Chapter 9: Shifting Stars and Changing Constellations!

“Oh?” Shen Xiao perked up. “What do you mean by ‘shifting stars and changing constellations’?”

Shen Lang cleared his throat, his expression serious. “Simply put, it means using certain methods to diminish the influence of the Zhao clan.”

“To take back all the resources and power originally held by the Zhao clan and return them to Your Majesty’s control!”

“Is that all?” Shen Xiao’s face darkened. She had expected Shen Lang to have some brilliant strategy, but it turned out to be something she herself had toyed with before.

“I have already tried,” Shen Xiao said grimly, “the remnants of the Zhao clan are harder to deal with than you think!”

“Take taxation, for example. They may outwardly submit, but behind the scenes, they secretly collude with the demons, slaughter the people, and claim their taxes have been stolen!”

Shen Lang smiled faintly. “That’s because, Your Majesty, you have been using the wrong approach!”

“If you adopt my method, I guarantee they will compete to pay their taxes, and even fight among themselves.”

Shen Xiao’s eyes brightened. “Do tell.”

“First, Your Majesty must select a crown prince from within the Zhao clan.”

“What?” Shen Xiao was shocked.

Next to her, Nalan Yanran was furious. “Master, this traitor is toying with you! I demand he be punished severely!”

Shen Xiao’s face darkened as she looked at Shen Lang. “You better give me a perfect explanation.”

Confidently, Shen Lang waved his hand. “Your Majesty, don’t be hasty. What I mean is to give the Zhao clan a glimmer of hope. It does not mean you truly intend to hand over the Great Qin to them.”

“Think about it: if the Zhao clan knows that Your Majesty is only using the Great Qin for cultivation and will eventually leave to pursue the Dao, won’t they strive hard to secure the position of crown prince and curry favor with you?”

Gasp—

After Shen Lang’s explanation, Shen Xiao drew a sharp breath. She understood now.

The Zhao clan had remained united only because of her presence. If she pretended to be indifferent to the throne and even selected a crown prince from the Zhao clan, then the Zhao clan would pour all their efforts into securing that position.

Their networks would spare no effort to help their master win the crown prince seat.

At that moment, the Zhao clan would inevitably collapse from within without a single strike.

And she would only have made a laughable verbal promise.

This move of shifting stars and changing constellations was truly ingenious!

But almost immediately, Shen Xiao realized the plan was not flawless. She frowned and said, “The Zhao clan has stood in the Great Qin for hundreds of years; they are no fools.”

“Your scheme seems perfect at first glance, but upon closer thought, its flaws become evident.”

“Wouldn’t that only strengthen the Zhao clan’s unity?”

Seeing that Shen Xiao had spotted the flaw, Shen Lang had to admit that her rise to the throne was not merely by force.

Yet, his layout was more complex. “Your Majesty, what I just described is only the first step—to give the Zhao clan a hope!”

“The second step involves using public opinion to make the Zhao clan fully believe that Your Majesty is serious!”

“What do you mean by public opinion?” Shen Xiao was puzzled.

“Simply put, someone close to Your Majesty would discreetly spread rumors of your imminent breakthrough.”

“But when spreading these rumors, it must be done casually, so that members of the Zhao clan overhear the news secretly.”

“At that time, rumors will swirl, and no branch of the Zhao clan will dare gamble on the truth of the news.”

At this, a smile appeared on Shen Xiao’s face.

Indeed, if a crown prince were directly chosen from the Zhao clan, the others would recognize it as a deliberate ploy to sow discord.

But if they overheard it by chance, they would seize the opportunity eagerly.

Moreover, no member of the Zhao clan would allow their own brother to reign supreme without contest.

Considering this, Shen Xiao nodded with satisfaction. “This plan is excellent!”

“However, at this juncture, wouldn’t carrying out such a plan seem too contrived?”

“Do you have a third step?”

“Yes,” Shen Lang said solemnly. “To utterly annihilate the Zhao clan, we must use another event as a pretext to draw them fully into the trap!”

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiao’s eyes narrowed slightly. She tapped her finger slowly on the dragon throne, clearly pondering how best to ensnare the Zhao clan.

But after much thought, she realized that though Shen Lang’s plan was brilliant, finding the right people and events to execute it perfectly was near impossible.

Helplessly, she looked at Shen Lang again. “Since this is your plan, how do you suggest we proceed?”

Shen Lang wanted Shen Xiao to rely on him more and more. Seeing the moment ripe, he no longer held back.

“As for a method to wipe out the Zhao clan entirely, I have not yet thought of it. But I believe we can first use the incident of tax seizures in Guiyun City and Wanxiang City as a breakthrough to stir the entire Great Qin’s situation.”

“How do we proceed?” Shen Xiao raised her brow.

“Your Majesty can send me and Zhao An from Wuming Academy separately to Guiyun City and Wanxiang City to push for tax collection and observe the reactions.”

“During the process, I can also get close to the enemy and try to find a strategy to destroy them.”

“Otherwise, just thinking here, I won’t know if the enemy can see through my plan.”

Shen Xiao’s expression darkened. She understood well that a strategist’s battle must be founded on knowing oneself and one’s enemy.

Since Shen Lang devised the plan, it was best for him to meet the Zhao clan face to face.

But Shen Lang’s sudden eagerness aroused her suspicion. “Why are you suddenly so eager?”

Sensing her doubt, Shen Lang quickly delivered his rehearsed words. “Immersing oneself in the plan is every strategist’s highest aspiration!”

“Speak plainly!” Shen Xiao’s face hardened.

“Actually, I want to use Your Majesty’s support to protect the Shen family and help us seek revenge!”

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiao narrowed her eyes slightly. She studied Shen Lang for a long moment and found his expression unchanged.

Then she nodded faintly. “You have good intentions, my lord.”

“I can promise you that if you serve loyally, I will never betray the Shen family.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s great kindness!” Shen Lang bowed respectfully.

“That’s enough. You may return and carefully consider your plan. I will also think about how to proceed.”

“I take my leave!”

As Shen Lang departed the Tai Chi Hall, Nalan Yanran standing beside Shen Xiao immediately asked, “Master, do you believe what Shen Lang said?”

“I do not,” Shen Xiao replied firmly.