Chapter 275 Xu Lingyue enters the mansion, Huaiqing's reserve
Night watchman's office.

After hearing what Yang Yan said, Wei Yuan couldn't help but verify it again with Nangong Qianrou.

"Li Changan's combat ability exceeds the peak of the fourth rank, and his Confucianism has already entered the fourth rank?"

There is no way to find out who Li Changan's master was. We only know that he first appeared in Jianzhou, and there is no way to find out about his previous experiences.

Therefore, Wei Yuan was not very sure about this extraordinary person who suddenly appeared. After all, there were undercurrents in the world right now, and it was possible that this person was sent by the enemy.

Nangong Qianrou replied, "What Yang Yan said is all true. His description of his strength may be a bit conservative."

Wei Yuan was surprised and suspicious in his heart, but his face remained calm. If Li Changan could enter the fourth level of Confucianism and condense the righteous spirit, it would mean that Li Changan was not a person on the evil path.

Seeing Wei Yuan remained silent, Yang Yan immediately suggested, "Mr. Wei, this man should be recruited into the night watchman's office, and our strength will be further improved."

Wei Yuan replied, "You two should go there in person and test Li Changan to see if he is willing to join the night watchmen."

"Lord Wei, if you recruit Li Changan to join the Night Watchmen Office, what position should you give him..."

According to Li Changan's strength, he was more than qualified to be the Golden Gong Guardian in the Night Watchmen's Office. However, entering the Night Watchmen's Office required more than just strength.

The silver gongs of the Night Watchmen's Office have never been transferred out, let alone the golden gongs, because the Night Watchmen's Office is an intelligence agency after all, and requires absolute loyalty to Dafeng.

A Jinluo is equivalent to a Qianhu, and has seven Yinluo under him. He is in a high position and has great power. They are all promoted from within the night watchmen's office. Those transferred in from outside usually start as Tongluo.

"You can make an exception and start with Yinluo."

Yang Yan knew that such an exception was rare, and Wei Yuan needed to submit a memorial to the emperor to explain the situation.

Wei Yuan said it directly, which means he was sure that the emperor would give him this face.

Yang Yan and Nangong Qianrou followed the order and left. When they reached the door, Wei Yuan suddenly said, "If he is willing to join, the conditions for his promotion to Jinluo can be relaxed to one year."

"One year!"

The two Golden Luo night watchmen looked at each other. No matter how well a Silver Luo performed, it would take five years to be promoted to a Golden Luo. There were very few exceptions, and even then it would take three years.

It turned out that although Wei Yuan seemed calm, he was actually determined to win Li Changan. This was already the highest condition offered since the establishment of the Night Watchmen's Office.

"As ordered!"

After the two left, Wei Yuan took a deep breath and said to himself, "Such an astonishing cultivation must be either a great talent or a monster. If it is a great talent, of course I must catch it, if it is a monster, I must control it in my hands."

In the Princess's palace.

Princess Pingyang sat opposite the eldest princess with a dignified manner, looking very nervous and answering the eldest princess' questions seriously.

Ever since Princess Pingyang got into trouble, Huaiqing has been personally watching Pingyang's studies and inspecting her every once in a while.

"Not bad, and her manners are much more dignified. Now she looks like a royal lady, not a wild girl from an ordinary family."

Princess Pingyang smiled slightly and said respectfully, "It's all thanks to Sister Huaiqing's good teaching."

Huaiqing stretched out a hand and said coldly, "Give it to me. What book is hidden in your sleeve?"

Princess Pingyang's heart was pounding. Princess Huaiqing was too powerful. She was discovered even when she was reading a book on her horse when she entered the palace.

"Did Lin'an give you those boring banned books again?"

Seeing Huaiqing's face gradually turning cold, Princess Pingyang took out a thin booklet from her sleeve and placed it in Huaiqing's hand.

"It's a letter written by the teacher to teach his disciples. I read it several times every day."

A thin hardcover book caught Huaiqing's eye. It looked like a memorial to the emperor. The characters on the cover were upright and powerful, and the strokes were vigorous, yet extremely noble.

Huaiqing had never seen a Confucian scholar who could write so well. Every stroke seemed to have taken decades of practice.

"A letter to disciples..."

What Pingyang didn't see was that after Huaiqing opened the thin book, his pupils suddenly shrank and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Since it is taught by the teacher, you should remember it by heart and recite it by heart. There is no need to recite it every day. You can go back now."

Huaiqing said this casually, then threw the thin book on the table without even looking at it.

Princess Pingyang felt as if she had been pardoned. She never thought that she could leave so early.

"Sister, I'm leaving now."

