On the first day of the fourth month, Chi Wan traveled to Chenyang Mountain outside the capital. Today was the day to inspect the training results of the ten thousand guards of the Imperial City Division.
Three months of training had brought about a complete transformation in the Imperial City Division guards. Every single one of them had made significant progress.
The training had begun with eleven thousand people, but by its end, only a few less than ten thousand remained. With one person eliminated for every eleven, the attrition rate was quite high. This training regimen was built on the principle of last-place elimination.
If the Imperial City Division was to be entrusted with important duties, its guards had to be completely remade.
While Chi Wan was at Chenyang Mountain, Yu Jiuzhou was holding court. The envoy delegations were due to arrive in two days, and the specific reception arrangements had already been decided.
Things had not gone according to Prince Bao’an’s wishes. He had assumed that with no one else available to receive the envoys, he would have to be released from confinement to handle the task.
But with Yu Jiuzhou appointed as regent, the situation had changed.
Yu Jiuzhou had ordered the Prince of Shunchéng to receive the Beining delegation, and Commandery Mistress Jiacheng to receive the Nanyue delegation.
The Beining delegation was led by their Second Great King, while Nanyue’s was led by a Royal Princess. The arrangements were perfectly suitable.
The Prince of Shunchéng was a member of the imperial clan from the Imperial Scions Institute. At only fourteen, he was still very young and would need advisors to assist him in many matters.
As for Commandery Mistress Jiacheng, her divorce from the House of the Duke of Xin had not yet been finalized. Receiving the delegation would serve as a formal reason to move out of the Duke of Xin’s residence, which would simplify matters going forward.
Clearly, Yu Jiuzhou was using this opportunity to promote two people: one, a new prince to rival Prince Bao’an, and the other, a solution to Commandery Mistress Jiacheng’s divorce from the Duke of Xin’s heir.
Thus, after a month of confinement, Prince Bao’an was released, but he had been completely excluded from the recent major events and had even lost his right to attend court.
When Yu Jiuzhou was first officially appointed as the Regent Grand Princess, there had been considerable opposition. But what of it? In the face of absolute power, opposition was useless.
Besides, with no crown prince and the Emperor in poor health, was the Empress supposed to act as regent? The Grand Princess was a better choice than that.
What they found curious was that the Grand Secretariat had raised no objections. In truth, even without an emperor, the Grand Secretariat could keep the great ship of Great Zhou sailing smoothly.
A month passed. The court had a mountain of tasks to attend to, and the Great Zhou had to continue functioning. Gradually, the voices opposing Yu Jiuzhou’s regency dwindled.
The most important matter in Great Zhou recently was the visit from the Beining and Nanyue delegations.
The questions of how to welcome them, who would welcome them, and who would serve as their escorts had been debated for a long time.
That night—the night of Yu Jiuzhou and Chi Wan’s second consummation—the two of them had discussed and made a decision on this matter.
Chi Wan believed that Prince Bao’an absolutely could not be allowed to receive the delegations. Without a rival, he would become the all-but-certain crown prince, and who knew how many court officials would flock to his side.
Therefore, they had to introduce a new candidate, someone who would at least make people feel that Prince Bao’an was not necessarily the chosen one.
Chi Wan had found opportunities to meet with the several imperial clansmen in the Imperial Scions Institute. Only the Prince of Shunchéng was a clever one.
Clever people could be terrifying at times, but at other times, they could clearly assess the situation.
Crucially, the Prince of Shunchéng, Yu Xingchen, had grabbed Chi Wan’s sleeve and said, “I don’t want to be the emperor. I just want to go back and see my mother and my other mother.”
Yu Xingchen was a Qian Yuan girl, only in her teens. The way she clutched Chi Wan’s sleeve was quite pitiful.
Chi Wan shook her head. “Freedom is something you must fight for yourself.”
The clansmen in the Imperial Scions Institute had been summoned by the Emperor. Without his permission, they could not leave. Once a new emperor ascended the throne, regardless of whether they had vied for the position or not, only death awaited them.
After all, everyone knew that the clansmen Emperor Shengyuan had summoned to the capital were all candidates for the future crown prince. While it was uncertain which one would be chosen, it was a certainty that those not chosen would die.
