Inside the Main Hall of the Examination Hall, every cultivator stood in tense silence, waiting for the announcement.
When the Proctor began reading out the list, emotions exploded in waves. Some looked crestfallen, some utterly shattered, some lit up with joy, and some wept openly.
“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Li Changsheng, on passing.”
“Same to you, and congratulations, Fellow Daoist Gu Jinpeng.”
Gu Jinpeng had never expected that the man who had seemed to sleep through the exam would actually remain. That meant Li Changsheng had narrowly passed the second stage. It was almost unbelievable.
Gu Jinpeng, however, had confidence in himself. Passing the second stage was entirely due to his own learning and ability. There was no luck involved on his side.
This round had only been a preliminary screening. Those whose essays were incoherent or who had handed in blank sheets were eliminated immediately. The remaining candidates merely needed essays that were pleasant to read, handwriting that was neat, or answer sheets filled completely to advance.
Passing the preliminary stage did not mean the writing was brilliant. Sometimes, fortune played its part.
Clearing the second stage also meant their seniority ranking was relatively high. In the future, the time spent accumulating qualifications would be greatly shortened.
Soon, everyone exited the Main Hall and arrived at another square.
The square was filled with tools: alchemy furnaces, fire forges, talisman brushes and talisman paper, formation array instruments, Bagua diagrams, and other materials.
This was the third examination ground.
“Please choose one discipline among talisman crafting, alchemy, forging, or formation arrays,” the Proctor announced.
As his voice fell, 785 cultivators stepped forward one by one, heading toward the discipline they were most skilled in.
“For alchemy candidates, refine one Marrow Cleansing Pill.”
“For talisman candidates, craft one Concealed Spirit Talisman.”
“For forging candidates, forge one weapon.”
“For formation array candidates, set up one Spirit Gathering Formation.”
With those instructions, the square erupted into activity.
Formation arrays, talismans, and medicinal pills were all considered foundational professions. Every cultivator would encounter them at some point.
Li Jinpeng specialized in talisman crafting and naturally went to that section.
Li Changsheng hesitated for a moment before choosing forging.
He did not know how to craft talismans. He did not know how to refine medicinal pills. He could not set up formation arrays. Only forging was something he had at least touched upon.
In the mortal world, he had seen and even practiced blacksmithing.
He could forge an ordinary kitchen knife. The process was simple. Take a block of refined iron, throw it into the furnace, heat it until softened, then remove it and hammer it repeatedly to temper and refine it. Return it to the furnace to heat again, then hammer and temper once more to shape it.
From selecting materials to shaping the final form, it required one or even two days of work.
If he could pass this stage, the Metropolitan Examination would be perfectly concluded. After that, it would only be a matter of waiting three days for the announcement of the selected candidates.
Li Changsheng had already reached the final step. He did not hold much hope.
Still, he devoted himself fully to the forging. With his technique, strength, and shaping skill, the sound of hammer striking iron rang sharp and rapid across the square, faster and clearer than anyone else’s.
The Proctors observed his forging carefully and assigned scores. Several Proctors came over, inspecting each step and recording every detail for every candidate.
After only one day, Li Changsheng finally forged a kitchen knife of flawless appearance, razor-sharp and sturdy.
Others had already finished refining medicinal pills or drawing talismans and submitted their work.
Before handing it in, Li Changsheng engraved the words “Rogue Cultivator Li” onto the blade.
It was, of course, only an ordinary weapon. To turn it into a magical artifact or spiritual artifact would require a formation array master to inscribe array patterns. That was a profound and complex interdisciplinary field, far beyond Li Changsheng’s reach.
After submitting their works, candidates gradually left the examination ground. Once outside, all they had to do was wait three days for the results. With that, this year’s Metropolitan Examination came to an end.
In the restaurants and streets of the Southern District, discussions of this year’s exam topics were everywhere. Some said it was difficult. Others claimed it was not. Many speculated who would pass. Any cultivator who reached the third stage had already drawn considerable attention in the Southern District.
Even those who failed could hold their third-stage Metropolitan Examination certificate as proof that their seniority ranking was high. If they maintained this progress, in a few decades they might be admitted exceptionally. That was far better than those who could not even pass the first stage.
