Becoming emperor in this era would be all too easy for Daniel Davis, but doing so would only hinder many of the reforms and initiatives he wanted to implement. As the Commander of the Imperial Guard, he had far more freedom to act. Whether or not he would take the throne later was a matter for the future. With his current power, ruling without the title suited him just fine.
While Emotionless remained silent, still processing everything she had learned, Daniel didn't interrupt. The volume of information she had just received was immense. Even someone as composed as her needed time to digest it.
"Who exactly are you? Are all these things really true?" After a long silence, Emotionless finally looked up and asked, her gaze locked onto Daniel's. Though she seemed to believe him, she still needed confirmation.
"I'm just a Chinese man. As for whether it's true—you should already know the answer in your heart. Technically, I come from another world. And what that means is..."
Daniel saw no reason to hide the truth from her. He was no longer the weak man he once was. Though dumping everything on her at once might seem overwhelming, he trusted her. She would understand, given time.
"This is Red Queen. If you have any questions, you can ask her. She'll answer everything for you."
"Emotionless will be staying here for a few days to take care of some things. You can return for now," Daniel said, stepping outside to address Iron Hands, who had been waiting.
Three days later, inside the study.
"Looks like you've come to a decision," Daniel said as he entered. During those three days, Emotionless hadn't just asked questions and reviewed history through Red Queen—she'd also been thinking carefully.
"I understand now why you're doing this. They really do deserve to die," she said. Seeing things from another angle, she realized the so-called "Confucian scholars" were actually the greatest threat to the state—not just based on Red Queen's records, but also on Daniel's own investigations in this world.
Historical records weren't always trustworthy; they had to be considered critically—just like the claim that Qin Shi Huang was a tyrant.
"So why tell me all this?" she asked.
"Because I want your help. Changing this entire world is too much for one man. I'd like you to consider it."
"And by the way, my medical skills are quite excellent. I believe I can fix your legs."
As he spoke, Daniel walked over, lifted her legs, and placed his hands on her ankles to examine her condition.
He was very familiar with her background. Her legs had been crippled during the massacre of her family when she was a child. While Zhuge Zhengwo was a top-tier martial artist, his medical skills were poor, leaving her to rely on telekinetic movement through her mind.
"All done. Try standing," Daniel said.
"Really?" Emotionless cried out, surprised. No one wanted to be disabled—Emotionless was no exception, even if she could move using her abilities.
"Of course." He gestured toward her encouragingly.
Taking a deep breath, she gripped the sides of her wheelchair and slowly stood. She took one tentative step forward. On the second, her balance faltered and she nearly fell.
"Don't worry. That's just from being out of practice. Keep at it, and you'll be walking just fine soon," Daniel said, stepping in to catch her.
"Thank you."
"No need. This was nothing for me."
"There's something else I need to tell you—about your family's massacre."
She ended up staying another three days, during which she and Daniel discussed how best to reform this world. Emotionless gave him many useful suggestions.
After some hesitation, Daniel eventually handed over the scroll containing the truth behind her family's murder. Emotionless—whose real name was Sheng Yanyu—had long believed her family was killed by Chancellor Cai because her father, Sheng Dingtian, had been one of the Eight Gentlemen who supposedly held evidence of Cai's corruption.
However, she didn't know that her family was actually killed at a different time from the others—and that the order had come from the emperor himself.
Frankly, for a ruler to resort to such measures was just pitiful. Only an utterly incompetent monarch would do such a thing.
"My father… I don't understand—why haven't you dealt with Cai?"
"Because he can't die just yet. Through him, I can more easily expose others with ulterior motives."
Cai Jing was entirely under Daniel's control now. Dealing with him would be effortless. But if he acted too soon, the factions suppressed by Cai would rise unpredictably. Better to use Cai as a mole—no one would suspect their highest-ranking leader was actually a double agent.
"It wasn't Cai who killed your family. It was the emperor. And the men who carried out his orders are still alive. If you want revenge, you can take it. This scroll records everything that happened."
"It was my father who betrayed them… That's why they were all slaughtered."
As the saying goes: if the minister is not discreet, he risks his life; if the king is not discreet, he loses his ministers. The Eight Gentlemen were careless and let their plan leak. Cai Jing used that information to threaten Sheng Dingtian—with the lives of his family.
"Depends on your perspective. Hindsight is always easy. But even if they'd exposed Cai Jing's corruption, they wouldn't have succeeded. Look at now—you know he wiped out the other seven families, and you still couldn't do anything about him."
From the emperor's or Cai Jing's perspective, those men were disposable. But from Emotionless's point of view, things were very different. The difference between a victim and a bystander was enormous.
Just look at Tony Stark. When he learned the Winter Soldier killed his parents, he immediately tried to kill him. In the end, what matters is what Emotionless herself decides.
"They've come to see you. Some things can't be avoided."
Emotionless had originally planned to return to the Divine Constabulary but changed her mind after learning the truth. She stayed at Daniel's estate instead—he didn't mind. His home was plenty big.
But the Constabulary wasn't so patient. Zhuge Zhengwo and Iron Hands came in person to bring her back. Given Emotionless's beauty and importance, they were worried about her staying away too long.
