Luo Xuanqing knew the rule against rewarding the same merit twice.
But she wanted Ye Xingge to keep the famed weapon and still receive an exceptional promotion, so she had come specifically to demand a position for him.
She had come to ask for it herself. If they still did things by the rules, where would that leave her face?
Luo Xuanqing looked at Ruan Jinyu and frowned.
"At the very least, he should be an Embroidered-Robe Commandant. He alone captured someone your entire Inspection Bureau failed to catch. Your subordinate Zhang Qing couldn't last a single move against him. Do you really have the nerve to make Ye Xingge start as a Common-Robe Officer?"
Ruan Jinyu stood behind Wu Yi, full of confidence.
"Lord Wu couldn't last a single move against you either, Lord Luo. Does that mean Lord Wu should trade positions with you? The court has its own regulations. It's not that I won't promote newcomers, but we must at least follow the rules."
Luo Xuanqing turned to Wu Yi.
"The rules are dead, but people are alive. The court is in need of talent, and given Ye Xingge's merits, making him a Commoner Attendant would be an insult. Lord Wu, can you find a solution that satisfies both sides?"
Wu Yi thought for a moment, then looked at Ruan Jinyu.
"You're in charge of personnel. Do you have a solution that satisfies both sides?"
Ruan Jinyu fell silent for a moment before replying,
"That can be arranged. Since Lord Luo doesn't want to surrender what he obtained, yet insists on promoting him three ranks, we'll follow the regulations.
"Ye Xingge will provisionally be appointed a Commoner Attendant. Within half a month, he will rise one rank for every wanted criminal he captures, up to Night-Walking Lieutenant.
"To ensure a fair assessment, the Heaven-Observing Pavilion must not assist him. He must not kill innocent people and claim the credit, nor exceed the time limit. Does Lord Luo have any objections?"
"..."
Everyone fell silent at those words.
This assessment was used for renowned experts joining the organization, letting them demonstrate their abilities so that those below them would not object to their being parachuted into high positions.
Luo Xuanqing, Gongsun Yanwu, and the others had all undergone it when they joined. The assessment tested more than killing; it tested their overall abilities.
They had to carry out every step of a case-discovery, investigation, pursuit, and capture-alone and without assistance, repeating the process several times within half a month.
Those wanted by the Heaven-Observing Pavilion were either immensely powerful or as cunning as ghosts.
For Luo Xuanqing and the others, the only difficulty was the investigation. Once they found their target, killing them was easy.
But Ye Xingge had not even entered the Third Rank, and killing Yang Tuyan had been fraught with danger. Even if he were truly lucky enough to find three wanted criminals, how could he kill them single-handedly?
Luo Xuanqing considered this briefly, then asked coldly,
"If you were given half a month, Ruan Jinyu, would you be confident of bringing back three people?"
Ruan Jinyu shook his head and shot back,
"I'm not entirely confident, but this boy's abilities 'match those of my entire Inspection Bureau.' That was Lord Luo's reason for making an exception to promote him.
"If Lord Luo agrees, we'll follow the regulations, and I'll have an answer for those above and below me."
"If you refuse, and the higher-ups still favor him, then by all means let Ye Xingge take charge of the Inspection Bureau. I truly am not up to the task."
"..."
Silence fell over the hall.
Wu Yi knew Ruan Jinyu was making an issue of principle out of it, but that was his job. There was nothing wrong with strictly upholding the law without showing favoritism, so Wu Yi said nothing.
Seeing the two locked in an argument, Gongsun Yanwu thought for a moment and tried to smooth things over.
"Half a month really is too tight. How about giving him a few extra days and making it a month?"
Mei Wuchang tossed the case files aside and shook his head.
"Tracking them down is hard, and capturing them is harder than ascending to heaven. Making it a month won't help. The Heaven-Observing Pavilion is already showing him special favor and regard by assessing him by the highest standard. If he can't manage it, it'll be a good chance to blunt his edge. Success at a young age is a great taboo."
