ATPnovel Chapter 1363: 55: What a Pity
Chapter 1363: 55: What a Pity
Chapter 1363: Chapter 55: What a PityEven with Zhongxuan Sheng’s countless obstructions, the investigation into Green Sheep Town was ultimately confirmed.
Leading the team for the personal inspection were Fourth Grade Ministry of Personnel Deputy Director Zhang Weiyu and Fourth Grade Green Badge Constable Ma Xiong.
Ma Xiong was assigned by the Imperial City Inspection Mansion as the accompanying Green Badge, which was customary practice.
As for Zhang Weiyu, he was truly extraordinary.
Under Qi Country’s Political Affairs Hall, the Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Revenue, and Ministry of Personnel were responsible for ceremony, economy, and governance, respectively.
Although all state decrees originated from the Political Affairs Hall, these three ministries carried out specific administrative duties and wielded significant authority.
State diplomacy and grand rituals were managed by the Ministry of Rites, while trade organizations like the Four Seas Business Alliance and De Sheng Trading Company first paid their respects to the Ministry of Revenue. As for the Ministry of Personnel, though it lacked the power to appoint or dismiss officials, it oversaw the evaluations of all officials in the realm. Its importance was self-evident.
As for Zhang Weiyu personally, in terms of cultivation, he was at the Outer Tower Summit. In terms of career, in every position he held, the results he delivered could be described as impeccable.
Climbing higher in terms of connections, he belonged to the faction of Minister Chen Fu, one of the Imperial Court Advisers.
In Qi Country, the nine Imperial Court Advisers and the nine Commanders of the Martial Affairs Hall were the highest representatives of power under the Son of Heaven. Each held immense sway.
Zhang Weiyu’s background, ability, and cultivation were all impeccable, making him every bit a match for Zhongxuan Sheng.
It was his insistence on thoroughly investigating Jiang Wang that even Zhongxuan Sheng could not resist.
He and Jiang Wang had no prior interactions, nor did he have much contact with the recently rising Zhongxuan Sheng over the past two years. As for grievances, there truly were none.
There was also no accumulated discord such as that between the Bao family and the Zhongxuan family.
Though Minister Chen Fu and the Marquis of Ding Yuan, Zhongxuan Chuliang, had differing political views, they were far from being political enemies.
Thus, personal vendettas were out of the question.
But to claim it was purely for public righteousness? That wasn’t entirely plausible either.
“What is this Zhang Weiyu up to?”
In a private teahouse often used by Zhongxuan Sheng for gatherings, Li Longchuan, his forehead tied with a jade belt, asked with a frown.
Shisi stood silently to the side while Zhongxuan Sheng, smiling cheerfully, poured tea for everyone and said nothing.
Sitting at the southern end, Yan Fu softly remarked, “Before this incident, we all knew that His Majesty intended to assign Jiang Wang a substantial role. In your view, across Qi Country, which position would suit Jiang Wang best?”
Li Longchuan, naturally gifted and exceptionally skilled in both military affairs and political strategy, had to admit that although Qi Country had sprawling territories, with troops stationed even overseas and beyond the Gate of All Demons… determining the single most suitable position for Jiang Wang required some consideration.
Yan Fu, not one for teasing like Zhongxuan Sheng, saw Li Longchuan pondering and directly answered, “Naturally, the Beiyar Commander.”
Li Longchuan’s eyes lit up: “Of course!”
The Beiyar Commander, in rank, was merely Fourth Grade. However, in terms of authority, it was among the most significant positions in Linzi, second only to the Political Affairs Hall and the Military Affairs Hall.
And although Jiang Wang’s cultivation was only at the Inner Mansion level, as the world’s foremost in that realm, he carried immense weight. Furthermore, already holding the Fourth Grade Green Badge and being a Third Grade Golden Melon Samurai, he undoubtedly qualified for the Beiyar Commander role!
Qi Country was vast, but finding a better or more fitting position for Jiang Wang at his level was indeed a challenge.
Moreover, this role required absolute trust from His Majesty.
If Jiang Wang were to secure this position, the current rumors and public scrutiny would no longer matter. Future entry into the Military Affairs Hall or the Political Affairs Hall would be an open path.
Furthermore, historically, the appointment of Beiyar Commanders always required joint nominations by the outgoing commander and the Political Affairs Hall, followed by personal selection by His Majesty. The outgoing commander’s opinion carried great weight.
And who was the current Beiyar Commander?
Zheng Shi!
Zheng Shi had served as Beiyar Commander for many years and still enjoyed His Majesty’s trust. While he could continue suppressing his cultivation and holding onto this authority, the optimal choice for him would be different.
It must be noted that prior to the God Descending Realm, a Transcendent Cultivator’s strength would wane with age. If Zheng Shi remained the Beiyar Commander past his prime without breaking through to the God Descending Realm, it would only hinder his own progress.
Additionally, Zheng Shi’s son, Zheng Shangming, was currently advancing within the Green Plate System.
However, it would be nearly impossible for Zheng Shi to directly pass the Beiyar Commander position onto Zheng Shangming; this would not sit well with the Political Affairs Hall. On the other hand, Jiang Wang, who shared a good relationship with Zheng Shangming, was the ideal candidate!
With Jiang Wang’s immense talent, even the considerable power of the Beiyar Commander role would not lead him to suppress his cultivation for long.
