He took out a piece of gold-embroidered silk from his wide sleeve and handed it to his superior.
Scholars govern the world, warriors secure the land. The current emperor is eager for talent and has invited heroes from all walks of life to gather in the counties under Shuntian Prefecture, to be appointed as the leader of the alliance, a fifth-rank military commander of Zhili. On the first day of the eleventh month, the seats are vacant, awaiting their arrival.
— Written by Luan Taiqing in accordance with the Emperor's will
"Commander of the Zhili Army, what a prestigious title. In this way, he can bring the Jianghu under his control, use others to quell the rebellion of displaced people, and tarnish the clean image of Jianghu heroes in the hearts of the people. Such a triple win, he truly deserves to be called Ji Junze, Minister of Personnel and Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat."
With a flick of the silk, Shangguan Yi coldly laughed.
"If you want to leave him a way out, you should also consider what kind of person he is. After more than ten years in officialdom, he is no longer the senior brother who shared meals and clothes with you, nor the brother who enjoyed singing and dancing with you. Desire can corrupt a person, and so can ideals. You must see this clearly."
These words seemed to be addressed to her, yet they didn't. Yu Zigui was somewhat confused. Turning her head again, she noticed that Xiao Kuang's expression had changed. Just as she was about to investigate, she heard Shangguan call out.
"Zigui, were you dissatisfied with what I said about your father and brothers just now?"
Upon hearing this, she stopped pressing the matter and instead frowned and looked over.
"If I told you that if your father and brothers were to be soft-hearted again, the razing of the old mountain three years ago would not have been a thing of the past, would you believe me?" His dark eyes were deep and sharp.
Although she was unwilling, she could only accept it.
“Actually, winning this battle isn’t impossible.” Shangguan’s dark eyes gazed at her greedily as she tempted him with a smooth, seductive tone. “As long as Zigui is willing, I will go through fire and water without hesitation.”
She didn't hesitate; she understood almost immediately. "What does Ziyu want?"
"A little treat."
She was confident in her martial arts skills, so she wasn't afraid when she saw Xiao Kuang leave with a wicked smile.
"What kind of benefits?" she asked.
Shangguan put his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear, "Is A-Kuang eavesdropping?"
She listened intently. "No."
“Very good.” He leaned closer, almost touching her earlobe with his lips. “I’m going to the capital for a few days. During this time, you keep an eye on A-Kuang and don’t let him leave the county. Zigui, don’t ask. I won’t answer.”
"Um."
"Good girl." He chuckled and straightened up, casually twirling her black hair. "When I'm not around, Zigui, don't get involved in any troublesome things. Some of those chivalrous young masters may have handsome looks, but they're not exactly good people."
She was usually clever, but at this moment she struggled to keep up with his meaning.
"Take Yue Junshan for example. Although he's married, he still loves to flirt with men and women. And Wei Zhuofeng, you also have some connection with him. You'll understand when you meet him." Concealing the strange look that unconsciously showed, Shangguan looked at her and leaned down to smile. "Don't you quite understand what I mean?"
She nodded slightly but received no response from him. After a long while, she heard him murmur, "Actually, I don't quite understand either."
A fleeting, unnoticed anger crossed his handsome face. He stroked her delicate, unpierced earlobe and gazed at her silently for a moment. Then, he took out a tourmaline earring that he had prepared beforehand and swiftly and forcefully pierced it.
"Hiss—" Zi Gui covered her right ear and jumped back. "What are you doing!"
"I heard that if you get your ears pierced, you can only be a woman in your next life."
With blood staining his fingertips, Master Yu was truly enraged. "What business is it of yours whether I'm a man or a woman in my next life?"
Someone grinned smugly.
"Because I just want to be a man."
The second rule of the martial arts world: for a true hero, a perverse world is always an exclamation mark.
Volume Two, Chapter Eight of Guan Ju
Ji Ke, courtesy name Junze, achieved the top three ranks in the imperial examinations in Beizhili in the ninth year of the Yuanning era. He was the first person in the Great Wei Dynasty to achieve this feat before reaching adulthood. He initially served as an assistant to Crown Prince Minhuai, and after the prince's death, he entered the service of Prince Cheng.
In the ninth year of the Yuanning era, he entered the Hanlin Academy as a probationary official.
In the twelfth year, he became a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, holding the rank of seventh grade.
In the thirteenth year, he became a reader in the Hanlin Academy, holding the rank of sixth grade.
In the fourteenth year, he became a Hanlin Academy Reader-in-Waiting, a fifth-rank official.
In the seventeenth year, he became the Left Vice Minister of the Court of State Affairs, a fourth-rank official.
In the nineteenth year, he became the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War in Southern Zhili, a rank of third grade.
Twenty years later, King Cheng ascended the throne as Emperor Wu.
In the first year of the Shengde era, he served as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, a third-rank official.
In the third year of the Shengde era, he became the Minister of Personnel, a second-rank official.
…………
He did not enter the cabinet until the first year of Xingping. The following year, he became the Grand Secretary, was appointed Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall, and ranked among the Three Excellencies as a first-rank Grand Tutor. Ke served three emperors, made great contributions to the restoration of the dynasty, and was a powerful minister of his time.
—Records of Xingping
As dawn broke, the glazed tiles were tinged with a beautiful pale blue, like a weasel's tail.
The distant sound of the morning drums echoed over the imperial city. Although the Meridian Gate was open, civil and military officials could only enter through the side gates on either side. This was because the central red gate was reserved for the emperor, the empress, and only the top three candidates from the imperial examinations. And it had been ten years since he had ever entered through the central gate, the only time in his life.
Ji Jun adjusted his brocade robe, a symbol of his second-rank official position, and frowned slightly, feeling that the autumn this year was a bit chilly.
"Brother Junze!"