“After all, you and I possess immortal cultivation techniques; naturally, we must act with discretion.”
“It is unwise to attract too much attention.”
Wei Tu shook his head and added.
The reason he had chosen to relinquish the title of Martial Champion this time was largely due to his possession of immortal cultivation techniques.
Had he not possessed such techniques, becoming the champion of the provincial martial examinations and attracting public attention would not have posed much risk to a martial master with a certain level of background.
But with immortal cultivation techniques—
Becoming the Martial Champion and a seventh-rank official would make this risk uncontrollable, ultimately endangering everyone.
“Third Brother is right,” Fu Zhizhou nodded heavily in agreement.
Fu Zhizhou had a clear understanding of how precious immortal cultivation techniques were.
He was, after all, an eighth-rank official, and his family was a lineage of military officers in Xiaoyi Prefecture. However, before coming into contact with the *Five Elements Spirit-Nurturing Body*, he had always believed that immortals did not exist and were merely ethereal myths...
Looking through a keyhole, he realized that the Zheng Dynasty court—or rather, the immortals—must maintain strict control over immortal cultivation techniques and strictly forbid their leakage.
Once discovered, the consequence would likely be the extermination of one's entire clan.
Because of this,
They had to act with extreme caution.
“Fourth Brother, is your position as a Military Affairs Assistant quite leisurely? If I am to be commissioned, I also need to find a leisurely post...”
Inside the carriage, Wei Tu changed the subject and asked Fu Zhizhou about his position.
After the suppression of the rebellion at Wuyun Pavilion last year, all four brothers had received promotions, and Fu Zhizhou had seized the opportunity to be stationed in a prefecture.
To assist Wei Tu and the others, Fu Zhizhou had used his connections to avoid returning to his ancestral home in Xiaoyi Prefecture as a local military officer; instead, he remained in Qingfeng Prefecture as an eighth-rank Military Affairs Assistant.
“My post in the Military Affairs Office is responsible for the military preparations of Qingfeng Prefecture. Since the world is currently at peace and there are no wars, it is indeed a leisurely position,” Fu Zhizhou replied with a smile.
—Having obtained immortal cultivation techniques, his ambition was no longer to make a name for himself or to "rise in rank and amass wealth," but to focus solely on cultivation to achieve immortality.
Therefore, when choosing a military post, he had selected the position of Military Affairs Assistant.
“Once the provincial examination results are released and the commissions are granted, I hope you can help me, Fourth Brother, by pulling some strings to find a leisurely post for your foolish elder brother...”
Hearing this, Wei Tu nodded, entrusting Fu Zhizhou with the matter of his official appointment.
In addition to his family connections, Fu Zhizhou was currently an eighth-rank military official and possessed his own network within the Governor's Yamen of the Shannan Circuit.
“I have already made requests to General Jin of the Governor's Yamen regarding your official post, Third Brother.”
“As soon as the rankings are released, General Jin can grant you an appointment at his discretion,” Fu Zhizhou said with a smile.
The four brothers were now true sworn brothers; even if Wei Tu hadn't mentioned it, he would have handled this small favor in advance.
“Thank you, Fourth Brother,” Wei Tu expressed his gratitude, secretly noting Fu Zhizhou's kindness.
...
A few days later.
The results of the provincial martial examinations were released.
Wei Tu went to the Martial Merit Academy. Only after seeing that his name was indeed ranked seventh did the anxiety in his heart finally dissipate.
Cases of cheating in imperial examinations were endless.
The finalization of the rankings did not rely solely on the "Comparison Test" martial combat, which carried the most weight; it was also heavily influenced by the internal military strategy examinations.
Seventh and eighth-rank military officials were different from low-level military personnel; they could not be filled by reckless youths with no knowledge.
“The Martial Champion of this provincial exam is You Hong?”
“It's actually You Hong?”
After confirming his own results were correct, Wei Tu looked up to see who had claimed the title of Martial Champion.
