Golden Ranking Appears, My Empress Turns Out to Be Wu Zhao

[Advisor Ranking – Rank 9]

[Fan Zeng]

[Nation: Sui Dynasty (Formerly Qin Dynasty)]

[Potential: Top Advisor of Nine Provinces]

[Strategy Rating: Five Stars]

[Strength: Third-Rate]

[Reward: 1x Low-Tier Advisor Skill Card, 1x Spiritual Power Enhancement Card, +5% National Fortune]

==========

Ming Imperial Palace.

Zhu Houzhao also saw the ranking, and his heart trembled slightly.

Fan Zeng!

This was a figure he had not paid much attention to.

Compared to him, Zhu Houzhao had focused more on Zhang Liang from the beginning.

That man was an advisor who had been severely underestimated.

It was just unfortunate that due to his personality, he was highly likely to be schemed against by enemies.

Were it not for his entanglement with Xiang Yu, who should currently still be Xiang Shaoyu, the two of them were far too deeply intertwined.

This person might indeed be worth recruiting.

A pity!

To be able to stand toe-to-toe with someone like Zhang Liang, the Eternal Advisor Saint, even if he ultimately lost, his capabilities could not be questioned.

For the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking to rank him among the advisors, he certainly had the qualifications.

Had it not been for his lack of potential, he might have ranked even higher.

He was truly a master of scheming in the shadows.

"Come!"

"Your Majesty, your servant is here!"

"Immediately send someone to secretly monitor this Fan Zeng, along with Xiang Shaoyu and Xiang Liang beside him."

"Report any movement without delay."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, since this Fan Zeng has made it onto the Advisor Ranking, his threat must not be small. Should we nip him in the bud, or attempt to recruit him?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houzhao's gaze turned cold.

"Just do what I ordered. The rest is not your concern."

Compared to Dark One, this Dark Guard Vice-Leader was far inferior.

He had no sense of discernment whatsoever.

==========

Qin Imperial Palace.

Ying Zheng, Shang Yang, and Li Si also saw the ranking, and their expressions all darkened.

Fan Zeng!

Was this not the advisor beside the remnant of the Xiang Clan, Xiang Shaoyu?

If not for this man's meddling, the members of the Xiang Clan would have long been wiped out by Qin Armies.

"Your Majesty, it appears this Fan Zeng has taken the remnants of the Xiang Clan to the Sui Dynasty!"

"I fear he intends to use the power of the Sui Dynasty to build up his own forces. Once he grows stronger, he will surely become our enemy again."

"This man is a menace and must be eliminated."

"Moreover, the Xiang Clan descendant by his side, Xiang Shaoyu, possesses astonishing talent and potential. He too must be removed."

"Hmph, a mere Fan Zeng, a mere Xiang Shaoyu, nothing but ants."

"So what if they rise again in the future?"

"Under my Qin Dynasty iron cavalry, they will be reduced to ashes."

"Your Majesty, the Qin Dynasty cavalry is meant to conquer the Ming Dynasty, Vast Sea Dynasty, and Tang Dynasty in the future."

"If we suffer losses because of these remnants of the Xiang Clan, wouldn't that be wasteful?"

"Wouldn't it be better to eliminate them now before they can grow?"

"Very well. In that case, assign this matter to the Shadow Secret Guard and the Net Trap."

"Yes, Your Majesty. We shall carry out your orders!"

Zhang Han and Zhao Gao below immediately responded, not daring to show the slightest neglect.

Back then, it was from their hands that the Xiang Clan remnants had escaped.

Now, they absolutely could not be allowed to succeed again.

==========

Tang Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.

"What do you all think? Can our Tang Dynasty recruit this Fan Zeng under our banner?"

Li Shimin looked at the ranking, feeling a bit sour.

Why would this Fan Zeng rather go serve the likes of Yang Guang, who was akin to a foolish tyrant, instead of him, the wise and valiant Emperor of the Tang Dynasty?

With Fan Zeng making it onto the ranking, Yang Guang had once again received an unearned reward of National Fortune.

If only that National Fortune had gone to the Tang Dynasty instead, how wonderful it would have been!

To be given to a tyrant like Yang Guang, it was simply a waste!

Li Shimin was full of regret and frustration.

It was as if something that belonged to him had been stolen.

The ministers below, Changsun Wuji, Wei Zheng, and others, exchanged glances and were speechless.

Since the appearance of the Golden Ranking, their Emperor had already felt sour countless times.

"Your Majesty, I believe this would be unwise."

"With this Fan Zeng's intellect, he must have thought long and hard before siding with the Sui Dynasty."

"He didn't choose to serve the Ming Dynasty, Vast Sea Dynasty, or our Tang Dynasty, simply because these three dynasties are too powerful."

"Nor did he choose the Northern Song Dynasty, because it is on the brink of destruction."

"As for the Han Dynasty, plagued with internal strife, it is even less suitable."

"Choosing the Sui Dynasty is likely because Fan Zeng has his own ambitions and plans."

"He and the Xiang Clan descendants beside him are not sincerely loyal to Yang Guang."

"They simply want to use the Sui Dynasty's strength to rebuild their own forces."

"Even if they become strong in the future, Yang Guang will be powerless to stop them."

"In fact, they may become a destabilizing force within the Sui Dynasty."

"Such a person, despite their talents, is of no benefit to our Tang Dynasty."

