Can I Become Emperor by Being This Lazy? - Chapter 61

Chapter 61

The long-drought-stricken Yanlin finally welcomed a sweet rainfall. Households rushed to share the joyous news with their neighbors, leaving the streets empty. Those with insider information quickly spread the word, and soon the entire city knew: Wang Xingzhu had detonated an elixir cauldron in a cave ritual, while Marshal Xu of the Loyal Army intimidated the rain god with her authority, thus bringing down the rain.

The citizens cheered and leaped for joy, kneeling in the rain to kowtow, suppressing sobs as they expressed gratitude: Thank the rain god for this blessed rain! Thank Lady Wang for performing the rainmaking ritual! Thank Marshal Xu!

Rumors say Marshal Xu is a heavenly maiden sent to save the world—it’s truly real! We’re saved! The Marshal has come to rescue us!

Exactly! Those who call the Marshal an evil spirit—they’re the real demons! That Celestial God Sect met their match when they encountered our Marshal, a true deity. All their tricks were seen through by our Marshal with a single glance. Under the Marshal’s protection, we need not worry anymore.

Indeed! Anyone who dares slander the Marshal behind her back must have ill intentions—I’ll be the first to deal with them!

Not just this rainfall—I just came from Baoping to seek relatives. You wouldn’t believe it, but the Marshal is recruiting workers in Baoping too! Seems like it’s for a workshop sewing clothes, just like the road construction in Fengcheng. They provide three meals a day! If I weren’t too old, I’d have stayed at the Loyal Workshop in Baoping.

The crowd gasped in unison. They provide three meals too? Is that workshop still hiring? What are the requirements? I have several daughters, all skilled with needle and thread. If they could work there, they’d surely prove worthy of those three meals!

Amidst the chatter, everyone clamored to inquire about the Loyal Workshop in Baoping. In these times, a guaranteed meal meant more than anything, and working in a workshop was far better than selling oneself into servitude, having to cautiously wait on others.

The day after the rain stopped, Xu Mao went to investigate the cave. The path was muddy, coating her feet in dirt, and her trousers were inevitably spattered with mud.

Just a few steps into the cave, the lingering smell of gunpowder assaulted her nostrils. Xu Mao never expected Wang Xingzhu to give her such a shock in such a short time—while crafting elixirs, she had accidentally researched and concocted gunpowder.

The cave was in shambles, with remnants of the elixir cauldron still bearing scorch marks. Further in, the rock walls glistened with moisture—this was where locals from miles around came to fetch water.

Mystery solved: a rudimentary form of artificial rainmaking. Water, rising air currents, smoke and dust from the explosion—right timing, location, conditions, and a stroke of luck—condensed into rain.

Xu Mao sighed. At this point, she was like someone with so many lice they no longer felt the itch. A rise in popular support didn’t matter, as long as she kept making powerful enemies.

She turned and called to Wu Hongying and the others, instructing, Clean this up first.

After swiftly tidying the explosion site and eliminating safety hazards, Xu Mao returned to speak with Wang Xingzhu to understand her thoughts.

Elixir crafting for rainmaking isn’t a sustainable solution. Have you considered what to do next? Xu Mao poured her a cup of tea.

Wang Xingzhu scratched her head in frustration. Marshal, this… I haven’t figured it out yet. I was just trying something to relieve the people’s immediate hardship. As for the next step, I’m completely at a loss.

Xu Mao pondered to himself—gunpowder was far too dangerous. While it drastically enhanced combat power, it was best not to continue researching it further. Moreover, Wang Xingzhu herself didn’t understand its underlying principles, and allowing her to tinker recklessly could easily lead to accidents.

Furnace explosions are simply too unsafe. Now that the rain has fallen, there’s no need for you to continue your research. Look into what the common people still need—search through Ugly Niang’s Diary and focus more on matters of people’s livelihood, Xu Mao advised, suggesting she shift her focus toward civilian applications to avoid causing significant repercussions.

Wang Xingzhu nodded in agreement. With Xu Mao’s guidance, her mind suddenly cleared, and her thoughts became sharp. Clenching her fists earnestly, she declared, Please rest assured, Marshal. I will urgently address the people’s needs and help everyone solve their problems.

Fearing further complications, Xu Mao cautioned, Remember to write to me about any matters, report promptly, and don’t get stuck in a dead end by yourself.

Wang Xingzhu, touched by his concern, felt her eyes grow warm and nodded repeatedly. Do not worry, Marshal. I will live up to your expectations and spare no effort to benefit the people.

Alerted, Xu Mao quickly advised, It’s alright, don’t feel pressured. Just do your best. In all things, excess is as bad as deficiency—moderation is key. There’s no need to overexert yourself.

He wasn’t afraid of her exceptional talent; he was afraid that her talent, combined with diligence, would lead to extraordinary—and risky—results.

Xu Mao went on with a few more reminders, urging Wang Xingzhu to take care of her health, eat on time, and not bother saving mere moments—it wasn’t worth it.

After finishing his talk with Wang Xingzhu, Xu Mao received a letter from Lin Shuniang discussing the Du family’s affairs and requesting permission for Madam Du to come teach in the Loyal Army.

Holding the letter, Xu Mao weighed the pros and cons. Allowing Madam Du to teach wasn’t an issue—what worried him was her exceptional brilliance. Before he could even achieve his goals, she might see straight through the flaws within the Loyal Army and, with good intentions, try to correct them, leading to a host of troubles.

After much deliberation, he decided it was better to see for himself first.

