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Inside a military tent at the City Defense Force.

At this very moment.

Lu Tao, the deputy commander of the City Defense Force, was listening to the reports from the soldiers beside him. His thoughts were complicated, and his face was full of solemnity.

Chen Zhan, the commander of the City Defense Force, defied the imperial edict and was executed by the emperor.

Now, as the deputy commander, he would naturally take over the leadership of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the City Defense Force.

Logically speaking, this should be a good thing for him.

But Lu Tao could not feel any joy in his heart.

The situation in the imperial court was now incredibly complex.

Both the new emperor and the Empress Dowager were engaged in a power struggle, trying to seize control of the City Defense Force’s military power.

Right now, the position of the commander of the City Defense Force was like a hot potato.

“Commander, Chief Steward Feng is here.”

At that moment, led by a young soldier, a middle-aged eunuch dressed in blue robes, holding a horsetail whisk, and looking arrogant, entered the military tent.

Seeing the middle-aged eunuch.

Lu Tao’s eyes slightly darkened, and he recognized the man’s identity.

Feng Yu, the close eunuch of the Empress Dowager, wielded immense power in the court, and no one dared to offend him.

Lu Tao showed a faint smile as he looked at the middle-aged eunuch and curiously asked:

“I wonder what important matter has brought Chief Steward Feng here?”

Feng Yu was backed by the Empress Dowager and held great power.

He usually committed various wrongdoings in the court, bullying others with his authority, and both civil and military officials harbored resentment against him.

Naturally, Lu Tao also despised him.

But under the eaves, one has no choice but to lower their head.

As the Empress Dowager’s trusted confidant, Feng Yu was not someone he could afford to offend.

“Commander Lu, I’m here specifically to congratulate you.”

“Chen Zhan, the commander of the City Defense Force, defied the imperial edict and was executed by the emperor.”

“But the commander’s position cannot remain vacant. The Empress Dowager has decided to appoint you as the new commander of the City Defense Force.”

“Commander Lu, shouldn’t you quickly thank the Empress Dowager for her kindness?”

Feng Yu’s expression was haughty, his gaze resting on Lu Tao, his voice indifferent.

Hearing this, Lu Tao’s expression changed slightly. He didn’t immediately agree and began to ponder deeply.

What was meant to come would come eventually.

If he didn’t accept the Empress Dowager’s kindness now, he would inevitably offend her.

However, Lu Tao was loyal to the Great Zhou Dynasty, and naturally, he didn’t want to serve the Empress Dowager. With a smile, he politely refused:

“Chief Steward Feng, the position of commander of the City Defense Force is of great importance. I’m afraid I’m not up to such a heavy responsibility!”

“I kindly ask the Empress Dowager to choose someone else for the position of commander.”

Upon hearing this, Feng Yu was momentarily stunned. Then, realizing what had just happened, his eyes narrowed, and he glared at Lu Tao angrily:

“Commander Lu, you’d better think carefully before answering!”

“The Empress Dowager’s favor is something many people seek but cannot obtain, and yet you dare to refuse it.”

Lu Tao’s refusal to accept the position of commander of the City Defense Force meant he was rejecting the Empress Dowager’s goodwill.

If Lu Tao refused to serve the Empress Dowager, did that mean he intended to side with the new emperor?

That was absolutely impossible!

In Feng Yu’s view.

Lu Tao would not have the courage to support the new emperor and oppose the Empress Dowager.

“Chief Steward Feng, I have thought it through. Please convey my gratitude to the Empress Dowager, but also my thanks for her understanding.”

Lu Tao clearly recognized the threat in Feng Yu’s words, his face looking grim, and his voice low.

“Hmph!”

“Commander Lu, farewell. You better not regret your decision today.”

Feng Yu’s expression turned icy as he couldn’t help but snort coldly. He waved his whisk and turned to leave the military tent.

Watching Feng Yu’s figure disappear, Lu Tao suppressed the anger in his heart, his face full of disdain.

If Feng Yu weren’t the Empress Dowager’s trusted confidant.

He would have long since slapped him to death, not allowing him to act so arrogantly.

However, after this event, Lu Tao knew that refusing the Empress Dowager’s goodwill would make his future situation even more difficult.

…

Meanwhile, the scene shifted.

After leaving the City Defense Force, Feng Yu quickly arrived at Cining Palace to report the situation to the Empress Dowager.

Inside the grand hall, the Empress Dowager lazily sat, looking dignified and noble as she glanced at Feng Yu before speaking indifferently:

“Did Lu Tao agree?”

After the fall of Chen Zhan, the former commander of the City Defense Force.

The Empress Dowager didn’t immediately seek revenge against Gu Changsheng.

She intended to first gain control of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the City Defense Force before dealing with Gu Changsheng.

That’s why she had sent her close eunuch, Feng Yu, to win over Lu Tao, the deputy commander of the City Defense Force.

“Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I couldn’t persuade Commander Lu. I beg for your punishment!”

Feng Yu trembled, bowing low, trembling with fear as he spoke, his face full of anxiety.

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her once dignified and lazy demeanor instantly turned cold. Gritting her teeth, she said:

“Useless thing, you can’t even handle a simple task.”

“Tell me exactly what happened.”

Upon hearing this, Feng Yu felt relieved and dared not hide anything. He recounted the entire conversation that took place between him and Lu Tao at the City Defense Force.

After hearing everything, the Empress Dowager’s eyes narrowed slightly, her expression naturally imposing, and she coldly sneered:

“How ungrateful!”

“If Lu Tao refuses to pledge allegiance to me, then he must die!”

The Empress Dowager knew Lu Tao’s character—upright and loyal to the Great Zhou Dynasty, unlike Chen Zhan, who was easy to control.

This was the reason that Chen Zhan had been able to serve as commander of the City Defense Force, while Lu Tao remained only a deputy.

Now that Chen Zhan was dead and Lu Tao was unwilling to serve her, the Empress Dowager could only eliminate Lu Tao and find someone else to take his place as the commander.

At that moment, Feng Yu suddenly thought of something and eagerly said:

“Your Majesty, I have a plan.”

“If persuasion won’t work, then coercion certainly will. That will make Lu Tao obedient and loyal to you.”

The Empress Dowager’s eyes flashed with surprise. She glanced at Feng Yu and raised an eyebrow, speaking faintly:

“What plan do you have?”

If Lu Tao could be made obedient and pledge allegiance to her, that would be the best outcome.

Feng Yu’s face darkened with malice as he said meaningfully:

“Your Majesty may not know, but Lu Tao has a daughter named Lu Xuanxuan.”

“Lu Tao loves and dotes on her greatly.”

“If we can take control of Lu Xuanxuan, Lu Tao will surely obey and pledge loyalty to you.”

“This is a good plan!”

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, her voice cold as she said:

“I’ll leave this matter in your hands.”

“If Lu Tao still refuses to cooperate, then eliminate his daughter as well.”

Upon hearing this, Feng Yu’s face paled with fear, and he couldn’t help but shudder.

He realized that the Empress Dowager had made up her mind to kill both Lu Tao and Lu Xuanxuan.

If he botched this task, he would suffer dire consequences, even if he managed to stay alive.

Thinking this Feng Yu smiled obsequiously and said with confidence:

“Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will not disappoint you.”

“Hmm.”

The Empress Dowager’s expression remained cold as she nodded slightly.