“This kitchen knife has excellent quality. Without at least 20 years of forging experience, it would be impossible to produce something so sharp and resilient.”
“Other metals were added to the blade, making it lighter and more convenient. It’s about half the weight of an ordinary kitchen knife.”
“With this level of forging skill, it qualifies.”
Inside the Examination Hall, several Lords had already taken notice of Li Changsheng. At this moment, they examined the kitchen knife, discussing it with interest.
The three days of waiting were agonizing. Some candidates stared endlessly at the Imperial List board, counting the moments until it would be revealed.
If one ranked in the Metropolitan Examination, one would become a Gongshi. Gongshi could attend the Palace Examination, meet the Emperor, and upon meeting the Emperor, become a Jinshi and enter the court as an official.
Li Changsheng, however, was not particularly anxious. If he failed, he would simply try again next year.
Three days later, countless cultivators gathered outside the Southern District Examination Hall.
“The list is out! The list is out!”
As the Proctor emerged with the ranking list, everyone surged forward in excitement.
“I passed! I passed! Hahaha…”
“Sigh, my name isn’t there. I’ll try again next year.”
“Why not me? Why not me? Sob…”
When the list was unveiled, every cultivator fixed their gaze upon it. There were only 50 available spots.
Out of 785 candidates, only 50 were selected. Even so, this was considered a relatively high acceptance rate.
“Gu Jinpeng…”
In the crowd, Gu Jinpeng trembled as he read his own name. When he saw it clearly written there, unmissable, his eyes filled with uncontrollable ecstasy.
Gu Jinpeng was already middle-aged, nearing 100 years old. From the time he began seeking official rank, he had endured the accumulation of seniority for over 70 years.
In other words, he had taken this exam more than 70 times.
For a cultivator who could reach the third stage and still have to accumulate seniority for over 70 years, it showed just how far behind many others were in ranking.
“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Gu Jinpeng, on becoming a Gongshi.”
“Thank you, thank you.”
Gu Jinpeng finally regained his composure and looked at Li Changsheng. “Fellow Daoist Li Changsheng, I have taken this exam for over 70 years, and only now have I succeeded. This is your first time participating in the Metropolitan Examination. Your road is long. Even if this time fails, there will be many more opportunities. I hope you will also succeed.”
Li Changsheng smiled faintly. “I have already passed.”
“What?”
Gu Jinpeng’s expression changed. He hurriedly looked back at the list. Finally, among the top ten names, he saw “Li Wu.”
His eyes widened.
Although the list was not officially ranked in order, everyone knew that the higher the name appeared, the higher the ranking.
Gu Jinpeng’s name was listed beyond the 40th position.
Li Changsheng, however, was within the top ten.
That meant Li Changsheng’s talent, cultivation level, written examination results, and overall strength were all superior to his.
Gu Jinpeng felt genuine astonishment. “Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Li Changsheng. We are both Gongshi now. In the future, I hope you will look after me.”
“You are too modest,” Li Changsheng replied calmly.
The two of them went to the Examination Hall to exchange their certificates for Gongshi credentials.
With that credential, wherever they went, they were treated with respect.
One month later, they would participate in the Palace Examination and meet the Emperor.
In the restaurants of the Southern District, celebrations erupted.
Influential nobles and officials began appearing one after another, seeking out the newly appointed Gongshi.
They offered money, resources, houses, fields, pearls, gold coin, and silver coin. Even the innkeepers offered free meals and lodging to any Gongshi who stayed with them.
In his room, Li Changsheng could hardly believe he had truly become a Gongshi.
In one month, he would attend the Palace Examination and become a Jinshi. After that, he could enter the court and serve as an official.
The shopkeeper of a clothing store next door gifted him a luxurious robe.
The owner of a bathhouse offered one month of free bathing, meals, and lodging.
A jeweler in the Southern District gave him several pieces of precious jade and jewelry worth 1,000 gold coin.
Once a person gained power, money seemed to flow in without effort. Even if you did not accept it, others would rush to present it.
