Encountering a Roadblock Again

Chapter 37: Another Roadblock

Zheng Haihan shook his head helplessly.

He had originally wanted to persuade Bai Yan to change his ways, to be more low-key and less arrogant, knowing that rigidity often leads to breakage.

But looking at Bai Yan, he figured that personality wasn't something that could be changed.

After spending some time together, he had come to understand Bai Yan's character quite well.

Normally, Bai Yan was kind to others, easy to talk to, and carried no airs.

However, once provoked, Bai Yan would show no mercy.

Injuring or crippling his opponents was just the minimum.

People like Bai Yan, to put it nicely, had a natural pride and were untamed.

To put it bluntly, they were vindictive and completely inflexible, unwilling to compromise.

But it was good this way. Bai Yan wouldn't engage in hidden daggers or smiling treachery, which made Zheng Haihan value him even more.

People with such a disposition were worth nurturing, wouldn't be corrupted by money and power, and were more trustworthy.

Zheng Haihan looked at Bai Yan, and in a daze, he saw his younger self.

After all, he too had possessed such natural pride and rebelliousness in his youth.

As the old saying goes, "One who is not envied is a mediocre talent." It's having edges that gives one sharpness.

"Forget it, have it your way."

Zheng Haihan rubbed his temples and waved his hand.

"You can go. There are no missions recently. You can spend your time investigating any traces of the Demonic Cult."

"The Demonic Cult is a great enemy of the court, and it's also a good opportunity for you to earn merit."

"As long as you earn enough merit, Wang Zheng won't dare to touch you."

Bai Yan cupped his hands in a salute.

"Yes, subordinate understands. Subordinate takes his leave."

With that, Bai Yan turned and strode away.

After Bai Yan left, a voice sounded from behind Zheng Haihan.

"This Company Commander Bai is truly unique. He's completely different from his father, Bai Lizheng. I can't help but wonder if he's even Bai Lizheng's son."

Zheng Haihan gazed at Bai Yan's retreating figure, lost in thought.

"As long as he's not a spy for the Demonic Cult, nor someone working for Wang Qingquan, then nothing else matters."

"Oh? You intend to use him?"

"What do you mean 'use'? That sounds so unpleasant. It's about nurturing."

Zheng Haihan's smile faded, and his tone became grave.

"The Wang family's power has grown too great in recent years, and their reach has extended too far."

"They've engaged in corruption, embezzled public funds, and framed loyal officials and good generals, causing the nation's strength to weaken considerably."

"If this continues, the Great Yu Dynasty will surely head towards decline."

The voice spoke again.

"But what can be done about it?"

"Wang Qingquan's power was granted by His Majesty. He is the Emperor's favored minister."

"As long as His Majesty doesn't speak, no one can do anything to him."

Zheng Haihan sighed and shook his head helplessly.

"Alas, as if I don't know that."

"But as a subject of Great Yu, one must help the ruler and serve the nation."

"Wang Qingquan is a treacherous minister who is ruining the country. Sooner or later, His Majesty will settle the score. What we must do is accumulate strength before that day arrives, ensuring that we can suppress the Wang family completely then."

"Over the years, Wang Qingquan has colluded extensively with civil and military officials. Several border generals have also been bought off by him, and he has even recruited many experts from the martial arts world. For the Imperial Guard to oppose Wang Qingquan, we must cultivate more usable individuals."

The voice held a hint of surprise.

"Are you planning to nurture Bai Yan, so he can succeed the Grand Chancellor in the future?"

"Precisely. Whether it's his talent, his disposition, or His Majesty's attitude towards him, he is very suitable."

"Most importantly, His Majesty is quite fond of him. The last time I met His Majesty, he specifically asked about Bai Yan's situation."

There were thirteen Grand Chancellors in total, hence they were also known as the Thirteen Imperial Guards of the Imperial Guard, each holding the rank of Battalion Commander.

However, the Thirteen Imperial Guards were different from other Battalion Commanders.

Although they were all Battalion Commanders under the Pacification Bureau, they were independent of the Northern and Southern Commandery Investigation Bureaus, and only took direct orders from the Commander of the Imperial Guard and the Emperor.

Even the Deputy Commander and the Assistant Commander of the Imperial Guard had no authority to mobilize the Thirteen Imperial Guards.

In a sense, the power of the Thirteen Imperial Guards was even greater than that of the Commandery Governors and Battalion Commanders.

Once one became one of the Thirteen Imperial Guards, it was equivalent to being branded by the Emperor; they were truly the Emperor's personal guards.

The Thirteen Imperial Guards were the Emperor's most trusted individuals, destined to become the sharpest blades in his hand.

While they could awe civil and military officials, they were also destined to be hated by them.

If the animosity civil and military officials felt towards ordinary Imperial Guards was a hundred, then their animosity towards the Thirteen Imperial Guards was ten thousand.

A single misstep could lead to utter destruction.

The Thirteen Imperial Guards were solitary officials; no one would try to win them over, not even Grand Chancellor Wang Qingquan dared to cross this line.

Trying to curry favor with the Emperor's most trusted people, what did that even mean?

Was it an attempt to probe imperial authority, or to plant spies?

Emperor Shunying might tolerate Wang Qingquan forming factions and enriching himself, but he would absolutely not allow anyone to test imperial authority. This was the red line for all emperors.

Once this line was crossed, anyone would die without a whole corpse!

"Greetings, sir."

As Bai Yan exited the commandery office, Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao, who had been waiting outside, stepped forward to greet him respectfully.

Bai Yan nodded and said, "To the archives."

"Yes, sir."

The three strode towards the archives.

Along the way, many Imperial Guards saw them, their expressions subtly changing.

Several Company Commanders who saw Bai Yan showed naked jealousy in their eyes.

News had already spread throughout the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau that Bai Yan had captured a traitor from the Demonic Cult and achieved great merit.

Everyone knew that Bai Yan had been greatly rewarded by His Majesty the Emperor.

If not for his insufficient seniority, he could already have been appointed Deputy Commander.

In less than two months since joining the Imperial Guard, Bai Yan had covered a path that others took over ten years to traverse. How could this not inspire envy, jealousy, and hatred?

Bai Yan completely ignored their envious gazes, not taking them seriously at all.

Look at me however you want, that's your business. I can't be bothered.

What? You're not convinced?

If you're not convinced, come and bite me!

I'll smash you to pieces with one punch, and scatter your ashes!

What's the point of being sarcastic? If you want to get ahead, you need to rely on your fists!

Because Bai Yan's fists were strong enough, his confidence was equally high!

"Hold on, Commander Bai!"

Just as he stepped out of the commandery office's perimeter, a person suddenly appeared ahead, blocking his path.

Bai Yan looked up and saw a middle-aged Company Commander, at least forty years old.

The surrounding Imperial Guards immediately looked on with amusement, feeling this scene was all too familiar.

The last Company Commander who had sought out Bai Yan was currently lying in bed.

Bai Yan looked at the approaching man and asked coldly, "What is it? Do you need something?"

The man smiled and said, "My name is Liu Fengshan, a Company Commander under Commander Wang Zheng."

"I've been ordered to invite Commander Bai to meet with Commander Wang. Please come with me."