Chapter 1553 Extra: The Wandering Swordsman and the Flying Thief (Part 2)
The fourteenth year of Yanhuang.
Imperial Censor Gu Chi took two years of annual leave in one go.
Shen Tang: "No, how dare you?"
Gu Chi counted on his fingers: "His Majesty once said that there would be six days on and one day off."
It's not a six-day work week followed by a one-day rest; rather, it's a paid one-year leave after six years of service. In the first few years after the change of reign, there was a severe shortage of manpower and a heavy workload, so this year's leave had piled up and hadn't been used. Now that he can finally catch his breath, Gu Chi decided to take two consecutive years off to enjoy himself.
"...Even with a six-day work week and one day off, I didn't give you two consecutive years of leave!"
Besides the regular transfers of local officials and the rotation of officials between Beijing and other regions, the "six days on, one day off" system is also a supplementary measure, allowing long-serving officials to temporarily step away from officialdom through the benefit of annual leave. During their leave, their positions are retained, and their work is temporarily taken over by their deputies.
Smart people know what this means.
If, during your leave, your replacement performs exceptionally well, or a new talent emerges, it's highly likely that by the time you return to work, some of your original power will have already been taken over by others. The competition among you will be even stronger.
Even though the officials were unwilling, they had no choice but to agree.
There are policies from above, and countermeasures from below.
Fortunately, this "six days on, one day off" system has some flexibility, allowing for staggered rest periods. Otherwise, with a large number of officials taking annual leave at the same time, would the royal court still be able to function? Hehehe, actually, when this proposal was first introduced, some officials who opposed it privately encouraged their classmates, fellow townsmen, fellow graduates, and other contacts in their social circles to arrange to take annual leave together, hoping to force the emperor to retract his order.
As for the result—
They were all defeated one by one by the Lord.
All officials had to retreat and settle for the next best thing.
They wouldn't take all their annual leave at once, as that would leave too long a gap in their term. They usually divide it into two six-month periods, interspersed throughout their six-year term. Gu Chi, as the head of the Censorate, has a special position; his annual leave can be broken up and interspersed throughout his normal term, as long as the number of days is sufficient. But he went and took all his annual leave from both terms at once—a full two years!
Shen Tang narrowed his eyes dangerously.
Gu Chi quickly stepped back: "My lord, please don't overthink it."
"snort?"
"This is not Shao Xuan..."
Shen Tang: "..."
Bai Su's term as a bodyguard has ended and she has been transferred to another post, during which time she is not allowed to return. Is this the reason Gu Chi is so eager to ask her for two years of annual leave?
Shen Tang said softly, "You don't care about me anymore? The seven-year itch between ruler and subject... no, the twenty- or thirty-year itch has finally arrived?"
Gu Chi: "...My lord, please be normal, I'm scared."
Shen Tang's desk clattered loudly: "You think I'm not afraid just because you're afraid? You, the Imperial Censor, have taken a two-year leave in one go. The officials in the royal court are like Sun Wukong without his headband, capable of piercing the sky!"
Gu Chi is a pillar of the Censorate!
It was also a stabilizing force that intimidated all officials.
If he were to simply pack up and go on vacation, and then Cui Xiao were to go on strike for a while, Shen Tang dared not imagine how many officials would become lax and negligent over the next two years. Gu Chi: "Isn't that perfect? These people are so lacking in self-discipline; once I return from my leave, it will be a good time to replace them."
Some problems cannot be solved by simply relying on the old ways.
A vibrant regime needs a constant influx of fresh faces and fresh blood. While it's too early to worry about these things now, it's never wrong to be prepared. This also provides a legitimate reason to give a warning to officials who have lost focus, keeping them on their toes.
Shen Tang: "You think it's as simple as just replacing someone?"
She needs to have enough alternatives to replace her.
"I don't care, Your Majesty, please approve this annual leave."
Shen Tang: "..."
She suspected it was all karma.
She had already successfully transcended her tribulation, so why was she still being exploited by these corrupt officials who were betraying their lord? She closed her eyes, choosing to ignore it, but Gu Chi was too shameless. In front of a group of eunuchs and palace maids, he started to speak in a high-pitched voice, each word twisting and turning in a suggestive way, making everyone's skin crawl and making Shen Tang feel nauseous.
She sighed helplessly, "Fine, fine, go back and wait for news!"
