Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 237: Chapter 234 Assistant Minister

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Chu Zhiyuan nimbly dodged aside.

”Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!”

Red light flashed, seemingly transforming into a sea of fire.

The Sword Gang of the Phoenix Cry Nine Heavens Technique instantly heated the surroundings.

Chu Zhiyuan’s figure floated gracefully, deftly evading.

He noticed her cultivation had increased significantly.

While he made progress, she hadn’t been idle.

In an enemy country, always engaged in various activities, yet she never stopped advancing her cultivation.

This Li Hongzhao was truly a formidable opponent.

Especially since she practiced the Phoenix Cry Nine Heavens Technique, which led directly to Great Grandmaster, making her an opponent among opponents.

Though his own advancement was unusually rapid, no one knew how long he’d be stuck at Grandmaster Perfection.

She might surpass him.

Whenever there’s an opportunity, he should strike to leave a psychological shadow for her, just like Cheng Tianfeng.

Chu Zhiyuan leisurely walked in her sword light, continuously shaking his head.

”This sword move won’t do.”

”Hmm, this one’s acceptable.”

”If slowed by a notch, its power would increase.”

”Your sword moves are too quick; it detracts from their original essence, and your timing is off.”

”Though your swordsmanship is good, your skill needs more practice.”

”Chu Zhiyuan, shut up!” Li Hongzhao suddenly withdrew her sword, angrily sheathed it, and glared at him.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, ”Others ask for my guidance but never have this opportunity, yet Your Highness doesn’t treasure it.”

”Who needs your guidance!” Li Hongzhao sneered.

Chu Zhiyuan seated himself and sipped tea lightly, ”Your Highness, ten Phoenix Immortal Pills to resolve a heart issue; isn’t that worth it?”

”Only five pills; if not acceptable, forget it!”

”Six pills! But how do you divide five pills? Three for my mother or three for my father?”

”...Four pills!”

”Six pills!”

”Fine, then six pills!” Li Hongzhao glared at him, ”Kill that fellow, and the Phoenix Immortal Pills are yours!”

”Alright.” Chu Zhiyuan reluctantly agreed, ”So, when do we act?”

”How about tomorrow?”

”At least wait two days; the Military Suppression Department needs to prepare.”

”Then the day after tomorrow at dawn!”

”Good.”

...

Listening Wave Courtyard

Chu Zhiyuan examined the courtyard center; apart from some fresh earth, there were no other traces.

Everything had returned to its original state, still the familiar Listening Wave Courtyard.

Thin strands of purple light continuously drizzled down like a persistent light rain.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

Mo Yi stood to the side and smiled, ”Princely Heir, how about it?”

The other three women crowded around.

Chu Zhiyuan approvingly patted her fragrant shoulder, then patted each of them, eliciting smiles from them all.

”Princely Heir, an Imperial Decree has arrived!” Feng Xi floated in.

Chu Zhiyuan raised his sword-like eyebrows and laughed, ”Then let’s go and see what grace the Imperial Grandfather has bestowed.”

Finally, the Emperor’s reward was coming!

He was filled with anticipation, striding forward energetically.

Because of Great Grandmaster Huang Cheng, Insight was hindered, so he couldn’t be bothered to check in advance.

Arriving at the front yard, Huang Cheng was drinking tea with Chu Minghou.

Bai Ningshuang hadn’t returned from the palace, and Chu Yi was busy in Wanqing Courtyard.

Upon seeing him arrive, Huang Cheng stood up and cupped his fists, ”Congratulations, Princely Heir.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Imperial Envoy Huang, what is the Imperial Grandfather’s decree?”

Huang Cheng took the Imperial Decree from a red-clothed middle-aged eunuch’s purple sandalwood tray, holding it with both hands to present it to Chu Zhiyuan, ”Princely Heir, I also don’t know.”

Chu Zhiyuan took it with both hands, opened it quickly, his face changed slightly, and looked at Chu Minghou.

Chu Minghou asked with a smile, ”Yuan’er, what is the decree from the Father Emperor?”

”Congratulations, Father.” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Father has been given a new position.”

”Me—?” Chu Minghou was taken aback.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Minister of Public Works Assistant Minister, Father will no longer enjoy leisure.”

The position of Minister of Public Works Assistant Minister makes one the first rank under the Chief of Staff, a high-ranking official.

From now on, the situation of Prince Qing Mansion will completely change.

This is a clear signal.

A signal that the Emperor no longer disdains us.

