Chapter 113: Now That You

"Become an official!"

Li Rui’s heart warmed at the words.

It’s a common saying among the people.

All professions are lowly; only scholarship is exalted.

But it should be said even more precisely: only becoming an official is exalted.

Studying is solely for the purpose of becoming an official!

If you can become an official, who would bother mixing in the Jianghu?

Do people like him and Zhang Yang dislike being officials?

Of course not—they simply never had the chance.

In Yu State, officials generally enter service through two paths: the imperial examination, which is the only route for humble families, and recommendation by powerful patrons.

Ten years of cold window study is worth less than a single word from a powerful man.

To become an official, you need connections in court.

That’s exactly what this means.

If you gain the favor of a high-ranking official, you can bypass the imperial examination entirely and enter officialdom directly.

Zhang Yang rubbed his hands: "The officials of Annan Army—what a cushy life!"

The Annan Army oversees the Jianghu forces of Yunzhou and surrounding regions; its authority is unquestionable.

If you could land even a minor post in the Annan Army, then next time you meet Dao Xiong—

You’d sit in the seat of honor, and Dao Xiong would pour wine for you!

"Li Lao, there’s no age limit this time—the candidates are chosen personally by Alliance Master Ning, and there’s no backroom dealing. We’d better prepare early."

Li Rui’s heart stirred.

His achievement already included "becoming a general or chancellor."

And being an official is far safer than mixing in the Jianghu, let alone serving in the Annan Army.

In Yunzhou territory—

Who would dare provoke the Annan Army?

Forget distant examples; take Wei Ming. Li Rui saw clearly: though Wei Ming appeared friendly and approachable, he secretly looked down on everyone.

He was just one step away from saying—

"It’s not aimed at anyone in particular, but everyone here is trash."

All this confidence came from the Annan Army!

Qinghe New City.

General’s Mansion.

Artisans and conscripted laborers carried bricks and stones, hurrying about in a scene of bustling activity.

Wei Ming’s right hand rested on the hilt of his saber.

The demon beast matter was nearly settled; now, overseeing the construction of the new General’s Mansion was the top priority—no room for carelessness.

He spent most of his time in the new city as supervisor.

At that moment—

A clear male voice came from behind:

"Wei brother, long time no see."

Wei Ming turned to see a middle-aged man in golden-threaded black robes, tall and upright.

His face brightened:

"Ning brother."

The man before him was Ning Zhongtian, Alliance Master of Tian Di Alliance and one of the Garrison Commanders of Anning Guard.

Ning Zhongtian punched Wei Ming in the chest: "Next time you see me, remember to call me Garrison Commander!"

Wei Ming clutched his chest, grumbling: "Sixth-rank punches really hurt, damn it."

As the saying goes:

Don’t fear your brother’s hardship—fear his rise surpassing a tiger.

Seeing a brother who once urinated beside you now become your superior was worse than death.

Ning Zhongtian beamed with pride:

"Don’t be bitter—if you’ve got the talent, go break through yourself."

Wei Ming rolled his eyes.

Could he break through just because he wanted to?

Wei Ming was surprised: "Lei Tou and that Cao guy don’t get along—why are you coming to Anning Guard?"

Ning Zhongtian sighed:

"There are only so many positions in the Annan Army. If I don’t come here, I’d have to wait at least five years."

Wei Ming fully agreed.

Unlike border armies, the Annan Army rarely suffered casualties, let alone among officers.

A single post often remained occupied for over a decade.

Whoever became an officer had powerful backers behind them; getting these entrenched men to move was nearly impossible.

Most had to endure long years of seniority. Wei Ming himself had waited three years for his Platoon Leader post.

Wei Ming smirked: "Since you’re here now, you’ll have to keep your tail tucked in from now on."

He could already picture Ning Zhongtian’s future path:

First, secure his rank in Anning Guard as Garrison Commander; then, after a few quiet years, Lei Yong would find an excuse to transfer Ning Zhongtian to his Youyun Guard.

Ning Zhongtian saw right through him:

"Do you know who our Anning Guard’s Assistant Regional Commander is?"

Wei Ming was startled: "The Assistant Regional Commander’s been decided?"

In Yu State’s military, every unit followed a civil-military pairing.

The Annan Army’s seventeen guards each had one Assistant Regional Commander and one Assistant Regional Commander, equal in rank, checking each other’s power.

The Assistant Regional Commander handled troop training and battlefield command.

The Assistant Regional Commander oversaw provisions, weapons, and supervision.

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In short, the Assistant Regional Commander existed to prevent soldiers from recognizing only their generals and forgetting the emperor—thus preventing warlords from amassing power and eliminating any chance of rebellion.

But before Wei Ming came to Qinghe, the Assistant Regional Commander’s position had remained unfilled.

Rumors said several powerful figures were vying for it.

Even General Xue dared not offend them, so the matter was left hanging, unresolved.

Ning Zhongtian grinned smugly, deliberately stalling.

Wei Ming was itching to know: "My Garrison Commander, stop teasing—just tell me already!"

"Call me Dad."

"Fuck off."

Ning Zhongtian spoke: "It’s Jiang Elder of Huaqing Sect."

"Jiang Lin?!"

Wei Ming’s eyes widened.

Jiang Lin becoming Assistant Regional Commander of Anning Guard was utterly unexpected—he’d never held any government post before.

Ning Zhongtian narrowed his eyes: "I heard from General Lei that this decision came from His Majesty himself."

Hearing it was the Emperor’s own order—

Wei Ming clicked his tongue.

"They’re all immortals—we can’t touch them."

Assistant Regional Commander Cao Wei was backed by the Fifth Prince, yet the Emperor personally appointed the Assistant Regional Commander—this move was deeply telling.

Ning Zhongtian: "Those are matters for great men. But Jiang Elder and General Lei are on good terms. Before I came, General Lei told me to follow Jiang Elder’s orders in all things."

Wei Ming nodded.

With Jiang Lin watching over him, Ning Zhongtian didn’t need to live under someone else’s thumb or keep his tail tucked in.

He warned Wei Ming:

"Old Wei, don’t think Anning Guard is a cushy post. I heard the Ghost Ming Sect has grown bold—they’ve dared steal Yu State’s dragon qi, clearly planning rebellion!"

"For this, our Emperor has declared: not a single rebel will be left alive."

Wei Ming grinned:

"These lunatics—Da Xuan fell thousands of years ago. Do they really think they can restore their empire?"

"Who knows?"

Ning Zhongtian replied, then clapped Wei Ming on the shoulder: "Come on, let’s go to Tian Di Alliance."

Wei Ming knew well—

Ning Zhongtian was not only Garrison Commander, but also Alliance Master of Tian Di Alliance.

The court didn’t oppose such arrangements, but official duties must come first—otherwise, the Censorate’s inspectors weren’t there to be ignored.

Ning Zhongtian had gotten lucky—he’d helped Lei Yong resolve a major headache.

Only then did Lei Yong take notice and recruit him into the Annan Army.

Although he no longer participates much in the affairs of the Heaven and Earth Alliance, he still holds the title of Alliance Leader.

Wei Ming had already guessed Ning Zhongtian’s intentions.

“Aren’t you afraid someone will report you for favoring relatives?”

Ning Zhongtian sneered:

“Pedantic.”

“Do you think I’m favoring relatives?”

“I’m clearly promoting the worthy without avoiding kin—appointing talent based on merit!”

(End of Chapter)