The official’s path, a blend of various schools of thought, is vast and profound, and different for everyone. The Crown Prince only gave a general overview, and Jiang Wang could only speculate about the Qi Emperor’s path.

However, he suddenly realized.

If that were the case, his assassination of Dong A back then was truly a perfect opportunity, striking at the heart of the Zhuang Kingdom.

Otherwise, with the might of the great victory over the Yong Kingdom, Du Ruhuai would have naturally retired, and Dong A would have succeeded him in leading the government. Dong A’s administrative ability was beyond doubt. In the position of the Grand Councilor of the flourishing Zhuang Kingdom, he would have no worries in the Outer Tower realm, and even had a chance to achieve the Divine Presence realm. And once Du Ruhuai was free, perhaps the next time they met, he would be a True Person!

His nighttime infiltration of Xin’an City to kill Dong A was not just the killing of one Dong A.

It was also cutting off Du Ruhuai’s path!

It also broke the positive cycle in the position of the Grand Councilor of the Zhuang Kingdom.

It would take who knows how many years for Du Ruhuai to find another Dong A capable of inheriting the reins of government.

“Does the Crown Prince mean that the death of Han Yin might not have been so simple?” Jiang Wang connected this to what he had seen in the Yong Kingdom and asked seriously, “It wasn’t Zhuang Gaoxian who killed him alone?”

The answer to this question was naturally important to him. Based on this, he could judge Zhuang Gaoxian’s strength.

But Jiang Wuhua just shook his head and smiled: “I didn’t say anything.”

His smile was already an answer.

Jiang Wang was not surprised that the Yong Kingdom, far away in the Western Border, was completely within the sight of the Qi Kingdom.

If one cannot focus on the world, how can one be a hegemon?

If one’s vision is only within one region, at most one can be called a temporary hero.

“I understand!” Jiang Wang said.

“What do you understand?” Jiang Wuhua asked with a smile.

“I understand why the Crown Prince told me about this official’s path.” Jiang Wang, however, did not smile, and only asked, “Does the imperial court have arrangements for me?”

Jiang Wuhua talked at length about the official’s path, which suggested that the Qi court was about to appoint him to a substantial position.

Inviting him to his residence for congee was undoubtedly a gesture of goodwill.

After all, Jiang Wuhua was the Crown Prince, and it was not difficult for him to know the imperial court’s arrangements for him in advance. Giving him a heads-up and supplementing his relevant knowledge would allow him to make a better choice. This favor was firmly established.

He smiled and said: “Qingyang Zi is both wise and brave, a fortune for the country!”

This time he didn’t say “a fortune for me,” thinking that he knew not to overdo it.

However, Jiang Wang could not accept this praise. It was only now that he realized that if it had been Chongxuan Sheng, he would have understood the truth of the matter as soon as the Crown Prince spoke and would not have accepted this favor.

A debt of gratitude is the hardest to repay, and a debt of gratitude from the Crown Prince makes one tread on thin ice.

And having listened to this point, he had already accepted this favor whether he liked it or not!

Jiang Wang sighed in his heart and smiled on his face: “Thank you for the Crown Prince’s guidance.”

Jiang Wuhua waved his hand: “You and I share the same interests, we should be confidants, why speak of thanks?”

He said seriously: “Achieving great deeds is nothing more than civil administration and military achievements. You must be clear about what you are suitable for. The official’s path is also long and cannot be hindered by a temporary setback. You are an unparalleled talent, a good pillar of the state. The Son of Heaven will also consider your wishes, intending to help you grow faster, not to burden you.”

Is it the prefect of a region? Or leading an army to conquer the Misty Realm or the Myriad Demon Gate?

It’s not that Jiang Wang is arrogant, but with his current title, position, and the talent he has shown, there isn’t much room for choice.

It’s not as if he would be sent to compile scriptures and classics, doing painstaking work and wasting time.

And what Jiang Wang needs to consider more is… does his cultivation need to align with the official’s path?

This is the foundation of his path and must be carefully considered again and again.

Since he had already accepted this favor, Jiang Wang would no longer dwell on it.

He asked: “Jiang Wang has one thing unclear. Since the official’s path has two sides, and the political system is tied to cultivation, apart from hatred, why would anyone betray their country and be disloyal?”

There are only two types of traitors: one for revenge, and one for profit.

