Chapter 1237: 可惜

Despite Chong Xuan Sheng's numerous obstacles, the search of Qingyang Town was finally confirmed.

Leading the investigation were Zhang Wei Yu, a fourth-rank official from the Ministry of Personnel, and Ma Xiong, a fourth-rank Azure Scale Constable.

Ma Xiong's presence was a standard practice, designated by the Capital Inspection Bureau.

However, Zhang Wei Yu was truly exceptional.

Under the State Affairs Hall of the Qi Kingdom, there were three ministries: Rites, Revenue, and Personnel, responsible for ceremonies, economics, and governance, respectively.

Although all political decrees originated from the State Affairs Hall, these three ministries, as the executing bodies of specific governmental affairs, held immense authority.

National affairs, diplomacy, grand ceremonies, and sacrifices were all overseen by the Ministry of Rites. Commercial guilds like the Four Seas Alliance and De Sheng Bank had to first visit the Ministry of Revenue. As for the Ministry of Personnel, while it lacked the power to appoint or remove officials, it was responsible for evaluating officials throughout the land. Its importance goes without saying.

Regarding Zhang Wei Yu personally, his cultivation was at the peak of the Outer Building realm. In terms of his career trajectory, he had delivered perfect answers in every position he held along the way.

Tracing his background further, this person belonged to the faction of Chen Fu, the Grand Imperial Advisor.

In the Qi Kingdom, the nine Grand Imperial Advisors and the nine commanders of the Nine Divisions in the Ministry of Military Affairs were the highest representatives of power below the Son of Heaven. Any one of them held significant sway.

Zhang Wei Yu lacked nothing in terms of background, ability, and cultivation. Such a figure was naturally unafraid of Chong Xuan Sheng in the slightest.

It was his strong demand for a thorough investigation of Jiang Wang that Chong Xuan Sheng couldn't block.

He had no prior contact with Jiang Wang, nor had he interacted much with Chong Xuan Sheng, who had only emerged in the past two years. To speak of conflict, there was none.

It wasn't like the Bao family and the Chong Xuan family, who had been at odds for years.

Although Grand Imperial Advisor Chen Fu and Marquis Dingyuan Chong Xuan Chu Liang held somewhat different political views, they hadn't reached the point of being political enemies.

So, personal vendettas were out of the question.

But to say it was entirely for the sake of public righteousness was also not necessarily true.

"What does this Zhang Wei Yu mean?"

In Chong Xuan Sheng's private teahouse, where they often gathered, Li Long Quan, his forehead bound with a jade sash, frowned and asked.

Shi Si stood silently to the side, while Chong Xuan Sheng chuckled and poured tea for them, not speaking.

Yan Fu, sitting at the southern end, gently pointed out, "Before this incident happened, we all knew that His Majesty intended to grant Jiang Wang a substantial position. Tell me, among all the positions in the Qi Kingdom, which one is best suited for Jiang Wang?"

Li Long Quan was intelligent, heroic, and possessed great insight into military affairs, and he was not lacking in political acumen. But the vast territory of the Qi Kingdom, controlling overseas territories, with troops stationed behind the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons... with countless positions, it was indeed not so easy to figure out which one was most suitable for Jiang Wang.

Yan Fu was not like Chong Xuan Sheng, who loved to keep people guessing. Seeing Li Long Quan pause, he said directly, "Naturally, it's the Commander of the Northern Army."

Li Long Quan's eyes lit up: "Ah, yes!"

The Commander of the Northern Army, in terms of rank, was only a fourth-rank position. But its authority was considerable in Linzi, almost second only to the State Affairs Hall and the Ministry of Military Affairs.

And although Jiang Wang only had Inner Mansion cultivation, this "number one Inner Mansion" held significant weight. Moreover, he was already a fourth-rank Azure Scale and a third-rank Golden Mace Warrior. He was truly qualified to be the Commander of the Northern Army!

Although the Qi Kingdom was vast, it was truly difficult to find a better or more suitable position for someone of Jiang Wang's caliber!

Furthermore, this position could only be held by a close confidant of the Son of Heaven.

If Jiang Wang could take this position, these rumors and public opinions would be difficult to affect him. In the future, entering the Ministry of Military Affairs and the State Affairs Hall would also open up a smooth path.

Another point was that the candidates for the position of Commander of the Northern Army were nominated jointly by the former Commander of the Northern Army and the State Affairs Hall, and personally selected by the Son of Heaven. The opinion of the former Commander of the Northern Army was very important.

And who was the current Commander of the Northern Army?

Zheng Shi!

Zheng Shi had been the Commander of the Northern Army for many years, and the Son of Heaven still trusted him. Of course, he could continue to suppress his cultivation and continue to hold this authority, but what was the best choice?

It was important to know that transcendent cultivators before the Divine Arrival realm would experience a decline in power as their bodies aged. Zheng Shi had to leave the Northern Army before his power began to decline and achieve Divine Arrival, otherwise he would be delaying himself.

Furthermore, Zheng Shi's son, Zheng Shang Ming, was currently developing within the Azure Scale system.

However, he certainly couldn't directly pass on the position of Commander of the Northern Army to Zheng Shang Ming, as it would be difficult to get approval from the State Affairs Hall. But Jiang Wang, who had a good relationship with Zheng Shang Ming, was an excellent choice!

With Jiang Wang's talent, even if the authority of the Commander of the Northern Army was great, he would not suppress his strength for it.

