The empress disliked my achievements for overshadowing her own, so she turned her attention to the N

Chen Nan chuckled awkwardly; he truly had a bitter pill to swallow.

The fact that the Empress Dowager was holding the infant emperor in her arms was already difficult to comment on, but what was even more outrageous was that the Empress Dowager had just breastfed him not long ago.

Chen Nan closed his eyes, took several deep breaths, and finally cleared his mind of all distracting thoughts.

While he was doing these things, the Empress Dowager did not interrupt him, but simply watched quietly.

A moment later, Chen Nan opened his eyes.

At that moment, the Empress Dowager felt as if Chen Nan had undergone a complete transformation.

He simply stood there quietly, yet he exuded an aura that could not be ignored.

For a moment, the Empress Dowager blushed, and her heart fluttered with excitement.

Chen Nan opened his eyes and recounted how he discovered the golden nanmu garment.

After she finished speaking, the Empress Dowager looked shocked: "According to you, does that mean the Pleasure Forest can easily obtain even the treasures of the national treasury?"

"So, does that mean all the officials of my Northern Wei court have become usurpers?"

Chen Nan smiled wryly: "Your Majesty, every court has more or less ministers like this."

"The important thing is how those in power use these ministers."

“If used properly, such people can be just as useful as loyal ministers.”

"Does the Prince of Zhennan mean that such a usurper is better than a loyal minister?" The Empress Dowager was even more bewildered.

Chen Nan understood that the Empress Dowager had some ability, but not much.

However, after learning a lesson from Wu Fengluan's extraordinary experience, Chen Nan felt that no matter what kind of person was in power, it wouldn't be surprising.

"Does Your Majesty know what is most important for a subject?"

"What's most important for a subject?" The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment. "Isn't it ability?"

Chen Nan shook his head: "Of course not. As a subject, the most important thing is to be obedient."

"The world is vast, and there are countless capable people, but how many of them are obedient?"

"To keep a court running, you only need one or two capable people."

"The rest are mostly mediocre people; all they need to do is be obedient and capable."

After hearing this, the Empress Dowager fell into deep thought once again.

She found that Chen Nan was right, compared to the previous Daqian.

With Chen Nan by his side, one can either pacify the world with a pen or conquer the world on horseback.

Since Chen Nan left, Daqian has been in a state of disarray, with nothing going right.

Then look at the Northern Wei, where 200,000 men, led by Chen Nan, defeated the allied forces of Da Qian and Xi Shu with ease.

"In your opinion, Prince Zhennan, what should our Northern Wei do now?"

Chen Nan said solemnly, "Your Majesty, the most important thing for Northern Wei to do right now is to implement reforms."

“At present, there is serious class conflict in the Northern Wei Dynasty, and the people do not trust the court at all.”

"The most serious situation has not yet been reached. I'm afraid that if it were delayed for another two years, people in various parts of Northern Wei would raise their flags in rebellion."

It may sound harsh, but that's the truth.

At present, the land annexation in the Northern Wei Dynasty is very serious, and the people in various places are just hanging on to their last breath.

Once someone takes the lead, it's likely that other places will also rise up in rebellion.

When that time comes, the Northern Wei will perish on its own without any other countries even needing to attack it.

The Empress Dowager also realized the importance of the matter and hurriedly asked, "Does the Prince of Zhennan have a solution?"

At this moment, the Empress Dowager panicked, knowing full well that she was just a woman.

Although she is the de facto ruler of Northern Wei, there are some things she has never experienced, so she naturally cannot find the optimal solution.

Chen Nan was someone she recruited from Daqian, and he single-handedly turned the tide of Daqian's situation, with his achievements being undeniable.

"We still need reform: dismantle the official system, reappoint officials, and reform the land system."

"The reforms regarding land and officials have already been written in the memorials."

Chen Nan gave a bitter laugh. Upon closer inspection, it turned out that the Empress Dowager hadn't even read his memorial.

The Empress Dowager belatedly realized: "I have already agreed to the memorials submitted by the Prince of Zhennan."

"Since the Prince of Zhennan has proposed a solution, then I, Fang Quan, will entrust everything to the Prince of Zhennan."

"However, Prince Zhennan, don't forget that tomorrow morning, Liu Banggua, the envoy from Western Shu, will arrive in Northern Wei."

"What should we do about this?"

Chen Nan then remembered that, according to the dates, Liu Bangua would indeed arrive early tomorrow morning.

He hadn't yet determined the other party's purpose, so he could only give a conservative answer: "This matter cannot be rushed; we should deal with it as it comes."

"I have another matter to ask of Your Majesty!"

"Is there anything else, Prince Zhennan?"

The Empress Dowager stared intently, believing that everything was already in order.

Unexpectedly, Chen Nan had something he hadn't said.

Chen Nan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. Please do not become agitated after hearing it."

"It's alright, Prince Zhennan, just speak freely." The Empress Dowager waved her hand.

In her view, what Chen Nan was going to say was nothing more than that reforms would kill people.

She could understand that if the country's system were to be changed, people would inevitably die.

Chen Nan slowly spoke: "Your Majesty, I have investigated and found that the golden nanmu robe was stolen by the Right Chancellor Changsun Du!"

"What did you say? The golden nanmu robe was stolen by Changsun Du?" the Empress Dowager exclaimed in surprise.

Changsun Du, an old man who served three reigns in the Northern Wei Dynasty, actually stole treasures from the national treasury.

Before Chen Nan could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager roared, "Guards! Summon Changsun Du! Tell him to come see me as quickly as possible!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a eunuch entered the Imperial Garden and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, I will go to the Prime Minister's residence immediately."

Upon seeing this situation, and considering the Empress Dowager's tone, Chen Nan knew things were about to go wrong.

Before the eunuch could leave, Chen Nan quickly blocked his way, looking at the Empress Dowager: "Empress Dowager, I have a different opinion on this matter. Please listen to my opinion before deciding whether to summon Prime Minister Changsun."

"Hmph, Prince Zhennan, you don't need to speak up for Changsun Du. I already find that old man very unpleasant."

"He has been in cahoots with that scoundrel Qin Qingmin time and time again. If it weren't for the fact that Northern Wei cannot do without him right now, I would have already issued an edict to have him beheaded."

Chen Nan was taken aback. So the Empress Dowager knew about Qin Qingmin's affairs.

"Your Majesty, please don't be hasty. Let me finish speaking first, and then you can make a decision, shall we?"

"I'll give you this much face, let's see what else you have to say on behalf of Changsun Du!" The Empress Dowager had lost her previous patience with Chen Nan, and her tone was very cold.

Chen Nan smiled bitterly; now he had completely distanced himself from the Empress Dowager.

If it weren't for the fact that Changsun Du had to stand in the way of reform, Chen Nan would never have become the villain.

Chen Nan quickly gave the eunuch a wink.

The eunuch looked up at the Empress Dowager and saw that she was nodding frequently. Then he went outside the Imperial Garden and continued to wait for the imperial decree.

Chen Nan then cupped his hands and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. I urge Your Majesty to expel all irrelevant personnel. Ideally, this matter should only be known to Your Majesty and me."

Seeing Chen Nan's solemn expression, the Empress Dowager knew that this matter was not as simple as it seemed on the surface.

She then ordered, "Everyone, leave the Imperial Garden. No one is to enter without my decree!"

After everyone had left, he re-examined Chen Nan: "Now it's just the two of us in the Imperial Garden, Prince Zhennan, please speak your mind!"