Yu Xingchen was fighting for a chance to live. Chi Wan had no reason to refuse her, but also no reason to help.
After a long moment, Yu Xingchen said, “I can compete against Prince Bao’an. I can be Her Highness the Grand Princess’s puppet.”
Interesting. For someone so young, she saw things with great clarity.
Chi Wan smiled, only saying, “I will relay your message.”
That day, she had also had an audience with the Emperor. He was worried that giving Yu Jiuzhou the power of regency would lead to him losing control, and he wanted her to keep an eye on Yu Jiuzhou.
When he saw Chi Wan appear for the audience in a Daoist robe, Emperor Shengyuan narrowed his eyes. “Is the Fuma troubled these days?”
Chi Wan raised an eyebrow. She knew that wearing a Daoist robe to an imperial audience had incurred Emperor Shengyuan’s displeasure, but what of it?
“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This subject simply feels that life has lost its meaning.”
Her words made Emperor Shengyuan pause. So young, yet she had suddenly seen through the vanity of the mortal world?
“Fuma, you must remember your duties.”
Chi Wan bowed with her hands clasped. “Your Majesty, this subject, as Fuma, holds a rank equivalent to a commandery prince. I am also the Earl of Shangyu, the Commander of the Imperial City Division, and the Vice Minister of the Grand Court of Revision. Logically, I hold high office and generous emoluments. Yet why does Her Highness still look down on me?”
She feigned a look of grievance, making it seem as if Yu Jiuzhou was displeased with her.
Now that Yu Jiuzhou was regent, she, the Fuma in charge of the Imperial City Division, could not appear to be on too good of terms with the Grand Princess.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be, but that the Emperor would never allow it.
The moment Yu Jiuzhou’s regency edict arrived was the moment they had to stage their public falling-out.
Emperor Shengyuan studied her, asking, “Why do you say that?”
Hadn’t the two of them consummated their marriage? Their relationship should be at its sweetest. Why would she suddenly have such thoughts?
Chi Wan pressed her forehead and sighed softly. “Your Majesty, Her Highness is of heavenly imperial stock. It is only normal for her to be proud and arrogant. It is this subject who was wrong to expect Her Highness to be like an ordinary partner.”
Emperor Shengyuan’s eyes lit up. He understood.
Jiuzhou must have done something to make Chi Wan lose face.
Excellent. This saved him the trouble of saying anything more.
He knew what it felt like to be looked down upon. When he had first ascended the throne, he had been eager to accomplish great things, but the Grand Secretary of the time had obstructed him at every turn, saying he was not capable. His own Empress, Xu Qiongfang, had also advised him that as a new emperor, he should listen more to the opinions of his regency ministers, believing that he knew nothing.
He felt that the Empress believed he was not fit to be an emperor.
Jiuzhou’s temperament was not as gentle as the Empress’s. After all, she was an imperial princess, the only child in the palace, raised doted on by everyone. She was even more lofty and superior. And Chi Wan, though she had turned over a new leaf, came from a fallen marquisate that had since been demoted to an earldom. It was normal for Jiuzhou to look down on such a background.
But everyone had their pride. No matter how much one liked another, if one was constantly stripped of dignity, love would slowly curdle into hate.
It seemed that although the two had consummated their marriage, it was largely due to his pressure as the Emperor. The things Chi Wan had done had, at most, made Jiuzhou no longer dislike her.
No wonder Chi Wan had lost all her spirit. The poor girl probably thought that Jiuzhou’s willingness to consummate the marriage was a sign of acceptance, when in reality, it was merely to fulfill his wish as the Emperor.
The thought that he held such an important place in his daughter’s heart filled Emperor Shengyuan with satisfaction, and he decided not to pursue the matter of Chi Wan’s casual attire for the audience.
Not only that, but Emperor Shengyuan also said with feigned sternness, “Jiuzhou is the Regent Grand Princess, and you are the Fuma. No matter what, she is the ruler, and you are the subject. You just need to recognize your own position.”
Then, his tone softened. “However, you have done well these past days. We intend to enfeoff you as a marquis, but you are still short of some merit. Go back and think carefully about how you can perform a great service for Us, so that We may make you a marquis. Do you understand?”