Li Changsheng had resolved to become the greatest corrupt official of the Great Shang Empire, to dismantle it from within. Any treasure or gold and silver sent to him, he accepted without hesitation.
Li Jinpeng, once impoverished and from a remote area, also rose in status after becoming a Gongshi. He became one of the Southern District’s rising figures of the year, receiving no small amount of wealth and gifts.
“Fellow Daoist Li Changsheng, let’s go to the bathhouse for a hot spring soak, and then have a fine meal at the restaurant,” Li Jinpeng said as he entered Li Changsheng’s room, his face glowing with satisfaction.
From this day forward, he too was considered a court official.
In the Great Shang Empire, once one became a Gongshi through the imperial examination, advancement to Jinshi was guaranteed. There was no such thing as failing the Palace Examination. The Emperor would designate a Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua, while the rest would all become Jinshi.
Li Changsheng did not refuse.
He and Gu Jinpeng went together to enjoy themselves at the Southern District bathhouse.
Over the course of that month, Li Changsheng enjoyed unparalleled prestige. With his Gongshi credential, he was respected everywhere he went.
Many influential nobles sought to win him over. He also interacted with the playboy sons of officials. L i Changsheng rejected none of them and quickly blended into their circles.
He thought that after becoming a Jinshi, he would likely be assigned as a county magistrate in some small county within the Empire, or perhaps stationed at the frontier to guard a spiritual vein.
No matter the position, he would climb step by step to the Imperial Capital and become a central court official. At that time, he would gather wealth from all directions and hollow out the Great Shang Empire from within, becoming its parasite.
If one year was not enough, then ten years. If ten were not enough, then 100. If 100 were not enough, then 1,000. If 1,000 were not enough, then 10,000.
Until he drained the dragon vein of the Great Shang Empire dry, he would not stop.
Finally, one month later, Li Changsheng and the other 50 Gongshi arrived early beneath the Eastern District Imperial Palace.
Under the guidance of eunuchs, the 50 Gongshi entered the inner palace grounds with anxious hearts.
The Great Shang Imperial Palace occupied more than half of the Eastern District. Its scale was unprecedented.
After thousands of years of accumulation, the palace stood majestic and magnificent. Just walking from the southern gate of the imperial city to the Bright Radiance Hall took half an hour.
Security was strict. There were countless palace maids and eunuchs. The Imperial Guard were all cultivators. Though they were Spiritual Practitioner, their strength within the same Spiritual Practitioner Realm was at least above average.
On the plaza before the Bright Radiance Hall, officials stood in orderly rows. The Gongshi stood at the rear, waiting respectfully.
“Summon the officials into the hall!”
“Summon the Gongshi into the hall!”
Soon, with a sharp cry, more than 100 officials and Gongshi entered the Main Hall.
The hall was vast and resplendent. The floor tiles were paved entirely with pure spirit jade. On both sides stood nine dragon pillars rising to the heavens. Historians, eunuchs, and palace maids stood ready on either side.
The moment Li Changsheng stepped into the Main Hall, a faint yet immensely profound and terrifying spiritual pressure spread outward.
It was said that the Emperor of the Great Shang Empire was an Emperor-level Spiritual Practitioner. That was the true reason the dynasty had stood firm for thousands of years.
“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor!”
All officials shouted in unison, cupping their hands in salute.
“Rise, my beloved ministers.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
As a calm voice echoed through the Main Hall, the officials raised their hands and stepped aside to both sides.
Li Changsheng lifted his head. On the raised platform stood a resplendent dragon throne, carved from pure gold and pure spirit jade. Even the desk beside it radiated a dense aura of spiritual energy. Get faster updates on g.com.
Seated upon the throne was a tall figure wearing a crown and imperial robes.
He was the current Emperor, the Emperor-level Spiritual Practitioner of the Great Shang Empire, Long Cang.
A eunuch stepped forward, presenting a dossier in his hands.
Long Cang appeared to be over 60 years old. He looked dignified yet composed. His complexion was full of vitality, his gaze deep and steady. When his eyes swept across the Main Hall, a faint but overwhelming dragon’s majesty filled the air.
“This year’s imperial examination pleases me greatly.”
