Chapter 62 - 60: West Gate Guard Captain
"After all, you and I both possess an Immortal Skill. It’s only natural that we keep a low profile."
"We shouldn’t attract too much attention."
Wei Tu shook his head and added.
The fact that he possessed an Immortal Skill was a major reason why he gave up the title of Martial Champion this time.
If he didn’t have the Immortal Skill, becoming the Village Martial Arts Champion and drawing public attention wouldn’t have been too risky for a Martial Artist like him, who already had some backing.
But with an Immortal Skill—
Becoming the Martial Champion and a Seventh-Grade Official would make that risk Uncontrollable, ultimately harming everyone.
"You’re right, Third Brother," Fu Zhizhou agreed, nodding emphatically.
Fu Zhizhou had a clear understanding of just how precious an Immortal Skill was.
He was an Eighth-Grade Official, after all, and his family was a Military General Family from Xiaoyi Prefecture. But before he encountered the Five Elements Spirit Body, he had always believed that Immortals didn’t exist, that they were nothing more than ethereal myths...
From this small glimpse, he could infer that the Zheng Country Court, or perhaps the Immortals themselves, must maintain strict control over Immortal Skills, absolutely forbidding them from being leaked.
If they were ever discovered, they would most likely face the extermination of their entire clan.
For this reason alone, they had to act with the utmost caution.
"Fourth Brother, is your post as Military Advisor a quiet one? If I’m to be appointed, I’ll also need to find a cushy position..."
Inside the carriage, Wei Tu changed the subject and asked Fu Zhizhou about it.
After quelling the Wuyun Tower rebellion last year, all four brothers had been promoted. Fu Zhizhou had seized the opportunity to be assigned to a post in the local Prefecture and County.
To support Wei Tu and the other two, Fu Zhizhou pulled some strings. Instead of returning to his native Xiaoyi Prefecture to serve as a Local Military Officer, he stayed in Qingfeng Prefecture as an Eighth-Grade Military Advisor.
"As Military Advisor, I’m responsible for military preparedness in Qingfeng Prefecture. Since the realm is at peace and there are no wars, it’s a quiet post."
Fu Zhizhou replied with a smile.
’After obtaining the Immortal Skill, his ambition was no longer to make a name for himself or climb the official ladder for wealth and fame. His heart was set on Cultivation and achieving eternal life.’
That was why he had chosen the Military Officer position of Military Advisor.
"When the regional examination results are posted and it’s time for appointments, I’ll have to ask you, Fourth Brother, to pull some strings for me. Help me pick a quiet post as well..."
Hearing this, Wei Tu nodded, entrusting the matter of his appointment to Fu Zhizhou.
Besides his family connections, Fu Zhizhou was also a current Eighth-Grade Military Officer and had his own network within the Governor’s Office in Shannan Dao.
"Third Brother, I’ve already spoken with Jin Zhijun at the Governor’s Office about your appointment."
"As soon as the rankings are released, Jin Zhijun can make a discretionary appointment for you."
Fu Zhizhou said with a smile.
The four of them were true sworn brothers now. Even if Wei Tu hadn’t asked, he would have taken care of a small favor like this ahead of time.
"Thank you, Fourth Brother," Wei Tu said, silently making a mental note of the debt he owed Fu Zhizhou.
...
「A few days later.」
The results for the regional Military Examination were released.
Wei Tu went to the Martial Examination Hall. Only after confirming that he was indeed ranked seventh did his worries about the results finally fade away.
Corruption in the imperial examinations was rampant.
The final rankings weren’t decided solely by the martial Competition, which carried the most weight. The Inner Field Military Strategy portion was also a major factor.
Unlike Miscellaneous Grade officers, Seventh and Eighth-Grade Military Officer positions couldn’t be handed to uncultured fools.
’The Martial Champion of this regional exam is Youu Hong?’
’It’s actually Youu Hong?’
After confirming his own results were correct, Wei Tu looked up the list to see who had won the title of Martial Champion in this regional Military Examination.
