Less than two months?
The Golden Gong bearers silently exchanged glances, secretly guessing the meaning behind these words—less than two months!
It was some kind of time limit or period.
However, what “less than two months” represented was the crucial point.
The Golden Gong bearers signaled each other with their eyes, urging someone to ask, but they also knew that Sir Wei was in a bad mood. No one dared to provoke him. If it was an extremely bad matter, wouldn’t it just give Sir Wei an outlet to vent?
Being transferred to the border with one official document would be comfortable…
Wei Yuan recalled his years of martial arts cultivation. Even he, praised by the Director as the most promising talent in five hundred years of Great Daqi to reach the first grade, had taken three and a half months to cross from the Qi Refining realm to the Spirit Refining realm.
Xu Qi An, who had accomplished this feat in less than two months, had talent even stronger than he had anticipated. Previously, Wei Yuan had admired Xu Qi An for his temperament.
Temperament was also a kind of talent.
As for Xu Qi An’s cultivation speed, Wei Yuan had already been impressed when he heard that Xu Qi An had filled his middle dantian with qi.
He had thought that by late spring next year, this youngster would be able to advance to the Spirit Refining realm. Advancing one grade in five months was the level of talent of a Golden Gong bearer.
Coupled with his innate temperament suitable for the path of a warrior, he might become a second King of the North in the future—a third-grade warrior.
Who would have thought that Xu Qi An’s talent was even more powerful than he had anticipated?
Most importantly, Xu Qi An had unknowingly accomplished something that could be called shocking to the world:
Dual visualization in the Qi Refining realm.
The Lion’s Roar of the Buddhist sect was an ultimate skill, but it needed to be paired with a visualization diagram. This kind of diagram was far from comparable to a true visualization diagram, after all, the Golden Lion Roar diagram was only an aid to the “Lion’s Roar” ultimate skill.
It was part of the ultimate skill’s supporting system.
But even so, for Xu Qi An to achieve dual visualization in the Qi Refining realm was still shocking to the world.
Wei Yuan, with his vast knowledge, quickly thought of three possibilities:
First, dual souls in one body.
There were many records in the Western Buddhist countries of high monks who, after attaining enlightenment and passing away, would be reborn in the body of a child. Not only would they have complete memories, but they would also be naturally proficient in Buddhist teachings.
This was because the remnant soul of the high monk merged with the newly born child. Such primordial spirits were inherently stronger than ordinary people, with many miraculous aspects. They could achieve dual visualization even at a low level because their primordial spirits were not weak.
Second, those with great fortune.
Such people were extremely rare, but anyone with great fortune was a powerful figure renowned in their field. Like the Dao Leader of the Dao School, the Director of the Sky Watching Bureau, the Witch God of the Witch-God Cult, and so on.
Third, those blessed by senior experts.
There was not much to say about such people. They were heaven’s favorites, different from ordinary people from the start.
“Ahem…” South Palace Qianrou cleared his throat.
He was the representative pushed out by the Golden Gong bearers. Yang Yan wasn’t present, and among Sir Wei’s adopted children, only he was here. They thought Sir Wei wouldn’t bear to send his adopted son to the border.
“Father, is there anything this child can do for you?” South Palace Qianrou asked, steeling himself.
Wei Yuan glanced at him, closed the report, poured himself a cup of tea, and said in a leisurely tone, “It’s nothing, just a small matter.”
A small matter? You almost couldn’t control your expression just now… The Golden Gong bearers complained inwardly.
Then, they noticed a change in Wei Yuan’s mood. Although he still maintained a calm demeanor, earlier it had been the calm before a storm, but now it was like warm sunshine and a gentle breeze.
It seems the confidential letter contained good news… What exactly did it say? South Palace Qianrou curiously asked, “Father, what did the letter say?”
Wei Yuan smiled genuinely, “Xu Qi An is attempting to break through to the Spirit Refining realm. The letter was sent by Jiang Lüzhong from the border of Yunzhou. By now, he should have successfully advanced to the Spirit Refining realm.”
Wei Yuan didn’t reveal the matter of dual visualization.
Impossible… South Palace Qianrou almost cried out.
When Xu Qi An had just joined the Night Watchmen, he had successfully caught Father’s attention during the test at the Gate of Sincerity. At that time, he and Yang Yan were right beside him.
It could be said that South Palace Qianrou had watched Xu Qi An grow all the way, and knew his background best.