However, upon seeing the name of the champion, Wei Tu's face instantly filled with astonishment.
Wei Tu remembered that while You Hong's performance in the combat test was decent, he had only ranked third.
With that score, achieving the position of runner-up would be acceptable, but becoming the Martial Champion was undoubtedly a stretch.
Even if he was first in the military strategy exam.
“It seems there was also cheating in this provincial martial exam. Fortunately, I didn't try to show off and vie for the title of Martial Champion at the time.”
Seeing this, Wei Tu felt secretly relieved.
If he had taken first place in the combat test and then "unluckily" failed to make the list, he would likely have made an enemy of the mastermind manipulating the rankings.
Cutting off someone's future was a grievance that demanded a life in return.
“True, the position of Martial Champion is too important. Not only does it grant a seventh-rank commission, but the court also holds such individuals in high regard, offering extra promotions...”
“How could the great aristocratic families of the Shannan Circuit easily allow the title of Martial Champion to fall into someone else's hands?”
Wei Tu quickly deduced the reasoning behind it.
Before the examinations, Fu Zhizhou had mentioned that You Hong came from a great aristocratic family and was quite formidable, advising him to handle things carefully...
In the eyes of the court, both the Martial Champion and the top scholar of the civil examinations were treated with special distinction.
When the same merits were achieved, those who had been Martial Champions or top scholars would undoubtedly be the first to receive promotions.
“A pity...”
Wei Tu glanced again at "Shi Zhen," who was ranked second on the list, and thought to himself.
He was certain that after being commissioned, Shi Zhen would undoubtedly face suppression from the You family and their corresponding connections.
And such suppression would be far more brutal than the pressure he had faced from Prefect He three years ago.
Prefect He was merely a civil official, and his reach into the military system was limited, making his suppression of Wei Tu and Kou Liang quite restricted.
But a military family like the Yous was different; they were figures within the military system itself. Suppressing "Shi Zhen" would be as simple as a single word.
“From now on, unless there is a special reason or sufficient benefit, I will resolutely not fight for first place.”
Wei Tu felt fortunate for his "retreat from the precipice" five days ago and secretly steeled his resolve.
If he hadn't reflected on past experiences and chosen to step back, the person being robbed of the ranking by You Hong today would not have been "Shi Zhen," but him.
Seeing that the rankings were finalized, Wei Tu had no desire to stay in the prefectural city. After bidding farewell at the Shan residence, he returned to Qingshan County.
A few days later.
The news of Wei Tu's new appointment was sent from the Governor's Yamen to the County Militia Office in Qingshan County.
“West Gate Guard of the Prefectural City?” Wei Tu murmured as he read the large characters on the commission document.
To be precise, his rank was an eighth-rank Prefectural City Guard, equal in rank to Fu Zhizhou's position as a Military Affairs Assistant.
However, his specific duty was to garrison the West Gate of the Qingfeng Prefecture capital.
Thus, he was also known as the "West Gate Guard."
“This post, if there is no war, is also quite leisurely. I can even collect taxes at the city gate and skim a little profit,” Wei Tu thought to himself.
“But before leaving the county, I must pay my respects to my old superior, County Lieutenant Xu...”
Wei Tu put away the commission, took ten taels of silver, bought several exquisite gifts at the county's West Market, and then went to the Xu residence to pay a visit.
“When Brother Wei resigned to head to the prefectural city for this provincial exam, I thought you were being impetuous and would surely fail this time...”
“I did not expect that Brother Wei would actually rank seventh in the martial examinations and be commissioned to the eighth rank.”
“This truly leaves me, Xu, filled with envy.”
Inside the Xu residence, upon learning of Wei Tu's visit, County Lieutenant Xu immediately ordered the kitchen to prepare twelve dishes. After tidying his clothes and hair, he went out to receive Wei Tu.
After seating Wei Tu in the parlor, County Lieutenant Xu stroked his beard and remarked with great emotion.
(End of Chapter)