Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

"It doesn't matter who I favor, the key is who can shoulder this responsibility. You are determined to establish Prince Jin, but his reputation has already been tarnished, and even if he ascends the throne, he will still be criticized."

The Empress Dowager spoke earnestly and patiently.

Li Kai closed his eyes and lay back on the cushions. "Zhao You holds military power and is no different from a local tyrant in Fuzhou. Appointing the eldest grandson as emperor will inevitably increase the arrogance of the Zhao family."

As the Empress Dowager recalled her brother's tragic death, a ruthless glint gradually appeared in her eyes.

"With Xiao Zong in Fuzhou, let him fight Zhao You. Once they're both exhausted, His Majesty can send a trusted confidant to take over Zhao's army. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Li Kai opened his eyes and asked, "Is Mother still resentful of Uncle for his death?"

The Empress Dowager turned her face away, clearly not wanting to discuss the matter with him.

Li Kai smiled wryly. That's true, after all, he was one of the murderers.

"There is a way to avoid these problems."

The Empress Dowager turned to him, "What method?"

"First, under the pretext that the Empress poisoned the Emperor, issue an edict to order the Empress's death. Before the execution, eliminate the Crown Prince. In this way, the people of the world will believe that the Empress murdered the Emperor and slandered the Crown Prince in order to allow the eldest grandson to ascend the throne."

"It suppressed the Zhao family, eliminated the illegitimate child, and preserved the royal family's reputation." The Empress Dowager's eyes revealed appreciation. "A triple win, not bad!"

Li Kai then summoned someone to bring him pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, and drafted the edict on the dragon bed, using the table as a backdrop.

After receiving the gifts, the Empress Dowager told him to rest well and said she would come to see him again the next day.

Li Kai respectfully said, "Your Majesty, please take care."

After everyone left, he clutched his chest and coughed uncontrollably. Xu Dahai rushed over with tea, serving him water while patting his back.

"Your Majesty, how are you? Should we call the imperial physician to take a look?"

Li Kai gulped down several mouthfuls of water to suppress the itch in his throat, and said weakly, "I'm fine. Bring me another blank imperial edict."

Xu Dahai was puzzled, but he did as instructed.

Unfolding the silk, he couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you already leave an edict for the Empress Dowager? How come..."

Li Kai glanced at him, who immediately shrank back upon seeing him. He smiled and softened his tone: "The Empress Dowager doesn't understand politics, but her insights on the appointment of the Crown Prince today are quite unique, as if someone taught her to say it."

Xu Dahai exclaimed in surprise, "You mean, the eldest grandson of the emperor has other supporters behind him!"

Li Kai nodded, “The Empress Dowager is easily swayed and manipulated. Even if she selects a regent, he will not be able to influence her decisions. At that time, even if the Great Qi is filled with loyal ministers, it will be difficult to save it from its impending doom!”

He gripped the pen tightly, his head aching. "Moreover, Xin'er's virtue and character are not suitable for being the emperor."

Xu Dahai hurriedly said, "The eldest grandson of the emperor is still young. If we find a few teachers to teach him properly, he will surely excel."

Li Kai smiled and nodded at him, then pondered, "It's precisely because it's so small and there are so many variables that it's difficult to control."

He picked up his pen and started writing. When he got to the words "succession," he paused and wrote down a name that was completely different from the one he had written before.

Xu Dahai was shocked when Li Kai said, "Secretly summon the left and right prime ministers and the three grand secretaries to the palace. Remember to do so discreetly."

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the order, Xu Dahai immediately left the palace and braved the wind and snow to invite the group over.

Meanwhile, Su Zhi received a message from Xu Dahai, and was so shocked that she couldn't come to her senses for a long time.

How could it be him?

In Fuzhou, rain and snow fell together, and military boots trampled across the wet and sticky ground, leaving behind a scene of devastation.

Xiao Zong took the lead, wielding a long halberd, and pursued the fleeing Southern Frontier army.

