Three Kingdoms: Domination of the World

"Third, eliminate the hostility of powerful officials."

Queen Song held her chin with both hands and stared at Suo Chao with an open mind.

"Xiao Chao, how should I do this?"

"This also needs to be done in two small steps."

"The first step is to stop investigating the King of Bohai and make peace. If possible, the Queen can also take the initiative to show weakness and goodwill, such as by sending some money or gifts."

"That won't do. I can't do it. They framed my aunt, and their hearts are damnable."

"Your Highness, a little impatience can ruin a great plan. But I guarantee that Wang Fu and Cao Jie are no more than grasshoppers after autumn, and they won't be able to jump for more than a few days."

"Ah? Is this true?"

"Of course, I have always been well-prepared. Your Majesty, just be patient and wait for a few years, and you will know the outcome."

"Alright! For the sake of the greater good, I'll endure it for a few years."

"Step two. Your Highness the Queen should try to win over the Ten Attendants. Once your business becomes profitable, you can give them agency rights. I believe their influence can check and balance Wang Fu and his group."

"Ah? Is this possible?"

"Of course. They hold great importance in Your Majesty's heart. If Your Majesty can properly handle their relationship, then the Ten Attendants will also become a help."

"But these people are all flatterers!"

"That's fine. As long as Her Majesty the Queen makes good use of them, they do have their merits."

"Okay, Xiaochao. The first three steps are very clever, so what about the fourth step?"

"Fourth, unite the friendly concubines in the palace."

"A righteous man will have many supporters, while an unrighteous man will have few. The Queen need not worry that they will compete with you for favor. As long as the first step is well planned, then His Majesty's favor will not be lacking."

"I will prescribe a few more prescriptions for conditioning the body later, which can greatly improve the success rate of your highness's pregnancy preparations. In the future, you can also pass these prescriptions on to trusted concubines."

"In short, a hero needs three helpers. Your Highness the Queen must try to win over allies in the palace."

Suo Chao explained the strategies for dealing with the "four crises" one by one, including some specific implementation details. The old lady and Queen Song thought it was highly feasible.

"So that's it!"

"Those involved are confused, but those who are on the sidelines can see things more clearly. Your Majesty, please be careful."

In the original historical timeline, a few days later, Empress Song was convicted of witchcraft and was banished to the cold palace by Emperor Ling of Han, where she died of depression.

"Your Majesty, please follow the instructions!"

"Okay! Xiaochao. I've remembered your instructions and I will follow your plan."

......

That night, Queen Song returned to her own palace and held a small meeting with her close confidants.

She assigned her four trusted associates, Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju, to handle the refined salt, white sugar, white wine, and spice businesses, respectively. As for the remaining associates, she assigned her younger brother, Song Qi, to oversee the overall operations. Suo Chao also joined the production of the four products to provide real-time guidance.

The Queen and the others were very efficient. In less than seven days, all preparations were complete. Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum bought four row shops in the Luoyang market. Suo Chao also used a later marketing model, and the effect was still very sensational. The opening day was spectacular!

"What's with the buy one get one free deal?"

"Lucky Wheel"

"Sample tasting."

These marketing tactics were novel, and the store's products were competitive enough. Word spread quickly, and the entire city of Luoyang was abuzz.

The Royal Salt Shop, the Royal Sugar Shop, the Royal Liquor Store, and the Royal Spice Shop—all four of them had queues stretching for hundreds of meters. Each of these four shops was making a killing.

The people of the major families saw a huge crisis from the four stores. They also did a lot of business, but they had to compare the goods. In the crisis, many sharp-eyed people also saw a huge business opportunity and were ready to move.

They sent their stewards to inquire about the origins of these four shops, but seeing the royal name, they hesitated to act rashly. Various factions tried every possible means to uncover the financial backers behind them. Empress Song was unaware of these matters.

On this day, the situation in the palace suddenly changed. Marquis Wang Fu, Grand Secretary Cheng A, Emperor Ling of Han, and numerous concubines, led by Noble He, stormed into the Empress's palace, all in a frenzied manner. Wang Fu, standing nearby, glared at Empress Song, then turned and addressed Liu Hong with a fawning expression.