Heh. First, he stoked her resentment toward Yu Jiuzhou, then he dangled a carrot. Emperor Shengyuan’s methods were truly masterful.
Chi Wan put on a look of indignation. “Yes. I will obey Your Majesty’s command.”
Emperor Shengyuan waved his hand. “Alright. We summoned you for another matter. The Imperial City Division has the authority to monitor all officials. The Grand Princess is also a subject. Do you understand?”
See? As expected, he wanted her to monitor Yu Jiuzhou.
Chi Wan immediately replied, “This subject understands.”
“It is good that you understand. However, the Imperial City Division has been neglected for many years. To suddenly take on so many tasks, it may not be able to handle everything properly.”
Evidently, the Emperor had not yet established trust in the Imperial City Division.
Although the Imperial City Division served as the Emperor’s eyes and ears, its power had been diminished since the reign of Emperor Mingzong due to pressure from the civil officials.
Originally, the Imperial City Division had even been responsible for the security of the palace, a duty that had since been almost entirely usurped by the Imperial Guard.
Chi Wan clasped her hands. “Your Majesty, the Imperial City Division is Your Majesty’s eyes and ears. It can monitor officials and gather intelligence. In specific cases, Your Majesty grants the Division the authority to investigate, but once the case is closed, there is little else the Division can do.”
Previously, she had refused the powers of arrest and interrogation, the power to act first and report later, because that would have been too high-profile and would have affected Yu Jiuzhou’s smooth acquisition of the regency.
Now that Yu Jiuzhou had secured the regency, she needed greater power.
Only with sufficient power could she help Yu Jiuzhou.
Clearly, the Emperor understood this principle. “What are your thoughts?”
Chi Wan thought for a moment. “The Imperial City Division reports directly to Your Majesty. In addition to gathering intelligence and monitoring officials, it must also have the authority to investigate cases and maintain public order. Furthermore, it should have the power to arrest and interrogate without going through judicial procedures. This subject believes that the Imperial City Division is Your Majesty’s blade, and a blade needs to be sharpened.”
Although the Imperial City Division was directly under the Emperor, it was clear from the history of its commanders that the civil officials would not allow it to become too powerful.
With recent major events like the rebel prince’s uprising, the civil official faction had overlooked the Division’s development. When she brought back the guards from their training, it would surely cause an uproar. Before that happened, she needed to secure greater authority for the Imperial City Division.
Chi Wan bowed. “If Your Majesty wishes for the Imperial City Division to become a blade, then it must have a deterrent effect internally. Likewise, in matters concerning foreign tribes, while we may not know everything, we absolutely cannot be blind.”
What Chi Wan said was reasonable. Foreign tribes were eyeing them like tigers, while Great Zhou’s internal officials were only concerned with power struggles. The Imperial City Division had considerable power within the cases he authorized, but outside of those specific cases, its authority was much diminished.
Emperor Shengyuan was a suspicious man. He would normally refuse anyone who asked him for power.
But things were different now. He needed someone to monitor Yu Jiuzhou, and there was no better candidate than Chi Wan.
No one was closer to Yu Jiuzhou than Chi Wan. And conveniently, she was now dissatisfied with Yu Jiuzhou. If he placed a few people by their sides to stir up trouble, it was only a matter of time before they turned against each other.
Moreover, Chi Wan had a point. If he wanted the Imperial City Division to be a blade but gave it no power, then that blade would be unsharpened, unable to even serve as a deterrent.
Seeing Emperor Shengyuan was moved, Chi Wan added the final push. “If Your Majesty feels this subject is incapable of wielding such great power, you may choose another worthy minister.”
“As it stands, most officials in the court have sided with Prince Bao’an. If Your Majesty does not name a crown prince soon, you must hang a blade over the officials’ heads. You must let them know that there is only one Emperor of Great Zhou, and that is Your Majesty.”
“Insolence!”
The moment Chi Wan finished speaking, Emperor Shengyuan barked angrily.
But Chi Wan could tell that although the Emperor appeared furious on the surface, he was already swayed.
After a long pause, the Emperor finally said, “Tell me your thoughts.”
