“The Marquis of Wu’an is currently overseeing all matters of the official examinations. How can he possibly concern himself with a mere missing persons case?” Su Guanying’s voice remained level. “The Army Supervisor speaks of this case, and as I understand it, investigations are already underway. However, the official examinations require the deployment of too many official forces, so progress will naturally not be swift.”

Teacher Ming Peng’s expression was grave. “This is no small matter. Supervisor Su still needs to elevate its importance. If even the son of a prefect cannot be guaranteed safety, vanishing for five days without a trace, then how can the people of the Southern Border feel at ease?”

Su Guanying countered, “Human life is paramount, naturally a matter of great consequence. However, the son of a prefect is not so special. The Southern Border spans ten thousand *li*, with billions of inhabitants. Every day, every hour, lives are born, grow old, fall ill, and die. How can we attend to each one, and how can the Army Supervisor concern himself with them all? The court has its own system; the Ministry of Justice has its purview and bears its responsibilities. Our task is to guide the people and ensure the overall stability of the Southern Border. Our current focus is primarily on the official examinations. Once the examinations conclude smoothly, the official administration is clarified, and internal and external matters are unified, then handling security matters will be as effortless as water flowing into a channel.”

Teacher Ming Peng, with a flick of his large hand, produced two dossiers and tossed them respectively before Su Guanying and Jiang Wang’s seats.

“On the fifteenth of July, the only son of the Prefect of Jiangyong went missing. On the sixteenth of July, the wife’s younger brother of the Prefect of Shunye was murdered on the street by an unknown assailant. On the seventeenth of July, the sister of the City Lord of Ximing City went missing…”

Teacher Ming Peng’s eyes were like two lamps, ready to erupt with fury at any moment. “In the short span of five days, no fewer than six members of official families have met with misfortune across various locations in the Southern Border. In Jiangyong Prefecture alone, the number of missing persons cases has nearly doubled the average for the past year. These dossiers are alarming! How can they simply be dismissed with a phrase like ‘the court has its own system’?”

“Matters concerning the safety of the Great Qi’s people will never be dismissed! How could the Supervisor’s Residence ever dismiss them? Teacher Grand Commander’s words… I do not understand them.”

Su Guanying’s voice remained impassive. “The Southern Border was only pacified at the beginning of the year, and we have been governing for merely half a year. Manpower is severely insufficient in all aspects, especially within the Ministry of Justice. Even a clever woman cannot make a meal without rice. To deploy troops for a time requires a thousand days of preparation. How could Teacher Grand Commander not understand this principle? Why did the Supervisor’s Residence wish to hold the official examinations? Why invite the Marquis of Wu’an to supervise? Is it not precisely to supplement officials, rectify the administration, and seek out usable soldiers? We have received the Son of Heaven’s decree to govern the Southern Summer. When considering problems, we must indeed be grounded in reality, but our gaze cannot solely be fixed on the low places. We must also stand from a broader perspective to confront societal issues. Does Teacher Grand Commander not agree? Is it reasonable to have a distinguished Southern Summer Army Supervisor personally investigate the missing persons case of the Prefect of Jiangyong’s only son?”

These two esteemed figures now seemed to have completely disregarded Jiang Wang at their side. They exchanged sharp retorts, one after the other. Their expressions remained calm, but their voices gradually lost their friendliness, and their mutual accusations grew increasingly severe.

Jiang Wang was already contemplating whether to escape later, or perhaps simply pack his bags and return to the old mountain, waiting for them to finish their squabble.

With Teacher Ming Peng’s fierce appearance, as long as he wasn’t smiling, he seemed to be perpetually angry. Once he did smile, that anger was laced with threat.

At this moment, he wore such a half-smile, slowly saying, “Since the Ministry of Justice is short on manpower, then we must first solve the problem of manpower shortage within the Ministry of Justice. The mere three hundred examinees below, even if they are all recorded, are but a drop in the bucket, how can they cure the ills of the ten thousand *li* of the Southern Border? In this commander’s view, we need to recruit another batch of soldiers, specifically for criminal matters. With both military and political forces united, why fear instability in the Southern Border? Why fear rampant criminals?”

Initially, Jiang Wang didn’t understand the necessity of discussing a missing persons case in this setting. Now, he understood.

The Southern Summer Governor’s Residence possessed its own Ministry of Justice system, and Teacher Ming Peng desired to inject his own influence into it, wielding authority over criminal matters alongside the Army Mansion! This was a blatant attempt to seize the Southern Summer Governor’s Residence’s authority.

And this process, it began just like this, so easily?

