Xu Xiaomeng dried her hair as she looked toward the ceiling in a thoughtful manner, causing Xiao Xi to be rather startled.

“Lady, if you are to place me in charge of monitoring these four individuals, could you instruct your reasoning?” Xiao Xi asked.

Xu Xiaomeng furrowed her brows for a moment, before giving off a long sigh.

“I possess doubt regarding the loyalty of the four people I had summoned,” Xu Xiaomeng spoke after a placing the towel she had used down.

“Chen Ju had come from a family of scholars and had been formally in charge of Bingjiang in the place of its former governor, thus, she could easily harbour an ideology that could damage the cause, though she had experienced a period of time among the masses, the ideas she harbour could easily still remain,” Xu Xiaomeng said.

“Isn’t Lady Chen indebted to your policies that had led her out of her life as a prostitute?” Xiao Xi asked, still slightly confused as to Xu Xiaomeng’s line of thinking.

Xu Xiaomeng contemplated for a while, before speaking,” While Chen Ju would be loyal to me, I do not plan on remaining in power for eternity, furthermore, it is still vital to ensure she does not partake in counter-revolutionary activities, even if it is unlikely.”

“Hong Wang meanwhile, is a former diplomat of the Sui Dynasty and could be loyal toward its successor, the state of Yun Sui, with the former crown prince mandating its rule, many subjects at Longjing had already fed toward the new court at Xu Chang,” Xu Xiaomeng said.

“Hong Wang’s eloquent words had gained him much support among the court, gaining him Ling Ping as an ally, while subsequently possessing many followers among the lesser bureaucrats, his influence could easily turn against us if lady’s method is too harsh,” Xiao Xi reminded.

Xu Xiaomeng gave off a sound of affirmation, causing Xiao Xi to eye her brow in a suspicious manner.

“Unless they commit treason, I will not impart a punishment too harsh,” Xu Xiaomeng reaffirmed.

“When I had placed Galina Ivanov in a position of power, I had affirmed her loyalty through her marriage with Liu One, whom I deeply trust, so her loyalty should be assured,” Xu Xiaomeng then said.

“Galina Ivanov is a foreign princess, and furthermore, one that had come from the Northern Empire which had long been in conflict with our Sui Dynasty is Lady not afraid that she may harbour sympathy for her old homeland?” Xiao Xi asked, her words sounding rather harsh and sharp.

“Indeed, and that is why I had ultimately summoned her, is it vital to ensure that she does not sabotage the organs of the state,” Xu Xiaomeng commented, before continuing.

“Hu Caochang, however, I fear is the most prominent to engage in counter-revolutionary activities, as he had journeyed to the Far East, and would have likely taken in many of their unwanted ideas, such as eugenics, segregation, anti-feminist sentiments and the likes may have very well influenced Hu Caochang’s thinking,” Xu Xiaomeng said.

As Xu Xiaomeng is a person of few words, speaking in such quantity truly tired her; thus, she appeared rather fatigued.

Xiao Xi gave a sigh,” Lady Xu, Chen Ju, Hong Wang and Galina Ivanov are all within the capital and could be easily summoned, however, Hu Caochang is currently fighting against the Northern Empire’s forces, thus would require some time before he would be able to arrive,” Xiao Xi said, her voice carrying a hint of inquiry.

“Replace Hu Caochang with General Liu One, while sent out a command that the three within the capital will be placed under house arrest, when Hu Caochang arrives, place him under house arrest,” Xu Xiaomeng answered, appearing rather frustrated and rushed.

“During that time, ask Ma Wen to confer upon you the sixth corp, who should still be undergoing training, to assist you in searching for their residence and belongings for any counter-revolutionary ideas,” Xu Xiaomeng said, before leaving through the bedroom.

Xiao Xi, seeing that Xu Xiaomeng has no more interest in conversing, gave a quick glance before disappearing from the room.

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Ma Wen poured a cup of tea as he invited Xu Xiaomeng into his study.

“Lady Xu has given me permission to use the sixth corp to investigate a few figures,” Xu Xiaomeng said, taking a sip of the tea Ma Wen had poured for himself.

Ma Wen gave a slight chuckle as he took out another cup.

“If Lady Xu has given you permission, then I have no reason to refuse such a request?” Ma Wen said as he poured the tea into the new cup.

Taking out a wooden slip from his cabinet, he placed it on the table, presenting it to Xu Xiaomeng.

Xu Xiaomeng muttered a word of thanks, before leaving the room, leaving behind the half-empty porcelain cup.

After some time passed, Ma Wen cleaned the cup Xu Xiaomeng had used, before a figure once more appeared in front of his study.

“Why has lady Xiao came back,” Ma Wen asked as he opened his fan.

“I am not aware on how to organise such a group,” Xu Xiaomeng replied, appearing rather irritated.

“Considering that Lady Xu has allowed you to use the sixth corps as you wish, the sixth corps could be expanded as time passes based upon needs. Currently, you are only instructed to monitor the behaviour of a few individuals, thus it does not need to be too complicated,” Ma Wen answered, placing the kettle away, before fanning himself.