“You are all pillars of the Empire. I ask you now: one million members of the demon race are invading our borders. How should this be resolved?”
Long Cang’s voice was aged yet authoritative, slow and heavy with pressure.
The moment those words fell, all the Gongshi fell silent.
Suddenly, one stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, since ancient times, the demon race has never ceased invading our lands. The imperial grace is vast. The Great Shang Empire has a population of more than 1 billion. We are not weaker than the demon race. We can likewise dispatch 1 million troops to resist the enemy, and at the same time construct defensive walls along the border to protect the Empire.”
“Mm.” Long Cang nodded and looked toward the others.
Another Gongshi stepped forward. “Your Majesty, to know oneself and know the enemy ensures victory in every battle. We can plant spies within demon territory, dismantle their forces from within, monitor their movements at all times, and wait for the right opportunity.”
One after another, the Gongshi stepped forward to offer advice. Some even volunteered recklessly to go to the border and serve the Empire personally.
Li Changsheng stood quietly among the crowd, saying nothing.
From the moment he stepped into this Main Hall, he was already a Jinshi.
There was no elimination system for Jinshi. He only needed to wait calmly for the Ministry of Personnel to assign him an official post.
As for serving the Empire wholeheartedly and offering strategic brilliance, he had no such ambition.
All he wanted was to be assigned a county magistrate position as soon as possible so he could begin accumulating wealth in peace.
At that moment, Long Cang looked down at the dossier on his desk. These were the examination papers of this year’s Gongshi. On the top page was written clearly: “The Thirty-Six Stratagems of The Art of War.”
“Who is Li Wu?”
Suddenly, Long Cang spoke.
The Main Hall fell into complete silence.
Li Changsheng froze slightly when he heard the name Li Wu. After a brief pause, he stepped forward.
“Your servant Li Wu is present.”
“My minister, what strategy do you propose?”
Long Cang studied him carefully. His powerful Emperor-level spiritual sense swept across Li Changsheng. In his perception, Li Wu’s cultivation level was merely that of a mid-to-lower-tier Spiritual Practitioner.
Hearing this, Li Changsheng’s heart skipped a beat. Why had the Emperor singled him out?
If he answered poorly and provoked imperial anger, he might lose his life on the spot.
After a brief pause, Li Changsheng spoke steadily.
“Your Majesty, the strategies proposed by the other ministers all have merit. However, I believe constructing a great wall would exhaust the people and drain the treasury, yet yield limited results.”
“The demon race has invaded our borders repeatedly since ancient times. Rather than exhausting ourselves in response, it would be better to use the funds intended for wall construction to establish academies, provide disaster relief, and improve the people’s livelihoods.”
“If the hundreds of millions of citizens of the Great Shang Empire live in peace and prosperity, with enough food and stable lives, the national strength will naturally rise. When the demon race invades again, with the Empire’s prosperity, Your Majesty’s mighty dragon’s authority, and the unity of officials and citizens alike, we will surely overcome danger and achieve lasting stability.”
The officials looked at Li Changsheng in astonishment.
While others focused on military resistance, Li Wu had instead spoken first of the common people.
Constructing a great wall would indeed demand enormous manpower and wealth. If those resources were redirected toward improving livelihoods, then as long as the Empire remained strong, why fear the demon race?
Long Cang fell into thought.
The Great Shang Empire had existed for thousands of years. The lives of its citizens were far from comfortable. As the Empire’s strongest figure, Long Cang rarely concerned himself with civilian affairs.
In the early years, when he had first established Great Shang, he had been spirited and ambitious. But as time passed, though he controlled the Empire’s lifeline, the suffering of ordinary people no longer moved him.
The Empire had fallen into corruption and decline several times in its history. Yet whenever he governed diligently for a few years, national strength would slowly recover.
As long as he, the Emperor-level Spiritual Practitioner, did not die, Great Shang would not fall.
There were few cultivators in the court who still thought of the people.
To cultivators, the lives of mortals were insignificant, nearly negligible.
Yet those who had just stepped into court as newly appointed Jinshi were often the only ones who still retained their original intentions.
