Titles and Farce

Huainan, the Firmament Heaven.

The pavilions are magnificent, rare and exotic animals abound, and Spirit Plant and herbs form forests. The entire structure is a deep blue, forged from the essence of the Luo River. It spans millions of miles, hangs high in the clouds, and overlooks the entire Huainan land.

This majestic Heavenly Palace, suspended above Huainan, was once a symbol of Sima Huanyu.

Now, it has a new owner.

Sima Canglan stood in the main hall, looking up at the plaque that had been hanging there for a hundred years— "Firmament Heaven".

The three large characters, written with vigorous strokes, embody the supreme majesty of Sima Huanyu when he attained enlightenment and achieved the Golden Core Elixir.

"I picked it," he said calmly.

Behind them, several servants looked at each other, but dared not hesitate. They immediately took to the air and took down the plaque.

Sima Canglan watched as the plaque was carried out of the hall, a smile appearing on his lips.

"From this day forward, this place will be renamed -- Azure Waves Heaven."

He turned and sat down on the throne in the center.

Inside the hall, dozens of people stood bowing. Among them were former officials from Huainan, former retainers of Sima Huanyu, representatives of aristocratic Aristocratic Clan from various places, and some unfamiliar faces, who were confidants brought by Sima Canglan from Luoyang.

"Gentlemen," Sima Canglan began, his voice gentle.

"When I first arrived in Huainan, I was unfamiliar with both the people and the land. In governing Huainan in the future, I will still need to rely on your talents."

Everyone responded in unison.

Sima Canglan nodded.

"By order of this King, all officials of all ranks in Huainan shall be promoted one rank. Those who have served in Huainan for more than three years shall be bestowed with a certain amount of spiritual materials and elixirs. Every prominent Aristocratic Clan in Huainan shall recommend one person to serve in this King's Azure Waves Heaven, and this King shall personally examine and select the best."

These words immediately caused a stir in the hall.

A promotion of one rank? Bestowed with spiritual materials and elixirs? Entry into a blessed land like Azure Waves Heaven for cultivation?

These are all tangible benefits.

Immediately, some people knelt down, shouting that the prince was wise and swearing to be loyal to him to the death. More people followed suit, kneeling down in droves.

Sima Canglan watched this scene, his smile deepening.

"And another thing," he continued.

"I have heard that when Sima Huanyu was in Huainan, he established thirty-six positions, including Left and Right Chief Secretaries, Sima, and Military Advisors. I believe that thirty-six positions are too few and insufficient to govern such a vast area as Huainan. Effective immediately, the number of positions will be increased to one hundred and eight."

"The number of chief clerks on the left and right will each increase by four, the number of military advisors by eight, and the number of military advisors by sixteen. In addition, the number of clerks, assistants, and other staff members will also increase accordingly."

He paused.

"Anyone with talent and virtue, regardless of their background, may be recommended. Even a servant or page in my palace, if capable, may be appointed to an official position."

An uproar erupted in the hall.

One hundred and eight members?

This is more than double the number before—redundant officials?!

More importantly, regardless of their background, even servants and lowly men could become officials?

The former officials from Huainan looked at each other, their eyes flashing with complex emotions.

This is clearly an attempt to win people's hearts, and a blatant one at that. Anyone who pledges allegiance to him will be given an official position. Even a servant can rise to the top in one fell swoop.

Those trusted confidants who had come from Luoyang were overjoyed. This meant that they, who had followed Sima Canglan, would all get a share of the spoils.

"Your Highness is exceptionally wise!"

May Your Highness live a long and prosperous life, and achieve great success!

The sound of kneeling and bowing echoed throughout the main hall.

Sima Canglan leaned back on the throne, looking at the kneeling figures below, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes.

It's just bestowing an official title; he doesn't have to pay any price. The official position is merely an empty title, but it can buy the loyalty of these people—why not?

As for the future, once I've attained the Golden Core, been granted Heavenly Position, and firmly established myself in Huainan, who will dare to say anything then?

"Go and do your job properly, clean up my Huainan, understand?"

"Promise!"

After resolving these issues, Sima Canglan had a sudden thought and remembered that Sima Huanyu had many descendants, concubines, and so on.

Then they entered Sima Huanyu's inner palace.

Inside the hall, dozens of people were already kneeling on the ground.

At the front were several young men dressed in brocade robes, whose faces bore a resemblance to Sima Huanyu.

They were all Sima Huanyu's sons and Sima Canglan's nephews, their faces pale and trembling.

Sima Canglan stood before them, looking down at them.

"My second brother is trapped in Wind Abyss, and I have been ordered by the Emperor to guard Huainan."

His voice was gentle, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"You are all of the Sima Clan imperial bloodline, so do not grieve. Everything will be alright. Besides, I am your uncle. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to me."

"So what if you live in Azure Waves Heaven? Azure Waves Heaven is your home..."

"On the other hand, what I worry about most is you good-for-nothing juniors. As your uncle, I have to advise you that you can't be as willful and reckless as before."

"How could we nephews trouble our uncle!"

Upon hearing this, the group felt utterly helpless and repeatedly kowtowed.

