SBMT Chapter 25

The Patrol Battalion had taken on a brand-new look.

 

Chu Zhao had revised the training regimen, distributed it, and ordered everyone to follow the new version from now on.

 

At first glance, the intensity seemed higher, but the total workload was about the same-just more scientific.

 

Among the officers, there were some lazybones. In the capital, many military officials were sons of noble families who had never seen real battle. They learned martial arts to pass the military exam and enter officialdom, but after a while, their skills dulled as they focused more on administrative tricks than on true martial prowess.

 

But in Chu Zhao’s view, every post required its own set of skills, and the basics could not be neglected.

 

Chu Zhao’s gaze swept over the group. He knew exactly what some of them were thinking. He said to a few officers, “Here’s the deal: anyone who can last ten moves against Hei Ying in sparring can cut their training load in half.”

 

Ten moves? A few officers bristled: Who does he think we are?

 

Some rolled up their sleeves, eager to try, while others were more cautious, waiting to see how things played out.

 

The first volunteer stepped forward.

 

He lasted three moves before hitting the ground.

 

The rest: “…”

 

Hei Ying tightened the straps on his arm guards and stood silently in the center of the field, like a god of war.

 

The rest quietly pulled back their eager feet.

 

Are we supposed to fight him for real?

 

We’re just fighting cocks-he’s a hawk. This isn’t a fair fight!

 

They immediately adjusted their attitudes, saluted, and declared, “As Your Highness commands, we will work diligently!”

 

Chu Zhao was amused, but as a good leader, he let them save face and didn’t reveal that Hei Ying was one of his handpicked, top-tier bodyguards.

 

He then called over another guard. “For city patrols, you can’t ignore tactics. He’s skilled in military strategy-ask him if you have questions. I’ll be holding regular assessments.”

 

The officers froze: Assessments?

 

Wait, how long has it been since the imperial exams-why are we still taking tests?

 

Chu Zhao gave a sly smile. “I’ll only test you all. Don’t worry, I trust your abilities.”

 

No way he was going to supervise everyone himself-that would be too much work. The key was to manage a few people well, let them manage the rest, and gradually improve the whole Patrol Battalion. That way, everyone’s job got easier.

 

The officers accepted the orders with bittersweet smiles.

 

Chu Zhao got up and strolled around the camp, satisfied. The main camp would soon be running smoothly, and then he could spend more time at the city watch station-which, conveniently, was closer to home, so he’d have less commute after work.

 

 

Chu Zhao never neglected his daily training-not out of competitiveness, but as a basic survival skill. Without these abilities, he’d have died countless times already.

 

So, like eating and drinking, it had become a necessity.

 

But he only maintained his basic training, just enough to keep his skills sharp; he didn’t need to intensify it-after all, all those years of relentless practice were so he could relax a little now.

 

After finishing the martial part, Chu Zhao returned indoors for the “civil” part, leisurely flipping through the Patrol Battalion roster as he waited to get off work.

 

Surely today he wouldn’t have to work overtime again?

 

As the hour of Shen (3–5 p.m.) approached, Chu Zhao contentedly picked up his teacup, ready to finish it and head home. He looked up and saw a young soldier hurrying toward his office.

 

Such a familiar scene.

 

Chu Zhao: “……”

 

No way, again? Can someone really be this unlucky?

 

Wait.

 

Looking closer, today’s young soldier had a different expression-smiling at the corners of his eyes and brows, eager, and his brisk pace usually meant good news.

 

Chu Zhao’s tense nerves relaxed.

 

As long as it wasn’t overtime, that was fine.

 

But what kind of good news made him smile like that? There was even a hint of gossip and curiosity in his expression.

 

Chu Zhao found himself curious, too.

 

The young soldier quickly reached the desk, face beaming: “Your Highness, there’s a carriage outside the camp. Our men checked as usual and found it’s from Prince Qin’s residence.”

 

Chu Zhao froze. Only he, Shen Ziqin, and Dongning could use the Prince Qin’s carriage. What was it doing outside the Patrol Battalion-?

 

The young soldier’s cheeks flushed pink: “The consort says he’s here to pick you up after work!”

 

-Oh, so he’d come to pick him up.

 

…Come just for him?

 

A strange feeling welled up in Chu Zhao’s heart-not bad, but it made him inexplicably stiff all over.

 

He closed the roster with apparent calm and walked steadily outside, but beneath the princely composure, he was struggling to coordinate suddenly uncooperative limbs.

 

Sure enough, outside the camp, the Prince Qin’s carriage was waiting by the roadside.

 

Shen Ziqin, apparently out for a stretch, was standing by the carriage. When he saw Chu Zhao, he immediately smiled and walked over.

