5: Chapter 5 The Longzhong Plan? Young Master Wang, watch your head!

After Zhuge Jinyu finished her speech, even she felt a bit nervous.

All of these words were taught to her by Su Chen.

As a fifteen-year-old girl, when had she ever seen such a grand scene?

"Relax, don't be nervous. Don't let them see that you're scared."

Zhuge Jinyu nodded and relaxed a little.

"Sir, why does your voice sound a bit off? It seems a bit... constrained?"

Su Chen didn't say anything more.

This girl, to make it easier to hide him, had stuffed him inside her clothes.

And he, by some stroke of luck or misfortune, was wedged right within the broad-minded embrace of the future Prime Minister.

To prevent any supernatural phenomenon like the mirror oozing pus, Su Chen had to try his hardest to suppress his physical reactions.

Although she had given them a warning yesterday, hearing such words on a formal occasion made the faces of both the Zhuge and Wang families look rather unsightly.

Wang Zheng's face darkened, and he was just about to bark a reprimand.

"Granted."

An aged yet majestic voice rang out; it actually came from the Old Emperor of Great Gan, Liu Xuan, who had been resting with his eyes closed!

His clouded eyes opened a sliver, sweeping over Zhuge Jinyu with a flash of appreciation.

Once the Emperor spoke, Murong Yue and Wang Zheng had to force their words back down their throats.

Wang Teng was even more stunned on the spot, before he could even process what was happening.

The Clan Elder serving as the Master of Ceremonies announced loudly.

"Since His Majesty has granted permission, let the competition begin!"

As soon as the Master of Ceremonies finished speaking, the eyes of the entire audience immediately focused on the two people in the center.

Wang Teng sneered and took the initiative to attack.

"Since you proposed the competition, you shall decide the first event, lest others say this young master is bullying a mere woman!"

He appeared generous, but in reality, he was incredibly arrogant.

Clearly, he did not take Zhuge Jinyu seriously at all.

Hearing this, Zhuge Jinyu remained unhurried and took out an ancient-looking coin from her sleeve.

She looked at Wang Teng with a calm gaze.

"In that case, the first event will be the Art of Heavenly Secrets. We shall each cast a divination to predict fortune or misfortune and verify its accuracy. How about it?"

Wang Teng gave a cold laugh.

He had mostly guessed that Zhuge Jinyu would first play to the Zhuge Family's strengths and choose the Art of Heavenly Secrets.

However, while his Wang Family didn't specialize in this path, their foundation was not something a concubine's daughter like Zhuge Jinyu—who had never received systematic family training—could compare to.

If he could defeat her in the field the Zhuge Family was best at, he, Wang Teng, would truly make a name for himself today!

Zhuge Jinyu simply said indifferently.

"Young Master Wang, you first."

Wang Teng snorted and took out a set of exquisite tortoise shells and copper coins, making a show of burning incense and praying.

After a series of maneuvers, he said proudly.

"This young master has divined that today is an omen of great luck. I, Wang Teng, will surely trample you underfoot today and achieve glory for my Wang Family!"

The crowd nodded one after another.

Regardless of Wang Teng's actual ability, his procedure could be considered professional-grade even within the Zhuge Family.

It was Zhuge Jinyu's turn.

She directly pulled out...

A tattered coin!

Then, she lightly tossed that coin into the air.

The moment the coin was tossed, Su Chen's calm voice reached her ears.

"Heads up, a bird will relieve itself on Wang Teng's head. If it's tails, it won't."

The coin flipped, drawing the gaze of everyone in the great hall.

"Nonsense! The Art of Heavenly Secrets is no child's play. This girl is simply shaming our Zhuge Family!"

Even Zhuge Yuan's face was ashen at this moment as he let out a light sigh.

The coin landed on the bluestone floor with a 'ding' and spun a few times.

Tails up.

Recalling Su Chen's instructions, Zhuge Jinyu said word for word.

"Young Master Wang, be careful. A bird is going to poop on your head!"

"Pfft—"

"Is this slip of a girl here for a comedy act?"

Continuous laughter echoed through the hall.

Wang Teng was fuming with rage, his hair standing on end.

When had he ever suffered such an insult?

"Do you think I'm like you, a jinx who steps in sh—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a spirit bird happened to fly over his head.

Without deviation, without tilting.

A glob of filth descended from the sky.

It landed right on top of Wang Teng's head.

"Holy crap! She actually predicted it. Such a low-probability event."

Exclamations came from all around, and Zhuge Yuan also stood up from his seat.

Zhuge Jinyu said no more and turned toward Liu Xuan on the high platform.

"Your Majesty, the first round is over. I ask Your Majesty and the Clan Elders to judge."

Liu Xuan's clouded eyes stared at the coin, then looked at Wang Teng, whose face was flushed red with anger and who was desperately using spiritual water to wash his hair.

After a moment of contemplation, he slowly spoke.

"The Heavenly Secrets are ethereal and cannot be measured by common logic."

"Jinyu's divination, though seemingly a joke, yielded a definitive result. Wang Teng's divination, however, was conventional and showed no true insight."

"For this round, I shall tentatively judge it as a small victory for Jinyu, pending further verification."

This judgment made the Wang Family's faces look extremely ugly, but they were helpless.

Wang Teng was even more frustrated, only able to suppress his rage as he glared viciously at Zhuge Jinyu.

"Hmph, just a fluke."

"The second round: the Art of Strategy! Let's see what other tricks you have!"

Liu Xuan sat up straight, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion and heaviness.

"For this second question, I shall set it myself."

Everyone couldn't help but sit up straight as well!