"We are useless people, and we wish to return to Luoyang to live as idle members of the imperial clan. We dare not presume to reside in the blessed land of Huainan, and we would trouble our uncle!"

Sima Canglan smiled, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

"Okay, okay." He waved his hand.

"Get up, all of you."

The group stood up shakily, but dared not raise their heads.

Sima Canglan walked past them and casually patted them on the shoulder.

"My second brother has been in Huainan for many years and has accumulated great prestige and made great contributions to the country! I have just arrived, how can I drive away his descendants!"

Am I, Sima Canglan, a heartless and ungrateful person who bullies orphans and widows?!

My second brother was very kind and devoted to me back then, so you nephews should no longer say such formal things.

"So what if you stay in Huainan? Does Azure Waves Heaven lack cultivation resources for you?!"

Sima Canglan then looked at his nephews.

"From today onwards, your stipends and provisions will be doubled. However, due to the current turmoil in Huainan, you will have to remain in Azure Waves Heaven and are not allowed to go out!"

The group exchanged glances, a hint of helplessness in their eyes, and knelt down to kowtow once more.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Uncle!"

Sima Canglan nodded.

"Step down."

The group expressed their deepest gratitude and withdrew from the hall.

Silence returned to the hall.

Sima Canglan stood in the hall, watching the backs of those people, the smile on his lips gradually fading.

"On the surface, he is, after all, a pillar of the Sima Clan, with accumulated prestige in Huainan. Controlling Huainan is a long and arduous road, and we still need to win over the hearts of the people," he murmured.

"However, we'll have to spoil them rotten..."

Suddenly, a middle-aged man with a sinister face emerged from the shadows beside him and whispered to Sima Canglan, "Your Highness, there are still dozens of people in Firmament Heaven who hold real power and occupy key positions. Should we deal with them properly as soon as possible...?"

Sima Canglan raised his hand, interrupting him.

"No rush."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the endless palaces.

"My second brother is deeply entrenched. If I act too hastily, things could easily go wrong."

He turned around and looked at the middle-aged man.

"Chief Clerk Li, I order you to draft a list. Throughout the Firmament Heaven, every single person with real power must be recorded."

Chief Clerk Li bowed and replied, "Yes."

Sima Canglan paused, then continued, "In addition, please also list the officials, large and small, from the various prefectures of Huainan who previously pledged allegiance to me."

"Those trusted servants and lackeys too."

Chief Clerk Li was taken aback. "Your Highness means..."

Sima Canglan smiled.

"Luoyang promised me I could act as I saw fit."

"Then I will lavishly bestow official titles, promoting them in name only but demoting them in reality. The court's ranks and honors are nothing but empty names."

After the order to appoint officials was issued.

The entire Huainan was shaken.

Sima Canglan, in the name of the Supreme Ruler of Huainan, bestowed titles upon 372 people in one go, among whom the number of officials with real power under Azure Waves Heaven increased to 108.

Whether they were prefects, magistrates, generals, or officers, there were scions of immortal Aristocratic Clan, scholars Rogue Cultivator humble backgrounds, or even servants and lackeys from the Azure Waves Heaven.

Overnight, he became an official of the imperial court, enjoying the imperial court's fortune and the blessings of Huainan!

The news caused an uproar throughout Huainan.

Some were pleasantly surprised, some were taken aback, some were angry, and some sneered.

The most eye-catching person was one person.

This man's surname was Sun, and his given name was Wuneng. He was originally a groom for Sima Huanyu in the Firmament Heaven. Just because he had fed horses for Sima Canglan once in his early years, he was appointed as the Horse Supervisor of Huainan and given a purple robe.

Zhang Fu, dressed in brand-new official robes, rode his demonic horse ostentatiously through the city, proclaiming to everyone he met, "The Supreme Azure Waves's kindness is as vast as the sea! His affection is profound! May Huainan live ten thousand years!"

Countless people, from celestial Aristocratic Clan and officials of Huainan to independent cultivators from various sects, watched this scene Rogue Cultivator: a mere servant ascended to heaven, clad in purple robes, and became an official. They looked at each other in bewilderment, unsure of what to say.

But the most outrageous things are yet to come.

Sima Canglan bestowed official titles not only upon the living, but also upon the dead.

Those former subordinates who had followed Sima Huanyu in his early years and had died in battle or from illness were posthumously granted the titles of Marquis, Earl, or General. Their descendants, regardless of their wisdom or folly, all received official positions through hereditary privilege.

In just ten days, Sima Canglan bestowed more official titles than Sima Huanyu had in ten years.

The officialdom in Huainan expanded threefold overnight.

When there weren't enough official robes, they were made overnight. When there weren't enough official seals, they were cast overnight.

Even the storage of the Black Radiance Demon Marten tails worn by officials when attending court was insufficient.

But official hats need decoration! The longer and shinier the sable tail, the higher the rank.

Sima Canglan appointed over a hundred officials of the fourth rank or above in one go, and there simply weren't enough sable tails to go around.

The official in charge of etiquette was so worried that his hair turned white.

He searched all over Huainan, gathering every Black Radiance Demon Marten he could find, killing and stripping them of their tails, but it still wasn't enough.