 

It was shift change for some and end of duty for certain officers. Shen Ziqin’s smile drew gasps from the onlookers.

 

Damn, he’s stunning!

 

Many knew Cui Qingshan liked men-seeing Shen Ziqin, they could believe Cui Qingshan might have been bold enough to make a move!

 

As Chu Zhao walked forward, the officer who’d loudly discussed marriage last night exclaimed, “Now that’s a real couple-look how gentle and considerate the consort is!”

 

Chu Zhao nearly stumbled at the shout.

 

The young officer who longed for marriage whimpered, his eyes full of envy.

 

Chu Zhao: …Bro, don’t look at me like that, it’s unsettling.

 

He coughed lightly, discreetly smoothed his robe, and walked up to Shen Ziqin.

 

“Is there something urgent you need to tell me?” Chu Zhao asked.

 

He knew the answer: if it were urgent, a guard would have come galloping with the news, not a carriage waiting so leisurely outside.

 

But it was the best opening-after all, they weren’t truly in love, and when not acting, they needed to keep boundaries.

 

Shen Ziqin shook his head, honest: “No, Your Highness, I just came to pick you up.”

 

The young officer: *sob sob sob!*

 

Chu Zhao was used to being watched, but this was the first time a bunch of grown men were making a fuss over his private life. He awkwardly touched his nose, told Hei Ying to fetch his horse, and got in the carriage with Shen Ziqin.

 

Of course, he helped Shen Ziqin up as usual.

 

Chu Zhao was used to it by now, and Shen Ziqin was getting used to it too.

 

Once inside, Shen Ziqin didn’t rush to bring up the strategist job. He wanted to score some points first, to show Chu Zhao some warmth. He opened the snack box: “I had the kitchen make some snacks, Your Highness, please…”

 

His words stopped abruptly as he opened the box.

 

He’d told Xiao Dong to have the kitchen make some snacks, but who knew how the message got passed-there were a ton.

 

The savory snacks were stacked high, layer upon layer in fancy arrangements, spiraling up into a tower.

 

It looked impressive.

 

And the quantity was intimidating.

 

If not for the box’s limits, Shen Ziqin suspected they could’ve built a giant snack skyscraper.

 

He thought of Xiao Dong’s dedication to “securing favor” and fell silent.

 

Chu Zhao also fell silent at the sight.

 

Just looking at it made him feel full.

 

But all the snacks were his favorites, and Chu Zhao’s heart skipped a beat.

 

Tingly and strange.

 

He was always the one being thoughtful-rarely did anyone think of him like this.

 

Shen Ziqin, a bit embarrassed, carefully pushed the snack tower over: “Please, Your Highness.”

 

Chu Zhao suppressed the odd flutter in his heart, took a piece from the top, tasted it, and nodded: “How were the snacks I sent last night?”

 

Shen Ziqin: “Delicious, thank you, Your Highness.”

 

“They’re made by the chef at Jinxiu Pavilion. If you like them, you can send for more anytime. I can’t bring the chef to the residence for now, since Jinxiu Pavilion is actually my third brother’s business-he can’t spare the best chef.”

 

Shen Ziqin, having read the original novel, knew this, but hearing Chu Zhao say it out loud… did it mean-

 

He sat up straighter, holding his breath for what Chu Zhao would say next.

 

Chu Zhao swallowed another bite: “Jinxiu Pavilion is half mine, too.”

 

Shen Ziqin’s eyes widened in genuine surprise.

 

This really was new-nothing like this was mentioned in the original novel!

 

Jinxiu Pavilion, a favorite spot for nobles to host guests, was also a great place to gather intelligence. It was one of the third prince’s key assets and played a big role later on. He hadn’t expected Chu Zhao to be involved as well!

 

 

After a brief moment of surprise, Shen Ziqin quickly adjusted his expression and returned to normal: “I didn’t expect Your Highness to have a talent for business.”

 

“I don’t, I just lent a little help.”

 

For example, things like hiring performers for the opening, running ads, doing publicity, and boosting the venue’s profile-all of that was just basic modern marketing knowledge. Beyond that, Chu Zhao didn’t know much.

 

When it came to business, it was still the third prince who had the real skills-he knew how to play and how to make money.

 

“Jinxiu Pavilion has helped collect a lot of information, from court gossip to rumors among the people.”

 

Shen Ziqin curled his fingers, feeling the rare nerves of a job interview: “Your Highness is telling me all this because you want…”

 

“I was originally planning to talk about it when we got home, along with the account books.” But you showed up first.