Jiang Wang understood that the struggle for power, seen from small details to great, from subtle signs to the obvious, was a struggle where both sides intertwined in various aspects, coming and going, a process that should be as silent as water moistening the land. How could Teacher Ming Peng and Su Guanying, while chatting, suddenly enter a state of struggle, completely without needing to avoid someone like him?

He was silent and slightly bewildered. He only wished to fulfill his role well, ensuring the smooth and fair conclusion of this official examination. He had no desire to be a peacemaker, and even less did he wish to be inadvertently drawn into the strife of either party.

Teacher Ming Peng, by using the missing persons case of the Prefect of Jiangyong’s only son and other incidents as pretexts, raised the banner of rectifying Southern Border security, proposing the establishment of another form of Ministry of Justice. This indeed held significant momentum at the moment, making it difficult to dismiss.

But Su Guanying simply stated, “Army for army, criminal matters for criminal matters. The military and legal families have always been distinct, from ancient times to the present. Is Teacher Commander attempting to establish a precedent in the Southern Border? Does he intend to imitate the Northwest Army Court?”

This was a direct question to the heart!

“When did this commander utter such words?” Teacher Ming Peng said with great surprise. “This commander’s meaning is that the current Ministry of Justice is clearly incapable of fulfilling its function and maintaining stability in the Southern Border. Changes must be made! Supervisor Su wishes to manage livelihoods, to govern the Southern Border, to make all industries prosper. This commander wishes to protect the four borders and deter soldiers from all eight directions. We cannot free ourselves entirely. Why not recruit another batch of soldiers, specifically for criminal matters, overseen by a special person, to pacify the mountains and rivers? I see the Marquis of Wu’an as being highly suitable! If we military and political forces unite, and together support the Marquis of Wu’an, then the Southern Border will surely be well-governed. Is this not a great fortune for the ten million people of the Southern Border?”

Jiang Wang almost leaped up.

He had never imagined that this topic, after going full circle, would return to him.

Su Guanying’s defense was flawless.

Teacher Ming Peng, unable to seize the power over criminal matters, simply drew his sword and sliced, diverting it to Jiang Wang! How similar was this to Su Guanying’s earlier decision to hand over the position of Chief Examiner to Jiang Wang?

Su Guanying’s willow-like eyebrow rose slightly. She looked towards Teacher Ming Peng, her eyes filled with a thick sense of scrutiny.

Teacher Ming Peng said leisurely, “The Capital Patrol Mansion is not governed by the Military Affairs Hall, nor is it governed by the Political Affairs Hall. Why? The Ministry of Justice bears its own responsibility and is directly answerable to the Son of Heaven! This is a national policy of the Great Qi. Supervisor Su says the Southern Border should not establish a precedent, and Teacher, I deeply agree. The Son of Heaven’s trust and affection for the Marquis of Wu’an are known to the world. Allowing the Marquis of Wu’an to unify this Ministry of Justice is perfectly suitable.”

“Teacher Army Supervisor speaks well!” Su Guanying suddenly laughed, clapping her hands in praise. “The Southern Border has only just been pacified, and security often troubles this supervisor. Alas, I cannot divide myself, and I cannot oversee it for long. The matter of establishing another Ministry of Justice, in this supervisor’s view, is beyond doubt. The Marquis of Wu’an possesses exceptional talent, surpassing others in intellect. If he is willing to bear this responsibility, I can rest easy!”

Thus, the two figures both looked towards Jiang Wang, their expressions both friendly and encouraging.

Jiang Wang vaguely felt that something was amiss.

How could Su Guanying and Teacher Ming Peng, after arguing, suddenly cede such a significant power? And furthermore, push it towards him? Although there is the ancient saying, “when the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits,” what kind of fisherman was he, Jiang Qingyang?

Regardless of whether it was Su Guanying or Teacher Ming Peng, which one of them wasn’t an existence that could easily drown him in water? Furthermore, even if he were a fisherman, he would often return with an empty rod, not counting gains or losses.

He had come to the Southern Summer to avoid trouble, not to strive for power and profit! Yet, he reaped harvests one after another. It wasn’t that he was snatching food from the tiger’s mouth, but rather that the tigers were constantly bringing food to him, feeding it to his mouth.

Where could such a quiet cultivation exist? If he were to continue this “quiet cultivation,” he would soon be qualified to contend for the position of Southern Summer Governor.

If he were to agree today, then after Su Guanying held political power and Teacher Ming Peng held military power, he would hold criminal power, truly sitting as an equal with the former two. So many benefits were being showered upon him; did he truly not need to pay anything?