In other words, Jiang Wang would not occupy the role for an extended period.
If Zheng Shi were to pave the way for Jiang Wang now, when Jiang Wang ultimately ascended to the God Descending Realm and vacated the position, Zheng Shangming could seamlessly step into the role. Would that not be the perfect outcome?
Once Yan Fu highlighted the suitability of the Beiyar Commander position, Li Longchuan quickly grasped the logic and couldn’t resist asking Zhongxuan Sheng: “Is Commander Zheng considering stepping down? And does Jiang Wang himself want this position?”
The Beiyar Commander role carried too much gravity!
Even as the direct scion of the Shimen Li Clan, Li Longchuan could not overlook it.
“If Commander Zheng has no such intention, discussing this would only create unnecessary enmity, mistaking a friend for a foe,” Zhongxuan Sheng chuckled. “From Commander Zheng’s perspective, stepping away from these shackles now to advance further is an excellent choice. He’s already hinted at this through certain actions to pave the way for Jiang Wang. It’s just that Jiang Wang, that blockhead, hasn’t realized it yet. I’ve not had the chance to tell him either.”
“Alas.” Li Longchuan sighed. “What a pity.”
Jiang Wang’s disappearance had now cost him the opportunity to claim such a crucial position as Beiyar Commander—a loss that could not be understated.
Attaining the Third Grade Golden Melon Samurai title could be considered an entry into Qi Country’s elite. However, it carried symbolic weight more than actual power. Being appointed Beiyar Commander would be an entirely different story. It would, without exaggeration, place him at the heart of Qi Country’s power structure!
This was a monumental step forward!
Endowed with the Son of Heaven’s favor, Zheng Shi’s support, and a strong reputation, all the conditions were in place. Yet Jiang Wang, at this critical juncture, found himself embroiled in such a predicament.
It was indeed a profound pity.
Yan Fu softly remarked, “You see it as a pity, but for others, it’s a cause for celebration. And therein lies the problem.”
At this point, Li Longchuan naturally grasped why Zhang Weiyu had stepped forward.
The Ministry of Personnel Deputy Director Zhang Weiyu, with a Fourth Grade rank, Outer Tower Summit cultivation, an impeccable record, and deep connections, was likewise an ideal candidate for the Beiyar Commander role!
But there was only one position. With Jiang Wang out of the way, who could step up?
While there was no prior animosity, when it came to competing for a position like this, turning from strangers to rivals, or even enemies, was not uncommon.
The importance of the Beiyar Commander position was such that even those backing Zhang Weiyu, including Minister Chen Fu, would not take it lightly.
No wonder Zhongxuan Sheng had obstructed the investigation into Green Sheep Town under the guise of preserving Jiang Wang’s dignity as a genius, yet ultimately couldn’t stop the action.
In the face of such a promising opportunity, Zhang Weiyu undoubtedly had to employ every strategy at his disposal.
Li Longchuan thought for a moment before he couldn’t suppress the question: “Zhongxuan Brother, if they are determined to investigate Green Sheep Town, and you’re so vehemently opposed, is there truly something wrong there?”
Zhongxuan Sheng looked at him with a half-smile and replied, “With Jiang Wang currently abroad, his reputation is up for grabs. Anyone can paint a portrait as they like. What do you think, Brother Li?”
Both Zhongxuan Sheng and Li Longchuan were loyal friends willing to stand by Jiang Wang in times of trouble.
Yet the two were different.
Though both were from military clans with aristocratic roots as hereditary marquises’ direct descendants, their loyalties to the country and the Son of Heaven diverged.
For instance, when Jiang Wang helped Yin Guan sneak into Linzi to repay a debt of gratitude, Zhongxuan Sheng not only resolved the matter smoothly but also used it to pass some trouble onto Zhongxuan Zun.
If Li Longchuan had known about this at the time, he would have stopped Jiang Wang without hesitation.
In this world, everyone had their own perspective, life, and aspirations.
No matter how close the friendship, there could not always be complete alignment.
Seeking common ground while setting aside differences was indeed a universal truth, but some “differences” were irreconcilable. Even the best of friends might find themselves parting ways under such circumstances.
Zhongxuan Sheng didn’t answer Li Longchuan’s question directly but instead asked whether he would choose to unconditionally trust Jiang Wang.
Li Longchuan had his own principles. He was willing to trust Jiang Wang and had proven so numerous times before… but not unreservedly.
After Zhongxuan Sheng posed his question, the atmosphere in the tea chamber grew heavy.
“Speaking of which…” Yan Fu broke the silence. “Where is Jiang Wang now?”
Zhongxuan Sheng withdrew his gaze, smiling warmly as he replied, “I told him not to return for now—just to roam and enjoy the sights!”
“So it seems Zhongxuan Brother is already prepared. In that case, I can rest assured.”
Yan Fu smiled, stood up, and said, “Miss Wen is still waiting for me to take her out on the lake, so I’ll take my leave.”
He turned to Li Longchuan: “What about you, Brother Li?”
Li Longchuan nodded slightly as he rose. “Since there’s nothing else, I should be heading back as well. My elder sister has been on my case lately.”
Yan Fu was already halfway out the door but turned back to smile at Zhongxuan Sheng: “Tell Jiang Qingyang to enjoy himself, spend freely, and send me the bill when he returns!”