Chapter 231: Sword Envoy (2/2)

That being said, this was the perfect job for Fang Zhengzhi. He could become an official without doing anything. When he walked the streets, he would still be an official... hang on, he forgot to ask what rank the sword envoy was.

”Official still has one more question.”

”Go ahead.”

”What... is the rank of the sword envoy?” Fang Zhengzhi did not have high expectations of the post. As a guard of a sword, he may be a rank seven official, or possibly even a lowly rank nine official.

When Emperor Lin Mubai heard the question, he went silent.

All of the officials looked to each other. They all knew that this was not an easy question to answer.

The post of sword envoy was one that had never existed before this. This meant that it was not under the jurisdiction of any of the six ministries. As a result, it was unlikely to cause any disruption to the courts in the near future.

However, determining its rank was rather difficult.

If he set it too low, it would be disrespectful to the Sagely Battle God Meng Tian. However, if he set it too high, it would not be appropriate for Fang Zhengzhi to assume that role.

How can an untested commoner, fresh out of the imperial examinations, become a rank one or rank two official? That would be ludicrous!

”Rank four!” Emperor Lin Mubai grit his teeth as he spoke.

”Rank four? Thank you your highness!” Fang Zhengzhi had never expected that he would become a rank four official in the blink of an eye.

The jaws of all the other officials fell to the ground upon hearing that.

Rank four....

That was quite a high rank in the courts. The governor of a province was probably only a rank five official. For larger cities like the Golden Scale City, the governor was only a rank four official.

Rank four may be a little low for what Meng Tian's sword represented to the Great Xia Dynasty. However, for a commoner who had just passed the imperial examinations...

This was completely unprecedented.

Rank four official in a single leap. This was a rank that some people took many years, even decades to reach. How could they not be in shock?

”Congratulations brother Fang on your appointment!” Xing Qingsui paled, but he stilled bowed to Fang Zhengzhi.

”Thank you!” Fang Zhengzhi returned the bow.

It was rare for Fang Zhengzhi to thank someone. However, Xing Qingsui had come to the throne room to plead on his behalf despite the severe injuries he had suffered. This was something that surprised Fang Zhengzhi.

Yan Xiu and Nangong Mu also came over to say their congratulations.

After a brief moment of hesitation, the other officials also came up to congratulate Fang Zhengzhi.

They were not trying to butter up Fang Zhengzhi. After all, the lowest ranking of them all was also a rank four official. However, this was a courtesy that had to be extended.

Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi was no longer a commoner. He was now a rank four official of the Great Xia Dynasty.

More importantly, no one could guess what Emperor Lin Mubai was truly thinking.

King Duan clenched his fists tightly and his eyes began to glimmer. The heir, Lin Tianrong, also looked on solemnly, almost on the verge of tears.

As for Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping, his expression did not change much. He strode over to Fang Zhengzhi and praised him for his contributions and achievements.

This surprised many people. Those who were familiar with Yu Yiping knew that Yu Yiping was preparing to take down a person when he treated them this way.

”Humph, what's the big deal about this, he's just a rank four official...” Ping Yang looked up haughtily. However, her crystal clear eyes were glowing subtly...

...

The strong gale had stopped and rays of sunlight shone on the grounds of the capital. It felt like the worst of the storms were over.

However...

To the north of the capital, there was a new bout of torrential rain.

Cang Ling Mountain was the largest mountain in the Northern Lands. The area may be poor and backward, but it was densely populated.

These villagers were extremely hardworking and lived off the land.

Most of them never left their villages their entire lives. Their only wish was to live. However, the Great Xia Dynasty did not seem to think that their lives were particularly valuable.

Troops of armored soldiers arrived at these villages. They held gleaming spears in their hands, their armors showing that they were from the army of the Great Xia Dynasty.

”Seal the mountain!”