Xiao Xi thought for some time, before deciding it was reasonable, but still requested that Ma Wen go alongside with her.

Ma Wen finished placing the porcelain ware into the cabinet, and followed Xiao Xi, waving his fan as he walked.

Empress Wunan’s hair ornament made a slight sound as she stood up from her throne.

Though her actions were rushed, the sound the hair ornament had was truly splendid, matching her charming appearance in elegance.

Unfortunately, only Yu Pen had the luxury to appreciate such a nice scene, as the Imperial Palace Guards that stood in front of her appeared retained their solemn expression.

Empress Wunan seized the folded paper that was in the hand of one of the guards, appearing delighted as she unfolded the paper.

The paper was quite ordinary, appearing quite crumbled as a result of the time it had travelled, however, it caused Empress Wunan to express a very beautiful smile, appearing almost similar to that of an innocent girl.

Of course, Empress Wunan was not an innocent girl with an adorable smile; instead, it gave Yu Pen quite a foreboding feeling, and the paper, though ordinary, contains quite important information. If Xu Xiaomeng or Liu One saw this piece of paper, they would be undoubtedly shocked.

The paper contains a detailed map of all soldiers within the lands under the control of Xu Xiaomeng, while simultaneously containing a detailed model for the Type 1 Rifle.

From this, one could easily gather that the traitor possesses quite a significant role within the court of Xu Xiaomeng.

“Tell this Emperor who had leaked the information, this Emperor will reward that person heavily,” Empress Wunan said, her smile blooming even further, though her voice contains a tone of authority.

“This servant has received this map through a subordinate under the command of Hu Caochang, who had requested that General Hu would be granted control over the Northern Territories after Empress had crushed the rebellion instigated by the traitor Xu Xiaomeng,” the Imperial Palace Guard replied, his tone not fluctuating in the slightest.

Empress Wunan gave off a gave of acknowledgement, before dismissing the palace guards.

Yu Pen realised what Empress Wunan was doing, and soon, concealed the room in a manner so that sound may not pass.

“This Emperor has a number of doubts regarding the authenticity of this map,” Empress Wunan confided in Yu Pen, her expression no longer of joy, but solemn, similar to the palace guard earlier.

“Furthermore, the general has no reasons to betray Xu Xiaomeng, this map could very well be purposefully given to misdirect this Emperor,” Empress Wunan said.

“This General Hu has two sisters, if he truly wishes to betray Xu Xiaomeng, he would undoubtedly remove them from the influence the lands controlled by Xu Xiaomeng, while he would have shown his authenticity through personally journeying to Longjing,” Yu Pen came to the same conclusion as Empress Wunan and too displayed distrust.

“However, was this General Hu truly wishing to misdirect this Emperor, he displayed far too little dedication in the presentation of this map. If this Emperor were to deceive in this manner, this Emperor would have used a far greater quality of the paper and delivering this map through a higher ranking officer,” Empress Wunan then said.

Yu Pen though for some time, before speaking,” This Hu Caochang could be avoiding suspicion if he were to leave his post at Chuhe, Li Ming would undoubtedly be alerted by this. I propose that we sent a number of disguised scouts into the marked locations, and observe through the enemy’s reaction.”

“Xu Jin is amassing troops along our border, and could be attacked at any moment, the best course of action currently is to go through the flat terrain of Huxi and the Northern Territory, before attacking the mountainous lands of Yun Sui,” Yu Pen then made a conclusion.

Empress Wunan believed that Yu Pen’s reasoning was quite sound, and permitted her plan to be taken.

Yu Pen smiled faintly before leaving the room.

Soon, the sound of water splashing could be heard, and a large basin was brought into the room Empress Wunan was currently within.

Xu Li appeared rather determined, though not as valiant as confident as he had been previously at Dongan. His horse appeared far less decorated, while his cape had been remade in a far simpler manner.

When he had arrived at Longjing, he was soon forced to leave for Xuchang under the political turmoil caused by the dying Emperor, causing his journey to be even longer.

During those days, the last few remaining soldiers had died during the journey, while their horses were in turn eaten. Xu Li himself, during the entire journey, had not bathed or changed once.

When he had first arrived at Xuchang, he first kowtowed toward his father, before volunteering to fight as a simple soldier in hopes of redemption.

In those times, he slowly raised in ranks, this time based on merit and experience, instead of his connections with his father. (Of course, his status still helped)

After he had once more risen to the same rank he had possessed at Dongan, he returned to the Xu estate, and kowtowed toward his father once more, before leaving to assemble a force large enough to campaign against the Yao dynasty.

Thus Xu Jin now was truly formidable, his attitude has been humbled, his character cultivated to be far more patient and his filial piety for his father renewed.

Furthermore, he now admired his sister greatly, now paying great attention to her actions and learning from the tactics used by her and her general’s army.

This sort of person was truly dangerous.