Tsunade's Little Face Flushed

A few days earlier, as Luzhen grew more and more adept at handling military affairs, he had finally managed to free up some time to study ninjutsu.

But when he took out his ninjutsu scrolls, the book Dongfang Mao had given him at the same time came out with them.

Remembering what Dongfang Mao had said about overseas lands, Luzhen had curiously flipped through a page or two. After that, he simply couldn't put it down.

The book's accounts of the rise and fall of magnificent dynasties left Luzhen in awe. He was especially captivated by the scholars' bearing.

The treacherous could wield power over the court and turn the world upside down.

The virtuous could make plans from within their tent and win victories a thousand miles away.

These legends of people who navigated the political world and plotted for their nations and the realm had filled him with excitement.

As he marveled at the book, he also thought of the Nara Clan in Konoha.

He believed that, given the Nara Clan's wisdom and the right circumstances, they might well reach the heights of the great figures in the book and have their names remembered for generations.

Yet they were confined to that little corner of Konoha, spending every day orbiting the head of a mere village and dealing with trivial matters.

It was truly a pity!

"What are you...?"

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

"Having admired the Martial Marquis's character, I wished to emulate his attire."

Luzhen held a feather fan and bowed. The white feather on his ceremonial hat swayed gently with his movement.

"When Kongming first emerged from seclusion, he was but twenty-seven. With feather fan and silk turban, he spoke and laughed as..."

"Stop!"

Dongfang Mao pressed a hand to his forehead and cut him off. He had told Luzhen to study Five Thousand Years of History. He wasn't sure whether the boy had learned anything useful, but he had certainly mastered the mannerisms.

"You've copied the Martial Marquis's clothes, but have you learned his strategies? Do you know how to bring stability to Tsukimiura?"

Luzhen clasped his hands, brimming with confidence.

"Your Excellency, the book does indeed detail the principles of benevolent governance, but the common folk described within care mostly about preserving their own lives. They pay little heed to the rise and fall of dynasties.

"But what Your Excellency is doing now has never been seen in the Ninja World. The people in the city are on edge. Ordinary benevolent policies alone cannot soothe them; we must adapt to local conditions..."

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"I believe we should imitate the strategy used when the northern barbarians entered the passes: first, wield the thunderbolt to cow the troublemakers and punish the incorrigible; then gradually show benevolence and lift restrictions. Only then will the common folk both fear Your Excellency's might and cherish Your Excellency's virtue, until they are ultimately grateful to you."

There was no denying that Luzhen was a genius. He had only been studying the book for a few days, yet his words were already difficult for Dongfang Mao to follow. Still, Dongfang Mao understood the gist, and his eyes lit up.

He had been fretting over this very issue all day yesterday. In the Ninja World, there was no such idea as "Are kings and nobles born to the purple?" The commoners were deeply ingrained with a servile mindset, and Dongfang Mao didn't know what to make of it.

In his previous life, even the comparatively recent Great Meng had seen rebellions in an average of eleven of its 136 prefectures each year.

But here, ever since the current order had been established, the regions beyond the ongoing conflicts between ninja had remained eerily peaceful for hundreds and thousands of years. Nothing like those rebellions had ever taken place.

It seemed utterly preposterous to Dongfang Mao, yet it was undeniably real.

That was exactly why he faced such strong resistance now that he wanted to take complete control of Tsukimiura.

Fortunately, Luzhen's words had given him a new idea.

Dongfang Mao stroked his chin, thought for a moment, then asked, "Luzhen, who do you think I should use as an example to cow the troublemakers?"

Luzhen clasped his hands.

"The three great clans and the castle deputy have lorded it over Tsukimiura for years, squeezing the people with excessive levies and living in luxury. Naturally, the people despise them. We can choose one as the ringleader and execute him publicly in the marketplace. That should ease the people's resentment while deterring those with rebellious intentions.

"Your Excellency should also clean out the city's dens of vice, such as gambling houses, brothels, black-market taverns, and other gathering places for all sorts of unsavory characters..."