Two hours later, all the Gongshi left the Main Hall.
After leaving the Imperial Palace, they would wait calmly for the Imperial List.
Three days later, the Emperor would personally select the top three candidates. The rest would all officially become Jinshi.
Three days passed, and the Imperial List was announced.
“Congratulations to Xiang Yuanzhong for ranking third as Tanhua.”
That day, drums and gongs resounded through the streets of the Southern District. The officials responsible for proclaiming the results marched along the streets, beating drums until they reached the entrance of an inn.
“Congratulations to Chen Juncai for ranking second as Bangyan.”
Another inn echoed with drums and celebration. Crowds gathered to see who this year’s top three scholars were.
“Congratulations to Li Wu for ranking first in the First Grade, Zhuangyuan!”
Inside the inn, Li Changsheng stood frozen.
He was the Zhuangyuan?
Was the Great Shang Empire truly this mediocre? With his own modest ability, he had actually taken first place. Even Li Changsheng found it hard to believe.
“Brother Li, congratulations on becoming Zhuangyuan.
(T/N: Zhuangyuan means the number one scholar in the entire imperial examination system.)
Gu Jinpeng looked at him with open envy and shock. He had never imagined that this young and handsome man, participating in the imperial examination for the first time, would claim the highest honor.
From now on, Li Changsheng would be a central official in the Imperial Capital. Gu Jinpeng was merely an ordinary Jinshi. He would have to rely on Li Changsheng in the future.
The inn erupted with celebration.
Numerous influential figures came to offer congratulations. Li Changsheng stood at the center of the crowd, delighted.
After becoming Zhuangyuan, his entire schedule was meticulously arranged.
That very day, he and the other Jinshi entered the Imperial Palace’s Ministry of Rites to receive the Zhuangyuan court robes.
As the top scholar, Li Changsheng would lead in presenting congratulatory memorials. Three days later, all the Jinshi would attend the Grand Honor Banquet at the palace.
All officials, including Emperor Long Cang, along with princes, princesses, and imperial consorts, would be present.
The banquet was extraordinarily lavish. Fine wine, exquisite dishes, spiritual fruits, and rare delicacies filled the hall.
Music and dance performances unfolded one after another without pause.
Ministers sat at their tables, raising cups and exchanging toasts in lively celebration.
Li Changsheng held a cup of wine and toasted every minister in turn.
He also toasted Emperor Long Cang.
The etiquette of the cultivation world differed somewhat from the imperial banquets he had imagined.
Those seated here were all cultivators. Some mortal formalities were omitted, while others were added. Cultivators were more relaxed and unrestrained. At the banquet, ministers had little pretense, and even the Emperor laughed and conversed freely.
Li Changsheng noticed fruit trays stacked several meters high beside the palace maids. They were filled with various spiritual fruits, many varieties he had never seen before.
He had rarely consumed such spiritual items. When he tasted them for the first time, he felt a faint, strange sensation within his body.
It was said that frequent consumption of spiritual fruits would gradually improve one’s physique, making it more spiritualized than that of ordinary mortals.
As a cultivator’s cultivation level increased, the body would slowly transform into a spiritual body.
Looking at the spiritual fruits, Li Changsheng could not help but harbor crooked thoughts.
He walked to the fruit trays and, while no one was paying attention, quietly stuffed many into his robes.
The palace maids and eunuchs nearby noticed and stared in surprise, but said nothing.
“You are Li Wu, this year’s Zhuangyuan, correct?”
Suddenly, a crisp voice rang out.
Li Changsheng paused and turned. A petite and charming young woman came into view.
She wore a luxurious pink gown that flowed gracefully. Her temperament was lively and noble.
“I am indeed Li Wu. May I ask which Princess you are?”
“This Princess is named Long Qianqian.”
Long Qianqian looked him up and down with curiosity shining in her eyes.
“So it is Princess Qianqian. Your servant has long admired you.”
“The dignified new Zhuangyuan has become a little thief. Hehe.”
Long Qianqian smiled playfully. “Do you believe I could inform Father Emperor and have your Zhuangyuan title revoked?”