"..."
Hearing this, Luo Xuanqing knew they all agreed that he had to undergo the assessment and could not be given excessive rewards on top of one another.
Considering the boy's abilities, Luo Xuanqing settled for the next best thing.
"Special cases deserve special treatment. He's still young, and he was injured in the line of duty. If he's to be assessed, you should make allowances and give him time to recuperate. Three months-would that be suitable, Lord Wu?"
Ruan Jinyu immediately shook his head.
"He was injured in the line of duty, so of course the authorities will treat him. He'll recover in less than two days, and it won't be too late to assess him then.
"The usual time limit has always been half a month, yet he gets three months. Even if he does resolve three cases in the end, I'm afraid he won't be able to win people over in a high position."
Dealing with three wanted criminals alone in three months would, in fact, demonstrate considerable ability.
After all, killing three of them was far harder for Ye Xingge than it had been for the formidable figures like Luo Xuanqing who had been parachuted in.
Luo Xuanqing frowned and wanted to bargain on that basis.
But after a moment's thought, Wu Yi felt that neither of their proposals was suitable. He asked,
"Is Ye Xingge here?"
Luo Xuanqing turned toward the window.
"Ye Xingge, come in."
Her ethereal voice carried out of the hall, and everyone turned to look at the entrance.
Tap, tap, tap...
A moment later, footsteps sounded outside.
Ye Xingge came in through the gate and, guided by a clerk, arrived at the entrance to the hall.
A single glance told him that all four Heavenly Kings of the Heaven-Observing Pavilion were present, though he did not know who the old man in red official robes in the middle was.
"This commoner, Ye Xingge, pays his respects to you, my lords."
Mei Wuchang, Gongsun Yanwu, and the others turned to scrutinize him.
Wu Yi stroked his beard and spoke with the air of an elder.
"The commanders have just discussed it and decided to determine your position through an assessment. The rules are that you work alone and rise one rank for each wanted criminal you capture, up to Night-Walking Lieutenant—that is, three people. How long do you think you'll need to complete it?"
Mei Wuchang and the others nodded slightly. The older generation really did understand the ways of the world.
Whether the time limit was long or short, Ye Xingge would have a hard time completing the task. If the two sides kept arguing, it would look like they were making things difficult for a young man.
But if Ye Xingge set the time himself and failed, then the problem would be his ability. The Heaven-Observing Pavilion would have done all that duty and kindness required, and no one could complain.
Besides, with Wu Yi asking the question this way, Ye Xingge, as a newcomer, was bound to answer that speed was essential in war.
If he asked for half a year or a year, there would be no need for an assessment. He could get straight out and patrol the streets, and even Luo Xuanqing would be too embarrassed to speak up for him.
Now that Wu Yi had spoken, Ruan Jinyu certainly could not contradict his superior. He looked at Ye Xingge.
"Since Lord Wu has spoken, I will naturally make allowances. Tell us, how much time do you need?"
Ye Xingge understood the process now. He reckoned that even if he rushed out in a desperate hurry to capture three wanted criminals, it would take at least half a month.
But when he glanced at Great Beauty Luo, he saw her secretly holding up three fingers...
Three days?!
That might be a bit...
Ye Xingge thought the chances were too slim.
Even if Great Beauty Luo helped him in secret, he would still have to put on a show of investigating. How could he possibly catch three people in three days...?
Hongyu had also been listening. Now she muttered in his ear,
"I just made contact with the Mountains and Rivers Association. We have leads on the Return to Origin Cult's Winnowing Basket Water Leopard and Tail Fire Tiger, as well as the Gold-Chasing Gentleman. We can also send people to investigate the other wanted criminals right away. You only need to go chop their heads off and come back. One a day, with some room for error-play it safe and say five days."
"..."
Hearing that, Ye Xingge felt much more reassured.
