Chapter 467

The Imperial Garden was at its best, full of clusters of flowers, and one could smell the fragrant scent in the air.

It was said that for these rare flowers and exotic plants, the Holy Emperor had heard no shortage of nagging from that Grand Secretary Zhang of the Cabinet.

At this time.

Under a pavilion in the Imperial Garden.

A large copper pot was bubbling with heat, red oil rolling, and several young eunuchs were carefully adding fire.

The Holy Emperor rolled up his sleeves, picked up a slice of beef cut as thin as a cicada's wing, and ate with great gusto.

On both sides of the Holy Emperor.

On one side was Li Rui, who ate meat occasionally, but most of the time was secretly moving the meat in the pot toward the Holy Emperor's side.

On the other side was a middle-aged civil official wearing a bright red python robe.

This person was none other than Grand Secretary Zhang of the Cabinet.

Grand Secretary Zhang just sat upright on a stone stool, the bowl and chopsticks in front of him extremely clean, because he hadn't moved them at all; he hadn't touched a single bite, sitting in a formal posture.

The Holy Emperor said while eating:

"Zhang Zilu, you just don't have the fate to enjoy life; if Gu Changsheng were here, he would certainly eat with great relish."

"Hmm!"

"Look at Minister Li, he understands very well."

Li Rui's movements of swishing meat in the oil dish were extremely practiced; the meat slices were coated with minced garlic and coriander before being sent into his mouth.

Seeing this, the Holy Emperor could not help but feel great comfort in his heart.

As expected of someone favored by Gu Gu Changsheng; he was indeed pleasing to the eye.

After eating until half-full.

The Holy Emperor's movements slowed down.

Although he was diligent in government, he was never careless about food, but he was not extravagant either.

Mainly, he was not used to eating delicacies from land and sea.

This resulted in many ministers in the court losing a way to curry favor.

"Minister Li, you have done very well in the Qingwei Sect and have given me great face; don't go back in the future, just stay in the capital."

Li Rui appeared respectful, but his heart stirred slightly.

The Holy Emperor's words clearly meant he did not intend for him to return to Yunzhou, wanting him to be a true capital official.

Regarding this.

Li Rui did not refuse in the slightest.

Because of Huang Huang Long Zi, Jiang Jiang Linxian had to enter seclusion in the capital; although he was not being watched by a powerful enemy like Jiang Jiang Linxian, he had ruined the major plans of the North Pole Demon Sect, and there would be no shortage of people wanting to kill him.

Being strong oneself was certainly important, but finding a safe place was also crucial.

Looking at the entire Yu Kingdom, wasn't the safest place the capital?

Staying in the capital.

Even the Sect Master of the North Pole Demon Sect could do nothing to him.

Li Rui: "This humble minister often heard of Your Majesty's tiger-subduing feat in the Southern Region back then; as long as I can behold the Imperial Majesty, I am willing even if I am not an official."

A hearty laugh from the Holy Emperor slapping his thigh came from the pavilion:

"I did indeed do many things in the Southern Region; I didn't expect that after so many years, someone would still remember."

"Minister Li truly understands me."

"It's just a pity that Gu Changsheng is not here, otherwise I would certainly have him tell you properly about that fierce tiger-subduing event back then."

Gu Gu Changsheng was not here, and beside him was the rigid Zhang Zhang Zilu.

It really made the Holy Emperor sigh with regret.

The Holy Emperor kept the smile on his face and narrowed his eyes: "Since Minister Li is well-acquainted with Gu Changsheng, then go to the Imperial Observatory."

Li Rui was overjoyed.

It was exactly what he wanted.

The Imperial Observatory was Gu Gu Changsheng's territory; going there, his days would certainly be carefree and happy.

But just as Li Rui was about to agree.

