“What does this have to do with Princess Chaohuang?” Lu Xingzhou said, “Can’t I just be an official who is entirely dedicated to public service?”

Pei Qingyan scrutinized him from head to toe, his eyes practically screaming, “Don’t try that with me.”

Lu Xingzhou himself found it amusing: “It’s strange, why does Prime Minister Pei think I’m not that kind of person? Well, even though I’m really not.”

Pei Qingyan took a sip of tea irritably: “Just as I never expected the Saintess of Channü Hehuan to become a virtuous and chaste woman after returning home, I also never expected the Judge of Yama’s Palace to become an upright official after taking office. I’m not one myself, so how could you be?”

Lu Xingzhou finally burst out laughing: “Why is Prime Minister Pei so… direct today?”

“Some things don’t need to be hidden from someone who understands. You could probably be prime minister in the Demon Realm if you wanted to, and my status isn’t higher than yours,” Pei Qingyan said indifferently, “And you gave up a position above ten thousand people in the Demon Realm to return to Daqian, to be a small Langzhong… whatever your motives, I respect it. Times have changed; back then, you wanted revenge, and I thought you were a good knife. Now, I naturally know you’re not someone meant to be a knife.”

Lu Xingzhou said, “Prime Minister Pei knows so much about the Demon Realm… Does His Majesty know?”

Pei Qingyan said, “He probably doesn’t know as much as I do. Daqian’s spies were completely bewildered by your affairs in the Demon Realm, and the news that reached here was shrouded in mist. Generally, no one dared to believe what role you played in the chaos of the Demon Realm; instead, they were all saying that the Dragon Emperor was infatuated with your masculine charms and kept you in the harem, draining you for a month.”

“…Then why does Prime Minister Pei know so much?”

Pei Qingyan put down his teacup and stared at him for a long time: “The Dragon Emperor is not someone who covets beauty… From the rumors of the Dragon Emperor and the Saint Lord fighting over men several times, to her only willing to communicate with you after the Northern Frontier war, I dare say that the Dragon Emperor wants your ability. His Majesty is actually aware of this point.”

“Mm.”

“Since what she wants is ability, it’s naturally to solve some problems she faces. And then you arrived in the Demon Realm, and something happened to the Sacred Mountain… All those rebels who had been hidden for so long jumped out, and afterwards, you returned safely to the country. I don’t believe that this has nothing to do with you. Perhaps His Majesty also has suspicions… But His Majesty won’t be like me, questioning each member of the diplomatic delegation for details to confirm some of his own conjectures. But Lu Xingzhou, His Majesty doesn’t need to know for sure; merely having suspicions is enough to make you suffer.”

Lu Xingzhou nodded slightly: “I’m aware of that.”

“Speaking of which, even if His Majesty knows you rendered great service to the Demon Court, but after all is said and done, you ultimately gave up high office and generous salary to return to the country. This kind of thing can be used as a model for propaganda, so he can’t just punish you. As for whether there’s any grudge in his heart…” Pei Qingyan smiled slightly, “Yesterday, Sheng Yuanyao publicly assaulted Huo Qi, and His Majesty was furious. This morning, he indefinitely postponed the practical position that was originally meant for Sheng Yuanyao. Do you want to learn from her?”

Yesterday, Lu Xingzhou didn’t know what kind of crazy stunt Sheng Yuanyao had pulled, but of course, after the incident, he realized and secretly thought that “Guamei” (Melon Girl) wasn’t so foolish this time.

But he himself had to be foolish once.

Guamei had a good father, so practical positions weren’t important to her for the time being. But Lu Xingzhou couldn’t always be relegated to the sidelines; if there was a position, he had to take it first.

Even the smallest official position meant having his own influence, rather than being someone’s subordinate. His recruitment of Qi Tuizhi yesterday was the first time in his life he had recruited someone for himself… Thinking back to when he recruited Ji Wenchuan for others, the past was still vivid, truly sigh-inducing.

