Chapter 1161 – Striking Xu Ke, the First Kill Among the Lords (31)
Despite having lofty ambitions, just thinking about the current composition of the lord’s forces made Wei Ci involuntarily gasp.
Why?
He was afraid of not securing a spot.
In his previous life, the Emperor built the Golden Scales Pavilion to honor the meritorious.
Ten from civil officials and ten from military generals.
Initially, it was supposed to be nine each because nine is a number associated with the universe, starting from one and ending at nine, while ten is considered ominous.
However, the Emperor insisted on selecting ten, signifying perfection, and the officials could do nothing about it.
Not to mention, Xu Ke, Feng Jin, and Sun Wen—those three had met unfortunate ends in their past lives and missed out on the Golden Scales Pavilion.
But things were different now; as long as they survived until the world was unified, how could the Golden Scales Pavilion possibly exclude them?
With three less spots for civil officials, and considering the previous advisors who gradually allied with the lord, Wei Ci couldn’t help but feel anxious.
Why call it the Golden Scales Pavilion? They might as well name it the Divine Ranking List!
Wei Ci sat at the bow of the boat, enjoying the golden sunlight and the fresh river breeze, reflecting on the old days buried deep in memory.
Since there has to be an order, of course, there had to be a first and a second.
But who to choose for the top civil and military positions?
The officials were bickering fiercely, with commoners and aristocrats at odds. Even if the Emperor suppressed the aristocrats during the chaotic times, at the beginning of Jiang Zhao’s establishment, there was a pressing need for talent, and the aristocrats had a plethora of candidates. This was their prime opportunity to rise.
The rankings of the Golden Scales Pavilion became a battleground for contention, where they would vie, love, and kill.
The commoners and aristocrats refused to give way, with the commoners rising slowly. If the second or third generation could stabilize their footing, they would eventually join the ranks of true noble families, possibly becoming new aristocrats. Most of the high-ranking officials in the court came from commoner backgrounds, leaving the aristocrats helpless against them for a time.
They could only grudgingly take a step back to avoid mutual destruction, especially with the Emperor keeping a tight grip over them.
There were a total of ten slots in the civil and military rankings, so half for each side, right?
After allocating the slots, they began to squabble over the first ranking.
For the top civil official, it must be Feng Jue, right?
He had been with the Emperor since the time of the bandits, and without Feng Jue’s years of planning, the unification of the realm would have encountered many more obstacles.
For the top military general, it must be Yang Tao, right?
His overall strength was impressive, and he held great respect in the military, so the first position seemed fitting.
As for the first candidate for civil official, Wei Ci had no objections; however, picking the first military general was truly a trap.
The aristocrats were dissatisfied with Yang Tao’s already burning flames of ambition and insisted on adding more fuel to the fire?
Yang Tao’s identity was sensitive, and his martial prowess was not top-notch; if he were to compete for the top military position, it would be a recipe for disaster.
But the aristocrats didn’t care; they couldn’t accept being overshadowed by the commoners.
So what happened?
They privately battled while the Emperor remained unfazed, watching the water fight unfold with indifference.
By the time the civil and military rankings were announced, both sides were dumbfounded.
So, after all their squabbling, the Emperor hadn’t taken their words seriously at all?
The first civil official wasn’t the popular choice Feng Jue, but rather the low-profile and humble Qi Guanrang, with Feng Jue coming second.
This point even made Wei Ci raise an eyebrow.
If he remembered correctly, the Emperor had previously placed Feng Jue’s portrait at the top!
The top military general was Fu Wang, whom the outside world criticized as having “wolfish ambitions,” coming from a very humble background.
The commoners now made up sixty percent—it was nearly overwhelming victory.
However, the commoners couldn’t gloat for too long, for besides the dual rankings of civil and military officials, the Emperor also established the Artisan List.
Unlike the family-bound aristocrats or the soon-to-form alliances, the Artisan List was aimed solely at individuals.
Regardless of gender, status, or age, whoever invented something that benefited the people or improved national defense could land a spot on the list. The state would promote their skills and might even provide a share of the profits to the individual.
Don’t underestimate that share; the profits could make merchants across the land jealous.
The first to make it onto the Artisan List even occupied a spot on the military rankings, truly a life winner.
Wei Ci was heading south to persuade Yang Tao to ally; he also wanted to scoop up that talent.
This person wasn’t just anyone; he was the prized gem Wei Ci unearthed in his previous life—Bai Ning.
He couldn’t believe that he managed to bring that guy to An Huan’s camp in his past life but couldn’t charm him to his lord’s camp this time.
Wei Ci carefully cross-referenced his memories and found no discrepancies, easing his mind as he leaned back for a nap at the boat’s bow.
Perhaps due to daytime thoughts leading to nighttime dreams, Wei Ci had been murmuring before sleep and recalled contents that had yet to be unearthed during the dream.
In the dream, Wei Ci visited to congratulate Bai Ning for topping both lists.
But Bai Ning was stroking his grizzled beard, looking glum rather than pleased.
“Sigh, Zixiao—today’s guest of honor, you’re the only one who looks comfortable. I’m merely here to congratulate you, nothing else.” Bai Ning stared at the pond in the corridor, speaking gloomily, “I come from humble beginnings and naturally wish to contend in the court with the aristocrats to secure a path for commoner scholars, but—our esteemed leader’s methods are truly frightening; if it weren’t for the Emperor’s prohibition, I’d really consider retiring to avoid being like a windsock, suffering blows from both sides—”
As a hot commodity, he had received the olive branches offered by both factions, yet being aware of the underlying truths, Bai Ning did not want to get caught up in that conflict.
Thus, he was distressed.