With a sharp point, the two leaders are strung together.

The subordinates cheered loudly, their fighting spirit soaring, as they slashed at the enemy with their swords...

Prior to this, Zhao's army was dissatisfied with Qiu Peng and lacked unity. When fighting against the Southern Frontier, they were like a disorganized mess and suffered repeated defeats.

When Xiao Zong lost his temper, he executed several deserters who had fled the battlefield, which barely managed to intimidate the entire army.

Later, in order to punish generals who deliberately avoided battle or were passive in their response, he changed the system and rewarded them based on the number of heads they received.

Today you may be a general, but tomorrow you may be a lowly soldier.

Conversely, as long as you can kill enemies, you can advance through the ranks.

Qiu Peng worried: "Generals need to come up with ideas and strategies. Is it appropriate for you to promote a military man?"

At that moment, Xiao Zong was sharpening his knife. Upon hearing this, he smiled and poured water onto the back of the knife.

"The people of the Southern Frontier don't understand Sun Tzu's Art of War. What use are all the schemes and tricks you rack your brains to come up with against a straightforward, unexpected attack? You might as well fight knife to knife, sword to sword, and use brute force!"

"But……"

Qiu Peng wanted to refute, but didn't know how to say it.

Xiao Zong continued, his hands still busy, "Right now, the army is leaderless and morale is low. If we can't deal with the generals who are causing trouble, we'll lose this battle sooner or later."

After hesitating for a long time, Qiu Peng said in a low voice, "Perhaps you are right."

After sharpening the knife, Xiao Zong stood up and patted him on the shoulder. "Pass down the order: anyone who tries to steal credit by wielding a knife against their own people..."

He stopped halfway through his sentence, seemingly pondering what punishment to use.

After a long while, just as Qiu Peng was about to ask, the other party finally spoke.

"Torn apart by five horses."

Qiu Peng was startled and blankly replied, "Yes."

The snow fell on his face, bringing a chill that jolted Qiu Peng out of his reverie.

After beheading the enemy soldier, he glanced at Xiao Zong and sighed that this man was truly a rare talent.

Such a person belongs to the vast world and should not be confined to the capital.

The deputy general was extremely anxious and asked Zhao You, "General, should we proceed according to plan?"

Zhao You gritted his teeth. That brat from the Xiao family actually had some skill. He rubbed his hands together, braced himself against his sword, and stood up.

"All troops mount up and intercept the Southern Frontier army!"

The mud splashed up by horses' hooves, the flames of war melted the ice and snow, and the shouts of battle echoed through the valley, turning the world upside down in an instant.

With Zhao You betraying them from the front and a formidable enemy relentlessly pursuing them from behind, the Southern Frontier army was trapped with no way out, like a caged beast.

"Boss, what should we do?"

The burly man wielding the spiked club spat, "That despicable Zhao You dared to deceive the Regent! Even if he dies here today, I'll take his head! Charge!"

A group of people, filled with righteous indignation and relying on their own courage, charged towards Zhao You and his men.

Qiu Peng looked into the distance and said to Xiao Zong, "It looks like General Zhao!"

Xiao Zong thought for a moment and immediately understood the old man's intention. He smiled mysteriously and said, "Sound the retreat!"

Qiu Peng was surprised, "Not going to pursue them? General Zhao's forces are insufficient, I'm afraid they can't defeat those southern barbarians."

Xiao Zong glanced at him dismissively, "Traitor, why save him?"

"If he dies in battle, I will personally recommend him for a commendation."

Zhao You and his generals were fighting hard and cursed, "Xiao Congyun is like a tortoise, why isn't he here yet?"

The lieutenant wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, mounted his horse, and looked out, only to find that Zhao's army was getting further and further away.

That's the direction back to the city!

"General, Xiao Zong has withdrawn his troops!"

"what?!"

Zhao You nearly spat out blood, "You cunning little brat!"

If he survives, he will definitely kill him!