Although he did not give a direct answer, Gu Chi knew that things were settled.
Two days earlier, he had arranged everything in detail, handing over the affairs of the Censorate to the two Vice Censors-in-Chief. Since Kangguo unified the four continents, the Censorate's supervisory affairs had more than doubled, and the scope of supervision had also expanded. The original number of staff was simply not enough, so the number of staff had to be expanded. The number of Vice Censors-in-Chief had also increased to two, namely the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief and the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, namely Cui Xiao and Tian Cuo.
Tian Cuo retired last year and returned to his hometown to enjoy his remaining years.
Leaving aside the special old officials like Wei Lou, Tian Cuo was the oldest minister in the court, having served three emperors. In his early years, he followed the ruler of Xin in his campaigns in the northwest, serving Xin faithfully. After a brief period of appeasement towards Zheng Qiao's Geng Kingdom, he was exiled and nearly died. After a few years of seclusion, he was invited back to serve in Kang Kingdom, where he remained for over thirty years. Considering the lifespan of a scholar-official, Tian Cuo was still in his prime, but some things required him to maintain decorum.
It's not that he ruined his reputation in his later years.
However, once there are many people in a large family, there are also many things to worry about.
The children and grandchildren are young, but they have high aspirations.
Those who consider themselves exceptionally talented but are not given important positions will naturally hope that their ancestors could help them in the court and make things easier for them.
Not being on the same page as Tian Cuo, coupled with a moment of folly and a lapse in judgment, would only invite slander and attacks. To protect his reputation, Gu Chi didn't escalate the matter, but instead submitted the memorial to the emperor for her decision. Tian Cuo spoke with the emperor for several hours, then left the palace expressionless, and a few days later voluntarily offered to retire and return to his hometown.
The Lord also tried to persuade them to stay several times, according to custom.
Tian Cuo firmly stated that he wanted to leave.
Finally, he made a dignified exit, returning to his hometown with his children and grandchildren to live a peaceful life. He planned to spend a few years reflecting and refining the character of his descendants—away from the center of officialdom, they would be less susceptible to temptation, and their chances of achieving true understanding and enlightenment would naturally increase.
After a few years, the turmoil subsided.
If Tian Cuo were willing, he could still return to officialdom.
The newly promoted Right Vice Minister is quite a unique figure in the Censorate, as he is so upright and incorruptible that he is not even afraid of Qi Yuanliang, having impeached Qi Shan countless times over the past twenty years. Left Vice Minister Cui Xiao is usually on inspection tours, but he is in the capital this year. This is the reason why Gu Chi dared to take two years of annual leave at once—with Cui Xiao in the Censorate, the Censorate's performance is guaranteed, and Gu Chi can rest assured.
Cui Xiao lifted his eyelids, pointed outside, and said, "Get out!"
Gu Chi said, "Don't be angry."
In truth, he wouldn't have complained at all about stepping down as Imperial Censor and letting Cui Xiao take his place. He was actually looking forward to spending the next few years on inspection tours rather than having to deal with a long-distance relationship at his age. Cui Xiao completely ignored him, tapping his palm repeatedly with his fan.
Gu Chi, who had worked with him for many years, sensed danger.
He left work almost right at the end of his shift.
As soon as he got home, the servants had already packed his bags.
He couldn't wait to mount his horse and leave the city before the gates of the capital were locked: "The approval for my annual leave should be delivered to your residence tomorrow. Remember to have someone mail it over. I'll be going now!"
One man and one horse galloped out of the city.
Once outside the city gates and onto the official road, Gu Chi no longer needed to restrain his speed. His steed carried him at breakneck speed, the trees rushing past on either side of him. The next day, the steward indeed received approval for his annual leave, but—he stared dumbfounded at the appointment document in his hand.
Taking annual leave doesn't stop Gu Chi from doing some chores for Shen Tang.
"Parents, you're leaving too early!"
He stamped his feet in frustration and hurriedly ordered people to chase after them.
"This email needs to be expedited, air freight is preferred!"
Air freight was naturally much faster than Gu Chi traveling alone on horseback with a package. Before the recipient even arrived, the mail had already been delivered intact to Bai Su. Bai Su was stationed in the Northeast, where her daily life consisted of training troops, handling local military affairs, cultivating, raising her daughter, and disguising herself as an ordinary wandering knight-errant. The Northeast was sparsely populated, and due to the lingering effects of the chaotic era, the social atmosphere in various places was not very good.