Great Beauty's plans often went awry, but the Mountains and Rivers Association did have plenty of underlings, and Great Beauty Luo had also indicated three days.
With both the righteous and underworld sides serving me alone, how could I still botch this job?
So Ye Xingge answered in a clear voice,
"Three days!"
"Pfft-cough, cough..."
While Ye Xingge was thinking, Wu Yi had accepted the teacup Ruan Jinyu handed him. The moment he heard those words, he sprayed it all back over Ruan Jinyu.
Mei Wuchang, Gongsun Yanwu, and Luo Xuanqing, who had been striking dignified poses, all staggered and nearly slipped out of their chairs.
Even Great Yu'er, who was always so confident, muttered in disbelief in his ear,
"Are you an idiot?! You're not leaving any room for error at all?!"
Inside and outside the hall, the place fell utterly silent.
Everyone stared at Ye Xingge in unison. Even the cat peeking in at the entrance was full of disbelief.
After all, when Gongsun Yanwu and Luo Xuanqing had been parachuted in, their assessments had a half-month time limit.
This brat had opened his mouth and said three days. If he could really do it, the commanders of the two bureaus might have to step down and make way for a worthier person...
Wait, no. Three days meant one a day.
At that rate of promotion, in half a month he would be sitting on top of the Heaven-Observing Decree...
If we'd known you were this fierce, why did we bother arguing with our blood boiling?
Couldn't you have just gone and done it...?
Everyone was struck dumb.
Mei Wuchang pondered briefly, then picked up the background records and examined them closely, seemingly checking whether he had overlooked something earlier.
Gongsun Yanwu also leaned over to take a close look.
Luo Xuanqing was so angry she was bewildered. She thought Ye Xingge had misunderstood what her three fingers meant and wanted to repeat the rules and explain how difficult the assessment was, so he could give another answer.
But Ruan Jinyu reacted quickly. Clap, clap, clap! He applauded, looking at Ye Xingge as though he were a marvel.
"Good lad! There's no jesting in the military. You said three days, so three days it is?"
Ye Xingge saw Great Beauty Luo's lovely face lose its color and realized something was wrong.
But he had already spoken so decisively that it would be difficult to take it back.
Hongyu was clearly confused too, but as his guardian, she still replied,
"Don't lose face even if you lose. If you hurry like an eight-hundred-li express courier, you should still make it, but there's no room for error now."
Ye Xingge answered in a clear voice,
"Three days it is."
"When do you start?"
Ye Xingge had wanted to say tomorrow morning and stretch the assessment period a little longer, but Great Beauty promptly reminded him, "Winnowing Basket Water Leopard is in the city. Strike fast and finish it quickly." So he answered,
"Now!"
Bang!
Luo Xuanqing slammed a hand down on the tea table, her face turning green with anger at this straightforward young man.
Ruan Jinyu, meanwhile, was full of admiration. He clapped and said,
"Good! You've got guts!"
With that, he flashed over to the incense burner at lightning speed, lit a timing incense stick, and planted it in the bronze burner.
"The assessment begins now. Report back here before three sticks of incense have burned down. We won't wait for you if you're late!"
The remaining three commanders, as well as the civil officials and clerks outside, including Chen Xiaobao, were all dumbfounded!
Wu Yi held his teacup and struggled for a long time, at a complete loss for words. Seeing that the matter had been settled, he could only nod slightly.
"The younger generation is truly formidable. In that case, set out early and don't waste time. If you really complete the assessment, Duke Zhang will personally hold a welcoming feast for you."
Seeing that spilled water could not be gathered back, Luo Xuanqing no longer wanted to speak. She strode to the entrance, seized Ye Xingge by the wrist, and pulled him outside.
"Huh?"
Ye Xingge stumbled as she tugged him along. He raised a hand in farewell to the high officials before following her out.
Standing beside the incense burner, Ruan Jinyu did not forget to see them off.
"Take care, Lord Luo. I'll wait here for the good news!"
Burned out r2