After paying her respects, Princess Pingyang left in a very polite manner. Just as she walked out of the room, Huaiqing opened the book again with lightning speed.

Her slender white fingers stroked each of the thin gold characters, her breathing became rapid, and her clear eyes greedily enjoyed the elegance of each stroke.

Li Changan's Thin Gold script has been polished for two lifetimes, and the air of vanity and arbitrariness has long been worn away. His current handwriting is both elegant and exquisite, yet thick and powerful.

Princess Huaiqing could no longer conceal her love for the handwriting. She held the letter of admonition to disciples tightly in her palm, with a look of surprise and doubt on her pretty face.

"I have never seen such a powerful handwriting that can be seen through the back of the paper. How can such words be written? The handwriting is really like the person, so handsome..."

As a royal lady, no matter how outstanding Li Changan's appearance is, she cannot be moved. After all, she herself is stunningly beautiful.

"Without indifference, one cannot clarify one's ambition; without tranquility, one cannot reach far-reaching goals... Without learning, one cannot broaden one's talents; without ambition, one cannot achieve learning..."

After reading two lines, Princess Huaiqing was reluctant to continue reading. She read the twenty or so words she had read over and over again before continuing reading.

"The article is profound and instructive. It cannot be written without ten years of studying classics and history. It is truly a good advice for self-cultivation and determination. It is no worse than the great scholars in the academy."

Huaiqing was like a possessed man, mumbling to himself, "No, this article is probably more profound than those written by great scholars."

"From this article, I can see that Li Changan has great ambitions. For a talent like this, I should go there in person and invite him to serve as an official."

Princess Huaiqing put on two embroidered shoes and walked to the door gracefully. Suddenly, she held the door frame with one hand and calmed down.

"No, that's too rash. I'm the eldest princess. When I show favor, I should start from being generous and then end from being lenient. When I show authority, I should start from being strict and then be lenient."

"If I personally visit him and give such a high-level honor to a chivalrous knight, even if he agrees to join me, how much will I have to pay in the future to make him follow me wholeheartedly?"

In the end, Princess Huaiqing suppressed the urge to discuss Taoism with Li Changan, and instead wrote a letter to Wei Yuan, asking him to try to recruit Li Changan into the night watchman's office first.

The status of a night watchman is high, which is already a great favor to a wandering knight. With this foundation, he gradually deepened his favor and slowly subdued Li Changan and brought him under his command.

After Huaiqing asked the maid to take the letter out, he felt uneasy again, so he wrote a letter to President Zhao Shou of Yunlu Academy.

After all, Li Changan is not only a warrior, but also a Confucian scholar. Huaiqing has a close relationship with the night watchman and the Yunlu Academy. No matter which side recruits Li Changan, it will be easier to make Li Changan one of their own.

At this time, Li Changan had already moved into the new house.

With the help of people sent by Prince Yu, the move was very smooth, and Prince Yu also sent a few maids and servants, but this did not conflict with Li Changan's search for a maid.

The maid he personally found was equivalent to a butler. She had to be his own person and had to be smart enough. But now that he had the manpower, he only needed one maid.

Xu Pingzhi worked very quickly. A few days later, he brought five good-looking women, all of them were sixteen or seventeen years old, and so tender that you could squeeze water out of them.

"Sir Li, these are all women from scholarly families, and we found them according to your requirements."

Li Changan was sitting in the lobby with his arms and legs spread out. Five girls stood in a row with respectful expressions, some of them stole a glance at Li Changan from time to time.

"You all want to be my maids?"

"I am willing."

The five girls answered almost in unison, their tone filled with joy. It seemed that Li Changan had not yet taken a fancy to them, but they had already taken a fancy to Li Changan.

Li Changan glanced at them one by one and found that one of the girls had a delicate oval face, a high nose, and a beautiful face that looked very three-dimensional.

In addition, at the age of sixteen or seventeen, she looks graceful, fresh, refined, and lively, and is obviously more outstanding among the five people.

When those bright eyes met Li Changan's gaze, they suddenly shyly looked away, but there was a cleverness in the depths of her eyes, and she was not a scheming girl.

Li Changan's family business will grow bigger and bigger, so of course he can't hire a naive person as a housekeeper. "What's your name?"

The little beauty was flattered, and the other four women were a little disappointed. Li Changan asked her name, which meant that he had some initial intention. "Sir, I am Xu Lingyue, seventeen years old this year. I have studied with my mother and am very skilled in embroidery and needlework. My father has also taught me the etiquette of welcoming and seeing off guests."

You can tell that Xu Lingyue is very nervous, just like a female student going for a job interview in a big company, and she is very much looking forward to getting the job.

