Within the deep mountains and dense forests of the Wei Kingdom, in a nameless cave.
Ding Yun was nestled in the embrace of a black bear, its head all bruised from being beaten by her. She stroked the little black bear while contemplating.
Contemplating what to do next.
"Tsk, I really am not suited for any kind of scheming and plotting, especially after gaining invincibility and immense strength. My brain barely wants to function anymore.
No wonder many powerful individuals are mere brutes.
Why bother scheming against people or factions that can be crushed with a single palm strike? Only those with insufficient strength, unable to suppress everything, resort to schemes and underhanded tactics.
Forget it, since it's come to this, why not abandon any thought of reputation? Do whatever I want, it saves me from racking my brains here."
"That's right, I'll do it. What's the point of overthinking? I'll go back directly, kill Zhao Jun, and then ascend the throne on the spot. Those who don't support me will be crushed. Even if there are some stubborn individuals, they can't all be stubborn.
As for being called cruel or something.
So be it if I'm called cruel.
As long as I achieve my goal!
Besides, people here are quite superstitious. At worst, I can spend more points on delicious food later, acquire a temporary 'magpie's tongue' or something, and stage an auspicious omen during my coronation or celestial sacrifice. My reputation will be turned around in no time.
If all else fails, I'll establish my own newspaper to whitewash myself. Hmm, thinking about it this way, it seems more straightforward and efficient!"
After muttering for a while, Ding Yun looked at the little black bear, which was now covered in lumps and behaving impeccably, not even daring to move lest she hit it again. She immediately felt that sometimes, simplicity and directness could indeed be effective.
This black bear became obedient after a beating.
When it comes to humans, how many would truly prefer death over submission?
Most importantly, even if they harbored intentions to poison her later or plot other ways to deal with Ding Yun, she wouldn't fear them. She wouldn't have to worry about being poisoned or assassinated.
On the contrary, the moment they attempted any such act.
Ding Yun would immediately kill them.
Over time, she imagined that some people would learn their lesson like the black bear and become domesticated.
They would not dare to harbor any other thoughts, only obedience.
With this realization, Ding Yun immediately returned the little black bear to the big black bear, along with the cave she had occupied. She then picked up her belongings and left.
Leaving the Wei Kingdom, she headed straight for the Zhao Kingdom.
However, this time she didn't travel fast; in fact, she could be described as slow. Firstly, she wasn't in a hurry. Killing Zhao Jun a few days earlier or later made no difference to her. Secondly, she wanted to take the opportunity to sample the local delicacies along the way.
To accumulate some points for herself.
These might come in handy during her coronation or celestial sacrifice.
And thirdly, she wanted to deal with the local tyrants, oppressive gentry, ruthless bandits, corrupt officials, and wicked powerful clans along the way.
By cleaning up the Zhao Kingdom in this manner.
When she eventually ascended the throne, most of the common people would surely cheer and support her, rather than resist.
Wouldn't this also facilitate her future rule?
Ding Yun thought so, and she acted accordingly.
Consequently, those who became Ding Yun's targets learned what misery was, what it meant to regret their actions, and that regret was now useless.
Upon arriving at each location, Ding Yun would first disguise herself and sample the local delicacies. Only then would she, based on the genuine feedback from the common people overheard while enjoying the food, selectively begin to eradicate the "cancerous growths."
The process was not troublesome at all, nor did she need to ponder this or that, or sneak around at night. Ding Yun simply barged in and acted decisively.
She would kill gods and buddhas alike.
After completing her task, she would leave behind the inscription "Zhao Ping'an eradicated evil here" and then drift off to the next destination.
While she was clearing out one or two places, the impact was not significant. However, as she cleared more and more locations, her reputation quickly spread. The common people who had been persecuted by local villains dreamt of Princess Anping arriving quickly.
As for those who persecuted the common people and were targets of Ding Yun's purge, they were terrified.
Some, knowing their heinous crimes and that their lives would be forfeit upon Princess Anping's arrival, were already busy packing their belongings, preparing to flee at any moment.
Some local officials who bled the people dry.
Even fled their posts in terror.
Some fled to larger cities, to places where they were unknown, others ran to smaller towns, and some even went abroad, seeking refuge in other countries first.
Ding Yun was truly powerless to prevent this.
After all, she was only one person.
So, she could only temporarily let go of those who were quick on their feet. It wouldn't be too late to settle accounts with them after her coronation.
However, regardless, most people, especially those whose assets were tied to their land, clung to a glimmer of hope and did not leave their hometowns.
And naturally, the deserving ones could not escape.
It could be said that Ding Yun alone.
Was more effective than many imperial envoys.
...
As the news spread.
The one most fearful was actually Zhao Jun.
Wealthy merchants could still flee, pack up their belongings, or even move abroad. Officials could resign. But how could he, the Emperor, resign or move abroad?
Most importantly, he didn't know if this Princess Anping was still his daughter, nor did he know what she intended to do, or if she would make a move against him. How could he not feel anxious?
Moreover, even if his daughter didn't make a move against him.
Her current actions were hardly those of a benevolent person.
When she entered the capital, should he acknowledge her or not? Should he pretend ignorance and take no action, or follow the advice of his officials and persuade his daughter to cease her actions?
Or perhaps find a way to punish and eliminate her?
The last person who tried to embarrass Anping. Not only was his grave now covered in three feet of grass, but his mother, wife, concubines, and children's graves were also three to four feet high with grass.
But if he couldn't stop her.
The officials and nobles would likely not let the matter rest.
In short, Zhao Jun was in a terrible predicament. He had no idea how to deal with this individual who might or might not be his daughter. If he could deal with her, it would be simpler; he could simply declare her a demon and send people to surround and eliminate her.
But the crucial point was, he wasn't confident he could handle her.
If he failed and she stormed the palace, wouldn't his own life be in danger? It was difficult, so difficult!
He should not have sent her for a political marriage.
No, he shouldn't have had her in the first place.
He shouldn't have even married that eldest daughter of the Qi family.
After much anxiety and deliberation, without finding a solution, Zhao Jun reluctantly summoned his trusted officials and nobles to a small meeting to discuss what to do!