When this person became a Night Watchman, he was still at the peak of the Physical Refining realm, a weak existence that South Palace Qianrou thought could be killed with a single breath.
Although Father had said this youth had great potential, and South Palace Qianrou agreed, he still couldn’t accept it.
In less than two months, a ninth-grade Physical Refining realm had become a seventh-grade Spirit Refining realm. He had already reached the minimum standard for a Silver Gong bearer.
“If Yang Yan were here, his mouth would be split to his ears…” South Palace Qianrou thought sourly.
Zhang Kaitai, who had condensed sword intent, was equally sour. He had previously thought about recruiting Xu Qi An under his command and had even thought of methods—money and seduction.
Out of consideration for his dignity as a Golden Gong bearer, he hadn’t dared to implement them.
“Is this Xu Qi An’s talent so exceptional? Given time, our office might have another Golden Gong bearer.”
“It’s good, it’s good that he didn’t perish in that matter with the Zhu family.”
The Golden Gong bearers present, besides being shocked, couldn’t hide their joy.
If the Night Watchmen’s Office had another fourth-grade warrior, their overall influence and strength would rise to another level.
High-grade warriors were hard to come by, and those cultivated by one’s forces were even rarer.
Among those present, except for South Palace Qianrou the sour lemon, the other Golden Gong bearers mostly felt sighs and emotion about this matter.
This was the benefit of having a good reputation. When someone with more integrity than most Night Watchmen became a high-grade warrior, people were more willing to accept it.
If a sinister person advanced to a high grade, they would unconsciously be wary. But there was no need for this with Xu Qi An. He could slash a superior with a sword for an unrelated girl, which, from another perspective, was protecting his inner bottom line.
If this continues, Father will probably adopt him as a son… Yang Yan is a silent bottle gourd, he won’t compete with me for favor, but that annoying Xu Qi An is very slick… South Palace Qianrou thought sourly.
Wei Yuan glanced at the water clock in the corner and waved his hand, “You may withdraw. I don’t want to see similar mistakes again. Qianrou, go prepare the carriage, accompany me to the palace.”
In another half hour, it would be time for the small court session.
Emperor Yuanjing didn’t hold morning court because it conflicted with his time for sitting in meditation and comprehending the Dao. He only held small court sessions occasionally, but not frequently.
The last small court session was four days ago.
…
The wheels of the carriage rolled over the streets paved with blue flagstones. South Palace Qianrou pulled hard on the reins, and the carriage stopped at the palace gate.
He took down the small stool hanging under the carriage board, welcomed Wei Yuan down from the carriage, handed the reins to the Jin Wu Guard guarding the city, and followed the figure in the big green robe.
In the Imperial Study, Emperor Yuanjing, his black hair regrown, sat on a gilt chair, swept his gaze over the assembled ministers, and said in a voice devoid of emotion:
“The memorial sent back by the Yuzhou Administrative Commissioner has been copied by the Inner Cabinet and sent to all of you beloved ministers. I want to know your thoughts.”
The Minister of Revenue was the first to step forward and said loudly, “This minister believes that this is just an isolated case in Yuzhou. Zhang Xingying’s claim that there are spies in the canal transportation offices of all states of Great Daqi is completely unfounded.”
The Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Works echoed, “What Zhang Xingying said lacks evidence and is not credible. We only need to thoroughly investigate the canal transportation office in Yuzhou.”
Several other officials stood up to agree, their attitude very clear: do not investigate the canal transportation offices.
The two words “canal transportation” have been troublesome since ancient times. The interest groups it involves are too vast, from the capital to the localities, from the imperial court to the common people, it’s complex and intricate. Too many people are involved.
Emperor Yuanjing looked towards the current Prime Minister, “What does Minister Wang think?”
The Prime Minister bowed, “This minister believes that thoroughly investigating the Yuzhou canal transportation office is sufficient.”
“Wei Yuan, what’s your opinion?” Emperor Yuanjing looked towards the big green robe.
“This minister agrees with the Prime Minister,” Wei Yuan replied.
The officials withdrew their gazes from Wei Yuan.
Prime Minister Wang turned his head and glanced at Wei Yuan, with both tacit understanding and some disappointment. At this crucial time of the imperial examination, whoever dared to propose thoroughly investigating the canal transportation offices would be cutting themselves off from the Great Daqi official circles.
