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

[Advisor Ranking – Rank 7]

[Pang Tong]

[Nation: Ming Dynasty]

[Potential: Top Advisor of Nine Provinces]

[Strategy Rating: Five Stars]

[Strength: First-Rate]

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

"He was the one?"

The Director Secret Intelligence Division spoke in surprise.

"I haven't seen him for several years now."

"I wonder what important mission His Majesty sent him on, to the point that there's not even a shred of information."

"Even my Military Advisor Division couldn't find the slightest clue."

Still, once he recalled that the mission was personally assigned by His Majesty to Pang Tong, everything made sense.

If His Majesty truly wanted to hide someone's whereabouts, then no one would ever be able to find him.

Even if the target appeared right in front of someone, they might not recognize them.

He had never doubted the abilities of this Emperor.

Sometimes, he even found himself wondering in disbelief.

How could such a monstrous figure as the Ming Emperor exist in this world?

To live in the same era as such a heaven-defying existence.

It was a great misfortune, but also an incredible blessing!

Shaking his head, he cast away his distracting thoughts.

Completing the mission was what mattered most.

If the final mission failed after such massive effort and resources had been spent, only to fall short at the last moment.

Then His Majesty would definitely hold it against him.

It's best not to meddle in others' business.

Worrying about oneself was more important.

==========

Ming Imperial Palace.

Zhu Houzhao looked at the ranking and was also surprised.

Only Rank 7?

Pang Tong!

He was a figure comparable to Zhuge Liang.

Both had been recruited by him. One was stationed in the Vast Sea Dynasty, and the other joined the Ming Dynasty.

Now, Zhuge Liang had already become one of the top ministers of the Vast Sea Dynasty.

Meanwhile, Pang Tong willingly went off to complete an extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive mission.

Was that a waste of his talent?

If he had remained in the capital, with his natural talent and the Emperor's cultivation, he might not have been inferior to Zhuge Kongming.

Still.

Pang Tong may yet have a chance to catch up in the future.

If he truly succeeded in accomplishing the mission he was entrusted with, his merit would be unmatched.

==========

Vast Sea Dynasty.

Cabinet.

"Kongming, what's wrong? You know this Pang Tong?"

Xiao He asked Zhuge Kongming in surprise.

In his mind, there were very few things that could shock or confuse someone like Zhuge Kongming.

It was clear now that he had a close connection with the Pang Tong ranked on the Advisor Ranking.

"Indeed, speaking precisely, he and I are fellow disciples."

"His uncle was my teacher."

"Pang Degong?"

"No wonder."

"However, according to the intelligence I've gathered, he doesn't seem to be well-known in the Ming Imperial Court."

"In fact, I had no prior information on him at all."

"Could it be that His Majesty deliberately kept him hidden?"

"Impossible. With Shiyuan's character, he wouldn't be content with staying idle. He must be carrying out some kind of mission."

"If he had been assigned to the Vast Sea Dynasty, perhaps his fame today would even surpass mine."

"Haha, Kongming, you're being too modest. That Pang Tong may be formidable, but you're no less impressive."

"Whether it's governing a country, formulating strategy, or even military tactics, you are exceptional in all areas."

"Among the people I know, no one can compare to you."

"You, Kongming, are the most monstrously talented genius I've ever met, second only to His Majesty."

"Perhaps, in the entire Nine Provinces, only His Majesty can truly reign you in!"

Xiao He laughed.

Perhaps when it came to statecraft, he could barely hold his own.

But in every other field, he simply couldn't compare with Kongming.

Of course, as the Rank 2 minister on the Renowned Minister Ranking, he still had his pride.

In his field of cultivatorise, even someone as formidable as Kongming might not surpass him.

That was why, even knowing Zhuge Kongming's capabilities, His Majesty still appointed him, Xiao He, as the Chief Prime Minister of the Cabinet.

Perhaps in the future, Zhuge Kongming might overtake him.

But for now, in terms of governance, he remained the superior one.

Then, Xiao He looked up at the floating ranking in the sky and couldn't help but wonder.

What mission could His Majesty have given to the Rank 7 advisor of the Nine Provinces, to keep him occupied for so long?

==========

Yuan Dynasty.

Just as Prince Tolui and Prince Ogedei were engaged in a brutal battle after years of mutual enmity.

Temujin seized the opportunity.

Suddenly launched a surprise assault on both sides.

In an instant.

Both Tolui and Ogedei's forces suffered devastating losses.

However, due to their fierce resistance, Temujin also paid a hefty price.

Ever since his failed expedition against the Southern Song Dynasty.

The once wise and heroic Temujin had changed.

His temperament seemed to shift by the day.

Now, he was no longer the Genghis Khan the people of the grasslands had once revered.

Not only had the Four Great Princes grown increasingly dissatisfied with him due to power struggles and other reasons.

Even the civil and military officials of the Imperial Court had grown disloyal and disillusioned.

Still, his imperial scheming was remarkable.

He had not relinquished a single thread of military or political authority.

That was the only reason the Yuan Dynasty remained under his control.