His heart couldn’t grasp the reason clearly, nor did he completely understand the intentions of Teacher Ming Peng and Su Guanying. However, Jiang Wang decisively stood up, bowing respectfully to the two great figures who harbored mountains of danger in their hearts. “I am not a disciple of the legal family, I do not understand criminal matters, nor have I studied legal classics. I harbor no great ambitions and am lazy when it comes to wielding power. Furthermore, I am not interested in holding the Ministry of Justice. To occupy the position and consume resources in vain would harm the people. Matters concerning the peace of billions of people and the security of the Southern Border, please allow the two esteemed adults to reconsider. It is not convenient for me to listen, so I shall not disturb you.”

Without giving the two an opportunity to speak, he turned and descended the high platform alone. With his hand on his longsword, he dedicated himself to patrolling the examination field.

It was absolutely not difficult for Su Guanying and Teacher Ming Peng to render him speechless. They likely had many methods to persuade him… and he had already witnessed them earlier in the Governor’s Residence. Thus, he simply did not give the two an opportunity to speak, demonstrating his determination not to strive for criminal power.

On the high platform, Su Guanying and Teacher Ming Peng exchanged glances, each somewhat surprised.

To control the entire Southern Border’s criminal power, what kind of authority was that? What kind of immense force could be leveraged? And what kind of great assistance on the official path could be gained from such a high position? It was no exaggeration to say that all the officials of the Great Qi were envious.

The Marquis of Wu’an, though his name was now renowned for his merit, always held a nominal position without real power. His seemingly high position was merely that of a third-rank Golden Melon Warrior. An opportunity to control such real power, and he actually didn’t seize it?

Before Jiang Wang’s arrival in the Southern Summer, they had had no contact with him. Their understanding of this newly risen military merit marquis was mostly based on hearsay. Hearsay always differed, and the image of an absolute prodigy in people’s mouths always contained several points of legendary color, inevitably losing some truth.

Neither of them had expected Jiang Wang to refuse. They had thought, just like before in the Southern Summer Governor’s Residence, that he would decline several times before reluctantly accepting.

Was he actually so resolute? Did the Marquis of Wu’an possess such confidence that he could impact the pinnacle of transcendence without relying on the official path?

In each other’s eyes, they saw the same information – they both needed to re-evaluate this young marquis.

Thus, neither spoke further.

For Jiang Wang, this choice was not difficult. Nothing required more than asking himself one question—

What path is Jiang Wang truly walking?

After asking, the answer was clear.

If he were to take criminal power today, would he not seek to contend for the Southern Summer Governor position tomorrow? Would he not seek to contend for the position of Prime Minister the day after tomorrow? The further one walks on the official path, the deeper one becomes entangled. Since the advent of the official path, the human torrent has indeed surged, and those who have gained momentum to achieve their goals are innumerable. But how many can walk that final step?

To be a famous minister or a famous commander is not easier than cultivating in peace. To leave one’s mark on the world and a name for posterity from ancient times until now, few have been able to do so. What might be a broad road for others was not a good path for Jiang Wang himself.

Agreeing to host the Southern Border official examinations was because he truly wanted to do something meaningful and believed he could do it well. Besides that, he did not wish to become deeply ensnared in the Southern Border officialdom, tying himself down. His path was not within the official path; his path was beneath his own feet. He had long since determined his goal, and it would not change because of any scenery along the way.

So, no matter what intentions Teacher Ming Peng and Su Guanying held—he did not understand, nor did he try to understand. He showed his attitude and walked away, focusing solely on the official examinations themselves.

Speaking of those who came to Tiger Platform this time to participate in the final official trial, there were quite a few familiar faces to Jiang Wang. Those he had captured, those he had defeated, those he had crossed paths with… During his time leading troops across the various prefectures of the Southern Summer, fighting countless battles both large and small, he had come into contact with a significant number of Summer Country people. Among them, of course, was Gu Yong.

From the list, he also saw Chu Shuo, the General of Huyang Pass, who had made a profound impression on Jiang Wang and had caused considerable trouble for the Eastern Front Qi Army, as well as Chu Shuo’s nephew, Chu Yulong. Because the Son of Heaven of Qi had declared that defending one’s territory was not a crime, they had all been pardoned.

As Jiang Wang slowly walked past, Chu Yulong’s hand, holding the brush, instantly stiffened. His heart almost stopped. Heavy Xuan Pang had once harbored intense killing intent towards this fellow, but after the war ended, he had not sought trouble with him. Wartime and post-war were, after all, different.