However, when he saw the Martial Champion’s name, Wei Tu was stunned.
Wei Tu remembered that while Youu Hong’s performance in the martial Competition had been decent, he had only placed third.
With that result, taking second place would have been plausible, but becoming the Martial Champion was definitely a stretch.
Even if he had placed first in Military Strategy.
’Looks like there was corruption in this regional Military Examination, too. Good thing I didn’t try to show off and grab the title of Martial Champion for myself.’
Seeing this, Wei Tu was secretly relieved.
If he had taken first place in the competition only to be pushed off the top of the list, he would have likely made a bitter enemy of the mastermind pulling the strings.
Ruining someone’s future was grounds for a feud to the death.
’It makes sense. The position of Martial Champion is too important. The winner isn’t just appointed as a Seventh-Grade Military Officer; they’re also favored by the Court and given extra promotions...’
’How could the great Noble Families of Shannan Dao possibly allow the title of Martial Champion to fall into the hands of an outsider?’
Wei Tu quickly understood the reasons behind it all.
Before the competition, Fu Zhizhou had warned him that Youu Hong was from a great Noble Family and was quite powerful, telling him to be careful.
In the eyes of the Court, both the Martial Champion and the top scholar of the civil examination were in a class of their own.
If they achieved the same merits as others, the one who had once been a Martial Champion or top scholar would be the first to be promoted when rewards were being handed out.
’What a pity...’ Wei Tu thought, glancing again at Shi Zhen’s name in second place.
He was certain that after Shi Zhen received his appointment, he would be suppressed by the Youu Family and their network of connections.
And that suppression would be far worse than what he had endured from Prefect He three years ago.
Prefect He was just a civil official; his influence hardly reached into the military system, so his ability to suppress Wei Tu, Kou Liang, and the others had been quite limited.
But a Military General Family like the Youus was different. They were insiders in the military system. Suppressing Shi Zhen would be as simple as saying the word.
’From now on, unless there’s a special reason or a significant benefit, I will never fight for first place.’
Wei Tu was glad he had pulled back from the brink five days ago, and he secretly made a resolution.
If he hadn’t remembered past lessons and wisely withdrawn, the one whose rank was stolen by Youu Hong today wouldn’t be Shi Zhen—it would be him.
Seeing the rankings finalized, Wei Tu lost the heart to remain in the Prefecture City. After bidding farewell at the Shan Mansion, he returned to Qingshan County Town.
Several days later, the notice for Wei Tu’s new appointment was sent from the Governor’s Office to the Xiang Army Government Office in Qingshan County Town.
"West Gate Guard Captain of the Prefecture City?" Wei Tu read the large characters on the Appointment Certificate and fell silent in thought.
To be precise, his official position was Eighth-Grade Guard Captain of the Prefecture City, the same rank as Fu Zhizhou’s position as Military Advisor.
His specific duty was to guard the West Gate of Qingfeng’s Prefecture City.
Hence the title, "West Gate Guard Captain."
’This post is a quiet one, as long as there’s no war. I can even collect taxes at the gate and skim a little off the top,’ Wei Tu thought.
’But before I leave the County Town, I should pay a visit to my old superior, County Captain Xu...’
Wei Tu put away the Appointment Certificate, took ten taels of silver, and went to the west market of the County Town to buy several fine gifts before heading to the Xu Mansion to pay a visit.
"When you resigned your post to go to the Prefecture City for the regional examination, Brother Wei, I thought you were being young and impetuous. I was certain you would fail..."
"I never expected you to place seventh in the Military Examination and be appointed to the Eighth Grade."
"It truly makes me green with envy."
At the Xu Mansion, as soon as County Captain Xu heard Wei Tu was visiting, he immediately ordered the kitchen to prepare twelve dishes. After straightening his robes and cap, he went out to receive his guest.
After leading Wei Tu to a seat in the main hall, County Captain Xu stroked his beard and spoke with great emotion.