The Resolute Cannon Fodder Teaching In Ancient Time

Chapter 80: Eighty Treasures

The next day, Xu Zhen was summoned by the favored concubine to stay by her side. Having agreed to the "seize the world" plan, Xu Zhen was treated as one of the strategists, given a table in the hall alongside the female protagonist and the red-robed grand scholar.

Xu Zhen felt a bit confused by the turn of events. After all, she was in disguise, and no one should recognize her, even though she used to be quite formidable...

But there was no point in overthinking it.

With free food and occasional chances to glean information, it wasn't too bad. Xu Zhen considered it and didn't refuse.

At the eastern palace wall, the Grand Academy hall near Kaiyang Gate, Xu Zhen took advantage of her lunch break to inform her supervisor of the situation and explain to the palace maid's sister.

The maid was shocked to learn that Xu Zhen had become a strategist. She asked in disbelief, "So you're really that impressive? You didn't take my money because you wanted to get close to the new emperor?"

Xu Zhen hastily explained, "No! I never wanted to be a strategist."

The maid didn't believe her, regarding Xu Zhen with disdain.

Dressed in a plain white jacket with her hair messily tied back, Xu Zhen looked no different from a poor scholar.

The maid, thinking Xu Zhen was just an ordinary, mediocre scholar, comforted herself and relaxed, asking no further questions.

Xu Zhen breathed a sigh of relief.

But she couldn't relax. Being so close to the answers she had been seeking filled her with an unprecedented sense of urgency.

She began strategizing immediately. There were two main strategies to seize the world: recruitment or military conquest. If it came to recruitment, of the two students she had taught, Ge Xier might listen to her, but the Li Sanlang family...

Apparently, they had recently kidnapped a prince to enthrone a young prince, showing great respect for the imperial bloodline, so recruitment was impossible.

Other forces included Xie Guang, the princess, and the beggar. The princess was allied with the little beggar, so any conflict with her should be a last resort. Attacking the beggar or Xie Guang's territories from Chang'an would be too resource-intensive.

Xu Zhen calculated and decided it might be feasible to target the beggar first, to secure some territory as a start.

As winter turned to spring, warmth returned to Chang'an. While Xu Zhen was busy preparing, the palace suddenly began recruiting strategists.

Officials were shocked.

Since the new emperor ascended the throne, there hadn't even been a morning court session, indicating a lack of interest in the kingdom's prosperity and a desire for indulgence. Yet now, this indulgent ruler was recruiting strategists—what was the intention?

No one could discern the purpose.

The walls of Chang'an's streets and alleys were plastered with golden notices, advertising high-paying positions for talented individuals in the palace. As a result, strategists and talented individuals emerged from the shadows, bowing and presenting their credentials at the blue palace gates to enter the hall for testing.

The recruitment process lasted three days.

Over a hundred participants competed, with only ten remaining.

These final ten were scrutinized for their backgrounds and identities. Many were from Chang'an or had previously taken the imperial exams, while a few came from other factions, allegedly due to unfair treatment, leading them to leave.