269: Chapter 67: Social Interactions are Also Necessary 269: Chapter 67: Social Interactions are Also Necessary The military achievements worth fifty-five gold combined with the fifteen gold for tea expenses softened the usually robust voice of the Commander-in-Chief considerably.
After Shi Hu’s introduction, Wang Yunxiao finally came to fully understand the rules of the game here.
Through battles with the Great Wilderness Nomads, slaying their strong yields taxes.
Turning in taxes can be registered as military achievements, which can be exchanged for civilian and military positions, military supplies and provisions, Martial Arts Techniques, and even Body Refining Pills.
Of course, these things were temporarily out of Wang Yunxiao’s reach.
As a newcomer, his first task was to exchange military achievements for an official Military Officer rank, which would then qualify him to enter the Inner City.
Only after entering the Inner City could he go to the special Yamen of the Brocade-Clothed Guard to check the list of exchanges for military achievements and choose what he wanted.
The lowest rank within the Brocade-Clothed Guard’s system was the “Banner,” starting from the seventh-rank Military Officer, which required at least one hundred gold in military achievements to exchange.
Moving up, the position of Chief Banner of seventh-rank required five hundred gold.
For the average person, these figures were astronomical; yet, one couldn’t call them unfair.
In the Real World, to donate for a regular seventh-rank Military Officer position in the Former Dynasty, one would need tens of thousands of silver pieces.
Wang Yunxiao patrolled for just one night with his team and garnered fifty-five gold, meaning he could be promoted to Banner with just another such endeavor.
In Shi Hu’s eyes, such a talented youth truly could be described as a dragon among men, with limitless future achievements.
Of course, what was most important was that he also understood human relationships and worldly affairs well.
“In fact, we still have some more achievements…”
Hearing that one hundred gold could promote him to Banner, Wang Yunxiao gave Youtiao a look, and Youtiao cheerfully pulled out a handful of gold beans from yet another pocket, causing Shi Hu’s mouth to twitch.
“This…
oh, brother, there are no outsiders here, so let me speak frankly.
Haven’t you heard the saying ‘The tree that sticks out gets the wind’?”
Shi Hu earnestly advised, “Every month, young people like you come here for experience, but very few can make a hundred gold overnight like you did.
Think about how others view this?
How will the veterans in the Yamen see it?
Of course, if you say you like standing out, then pretend I never said anything…”
“Your advice is well taken, sir.
We don’t really want to stand out, but after last night’s battle, we realized that our brothers are still not strong enough…”
Wang Yunxiao humbly asked, “Could you recommend something suitable for us?”
“Suitable?
You mean Cultivation Techniques and Elixirs, right?”
Shi Hu frowned, thought for a moment, glanced at Youtiao standing behind Wang Yunxiao, and said in a low voice, “We’re simple folk and don’t quite know good from bad with these things, and besides, everybody’s physique is different.
You can wait until you come back to be promoted to Banner, then I’ll take you to the Yamen to carefully choose.
However, speaking of Cultivation Techniques, when I was selected to enter the Inner Court Guard, the palace did teach us a very good Cultivation Technique.
It’s simple to start, powerful in effect, most importantly balanced and steady with no hidden dangers.”
“But you know, brother, such Cultivation Techniques can only be practiced by Imperial Guards, and unauthorized dissemination would lead to a sentence of death…”
If it cannot be disseminated privately, then why even mention it?
A knowing smile appeared on Wang Yunxiao’s face; he nodded at Youtiao, who then took out the Red Gold looted from the Rebel Army and placed it on the table.
Shi Hu looked at the red gold, not only twitching at the corners of his mouth but also shivering in his fingers.
“Isn’t it brother, what did you do last night?
Did you rob a bandit camp?”
Wang Yunxiao sighed and said, “It is said that one should acquire literary and martial skills to serve the Imperial Family.
Each of us brothers possesses unique skills, yet due to our humble origins, we have always lacked the means to advance.
Now, having finally got this chance to learn and improve, I hope the Commander-in-Chief will provide much support.”
“Oh, brother, you’re being too modest!”
Shi Hu carefully picked up a piece of red gold, bit it hard, took it out to check the teeth marks, and still couldn’t believe it.
“Goodness, I’ve only heard of such things before but never seen them with my own eyes.
This is…
Oh right, look at me forgetting the important things.”
He took out an ancient thread-bound book from his bosom and pushed it in front of Wang Yunxiao, lowering his voice as he spoke, “Don’t say I don’t take care of you, brother.
This is an original copy from the palace.
Others can only glance at it and can’t even touch it.
Only I can get the original.
If this gets out, it’s a crime punishable by death, no joke, so please don’t get me into trouble!”
Wang Yunxiao took it and saw four bold and powerful characters on the cover—”Hundred Thousand Mountains and Rivers”!
Was this a cultivation technique?
Martial arts techniques?
Why does the name sound so strange?
He flipped it open and saw that it was half text, half images.
The images predominantly featured human figures, depicting stance positions and meridian flow paths.
The accompanying text was mostly poems—rousing and straightforward.
For instance, the page he opened described the Mount Tai Fist from the Five Mountains Fist—broad and expansive moves combined with verses, giving a sense of overlooking all beings from atop Mount Tai.
Interesting…
Just wasn’t sure if it was feasible to practice, or if practicing it could cause any issues.
As for saying that it would be a capital offense if the book got out…
He thought it was better to take such warnings lightly.
If it were really that valuable, would he have just tucked it into his pocket?
Since he couldn’t take the gold with him anyway, Wang Yunxiao decided to fully earn his goodwill in one go.
Then, overjoyed, he invited others to join him (they were not).
When Youtiao took out the red gold ingot as thick as a finger from his pocket, Shi Hu couldn’t help but sit up straight and gasp, looking at Wang Yunxiao with a changed expression.
“Brother, what exactly is your background?
Are you pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger, making fun of your big brother?
With this thing, promoting you to Chief Banner would be more than enough!”
“Wealth is but an external possession.
I wish to form a genuine bond with the Commander-in-Chief but am unaware of the rules within this palace and am afraid of becoming a laughingstock.”
Wang Yunxiao stuffed the gold ingot into Shi Hu’s hand, speaking earnestly, “We are of modest ability, only wishing to earn a living through our skills, without daring to talk about serving the country or seeking to climb to high positions.
Next time I come, I hope the Commander-in-Chief will arrange things well for us.”
“Easy to say, easy to say!
It’s no trouble at all!”
Shi Hu laughed heartily, a red flush appearing on his rough face, and he leaned in close to Wang Yunxiao’s ear, whispering, “Big brother understands what you mean, brother.
Come earlier next time, just listen to me making arrangements for you.
I might not have a say in other matters, but in the Eastern City, I’m still the one in charge here.”