However, this was an indispensable part of the etiquette for high-ranking officials of the Great Jin!

So the minor official submitted a memorial. "If the sable tails are not enough, we can use the tails of the Gray Radiance Dog Demon clan to make up a few pieces."

Although the dog's tail is shorter than a mink's tail and the color is a bit off, with some dyeing and trimming, it's almost indistinguishable from a distance. They look pretty much the same!

And so, this scene unfolded.

In the solemn and majestic Azure Waves Heaven Tianque, dozens of officials stood in two rows, each dressed in fine clothes with sable tails tucked into their hats.

But upon closer inspection, some mink tails are pure black and gleaming. Others, however, have grayish tails that are short and thick, clearly resembling dog tails.

Some officials pointed at the dog's tail and whispered among themselves.

The former governor of Huainan, a confidant of Sima Huanyu, witnessed this absurd scene and felt grief in his heart, yet dared not utter a word.

"Your Majesty, when will you return! The once glorious Huainan has fallen into such a state!"

The news spread to ordinary people, and even folk songs were sung about it:

"When sable furs are insufficient, dog tails are used to make up the numbers. Officials fill the streets, and seals cover the ground. Yesterday's groom is today's purple robe; today's lackey is tomorrow's high official. Take a look around Huainan city, and all you see is dog tails waving."

When the ballad reached Sima Canglan's ears, he paid it no mind.

"Whether it's a dog's tail or a sable's tail," he said to Chief Clerk Li, "As long as it can be used by me, it's a good tail."

Chief Clerk Li hesitated, as if he wanted to speak.

Sima Canglan looked at him and smiled, "Speak your mind."

Chief Clerk Li took a deep breath, bowed, and advised, "Your Highness, I dare to be bold. Such indiscriminate bestowal of titles may damage the court's reputation. Moreover, those who receive official positions are of mixed character, and I fear that in the future..."

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid it will be difficult to control."

Sima Canglan remained silent for a moment.

"Chief Clerk Li," he said slowly, "Do you know why I have appointed so many officials?"

Chief Clerk Li shook his head.

Sima Canglan stood up and walked to the window.

"The name Huanyu is deeply rooted in Huainan. Those former subordinates, those Aristocratic Clan families and immortal clans, those officials, all fear Huanyu in their hearts, acknowledge Firmament Heaven, but do not acknowledge my Azure Waves Heaven."

If I were to replace them one by one, how long would it take?"

He turned around and looked at Chief Clerk Li.

"I bestow official titles. I bestow many, many official titles, so that many people will feel that following me will bring them wealth and honor."

These people have received benefits from me, so naturally they have become my people.

Even if the former subordinates of Huanyu were dissatisfied, they dared not act rashly.

Because the moment they make a move, the newly appointed officials will pounce on them and attack them.

Chief Clerk Li remained silent.

Sima Canglan smiled.

"As for those dog tails, what does it matter? What I want is their loyalty, not their tails."

Chief Clerk Li bowed. "Your Highness's insight is profound."

Sima Canglan waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to say anything more.

Sima Canglan spread his Divine Sense throughout Huainan, connecting with the power of the entire Azure Waves Heaven. Amidst the continuous Azure Waves Palaces and the comings and goings of newly appointed officials, the smile on his lips gradually faded.

"A dog's tail added to a sable coat," he muttered.

"But this dog's tail can't last long after all."

He recalled the spring thunder within his body.

That was a loan from his third brother, and also a hidden danger left to him by his third brother.

Suddenly, Sima Canglan seemed to remember something.

"Chief Clerk Li," he said softly, "How are things going with my nephews?"

Chief Clerk Li quickly replied, "As Your Highness instructed, I hold a nominal title and salary, but have no troops or real power, and cannot cause any trouble."

Sima Canglan nodded.

"Keep an eye on them. If there's any unusual movement, take them down immediately."

"Yes."

"And those stubborn and unyielding trusted retainers," Sima Canglan continued, "Buy those who can be bribed, and for those who cannot, find a pretext to expel them from Huainan."

"Yes."

Sima Canglan nodded in satisfaction.

"What about the Ye Household? What has Ye Zhanxin in Yangzhou been up to lately?"

Chief Clerk Li said, "He keeps to his duty, handling Yangzhou's affairs daily and never meddling in matters of Azure Waves Heaven. The jade seal that the Prince gave him last time was only used for routine matters; he never oversteps his authority."

Sima Canglan frowned slightly.

"Oh? So honest?"

Chief Clerk Li nodded.

Sima Canglan suddenly smiled.

"Interesting."

"Keep an eye on them. The Ye Clan has two Golden Core cultivators; they can't be touched for now."

"Yes."

Chief Clerk Li withdrew.

Only Sima Canglan remained in the hall.

He leaned back on the throne, gazing at the enormous glass lamp on the ceiling, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"Second Brother," he murmured, "Huainan still fell into my hands. Your Firmament Heaven has become my Azure Waves Heaven."

"Tell me, is this fate, or human intervention?"

The hall was completely silent.

Only one glass lamp emitted a faint blue light.