The two old rivals wouldn’t make such a low-level mistake, but each hoped the other would.
Emperor Yuanjing nodded, his gaze deep and inscrutable, showing no joy or anger. He continued:
“A memorial sent back by the Qingzhou Administrative Commissioner states that Yang Gong has erected warning steles in various major offices in Qingzhou. The inscription on the stele reads: ‘You eat, you toil, the fat and marrow of the people. The lower people are easy to oppress, but Heaven is hard to deceive.’
“The Qingzhou Administrative Commission believes that this poem is ear-splitting and eye-opening, with the effect of warning all officials. They suggest that the court order all states to follow suit and erect warning steles.
“What do you beloved ministers think?”
In the Imperial Study, the assembled ministers began to stir, whispering to each other.
“Excellent poem, excellent poem!” A Supervising Secretary stepped forward excitedly, shouting, “This poem is simply a stroke of genius, indescribably wonderful. This is the kind of poetry our Great Daqi should have, not ‘Faint fragrance drifts in the yellow dusk of the moon,’ or ‘A boat full of clear dreams presses down on the river of stars.’
“This minister’s blood is boiling. I implore Your Majesty to order all states to follow suit and erect warning steles in all major offices.”
This Supervising Secretary’s proposal gained the support of the assembled ministers. As it didn’t involve conflicts of interest or factional struggles, the ministers suddenly became light-hearted and brave in speaking up and expressing their own opinions.
However, not everyone held a supportive view. Some were unwilling to see Yang Gong gain fame, after all, this Qingzhou Administrative Commissioner was a scholar from the Cloud Deer Academy.
But more people hoped the court would do this. This way, when the news spread, it would benefit the court’s image in the hearts of the people, greatly adding to their reputation.
This was the same principle as scholars liking fame.
In recent years, from the common people to the gentry, from the masses to the local elites, criticisms have been incessant. The matter of erecting warning steles could regain some of the court’s reputation.
Prime Minister Wang stepped forward, “This minister proposes to follow the example of the Qingzhou Administrative Commission.”
Emperor Yuanjing had the same intention. Although he cultivated immortality, although he neglected state affairs, although he amassed wealth without restraint, he believed himself to be a good emperor.
“The reputation of Yang Gong as a great scholar is not unfounded. That this poem was born during my reign will surely go down in history. Not only will I have warning steles erected in the offices of all states, but I will also personally write them, and have my handwriting engraved for printing,” Emperor Yuanjing smiled.
“When Yang Gong passed the imperial examination years ago, his poetry was already outstanding in that session,” Prime Minister Wang also smiled.
Among those present, only Wei Yuan was bewildered for a while.
‘You eat, you toil, the fat and marrow of the people. The lower people are easy to oppress, but Heaven is hard to deceive’… Isn’t this the poem Xu Qi An wrote at the Gate of Sincerity that day?
How did it become Yang Gong’s?
Or was it originally Yang Gong’s poem, and Xu Qi An heard it from his cousin Xu Xinnian’s narration?
Wei Yuan quickly dismissed this guess. In terms of poetic talent, a hundred Yang Gongs couldn’t match one Xu Qi An.
This poem had only appeared recently, and the Inspector General’s team had traveled south, inevitably passing through Qingzhou. In other words, Xu Qi An had returned to Qingzhou, and this poem had been transmitted from Qingzhou.
After figuring this out, Wei Yuan frowned, feeling puzzled: “This poem was written by Xu Qi An. Why did His Majesty overlook it just now? Was it deliberate, or did the Qingzhou Administrative Commission intentionally omit Xu Qi An’s name?”
The memorial was sent back to the capital by the Qingzhou Administrative Commission. Such memorials were usually written by office clerks, as the Administrative Commissioner couldn’t possibly handle everything personally… So it was possible that the clerk, in order to please the Administrative Commissioner, deliberately overlooked the original author… When questioned, they could simply claim it was an oversight in writing the memorial.
“Once this matter is settled, Yang Gong’s reputation will spread with this poem. By then, even if Yang Gong explains afterward, whether the news can spread widely is one issue, and how much effect it will have is another issue.
“The literary fame that should belong to Xu Qi An, no one can take away… He’s still too high-profile, a bit too young.” Wei Yuan sighed inwardly, stepped forward, and said loudly:
“Your Majesty, please allow me to speak!”