Changsun Wuji's analysis made Li Shimin feel it was quite reasonable.

Even so, he still felt a twinge of regret in his heart.

In the future, when the Tang Dynasty wages war against the Sui Dynasty, they might have to face such a troublesome character.

Thinking of this, a flash of cold light passed through Li Shimin's eyes.

"In that case, Wuji, dispatch our spies to eliminate Fan Zeng."

"If he cannot serve my Tang Dynasty and may even become our enemy in the future, what reason is there to keep him alive?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I shall see it done."

"Within a month, I will present his head to you."

==========

Sui Dynasty.

Xiang Shaoyu Chambers.

"Master, this is great! You've made it onto the Advisor Ranking!"

Xiang Shaoyu said joyfully.

"Only Rank 9?"

Fan Zeng looked up at the ranking in the sky, muttering to himself.

There was a trace of dissatisfaction on his face.

He was undoubtedly unmatched in wit. Even if he wasn't first, he should easily be in the top three!

Yet he was only ranked 9th.

"Perhaps because I haven't made any significant contributions yet."

"If I can help Yu'er seize the Nine Provinces, then the name Fan Zeng would surely top the Advisor Ranking."

With that thought, Fan Zeng's ambition burned even stronger.

At the same time, his expectations for Xiang Shaoyu rose rapidly.

Originally, he merely wanted to help Xiang Shaoyu reclaim the Xiang Clan's legacy and resist the Qin Dynasty.

To stand toe-to-toe with the tyrant Ying Zheng.

But now, he has set an even grander goal.

To seize the Sui Dynasty's foundation, destroy the Han Dynasty, and counterattack against the Qin Dynasty, eradicating Ying Zheng and Qin Dynasty once and for all.

Then, using the three dynasties as a base.

He would devour Tang Dynasty and Northern Song Dynasty, and finally face off against the Vast Sea Dynasty and Ming Dynasty.

Crushing them one by one.

To successfully establish the one and only unified dynasty of the Nine Provinces.

Only by doing so would he be worthy of the title "Number One Advisor in the Nine Provinces".

Thinking this, Fan Zeng felt a surge of ambition well up in his heart.

He believed that among all in the world, none could match his wisdom and strategy.

Perhaps, only if the other nine advisors on the ranking joined forces could they barely rival him.

Of course, for now, all of this remained within his imagination.

At present, he and the Xiang Clan were like tigers fallen from the mountain.

It was not yet the time for arrogance.

For now, gaining a solid foothold in the Sui Dynasty and building a strong foundation for Shaoyu was the priority.

Beside him, Xiang Liang was equally excited.

With an advisor like Fan Zeng assisting them, Yu'er would surely rise in the future.

It seemed he had to show Fan Zeng even more respect going forward.

"Sir, what do you think our next move should be?"

"Right now, Yang Guang doesn't pay much attention to us!"

"Now that you've entered the Advisor Ranking, if we don't act soon, we might become eyesores to some people."

"We must seize a military command solely for Shaoyu as soon as possible."

"Only by holding military power can we truly establish our footing in the Sui Dynasty."

"How could it be that simple? How would Yang Guang allow Shaoyu to control the army?"

"Right now, the Sui Dynasty faces a fated enemy, the Tang Dynasty."

"If the Tang Dynasty launches an attack, that will be Shaoyu's opportunity."

"However, I still need to plan further in detail. That will raise the odds of success."

"Everything will be entrusted to you, sir."

==========

Sui Imperial Palace.

"Hahaha, how amusing! To receive another blessing of National Fortune, what a delightful surprise!"

Feeling a mysterious and wondrous power, Yang Guang was full of excitement.

Fan Zeng's unexpected entry into the ranking was a joyful surprise for the Sui Dynasty.

Originally, this heavenly reward should have gone to Ying Zheng, but now it has fallen into his lap.

Truly a stroke of great luck.

"A reward must be given!"

"Someone, relay my decree! Appoint Fan Zeng as the Right Chief Censorate of the War Minister!"

"Oh, right. That one named Xiang Shaoyu who follows him, was once on the Hidden Dragon Ranking. He must be a genius as well!"

"In that case, grant him the title of Captain and put him in charge of a thousand soldiers."

"Whether he rises further in the future will depend on his military merit."

At this moment, Yang Guang was overjoyed and gave out rewards generously.

He did not care in the slightest whether Fan Zeng or Xiang Shaoyu were loyal to him, entrusting them directly with real power.

Perhaps even Xiang Liang and Fan Zeng themselves did not expect that the benefits would come this quickly.

"Your Majesty, are you not worried that they might harbor ulterior motives?"

The Empress Xiao Meiniang suddenly asked.

"Ulterior motives? Hmph, even if they had ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare."

"If I can elevate them, I can also destroy them!"

"If they dare show even a hint of betrayal, I will have them executed on the spot."

"Besides, Fan Zeng has rendered such a great service. If I don't reward him, wouldn't people say I'm stingy?"

"Enough, rest assured. Fan Zeng is indeed talented. When we face the Tang Dynasty in the future, I will need this piece on the chessboard."

"Whether he is loyal or not, as long as he can kill Li Shimin, what's the harm in giving him some benefits?"

Yang Guang was not a fool. He had his own plans in mind.

"If that is Your Majesty's intention, then I shall not worry."

As for Yang Guang's actions, Empress Xiao Meiniang remained noncommittal.

Whether it would be effective, only time would tell.