“Princess, please spare me. I will never dare again,” Li Changsheng said quickly. A Princess was not someone he could afford to offend.
“Then tell me, what does ‘fishing in troubled waters’ mean?” Long Qianqian asked with eager curiosity.
“‘Fishing in troubled waters’ is like what I am doing now. Taking advantage of everyone’s joy at the banquet to quietly take a few spiritual fruits home.”
“So that is what it means. Then what about ‘befriend distant states while attacking nearby ones’?”
“It means forming alliances with distant forces to attack nearby enemies. Once the nearby enemies are annexed, the distant allies become the new nearby enemies.”
“And what about the ‘beauty stratagem’?”
“That is using beauty to seduce and corrupt the enemy.”
“And the ‘empty city stratagem’?”
“That is…”
Long Qianqian and Li Changsheng stood near the fruit trays, chatting enthusiastically and laughing.
The sight surprised the ministers.
Seeing Long Qianqian’s charming smile and Li Changsheng speaking confidently, they could not help but speculate.
After a while, Li Changsheng returned to his seat.
“Brother Li, you seemed quite happy chatting with the Princess,” Gu Jinpeng said with envy.
“She was merely asking me a few questions.”
“If a Princess speaks with you for so long, I suspect she has taken a liking to you and wants you as her consort.”
“Consort? I refuse.”
At the word, Li Changsheng stiffened.
“What? Why would you refuse?” Gu Jinpeng looked shocked. “Becoming the Princess’s consort is not something just anyone can achieve. Not only would you marry a beautiful Princess, but you would also rise in rank and wealth. Your starting point would be at least Minister-level.”
Li Changsheng was stunned. Wasn’t a consort unable to hold office? Apparently, not here.
“There is one drawback,” Gu Jinpeng added quietly.
“What?”
“You cannot have multiple wives and concubines. Otherwise…”
Gu Jinpeng made a beheading gesture.
Understanding dawned on Li Changsheng. Aside from being unable to have multiple wives and concubines, the benefits were substantial.
He had long been alone and had no desire to remarry or raise children. If he could leverage the status of imperial consort to serve in court, it would save him hundreds of years of climbing. This chapter was taken from novelping . com without permission.
In the Great Shang Empire, cultivators ruled the world. The Emperor, as an Emperor-level Spiritual Practitioner, did not fear consorts holding office.
Nor did he fear them rising in power and wealth. With a lifespan of tens of thousands of years, even if a consort became an official, he could not outlast the Emperor.
Over the thousands of years of Great Shang’s history, there had been no fewer than 50 imperial consorts.
Every consort had held office.
Some died of old age.
Some indulged in pleasure and failed to advance beyond the Spiritual Practitioner Realm, dying after 300 or 400 years.
Some broke through to King-level Spiritual Practitioner but lived only 1,000 or 2,000 years.
Some were sent to the frontier and died in battle.
Some devoted their lives to the court.
Some remained with a Princess for only a few decades before being cast aside.
Such stories were countless.
In an Empire ruled by an Emperor-level Spiritual Practitioner, a consort could not threaten imperial authority. Holding office was therefore only natural. After all, he was the Emperor’s son-in-law.
After the banquet ended, all the Jinshi reported to the Ministry of Personnel the next day.
The Ministry assigned posts according to each Jinshi’s place of origin. Some were appointed county magistrates. Some were sent to guard spiritual veins as Spirit Suppression guards. Some remained in the Imperial Capital as alchemists. Others served as talisman masters in the Imperial Capital.
Alchemy and talisman crafting positions were officially registered posts and counted as government appointments. There was considerable profit to be made in them, though they did not hold true administrative power.
Emperor Long Cang rewarded Li Changsheng with a residence and a large amount of gold, silver, and jewels. Thus, Li Changsheng remained in the Imperial Capital, waiting for his official appointment.
“Brother Li, I am to be appointed county magistrate of Dongling City. Please accept this wealth.”
“Lord Gu Jinpeng, what do you mean by this?” Li Changsheng repeatedly declined.
“Lord Li Changsheng, please accept it. We will serve in the same court. I will need your guidance in the future.”