On another front, he couldn’t afford to slack off regarding the imperial court and the Celestial God Sect—both required his attention. With winter approaching, the court’s efficiency was shockingly slow; they still hadn’t dispatched troops to suppress him. Xu Mao decided to take the initiative, adopting an unorthodox approach to hurry the dog emperor along.

Spreading out a sheet of paper, Xu Mao wrote bluntly and clearly, stating his demands: the dog emperor must grant him a noble title, gold, and treasures—or else he would storm the imperial city and take them himself.

Xu Mao curled her lips in satisfaction, waving her hand with blind confidence. Hongying, don’t underestimate our Loyal Army. Though we are few in number, our strength lies in our elite quality. Each soldier can take on a hundred, possessing limitless potential just waiting to erupt and astonish the world.

She pulled Wu Hongying to sit down, continuing shamelessly, Our smooth progress in Jin Province and Jiang Province proves my strategy is correct. With united public sentiment and excellent soldiers, why shouldn’t we dare to compete for supremacy and aspire to rule the world?

And think about it – if I conquer the realm one day earlier to uphold justice, won’t the common people gain peace one day sooner? They could escape the cruel and unjust court and live happy, fulfilling lives! I’m doing this for the sake of all under heaven! Xu Mao’s own words made her blush, and she subtly averted her gaze.

Wu Hongying was stunned for a long moment. Though Xu Mao’s words sounded extraordinarily arrogant, they seemed to contain some truth. If someone else had said them, she definitely wouldn’t have believed it, instead thinking the speaker hypocritical and sanctimonious.

But Xu Mao was different. Her words were convincing, and merely standing there, she had the power to calm people’s hearts, making them unconsciously follow her.

So what if they had few troops? History wasn’t lacking in battles where the fewer defeated the more numerous. Moreover, their Marshal taught effectively, devising strategies within a command tent that determined victory a thousand miles away. The Loyal Army charging into the imperial capital, each soldier worth a hundred, wouldn’t be a problem!

The more Wu Hongying thought about it, the more excited she became, her blood boiling. Her eyes reignited with determination. Marshal, you’re right. This subordinate was being narrow-minded. Our Loyal Army is brave and decisive, invincible wherever we go. We will surely defeat the imperial troops, capture Chang’an, and when the Marshal rightfully ascends the throne sooner, the common people will suffer one day less!

Xu Mao’s brow twitched slightly as she narrowed her eyes and shrank back.

You believe such absurd words?

Xu Mao was astonished.

Wu Hongying’s excited demeanor was somewhat frightening. She immediately reflected on her earlier words, feeling they weren’t persuasive enough to achieve brainwashing effects..As long as you understand.

Xu Mao forced a stiff smile, quickly brushing it off.

Wu Hongying went out full of hope to summon someone, holding the letter as if it weighed a thousand pounds, solemnly handing it to the messenger.

The letter to the dog emperor swiftly departed Yanlin for the capital Chang’an. Having settled this matter, Xu Mao reorganized the entire army and set off for Jiang Province.

Before parting, Xu Mao repeatedly instructed Wang Xingzhu. With great unease, she left Yanlin and hurried to Song’an in Jiang Province to check on Lin Shuniang’s condition.

Traveling day and night, she arrived in Song’an. Xu Mao estimated this would be her final stop, the place where she would meet her end. Once the dog emperor read the letter and angrily dispatched troops, she would face her final reckoning.

Reviewing maps in the carriage, Xu Mao observed Song’an’s terrain, considering response plans for when the imperial forces besieged the city. To be safe, she needed to find a way to disperse the Loyal Army.

After her death, even without a leader, the small fragmented units wouldn’t be easily eliminated. These soldiers formed three-person teams, helping each other – sufficiently safe to navigate the turbulent times. As long as they escaped and blended into refugee groups, concealing their Loyal Army identities, they could live well in the future.

As Xu Mao contemplated each step, her gaze fell upon Xu Heng. She gently woke the sleeping Xu Heng and whispered, Aheng, do you miss your mother? Let me send you home to find your mother.
Ending with this threat, Xu Mao set down his brush, reread the entire letter silently to ensure there were no issues, stamped it with his seal to verify his identity, folded it, slipped it into an envelope, and handed it to Wu Hongying.

Immediately summon someone skilled, have them take a fast horse, and deliver this letter to the capital for me. This letter must appear on the dog emperor’s desk. If the emperor doesn’t meet my demands, we will storm the imperial city come spring and seize the realm! Xu Mao commanded, his words sharp and his demeanor brimming with confidence by the end.

Wu Hongying, holding the letter, suddenly found it burning in her hands. She looked up at Xu Mao in astonishment. She hadn’t been in the Loyal Army for long—was this something she should be hearing?

That wasn’t the main point. Wu Hongying’s eyes widened, her tongue tied, as she took a moment to reorganize her thoughts. Stunned, she stammered, …S-storm the imperial city? Marshal, isn’t this too soon? We only hold Jin Province and Jiangzhou, and our forces number less than ten thousand. How can we possibly storm the imperial city?

Excellent. This reaction was perfectly appropriate and utterly reliable.

Xu Heng opened his drowsy eyes and, upon hearing these words, abruptly changed expression. He immediately clung tightly to Xu Mao and said urgently, Is Sister going to abandon me again?

Xu Mao hadn’t expected such a strong reaction and quickly explained, No, what I meant is that we’ve been away for so long without sending word to Mother about our whereabouts. She must be terribly worried since she can’t find us. I’ll take you home first to reassure Mother, and I’ll follow shortly after.