In terms of public security, it is incomparable to other regions of Kangguo.
Women also faced even greater hardship.
Bai Su made a special request to her lord to recruit and establish a new military unit mainly composed of female soldiers in this area. Her involvement with the common people was also to better scout for suitable candidates. After a month or two, she had a general idea and incidentally resolved two gang fights involving criminal elements.
To put it bluntly, it was one family forcibly taking another family's daughter.
The brawl involved more than 300 people.
Before the war began, each side drew a "life-or-death" lot.
Bai Su could only laugh: "Even the royal court has no right to kill someone who has done nothing wrong, yet you, a whole family, discuss it behind closed doors and choose a scapegoat? How utterly foolish! Weren't you informed when the Kang Kingdom was established?"
People were not ashamed, but rather proud.
Local tyrants were rampant, and the government had long suffered under their rule.
The more Bai Su understood, the more she frowned.
The adopted daughter, Yue Ke, said, "I thought that with peace and stability in the world, the common people would cherish this hard-won tranquility, but I never expected—"
Bai Su: "We're not the same group of people, there's no need to feel sentimental."
Yue Ke looked at her, and Bai Su softened her gaze: "Most of the common people in the world are vulnerable. The vulnerable need order to ensure their stability, so they yearn for and cherish peace. These bullies and tyrants also lived well in chaotic times, even better than they do now. Everything they have is not obtained by maintaining order, but by destroying order."
Upon hearing this, Yue Ke suddenly realized what was going on.
Bai Su stroked her hair: "Go do your homework."
With her being sent away, Yue Ke should stay in Huangting with Gu Chi.
However, Yue Ke felt the holiday was still long and wanted to go out and see the world with Bai Su before returning home when school started. Bai Su treated her adopted daughter almost like her own, granting her every wish.
Yue Ke's expression froze: "But Mother..."
Bai Su lightly flicked her brow with her finger.
"Are you planning to save it for the last three days of the life-or-death race again?"
I don't know why these students have all developed the same problem: they don't know how to plan their winter and summer vacation homework. They just play around all summer, and then three days or even one day before school starts, they frantically regret not doing their homework.
Every year as the start of the school year approaches, there is wailing and howling from every household.
Why didn't you do this sooner?
Bai Su didn't understand at first.
Until she also adopted a goddaughter.
She discovered that her adopted daughter also had this problem, which Gu Chi called procrastination, a kind of illness. Since it was an illness, Bai Su naturally wanted to "cure" it. She didn't care what methods she used, as long as it was effective.
Yue Ke: "Waaah—Mother—"
Bai Su said, "Acting cute won't work."
Yue Ke: "..."
As the mother and daughter returned home, a gust of wind suddenly brushed past Yue Ke, and a subtle yet sharp white light grazed her wrist.
Yue Ke was momentarily stunned.
By the time she came to her senses, a dagger had already been kicked away.
The thief's wrist was pinned to the ground by a sword. Bai Su's eyes flashed with a sharp light—Yue Ke was, after all, her and Gu Chi's adopted daughter, a daughter of a prominent family in the capital. Even if they disliked extravagance, they wouldn't force their child to be plain-faced, so the child's wrist was adorned with gold and jade. This thief, relying on his superior agility to avoid being caught, actually used a dagger to cut off someone's wrist and steal their treasure!
Bai Su was naturally furious.
"You little thief—you're in my hands now!"
She's been busy cracking down on organized crime lately, doing her homework diligently. She naturally knows that there are thugs roaming the nearby prefectures, specifically targeting vulnerable people who are alone and have little money. They forcibly snatch earrings from people's ears, regardless of how badly their earlobes are torn; they chop off rings from fingers with a sharp knife; they forcibly steal bracelets from wrists; and they even cut off people's arms in broad daylight.
Even thieves have their code of honor. Bai Su disdained those who targeted the elderly and weak with such cruel methods, but she still refrained from killing them outright.
"Take him to the authorities!"
The thief never expected to make a mistake, and immediately slid down to his knees, begging for mercy: "Please forgive me, sir! I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness. I have offended you. Please spare my life, sir, considering that I haven't killed anyone and that I had my reasons for doing this."
"You have your reasons?"
The thief was overjoyed upon hearing this.