Qi Tuizhi was not just one person; he himself was a force, representing the demands of a faction. As long as Qi Tuizhi knew that following him could get him what he wanted, then Lingtiange would be his.

Without mentioning soaring through the ranks or gaining political status for Lingtiange, Qi Tuizhi’s lowest desired baseline was merely a super-grade Dharma… And Lu Xingzhou had that.

Of course, it couldn’t be directly thrown out like that.

“I won’t learn from her,” Lu Xingzhou smiled. “This position, though ordinary, suits me quite well.”

Pei Qingyan asked, “As soon as you arrive, you meddle in the interests of the trading market. What do you intend to do?”

“What do you mean, ‘as soon as I arrive’… His Majesty put me in this position precisely to have me do these things, especially those related to the Demon Realm. When you look at the court, I’m the most suitable person for this.”

“My meaning is, what do you intend to manage in this matter? Since ancient times, there’s been no talk of the court doing business itself; it’s always been individual families. If the court wants to manage it, would it be by appointing imperial merchants?”

“Shouldn’t it be? Prime Minister, many things cannot be traded casually. Firstly, we need to establish a list of prohibited items, and secondly, we need strict auditing and investigation. What’s the deal with letting each family handle it themselves? Previously, no one was responsible for this, but now there is.”

Pei Qingyan’s old face twitched: “Things that shouldn’t flow out of Daqian, aren’t they just benefiting your Dragon Emperor? Yet you’re still managing it. Again, can you be someone solely dedicated to public service?”

Lu Xingzhou blinked: “Let’s be frank, this is, of course, merely an excuse for me to seize power. Without this reason, how can I get a handle on all these matters and turn this clear-water, six-person yamen into a lucrative position that everyone seeks me out for?”

Pei Qingyan leaned back in his chair again, sipping tea: “Then there really won’t be a share for my Pei family?”

“If Miss Pei is in charge, then yes. If anyone else is, then no.”

Pei Qingyan “pffted” out a mouthful of tea leaves, gripping his teacup as if he wanted to smash it.

Lu Xingzhou sat upright, looking utterly unperturbed.

Pei Qingyan put down the cup, both annoyed and amused. Lu Xingzhou’s words weren’t just a joke hiding the truth; they also conveyed a very clear message: he was now in a position to negotiate terms, truly no longer the mere “knife” he was upon his initial arrival.

Give him a powerless, “clear-water” yamen, and he could transform it into a department with real authority.

Seeing Pei Qingyan put down his teacup, Lu Xingzhou then changed his expression to a smile: “Just kidding. Prime Minister Pei only needs to assist with one thing, and there will naturally be benefits for the Pei family.”

“Hmm?”

“Prime Minister Pei just needs to ensure that after my subordinates get things going, no one casually removes me from my position to take credit,” Lu Xingzhou said. “Prime Minister Pei also knows that even if you replace me with your own people, and you take the credit yourself, this matter might not be handled as skillfully as I can.”

Pei Qingyan looked at him for a long time, ultimately saying nothing, only: “Besides that, will you appoint other imperial merchants?”

“The Tianxing Sword Sect is already an imperial merchant,” Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly. “It’s in its rightful place.”

A hint of admiration finally appeared in Pei Qingyan’s old eyes. He slowly said, “What did you come here for?”

“I want to establish a new department, specifically for foreign trade matters. I know that increasing the number of positions isn’t easy, and it’s not something a Langzhong can decide, but of course, with Prime Minister Pei’s word, it would be very easy.”

Pei Qingyan’s heart stirred: “Do you have a candidate for the head of the new department? You’re not familiar with court officials; would you like me to recommend one or two?”

If they put someone from the Pei family in charge of this…

But then he heard Lu Xingzhou say, “I already have one.”

“Oh? Who?”

“Qi Tuizhi.”

This time, the slight admiration in Pei Qingyan’s eyes finally turned into a “holy cow” emotion. He looked Lu Xingzhou up and down for a long moment, then sighed softly: “Alright. That position will be added today.”