In other words, even if he became the Commander of the Northern Army, he wouldn't serve for too long.

If Zheng Shi did Jiang Wang a favor now, when Jiang Wang achieved Divine Arrival and left office, it would be the perfect time for Zheng Shang Ming to take over, wouldn't it be the most perfect outcome?

When Yan Fu pointed out the position of Commander of the Northern Army, Li Long Quan instantly understood clearly and couldn't help but ask Chong Xuan Sheng, "Does Commander Zheng intend to leave office? And does Jiang Wang himself have his sights set on this position?"

The position of Commander of the Northern Army was simply too weighty!

Even as the eldest son of the Li family from Shimen, he couldn't ignore it.

"If Commander Zheng had no intention, wouldn't we be unnecessarily offending him and treating a friend as an enemy by discussing this?" Chong Xuan Sheng chuckled, "For Commander Zheng, being able to break free now and go further is also an excellent choice. He has also done some things, intentionally or unintentionally, to pave the way for Jiang Wang. It's just that Jiang Wang, this blockhead, hasn't seen it clearly yet. I also haven't had time to tell him."

"Ah." Li Long Quan sighed, "What a shame."

With Jiang Wang's disappearance like this, he missed out on such a crucial position as the Commander of the Northern Army. It couldn't be said to be anything but a shame.

His appointment as a third-rank Golden Mace Warrior could be considered as entering the upper echelons of the Qi Kingdom. But it was in name only and without substance; its weight was actually debatable. If he could serve as the Commander of the Northern Army, it would be completely different. It could even be said, without exaggeration, that he would enter the center of power in the Qi Kingdom!

This was a stepping stone to ascension!

He had the favor of the Son of Heaven, the support of Zheng Shi, and deep popularity. After the sacrificial ceremony at the ancestral temple, the right time, place, and people were all in place. But Jiang Wang just happened to have this incident happen at this time.

Of course, it was extremely regrettable.

Yan Fu softly said, "You feel it's regrettable, while some feel it's cause for joy, so the problem arises."

Having said this much, Li Long Quan naturally understood why Zhang Wei Yu had jumped out.

Zhang Wei Yu, a fourth-rank official in the Ministry of Personnel, with peak Outer Building cultivation, a stellar resume, and a deep background... was also very suitable for the position of Commander of the Northern Army!

But there was only one position. If Jiang Wang didn't step down, who could come up?

Originally, there was no conflict between the two sides, but when there was one position for one person, it was not uncommon for them to become deadly enemies.

Concerning such an important position as the Commander of the Northern Army, even the figure behind Zhang Wei Yu, Grand Imperial Advisor Chen Fu, would not treat it lightly.

No wonder Chong Xuan Sheng, citing the dignity of a heavenly talent, tried every means to obstruct it, but failed to prevent the thorough search of Qingyang Town.

Facing a path to the heavens, Zhang Wei Yu was bound to use all his strength.

Li Long Quan thought for a moment, and finally couldn't resist asking, "Brother Chong Xuan, they are so determined to search Qingyang Town, and you opposed it so fiercely. Is there really something wrong with Qingyang Town?"

Chong Xuan Sheng looked at him, smiling but not smiling: "Jiang Wang is not in the country right now. His image can be dressed up by anyone; anyone can paint a few strokes. Brother Li, what do you think?"

Chong Xuan Sheng and Li Long Quan were both good friends of Jiang Wang. Both were true friends who were willing to stand up when Jiang Wang was in trouble.

But there were differences between them.

Both came from military families, both were from top aristocratic families, and both were direct descendants of hereditary marquises. Their feelings about the country and their loyalty to the Son of Heaven were not the same.

To repay the life-saving favor, Jiang Wang helped Yin Guan enter Linzi. Chong Xuan Sheng knew about it and helped to handle it smoothly, and incidentally threw a problem to Chong Xuan Zun.

If Li Long Quan had known about this at the time, he would have definitely stopped Jiang Wang.

In this world, everyone has their own ideas, their own lives, and their own demands.

Even the best friends cannot always remain consistent.

Seeking common ground while reserving differences is naturally the truth, but if there are "differences" that cannot coexist, even the best friends sometimes have to part ways.

Chong Xuan Sheng didn't answer Li Long Quan's question, but instead asked him if he was willing to trust Jiang Wang without reservation.

And Li Long Quan had his own principles. He was willing to believe Jiang Wang, and he had proven it many times before... but not without reservation.

The atmosphere in the tea room, after Chong Xuan Sheng posed the question, suddenly became solemn.

"Speaking of which..." Yan Fu spoke at this time, "Where is Jiang Wang now?"

Chong Xuan Sheng withdrew his gaze and said with a chuckle, "I told him not to come back for now and to travel around and enjoy the scenery!"

"In that case, Brother Chong Xuan already has a plan, so I can rest assured."

Yan Fu smiled and stood up, saying, "Miss Wen is still waiting for me to go boating with her, so I'll leave first."

He looked at Li Long Quan: "Brother Li?"

Li Long Quan nodded slightly and also stood up, saying, "Since there's nothing else, I should also go back. My older sister is back recently and is urging me diligently."

Yan Fu was already walking out, and then turned back to Chong Xuan Sheng and smiled, "Tell Jiang Qingyang to have fun, spend as much as he wants, and come back to me for reimbursement!"

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