Grand Secretary Zhang, who had been silent all along, spoke slowly: "Your Majesty, immortal cultivators are emerging in large numbers; relying solely on the Imperial Observatory and the Ministry of Rites to maintain order is already strenuous. Now that the Secret Guard is no longer secret, I propose to abolish the Secret Guard and establish the Mountain-Seeking Division to supervise immortal cultivators in the world together with the Imperial Observatory and the Ministry of Rites. Retain the guest ministers, and the rest of the Secret Guard will no longer hold concurrent posts, focusing on the duty of supervision."

"Lord Li was originally an old hand of the Secret Guard and possesses talent; it is most appropriate for him to enter the Mountain-Seeking Division at this time."

The Holy Emperor murmured in a low voice:

"Mountain-Seeking Division."

"Very good, then let it be as Zhang Zilu says; this position of the first Division Chief can only be held by Zhang Zilu."

The Holy Emperor was greatly pleased and agreed immediately.

A major event was thus settled.

Li Rui blinked his eyes.

He felt strange in his heart.

Everything looked normal, but he knew that Grand Secretary Zhang was clearly digging into Gu Gu Changsheng's corner.

But since the Holy Emperor had agreed.

Li Rui would naturally not spoil the mood at this time.

He bowed and said: "This humble minister will naturally do his utmost in the Mountain-Seeking Division."

"Minister Li is truly a blessing to the court; my heart is greatly comforted."

It was past the hour of Wei.

Only then did Li Rui come out of the Imperial Palace.

After one trip into the palace, he not only witnessed the birth of a future behemoth but also happened to become an official of the Mountain-Seeking Division.

And it was a Proper Third-Rank.

But compared to the previous nominal post of Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, he was now a true figure with real power.

Just because the Mountain-Seeking Division, like the Imperial Observatory and the Ministry of Rites, managed immortal cultivators.

And it was specialized management.

Similar to the Six Doors of the Ministry of Justice, but with a higher status, responsible for arresting immortal cultivators who committed crimes.

Together with the Imperial Observatory and the Ministry of Rites, they formed an alternative Three Ministries.

The Imperial Observatory was responsible for supervision, the Ministry of Rites was responsible for trial, and the Mountain-Seeking Division was responsible for arrest.

One look and he knew.

The Mountain-Seeking Division was a bitter job.

Of course.

The treatment was certainly the best, the most imposing, and the first Division Chief of the Mountain-Seeking Division was Grand Secretary Zhang, so the status was bound to be extremely high, the kind that could walk sideways in the Yu Kingdom.

If officials feared the Embroidered Uniform Guard, then in the future, immortal cultivators would fear the Mountain-Seeking Division.

Although he couldn't go to the Imperial Observatory, the Mountain-Seeking Division was not bad either.

And according to Grand Secretary Zhang's intention.

He didn't need to charge and kill at the front, but rather exert his expertise in talismans and arrays, managing the armory of the Mountain-Seeking Division, as well as logistics departments such as talisman masters, array masters, and alchemists.

Such a lucrative position.

Li Rui naturally had no reason to refuse.

Ten days later.

Gu Gu Changsheng returned from the Northern Plains; when he heard that Li Rui had gone to some Mountain-Seeking Division, he immediately cursed loudly.

"Good for you, Zhang Zhang Zilu, you've even snatched people right under my nose."

"I was wondering why you were so kind."

In Jiang Jiang Linxian's courtyard.

Gu Gu Changsheng had been cursing for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, with no intention of stopping at all.

A few days ago.

The war in the Northern Plains changed suddenly.

The Holy Emperor ordered him to go to the Northern Plains to supervise the battle; before he left, he had already agreed with the Holy Emperor to let Li Rui come to the Imperial Observatory.

It was a matter that was already nailed down.

He didn't expect Grand Secretary Zhang to pull out the nail he had already set.

How could he endure this?

Jiang Jiang Linxian and Li Rui looked at the exasperated Gu Gu Changsheng and exchanged glances.