The Emperor of Great Gan personally setting a question—this had never happened in the history of the Zhuge Family!

"You two, listen to the question."

"In the current Great Gan, the powerful Wei Dynasty watches greedily from the north, while the Great Hao Dynasty in the east has broken their word, launching a sneak attack on our Shashi Prefecture, resulting in the fall of our generals and the loss of our territory."

"Internally, our national strength is exhausted, and the people's lives are difficult. I... am deeply worried. Wang Teng, Zhuge Jinyu, if you two were Prime Minister, how would you resolve this predicament?"

As soon as this question was asked, the entire hall fell silent.

This was the very deadlock that had plagued Great Gan for years, one that even Zhuge Yuan was powerless against. To think it was being given to two fifteen-year-olds to answer?

"I believe for today's Great Gan, the best method is to abandon old grudges and form a full alliance with Great Wei!"

"Great Hao has broken their word. If the two nations of Wei and Gan join forces to destroy Hao, the problem will be solved!"

After Wang Teng finished his answer triumphantly, he took two steps back, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth as he waited to see Zhuge Jinyu make a fool of herself.

He might not necessarily understand the Art of Strategy.

But he knew how to judge the situation and incite emotions.

Right now, Great Gan had just been blindsided by Great Hao, so inciting resentment against Great Hao resonated with the feelings of many Great Gan people.

Sure enough, after Wang Teng finished, many people around him nodded slightly.

However, Zhuge Jinyu didn't show the slightest panic.

In her mind, the figure of Su Chen appeared from last night, holding a copy of 'Collected Commentaries on the Various Philosophers' through the mirror, analyzing the global situation for her.

Those incisive conclusions were now crystal clear.

Holding the vermilion bird feather fan and waving it gently, she possessed a somewhat transcendent air as she answered loudly.

"Your Majesty's question concerns the fate of the nation."

"In my humble opinion, I have three strategies to offer."

...

"First, seek unity through struggle."

"Although Great Hao has broken its word, its national strength is far inferior to Wei's, and it fears even more that after Wei swallows Great Gan, it will be next."

"We can send envoys to explain the pros and cons, promise them significant benefits, and even yield some interests in Shashi Prefecture to temporarily stabilize the east."

"This is enduring humiliation to bide our time for the right moment."

"Second, harmonize with the west and pacify the south; this is the key to stabilizing our rear."

"Our Great Gan has a mountain barrier to the west and the Barbarian Tribes frequently harassing us from the south."

"We should dispatch capable officials to ally with the mountain people in the west and pacify the hearts of the Barbarians in the south—either through suppression or appeasement—to ensure the rear is secure. Only then can we focus all our efforts on the enemies to the north and east."

"Third, and most importantly, cultivate internal governance and quietly wait for changes in the world."

She paused her fan, looking down at the mirror with a bit of pride, happening to meet Su Chen's encouraging gaze.

"Although the Wei Dynasty is strong, its territory is vast and its people diverse; there will surely be internal strife."

"When change occurs, order a top general to lead the army of Shashi toward Wan and Luo Prefectures, while Your Majesty personally leads the masses of the Shu region out through Qinchuan."

"Who among the common people would dare not welcome Your Majesty with baskets of food and jugs of wine?"

"If it truly comes to pass, then the great hegemony can be achieved, and Great Gan can flourish!"

Zhuge Jinyu's series of arguments were logically clear and strategically visionary.

It contained both practical strategies for dealing with the immediate crisis and a grand vision for the future.

Especially that last phrase, 'wait for changes in the world'.

My Great Gan disdains to associate with you; what I want is the unification of the world!

Inside the great hall, one could hear a pin drop.

Liu Xuan leaned forward, staring fixedly at Zhuge Jinyu.

"You... are these words true? Who taught you to say this?"

Even Zhuge Yuan, who had been watching the show, stood up in shock, looking at his daughter in disbelief.

Wang Teng was even more dumbfounded.

The opponent's opinions hit the nail right on the head regarding the current issues.

Zhuge Jinyu bowed slightly.

"This is but a bit of humble insight from Jinyu."

"Last night, in a dream, Jinyu happened to meet a beautiful young gentleman who looked like a banished immortal, and my heart was filled with joy."

"He taught these things to me, and I also revere him as my master."

"If Your Majesty deems it feasible, Jinyu is willing to use this strategy to exchange for the right to an independent marriage!"

Liu Xuan took a deep breath and slowly sat back on his dragon throne.

Meeting a beautiful gentleman in a dream—he knew this was likely Zhuge Jinyu's excuse.

But such a talent, he had to keep her in Great Gan!

Thus, he said in a deep voice.

"This round... Zhuge Jinyu wins!"

The great hall completely erupted.

Who could have imagined that a girl who had never been valued by her family would possess such world-shaking talent!

Wang Teng's face was ashen, a mix of shame and rage making him no longer care about his demeanor.

If this woman wasn't eliminated, she would surely become a great threat in the future!

The spiritual power around him surged, revealing his cultivation of the Great Circle of the Golden Core stage. A cold, glinting longsword appeared in his hand, its tip pointed directly at Zhuge Jinyu.

Before the Emperor could even speak, he chose to strike directly to begin the third round of the competition.

"Little bitch, die!"

His figure blurred, turning into an afterimage as a sharp sword qi lunged straight for Zhuge Jinyu's face.

This sword strike was utterly merciless.

It was intended to take Zhuge Jinyu's life.

This turn of events was far too sudden; even with many experts present, none were able to react in time.

Everyone closed their eyes, unable to bear seeing such a talented woman perish here.