A Guest with Shared Ambitions

Mu Xiang Li did not think too much about what would happen later. Since transmigrating, he had been taking one step at a time. It was better to wait and see what the Crown Prince would arrange for Shi Bei Xing before deciding.

The Crown Prince had been planning for a long time, and now that the opportunity arose, his actions were incredibly swift. Three days later, he announced in court: "From today onwards, the Night Patrol Bureau shall be established, independent of the Censorate, with Zhou Yi appointed as its Commander, exercising oversight power. Zhou Yi, do you have any objections?"

Zhou Yi was helpless. Everything had already been decided in front of the Grand Tutor. Could he voice an objection? "This subject will naturally exert his utmost effort."

Jiang Tao was very satisfied: "Very good."

As soon as the Crown Prince finished speaking, the court officials below buzzed with murmurs. The minor officials dared not speak, only looking towards the leading figures.

Those few did not disappoint them; one of them stepped forward and asked: "Your Highness, will the functions of this Night Patrol Bureau conflict with the Censorate?"

Jiang Tao smiled and said: "Right Chancellor, there is no need to worry. The Censorate will still be responsible for overseeing all officials, while the Night Patrol Bureau will primarily deal with foreign spies. Surely, none of you have forgotten the incident in Tan City? If we do not take it seriously, we will suffer losses sooner or later."

The officials behind whispered amongst themselves, and the Left and Right Chancellors in front exchanged glances. They said it was to deal with foreign spies, but who was a spy, it was feared, would later be determined by the Night Patrol Bureau.

Just now, the Right Chancellor had spoken; this time, the Left Chancellor opened his mouth: "Your Highness, there is no need for the Night Patrol Bureau to be independent of the Censorate. Entrusting it to the Censorate for unified management would surely be more convenient."

"Different objectives, why unify management? There is no need to say more on this matter; my decision is made." Jiang Tao gave them no opportunity to retort, continuing, "Speaking of the second matter. Talents from other nations are constantly emerging, while our Xi Yu, on the contrary, lacks outstanding young talents.

Yesterday, I discussed with the Grand Tutor. We will allocate funds from the national treasury to establish two academies: one is Wenhua Academy, for studying literature, and the other is Longwu Academy, for practicing martial arts. These two academies will enroll students annually, from which outstanding talents will be selected to serve Xi Yu."

Seeing that Jiang Tao had even brought up the Grand Tutor, his resolve was even stronger than when establishing the Night Patrol Bureau. In the hall, regardless of what the ministers thought, they all decided to discuss it later.

After court was dismissed, Jiang Tao was not overly joyful. He knew these ministers were caught off guard by his sudden decisions, and he wondered what tricks they would pull after some time.

A moment later, Shi Bei Xing was summoned to the palace again. Jiang Tao went straight to the point: "If you do not wish to return as Deputy Commander, then going to Longwu Academy to select and educate young people, contributing to the future of our Xi Yu, would surely be a good fit?"

Shi Bei Xing pondered for a moment, then asked: "How should they be selected?"

Jiang Tao smiled and said: "I know what you are thinking. Wenhua Academy and Longwu Academy will only look at ability, not family background or status. I have only one requirement: whoever emerges from these two academies must be a talent capable of serving Xi Yu."

Shi Bei Xing then spoke: "Understood. I am willing to share Your Highness's worries."

"That's excellent." Jiang Tao was very pleased.

Mu Xiang Li waited for Shi Bei Xing to return, also very pleased: "Your Highness wants Master to be the Dean of Longwu Academy?"

Shi Bei Xing shook his head: "I know my current strength is not what it once was. I only agreed to join Longwu Academy. The Dean will be someone else."

"Then what about me? Can I follow Master into Longwu Academy?" Mu Xiang Li asked.

Shi Bei Xing: "If you want to go, then participate in the selection when the time comes. I will not open the back door for you."

Hearing "selection," Mu Xiang Li immediately recalled the scene of thousands of soldiers crossing a single-plank bridge during the college entrance examination. He hastily reminded: "Master, I am your disciple. Surely there's some difference between a disciple and a student?"

Shi Bei Xing was very blunt: "Don't even think about it, there isn't."

Mu Xiang Li: "..."

The preparations for establishing Wenhua Academy and Longwu Academy would take time, but Shi Bei Xing had already begun. From selecting locations to setting selection criteria, everything needed to be considered and discussed.

Jiang Tao had arranged accommodation for Shi Bei Xing, and Mu Xiang Li also moved in with him.

Of course, despite being busy, Shi Bei Xing did not neglect guiding Mu Xiang Li. He could now skillfully circulate Qi within his body.

Besides practicing saber arts, Mu Xiang Li would stroll the streets when he wanted to relax. Although he said there were ways for people without money to stroll, he still thought of ways to earn some silver to spend.

Next to the yamen, there were wanted posters; catching someone would bring silver, but if it were easy to catch, why offer a reward? Such an unreliable method of earning money, he immediately dismissed.

Mu Xiang Li pondered about earning money, yet found himself sitting in a teahouse, ordering a pot of tea, and listening to stories. For him, this was an extremely economical and interesting form of entertainment.

As soon as he sat down, someone approached and asked: "May I share a table with you, brother?"

"Sit." Mu Xiang Li didn't mind, assessing the other person a few times, feeling that their age was similar to his. This person looked very delicate, but carried a lazy demeanor, which made him feel very compatible.

"Where did the story get to today?" the other person asked after sitting down.

Mu Xiang Li shook his head: "I just arrived myself."

As the two talked, the storyteller cleared his throat and continued: "There is a very interesting saying, called 'kings do not meet kings,' meaning that among the powerful, one should try to avoid direct confrontation. Therefore, in the struggle for the Nine Cauldrons, it was very rare to see two kings clash.

Note, I said very rare. In those countless years, there was once a time when king met king. It is said that the battle between kings then was so fierce that the heavens collapsed and the earth rent. It is said that in the southeast of Jiuzhou, there were no islands before; the islands now were carved out by that battle."

"This story must begin with the only female among the Nine Kings.

Everyone knows that the world has Nine Nations, divided into Xi Yu, Yun Lai, Shang Qi, Ling An, Tong Qiu, You Qiu, Nan Jiang, Xi Kui, and Xi Fu. And in the far east is Shang Qi, whose ruler is a woman.

Previously, Ling An was stirring, and the Queen of Shang Qi suddenly spread word: any king who desired the cauldron in her hand should come to Shang Mountain to find her. If they defeated her, they could directly take the cauldron.

That day, the pass gates of Shang Qi facing Shang Mountain were wide open. The Queen of Shang Qi waited on the summit of Shang Mountain. It is said that on that day, three of the other eight kings arrived..."

After that, the storyteller began to vividly describe the scene on Shang Mountain and how that great battle shook the heavens and earth, as if he had been present at the scene.

But did truth or falsehood matter? It didn't. It was just for entertainment. How others felt was unclear, but Mu Xiang Li listened with great enjoyment.

Moreover, this storyteller also had a unique vocal mimicry skill, able to imitate the sounds of flashing blades and sword shadows, wind, fire, thunder, and lightning, making it even more exciting to listen to.

"The Queen, I wonder what she looked like, was she beautiful?" Mu Xiang Li's attention had somewhat revealed his true nature.

He merely sighed casually, not expecting the young man beside him to pick up the conversation: "I heard she was very beautiful. Moreover, I heard that under the Queen's command were twenty-four personal bodyguards, all women, whose strength and beauty were extraordinary, making me extremely admire them."

Mu Xiang Li's eyes lit up, as if Mo Jun had possessed him: "Really?"