The difficulties faced by Prince Qing Mansion will dissipate, with people showing interest from now on.

It will no longer be a desolate place.

Chu Minghou’s character is loyal and emotional, with excellent relationships; if not for the Emperor’s attitude, it wouldn’t have been so deserted.

”This...” Chu Minghou hesitated.

He had long stayed within the mansion, focused on painting, completely uninterested in worldly affairs.

Suddenly taking up the role of Assistant Minister of Public Works felt like a tremendous burden.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Father, take the position and let the Left and Right Vice Ministers handle the duties. I’m holding the Left Vice Minister’s position, and I’m still quite leisurely.”

”...Alas, I’m not suited for this,” Chu Minghou said with a bitter smile, looking at Huang Cheng, ”Huang Cheng, tell the Father Emperor that I...”

”Father, if you want to speak, you should do it yourself with Imperial Grandfather, don’t trouble Imperial Envoy Huang.”

”I...” Chu Minghou was helpless, ”I cannot speak against the Father Emperor.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Then accept it first. If you can’t do it, we can talk about it later.”

First, resolve the mansion’s plight, then resign if necessary.

However, looking at the situation, Father can’t continue being idle.

Looking at those Princes and Heirs, it’s rare to find any who aren’t taking up duties.

Receiving the Court’s salary, they have to work diligently, as the Imperial Family doesn’t keep idlers.

In the Da Jing Dynasty, it’s not easy for the Imperial Family members to become wealthy idlers.

”Alas... it can only be so.” Chu Minghou sighed continuously.

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists to thank Huang Cheng.

Huang Cheng soon took his leave.

Chu Zhiyuan felt quite conflicted.

This reward truly couldn’t be easily described: generous it wasn’t, as it required nothing extraordinary.

But economical it was for Prince Qing Mansion, indeed more significant than any other reward.

A small price to achieve big results; one had to admire the Emperor’s stratagem.

...

After Bai Ningshuang returned to the mansion and heard the decree, her face lit up with joy.

Chu Yi felt that taking the position of Assistant Minister of Public Works was excellent, most suitable for Father; with mild responsibilities, it was leisurely and allowed for some laziness—most fitting indeed.

After some analysis and persuasion from the two women, Chu Minghou’s frown gradually eased.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Many officials in the Ministry of Industry are talented in painting; Father might find many colleagues proficient in art, thereby mutually beneficially enhancing each other’s skills.”

”That’s reasonable.” Chu Minghou laughed.

The family atmosphere was excellent, feeling as though they had finally weathered the storm to see the bright moon.

Chu Zhiyuan then mentioned his task to visit Taizhou the day after tomorrow.

Bai Ningshuang didn’t ask much, while Chu Yi was assured of him.

All thoughts seemed focused on the issue of the Assistant Minister of Public Works, contemplating what preparations were needed and when to attend court meetings.

Chu Zhiyuan was the Left Vice Minister but never attended morning meetings, as he was busy practicing in Mingwu Hall.

Chu Minghou, however, had to attend meetings.

With such visions of the future, there was a mix of nervous excitement and busyness.

———

The morning sun had just risen.

Golden rays shone upon the pine forest outside Taizhou City.

The snow-topped pines resembled countless soldiers with white hats, lined up in ranks.

In a clearing within the forest, over a hundred people stood solemnly in line.

Chu Zhiyuan saw that almost all the faces of these hundred people were unfamiliar.

This was different from the setup during the raid on the Yuding Sect, and there were fewer masters.

Taizhou City was different from Yujing; the evil sect practitioners coming here weren’t as powerful.

Moreover, it’s not feasible for one person to handle all good deeds; the Military Suppression Department had to share the responsibilities fairly.

Chu Zhiyuan had Huang Cheng by his side.

Li Hongzhao had Su Qiuyan by her side.

With these two Great Grandmasters present, no other Great Grandmasters needed to come.

This operation was initiated by Chu Zhiyuan.

The specific person in charge was Huang Shiron, the Hall Master of the West Second Hall.

She was the youngest Grandmaster, a True Disciple of the White Cloud Sword Palace, and the Hall Master of the West Second Hall, with enough position and prestige.

Chu Zhiyuan had completed his arrangements with Li Hongzhao, handing a series of maps to Huang Shiron.

The maps indicated the experts of each evil sect, how many there were, and their respective realms.

After looking at these maps, Chu Zhiyuan was astonished.

He had reviewed the Inspection Department’s intelligence on Taizhou after obtaining the maps; it wasn’t as detailed.

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