Chapter Twenty-Three: This Humble Subordinate Pays Respects to the Superintendent

Li Wenxuan’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. "What grievances do you have? Why not speak plainly?"

"It’s hard to explain in just a few words, and besides, I’m currently on duty. If you truly have the heart to clear my name, Xiao Gui will host a table at the restaurant across the street once I’m off duty today. I invite you to come, and we can discuss it over drinks!"

Zhang Xiaogui’s eyes turned red with excitement, and it looked as though tears were about to fall. Li Wenxuan could tell that there was a genuine injustice here.

"Across the street?" Li Wenxuan pulled back his gaze. He had just beaten up the Prince of Duan’s son inside that place yesterday; was he really going back today? He must have a death wish!

"No rush. I’m moving house today, so there’s no need for you to go to such expense. When the time comes, you can help me, and we’ll sit in my new home to drink and talk!"

"My lord, you are truly the finest, most wonderful person in this world!"

"Hey, don’t go handing out 'good guy' cards so easily!" Li Wenxuan patted Zhang Xiaogui on the shoulder. "But let’s be clear: anything within my capabilities, I will absolutely help you with!"

"With those words from you, my lord, I am content!" Zhang Xiaogui said, his eyes brimming with tears.

Li Wenxuan collected his thoughts. He was not a man who liked to meddle in others' affairs, but he was someone who could not bear to see evil fester. If it were otherwise, he wouldn’t have smashed through a window yesterday, moved with lightning speed to take down four men, and knocked the Prince of Duan’s son unconscious.

As soon as he stepped into the Academy, Li Wenxuan ran into the notoriously sarcastic Cao Zusheng.

"Master Li!" Upon seeing Li Wenxuan, Cao Zusheng’s eyes lit up, and he walked over quickly. "It was a great honor yesterday to see your masterpiece; it truly opened my eyes!"

"You flatter me." Li Wenxuan didn't really want to get too close to this man. He wasn't good with words, and if this guy suddenly decided to mock him, he wouldn't be able to win an argument.

Noticing Li Wenxuan’s defensive demeanor, Cao Zusheng bowed his head slightly and smiled. "Master Li, do not lose your status as a student of the Academy. This identity will be of even greater benefit to you in the future."

Hearing this, although Li Wenxuan didn't know whether to believe him, it seemed the man was offering a well-intentioned reminder. He cupped his hands in a salute. "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Cao. I will keep it in mind."

"Hmm." Cao Zusheng nodded and smiled, his manner gentle—a complete transformation from the sarcastic man of yesterday. He reached out to point the way for Li Wenxuan. "Go this way; the officials from the Ministry of Revenue are already waiting over there."

"Many thanks, Brother Cao!" Li Wenxuan bowed again, unhurried and polite.

"You are too formal, Master Li." Cao Zusheng returned the salute, watching with a smile as Li Wenxuan walked away.

Before pushing open the door, Li Wenxuan had prepared his opening remarks in his mind. However, once he stepped inside, his eyes widened as he stared at the Emperor sitting in the main seat.

"Master Zhao? It’s you? Are you the official sent from the Ministry of Revenue to oversee the selection?"

"Why? Do I not look like an official to you?" The Emperor wore a faint, ambiguous smile, mimicking someone’s posture by crossing his legs.

"How could that be? It is my own poor eyesight that failed to recognize a true hero!" Li Wenxuan walked forward, cupping his hands in a salute with a grin. "Since we are all acquaintances now, then—"

"Master Li, please fill out the form yourself here!"

A flash of helplessness passed through the eyes of Chief Eunuch Li. The Emperor wanted to play the role of the Eastern Depot Superintendent today, leaving him—the actual Chief Superintendent—with nothing to do but act as his deputy. He had served the Emperor for many years and knew well that the Emperor’s sudden, whimsical hobbies were often difficult to describe, but he hadn't expected the Emperor’s strange interests to grow even more frequent... Hmm, it seemed that ever since he discovered young Master Li, the Emperor’s peculiar whims had begun to flourish wildly.

Li Wenxuan picked up a brush and smiled as he filled out the form. However, after writing down the name "Li Biao," along with his age, height, and weight, his expression turned strange. His eyes darted toward the Emperor, who was sitting on the throne, sipping tea and squinting with an air of extreme leisure. He gave a light cough.

"Master Zhao, is it possible that this document is the wrong one?"

