Chapter 753 - 484: Favoritism! (Double-Length)

Chapter 753: Chapter 484: Favoritism! (Double-Length)

April, the enticing spring breeze has yet to dissipate, and the heat of summer is not yet upon us.

The once-every-twenty-five-years Imperial Banquet was entering its countdown.

At the same time, at the Cui Bai Dao Military Department, the officials of the Marshal’s Cabinet were also at their busiest, as happens every five years.

"Has the list of violations of the Twenty-Seventh Army been recorded?"

"What about the investigation report on the Thirty-Sixth Army, don’t delay any longer."

"The Forty-Seventh Army..."

Late into the night, on the first and second floors of the Cabinet, those chief clerks and civil servants were either engrossed in writing or hurriedly moving about; some even had sweat stains on their official hats.

Busy, oh so busy.

The source of this busyness was inevitably the commencement of the once-every-five-years military parade.

During this month-long peak crackdown period, the Military Department’s tasks were extremely heavy.

Especially for the mid-to-lower-level officials stationed at the Military Department headquarters, their legs seemed to have flown off, and they couldn’t find rest from morning till night.

Fortunately, the officials’ group reassembled under Song Changming, after so many years of training, were not novices anymore.

Though busy, the review work proceeded in an orderly manner, without chaos or unfamiliarity.

Wang Wenyu walked down from upstairs, inspecting the progress of various tasks, and suddenly frowned, asking.

"Where is Chief Clerk Li?"

"In response, Councillor, he left earlier." An official immediately replied.

"Left?" Wang Wenyu heard this, glanced at the deepening night, furrowed his brow, but asked no more.

Elsewhere, in the Third District, Chunxiang Garden, in the Heavenly Suite.

A few literary-looking middle-aged men were exchanging drinks, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Brother Li, over the years, to speak frankly, among all our classmates, I always felt Brother Li was the most talented, an extraordinary person.

Now, after so many years, Brother Li holds a high position in the Military Department, wielding considerable power, leading all our classmates..."

This flattery elicited continuous agreement and admiration from those around.

Li Yancheng stroked his beard and smiled lightly, feeling quite pleased, savoring the taste of the sake.

"Don’t say that, you all are not bad either, having taken official positions in various places. The future may bring further advancement for you as well."

As Li Yancheng said this, it naturally led to repeated self-deprecating comments from the others.

After more compliments, Li Yancheng seemed a bit tired of listening, or perhaps he noticed something, and he placed down his cup, saying: "Brother Yang, we’ve had our fill of drinks, and it’s late. If there’s something, don’t hesitate to speak."

Hearing this, the group exchanged glances.

Then one person spoke suddenly in a low voice: "Brother Li, quite a few people have sought you in vain, turning to me, hoping you can show mercy, and let them off..."

Upon hearing this, the smile on Li Yancheng’s face slowly faded.

He was a smart man and naturally understood what the other was implying, immediately realizing who had sought him out, and he snorted softly.

"Brother Yang, the military parade happens every five years, the higher-ups are watching closely. Should I engage in corruption and favoritism, should I not care about my own official hat?"

"Do not bring this up again."

The man’s face remained warmly smiling, though Li Yancheng’s words seemed to leave no room for negotiation, there was still a sense his stance wasn’t entirely firm.

"I know Brother Li is an important figure in this Third District. But don’t you want to advance further, don’t you want the Li Family to move to the Second District sooner..." Yang Hui whispered with a smile.

Li Yancheng’s eyes flickered, and he fell silent.

"Achieving great things requires wealth. The salary from above alone isn’t enough for moving the family and greasing all necessary palms." Yang Hui continued.

Seeing that Li Yancheng still remained silent, not leaving angrily, Yang Hui’s smile grew even broader.

He knew Li Yancheng had heard his words.

Yang Hui then took out a prepared small box, pushing it in front of Li Yancheng, opening it.

The spiritual qi rushed out, revealing Spirit Crystals!

The light from the Spirit Crystals was particularly dazzling, causing Li Yancheng to squint his eyes.

"Brother Li, once this is done, there will be another batch, I guarantee it will be much more than this!" Yang Hui’s voice was full of allure.

After waiting for a moment, when Li Yancheng still remained silent, Yang Hui feinted to put away the Spirit Crystals.

"If Brother Li is unwilling, I’ll have to find another way..."

"Wait!"

...

A few days later.

A carriage drove down the street, stopping outside the main entrance of the Military Department headquarters.

Li Yancheng dusted off his official uniform and straightened his official hat, then slowly got off the carriage, entering the Military Department with his identity token.

Along the way, many bureaucrats greeted him.

Li Yancheng responded to each, his smile inadvertently growing broader.

It seemed he was tasting the sweetness of power for the first time.

The further he walked, the lighter his steps became.

It wasn’t until he approached the towering Marshal’s Cabinet that his mood inexplicably turned a bit apprehensive.

Entering the Cabinet, seeing all the busy officials, and feeling the familiar work atmosphere, his earlier tension began to gradually ease.

However, just as he finally relaxed his nerves, a summons made him tense again.

"Sir."

Li Yancheng bowed his head in respect, sneaking a glance at Wang Wenyu, who was gazing out the window with his hands behind his back, the atmosphere a bit solemn.

Wang Wenyu’s stance was upright and imposing, exuding an aura of authority without anger.

"Yancheng, how many years have we been in office?" Wang Wenyu turned to look at Li Yancheng, speaking in an even tone.

"It has been twenty-five years." Li Yancheng replied.

"When the Marshal first took office, seven of us were selected to serve under him, gradually being entrusted with heavier responsibilities. Let me ask you, Yancheng, do you still remember our original intention from those days?"