This time it was Lu Xingzhou’s turn to be surprised: “Adding positions is that easy?”

Pei Qingyan smiled slightly: “No other reason, the Minister and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel are all my people.”

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

Damn it.

The Minister of Personnel could directly defy the Prime Minister, and yet he was “all your people.” And “all.”

Are you flexing on me?

Pei Qingyan slowly said, “I think you might still be holding back a few later steps. Why don’t you elaborate? With my help, some things don’t necessarily have to be done slowly, step by step.”

Lu Xingzhou was silent for a moment: “Since a foreign trade department is established, it won’t just be for the Demon Realm anymore. Official foreign trade with the Tianhuang Nation and various overseas countries should also begin.”

Pei Qingyan was startled: “This requires meticulous discussion and a lot of effort, doesn’t it? Are you confident?”

“I’m familiar with Si Han, and my teacher is also familiar with overseas matters.”

Pei Qingyan: “…Tell me, how many people do you want this Zhuke Si (Bureau of Guests) to become?”

Lu Xingzhou grinned: “The more, the merrier.”

Pei Qingyan gave him an exasperated look for a long time, then suddenly said, “Come to Pei Mansion for dinner tonight?”

Lu Xingzhou was stunned: “Is that… not good? People might say…”

“Can’t you be a little discreet? Wasn’t it quite smooth when you climbed over the wall to my family’s ancestral hall last time?”

“…So, I don’t need to bring a gift then?”

“The more, the merrier.”

The new Langzhong of the Zhuke Si chatted for an incredibly long time in the Prime Minister’s office, but left looking a little flustered. The officials waiting outside, greatly irritated, watched him depart, their hearts filled with surprise.

They all felt that this son-in-law of the Pei family was probably about to be officially declared.

But remembering the “Zhou Yao” CP that had been trending in the market for a long time, many people’s eyes showed a look of anticipation for a good show.

It would be truly entertaining if Sheng Qingfeng and Pei Qingyan started fighting.

“My Lord, someone named Qi Tuizhi says you asked him to report for duty.” As soon as Lu Xingzhou returned to the Zhuke Si, a clerk came to report, his expression also a bit strange.

Qi Tuizhi was quite famous.

Wasn’t he the top new scholar who had been beaten up alternately by the Langzhong and his rumored lady friends?

And he’s here to report… Our bureau isn’t fully staffed, and several sections only have a head official but no deputy. So, for Qi Tuizhi to be a deputy head, he’s definitely qualified enough… But would he be willing to be in our “clear-water” yamen?

“He’s quite fast,” Lu Xingzhou replied from his office, “Let him in.”

Soon, Qi Tuizhi entered, a slight smile on his face: “My Lord asked me to report yesterday.”

Though he smiled, his eyes held a playful scrutiny.

Given his status as the top graduate of the Imperial Academy, he would start his official career at the seventh rank. If Lu Xingzhou only assigned him a small deputy position, it would be simple, but inevitably disappointing, and being someone’s subordinate wasn’t very interesting.

He wondered if this newly appointed Langzhong would dare to replace a section head and promote him. If he could really do that, then perhaps he could truly look forward to the future prospects.

Lu Xingzhou merely smiled: “Have a seat first, I’ll be with you in a moment.”

Qi Tuizhi sat down in the chair opposite, somewhat curiously watching Lu Xingzhou read a stack of documents.

“My Lord, this is…”

“Oh, just familiarizing myself with the various work procedures of our department; I’m a newcomer too, haha.”

Qi Tuizhi: “…”

This unreliable aura…

After waiting for a long time, Lu Xingzhou was still reading the documents, and Qi Tuizhi finally couldn’t sit still: “My Lord, this…”

Before he could finish, a clerk hurried in: “My Lord, the Ministry of Personnel said that the matter of establishing a new section has been approved. Master Qi Tuizhi’s official appointment document has been prepared, and there are some other procedures that require Master Qi to go to the Ministry of Personnel.”

Qi Tuizhi stood up in shock, almost overturning his chair.