Tsunade's Little Face Flushed

In recent days, as Luzhen became increasingly adept at handling military affairs, he finally managed to squeeze out some time to study ninjutsu.

However, when he took out his ninjutsu scrolls, he also unearthed the booklet that Dongfang Mao had given him back then.

Thinking of the overseas matters the other had mentioned, he curiously flipped through a page or two, and subsequently, Luzhen found himself completely unable to stop.

The magnificent rise and fall of dynasties within the book left Luzhen in awe, and he was particularly captivated by the elegance and spirit of the scholars described therein.

The treacherous could wield power over the court, turning clouds and rain at will.

The wise could devise strategies in a tent and secure victory a thousand miles away.

These legendary lives, maneuvering through the world and plotting for the fate of nations, stirred his heart with immense excitement.

Amidst his reflections, he also thought of the Nara clan back in Konoha.

He asked himself, with the wisdom of his Nara clan, if given the right environment, they might not be unable to reach the heights of those famous scholars in the books and leave their names in history for eternity.

Yet, they were confined to that tiny corner of Konoha, spending their days revolving around a mere village leader, dealing with trivial, petty matters.

Truly pathetic and lamentable!

"What is this..."

At this moment, Dongfang Mao pointed at Luzhen, the corner of his mouth twitching.

"This Humble One observes the spirit of the Martial Marquis, and feeling deep admiration, has chosen to emulate his attire."

Luzhen held a feather fan and bowed, the white horsehair on his cap swaying gently with the movement.

"When Kongming emerged from the mountains in his youth at twenty-seven, he wore a silk headpiece and held a feather fan, and amidst laughter..."

"Stop!"

Dongfang Mao held his forehead to interrupt. He had told Luzhen to study five thousand years of history; he didn't know if he had learned anything useful, but this tone was certainly a faithful reproduction.

"You emulate the attire of the Martial Marquis, but have you learned the strategies of the Martial Marquis? Do you know how to stabilize Tsukimiura as it stands now?"

Luzhen answered with a bow, full of confidence.

"Governor, please observe. While the records detail the way of benevolent governance, the commoners described in the books care mostly for their own survival and are indifferent to the changing of dynasties.

But today, the Governor's actions are unprecedented in the Ninja World. The hearts of the people in the city are filled with panic, which cannot be pacified by simple benevolence alone. We must adapt to local conditions..."

He paused slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"This Humble One believes we should emulate the strategies of the northern tribes entering the Central Plains: first, use thunderous means to intimidate the petty, punishing those who are stubborn and unyielding, then gradually bestow favors and lift restrictions. Only in this way can the commoners be made to fear our might and cherish our virtue, eventually becoming deeply grateful to the Governor."

It had to be said that Luzhen was a genius. After pondering for only a few days, his speech was becoming difficult for even Dongfang Mao to follow, yet Dongfang Mao understood the meaning and his eyes lit up accordingly.

He had been suffering from a headache over this very issue yesterday. In the Ninja World, there was absolutely no concept of "are kings and nobles born with more noble blood?" The submissiveness of the commoners was so deeply ingrained that even Dongfang Mao felt at a loss.

One must know that in his previous life, in the Great Meng alone, there were 136 prefectures, with an average of 11 revolts per year.

But here? Since the structure was established, for thousands of years, apart from the conflicts between ninjas, other regions had been eerily peaceful, never experiencing similar rebellions.

To Dongfang Mao, this seemed like a fantasy, yet it was a reality.

It was precisely for this reason that the resistance he faced in trying to fully control Tsukimiura was immense.

Fortunately, Luzhen's words provided him with a new line of thought.

Dongfang Mao rubbed his chin, pondered for a moment, and then asked.

"Luzhen, who do you think this Governor should use these thunderous means against to intimidate the petty?"

Luzhen bowed.

"The three great clans and the city deputies have been acting tyrannically in Tsukimiura all these years, extorting taxes, indulging in luxury and debauchery. The common people naturally hate them to the bone. We can select them as the chief culprits and execute them publicly in the marketplace to dissipate the people's resentment while simultaneously intimidating those with ulterior motives.

At the same time, the Governor should purge the city of its dens of iniquity, such as gambling houses, brothels, black markets, and taverns—places where all sorts of unsavory characters gather..."