Tsunade, who had been getting drowsy listening to Dongfang Mao and Luzhen's strange manner of speaking, suddenly perked up at the mention of gambling houses. She sat bolt upright and blurted out, "You're going to clean out the gambling houses too?"

Hearing Tsunade's voice, Luzhen seemed displeased. He turned to her, frowning.

"Lady Tsunade, as one of Your Excellency's closest relatives, you should not let your own selfish desires disrupt his grand plans. What's more, you currently hold the important position of Minister of Medicine in the Governor's Mansion. Frequenting such dens of vice—what sort of example does that set?"

At those words, the room fell silent. Even Dongfang Mao's mouth hung open, his face full of disbelief.

Was this really his subordinate? How could Luzhen be so bold as to tear into Tsunade like that?

Tsunade looked just as incredulous, bewilderment filling her eyes.

Was that really Luzhen speaking? The same Luzhen who had been so timid around her not long ago?

"You..."

Her fingers clenched without her noticing. For a moment, she saw a certain shadowy figure in Luzhen.

That condescending attitude, that self-righteous sermon...

He was Danzo incarnate!

Tsunade really wanted to know what method Dongfang Mao had used to let Luzhen skip decades' worth of detours in just a few short months.

Luzhen clasped his hands again, his expression cold.

"Lady Tsunade, as someone of high standing, you should lead by example. I have nothing more to say."

With a cold snort, he turned his back on her.

Tsunade's cheeks flushed crimson—not with embarrassment, but with anger.

Even the Yin Seal between her brows had begun to glow faintly blue.

Her slender fingers creaked as she clenched them. She wanted nothing more than to throw the insolent brat over her shoulder right there and then.

But the boy before her was only eleven, and every word he had said was under the banner of "looking out for Your Excellency." Her fury had nowhere to go.

In the end, her knife-sharp gaze fell on Dongfang Mao, who had been innocently caught in the crossfire.

"..."

Feeling the tangible force of her killing intent, Dongfang Mao broke out in a cold sweat.

Good grief. He had finally managed to get Tsunade's emotions under control, only for Luzhen to set her off again in an instant.

He quickly shot Tsunade an imploring look, but she raised a small fist and mouthed, "Just you wait."

"Ah..."

Dongfang Mao sighed in resignation and turned to Luzhen. "Go on."

Luzhen clasped his hands solemnly.

"I have three more strategies.

"First, confiscate weapons from the populace. Anyone found hiding military weapons should be punished, along with their associates.

"Second, enforce a strict curfew. Anyone still out on the streets at night should be locked up immediately, without question.

"Third..."

He paused, a glint flashing in his eyes.

"Your Excellency could raise grain prices and impose additional taxes on the one hand, while opening a path to relief on the other. Anyone who joins the New Martial Army or supports the Governor's Mansion could enjoy benevolent policies.

"That would divide the populace into two factions: one conservative, still loyal to the old country; the other, supporters of Your Excellency.

"The conservatives would struggle to get by. Seeing those who support Your Excellency live in comfort and plenty, how could they not waver?

"Over time, how could Your Excellency fail to win the people's support?"

Luzhen's words rang out like a cold blade leaving its sheath. The entire council chamber fell silent.

Everyone exchanged looks. No one had imagined that Luzhen, a mere eleven-year-old boy, could come up with such a scheme.

Tsunade, too, was finding it hard to sit still.

She had more or less accepted the reality of the situation. She had turned a blind eye to Dongfang Mao's purges of the nobles and underworld forces, since none of them were exactly good people.

But now Luzhen was willing to use innocent commoners as pawns to achieve his ends. That crossed the line for her.

Just as she was about to stand and object, Dongfang Mao suddenly rose first and slapped the table.

"Luzhen, effective immediately, you are promoted to Minister of Finance and Minister of Rites. Within three days, submit a detailed proposal based on the strategies we've just discussed."