Chapter 57: Promotion

The man had been standing outside the entrance of the Clear Breeze House for quite a while now.

Dressed head to toe in Embroidered Uniform Guard attire, it wasn't possible that he had no money, yet the man just loitered not far from the door, and no matter how many times the pimp at the entrance came over to invite him in, he simply wouldn't go inside.

At that moment another Embroidered Uniform Guard in identical dress came over from somewhere, and the moment he opened his mouth, one wanted to punch every tooth out of his head: "Well now, Old Wang, back to hover at the Clear Breeze House's door again?

Don't tell me the missus made you kneel again last night?"

The sturdy man addressed as Old Wang flushed with anger and shame and snapped, "Bullshit! I, Wang Xuanji, a full seven-foot man, afraid of that woman?! In my own house, what I say goes. If I tell her to go east, she wouldn't dare go west! What the hell are you spouting, you son of a bitch?"

The man who had arrived later wasn't annoyed. He stepped forward and hooked an arm around Wang Xuanji's neck, saying, "Fine, fine, you son of a bitch are a real man, all right.

Don't blame me for saying so, but you and I grew up together, and that henpecked streak of yours really needs fixing. Look at your big brother here — at home I'm tough as nails.

Women, see, they just need a good taking in hand."

Mid-conversation, his tone shifted again: "Hey, I mean, if you want to go, just go. You've had your eye on that Zuiyu girl at the Clear Breeze House for a while now, haven't you? A hereditary Centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard like you, and you've got the desire but not the guts?"

Wang Xuanji slapped the hand off his shoulder and said sullenly, "You son of a bitch, you think I don't want to go in? Where's the silver?"

The other man laughed. "Silver? A joke. We're hereditary Centurions of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Son of Heaven's own troops. Visiting a brothel and we'd have to spend silver? When we go, it's an honor for his Clear Breeze House!"

His voice shifted, and with a lewd, sleazy laugh he added, "Speaking of which, that madam of the Clear Breeze House — that face, that figure — damn!"

Wang Xuanji suddenly straightened his face and asked, "Liu Laosi, you motherfucker, you haven't actually been inside, have you?"

Liu Laosi reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, instantly bristling: "Bullshit! You can't go slandering a man's good name out of thin air. I only saw the madam greeting guests at the door from a distance."

Only then did Wang Xuanji let out a breath and say, "Things aren't what they used to be. If this were the Tianqi years, going would be going, no big deal.

But the current Son of Heaven doesn't tolerate a speck of dust in his eye. If those bastards from the Western Depot got wind of it, you'd lose a layer of skin even if you kept your life."

After a moment's thought, Wang Xuanji added, "Laosi, why don't you come with your big brother to Liaodong? That godforsaken place is bitter and cold, but there are plenty of chances for merit.

Once we get the reward money, we brothers will come back to the capital, book out this whole Clear Breeze House, and enjoy the treatment of real lords."

It turned out this man was none other than the Embroidered Uniform Guard Centurion who had earlier delivered messages for Mao Wenlong.

Liu Laosi curled his lip.

"Forget it, you can keep that godforsaken place for yourself.

If you really do get rewarded for some intelligence, you can treat me when you get back. What I fear is that the missus will confiscate your reward silver, and you'll still be hovering outside the Clear Breeze House's door!"

"Your uncle!" Wang Xuanji cursed with a laugh, but wasn't really angry, and then asked, "What are you doing looking for me, anyway? Is there something up?"

Only then did Liu Laosi slap his forehead and say, "Isn't there just! Commissioner Xu is looking for you. Probably sending you to Liaodong again. My guess is, this time when you come back, you'll be able to afford this Clear Breeze House."

Wang Xuanji cursed, "You bastard, if you've made me miss something, watch your hide!" The two traded curses and laughs as they walked, but their feet didn't slow in the slightest.

When they met Xu Xianchun, he was already waiting for the two of them. After they had paid their respects, Xu Xianchun dismissed Liu Laosi, looked Wang Xuanji up and down, and praised him: "A fine man!

I have heard all about your deeds. To cut into your own arm and bury intelligence in the flesh — that takes real grit!"

Wang Xuanji hurriedly replied, "Your Excellency overpraises me. It was merely this humble officer's duty, unworthy of such praise from Your Excellency."

Xu Xianchun said, "Centurion Wang need not be so modest. Even His Majesty has heard of your deeds and is full of praise for you."

He paused, then continued, "I have summoned you here for two matters. First, the reward granted by the Son of Heaven has already been sent to your home by an imperial envoy, and should have arrived by now."

Wang Xuanji groaned inwardly. Once the money entered the household, he feared he still wouldn't have a single copper to go out and enjoy himself.

As he was silently lamenting, he heard Xu Xianchun continue, "As for the second matter — it is excellent news. You, Centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, are about to become a Chiliarch."

Wang Xuanji was overjoyed. I'm a full-fledged Chiliarch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard now.

Let's see if that woman still dares make me kneel on the washboard! If she dares again, I'll throw her into the Imperial Prison!

As he gloated inwardly, a strange smile appeared on his face — three parts delight mixed with seven parts sleazy grin.

But before his joy could settle, he heard Xu Xianchun say, "What, so happy you've gone dumb?"

Wang Xuanji hurriedly wiped the sleazy grin off his face and said solemnly, "This humble officer lost his composure for a moment. I beg Your Excellency's forgiveness."

Xu Xianchun had clearly seen plenty of people struck dumb with joy by sudden promotion, and paid it no mind. He simply continued, "On this return to Liaodong, you will have two missions."

The moment Wang Xuanji heard there were missions to assign, and that the Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was handling it personally, he feared the missions would not be easy.

Sure enough, Xu Xianchun said, "Yesterday on Vegetable Market Street, heads rolled by the score — I imagine you know of it. But the current Son of Heaven is merciful, and in the end stayed the blade, failing to root out the weeds entirely.

Of those left behind, I have had men identify a number who need you to take them to Liaodong and hand them directly to Mao Wenlong to be thrown into the convict camp."

Wang Xuanji immediately assured him, "Rest assured, Your Excellency, this humble officer will see the matter through."

Xu Xianchun continued, "As for the second matter, it concerns the state of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in Liaodong.

Ever since the Jianzhou barbarians rebelled, our Embroidered Uniform Guard's strength in Liaodong has been in shambles. The framework still stands, but all told there are only two or three of us, big cats and small.

On this trip back, take a Centurion's unit with you. After you deliver this batch of convicts to Mao Wenlong, take them back with you and use them to replenish the Embroidered Uniform Guard in Liaodong.

This time, you've got the promotion and the manpower. Does Chiliarch Wang have the confidence to kick up a real scene in Liaodong?"

Wang Xuanji hurriedly replied, "Rest assured, Commissioner. This humble officer will certainly step up the Embroidered Uniform Guard's activities in Liaodong.

I'll strive to find out even which little wench that dog of a Jianzhou barbarian Hong Taiji beds at night, and never disgrace the name of our Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

After leaving Xu Xianchun's presence, Wang Xuanji walked along thinking smugly to himself: "I'm a full-fledged Chiliarch now. No way in hell am I kneeling on any washboard! Besides, I'm about to head to Liaodong — how could that woman possibly bear to make me kneel?"

Today's second update. There should be another one in the middle of the night. We really don't believe in that evil — how could it be impossible to pay it all back. One extra update a day is only a month's work.

(End of Chapter)