Chapter 66 Li Wenxuan: Am I Getting Promoted Just Like That?

"Achoo—!"

Waking up in the mine early in the morning, Li Wenxuan could not help but let out a heavy sneeze.

The climate in these mountains was far colder than outside!

Moreover, looking up out the window, it was snowing again.

Little did he know that Xu Que’s hasty return to the yamen the previous night to make his report had caused the other five yet-unmet prospective brothers-in-law to kneel in the heavy snow for the entire night...

"Crazy Donkey! Bring a basin of hot water, after I wash up and have some breakfast, we set off!"

Li Wenxuan had already put on his official robe. Yawning, he pushed open the door and stared for a long while at the mountain ridges blanketed in pristine white snow, yet still failed to hear Crazy Donkey's pleasing voice.

"Damn it, Crazy Donkey, are your ears stuffed with donkey fur?"

Li Wenxuan strode around the corner, only to be abruptly greeted by the sight of a dense crowd packed into the wide plaza ahead—at least a hundred armored imperial guards.

The man at the head of the formation was none other than Chief Eunuch Li.

Beside Chief Eunuch Li were several other elderly eunuchs, each holding something in their hands.

Because it was currently snowing, people stood beside these eunuchs, holding umbrellas to shelter the objects they carried, leaving Li Wenxuan unable to see them clearly.

Xu Que, who had returned to deliver the message last night, along with about a hundred accompanying secret agents, also lined up in strict formation.

Crazy Donkey shriveled his neck, squatting in the corner of the wall, watching the scene in absolute silence, much like a frightened dog.

As for the other miners, they were even more terrified, hiding beneath their bedsheets and not daring to peer outside even through the cracks in the windows.

They were petrified that such a grim and murderous spectacle was meant for them.

Facing Chief Eunuch Li’s old face, which was wrinkled like a dried mandarin orange into a reluctant smile, Li Wenxuan forced a grin, stepped forward quickly, cupped his fists in a salute, and said:

"This subordinate overslept. I am unaware why the Supervisor has graced this place with his presence."

Gesturing back toward a room on the side, he continued, "The law-breaking mine managers and thugs here have already been rounded up by my men. We were planning to escort them back to the yamen for punishment once dawn broke!"

"Heh! I didn't come here for such trivial matters." Chief Eunuch Li lifted a bright yellow object he was holding, a teasing tone in his voice as he smiled:

"Lord Li, don't just stand there stunned. Kneel and receive the imperial edict!"

"Huh? Receive an edict?"

Li Wenxuan’s heart skipped a beat—could it be that this place really belonged to some imperial prince-consort?

Had it actually alarmed the Emperor?

Is the Emperor sending Chief Eunuch Li here now to forcibly summon him back?

What a muddle-headed ruler!

To pull off something like this for your son-in-law's mine, you have no idea how much popular support you are going to lose!

Foolish monarch!

Damn your—well, the Empress Dowager might be too old.

Thus, Li Wenxuan altered his method of internal cursing: Foolish monarch, go screw your daughter!

***

"I, Li Biao, receive the imperial edict!"

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Li Biao, a hundred-man investigator of the Eastern Depot, has shown utmost loyalty and diligence. Undeterred by wind, snow, and bitter cold, he led men overnight to purge the villains from the mine, bringing justice to the miners. Furthermore, fearless of the powerful and privileged, he dared to rigorously investigate the case of imperial guards' hereditary privileges being fraudulently usurped. We hereby confer upon you the rank of Thousand-Man Commander of Punishment for the Eastern Depot, and allocate one hundred armored imperial guards to your command to thoroughly investigate the hereditary privilege case!"

Having listened to Chief Eunuch Li finish reading the imperial edict, Li Wenxuan abruptly raised his head.

Oh no—

The Emperor is a good man!

After cursing him as a foolish monarch so many times and even wanting to screw his daughter...

Your Majesty, your humble servant truly did not mean it that way!

"Why is Lord Thousand-Commander standing there in a daze? Why haven't you received the edict?"

Chief Eunuch Li looked at Li Wenxuan with a beaming smile.

Li Wenxuan hurriedly cupped his fists and said in a clear voice: "Your servant, Li Wenxuan, Thousand-Man Commander of Punishment for the Eastern Depot, receives the edict!"

The imperial edict was gently placed into Li Wenxuan's hands.

A nearby eunuch stepped forward and gently draped a blood-red cloak embroidered with a golden eagle pattern over Li Wenxuan's shoulders.

A second eunuch stepped up, presenting the official seal and tally of the Thousand-Man Commander of Punishment for Li Wenxuan to inspect.

A third eunuch approached holding an official saber. As he slowly drew it from its scabbard, dark golden patterns could be seen along the spine of the blade, looking extraordinary and completely different from the three-foot official sabers used by hundred-man commanders.

The designated saber for an Eastern Depot Thousand-Man Commander was known as the Golden-Spined Saber!

This...

Just as well, his previous blade had killed some filthy things, time for a new one.

The Deputy Supervisor is always so considerate!

Your subordinate silently prays in his heart that you depose the Supervisor and become the righteous Supervisor yourself!

