As the three pondered, Su Ziji had already made up his mind. Looking toward the window, he saw that it was the darkest hour before dawn, the sky murkier than the night itself. After staring blankly for a moment, he asked hoarsely, "Did I sleep through yesterday? How did things go?"
Seeing this, Wild Daoist felt somewhat uneasy. It was not a good time to press the matter, so he could only report the situation of the arena to his lord.
After hearing the results of the thirty-two men's matches, Su Ziji smiled. "This is easy to settle. Bo Yan, Zheng Huai, and Pang Si are highly skilled in martial arts, and I cannot break my word. Appoint them directly as instructors within the residence, with the treatment of guest retainers. Hmm, there must be a distinction in seniority—they will rank slightly below Luo Jiang."
"Yes!" The three felt this was only to be expected. Only Wild Daoist's heart stirred. Appointing them instructors, and even granting them guest retainer treatment—was the prince somewhat suspicious of them, unwilling to directly incorporate them into the residence's official ranks?
Just as he was thinking this, he heard Su Ziji continue, "Appoint the remaining twenty-nine as residence guards. To distinguish them from the original residence guards in seniority and background, form them into a new unit, with treatment somewhat lower than that of the residence guards. Ask whether they are willing. If they are, let them enter the residence, and immediately issue them uniforms and long sabers."
"Have them report for duty the moment they have changed into their clothes."
"Yes!" Jian Qu, standing nearby, said, "My lord, why not leave this matter to your servant?"
"Very well." Su Ziji nodded. "Let Mister Jian handle it."
Cen Rubai said, "My lord, these people's origins