After putting on a show of refusal several times and seeing Gu Jinpeng insist, Li Changsheng reluctantly accepted.
After Gu Jinpeng departed, influential officials began visiting his residence one after another.
They had already heard rumors that Princess Long Qianqian favored Li Changsheng and that he would soon become an imperial consort.
However, it was only speculation.
Li Changsheng himself knew nothing of it, though he felt a trace of anticipation. If he truly became an imperial consort, he would be one step closer to dismantling the Great Shang Empire.
With Princess Long Qianqian’s favor, he might even rise directly to Minister-level rank. At that point, accumulating wealth would be effortless.
Many officials began sending congratulatory gifts, all believing Li Changsheng would inevitably become an imperial consort.
But the Emperor’s mind was unfathomable.
Several days later, the Emperor suddenly announced joyful news. The third-ranked Tanhua, Xiang Yuanzhong, had been selected as imperial consort.
Xiang Yuanzhong was widely acknowledged as exceptionally handsome. Only the most attractive Jinshi qualified for the Tanhua title.
Though Li Changsheng was the Zhuangyuan, he was not the most handsome.
In an instant, Tanhua Xiang Yuanzhong became the center of attention. Officials flocked to his residence to curry favor and deliver gifts.
The Emperor even granted him a larger residence.
Xiang Yuanzhong came from a well-known bureaucratic family in the Imperial Capital. The Princess he married was not Long Qianqian, but another beautiful Princess.
“Lord Li Changsheng, this is the Hanlin Academy.”
Li Changsheng successfully entered the court as an official, beginning as an Editor at the Hanlin Academy.
Upon stepping inside, he saw many officials working diligently.
These officials were selected each year from among the Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua.
Only the top-tier Jinshi personally chosen by the Emperor could enter the Hanlin Academy.
Their primary duties included compiling historical records, drafting imperial edicts, editing documents, advising the Emperor on state affairs, and assisting in reviewing memorials.
Being close to the Emperor meant opportunities were plentiful. If one gained imperial favor, promotion prospects were abundant.
Yet even so, among the accumulated Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua over the years, there were at least 200, perhaps even close to 1,000.
Some Bangyan and Tanhua were already in their forties or fifties and still worked here. Some had endured one or two centuries in the Hanlin Academy.
They did not understand worldly relations. They did not know how to present themselves before the Emperor. They did not practice gift exchanges and social maneuvering. Thus, they remained in place.
Though unable to rise higher, their status and income were sufficient for comfortable lives.
Li Changsheng had no intention of remaining in the Hanlin Academy forever. He wanted promotion and wealth.
Whether appropriate or not, he intended to do whatever was necessary.
That Xiang Yuanzhong, after becoming imperial consort, was immediately appointed Assistant Director of the Ministry of Rites. In a few years, once he mastered procedures, promotion to Minister of Rites was almost guaranteed. His fortune was truly extraordinary.
“Lord Li Changsheng, upon entering the Hanlin Academy, one must speak cautiously, act prudently, focus on duties, and serve the Emperor wholeheartedly. Your future will be boundless.”
“I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Lord Zhou.”
The senior scholar Zhou Hanxue, Zhuangyuan from over 100 years ago, had served as an Editor in the Hanlin Academy for more than a century.
For over 100 years, he had not been promoted. It was said that he preferred a low profile and had declined promotion several times.
He had tutored princes and princesses and advised the Emperor, yet never sought attention, choosing instead to remain in the Hanlin Academy quietly.
Li Changsheng proved capable. Ten years later, due to excellent performance and outstanding ability, he entered the Grand Secretariat as a Grand Secretary.
As a Grand Secretary, he accompanied the Emperor in handling state affairs and providing counsel.
He frequently participated in major national discussions alongside high officials.
Another ten years passed. Li Changsheng was dispatched to serve externally as county magistrate of Bingze City in the northern frontier, a sixth-rank official.
After another 20 years, he had risen to Deputy City Lord of Bingze City. His cultivation level reached the high tier of the Spiritual Practitioner Realm.
After another 30 years, Li Changsheng was promoted to City Lord of Bingze City, becoming its highest authority.
A full 70 years had passed. He had endured 70 years to reach the position of City Lord.
Bingze City, as its name implied, lay in a land of bitter cold, blanketed in ice and snow year-round.
The cold was extreme. Many residents froze to death each year.
With a population of over 1 million and no incoming migration due to the harsh climate, the economy was stagnant. There was little profit to extract.
“My Lord, the fleet has returned.”
At the seaside harbor, Li Changsheng stood in his City Lord’s official robes, surrounded by over 100 officials and guards.
On the sea, more than ten large ships approached slowly.
These ships were fishing vessels that ventured out monthly for hunting expeditions, sometimes remaining at sea for one or two years, occasionally even three or five.
Bingze City relied heavily on the sea. Nearly all residents depended on it for survival.
As City Lord, Li Changsheng had tried for years to amass wealth through corruption. Yet the city was too poor.
The only significant profit lay in the fishing fleet.
“Inspect.”
As the ships docked, Li Changsheng waved lightly. The guards surged forward.
Each ship’s captain disembarked, offering flattering words. Some appeared composed, others anxious, some joyful.
Li Changsheng, wrapped in thick robes, stepped aboard one vessel and swept his gaze across the crew.
They wore tattered cotton clothing, resembling destitute beggars.
Some shivered from the cold yet forced respectful smiles.
“City Lord, this year our ship harvested many fine catches. Please take a look.”
The captain, a sturdy middle-aged man, appeared unaffected by the cold.
Li Changsheng followed him below deck, where piles of seafood were stacked high—mostly lobsters and various fish.
In one corner, two sailors carried out a blood-stained wooden chest.
Inside were pearls and gemstones.
Li Changsheng glanced at it and nodded. A guard collected it on the spot.
“Are any crew missing?” Li Changsheng asked calmly.
“None, none at all,” the captain replied cautiously.
“That is good.”
If a crew member was missing, there were only two possibilities: either they froze or fell overboard and never returned, or they were killed and thrown into the sea.
Whenever someone was missing, Li Changsheng generally assumed murder and imposed compensation taxes on the captain.
This policy, at least, discouraged captains from treating sailors too brutally.
Back on deck, Li Changsheng waved his hand. Heavy hatch covers weighing several hundred kilograms rose effortlessly under his spiritual energy control.
The sailors stared in awe, their respect deepening.
Soldiers descended into the holds to inspect the catch.
Soon, one shouted, “My Lord, one female crab found.”
“My Lord, three juvenile crabs.”
Li Changsheng’s expression darkened. The captain’s face turned pale as he knelt immediately.
“My Lord, spare me. I truly did not know a female crab slipped through.”
“My Lord, another female crab found.”
“My Lord, one basket of crab roe.”
Crab roe were the eggs of female Emperor Spirit Crabs, about to hatch.
“One or two female crabs might be overlooked. But how do you explain the roe?” Li Changsheng’s voice turned cold.
“M-My Lord, I was foolish. I accept punishment. My Lord, I have an 80-year-old mother and children who depend on me. Please show mercy.”
“Rest assured, I do not kill,” Li Changsheng said coldly. “Guards.”
“Present.”
“Confiscate all seafood. Imprison this ignorant captain for three years.”
The captain collapsed in despair, begging for mercy as he was dragged away.
At the harbor stood a regulation board clearly stating that capturing female crabs, female shrimp, and female sea creatures was forbidden.
If fleets ignored such rules and overharvested breeding stock, the sea’s resources would dwindle, and survival would grow ever harder.
It was like raising chickens or ducks. If all hens were slaughtered, who would lay eggs?
The same applied to the sea. If roe were harvested, future life would vanish.
Those who indiscriminately hunted for immediate profit without regard for future generations deserved severe punishment.
Some used nets or electric shocks, killing even juvenile fish. They discarded the small ones yet destroyed entire stocks. Would future generations have fish to eat?
“My Lord, among this year’s tribute, there are 100 tons of crab roe,” an official reported cautiously.
Hearing this, Li Changsheng felt nothing.
Even the dog Emperor consumed crab roe and fish eggs. No wonder corruption flowed downward from the top.
…