Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 10: Chapter 9 Director

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Chu Zhiyuan was walking halfway when Feng Xi suddenly appeared.

”Heir, a Grandmaster has appeared,” Feng Xi said softly. ”I took the liberty to have the three of them withdraw.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded: ”Hmm, old Feng, you did the right thing, a Grandmaster...”

The destructive power of a Grandmaster is astounding, far beyond ordinary comprehension. The Grandmasters of the Prince Mansion could only mobilize the three before them; others had their own duties and could not be moved.

When it involves Grandmasters, one must exercise utmost caution.

When an Innate Master encounters a Grandmaster, there is almost no power to resist. The suppression of realms is no exaggeration; it is an iron law proven by countless bloodshed.

To be safe, one must seek external assistance.

The Grandmaster Mansion or the Military Suppression Department?

The Grandmaster Mansion is specifically responsible for the affairs of royal princes and grandchildren, from the smallest matters like clothing and food to life and death, all under its control.

The Prince Qing Mansion, regardless of its decline, is still a Prince Mansion. As long as one speaks, the Grandmaster Mansion will increase its guards and even mobilize Grandmasters from the Grandmaster Mansion.

And the Military Suppression Department, too, has the duty to protect the Imperial Family. It just requires sending someone to speak, and they will dispatch reinforcements of masters.

Should I choose the Grandmaster Mansion or the Military Suppression Department, or both?

Chu Zhiyuan thought for a moment, ”Alright, I’ll write to the Military Suppression Department for help. Who should I seek?”

Feng Xi said, ”For the Military Suppression Department, directly go to the Director of the Central Office?... Below the Director of the Military Suppression Department are five directors; the Directors of the Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest are outside the capital, while the Director of the Central Office is stationed in Yujing. It should be correct to find the Director of the Central Office.”

”Then let’s find the Director of the Central Office, he won’t shut the door on me, right?”

”Does the Heir know this Director of the Central Office?”

”How could I know him?” Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, ”Besides, he may not even want to know me.”

Guo Chi snorted, ”Young Master, the Military Suppression Department indeed grows increasingly arrogant, lacking respect and hierarchy!”

Feng Xi nodded slightly, ”With so many masters at their beck and call, they naturally have full confidence.”

Guo Chi huffed in dissatisfaction, ”They belong to the Court, the masters belong to the Court. Everything they have is given by the Court.”

”That may not be the case,” Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, shaking his head, ”They believe their positions are earned by themselves.”

The Military Suppression Department holds a uniquely independent position, directly under the Emperor, truly the emperor’s harbinger.

The Court has no power to interfere with the promotions or appointments within the Military Suppression Department.

The Emperor appoints the Director, but the positions of the five directors and those below them are all earned by personal skills and merits.

A few months ago, while studying the Military Suppression Department, Chu Zhiyuan marveled at the founding Emperor of the Da Jing Dynasty, wondering if this confidence was too high, not fearing backlash?

He guessed that the founding Emperor kept the Military Suppression Department relatively independent, serving as a motivation for future emperors as well as a protection for the Military Suppression Department.

The Director of the Military Suppression Department is crucial. He must be someone whom the Court absolutely trusts and can sufficiently control the Military Suppression Department, preventing it from being hollowed out.

The Director of the Military Suppression Department usually is a Great Grandmaster deeply trusted by the Emperor.

Yet, the position of the Director of the Military Suppression Department has been vacant for ten years; the previous Director set off ten years ago to the Four Grown Heavens in search of a Breakthrough Method.

Without a Director to press down, the five directors have separately conducted their affairs, reporting directly to the Emperor, effectively elevating their power by another level.

Thinking of this, he shook his head.

This could very well be a move of decentralization, indicating that his Imperial Grandfather was a suspicious person, not trusting anyone to act as this Director.

——

Before dinner, Chu Zhiyuan went to his study to write a letter, and handed it to Feng Xi.

When Feng Xi returned, Chu Zhiyuan had finished dinner and was playing the zither on the lake in the back garden.

The surface of the lake slightly rippled, shining bright and heavy.

The moon in the water seemed to move constantly.

In the small pavilion at the heart of the lake, the lights were brilliantly bright.

The sound of the zither floated far across the lake.

Chu Zhiyuan sat cross-legged in front of the zither, eyes slightly closed, gently plucking the strings.

Zou Fang, dressed in a blue robe and holding a White Jade Dust Brush, stood at the entrance of the small pavilion, motionless like a stake, blending into the pavilion and unnoticed.

Two beautiful maids in colorful dresses sat by Chu Zhiyuan’s side, their graceful figures exuding a subtle fragrance.

Their bright, intelligent eyes sparkled, and delicate fingers would either pick a snack to feed into his mouth or a grape.

Chu Zhiyuan had learned the zither since childhood from Princess Ning Baishuang, and his zither skills had become profound, allowing him to adjust his mind by playing the zither.

The heartstrings are like the zither strings, requiring tension and relaxation adjustments, and adjusting the heartstrings by playing the zither is both a wonderful and a quick method.