"Yanyu, are you alright? Your legs…" They rushed to greet her, realizing she wasn't in her wheelchair.
"I'm fine. Lord Daniel was treating my legs these past few days."
"Good to have you back, Yanyu," said someone inside the Constabulary.
"I'm not back. I just came to say goodbye."
Emotionless couldn't bring herself to kill Zhuge Zhengwo or Iron Hands. So instead, she chose not to face them anymore.
"Did he threaten you?" Zhuge Zhengwo demanded.
"Don't be afraid. We'll fight him if we have to."
Even though many members of the Constabulary respected Daniel's achievements, once Emotionless was involved, they took her side without hesitation.
"He didn't threaten me. He only told me the truth—the truth about my family's massacre. The truth you've all kept from me."
She threw the scroll Daniel had given her onto the table.
The room fell silent. Zhuge Zhengwo and Iron Hands, both witnesses to those events, could say nothing in their defense.
In the original plotline, a rebellion forced Emotionless to abandon her revenge. But this time, it was knowledge of the truth that changed her mind. After all, how could she seek vengeance against the emperor?
Without another word, she went to her room, packed a few belongings and her pet, and left.
"General Di Qing has returned to the capital."
With Emotionless gone, the Constabulary lost its intelligence specialist. Their actions became sluggish—though they did gain Life Snatcher, who finally joined after some resistance.
Emotionless had a natural talent for intelligence work. The secret archives were practically her creation.
"You two handle Youxia's case. I'm going with the prince to meet General Di Qing."
With the capital largely under Daniel's control, Zhuge and the prince were desperate for hope. Di Qing's return gave them a glimmer.
To counter Daniel now, they would need regional military support. The Imperial Guard was no longer an option.
"General Di Qing, your reputation precedes you."
"Greetings, my lord."
"No need for formalities. Do you know why I summoned you back?"
"I do not, my lord."
Of course, it was Daniel who ordered Di Qing's return. Under the Song system, this would've been nearly impossible. After reviewing historical figures from this era, Daniel found Di Qing was one of the few usable generals.
There were others—Yue Fei, for example—but their locations were currently unknown. The Yang family generals were already a fallen legend, decimated in battles with the Liao.
This lack of talent explained why internal rebellions like Fang La's and the Water Margin uprising were so widespread.
As the saying goes: "In Shu, where there are no great generals, even Liao Hua leads the charge." But in this case, there wasn't even a Liao Hua.
Among scholars, Daniel also found some interesting names—like the legendary "Black Judge" Bao Zheng. Yes, the famously incorruptible official was alive in this era.
So was the Su family, of Dongpo pork fame. But they had no interest in politics now. Not because Daniel thought they were unfit—but because they voluntarily resigned after hearing how he treated civil officials.
To Daniel, that was nothing but irresponsibility. Resignation might sound noble, but in his view, it was a way to avoid accountability. He had no use for such people.
Let them go. There were plenty of others who wanted to serve—like the so-called legal aides. They only needed to follow orders. Sure, the system wasn't perfect, but it was a start. Over time, he could refine it.
Worst-case scenario? He'd implement the Enfeoffment Decree—or promote orphans trained in his academies. As long as they were literate, they could govern.
Unlike modern times, this era didn't demand much. Common problems could be documented and distributed.
"Simple. I called you back to prepare for an offensive against the Jin."
With a wave of his left hand, Daniel teleported them from the study to several hundred meters above the capital. Beneath their feet was a massive black dragon, stretching across the sky.
Di Qing fell to his knees in awe.
"The prince and Zhuge came to see you, didn't they? Suspecting I'd controlled the emperor. Let me be clear: yes, I did. I've descended by order of the Celestial Emperor to replace your ruler."
Daniel wasn't about to explain everything like he did with Emotionless. Instead, he borrowed the same divine justification he'd used back in the Tang. In this era, such theatrics worked wonders.
"Because of divine restrictions, I can't personally attack Jin or Liao. You must fight in my stead."
The black dragon flew them to a mountain, where it breathed fire and melted a hundred meters of solid rock.
"I understand, my lord."
Convinced by the display, Di Qing believed without a doubt.
"That's settled. Now on to the Water Margin. Once I clean that up, my plans will be complete."
Di Qing left the capital shortly after, disappointing many who'd hoped he would restore order. They didn't know the truth—that Daniel had sent soldiers with him. Those soldiers were all trained in using the Heavenly Thunder Five Cannons.
The Jin and Liao weren't difficult foes. Daniel could have wiped them out easily. But that wasn't the point. The people needed to win for themselves.
With a properly equipped army, there was no way they could lose.
"As for Water Margin… it's a shame, but there'll be no mercy. Robbery and arson in exchange for amnesty? Not on my watch."
Whether it was Fang La's rebellion or the outlaws of Liangshan Marsh, their movements lacked any ideological vision. Splitting them apart would be easy. Song Jiang? Promise him a title, and he'd happily lead his people against Fang La.
Which was exactly how it went in the original story.
But not this time. Not under Daniel Davis.
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