That morning, Su Fei was sitting in the records management office, reading through case files on criminals wanted by the Imperial Guard.
These people were fugitives who had committed crimes across various regions and had never been caught.
Su Fei studied the files so that if he received a mission to capture wanted criminals in the future, he would already understand some of the circumstances.
Suddenly, a burst of drums and gongs sounded outside, drawing nearer and nearer as it headed straight for the Thousand Households Office.
"What is this?"
Captain Li's face was full of astonishment.
Su Fei set down the case file and rose to his feet. When he reached the main gate, he saw Commander Feng striding out from the inner courtyard, a rare solemnity on his face as he called out to everyone.
"Come with me to the entrance to receive the Imperial Decree. The reward envoy from the Imperial City has arrived."
Everyone was startled upon hearing this and hurriedly straightened their clothes.
They followed behind Commander Feng.
At the entrance of the Thousand Households Office, a procession of carriages and horses had already stopped. At its head stood a middle-aged official dressed in a python robe, holding a scroll of bright yellow Imperial Decree. More than ten Imperial Guards followed behind him, each wearing a stern expression.
The drums and gongs came from the ceremonial escort accompanying them. Such a grand display made the nearby commoners stop to watch.
They discussed curiously among themselves, wondering what was happening.
Commander Feng took the lead in cupping his hands in salute.
"Qingzhou Imperial Guard Thousand Households Office—Feng Changqing and his subordinates welcome the imperial envoy!"
Su Fei and the other Hundred Households Officers and General Banner Officers also bowed together in salute.
The envoy's gaze swept across the crowd before finally settling on Su Fei. A faint smile appeared on his face as he announced loudly.
"Where is Su Fei, General Banner Officer of the Qingzhou Imperial Guard?"
Su Fei stepped forward.
The envoy unfurled the Imperial Decree and began reading in a booming voice.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decreed: Su Fei, General Banner Officer of the Qingzhou Imperial Guard, solved the Arms case with remarkable speed, bravely repelled the White Lotus Sect's fiends, and rendered meritorious service in protecting the state and securing the realm. He is hereby promoted to Hundred Households Officer of the Qingzhou Thousand Households Office, granted the title of 'Dragon Tiger Imperial Guard,' awarded three hundred taels of gold, one volume of Imperial Palace martial arts, a grand residence in Qingzhou Prefecture, and three hundred mu of fertile land. Respect this decree."
After reading the Imperial Decree, the envoy added with a beaming smile.
"His Majesty read Officer Su's memorial and was greatly pleased. He even personally wrote four words as a gift: 'Pillar of the State.' This is an honor of heaven-shaking magnitude!"
As his words fell, the surrounding crowd drew sharp breaths.
Commander Feng and the other Hundred Households Officers looked at Su Fei, their eyes brimming with unconcealable envy.
"What? Dragon Tiger Imperial Guard? This title can only be granted to those who have rendered great merit. No one in the entire Qingzhou Imperial Guard has ever received it."
"Those with this title need not kneel before officials and receive extra salary every month. Not to mention the gold, residence, fertile land, and Imperial Palace martial arts—these solid rewards. This treatment is simply incredible."
"And most importantly, you haven't even mentioned it—His Majesty personally bestowed the words 'Pillar of the State.' That means Officer Su has entered His Majesty's sight. His future is boundless."
The envoy handed the Imperial Decree to Su Fei, then signaled his subordinates to bring forward the awarded gold and the deeds to the residence and fertile land, a smile still on his face.
"Officer Su has achieved such merit at such a young age. Truly, a young man of great promise. You must continue striving in the future and share His Majesty's burdens."
Su Fei accepted the Imperial Decree and rewards with both hands, then bowed.
"This subject, Su Fei, thanks His Majesty for his immense grace. I will not fail His Majesty's high expectations."
Commander Feng stepped forward and said to the envoy with a broad smile.
"Imperial Envoy, you have traveled a long way and must be exhausted. Please come inside for tea and a rest."