"Your Majesty, I have received a report that there is something unclean in the Queen's palace."

"What unclean thing?"

Liu Hong was a little angry. Today was such a big event. If they couldn't explain themselves, he would definitely punish them for disrespect.

Wang Fu blinked and glanced at Cheng A, the Grand Doctor behind him. Cheng A understood that he was the one who had sent someone to place the unclean object there.

"Your Majesty, someone discovered that the Queen was practicing witchcraft in the palace. She was cursing the prince."

Liu Hong's face changed drastically. He had lost several sons in infancy and was terrified by this.

"Don't talk nonsense, is there any evidence for this?"

"I dare not. Someone has indeed reported the Queen for doing something improper."

At this time, Concubine He beside Emperor Ling of Han started crying.

"Your Majesty, please make the decision for me! I only have Bian'er as my child, and I don't want anything to happen to me!"

Liu Hong said angrily.

"Alright! I'll make the decision for you. If the Queen truly is unworthy of her position, then I will punish her severely."

Concubine He's mood soon brightened, and the other scheming concubines joined in. Some concubines who were unaware of the truth also despised the practice of witchcraft. Many of them had lost children and were very taboo about this kind of witchcraft.

"Someone, come! Thoroughly search the Queen's chambers."

Liu Hong was usually very disgusted with Empress Song's nagging, and in recent years he had been unkind to her. If it weren't for Empress Dowager Dong's constant nagging and urging him to treat her equally, he would have deposed this annoying empress long ago, Liu Hong whispered.

"It is truly God's help that I have found such a good opportunity today."

A group of eunuchs and palace maids searched the empress's bedroom. Empress Song was heartbroken. She never expected that Emperor Ling of Han, with whom she had slept for many years, would be so heartless.

She took a deep breath. If it weren't for Xiaochao's advice, she would have been doomed today. Queen Song muttered silently in her heart.

"I must endure it. The time has not come yet."

A large group searched the Queen's bedroom for most of the day, finding several items under the bed and in a vase. These items were all wrapped in fine cloth. However, these were all the work of Queen Song's substitution. Cheng A, who was standing beside her, screamed in shock.

"Your Majesty, the evidence has been found!"

"Oh! Bring it here and let me see it."

Wang Fu and the others stared at Queen Song as if she were a dead person, muttering silently in their hearts.

"My biggest worry is finally solved!"

Liu Hong opened the package and was stunned. Inside were some amulets and sachets. It said:

"May Your Majesty live a long and healthy life."

"May the Queen Mother live a long life"

"I wish Bian'er to grow up strong and smart."

"I wish Princess Wannian good health and happiness."

"I wish the Han Dynasty good weather, peace and prosperity for the country and the people."

.......

Queen Song burst into tears. Her daughter's crying, making a scene, and then threatening to hang herself were all natural. There was no need for rehearsal.

"Your Majesty, if you dislike me, please divorce me. I just want to be an ordinary citizen. I also ask Your Majesty to consider our years of marriage and let me return to my parents' home to retire."

Queen Song cried so heartbreakingly, her heart aching. The crowd of onlookers were also confused. They had been told to read about the queen's scandals. But they didn't expect the ending to be so bizarre. This wasn't a scheming and vicious queen at all, she was clearly a virtuous queen.

Wang Fuhe's face was very ugly. They didn't expect their plan to be discovered. Liu Hong was furious.

"Wang Fucheng, look at the good things you have done."

"Wang Fu was fined three years' salary."

"Cheng A strictly interrogate them and find out if there are any accomplices who dare to slander the Queen in this way."

"After the interrogation, kill him!"

Cheng A was as utterly bereaved as if she had lost her parents. She cried out to the sky, wailing that she was wronged. Liu Hong ignored her and ordered the Imperial Guards to drag Cheng A away. Liu Hong knew he was in the wrong today, but seeing the empress weeping beside him, he had no choice but to offer some comfort.

"You may also take your leave. I have something to discuss with the Queen."