“What does this mean?”
Bai Ning mystifiedly countered, “Do you think I just made it onto the Artisan List through hard work?”
Wei Ci responded, “Naturally, it’s because you contributed the secret recipes for gunpowder to bolster the nation’s defense, serving the state for the ages.”
Bai Ning chuckled softly, shaking his head repeatedly.
“No, no, no, it’s only because the Emperor finds me pleasing, perhaps with your influence.”
As Wei Ci was about to inquire further, Bai Ning solemnly stated, “The conflict between commoners and aristocrats can only lead to mutual destruction. No matter how they fight, they cannot move beyond the Emperor’s palm. Frankly speaking, even if the Emperor feasts with the honored guests, as long as the royal bloodline survives, the Artisan List endures; both factions are just pawns in the Emperor’s hand—Zixiao, do not get involved!”
Wei Ci smiled bitterly, “I’m just a small character; how could I possibly interfere in a divine clash?”
After the recent “falling meteor,” he had completely lost hope.
“Hmm, if you think that way, I have nothing more to say.” Bai Ning seemed to recall something and added, “Earlier, you supported the Wei Clan, and they flaunted their might under the tiger’s skin, inadvertently offending many. Now that the wind is tightening, aristocrats and commoners alike do not dare to act too recklessly. You might as well lie low for self-preservation; the emergence of the civil and military Artisan Rankings has made even those who used to attack you fall silent.”
Afterwards, Bai Ning continued to ramble on about something.
At that time, Wei Ci was only half-listening, downing cup after cup of fine wine; he himself failed to recall what Bai Ning had said. Yet within the dream, everything was very clear.
Bai Ning stated, “As for the Artisan List, the Emperor can decide who gets on it… He might throw you a bone and allow you to pick up some easy gains, letting you play a role in his scheme… You could rise to the court faster than ascending to heaven. The aristocrats and commoners are merely fighting for profit. Generations of accumulation can’t compare to the Emperor’s grant. Sigh, the more I ponder, the more I feel this water is too deep; I might as well return home to sell firecrackers—what use is there in the conflict between commoners and aristocrats? Zixiao, don’t you think so?”
Aristocrats refer to families of high status who have served in governance for generations.
In an age when education was scarce, they controlled vast resources and educated countless talents over generations. Those educated would further consolidate family interests, creating an indestructible interest group.
Ultimately, their success stems from their wealth, standing taller than others.
If life were a race, commoners start at the starting line, while aristocrats are already halfway or at the finish line.
Yet—
No matter how much resources aristocrats possess, or how rich their heritage, they remain bound by the development of the era.
When everyone relied on cold weapons and horseback combat, the Emperor could produce gunpowder and firearms recipes to any trusted confidant. A simple recipe, with the Emperor’s covert support, could rapidly create another rising force, disrupting the rhythm of either commoners or aristocrats.
Those who cannot adapt to the pace of change—whether commoners or aristocrats—will ultimately be abandoned by the times.
It’s like flying a kite; the one controlling the string is the Emperor, and how high or far the kite flies is entirely in her hands.
Bai Ning had always thought the Emperor might misstep; however, the ones who truly faltered were the aristocrats and commoners who remained unaware while being led around.
Wei Ci was keenly aware he was dreaming, the content a meld of memories deep within his mind.
He distinctly remembered visiting Bai Ning that day, though his mood was anything but light.
He had ambitions for the civil officials’ list, but the outcome turned out to be a pipe dream.
When Bai Ning offered fine wine as hospitality, Wei Ci drank to dull his worries and hardly grasped what Bai Ning had particularly discussed.
But now, within the dream, he recalled everything vividly!
As if struck by thunder, fragmented clues gradually pieced together.
The Emperor—
Wei Ci’s heart jolted; he abruptly opened his eyes, squinting as the glaring sunlight pained his sight.
Instinctively, he turned away to shield himself, taking a while to adjust.
Once his senses returned, he found himself drenched in cold sweat, with everything from the dream growing clearer.
He thought he knew the Emperor, the current lord quite well, but looking back at that dream—
Wei Ci was incredulous to find that he might have grasped only the tip of the iceberg.
In his past life, the Emperor, at some subtle point, had already started to lay the groundwork; she was playing a large, intricate game while he remained completely unaware.
At the same time—
Jiang Pengji opened her eyes, withdrawing her mental focus from the Yin-Yang jade pendant. She propped her chin on her left hand while twirling a brush in her right.
Muttering, she said, “Bai Ning? Who’s that little trickster?”
Just as she pondered, a messenger rushed in, announcing, “Report—urgent news from the frontlines!”
“Come in.”
Jiang Pengji suppressed her wandering thoughts as the messenger hurried into the tent, handing over a sealed bamboo tube.
She casually squeezed it, breaking it open, and retrieved the coded letter inside.
Wei Ci was on an official mission to Nan Sheng, but Xu Ke wouldn’t hold back just because of that.
Whether it was Xu Ke or her, both were testing the waters on the edge of life and death.
Neither side had erupted into widespread war; it was just minor skirmishes, pushing and pulling over certain small counties, you retreat, I advance, I retreat, you advance.
It was as gentle as a flirtation.
Jiang Pengji knew that Xu Ke was waiting for Huang Song to send troops.
She was waiting too, waiting for news from Wei Ci and for Huang Song to join the fray.
If she didn’t press Huang Song and Xu Ke into the ground and rub them thoroughly, she would truly feel indebted to Zixiao for all the hard work over the past few days.
“Sigh, lost weight, gotten darker—”
Gazing at the letter regarding Huang Song’s deployment, Jiang Pengji murmured a sigh.
Messenger: “……”