The envoy nodded with a smile, his eyes lingering on Su Fei for a moment longer. Clearly, he was quite curious about this Imperial Guard Hundred Households Officer who had received such lavish rewards at such a young age.
Holding the Imperial Decree and rewards, Su Fei felt the envious gazes around him and could not help but feel deeply moved.
He had truly soared to the heavens in a single step.
A Hundred Households Officer was a Principal Sixth Rank military official.
The Dragon Tiger Imperial Guard title was comparable to a personal First-Class Merit Citation in his previous life.
Three hundred taels of gold equaled three thousand taels of silver. He liked the grand residence as well, while the three hundred mu of fertile land could be rented out. Becoming a landlord and collecting rent would bring in no small income.
And after being promoted to Imperial Guard Hundred Households Officer, his salary had risen from twenty taels to fifty taels a month, plus the Dragon Tiger Imperial Guard's monthly stipend of thirty taels.
It seemed he would not lack silver from now on.
As for the Imperial Palace martial arts, he did not care much. With the system in hand, he had no shortage of martial arts techniques at all.
The Imperial Guard Strongmen under a Hundred Households Officer numbered more than a hundred.
Su Fei followed Commander Feng as they welcomed the envoy into the inner hall and served him fine tea.
The envoy took the initiative to exchange a few pleasantries with Su Fei. His words were mostly praise as he asked about some details of the case, and Su Fei answered all of them calmly.
After the envoy rested for a while, he declined the request to stay overnight on the grounds that "the Emperor's command is upon me, and I dare not linger." Commander Feng personally escorted him to the entrance and only returned after watching the ceremonial carriages disappear into the distance.
The moment they returned to the duty room, Commander Feng looked at Su Fei, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.
"Su Fei, Su Fei, you've truly made this old man green with envy. I've fought and struggled in the Imperial Guard for thirty years, yet never obtained the title of 'Dragon Tiger Imperial Guard.' But you? At such a young age, you're already a Dragon Tiger Imperial Guard."
He patted Su Fei on the shoulder, and his expression turned solemn.
"This title isn't merely pleasant to hear—it is immensely useful. Not having to kneel before officials is only the lesser benefit. When you travel to different places on duty in the future, local officials will not dare neglect you when they see this title. They will all give you some face."
"Not to mention the monthly thirty-tael stipend. Some special resources in the Imperial Guard treasury can be claimed first by Dragon Tiger Imperial Guards. You will gradually come to understand these benefits in the future."
Upon hearing that, Su Fei realized it really was true.
He hurriedly cupped his hands and said with great humility, "Commander Feng overpraises me. I owe what I have today entirely to your cultivation, along with a little luck. If you had not trusted me enough to let me participate in the Arms case, how could I have had the chance to earn this merit?"
Commander Feng waved his hand, his eyes filled with appreciation.
"You are simply too modest."
"Luck? I've spent so many years in officialdom, yet I have never seen anyone foil the White Lotus Sect's schemes and solve case after case through luck alone."
"At such a young age, you already possess Xiantian Realm strength. Your mind is meticulous when solving cases, and that palm technique of yours is practiced quite well too."
"You brat, to be honest, even this old man is curious how far you will go in the future. Perhaps one day, the command headquarters will transfer you to the Great Xuan Imperial City, and you will become a great figure in our Southern Commandery Investigation Department. When that time comes, don't forget us people of Qingzhou."
Su Fei's heart stirred, and he asked a question.
"My lord, are there more cases in the Great Xuan Imperial City?"
Commander Feng said,
"Of course. The Imperial City is the core of Great Xuan. That place is filled with nobles, marquises, and people of that sort. Where there are people, there are disputes. The constables there can only handle disputes between commoners. Once matters involve the honored and powerful, only the Imperial Guard can step in."
Commander Feng paused and sighed with a touch of helplessness.
"However, even when the Imperial Guard steps in and obtains evidence, sometimes the rod is raised high only to fall lightly. There are simply too many honored figures in the Imperial City, and everyone has relatives and friends of some sort. Even the Commander cannot beat someone to death with a single stick."
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