"Hmm? Let me see!" The Emperor reached out, and Li Wenxuan immediately stepped forward to hand it over.

The Emperor scanned it carefully and shook his head. "No, this is the one. As for your address, you can put down the Golden Tower for now. You can update it once your living arrangements are settled."

Li Wenxuan looked at the paper in his hand, his brow furrowed into a knot. "Master Zhao, but this is an appointment document for a centurion of the Eastern Depot, not an official form for the Ministry of Revenue!"

"That’s right. I’m having you fill out the Eastern Depot centurion form. The Ministry of Revenue said they were full, so the higher-ups changed your post to a centurion of the Eastern Depot."

Originally, this was meant to be a position for a chiliarch (a commander of a thousand), but after the Emperor consulted with his consort the previous night, he decided that a high-level promotion wouldn't be good for Li Wenxuan, so he downgraded it to a centurion. In the Emperor’s eyes, a centurion was the lowest of the low. But he didn't realize that to the common people, even this "lowly" centurion was a high-ranking official.

The Emperor looked at Li Wenxuan with a skeptical expression. "Could it be that you have some prejudice against the Eastern Depot?"

"How could that be!" Li Wenxuan shook his head immediately. "The Eastern Depot punishes the corrupt and eliminates the evil, investigates officials from above and monitors the common folk from below—it is the very treasure that protects our Great Wu Empire!"

Upon hearing this, Chief Eunuch Li’s eyes nearly squinted shut with joy. This wasn't some shill he had paid to say these things! These were the heartfelt words of young Master Li—or rather, now, Centurion Li.

The Emperor squinted and smiled. "But how is it that I’ve heard people say the Eastern Depot is a group of ruthless villains who stop at nothing?"

As he said this, the Emperor’s peripheral vision drifted, intentionally or not, toward Chief Eunuch Li. The Chief Eunuch shivered; what was the Emperor implying? That the Eastern Depot’s methods were too cruel?

"Ah, those are mostly just slanderous words from corrupt officials," Li Wenxuan said, fearing the Emperor might snatch back his personal information document. His brush flew across the paper like a dragon in flight. The dogs of the Eastern Depot were known to walk sideways with impunity; being able to join them was a dream come true! This was infinitely better than being a small-time errand runner at the Ministry of Revenue!

Especially with this status, he wouldn't have to worry about Li Hu or the Cui clan failing to honor their gambling debt! Don’t let the title of "centurion" fool you—this was the terrifying Eastern Depot, the mere mention of which made the civil and military officials of Great Wu tremble!

"Those corrupt officials and treacherous villains, having been punished by the Eastern Depot, are full of resentment, which is why they spread such malicious rumors," Li Wenxuan remarked with emotion. "Among the common folk, most are ignorant peddlers and laborers who love to spread hearsay, which is why they have painted the Eastern Depot—a tool that serves the country and the people—as something so evil."

"Being able to join the Eastern Depot is a dream come true for me, and to start as a centurion at that!"

The Emperor watched Li Wenxuan intently, confirming that he truly wasn't just saying empty words. Especially the way his eyes were glowing... It was too sincere! This boy even gave the Emperor the feeling that he was born to work for the Eastern Depot!

Chief Eunuch Li was also gratified. He hadn't expected his Eastern Depot to be so highly praised by such a young and promising talent! *Your Majesty? Please don't look at this old servant; I really didn't pay young Master Li to rehearse these lines!*

*Eh? So that’s what this is?*

Chief Eunuch Li stepped forward and patted Li Wenxuan on the shoulder. "Excellent! The Eastern Depot is in desperate need of talents like you. Why don't you hurry up and pay your respects to the Superintendent of the Eastern Depot?"

Li Wenxuan was startled. The Superintendent of the Eastern Depot? This was his ultimate superior! But looking left and right, there was no one else in the room, and instead... Chief Eunuch Li pointed toward the Emperor.

Li Wenxuan offered an awkward yet polite smile. "Master Zhao, you are the Superintendent of the Eastern Depot?"

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, his smile radiant. "Why? Does the Emperor—oh, do you really think I’m not a high-ranking official?"

The next moment, a loud, deep, and impassioned voice echoed throughout the room!

"Subordinate Li Wenxuan pays his respects to the Superintendent! May the Superintendent enjoy boundless blessings, receive the eternal favor of the Emperor, lead our Eastern Depot to ever greater heights, and achieve glorious new successes!"