He wanted to calm his mental state.

The Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique suppressed all the Princes and Heirs. No matter how he feigned calmness, it was hard to avoid the excitement and pride seeping from within.

Moreover, during dinner, his mother Bai Ningshuang had a radiant expression, his younger sister Chu Yi was beaming with joy, and even Chu Minghou, who usually didn’t care about matters, was in high spirits.

The events of the afternoon competition in Mingwu Hall spread rapidly across the mansions like wildfire, reaching Bai Ningshuang who was chatting at Princess Lounge.

This made them feel proud and elated.

Chu Zhiyuan was also influenced, yet he knew he mustn’t become complacent. The heart must still continue to delve deeply into dedicated cultivation and prudent reflection.

As the sound of the zither lingered, Feng Xi appeared outside the small pavilion.

”Zheng——!”

Chu Zhiyuan pressed the zither strings, abruptly stopping the melody.

Feng Xi stepped into the pavilion, bowing respectfully, ”Heir.”

”How did it go?” Chu Zhiyuan asked.

Feng Xi shook his head helplessly, ”I couldn’t meet the Director of the Central Office.”

”Hmm—?”

”I was blocked by the guards outside, who said the Director of the Central Office was busy, and any visitation requires scheduling beforehand unless it’s a highly urgent matter, otherwise he wouldn’t meet anyone.” Feng Xi said, ”I have already handed the letter over.”

”Then let’s wait.”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

This is why the princes and heirs of the Da Jing Dynasty cannot just be wealthy idlers.

Even as a prince, if lacking in power and influence, one still has to suffer grievances and humiliation, neither carefree nor at ease.

The Military Suppression Department has the duty to protect the Imperial Family’s safety, yet now even a single director could adopt such an attitude towards an heir.

Would it be better with the Grandmaster Mansion?

But choosing the Grandmaster Mansion might involve too much, possibly alerting the entire Imperial Family.

More importantly, the Grandmaster Mansion operates differently from the Military Suppression Department; it would merely send guards, while the Military Suppression Department would thoroughly investigate the matter.

Cho Zhiyuan quickly set aside these thoughts and asked, ”What about their characters?”

Feng Xi sighed, ”They are full of bad habits, having become old-time stalwarts.”

”Have Liang Guanjie come.”

”Yes.”

Feng Xi exited the pavilion.

Chu Zhiyuan pushed aside the zither, got up, and stood in front of the railing, looking up at the bright moon in the night sky.

The stars were sparse around the bright moon.

A cold breeze blew, but the felt curtain hanging on the north side of the pavilion blocked it, preventing it from entering the pavilion.

The two maids obediently closed their mouths, standing quietly aside, their bright eyes gazing at him like water.

Zou Fang remained silently standing at the entrance of the pavilion.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at the bright moon, his thoughts swirling.

Finally, he shook his head.

He lacked strong cultivation, the Prince Mansion’s strength wasn’t formidable, and his position wasn’t high; relying on others’ power was truly awkward.

Riding on others’ influence would never be as good as one’s own strength; diligent cultivation was necessary indeed.

...

Liang Guanjie came striding through the corridor, entering the small pavilion with a bow and salute, ”Young Master.”

”Old Liang, how is it?”

”The Tenth Prince and the Thirteenth Prince’s heirs don’t have any people trailing them.”

”None...” Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

That meant the target was only himself.

Were they enemies of the Imperial Family or enemies of the Prince Qing Mansion?

”... Do your three friends have many small problems, can you manage them?”

”Absolutely no problem!” Liang Guanjie patted his chest without hesitation.

”Won’t be restrained by personal feelings?”

Liang Guanjie grinned, ”Heir can be absolutely confident, when I was in the Eagle Battalion I could manage them, now as well. Dealing with them is just a piece of cake.”

”Then assign them to you.” Chu Zhiyuan patted the railing, ”The four of you will specialize in trailing from the shadows, not included in the routine patrols.”

”Thank you, Young Master!” Liang Guanjie was overjoyed.

This signified a rise in status.

Finally, he could fully utilize his skills.

Having been like a regular guard on patrol was exceedingly stifling; only in the shadows did he feel at ease, truly able to express his strength.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If they stir up trouble, I will hold you accountable!”

”Yes!” Liang Guanjie nodded solemnly.

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand.

After Liang Guanjie bowed and took his leave, Chu Zhiyuan leaned against the railing and raised his head to appreciate the moonlight.

A dark cloud was drifting toward the bright moon.

After a while, Chu Zhiyuan turned and left the pavilion.

Zou Fang held a lantern up front to lead the way, while the two maids followed behind him as they returned to the Listening Waves Court.

Back in the courtyard, Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, letting Zou Fang rest and not attend to him.

Zou Fang respectfully withdrew.

Chu Zhiyuan began to practice his skills.

Time waits for no one; the current situation made him extremely uncomfortable, and the only way to break free was to improve his cultivation—how could he slack off?

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