"Brother Gu, this matter has already been decided by the Holy Emperor; I fear it is useless to go to the Imperial Palace. Anyway, Grand Secretary Zhang is also a trustworthy person; Old Brother Li going to the Mountain-Seeking Division is not necessarily a bad thing."

Jiang Jiang Linxian said.

Gu Gu Changsheng spat out a breath of air bitterly.

Of course he knew.

And given Grand Secretary Zhang's style of doing things, he probably didn't leave him any opportunity.

"Zhang Zhang Zilu, this matter is not over!"

Gu Gu Changsheng threw down a harsh threat, but could only let it go.

He looked at Li Rui: "Old Brother Li, you just stay in that Mountain-Seeking Division for now; in a few days, I will go find His Majesty to talk about it; one cannot bully people like this."

Gu Gu Changsheng also didn't expect.

Zhang Zhang Zilu, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, would actually dig into the corner of his ally.

That made it even more hateful.

Li Rui felt a bit strange in his heart.

Gu Gu Changsheng, a First-Rank Land Immortal, called him "Old Brother" so smoothly.

However, he would naturally not put on airs and really call Gu Gu Changsheng "Little Brother."

Li Rui coughed lightly: "Tower Master, in the future, the Mountain-Seeking Division and the Imperial Observatory will have many dealings; me going to the Mountain-Seeking Division might actually facilitate communication."

Hearing Li Rui's words.

Gu Gu Changsheng felt much better.

"Old Brother is still the one who handles things properly."

However, he kept the grudge of Grand Secretary Zhang poaching people in mind.

Later.

Li Rui heard an interesting piece of news.

Gu Gu Changsheng, the Imperial Observatory Supervisor, invited Grand Secretary Zhang to eat hotpot for seven consecutive days; it was said that the spirit peppers were specially picked from the Penglai Immortal Island.

It made Grand Secretary Zhang take a detour whenever he saw Gu Gu Changsheng after court.

Li Rui's appointment had not yet come down.

So he didn't need to attend court for the time being.

These were all told to him by Jiang Jiang Linxian.

He came to the capital and had no place to stay for the moment, so he simply stayed in Jiang Jiang Linxian's house.

Although there was no formal title, not a single thing regarding the Mountain-Seeking Division was missed.

Yang Bing, the former commander of the Secret Guard, transformed and became the Deputy Division Chief of the Mountain-Seeking Division.

Only thirty percent of the Secret Guard remained.

The rest were all transferred from the military and various key departments of the court; with Grand Secretary Zhang, the head of civil officials, responsible for the formation, the process was naturally extremely smooth.

In various government offices of the court, if the Ministry of Personnel snatched people, there were still those who dared to disobey and report to the Holy Emperor.

But when Grand Secretary Zhang snatched people, they didn't dare to say a word.

One by one, they obediently sent people to the Mountain-Seeking Division.

In just one month.

The Mountain-Seeking Division had quite a scale.

Five hundred Mountain-Seeking Envoys, one hundred Mountain-Fixing Envoys, eighteen Mountain-Suppressing Envoys, and there were five Deputy Division Chiefs.

Besides this, there were two hundred logistics personnel in the armory.

In one leap, it became a large government office.

Li Rui was still a Mountain-Suppressing Envoy, with the duty of managing the armory; his status vaguely exceeded the other Mountain-Suppressing Envoys, with signs of being on par with the Deputy Division Chiefs.

All of this was naturally the result of Grand Secretary Zhang's bias.

Those who could enter the Mountain-Seeking Division were all talents from various sides, and their discernment was not bad.

Naturally, they could see it, and they were all extremely polite to Li Rui.

Gradually.

The Mountain-Seeking Division handled several major cases, and its reputation grew louder and louder.

Li Rui lived a leisurely life.

Doing nothing.

His salary rose, his power rose, and his cultivation also rose.

This day.

Li Rui, who was in seclusion in his room, suddenly felt something and slowly opened his eyes.

The Dao is accomplished!

(End of chapter)