Zhong Tingzhi looked over and saw that it was indeed Chao Huan.
Ordinarily, he would not have wished to argue with this man. But today was different. There were some matters from which he could not retreat.
In a low, measured voice, he said, "Where does Chao Tingzhi believe Zhong is mistaken?"
Chao Huan said, "What is being deliberated now is Guardian Zhang's merit, and whether he may carry that merit into the office of Court Executor. What does that have to do with what posts he held before?
"When fellow Daoists were elevated to Court Executor in the past, no one ever said they first had to relinquish all their various titles. How can that be made a condition?
"Could it be that the titles of our Profound Court can be traded and exchanged?
"In my view, even if Zhong Tingzhi has objections to Guardian Zhang's concurrent titles, that should be a matter for after Guardian Zhang is elevated to Court Executor. There is no need to muddle the two together now."
Daoist Feng agreed completely. "Chao Tingzhi speaks reasonably!"
Zhong Tingzhi's expression darkened.
The reason he wanted Zhang Yu to relinquish those two titles was that the Guardian of Rectitude who permanently held this post commanded the authority to campaign against enemies within and without, while the Profound Chief was responsible for guarding one region. Separated, the two were manageable enough. But now they happened to be combined in one person. If Zhang Yu also became a Court Executor, then from top to bottom and from within to without, nearly every authority would be linked together in his hands.
Not to mention that the Guardian of Rectitude Palace was the residence of Guardians of Rectitude in every region, with a measure of supervisory authority as well. Once Zhang