He hurriedly said, "I robbed the rich to help the poor in order to support the innocent old and young in this hospital. If you don't believe me, you can come with me."
Bai Su laughed angrily: "Is this how you rob the rich to help the poor?"
The thief immediately burst into tears.
Strangely enough, when he cried, some passersby spoke up for him, confirming that what he said was true. It turned out that this petty thief was a local, and no one knew what he did outside, only that he would bring back a lot of money every year to help the villagers.
Many people have benefited from him.
Even if he was a bandit, he was a chivalrous thief.
Bai Su's complexion grew increasingly unpleasant.
She is not someone who can be easily swayed by outsiders.
"If you dare say another word, I'll kill him on the spot!"
The thief was so frightened that he fell silent, and the passersby were also intimidated by Bai Su's murderous aura and retreated. How could they dare to speak up for the thief for such a trivial benefit? Only after the thief's head fell to the ground did Gu Chi rush over.
When the horseman arrived, he heard about Bai Su's ruthless methods over the past few days, which had instilled fear in the people, who regarded her as a ghost.
Gu Chi listened to his innermost thoughts the whole way and laughed in exasperation.
"Which little devil has Shao Xuan offended?"
Bai Su wasn't surprised that Gu Chi would come, after all, the mail sent by air had been in her hands for several days. She said, "It was just killing a villain. This villain was quite interesting; he deliberately skimmed a little money from his ill-gotten gains to support his entire family, and once caught, he claimed he was just robbing the rich to help the poor, an act of chivalry, and that the authorities should give him a lenient sentence..."
The person who was robbed was only injured, not dead.
A well-managed reputation can be truly valuable in crucial moments.
Upon hearing his news, local tyrants even offered to become sworn brothers with him and protect him in the area. Bai Su was utterly exhausted after dealing with all this. It's true what they say: "A large forest has all kinds of birds, and a large population breeds all sorts of oddities."
Gu Chi was shocked: "Many of those gossiping people are deliberately bribed to ruin your reputation..."
No, how dare these people?
Could it be that they think Bai Su has lost power after being transferred from a government official in the capital to an official in the provinces?
Bai Su rested her chin on her hand: "People think that the emperor is the one who goes to work in the fields with a golden hoe, but I am the one who carries the golden hoe for the emperor."
What's there to be afraid of in lackeys?
Gu Chi stared in astonishment: "The local customs here are truly unique."
Bai Su changed the subject: "Why did you come here?"
Gu Chi said, "You should take a vacation."
Bai Su rolled her eyes at him.
"Are you using me as a pretext to ask for leave?"
She and Gu Chi had known each other for so many years, and it would be a lie to say that their feelings weren't deep. But to say that their feelings were so strong that they were inseparable was something she couldn't honestly admit. Although she was working away from home and they were in a long-distance relationship, Gu Chi had regular holidays all year round, and it wasn't difficult for them to meet up whenever they had time. Anyone who wanted to could manage it.
Gu Chi is dishonest; he didn't tell the truth.
He said awkwardly, "How can you say I'm using you as a cover? It is indeed time for me to take a vacation, but it's not just me who should take a vacation. All the former members should also be mobilized, even if it's just for show."
Bai Su hummed in agreement, remaining noncommittal.
Gu Chi stretched and said, "If you stick to one thing for too long, you'll eventually change."
Bai Su picked up the military treatise.
Gu Chi picked up his pen and ink, gritted his teeth, and began to conceive a new book.
How have your preparations been going these past two years?
“Tell me some new stories, Shao Xuan. I’ve wanted to be a storyteller for a long time. This is a rare opportunity, how can I miss it?” Gu Chi put his leg on hers, and when he thought about the dramatic plot, he started to get excited and his whole person came alive, dispelling a little bit of the musty smell.
This joy came to an abrupt end when Bai Su sent the email.
Bai Su suppressed a laugh: "Work and rest should be balanced."
Gu Chi: "..."
He instantly deflated, fell backward, and sprawled out in a starfish shape.
"Gu Wangchao fell down, Shaoxuan should carry him."
As Yue Ke passed by her parents' room, she heard her father's somewhat embarrassed and angry voice coming from inside: "This is not the one to hug."
Mother's voice was languid: "Shut your mouth, little mouth."
"Don't try to coax children like the Lord did!"
(End of this chapter)
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