"Delicious," the Coward King said with a beaming smile.
Li Qingxian took some slices of grilled rice cake from his Heaven-and-Earth Bracelet and placed them on the original plate.
This time, the Coward King picked up a slice between two fingers, just as he had with the red dates, put it into his mouth, and ate slowly.
Li Qingxian glanced at the sky. It was already well past midnight. "It's nearly the fourth watch now. Do you usually have a predawn meal at this hour, Lord Chief of the Guard?"
The Coward King said solemnly, "I never eat after midnight. One must exercise restraint in one's diet."
"True enough..." Li Qingxian suppressed the urge to roll his eyes.
The Coward King said, "I came to give you a heads-up. Morale in the Night Guard has been flagging lately, and military discipline has fallen apart. I intend to tighten it up. Unfortunately, the other commanders and deputy commanders each have their own duties to attend to, and I can't spare the time myself. After thinking it over, you're the only vice commander with time available. A few others would also be suitable, but none have served as supervisory officials. You, on the other hand, were once a City Patrol Commissioner. Appointing you Inspector of the Night Guard would be as natural as water flowing into a channel."
"But I can't spare the time either. I'm still holding a concurrent post at the Ministry of Revenue," Li Qingxian said.
The Coward King said decisively, "I'll ask Minister Xue to release you. If he refuses, I'll say the Ministry of Revenue borrowed you without authorization."
"But you signed off on it."
"Then someone must have forged my signature! I usually sign with my left hand, but only my right-handed signature actually counts," the