Daily Life of a Villain at Work [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: The Twenty-Second Day of the Villain Being Emperor

The hunting festivities lasted for three days, followed immediately by a grand display of military formations and offensive tactics. Whether they were the elite troops from the Capital Camp or soldiers from the local garrisons, every man exerted himself to the fullest, eager to be noticed by Her Majesty.

Wen Qingyun did not disappoint. She personally tested the archery and horsemanship of standout soldiers across various ranks, bestowing rewards and promotions accordingly. One low-level soldier was even granted the title of Commandant of Cavalier (rank 6B) for his exceptional marksmanship, leaping from the bottom of the hierarchy to the status of a minor general in a single day. This personal touch sent morale through the roof; if she gave the word now, these men would likely march straight into the northern tundras to fight the Tatars to the last breath.

The sheer scale of the hunt left the Tatars—who had been planning winter raids—shaken. They abandoned any thoughts of large-scale aggression, limiting themselves to small, deniable skirmishes.

Upon returning to the capital, late autumn had turned into early winter. Before the twenty soldiers of the Mingyue Camp returned to their posts, Wen Qingyun presented them with custom-fitted silver armor. She personally placed the helmets on their heads, telling them, “My mountains, rivers, and people depend on you for protection.”

Standing at the gates of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Wen Qingyun watched them depart. As the smile faded from her face, she turned to Weiyu. “If they wish to marry after their five-year service, let them. If they wish to stay, let them stay. Allow those who are pregnant to move to logistics and return to the front once they recover. I will not ‘nursemaid’ them; I will trigger their ambition and let them fight for their own power.”

…

As winter deepened, Wen Qingyun moved back into the East Warm Pavilion of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. While she loved her time in Jingren Palace with Chu Xin, the floor-heating system in the Emperor’s primary residence was unrivaled.

Chu Xin effectively lived in the Hall of Supreme Harmony now, never returning to her assigned palace. Despite the freezing weather, Chu Xin remained stubbornly dedicated to her career. Every morning, regardless of how exhausted she was from the night’s “activities,” she would drag herself out of bed to attend the morning court.

Wen Qingyun, unable to dissuade her, would often pull her close before she left, leaving very visible marks on her neck. Initially, Chu Xin tried to hide them, but eventually, she learned to be indifferent to her colleagues’ curious stares. Why hide it? It’s a sign of the Emperor’s favor—something they couldn’t get even if they begged.

Spring brought the metropolitan exams. Cui Jing, the daughter of the National University Chancellor, took the top spot as the new Number One Scholar (Zhuangyuan). Shortly after, Wen Qingyun appointed Wang Yuejiao as the General of Pirate Suppression.

Wang Yuejiao lived up to the trust. Using a Japanese noble refugee as a figurehead, she directed her fleet’s improved cannons at the Japanese coast, bombarding the shore for an entire day before landing with zero casualties. Within a month, she occupied a third of the land.

By late November, on Wen Qingyun’s birthday, the final victory report arrived: all of Japan was under control. A map was presented to the Emperor—not just of terrain, but of gold and silver mines. Wen Qingyun laughed; the wealth from these mines would more than cover the war’s costs and fund her next ambition: the Northern Expedition.

…

The victory over Japan moved the timeline for the Northern Expedition forward to the sixth year of the Tianzhou reign. When Wen Qingyun announced her intention to lead the army personally (Yujia Qin Zheng), the officials knelt in a sea of protest.

“The border has the Duke of Zhenbei! There is no need for Your Majesty to risk your precious person!” they cried.

Wen Qingyun remained unmoved. Having the Duke do it might take longer and lead to the “overmighty general” problem. She wanted to break the Tatars’ spine herself.

The officials cornered Chu Xin, begging her to intervene. “Master Chu, Her Majesty trusts you most! One word from you is worth a hundred of ours!”

Chu Xin wrote a sincere memorial, pleading with the Emperor to reconsider for the sake of the people, the state, and “for this subject.”

Wen Qingyun read it and sighed. She stood up and helped the kneeling Chu Xin to her feet. “Chu Xin, do you not support me either?”

“Your Majesty… I am simply worried for your safety,” Chu Xin’s voice softened instantly, her resolve crumbling.

“I thought you were different,” Wen Qingyun said with a heavy sigh. “I only wish to solve the Tatar problem as quickly as possible. Do you not trust my abilities?”

Wen Qingyun rarely showed vulnerability. Chu Xin immediately panicked, trying to explain that she never doubted the Emperor.

“Say no more. I wish to be alone,” Wen Qingyun said, turning her back.

Chu Xin left the Hall of Mental Cultivation in a daze of self-reproach.

…

Si Yu and Si Wen entered next. They knew the Emperor wouldn’t change her mind. Instead of arguing, they asked for their orders.

“You two stay in the capital to manage the government,” Wen Qingyun said, her eyes flashing with coldness. “Watch Prince Rong. If he shows any sign of rebellion now that he has an heir, let Weiyu handle it—pull it up by the roots. Kill everyone involved.”

Just as they were discussing the other royals, a female official announced: “Princess Herui seeks an audience.”

The Princess entered and knelt. “Your Majesty, I ask for a favor.”

“Go on, Imperial Sister,” Wen Qingyun said.

“I wish to join the Northern Expedition. I want to build merit on the battlefield and expand the borders of Great Qian!”

This wasn’t a whim. Herui had been training in secret and had heard that the Empress Dowager might also be joining the expedition. Herui’s intuition told her this was her one chance to be more than just a footnote in history as a “hedonistic princess.” She wanted her own place in the chronicles of history.