Jiang Wang also deliberately walked past this young man several times, considering it a small form of retribution against him. Chu Yulong’s uncle, Chu Shuo, was truly a talent; even Heavy Xuan Sheng praised him endlessly. However, the Chu Clan was an ancient and renowned family of the old Summer Kingdom. During the Qi-Summer War, from the old ancestor Chu Gongyi to the young prodigy Chu Mian, almost the entire clan had died for their country. Descendants of the Chu Clan like Chu Shuo and his nephew, even after surrendering in the end, found it very difficult to gain trust in the Qi court. However, since they were now able to participate in this final official examination, they must have also passed the scrutiny of the Southern Summer Governor’s Residence. Jiang Wang, of course, would not interfere.

He shifted his gaze, specifically searching for Chu Shuo, whom he had only seen portraits of before, considering it compensation for not seeing him at Huyang Pass at that time. When he passed Huyang Pass then, he and Heavy Xuan Sheng had been well-prepared, but the opposing side had given them not even a sliver of an opportunity.

However, as his gaze moved, it was caught by another faint stare.

Jiang Wang thus saw—

A woman with cold eyes and eyebrows, dressed in men’s clothing, her hair tied with a jade ring, and wearing a loose scholar’s robe. In one hand, she held a brush, her posture exceptionally upright. In the other hand, she spread her five fingers, lightly tapping on the rice paper. Her eyes, however, were directed at him. There was some curiosity in her gaze, but it was extremely faint. There was a hint of scrutiny, also extremely shallow. Her features were actually quite beautiful, yet they did not attract attention. This was a contradiction. A very beautiful woman, how could she not attract attention? Unless she possessed a power that made her not attract attention.

But at this moment, Jiang Wang was not thinking about these things. He naturally felt that this was not a problem. No matter what, to dare to observe the Chief Examiner with such a scrutinizing attitude in the life-altering official examination field truly required no small courage.

Jiang Wang nodded at her, then moved his gaze away.

With the Southern Summer Governor, the Southern Summer Army Supervisor, and the Marquis of Wu’an personally supervising the examination, there was naturally no room for cheating in the examination field.

Jiang Wang paid no mind to the conversation between the two great figures on the high platform, nor did he go up to sit. He continued to patrol the entire field on his own.

Until, *bang! Bang!*

The sound marking the end of the examination rang out.

“Trial complete! Put down your brushes!” Xue Rushi, with his sword at his waist, shouted in a clear voice.

The three hundred examinees simultaneously put down their writing brushes. This was no time for jokes. If they dared to continue writing after the time was up, they would be dealt with according to the regulations against disrespecting the examination field. Armored soldiers stepped forward, sealing the names on the test papers on the spot and collecting them one by one. The entire process was neat and orderly, possessing a kind of systemic beauty.

“Next is the military examination.” Jiang Wang, after completing a circuit, stood with his hands behind his back in the central aisle, addressing the examinees in the field. “Gentlemen, please adjust your breath for half an hour here, and then we shall begin.”

No one wasted time. They all closed their eyes, quickly adjusting their own states. Performance at this moment would determine how many steps they could take in the future. Careful preparation could not be overstated.

Jiang Wang casually glanced around, his gaze, for some reason, fell upon the face of the woman he had seen earlier – a face somewhat somber, seemingly oblivious to the joys of life. The woman opened her eyes. A clear stream reflected in her gaze. “Marquis, I am Zhao Zi.”

Jiang Wang was somewhat surprised, but he nodded and introduced himself in return. “I am Jiang Wang.”

The examinees beside them laughed softly. Who didn’t know the name of the Marquis of Wu’an?

“I wish to ask the Marquis,” this woman with the unusual name calmly looked at him, “is this examination fair?”

Jiang Wang did not show offense. He responded gently, “All gentlemen have come this far through examinations, from the city trial to the prefecture trial, and today’s official trial. My Brocade Guards are all here, and I am here. Those heads that were cut off… are also here. Whether this official examination is fair, I believe everyone has the answer in their hearts.”

The woman possessed a strange stubbornness. “I want to hear what the Marquis himself has to say.”

Jiang Wang did not need to answer such a question. The woman’s attitude was also quite impolite. Asking questions left and right while others were adjusting their breath – even immediately expelling her from the examination field would not be excessive.

But Jiang Wang still thought carefully with a serious attitude, then said, “I believe there probably isn’t absolute fairness in the world, but for this official examination, I have exerted my greatest effort to guarantee the existence of the word ‘fair’.”

“Because I have come from a time when I was utterly unknown. I deeply know how important opportunity is, and I understand what fairness means.”

He stood there, saying to Zhao Zi, and also to all the participants in this examination, “This world may not be fair. Some differences exist from birth. I am not such a great figure either; I cannot do what all the wise men from ancient times until now could not do.”

He said so seriously, “I cannot give you a fair origin, I cannot give you fair talent, I cannot give you fair encounters… but at this moment, at least within this official examination that I am hosting, I will exert my utmost to give you a fair opportunity.”