial Study in the Da Chu Palace was very spacious. Although many of the precious items in the room had been stolen by Prince Guangling Zhao Yi, Da Chu's foundation was very deep. In the early stages of the restoration of the country, the imperial study was no less than it had been in the past. Cao Changqing raised his head and saw the young woman wearing a yellow dragon robe. Her head was lowered as she practiced writing on the tribute xuan paper. She didn't use the imperial brush "Millennium Youth," which symbolized the continuity of the country. Cao Changqing moved his gaze slightly and saw the golden lacquer cup engraved with the words "Forever Gold Ou." According to the tradition, on the first day of the first month of each year, the Emperor of Da Chu would open the window and use the "Millennium Youth" to dip into a cup filled with Tusu wine. He would write the auspicious words "World Peace" and "Long Live the Country" and present them to the civil and military officials. Before this, she had once expressed some apprehension to him, saying that her writing wasn't beautiful. She quietly suggested that he ask his uncle to write for him. Of course, Cao Changqing didn't agree. He only comforted her that she could write as little as possible. When the time came, she could only give it to old Grand Preceptor Sun and a few people who knew her well. It wouldn't be embarrassing. Only then did she reluctantly agree. However, she still couldn't hide her unhappiness. Cao Changqing heard that after she ascended the throne, she had practiced a lot this autumn and winter in order to raise the brush on the first day of the New Year. In any case, it was definitely a hundred times more diligent than practicing the sword. It was said that she had already filled a small basket with paper. She didn't throw it away and just accumulated it over time. The palace maids and eunuchs weren't allowed to touch it.
Cao Changqing looked behind the large table and at the slender, bright golden figure. His gaze was absent-minded. He seemed to remember a blurry scene from many years ago. Cao Zhangqing suddenly felt a little sad and guilty.
The empress Da Chu, who no one called Jiang Si, didn't look at Cao Changqing in a fit of pique. She angrily said, "I'm still angry. I need to write at least 30 more words to calm down. Uncle, just you wait."
Cao Changqing didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He moved a chair over and sat by the window. The chair was tilted toward the window. He could see the scenery outside and, out of the corner of his eye, see the little girl who didn't look like an emperor even though she wore a dragon robe. However, even Cao Changqing couldn't imagine that Jiang Si would sit on the dragon throne every day in court and receive all the civil and military officials.
Even Grand Tutor Sun Xiji nodded inwardly at the official's bow. Not only did she not lose her manners, even he, an old man who had stood in the courts of the two dynasties for close to sixty years, could not find any flaws even if he did not care about her identity as a woman. Her monarch and minister played together.
At first, she was slightly reserved, but now she was adept and as she wished. She advanced a thousand miles in a day. She was simply born to be an emperor. Sun Xiji privately joked with his friends that the Emperor's sword realm was extremely fast. It was the same for the ruler of a country.
She meticulously wrote a dozen words and snuck a glance at Cao Changqing, who was sitting upright and still. Jiang Si curled her lips. She probably realized that it wasn't appropriate for her to compete with Uncle, so she gently put down her brush and coldly snorted. "I'm done!"
Cao Changqing held back his laughter and quietly said, "There are still eleven words. I'm not in a hurry."
Jiang Si glared and said, "Uncle!"
Cao Changqing smiled slightly and said, "Alright, I know that Song Maolin's matter has angered the Emperor. I came to the capital this time to be the Emperor's punching bag. After all, the old Grand Preceptor is old. The Emperor can't lower himself to the same level as him."
Jiang Si put on a show of force and picked up the brush again. "If I didn't want to be the Emperor, I would have secretly beaten that Song guy into a pig's head."
Cao Changqing couldn't help but laugh. "Of all people to learn from, that King of Beiliang pulled out Jin Lanting's beard in Great Peace City. It caused the assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites to wait half a month before he dared to go to the yamen for roll call."
Jiang Si placed the brush heavily on the brush holder.
Cao Changqing hesitated for a moment and then sighed. "Qing Liang Mountain must have a consort for the King of Beiliang after the great victory. In this matter, you can't blame him."
Jiang Si lightly slammed a fist on the table and glared angrily. Then she wrinkled her nose and coldly snorted. "You're blaming me?!"
Cao Changqing smiled and hurriedly waved his hands. "I don't dare, I don't dare."
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