 

Chu Zhao smiled and made the announcement: “Mister Shen, from now on, the Prince Qin’s household will be relying on you.”

 

Hired!

 

Shen Ziqin let out a long breath and gave a formal bow: “I won’t let Your Highness down!”

 

After the bow, the very first thing Shen Ziqin did as an official adviser was to immediately and enthusiastically speak up-trying to reduce his own workload.

 

That’s right, bargaining on the first day is only reasonable.

 

“Your Highness, the account books and household management have been handled by Steward Meng, right? I think it’s best to let him keep at it.”

 

He was only doing this to save Chu Zhao’s life, not to become an all-purpose workhorse.

 

Chu Zhao also thought Shen Ziqin shouldn’t be overworked-mental labor is still labor. Since he was unwilling, there was no need to force him. “Alright, but you should check the books periodically, just to stay informed.”

 

That way, he’d know how much money was available when making decisions. For example, last night’s banquet-even though Chu Zhao was a shareholder and didn’t pay cash, the cost was still deducted from his share. Big expenses couldn’t be ignored.

 

Shen Ziqin poured more tea for Chu Zhao: “Alright.”

 

Chu Zhao, eating who knows how many snacks by now, said, “Let me tell you what happened at court this morning.”

 

The Cui family had made plenty of enemies over the years. Even before the second prince’s people could act, someone else had already brought up Cui Qingshan.

 

Saved them the trouble.

 

In the end, the emperor ruled that, in light of the Cui family’s years of service, Cui Qingshan would be stripped of his office and sent home to reflect for three months.

 

According to Chu Zhao, the whole process was quite dramatic.

 

Chu Zhao was a gifted storyteller-the scene unfolded vividly before Shen Ziqin’s eyes: the noisy court, the excited officials, every character lifelike and real. Shen Ziqin was so absorbed, he kept refilling Chu Zhao’s tea.

 

Until, at some point, Chu Zhao suddenly put the lid on his teacup. “Wait, that’s enough.”

 

Shen Ziqin set down the teapot, puzzled-wasn’t he thirsty after talking so much?

 

Chu Zhao was silent for a moment before admitting with difficulty: “…I’m full.”

 

He couldn’t drink another drop.

 

Shen Ziqin was stunned.

 

He glanced at the now-half-demolished “snack tower” and the nearly empty teapot.

 

Shen Ziqin swallowed.

 

…Chu Zhao might not need dinner tonight.

 

He quietly put down the teapot, hesitated for a couple seconds, then asked carefully, “If Your Highness likes them, should I have more made next time?”

 

Chu Zhao solemnly instructed, “In moderation.”

 

Shen Ziqin nodded seriously: “Understood.”

 

He still didn’t know why Chu Zhao had eaten so much-after all, the leftovers could have been taken home and shared with others. Seeing Chu Zhao’s hand never stop, he’d thought maybe Chu Zhao’s appetite had grown.

 

Apparently not?

 

Chu Zhao himself didn’t know how he’d ended up eating so much, as if he had to finish the whole plate.

 

Awkward. Embarrassing.

 

Luckily, Shen Ziqin let it slide and didn’t call him out.

 

Looks like Shen Ziqin is the considerate type of adviser-Chu Zhao had really lucked out.

 

After returning home, Shen Ziqin gave the leftover snacks to Xiao Dong.

 

Xiao Dong happily accepted.

 

Shen Ziqin, looking complicated, reminded him: “Next time, have the kitchen make a reasonable amount. Remember.”

 

Do you realize you almost stuffed the prince to death?

 

A subordinate nearly KO’d the prince-terrifying.

 

Fortunately, while Xiao Dong liked to add his own touch, he always followed orders: “Yes, sir.”

 

“Dong,” Shen Ziqin sighed, “we’ve been putting off your name change for a few days. Let’s settle it today.”

 

Now that Dongning was living in Prince Qin’s residence, and they were all together, Xiao Dong needed a new name to avoid clashing with the princess’s title. But Shen Ziqin had been indecisive, torn between names.

 

Every time he tried to pick, his mind filled with names of palace schemers from modern TV dramas-very catchy.

 

With feeling, Shen Ziqin picked up a brush and wrote two characters: “From now on, you’ll be called Xiao Zhen.”

 

From now on, you’re Niohulu Xiao Zhen-no more romance brain, focus on your career, everyone has a duty.

 

Xiao Dong-no, the newly named palace intrigue master and Prince Qin’s household’s Xiao Zhen-accepted the paper, delighted: “Thank you, Young Master, for the name.”

 

It was a good name-homophone for “zhen” (true), and “the prince and consort are true love”-such great meaning, he was completely satisfied!

 

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)