The city of Jinling fell, silently. This time, the officials were as mute as when Empress Dowager Dugu was murdered before, as if who the emperor was made no difference to them. Only the close confidantes of the young emperor had vanished.
As for the common people below, they didn't care who became emperor. They only cared about who could feed and clothe them. As long as they weren't starving, it didn't matter who sat on the throne.
Xiao Man's first act upon taking control of Jinling was to purge Feng Moran's influence within the city. Xiao Man was too swift; Feng Moran had no time to react before the forces hidden within Yunqi were uprooted.
Feng Moran laughed in rage, "Excellent! Truly worthy of being the disciple I painstakingly nurtured. More cunning and decisive than Dugu Man. However, I shall see how you retaliate when faced with a desperate situation!"
While Xiao Man was solely focused on eliminating Feng Moran's forces, the news that Xiao Man was a remnant of the Former Qin spread like wildfire, sweeping across the land. It wasn't just the officials; even three-year-old children knew that Xiao Man was a Former Qin remnant.
"Your Majesty, the outside world is spreading rumors that you are of Former Qin... bloodline." Fei Zheng secretly glanced at Xiao Man, intending to say "Former Qin remnant" but felt it might be inappropriate, so he quickly changed it to "bloodline."
"So what if I am, and so what if I'm not?" Xiao Man asked without looking up.
Fei Zheng was stunned for a moment. Yes, even if Xiao Man was a Former Qin remnant, wouldn't she still be their sovereign? Wouldn't she still be the person he admired? Regardless of her identity, Xiao Man was still Xiao Man!
"I was foolish. You are simply you, and it has nothing to do with your identity. Whoever you are, you are the master we recognize," Fei Zheng immediately stated. "It's just that the common people are extremely reticent about Former Qin..."
"Fei Zheng, it is the royal families of the Four Kingdoms who are truly reticent about Former Qin, because the royal families of the Four Kingdoms did things that wronged Former Qin and feared those shameful deeds being uncovered. That is why they are reticent about Former Qin. As for ordinary people, Former Qin or the current Emperor, it is merely fodder for their idle chatter. Who truly cares whether I am of Former Qin bloodline? The people only need topics for conversation."
"But rumors are fiercer than tigers."
"Rumors are easy to shatter," Xiao Man said with a smile. "Rumors can be broken with another rumor, one that must be more captivating than the Former Qin."
"What could be more captivating than the bloodline of Former Qin?"
"Naturally, the treasure of Former Qin," Xiao Man said softly. "Former Qin had a profound foundation and possessed countless rare treasures. Yet, when the monarchs of the Four Kingdoms conquered Former Qin, they obtained nothing. So, where did the rare treasures of Former Qin go?"
"Does the Former Qin treasure really exist?"
"If it didn't exist, why would Feng Moran tirelessly search for news of the treasure?" Xiao Man said unhurriedly. "The Former Qin bloodline is merely a curiosity to the people, but the immeasurable wealth of the Former Qin treasure can stir the hearts of everyone."
"Men die for wealth, birds die for food. I understand," Fei Zheng said joyfully and was about to leave to prepare.
"Come back," Xiao Man called him back. "Do you know where the Former Qin treasure is located? Do you know how to find its location? Do you know how to open it?"
Fei Zheng shook his head. "These can all be fabricated."
"Fabrication can only fool ordinary people, not the clever minds hidden behind the scenes," Xiao Man opened a drawer and took out a painting. "Qianmo."
"How did you know I was here?" Yu Qianmo descended from the rafters, looking curiously at Xiao Man. He had hidden himself so well, yet Xiao Man could always find him.
Xiao Man handed the painting to Yu Qianmo. "Can you carve this painting onto the city walls?"
Yu Qianmo took the painting and opened it. It wasn't difficult. "I can, but..."
"I will have someone tie up Dongfang Wei and send him to you."
"Deal!" Yu Qianmo excitedly rubbed his hands together. "When will he be sent?"
"Come back after you finish carving this painting on the city walls, and Dongfang Wei will definitely be in your room," Xiao Man said enticingly. "When you finish, I will have him tied up and delivered."
Yu Qianmo tucked the painting into his embrace, then leaped out of Xiao Man's palace and headed straight outside the palace. His speed was like lightning, blowing Fei Zheng's hair into disarray.
"Your Majesty, that painting..."
"It is a map to the location of the Former Qin treasure."
"Really?"
"Indeed. This is a map I copied from a mechanical box. The final destination points to the Former Qin treasure, but the map is quite complex, with up to forty-nine suspicious locations. Whether the true Former Qin treasure can be found depends on their luck."
"Aren't you interested in the Former Qin treasure?" Fei Zheng asked doubtfully.
"What use would a treasure be to me?" Xiao Man retorted. "Am I desperately short of money, or desperately short of sense?"
Fei Zheng plastered a smile on his face. You are the sovereign of a nation. You are neither short of money nor sense. Your ambition is the entire realm, why would you care about a mere treasure?
"Then why release this news..."
"Feng Moran will undoubtedly be very interested in the Former Qin treasure," Xiao Man said unhurriedly. "I really want to know what he desires. He has been secretly collecting Former Qin artifacts and sending them to me under various pretexts, presumably wanting to use me to open the Former Qin treasure. But I don't have time to help him, so I will help him find a bunch of helpers."
Fei Zheng nodded repeatedly. Wealth stirs hearts. Once this news spreads, both court officials and martial artists will undoubtedly mobilize for it. It might even draw people from other countries to search for the treasure. A clever tactic of divide and conquer.
"Your Majesty, what else can I do?"
Xiao Man flicked two red beads, and Fei Zheng quickly caught them. "These are Phoenix Pearls. When people gather outside the city, give them these Phoenix Pearls. They are the keys to opening the Former Qin treasure."
"I accept my orders."
Fei Zheng wore a look of excited joy. The key to the Former Qin treasure, what a tempting thing! Once these Phoenix Pearls appear, they will surely incite everyone in the world to fight for them. Even if Feng Moran hides in the shadows and refuses to come out, he will eventually emerge to snatch the Phoenix Pearls for the sake of the Former Qin treasure. Your Majesty only needs to wait for the rabbit.
Xiao Man watched Fei Zheng's light-footed departure and couldn't help but shake her head. "Why are all the people around me so eager to stir up trouble? Others yearn for peace, while they seem afraid of too much tranquility."
"Speaking of others, aren't you the one who started all this?" A familiar female voice came from behind. Xiao Man turned around and looked at the person speaking.
"When you need something, it appears. I was just thinking of you."