"No, a man without foresight will surely face immediate worries!"
"The threat of Zhu Houzhao is in no way lesser than that of Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty. He must be taken seriously!"
"We must not take him lightly."
Ying Zheng immediately refused without hesitation.
Zhu Houzhao's depth of scheming made even him feel cautious.
Who knows what kind of plan lies hidden behind that facade?
If he is not taken seriously now, it might already be too late when the truth is revealed.
"Raise the status of Zhu Houzhao of the Ming Dynasty to the same level as Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty!"
"Yes, Your Majesty! I understand what must be done."
Suddenly, as if he had remembered something, Ying Zheng became contemplative.
"One month from now, can my Qin Dynasty's Black Ice Platform make it onto the Martial Force Ranking?"
"Your Majesty, everything must be reorganized. Otherwise, there is no chance of being ranked."
The black-robed elder answered decisively.
"In that case, I leave it to you!"
Even now, Ying Zheng had not given up on his obsession with the Elixir of Immortality.
If their faction makes it to the ranking, could the rewards from the Heavenly Dao possibly include the Elixir of Immortality?
==========
Tang Dynasty, Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.
Li Shimin and Yuan Tiangang both fell silent.
No one expected the seemingly unremarkable Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao to suddenly drop such a bombshell.
It shocked everyone.
Especially the other sovereigns, who were hit the hardest.
They were all caught off guard.
Even Yuan Tiangang, known for his sharp insight, had severely underestimated Zhu Houzhao.
"Master Yuan, how should I deal with Zhu Houzhao and the Ming Dynasty going forward?"
Li Shimin looked conflicted.
He actually felt jealous of Zhu Houzhao.
A Land Immortal!
That kind of martial aptitude was terrifying.
If only he had such power.
But unfortunately, he knew his limits.
In matters of statecraft, he feared no Emperor.
But when it came to martial cultivation, he fell far behind.
He was only slightly stronger than an ordinary man.
Even with countless resources supporting him, he had only reached Grandmaster Realm.
Becoming a Land Immortal was completely out of reach.
If he were a Land Immortal, he would have a thousand, even ten thousand ways to increase Tang's national strength a hundredfold.
Unifying the Nine Provinces would be effortless.
To think that such heaven-defying talent had fallen into the hands of a so-called "foolish Emperor" like Zhu Houzhao.
Truly, the heavens must be blind.
Li Shimin ground his teeth in frustration.
To make matters worse, even Zhu Houzhao's Empress and Consorts were not weak.
Even if Zhu Houzhao lacked political talent, the Ming Dynasty would still be an unparalleled threat.
No weaker than Ying Zheng's Qin Dynasty.
"Master Yuan, can our Tang's 'Bad People' make the ranking in a month?"
If they could be ranked and earn a reward from the Heavenly Dao, perhaps it could improve his aptitude for cultivation?
Just like those constitution-enhancing pills on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.
He wanted to advance to Great Grandmaster, even become a Land Immortal.
He wanted to be invincible not only in statecraft, but also in martial arts.
"I will personally act and recruit some talented individuals."
"Whether we make the ranking depends on fate."
Yuan Tiangang, with his vast experience, knew that there were countless powerful factions hidden throughout the Nine Provinces.
Some were ancient and terrifying beyond measure.
Although the Bad People were formidable, compared to these long-standing superpowers, there was still a significant gap.
However, backed by the Tang Dynasty, with endless resources, the Bad People had a real chance of rising quickly.
A month would be enough.
==========
Sui Dynasty Imperial Palace.
"Supreme Master Yuwen, did you already know that Zhu Houzhao was not simple?"
Yang Guang asked suspiciously, eyes fixed on Yuwen Tuo.
From his earlier tone, it was clear Yuwen Tuo was deeply wary of the Ming Dynasty.
Yang Guang knew Yuwen Tuo's strength very well.
The man was practically invincible.
Even among Land Immortals, he was no weakling.
"Your Majesty, I have never met Emperor Zhu Houzhao of Ming, but I have dealt with the head of Ming's Dark Guard."
"His strength is no weaker than mine."
"In some ways, he even surpasses me."
Yuwen Tuo spoke plainly, without hiding anything.
"What? The head of the Dark Guard? Aside from Zhu Houzhao, did the Ming Dynasty have another Land Immortal?"
"Isn't the Ming Dynasty famous for the Eastern and Western Factories and the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"
"What is this Dark Guard?"
Yang Guang was shocked.
Ming had another hidden and even more powerful faction?
"The Dark Guard was secretly founded by Zhu Houzhao back when he was still the crown prince."
"From the beginning, the Dark Guard has been the most valued force under his control."
"There is also an Inner Factory, which handles his finances and collects wealth, treasures, and resources."
"The Eastern and Western Factories and the Bad People are mainly tools for managing court affairs and martial sects."