But Li Changan was a little surprised. He didn't expect Xu Pingzhi to bring his own daughter in as well.

Feeling Li Changan looking at him, Xu Pingzhi asked seriously, "My Lord, are you satisfied?"

Xu Pingzhi did not point out Xu Lingyue's identity in order not to interfere with Li Changan's choice.

He dared to let his daughter come because he had confidence in her and felt that her being a maid and housekeeper would not bring disgrace to Li Changan's status.

You know, Xu Pingzhi is a captain of the seventh-rank Imperial Sword Guard, and Li Changan's current chief constable is still a part-time job. Xu Pingzhi flatters and tries to get close to others, which is what most people would do.

However, it was not easy for Captain Xu to make the decision to let his daughter be Li Changan's maid.

"Old Xu, you have good taste."

Li Changan's words had hidden meaning. He said that Xu Pingzhi dared to invest, and it was obvious that he believed that Li Changan would not be worse than him, Xu Pingzhi, in the future.

Xu Pingzhi chuckled, thinking that Li Changan said that these girls were well chosen, "This humble official has always had excellent taste!"

Li Changan knew that the beautiful girl Xu Lingyue was a green tea girl, a little clever and a little scheming. In short, she was a very interesting girl.

"Xu Lingyue will stay for a month's trial. The four of you can go home first. If Xu Lingyue doesn't perform well, you still have a chance."

After Xu Pingzhi sent the four girls away, he returned to the lobby and said, "Sir, to be honest, Xu Yue is my daughter."

If I don't explain now, Li Changan might find out by himself during the probation period. It would not be good to let Li Changan find out by himself.

Li Changan said in a serious tone, "Old Xu, how can this be done?"

Xu Pingzhi said quickly, "Your Excellency is knowledgeable, well-informed, and righteous. Let Lingyue serve you, she will definitely benefit a lot."

Xu Lingyue also said without losing any time, "I am willing to serve you, my Lord!"

Li Changan said with satisfaction, "Be smart. If you do something wrong, I will discipline you on behalf of Brother Xu."

The maid's business was done, and before Xu Pingzhi had time to say goodbye, a servant at the door brought in a middle-aged man in an official robe.

The man wearing the Qilin patch was obviously a third-rank official, which even shocked Xu Pingzhi.

I thought I had a good vision. The third-rank Minister Wang of the Ministry of Justice actually came to my house in person, and he looked very polite.

"Brother Li has moved to a new house. I came uninvited. Please forgive me for coming here."

Li Changan was also the chief of the Six Gates of the Ministry of Justice. After all, Minister Wang was his superior. Now that he was addressing him as brother, he was already being very humble.

"My humble abode is honored by the visit of Your Excellency Wang."

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, and Xu Pingzhi was too embarrassed to leave, so he could only sit nervously at the bottom and talk to Minister Wang, with whom he had not been able to speak before.

Xu Pingzhi discovered that Li Changan was completely at ease when talking to the third-rank minister, and he was knowledgeable and polite. His aura was even stronger than that of the minister, and he did not look like a chivalrous knight at all.

Minister Wang was also a little surprised. The Minister of Justice personally arranged for him to hire Li Changan as the chief constable of the Six Gates, so he certainly did not dare to neglect it.

But after chatting for a few sentences, he found that Li Changan was indeed not an ordinary person. It seemed that his Confucian cultivation was truly achieved through solid practice.

"Brother Li, the Minister of State went to the palace today, otherwise he would have come here in person. You avenged the Six Gates Chief Constable and killed the wanted criminal. The Ministry of Justice wants to appoint Brother Li as the Six Gates Chief Constable, with the same rank as a fifth-rank doctor, and an annual salary of four hundred taels of silver."

The Chief Constable is a fifth-rank military officer, which is a very high starting point. The Six Gates also have the practice of recruiting people from the martial arts world, but this is the first time that they have directly hired the Chief Constable.

Therefore, Xu Pingzhi's hand holding the tea bowl could not help but tremble. He was less than 20 years old but he was already a fifth-rank official, three ranks higher than him, a seventh-rank centurion.

He looked at Xu Lingyue with relief. If he had introduced Xu Lingyue to Li Changan as a maid later, his motives would have seemed even more impure.

Minister Wang was full of confidence. If Li Changan had no interest in a career in politics, why would he come to the capital? The starting point of the fifth rank was something that ordinary people in the martial arts world could not refuse.

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Shangshu and Lord Shilang. Please allow me to consider it."

The blooming smile on Minister Wang's face suddenly froze. Li Changan did not agree immediately. Wasn't it enough for him, a third-rank minister? Unconsciously, his face turned a little cold.