Under the cultivation system of the official’s path, traitors should have nothing to gain.

“There are not just one or two countries in the world. Those who are evildoers in this country may be meritorious in that country. Meritorious and evil deeds can cancel each other out. With the support of the national system, they are enough to bear the backlash, and may even benefit from it.”

Jiang Wang thought to himself. Just like that Huang Yixing, who sold Yang and leaned towards Qi. His cultivation did not decline with the demise of Yang, but instead rose in Qi.

But this was not the question he really wanted to ask…

After the Crown Prince explained, he continued: “Furthermore, cultivation is inherently personal. Taking the exploration of the starry dome as an example, how can others know whether vital energy is being consumed? There are countless people in the officialdom who do not rely on the official’s path. So being within the system does not necessarily mean loyalty, and being outside the system does not necessarily mean rebellion.”

He looked at Jiang Wang meaningfully: “Qi is a vast country, and loyalty is not reflected in this.”

He clearly understood Jiang Wang’s implied meaning and told him the answer. Whether or not to rely on the official’s path was entirely up to him. The Qi court would not judge his loyalty based on this.

He could treat his substantial position as a nominal one, just like his current position as a fourth-grade Qingpai. Or he could accomplish deeds and gain merit, but not draw on the power of the official’s path.

Everything was up to him, depending on how he chose his own path.

Jiang Wang felt that on this day, he had a completely new understanding of this Great Qi Crown Prince, and also a completely new understanding of the current official’s path. He held his knees with both hands and said seriously: “Listening to your words is worth ten years of study!”

The Crown Prince, however, smiled: “The word ‘you’ cannot be used casually.”

Who said the Crown Prince was simple and honest!?

Jiang Wang felt as if he had climbed out of one pit and fallen into another. He couldn’t possibly parry.

Of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is the best.

He looked up at the outside of the hall.

“Ah, it’s getting late!”

Jiang Wang was surprised for a moment, then looked at the Crown Prince with great regret: “I had a very pleasant conversation with His Highness today, and Jiang Wang benefited greatly. Unfortunately, I still have important matters to attend to and cannot stay long. I will take my leave now and pray for His Highness’s blessing!”

Jiang Wuhua was not annoyed. He just sat there and smiled gently: “Qingyang Zi, go slowly on your way.”

Jiang Wang quickly got up and walked out with brisk steps, afraid that the Crown Prince would not let him go.

He felt that he was truly no match for these imperial nobles in subtle conversations.

Next time he came to Changle Palace, he would have to bring Chongxuan Sheng.

Bah.

He would never come to Changle Palace again!

For the debt of gratitude, he would find other ways to repay it.

“Hey, wait!”

The Crown Prince’s voice sounded behind him.

Jiang Wang pretended not to hear and took three steps at a time, already out of the dining hall.

Suddenly, his sleeve tightened, and it was grabbed!

Jiang Wang turned his head and met Jiang Wuhua’s warm smiling face.

“Ah, Your Highness the Crown Prince!” He said in surprise: “Why did you call this humble minister?”

It was as if he really hadn’t heard the previous call.

Jiang Wuhua also seemed genuinely unable to see through him. He just released his sleeve, smiled, and reached out his hand. From the accompanying eunuch, he took an ancient and elegant food box and handed it to Jiang Wang: “You forgot to take this. Inside are a portion of snowy bamboo chicken, pearl pig, and small magnolia each. Packed in this food box, they won’t spoil no matter how long they are kept.”

Jiang Wang took it: “Your Highness’s kindness is engraved in Jiang Wang’s heart.”

Jiang Wuhua only smiled: “Come and have a meal next time.”

“I will definitely come when I have time!”

Jiang Wang put the food box into his storage box, greased the soles of his feet, and left in a hurry.

He stepped out of the palace gate.

It was still morning at this time, and the warm sunlight fell on the palace plaque, illuminating the two characters “Changle” brightly.

Those who are content can be happy. From his performance so far, the Crown Prince is also a content person and should be happy.

But… is that really the case?

Jiang Wang found his sedan chair and quickly got in.

He said urgently: “Hurry up!”

The sedan bearers naturally obeyed and lifted the sedan chair to leave.

However, the steward Xie Ping next to him was startled.

Did Lord Jiang… commit an offense?