Chi Wan clasped her hands. “This subject wishes to divide the Imperial City Division into three parts. The Palace Guard Division to protect Your Majesty, the Brocade Robe Guard with the authority to investigate, arrest, and interrogate, and the Embroidered Robe Guard to monitor officials, as well as the Brocade Robe Guard, and to gather intelligence on foreign tribes.”
This division of power would prevent the Brocade Robe Guard from becoming too powerful, yet the ultimate authority would remain concentrated within the Imperial City Division.
Chi Wan bowed again. “This subject also requests Your Majesty’s permission for the Imperial City Division to establish an Imperial Prison.”
An Imperial Prison meant that the criminals within could only be sentenced by the Emperor’s personal edict—a method to consolidate imperial power.
The Emperor looked at her coldly. “We gave the Imperial City Division such great power last time. Why did you not accept it then, yet you ask Us for power now?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, in the past, this subject only wished to live a peaceful life with the Grand Princess. Now, it seems, power is intoxicating.”
Chi Wan made no effort to hide her ambition. She presented herself as someone who, having been hurt by love, had begun to pursue power.
Neither Emperor Shengyuan nor any other emperor ever worried about a person having ambition. Ambitious people were the ones who worked hard.
What they demanded was loyalty. As long as one was sufficiently loyal, what did ambition matter?
But beyond loyalty, there was one more crucial point: usefulness. If the emperor had a use for you, then your ambition was the easiest thing to control.
Emperor Shengyuan was very satisfied with the ambition Chi Wan displayed. Ambitious people were easier to control.
He smiled. “The personnel of the Imperial City Division cannot be expanded. How you reform it internally, including the appointment and dismissal of officials, is up to you. However, for the vacant position of Vice-Commander, We already have a candidate in mind.”
“As for the authority you requested, We grant it all to you. Regarding the Palace Guard Division, a portion has already been selected. The rest can be chosen from the Imperial City Division. The Palace Guard Division will be under Our direct command.”
“Draft the edict.”
Hearing the Emperor’s words, Chi Wan knew that of the two Vice-Commander positions, one was for Huang Yuecheng, and the other would surely be filled by the Emperor’s appointee, mainly to monitor her and divide her power.
The edict was quickly drafted. With it in hand, the reconstruction of the Imperial City Division could begin.
Chi Wan held the imperial edict, her back straightening a little more. Although she had put on an act for the Emperor, she had achieved her goal.
The Emperor was using her, but was she not also using the Emperor?
As she left the imperial study, Emperor Shengyuan gave her two tasks: first, to report Yu Jiuzhou’s situation to him at all times, and second, to personally inspect the Imperial City Division guards she selected for the Palace Guard Division.
Chi Wan understood the Emperor’s meaning. He wanted the best of the batch.
Personnel with looks, height, and skill. The Imperial City Division guards were already good-looking and tall; their skills had been lacking before, but after the elimination-based training, they were on a completely different level.
It seemed she would have to part with some of her best men—those who were handsome, tall, and skilled. However, she had to keep the clever ones, those with quick minds.
What she lacked most were talented people. Of course, the Palace Guard Division also needed a leader. Attending to a ruler is like attending to a tiger; one couldn’t be too slow-witted.
After much thought, Chi Wan had Huang Yuecheng administer a mental aptitude test to the guards, covering cultural subjects—language, mathematics, and foreign languages.
The language and mathematics were conventional, while the foreign languages were naturally those of Beining and Nanyue.
These were assessments of knowledge and learning ability. There were, of course, some troublemakers who disliked studying but had quick minds and loved to play around.
So there was another test, called a cognitive ability test, which included tests for intelligence, creativity, and memory.
Finally, they would be ranked based on martial skill, intelligence, and various other aspects to assess their overall capability.
Therefore, the first thing Chi Wan did upon arriving at the foot of Chenyang Mountain was to look at their report cards.
She could only say that she had underestimated the guards of the Imperial City Division. None of them were lacking in martial prowess. They were graded on a four-tier scale—A, B, C, D. Those who received a D were eliminated. Among the rest, it still required careful consideration to decide who was suited for what role.
The most absurd part was that the elimination rate among the ranked officers of the Imperial City Division was even higher. Seven out of ten had failed to pass. This attrition rate was truly quite high.