"Brother Li, this opportunity is rare. Many people can't get it in several lifetimes."

Li Changan was very familiar with Minister Wang's reaction. Officials all cared about their face. This third-rank Minister Wang did not really admire Li Changan's merits and abilities, he was just following orders.

If Li Changan offended him, he would change his attitude immediately.

Li Changan just smiled and said nothing, but the servant outside the door came again to report, "Sir, two golden gong night watchmen want to see you."

When he heard the two golden gongs asking for a meeting, the arrogance on Minister Wang's face immediately disappeared. Who would dare to mess with the night watchmen's yamen, which was specifically responsible for monitoring all officials? Moreover, two golden gongs were rang out when they came.

When he just entered the room, he was so confident of his status that he just barged in. The servants couldn't stop him, but the two Jinluo didn't just barge in.

This was the first time that Minister Wang had seen such a non-domineering night watchman.

"Invite them in."

Afterwards, Yang Yan and Nangong Qianrou walked in, and then everyone in the hall except Li Changan stood up.

"Greetings, Master Yang, Master Nangong..."

Minister Wang and Xu Pingzhi spoke almost at the same time, which shows the majesty of the golden gong night watchman. Although his official rank is not high, his status is not low at all.

The two night watchmen ignored him and bowed to Li Changan, "Brother Li, we are here to bother you again."

Li Changan pointed to the chairs below and said, "My two lords, please don't be polite. Just treat this place as your own home and take a seat."

After the two men sat down, Minister Wang and Xu Pingzhi sat down stiffly. Opposite them sat the night watchman, and both of them felt like there was a thorn under their butts.

"Brother Li, we are here to convey Lord Wei's intention. We want to invite Brother Li to join the Night Watchmen's Office and serve as a Silver Luo Night Watchman."

Yang Yan's tone was calm, but Minister Wang and Xu Pingzhi were already staring with their eyes wide open. They simply couldn't believe their ears.

Go directly into the night watchman’s office and work as a night watchman with silver belts!
What a high status the Night Watchmen's Office had, and what was Wei Yuan's identity. Ordinary people could not enter the Night Watchmen's Office at all. Those who could enter had to go through layers of screening and were chosen from among ten thousand.

In the capital city where a thrown brick could easily kill several officials, the night watchmen in the yamen were the ones you could not afford to offend.

Xu Pingzhi straightened his chest in astonishment. If he became familiar with a Yinluo night watchman, no one in the capital would dare to bully him, Xu Pingzhi!
Xu Lingyue, who was standing in the corner and had not yet started her job, had her beautiful eyes wide open. She had met an important man in one day, whom she might never meet in her entire life. Her painstaking efforts to persuade Li Ru were not in vain, and Li Ru finally agreed to let her apply for the job.

It seems that Lord Li is really not an ordinary person, as so many high-ranking officials are begging him for favors.

"My Lords, how much is Yin Luo's monthly salary?"

Yang Yan said, "The salary of silver Luo varies according to the years of service, but I am sure you can receive the maximum salary. Five hundred taels a year should be enough, but night watchmen will not be short of money..."

Minister Wang and Xu Pingzhi both knew that the night watchmen made a lot of money when they searched houses, and that most of the major cases of searching the houses of high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen were handled by the night watchmen.

It can be said that the salary of a night watchman is not important. As long as you are a night watchman, you will have no worries for the rest of your life.

At that time, they ignored the dangers faced by night watchmen.

"Brother Li, Lord Wei said that as long as Brother Li performs well, he can be promoted to Jinluo within a year."

Although the Golden Luo Night Watchman did not have a clear rank, he was at least not afraid of the third-rank officials. The Golden Luo Night Watchman could be said to be powerful.

Wei Yuan had spoken, and the level of importance attached to it was unprecedented. Minister Wang and Xu Pingzhi couldn't help but gasp.

Minister Wang also knew that being the chief constable of the Six Gates under the jurisdiction of the Six Ministries would not be attractive to Li Changan. No wonder he wanted to consider it, as there was such a good way out.

"Please tell Lord Wei that I thank him for his kindness. Please allow me to consider it."

Think about it again!
Minister Wang was stunned, and Yang Yan and Nangong Qianrou were also very surprised.

If Li Changan was not keen on power, he would not have come to the capital. If he was interested in power, how could he offend Duke Wei?

He was a great contributor to the Shanhai Campaign, the most popular man around the current emperor, and a giant in Dafeng who was in charge of the night watchmen and the Censorate!

What confidence does Li Changan have to refuse Duke Wei’s invitation!
(End of this chapter)