"Lord Thousand-Commander, His Majesty pays utmost attention to the hereditary privilege case. You may make use of these one hundred armored imperial guards for now. If manpower is insufficient, you can rely on the official seal of the Eastern Depot Thousand-Commander of Punishment in your hand to requisition troops from the imperial guards' grand camp!"

Chief Eunuch Li smiled and said, "As for the number, it must not exceed one thousand. If it exceeds one thousand, you need to report it to me. However, His Majesty has granted you a special privilege: within the number of two thousand, you do not need to make any reports at all!"

"Your servant thanks Your Majesty for the trust, and also thanks the Superintendent for speaking kindly of me before His Majesty!"

"Heh, this is all due to your own capability. If you were an incompetent fool, even if I wanted to speak kindly of you, I wouldn't find the words." Chief Eunuch Li tugged at his reins and smiled, "Keep up the good work! His Majesty can see your hard work!"

"This is merely within the scope of your servant's duty; how dare I call it hardship?"

Li Wenxuan hastily cupped his fists.

"Oh! There is one matter I almost forgot to mention. You are now the Eastern Depot Thousand-Man Commander of Punishment. According to the rules, you are to appoint two Hundred-Man Commanders of Punishment and three Hundred-Man Investigators underneath you. As for these candidates, this house will not interfere; you may select them yourself from among those secret agents."

"Thank you, Superintendent, for your guidance."

Chief Eunuch Li chuckled, "Lord Thousand-Commander, no need to be so distant. We are now a family as close as can be. See you later!"

"Farewell to the Superintendent!" Li Wenxuan hastily waved for Crazy Donkey to step forward and receive his official seal, official saber, and other items.

When he withdrew his gaze and looked toward the hundred-man formation of heavily armored imperial guards radiating a murderous aura in the snow...

***

The hundred-man troop of armored guards immediately cupped their fists in unison and shouted in a thunderous voice, "Greetings, Lord Thousand-Commander!"

The robust roar shook the accumulated snow on the eaves and tree branches, causing it to cascade down continuously.

Crazy Donkey, Xu Que, Zhou Long, Zhang Xiaogui, Tian Gaoyi, and others also hurried forward to offer congratulations and pay their respects.

Li Wenxuan said little, merely stepping up onto higher ground and sweeping his gaze across the crowd: "I won't say too many superfluous words. First, I thank you imperial guard brothers for coming here to suffer through such a snowy day with me."

"However, I imagine without me explaining in detail, you all know about the battle of Shanhai Pass seventeen years ago—how the hereditary privileges granted by the court to the imperial guards who died in battle were fraudulently usurped by certain high-ranking officials and nobles, right?"

Imperial Guard Hundred-Man Commander Liu Teng stepped out of the ranks, cupping his fists, and said angrily, "Reporting to Lord Thousand-Commander, we have all heard of this matter. But because we have wives, children, and elderly to care for at home, we dared to be angry but didn't dare to speak!"

"Today, since Lord Thousand-Commander is thoroughly investigating this matter straight to the ears of the Emperor, even if it means going through fire and water, my humble self and my brothers will not even frown!"

"Good!" Li Wenxuan nodded with satisfaction, then looked at Zhang Xiaogui, gesturing for him to step forward.

"This man's name is Zhang Xiaogui. His father was a squad leader under the Vanguard Camp back then, named Zhang Datou. It is said that this man had an exceptionally large head, and the iron helmet he wore on the battlefield had to be specially custom-made."

"I know Zhang Datou! Back when we were fighting the Jin armies in fierce battles at Shanhai Pass to seize positions, that big head of his smashed the skulls of three Jin dogs, and later he was targeted by a Jin captain who led a group of men to hack him to death."

Among the crowd, an imperial guard suddenly shouted loudly.

Zhang Xiaogui looked in surprise—it turned out to be his own maternal uncle...

Uh?

Uncle, you... isn't this a bit too contrived?

"Good!" Li Wenxuan nodded. "Since there are still people who remember them, we must not let them shed blood in vain for our great Wu Empire, nor can we allow their descendants to suffer grievances after they died fighting for the empire!"

"Xu Que, Zhou Long!"

"Your subordinates are here!"

Xu Que and Zhou Long immediately responded, cupped their fists, and stepped out of the ranks.

The two of them had heard clearly just moments ago: their Hundred-Man Commander had overnight become a Thousand-Man Commander, leaving five vacant positions for Hundred-Man Commanders underneath him.

And these were to be selected right from among the secret agents!

Since the two of them had followed him to handle this matter, they were considered the secret agents closest to him. There was a strong chance the position of Hundred-Man Commander would fall to them.

A Hundred-Man Commander!

That was an official rank of the orthodox sixth grade!

Even a local county magistrate was only at the orthodox seventh grade—including Cui Yuanhai, the magistrate of the capital, who was also orthodox seventh grade.

Consequently, both of them were currently filled with boundless excitement; they felt that if they were asked to fight a tiger right now, they would dare to go up barehanded!

"Take the people we captured last night, and let our military might press straight upon Cui Yuanhai's mansion!"