The Empress's No.1 Lackey

"My lord... this..." Elder Lu of the Lu Family was taken aback, seemingly still unable to believe his ears.

It wasn't until he met Zhao Douan's eyes, which seemed calm but were actually filled with a hidden killing aura, that he jolted awake.

"Is there a problem?" Zhao Douan asked expressionlessly.

"No problem! I will immediately instruct someone to inform and prepare the banquet," the white-haired old man agreed readily, and then slowly got up to order the servants to prepare.

Only then did Zhao Douan satisfactorily lift his butt, saying:

"Prepare a quiet courtyard, as I have no residence in the city. The government office is crowded and there's no place to stay. I'm planning to stay for a few days at the Lu Mansion."

The Grand Governor wishes to lodge at our home?

In the past, the entire Lu Family would have been overjoyed, not willing to miss this opportunity to gain favor with a prominent person close to the Empress.

But now, they could only inwardly cry, a thousand times unwilling, yet they could only pinch their noses and accept it, while pretending to be happy.

Immediately, Elder Lu ordered the servants to tidy up, while smilingly inviting Zhao Douan to the inner hall for tea and a short rest.

Zhao Douan nodded with pleasure, turned, and patted the shoulder of the "grain supervision officer" Zhao Shande, warmly smiling:

"Problem solved. Go with the Lu Family people to fetch the grain. Since you also bear the Zhao surname, stand straight in the future; don't disgrace the 'Zhao' name."

After speaking, he strode gracefully towards the inner hall.

Left behind, the old official Zhao Shande stood there in astonishment, not yet regaining his senses, staring blankly at the surrounding Lu Family people.

Their previous arrogance and indifference were replaced by fervent flattery and apologies towards him.

Zhao Shande felt utterly uncomfortable, suddenly remembering, and asked the eldest son who stayed to assist him with work:

"May I ask... who exactly is this lord?"

The eldest son of the Lu Family looked at him in surprise, with an odd expression in his eyes, saying:

"You don't recognize this person, Brother Shande? He has the same surname 'Zhao' as you. In the city now, who else from the Zhao Family could it be?"

A name flashed through his mind like lightning...

A close aide to the Empress, Grand Governor of Chaos Suppression, Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince... Zhao Douan.

Zhao Shande's breath quickened, his mouth opened with disbelief—

The young man who had been so pleasant and warm-hearted along the way was none other than the famed Zhao Yama?

On the other side, Zhao Douan swaggered into the inner hall to chat with Old Mr. Lu, when the servants sent to convey the "dinner invitation" gradually returned, bringing unexpected news.

The core district of the Prefecture city was only so big, and the wealthy moved to the city center due to the war, so sending messages was quite convenient.

"The gentry in the city all have matters and can't come?"

Zhao Douan seemed to smile yet not smile, "Are they really unable to come, or just unwilling?"

The house servant said timidly:

"Landlord Qian from Da Tong Bank said he was bedridden with illness and unable to come. Mr. Li from Kangzhuang Rice Shop said he is not in the city, currently outside Taicang... and..."

He listed names one by one, giving their excuses.

Zhao Douan listened calmly. Suddenly, with a smile, he looked at Elder Lu:

"Do you think these people truly have matters, or are they pretending?"

Grandpa Lu hesitated, saying, "My lord, please calm your anger. I will personally go and invite them again."

"No need," Zhao Douan said lightly to the house servant:

"You all go make another round, tell them about tonight's banquet, then do not wait for any response, nor say anything else."

Just notify, no need to wait for a response? Elder Lu was initially stunned, then cold sweat seeped from his temples as if understanding something:

"My lord, if someone still refuses to come..."

"They will come," Zhao Douan got up and walked towards the courtyard prepared for him by the Lu Mansion, leaving only a sentence:

"If they truly don't come, then they needn't ever come."

…

…

After the armies of the Divine Mechanism Camp and the Five Army Camp entered the city, they were arranged to encamp in specific areas.

Due to the insufficiency of the original barracks, part of the government warehouses were cleared for camping.

"Wei Xianzong, there's no water in the vat, didn't you hear when you were told to fill it? Are you deaf?"

In one camp, a soldier rebuked someone not far away in a cold voice.

Wei Xianzong was now dressed in dirty, grey clothes, with the character "soldier" on his chest.

His hair was disheveled, his face haggard, and he sat wearily by a pile of wood, silently panting.

Hot sweat soaked his clothes and pants, mixed with some scars on his body.

He raised his head, eyes restrained under black hair, calmly saying:

"I alone have filled ten large vats in the camp."

"Filled them?" That soldier suddenly pushed forcefully, a whole vat of clear water flooded the ground, he ridiculed:

"Where is it full? Isn't it still empty? Is that right?"

Around, several other idle soldiers laughed and echoed, "Yes, it's empty."

Someone else pushed over the vat, letting water flow down, and loudly urged Wei Xianzong to fetch water again.

The esteemed Commander, now reduced to a menial small soldier at the bottom.

Ever since the surrounding soldiers learned that this new recruit used to be a big figure, they found him an object of amusement.

During this period, within the camp, Wei Xianzong worked diligently, everyone could command him, even insult him to his face.

A chance to bully a once unattainable Commander is rare indeed.

"What are you looking at? We're telling you to work, did you hear? You planning on hitting someone?"

The soldier was startled by Wei Xianzong's gaze, then became fierce again.

Wei Xianzong remained expressionless, his hands gradually tightening, finally relaxing, silently climbed up, picked up the bucket, and walked towards the well.

The laughter and scolding behind him gradually faded away.

Suddenly, a figure blocked his path, the person wore a "Personal Guard Camp" uniform, frowned looking at him: