Chapter 100: Old Enemies Meet Again

“An projection of the Qian Emperor…”

After hearing the information Fang Xun had gathered, Li Shun could not help but shake his head inwardly.

Exposing himself to the Qian Emperor’s gaze for the sake of some vague and uncertain blessing bestowed upon an entire province...

That was a trade Li Shun would never make.

“This matter is definitely not as simple as Sun Chengyou makes it sound. That projection has existed for centuries without ever disappearing. Perhaps the Qian Emperor left it there intentionally.”

“With his heaven-reaching, earth-shaking abilities, how could he possibly forget that an projection of himself still exists outside? Since he has never recalled it, there must be a deeper purpose behind it.”

“This may very well be the real reason why both the Left and Right Chancellors suppressed all the memorials from Linchuan.”

“Still, borrowing his travel permit shouldn't be a problem.”

As more and more outsiders arrived in Imperial Mausoleum Prefecture, Dongshan Town grew increasingly lively.

During this period, through Fang Xun's connections, Li Shun and his younger brother Li Qing had secretly acquired ten properties.

Six residences and four storefronts.

Even though they still had sufficient funds, Li Shun decided to stop there.

“Too much is as bad as too little. The townsfolk have already started catching on. And then there are the outsiders as well.”

“The purpose of these purchases was simply to secure a fallback plan for us brothers. With these ten properties as our foundation, even if we do absolutely nothing from now on, we'll still live comfortably and prosperously.”

Li Qing had never cared much about worldly possessions in the first place. Despite suddenly owning so many properties, there was not the slightest trace of excitement on his face.

Instead, he asked curiously, “Brother, where did you get so much money?”

Without changing expression, Li Shun replied, “You don't know this, but outside Lengshan County, there's an abandoned mine. Although it's been deserted for many years, there are still some valuable minerals left behind.”

“Your brother once ventured deep into it and luckily found a few things that could be sold. Besides, there were also the rewards bestowed by Master.”

While hidden currents flowed beneath the surface of Dongshan Town, the dismantling and restructuring of the Imperial Mausoleum administration proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Three days later, an official decree from the imperial court arrived.

[Notice from the Provincial Administration of Ancient Mausoleum Commandery]:

It has been decreed that on the twenty-second day of the second month under the New Calendar, the former eight Tomb-Guarding Towns shall be reorganized into regional Pacification Offices.

Dongshan Town, Xishan Town... and the remaining settlements shall each be converted into Pacification Offices, with jurisdiction over thirteen counties apiece.

The former Dongshan Garrison Commander Fang Xun is hereby appointed Pacification Commissioner of Dongshan, with authority over all thirteen counties under its administration.

Furthermore, a comprehensive survey, registration, and census of the entire territory of Ancient Mausoleum Commandery shall commence immediately.

All residents of Ancient Mausoleum Commandery must report to their respective Pacification Offices within three months to update their household registration records. Those who fail to comply within the prescribed period shall be treated as vagrants.

Additionally, by imperial grace, the original inhabitants of the eight Tomb-Guarding Towns shall be exempt from taxation for three years. After three years, taxes shall be collected according to the laws of Great Qian.

“Judging from this, the position of Prefect of Ancient Mausoleum Commandery has already been decided. I wonder who it is?”

Fang Xun read through the decree several times. His eyes repeatedly lingered on the line:

"Former Dongshan Garrison Commander Fang Xun is hereby appointed Pacification Commissioner of Dongshan, with authority over all thirteen counties."

Unable to suppress the satisfaction on his face, he smiled.

“Speaking of which, he's an old acquaintance of yours as well.”

“The former Prefect of Lengshan Commandery...”

“Yin Fengshuo.”

Sun Chengyou smiled knowingly, clearly aware of the grudge between the two men.

“What?!”

Fang Xun's expression immediately changed.

The smile vanished from his face.

He stared at Sun Chengyou in disbelief.

“Wasn't he given a major disciplinary strike? I heard he had no hope of promotion for at least ten years.”

Unhurriedly taking a sip of hot tea, Sun Chengyou replied,

“In principle, that's true.”

“However...”

“This time, the Grand Qian Minister of Justice, Diwu Fei, personally vouched for him.”

“Much like how you not only avoided being imprisoned in Silver Bell Prison, but were instead promoted to Pacification Commissioner of Dongshan.”

The moment he heard the name Diwu Fei, Fang Xun's expression shifted slightly.

The Minister of Justice stood at the head of the Nine Ministers, overseeing criminal law, imperial prisons, and the trial of major cases.

His authority rivaled even that of the Censorate-in-Chief.

The office of Minister of Justice had always remained firmly under the control of the Legalist School.

“Diwu Fei.”

“Yin Fengshuo's master.”

“Although both positions are technically prefects, Ancient Mausoleum Commandery is clearly far more important than Lengshan. To receive a lateral transfer that is effectively a promotion despite a major disciplinary strike...”

Fang Xun let out a cold snort.

Though he did not fear Yin Fengshuo, the thought of his longtime rival becoming his direct superior once again left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“You should be careful.”

“For this transfer to Ancient Mausoleum Commandery, Yin Fengshuo reportedly exhausted all the favors owed to him by his master.”

“The fact that he's willing to go this far shows he's clearly coming for you.”

Sun Chengyou offered a reminder.

“Still, there's no need to worry excessively.”

“The affairs of Ancient Mausoleum Commandery were personally decreed by His Majesty. The entire court is watching closely.”

“Even if Yin Fengshuo becomes prefect, he cannot cover the sky with one hand.”

“As long as you leave him no obvious handle to grab onto, no matter how much he wishes to cause trouble, he won't be able to touch you.”

Fang Xun nodded slightly, though the gloom on his face remained.

“Oh, right. There's one more matter you should pay attention to.”

“The Left and Right Chancellors seem to be pushing for reforms to the official ranking system.”

“They intend to establish a nine-rank hierarchy for all government positions.”

“Officials will be evaluated once every three years.”

“Those who fail their evaluations will be demoted. I've heard the proposal is already complete and will likely be implemented soon.”

“Yin Fengshuo may very well use this against you.”

Sun Chengyou spoke slowly.

Fang Xun raised an eyebrow.

“Reform of the official system?”

“It seems the court hasn't made such major changes in many years.”

Sun Chengyou nodded.

“Indeed.”

“The last time was back in New Calendar Year 193, when the Left Chancellor submitted a proposal to clear away the Blood Miasma of the South and expand Great Qian's territory.”

“The Interminable Blood Miasma?”

Fang Xun thought for a moment.

He vaguely remembered hearing about it.

But as for what ultimately happened or what the current situation was, he knew nothing.

Sun Chengyou had no intention of pursuing the topic further.

Instead, he warned solemnly, “Shensi, countless eyes throughout the court are fixed on this place right now.”

“And now Yin Fengshuo has become your direct superior as well...”

“From now on, every action you take must be handled with the utmost caution.”

“If you make even the slightest mistake, not even your master may be able to protect you.”

Fang Xun nodded gravely.

In the blink of an eye, the twenty-second day of the second month arrived.

At noon, the sky suddenly darkened.

The people of Imperial Mausoleum Commandery instinctively looked upward.

There, a pair of enormous golden hands silently emerged across the heavens.

“That's...”

Li Shun's pupils contracted sharply.

It was the very same hand that had appeared when the pages of the Heavenly Being Codex turned and the entire Imperial Mausoleum Prefecture had been reset.

The giant golden hands exerted a slight force.

Then, with a single motion, they tore open the sky itself.

The great sun hanging above instantly dimmed, leaving behind only a faint phantom.

After that came a breathtaking sight.

Sun, moon, and stars appeared together in the heavens.

Then...

Everything vanished.

The false sky of Imperial Mausoleum Commandery seemed to have been peeled away entirely, revealing the true heavens of Great Qian beyond.

Warm sunlight poured down from above.

Normal light and shadow returned throughout Imperial Mausoleum Commandery.

As for the pair of golden hands, they had disappeared without anyone noticing when.

A moment later, a mighty wind seemed to sweep in from beyond the outside world, carrying itself across thousands of miles.

Within it, Li Shun sensed a rich and abundant moisture.

The scent of vast waters.