This, in turn, left many positions vacant, and Chi Wan had to consider who to appoint to fill them.
While Chi Wan was looking at the report cards, Huang Yuecheng reported from the side, “Commander, the remaining nine thousand nine hundred and eighty-one guards are all outside, awaiting your inspection.”
“No hurry.”
Chi Wan waved her hand. “You saw the things I brought, didn’t you?”
Huang Yuecheng bowed. “Yes.”
There were ten people graded A-Superior, thirty-nine A-Middle, and one hundred and seven A-Inferior. There were seven hundred and eighty-nine B-Superior, two thousand seven hundred and twenty-three B-Middle, and four thousand one hundred and sixty-two B-Inferior. The remaining two thousand-plus were all C-grade.
Chi Wan said, “The ten A-Superior will be selected as instructors for the Imperial City Division, to recruit new members and train the next batch.”
“Of the thirty-nine A-Middle, nineteen will be chosen as guards for the Palace Guard Division. From the A-Inferior, select people to fill the vacant Baihu and Chiliarch positions. From the B-Superior, select Banner Commanders and Squad Leaders.”
“Furthermore, Captains and Guardsmen will wear black, unembroidered brocade robes. Banner Commanders and Squad Leaders will wear black brocade robes embroidered with flying fish. Baihus will wear white flying fish robes. Chiliarchs and Imperial Commissioners will wear red and blue flying fish robes. Those above the rank of Chiliarch will wear red flying fish robes.”
“Those at the rank of Baihu and above will be bestowed with Embroidered Spring Sabers. Those below the rank of Baihu will be bestowed with Tang Sabers.”
As the Commander of the Brocade Robe Guard, Chi Wan wore a red python robe. The style was the same as the flying fish robe, only the embroidery was different.
Huang Yuecheng’s eyes widened. No wonder the Fuma had arrived with cart after cart. So this was the reason.
“Go on. Have everyone change into their new uniforms. I have already written out the list of names for Baihu and above.”
Huang Yuecheng immediately stood at attention. “Yes, Lord Commander.”
Chi Wan spent a long time marking the list before finally circling the last names.
As for the Embroidered Robe Guard, they were Kun Ze women, not Qian Yuan, and certainly not men. Yu Jiuzhou had already prepared these people; they just needed a suitable pretext to be recruited.
After a while, Huang Yuecheng came to report, “Lord Commander, all guards of the Imperial City Division have finished changing.”
Chi Wan looked at the red flying fish robe on Huang Yuecheng and nodded in satisfaction. This uniform alone was far more handsome than the old official robes of the Imperial City Division. Just standing there, it exuded an oppressive aura, making a woman like Huang Yuecheng look incredibly dashing.
Only when she walked outside did she see what true awe was.
Four Commandants in red flying fish robes stood at the very front. Two fifth-rank-minor Imperial Commissioners, ten fifth-rank-major Brocade Robe Guard Chiliarchs, twenty fifth-rank-minor Vice-Chiliarchs, and the twenty sixth-rank-major Imperial Commissioners from the ten chiliarchates—all fifty-two high-ranking officers of the Imperial City Division wore red and blue flying fish robes. The remaining one hundred Baihus all wore white flying fish robes, and the remaining nine thousand men all wore black brocade robes.
Ten thousand people stood ramrod straight in the open space, all clad in brocade robes. The spacing between each person was identical.
The modern military-style training showed Chi Wan a familiar sight, and her heart filled with an unusual sense of emotion and excitement.
Chi Wan had also changed into a red python robe. Aside from the more imposing embroidery, it was not much different from theirs.
The moment she stood before them, Huang Yuecheng immediately shouted, “Attention! Eyes front!”
Nearly ten thousand people snapped to attention, their gazes fixed on Chi Wan.
Chi Wan couldn’t help but stand even straighter. Projecting her voice with internal energy, she said, “You have all seen me. You know who I am. The Commander of the Imperial City Division, the one who, upon taking office, sent you all here for devilish training. I hear you’ve given me a nickname. The Devil?”
It was a question, but no one dared to answer. From the very beginning, she had never hidden the fact that she was the one who had designed the training plan.
