They all want to change my future.

Chapter 51 Broad-mindedness

The following afternoon, Li Zhi arrived at Tongfu Teahouse as agreed.

After explaining his purpose to the waiter, he was led to a quiet, elegant room on the second floor.

The door closed, the room filled with the aroma of tea, and the faint sounds of the city outside the window made it a suitable place for a private conversation.

Li Zhigang had just sat down at the table and hadn't even poured himself a cup of tea when a red figure silently appeared in the chair opposite him.

"You're appearing and disappearing way too mysteriously, aren't you?"

Li Zhi looked at Qu Hongxiao, who had appeared out of nowhere, shook his head, poured her tea, and handed it to her.

"I don't want to make a big deal out of this."

Last night, a song captivated the capital, but today they say they don't want to make a big fuss.

This woman changes her mind so quickly.

However, Li Zhi also understood that their current behavior could be considered a secret rendezvous.

Yes, a private meeting.

Qu Hongxiao remained indifferent, having already decided not to waste any more words with Li Zhi.

She already knew how eloquent Li Zhi was; before, she would fall into his rhythm after just a few sentences.

Therefore, Qu Hongxiao directly extended her fair hand and pushed the three booklets in front of Li Zhi.

"Take a look."

Li Zhi looked down.

The top cover has the four characters "Po Jun Spear Technique" written on it, and the ink is quite old;

The second book is "The Steps of the Startled Swan," with elegant handwriting;

The third book was strange; its cover was completely blank, with neither a title nor a signature, and it was so thin that it seemed to contain only a few pages.

"What is this?" Li Zhi naturally picked up the strange, nameless book.

"Her Majesty's comments on some cultivation techniques." Qu Hongxiao's tone was calm, but what she said was quite astonishing.

As a cultivator of the ninth realm in this world, the Empress's comments on cultivation techniques are extremely valuable.

It's astonishing that they gave it away so easily; if outsiders knew, they would be completely shocked.

"That sounds pretty impressive." Although Li Zhi didn't quite understand, he could still sense it. "You just gave it to me like that?"

"It doesn't matter. How could you possibly imagine the magnanimity of the Empress?"

Qu Hongxiao's expression was full of admiration, but when she looked at Li Zhi, it turned into contempt: "Besides, can you understand? All I need you to do is memorize it."

Li Zhi didn't care about this disdain; what he cared about was Qu Hongxiao's statement:

"Carry it? Tell me about your plan?"

"You're actually quite clever."

Qu Hongxiao could tell that Li Zhi had already guessed, so she said directly, "Within one day, you must practice the Jinghong Step to the point of being able to grasp the basics, become familiar with the Po Jun Spear Technique, and memorize a few of the Empress's comments."

This requirement seems extremely difficult to outsiders. Memorizing the text is simple; if you are familiar with the Po Jun Spear Technique and put in some effort, you can do it in a day.

However, it takes an ordinary person more than a year of hard work to master a cultivation technique to the point of just beginning to understand it.

Qu Hongxiao knew this was a difficult situation, but she didn't care, because she was capable of doing it.

At the same time, she was also observing Li Zhi's expression. If he found this difficult, then he probably couldn't do that thing.

"No problem." Li Zhi nodded, his tone calm and natural.

Qu Hongxiao admired this confidence and decided to say a few more words:

"The 'Breaking Army Spear Technique' obtained by the Lu family is incomplete. Do you know why?"

"There's more to this story." Li Zhi became interested and asked, "If it was because the Duke held back, I could understand, but didn't the Lu family all pledge allegiance to the Empress? How could it be incomplete?"

"You can guess." Qu Hongxiao smiled and pointed at the spear manual with her fingertip. "I can give you a hint. I'm giving you the complete version."

They gave me the complete book, but not the Lu family?

This suggests that this marksmanship is not particularly valuable.

So the problem lies with the Lu family?

Li Zhi raised an eyebrow: "Could it be that the Lu family are traitors, which is why they are not easily accepted by you?"

Qu Hongxiao glanced at him: "I've already said, Her Majesty has a very broad mind."

That's not the reason?

Li Zhi was somewhat surprised. Looking at Qu Hongxiao's expression, which showed she wasn't lying, he thought for a moment, then spread his hands and said in a respectful voice:

"Sir, I don't understand."

This sudden show of respect made Qu Hongxiao narrow her eyes. Subordinates who outwardly submit but inwardly resent it are truly troublesome.

Qu Hongxiao's expression turned cold, and her voice became even more indifferent: "What's a deer herder doing learning to use a broken military rifle? He can learn when he joins the army."

This authoritative and condescending statement immediately made Li Zhi realize who Qu Hongxiao was imitating.

However, she and the Empress have a really good relationship.

As expected of the owner of the Star Gazing Pavilion.

Thinking about all this, Li Zhi confirmed his guess and felt a little relieved. He then began to ponder what had just been said.

He quickly came to a conclusion: "Your Majesty, is this saying that everyone should do their job?"

You're wrong.

Qu Hongxiao's expression became even more serious: "Her Majesty dislikes this kind of thing where everyone just does their job and is too mature and cautious. Her Majesty hopes that her subordinates will step forward as much as possible and be rewarded for their merits."

"Back then, the Empress gave the Lu family two choices: one was to go to the army, and the other was to continue raising deer."

"Judging from this," Li Zhi nodded, "the Lu family has disappointed the Empress."

"Such a trivial matter, Your Highness would not keep it in mind."

Qu Hongxiao said seriously, "In the past, Duke He Guo seemed generous, but he always liked to hold back some techniques in the transmission of skills, which caused his disciples to become disloyal. Your Highness does things differently. This Broken Army Spear technique can be practiced by everyone in the border army."

"I understand." Li Zhi nodded: "You're telling me to work hard and start making empty promises."

Seeing that Li Zhi had started talking nonsense, Qu Hongxiao stopped talking and made up her mind again.

As expected, Li Zhi was still treated as a pawn whose purpose needed to be clearly explained. Once that was done, he was gone, and no further conversation was needed.

That is the right path.

The longer you talk to him, the easier it is for him to disturb your peace of mind.

Now he's starting to think about the lessons he learned before.

Qu Hongxiao made a decision.

A flash of red, and the person was gone.

Li Zhi was left alone in the elegant room. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did you run so fast?"

However, Li Zhi didn't mind. He slowly poured himself a cup of tea before picking up the book "The Broken Army Spear Technique" and starting to read it.

After reading a few pages, he gently shook his head and said softly:

"It seems that the Duke of He's methods of managing his subordinates are ineffective."

Now that Qu Hongxiao is gone, I naturally need to find someone else to talk to.

"Don't try to provoke me next time you want to see me."

Lin Yueyin's voice rang out, but her figure did not appear.

She seems a little angry.

Li Zhi didn't even look up, only smiled and said, "Miss Lin, why don't you sit down and have a cup of tea?"

"No need." Lin Yueyin still didn't appear. "Just ask whatever you want."

"You heard what Qu Hongxiao said just now, right?" Li Zhi closed the "Breaking Army Spear Technique" and placed it on the table. "Take a look at this book. Is it genuine? Is the Empress really that kind of person?"

"I don't know," Lin Yueyin said indifferently. "The Broken Army Spear is passed down from father to son, not to daughter."

Li Zhi was speechless and sighed inwardly. It seemed that Qu Hongxiao was telling the truth; the Empress was truly magnanimous.

It is at least larger than that of the Duke of He.