C12 The Court

After the palace officials had departed, Gao Shaoyi finally got the opportunity to assemble his Infantry Squad.

Thankfully, they all bore Eastern features, and the system was impressively intuitive—you could even alter their appearances to Western ones.

These individuals were unwaveringly loyal to Shaoyi. Once they emerged from the system, they were indistinguishable from ordinary people. Should they fall in battle, their death would be as real as any other's.

In their day-to-day lives, they experienced the full spectrum of human emotions.

Sun Qiang served as the squad's captain, and Shaoyi had appointed him as the head of his personal guard. His men were incredibly skilled, having been acquired through the system.

The next day, at four in the morning, First Wang roused Shaoyi from sleep. The Qian Empire's customs dictated that the morning court session began at six. If they didn't set out soon, they risked being late.

"What's got you all so worked up?"

Dressed and ready, Shaoyi stepped out to find the Wang brothers strutting about with pride.

"Heh, Young Master, it's been ages since we've accompanied the Marquis to court..."

In the Qian Empire, court attendance wasn't for everyone—only those holding official positions were permitted. Since the death of their lord, the Marquis Mansion had seen better days, and they had scarcely imagined returning to court.

Shaoyi was aware that he was the cause of these circumstances. Fortunately, his people hadn't lost faith in him. Otherwise, even with the system at his disposal, he might have faced significant delays in his affairs.

"Deposit this money into the account, issue the salaries, and replenish what's needed. We shouldn't skimp on our daily lives."

Noticing the worn state of old butler Wang Fu's robe, Shaoyi nonchalantly pulled out two five-hundred silver note bills from his pocket.

The gesture thrilled the old butler, who hadn't handled more than two hundred silver coins since their former master's death.

"Rest assured, all will be taken care of. The eldest miss needs a couple more maids, and we should also hire a few more household staff..."

Gao Shaoyi had no interest in the old butler's droning on, simply nodding repeatedly before mounting his horse and riding away. The Imperial Court's regulations allowed only a limited entourage within the palace walls. As such, Shaoyi, of his rank, could bring only twenty guards, so he chose the Infantry Squad and the four Wang brothers for protection. Should anyone dare to cross him, the Infantry Squad was formidable; without several hundred men, they wouldn't stand a chance at capturing him.

"Young Marquis..."

"After you, Young Marquis."

In the past, encountering these individuals on the road, Shaoyi likely wouldn't have exchanged words with them—some might have even avoided him altogether. But now, after a single night, his deeds had become the talk of the capital, and the consensus was clear: he had been playing the role of a tiger disguised as a pig.

Reflecting on the prince consort of old—a true paragon—it was no wonder he was chosen by the late emperor to be the dragon's son-in-law. How could such a man father a fool?

The capital's residents had once been puzzled, but today, they realized that this young man had always been more than he seemed. A noble with neither ability nor status could hardly make a ripple in the capital, much less earn anyone's favor.

But a noble with both ability and status? Their influence in the capital was immense.

The young man before them was just such a person. The Tiger General, Lee Mingshan, might be insignificant in the grand scheme of the capital, where a thrown brick would likely hit a second-rank official.

Yet, in a single night, Shaoyi had brought down his adversary with a masterstroke. The Emperor didn't reprimand him; instead, he issued a command to the infantry leader—a clear sign that Shaoyi was no ordinary noble.

Only the shrewdest could thrive in the capital. Anyone less astute would have met a swift and grim fate.

Shaoyi engaged with everyone courteously, lingering in conversation with old friends from prominent families. He knew the importance of these connections in the capital, whether he remained there or took up a post elsewhere, these individuals could be instrumental in his success.

Gao Shaoyi may not have been well-versed in the intricacies of politics, but having watched countless TV dramas on the subject, he was confident he could mimic the actions well enough to get by.

The crack of three whips pierced the air, marking the commencement of the morning court session. A procession of high-ranking officials filed in one by one.

Gao Shaoyi didn't join the line of officials; instead, he followed a few princes ahead of him. In the Qian Empire, there were over a dozen princes, yet most held only nominal titles without the privilege of attending court. Only three princes and three royal sons were entitled to this right.

Beyond these six, there were other nobles present. Gao Shaoyi's position was strategically placed in the middle of the nobility, not too prominent but not too obscure either.

"Long live, long live, long live..." he chanted in unison with the crowd.

As part of the throng, Gao Shaoyi knelt in the grand hall, paying homage to the emperor. Emperor Yongde might have been ineffective, but he remained the figurehead of this decaying empire, and he was also Gao Shaoyi's uncle. Bending the knee was a small price to pay for maintaining favor.

Emperor Yongde glanced at the kneeling Gao Shaoyi, sensing something distinct about his troublesome nephew. They say a nephew takes after his uncle, and though they didn't look much alike, their capacity for mischief was comparable. Rumor had it that the emperor's own youthful escapades outdid those of Gao Shaoyi.

"Prince Kang, how is the training expedition for the nobility's offspring coming along?" Emperor Yongde inquired after the routine matters had been addressed.

This tradition in the Qian Empire was long-standing, aimed at tightening the grip on national control, particularly in these turbulent times.

Some regional governors had begun to defy the imperial court, and dispatching the nobility's young to these areas served as a check on their power.

The outcomes varied, of course. Those with talent could effectively keep local authorities in check. But for those lacking the necessary skills, it could mean a swift end to their lives.

"Your Majesty, the list has been compiled and is ready for your review," Prince Kang reported, signaling a young eunuch to present the memorial to the throne.

The son of Duke Lu, Wang Xu, was assigned to the mountain frontier...

The Duke of Kalong's son, Shama, was dispatched to the formidable Tiger Cage Pass.

...

Gao Shaoyi listened intently as the young eunuch listed the assignments one after another. Each destination was essentially a den of danger, akin to lands roamed by tigers and wolves.

By rights, his own title should have warranted an early mention, yet his name had not been called. Why?

The least desirable posts had been filled. Could it be that a favorable position had been reserved for him?