For now, he could still suppress these hidden threats.

But as time passed.

Eventually, greater chaos would erupt in the Imperial Court.

Not to mention.

In the shadows, the spy network of the Ming Dynasty was lurking with malicious intent.

Ready at any moment to sow discord.

If Temujin made even the slightest mistake, a larger civil war would be unavoidable.

The Four Great Princes had long since lost any trace of filial affection for their father, due to repeated targeting and military aggression.

All that remained was a desire to seize the imperial throne of the Yuan Dynasty.

Meanwhile, the National Master Phagpa constantly engaged in a battle of wits with Ming Dynasty's secret agents, yet the situation only worsened.

Thanks to Zhu Houzhao's years of meticulous planning.

Ming Dynasty's forces had penetrated every corner of the Yuan Dynasty.

No one knew how far the Ming Emperor had extended his reach.

Especially Temujin, who no longer trusted even his closest ministers, inner attendants, or the women of the Imperial Harem.

What if any one of them was a secret agent of the Ming Dynasty?

Truth and lies, reality and illusion.

Loyalty and treachery had become indistinguishable.

He feared that someone he trusted might suddenly plunge a fatal dagger into his back.

That kind of pain was worse than death.

Now, the only person he still trusted was National Master Phagpa.

It was almost laughable.

The trusted minister he once despised and feared had become his last solace.

==========

Yuan Imperial Palace.

Temujin sat upon the Dragon Throne, listening to his minister's report on the current state of the Yuan Dynasty.

The situation was grim, and his face grew darker and darker.

Especially now that the Ming Dynasty's influence was growing bolder.

They were even openly inciting rebellion among the Yuan Dynasty people, encouraging them to overthrow the "foreign rule".

While it made him seethe with hatred, he also felt helpless.

"Khan, urgent news!"

A soldier's voice rang out from outside the hall.

Temujin's heart trembled.

This kind of news has come too many times.

Each time he heard that voice, it was agonizing.

"What is it?"

Temujin gritted his teeth.

"Khan, it's terrible news. Crown Prince Jochi has led his army and completely wiped out Second Prince Chagatai."

"Now, all of the Second Prince's territories and forces have been absorbed by Crown Prince Jochi."

"At present, Crown Prince Jochi alone controls nearly one-third of Yuan Dynasty Territory."

"Moreover, powerful and terrifying forces have appeared under his command."

"It seems that these are elite cultivators he has secretly cultivated over the years."

Temujin's eyes widened in shock.

He had always believed Ogedei to be the strongest, and suspected Tolui of harboring hidden power.

But never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that Jochi, the son he thought was only brave but foolish, had been hiding such depths.

Could it be that, all these years, he had merely been pretending in front of his father?

A fine act, Jochi!

Even his own brothers were not spared. He was utterly heartless.

Temujin's eyes turned cold and ruthless.

He no longer held the slightest trace of fatherly love for Jochi.

Even though he knew the Four Great Princes had already betrayed him, hearing that Chagatai had been killed by his eldest son still caused a pang of sorrow.

"Chagatai wasn't weak. How did he get killed so quickly?"

"Khan, during the final battle between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince..."

"Nearly half of Chagatai's troops suddenly defected and surrendered to Crown Prince Jochi."

"This left Chagatai surrounded on all sides, with no chance to escape."

"In the end, he was killed in the siege."

"His loyal troops were also completely annihilated."

The reporting soldier explained in detail.

"Half of his army defected during the battle?"

"Clearly, those soldiers had long since been swayed by Jochi."

"All for this final, fatal blow."

"Damn it, how could a supposedly simple brute like Jochi pull that off?"

"With his ability, there's no way he orchestrated all this on his own."

There had to be a mastermind behind the scenes.

This traitorous son was being used by someone.

Very likely someone from the Ming Dynasty.

"Khan, more bad news!"

==========

Another anxious voice rang out.

"What now? Speak!"

"Khan, after eliminating the Second Prince's forces, Crown Prince Jochi consolidated all power."

"Then, he declared the establishment of a new nation: the Golden Horde Khanate!"

"And the Crown Prince has already ascended as its Emperor."

"Now, he is the Emperor of the Golden Horde Khanate."

"Pu!"

Temujin finally couldn't hold back and vomited a mouthful of blood.

"Khan!"

"Keep going!"

Temujin struggled to remain conscious.

He wanted to hear just how bad the situation could get.

"Yes, Khan!"

"After the Crown Prince established his dynasty, Third Prince Ogedei and Fourth Prince Tolui also refused to be left behind."

"They each declared the founding of their own dynasties: the Ogedei Khanate and the Tolui Khanate!"

"Both of them have now proclaimed themselves Emperors."

"From now on, in name, they will be equal in status to you, Khan!"

"Get out!"

Temujin spat out the word with clenched teeth.

A violent surge of energy erupted from his body, blasting the reporting soldier into the air.

And then, Temujin collapsed to the ground, vomiting blood, and fell unconscious.

"Khan!"

Seeing Temujin faint, chaos broke out in the hall.