"The real power lies in the Dark Guard. Of course, the Qin Dynasty's Black Ice Platform is equally powerful."
"In contrast, the Tang's Bad People, the Northern Song Dynasty's Imperial City Division, and Yuan's Black Eagle Hall fall short in heritage."
"As for the Qing Dynasty's Stick Brigade, they are not even worth mentioning."
"The Han Dynasty's Royal Forest Guard have been so deeply infiltrated by noble families that they are now little more than a hollow shell."
Yuwen Tuo gave Yang Guang a detailed explanation of the intelligence agencies across the major dynasties.
Which should be prioritized and which could be disregarded.
Yang Guang grew more and more alarmed as he listened.
From this perspective, the Zhu Houzhao he had always underestimated might be even more dangerous than Ying Zheng?
Was it possible that the famed and feared Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty was actually not as formidable as Zhu Houzhao?
Could that be right?
Wasn't Zhu Houzhao known across the world as a useless Emperor?
Since when has he become so powerful?
But the information was clear and indisputable.
"Well played, Zhu Houzhao, I truly underestimated you!"
"You've fooled the entire world."
"I thought I was good at hiding, but compared to you, I'm just a child."
"The Ming Dynasty is frighteningly powerful, yet in the eyes of the world, it appears to be in decline."
The more Yang Guang thought, the more cold sweat formed on his forehead.
Zhu Houzhao's elaborate smokescreen had truly shaken him.
"Supreme Master, is there any unrest within the Ming Dynasty?"
Yang Guang asked anxiously.
"Your Majesty, I had people investigate in secret."
"The so-called powerful Ming vassal lords and the border generals who supposedly hold military power are nothing more than illusions."
"Those who truly had ambitions of rebellion were long ago marked by Zhu Houzhao as fat pigs."
"When the time is right, they will be slaughtered without resistance."
"The rumors that border generals are beyond control and ignore central command were actually spread by the Dark Guard under Zhu Houzhao's orders."
"In reality, all those generals with military power are his trusted followers."
"As long as Zhu Houzhao gives the word, they will act without hesitation."
"Even the court officials are under his secret control."
The more Yuwen Tuo explained, the more shocked Yang Guang became.
They were both pretending to be foolish Emperors.
Why was Zhu Houzhao able to so effortlessly control his entire dynasty?
Meanwhile, Yang Guang had to constantly deal with the attacks of noble families and rebellious forces?
What made the difference?
Where had he fallen short compared to Zhu Houzhao?
"Supreme Master, can we make it onto the Martial Force Ranking in a month?"
Yang Guang asked eagerly, staring at Yuwen Tuo.
"Definitely!"
Yuwen Tuo nodded firmly, his tone filled with confidence.
"Good. I await your good news."
Yang Guang was overjoyed.
"If the Heavenly Dao's reward can heal my wounds, I will grant you a grand reward!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Yuwen Tuo nodded calmly.
==========
Yuan Dynasty Imperial Court.
"National Master, did we underestimate Zhu Houzhao?"
"He was hiding so deeply?"
"It seems our previous plans won't work."
"Recall Princess Minmin immediately, before she embarrasses us!"
For the first time, Genghis Khan showed signs of caution.
The Ming and Yuan Dynasties were geographically close, with direct conflicts of interest.
If not for the fact that his primary objective was the Southern Song Dynasty, war between Ming and Yuan would have already erupted.
Even now, skirmishes continued along the border.
"Great Khan, I'm afraid it is already too late."
"But there is no need to worry. Princess Minmin is quick-witted. She knows how to act in Yuan's best interest."
"Besides, even if she stirs up trouble, what of it?"
"Ming is plagued with internal strife. The vassals control their own territories, and the generals hold independent power. They do not seem to obey their Emperor."
"Until Zhu Houzhao resolves these internal issues, he will not start a war with us."
"This is a perfect opportunity to drive a wedge between the Ming Emperor and his officials."
"It is bound to yield great results!"
National Master Phagpa showed no signs of worry, speaking with ease.
In his eyes, even if Zhu Houzhao had monstrous martial talent, he was still just a brute.
Compared to the wisdom and might of Genghis Khan, he was insignificant.
No matter how strong Zhu Houzhao became, he could not stop Yuan's expansion.
Though Phagpa was impressed by Zhu Houzhao's martial prowess, he dismissed it as the strength of a single warrior.
To conquer and rule a nation required political and military wisdom.
Clearly, Zhu Houzhao lacked both.
His defeat was inevitable.
"You are right. We will put the Ming Dynasty aside for now. Our top priority remains the Southern Song Dynasty."
"Once we destroy the Song, Ming will be caught between internal turmoil and external threats."
"Its fall will be certain!"
Genghis Khan brimmed with confidence.
Yet they had no idea.
Everything they thought they knew was precisely what Zhu Houzhao wanted them to know.
The real game was something they hadn't even seen.
And the one who would ultimately fall… remained to be seen.