Tsunade, who had been listening to the strange way Dongfang Mao and Luzhen were speaking and feeling rather drowsy, suddenly heard the word "gambling house" and instantly perked up. She sat up abruptly and spoke subconsciously.

"Gambling houses must be purged too?"

Luzhen, hearing Tsunade's voice, seemed somewhat displeased. He turned to look at her, frowning.

"Lady Tsunade, as the Governor's close kin, you truly should not let personal desires interfere with the Governor's grand plan. Furthermore, you currently serve as the Minister of Medicine for the Governor's Mansion, holding an important position. To linger in such dens of filth—what kind of decorum is that?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole room fell silent. Even Dongfang Mao's mouth hung open, his face filled with disbelief.

Was this really his subordinate? Why was he so valiant that he dared to open his mouth and lecture Tsunade?

At this moment, Tsunade was also looking at him in disbelief, her eyes filled with confusion.

Was this really Luzhen? The same Luzhen who had been timid and shrinking before her just a short while ago?

"You..."

Her fingertips clenched involuntarily. In a daze, she saw a certain dark figure in Luzhen.

That condescending posture, that sanctimonious preaching...

This was Danzo reborn!

Tsunade really wanted to know what method Dongfang Mao had used to make Luzhen bypass decades of detours in just a few short months.

Luzhen bowed coldly once more.

"Lady Tsunade holds a position of great power and prestige, and should lead by example. This Humble One has said all that needs to be said."

Having finished, he let out a cold snort and turned his back on her.

Tsunade's cheeks flushed a deep crimson—not from shyness, but from rage.

The Yin Seal on her forehead even began to emit a faint, pulsing blue light.

Her slender fingers cracked as she clenched them into fists, itching to deliver a shoulder throw to this arrogant brat right then and there.

Yet, he was merely an eleven-year-old child, and every word he spoke was framed under the banner of "thinking of the Governor," leaving her with a belly full of fire and nowhere to vent it.

In the end, her gaze, sharp as a blade, carved fiercely into the innocent and collateral-damaged Dongfang Mao.

"..."

Feeling that tangible killing intent, cold sweat seeped from Dongfang Mao's temples.

Good grief, he had finally managed to get Tsunade's emotions to stabilize, only for Luzhen to turn her back into a powder keg in the blink of an eye.

He hurriedly cast a pleading look at Tsunade, only to see her raise a pink fist and silently mouth the words, "You just wait."

"Sigh..."

Resigned to his fate, Dongfang Mao sighed and turned to Luzhen. "Continue."

Luzhen straightened his expression and cupped his hands in a salute.

"This subject has three further strategies:

First, confiscate all civilian weaponry; anyone found privately harboring armaments shall be punished along with their kin.

Second, implement a strict curfew; anyone found lingering on the streets at night shall be imprisoned immediately, regardless of their reasons.

Third..."

He paused, a flash of sharp light crossing his eyes.

"The Governor may, on one hand, raise grain prices and increase harsh taxes, while on the other, open a path: those who join the New Martial Army or pledge their support to the Governor's Mansion shall enjoy benevolent governance.

In this way, the populace will be divided into two factions: one conservative, clinging to the old kingdom, and the other, supporters of the Governor.

As the conservative faction struggles to survive, seeing those who support the Governor living in comfort and plenty, how could their hearts not waver?

In the long run, why would the Governor need to worry about failing to win the hearts of the people?"

Luzhen's voice was like a cold blade unsheathed, and the entire council chamber fell into absolute silence.

The officials looked at one another, none of them having imagined that Luzhen, a tender youth of only eleven, could conceive of such a scheme.

Tsunade, upon hearing this, found she could no longer sit still.

She had already begun to accept reality, turning a blind eye to Dongfang Mao's purging of those nobles and underground forces—after all, none of them were good people.

But now, for Luzhen to use innocent commoners as pawns to achieve his goals truly touched upon her bottom line.

Just as she rose to object, Dongfang Mao suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up first.

"Luzhen, effective immediately, you are promoted to Minister of Finance and concurrently Minister of Rites. Within three days, draft a detailed proposal of the strategies just discussed and submit it to me."