So everyone knew that the main culprit behind their suffering was Chi Wan.
What began as resentment turned to hatred, and finally to fear, all in the span of just three months.
Chi Wan swept her gaze over the crowd. “No matter. It’s just a nickname. Do you think this commander lives up to the name?”
Of course not. Dressed in a red python robe, Chi Wan’s complexion was fair, as fine and warm as mutton-fat jade, soft and lustrous. It gave one a sense of pure translucence, like the faint halo of a beautiful gem in the sunlight.
Her features held a heroic air mixed with a touch of scholarly elegance. Her clear eyes revealed a gentle kindness, as if they could embrace everything in the world. Her facial features were smooth and natural, like a beautiful jade carved by the gods; such perfection could not be achieved by mortal hands.
Her long, ink-black hair was tied back with a single silk ribbon, the ponytail hanging down, smooth and sleek, giving her a fresh and otherworldly beauty.
Chi Wan’s figure was tall and slender, her waist slim. Standing there, she resembled a beautiful pine tree.
Just by standing there, every movement was elegant and natural. No matter where she was, she possessed a charm that could make people fall for her.
Such a person really did not fit the description of a devil.
From the looks in the eyes of the Imperial City Division guards, Chi Wan knew that her appearance was nothing like a devil’s. A kind and beautiful woman like her should do some good deeds to make these guards happy.
“By imperial command, I am to reform the Imperial City Division and make it a blade in His Majesty’s hand. You have all passed the test. You are the elite. In the Great Zhou today, we first had a rebel prince’s treason, then Prince Ying’s corruption. There are many demons and monsters afoot. Therefore, His Majesty has specially ordered me to reorganize the Imperial City Division. All members of the Imperial City Division, receive the edict!”
The edict was the one Emperor Shengyuan had written last time, the one for which Yu Jiuzhou had said she was acting on her own authority.
According to her original plan, she was to become a person of high moral standing. The position of Commander of the Imperial City Division, aside from having many subordinates, did not come with much power, so it wouldn’t have mattered. But now, she could not escape the label of “the Son of Heaven’s hawk and hound.”
“The Son of Heaven’s hawk and hound” was not a favorable assessment. The Imperial City Division was a blade hanging over the heads of the officials. They would never allow the Division to have so much power. But they dared not attack the Emperor, so Chi Wan would become their primary target.
But Chi Wan had her own thoughts. She had said to Yu Jiuzhou, “Your Highness, the book I wrote has been published. I expect it will soon cause a huge stir. Therefore, the impact of the Imperial City Division’s reform on me will not be too great.”
“There is another very important point. It is very difficult for Kun Ze women to rise in status. The Embroidered Robe Guard is this subject’s gift to Your Highness.”
“Your Highness has many Kun Ze women like Xia Qu under your command who cannot be properly placed. The Embroidered Robe Guard will be the first step for Kun Ze women to enter the court. Your Highness ascending alone cannot change the circumstances of all Kun Ze women in the world. Kun Ze women need to occupy positions in all walks of life. By then, the Kun Ze women who have gained their own power will be Your Highness’s most steadfast supporters, and Your Highness will be their backer. Others will not be able to easily pull Kun Ze women down again.”
She had long considered that it would not be easy for Kun Ze women to rise. Having them start as assassins and spies would not cause too much of a stir. When the Embroidered Robe Guard, composed of Kun Ze women, gradually made a name for themselves, they could then be promoted, and it might not be impossible for them to become military generals of the Great Zhou.
As for civil officials, one had to eat a meal one bite at a time, and walk a path one step at a time.
Yu Jiuzhou knew that Chi Wan wanted to help her achieve her goals. “Chi Wan.”
Yu Jiuzhou called her name.
“Your Highness,” Chi Wan’s response was calm.
“Thank you.”
Chi Wan was surprised by Yu Jiuzhou’s thanks. In her mind, the other woman would sooner gift her a pile of gold and jewels than say those two words.
After a moment of silence, she said, “In this life, one must always do something for the world. It is not worthy of Your Highness’s thanks.”
It was just that the two of them were now sleeping in separate rooms. She wondered if Her Highness would summon her to attend to her tonight.
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