I am about to die of old age, and I have awakened the character of longevity.

Chapter 161 Fifth-rank official robe, change it for me!
"Did something happen?"

"I didn't say it."

Xie An thought it had been a long time since he had seen Liu Chun, so he put away the brocade box, placed it on the bedside, and pressed it with a pillow. Then he changed into a green brocade robe with tight sleeves and went out.

He Chunli and Han Li went to the Weisheng Martial Arts School to practice early, and the third courtyard seemed very empty.

When he arrived at the tea room near the pond in the southeast corner of the front yard, Xie An saw Liu Chun sitting in the tea room drinking tea alone from a distance.

Liu Chun wore a navy blue uniform embroidered with a silver motif. He wore a belt with cuffs, leather boots, and a jade-studded belt. There was a buckle on the side of the belt, holding a sword.

It is a bit similar to the Feiyu suit that Xie An wore in his previous life, but it is more majestic and capable.

The uniforms of ordinary Demon Suppression Guards of the Demon Suppression Division are embroidered with fish patterns.

Only those who are of the rank of Dutou and above can embroider python patterns.

One silver python pattern represented a seventh rank. Two silver python patterns represented a sixth rank. Three silver python patterns represented a fifth rank... and so on.

The difference between genuine and inferior products lies in the direction of the python pattern: the one facing downwards is inferior, and the one facing upwards is genuine.

This is a systematic uniform arrangement, and every detail is taken seriously and cannot be neglected.

Although Xie An hadn't officially entered the Demon Suppression Division yet, he had already figured out these details. Just by glancing at Liu Chun's uniform from a distance, he knew that Brother Chun was still a seventh-rank captain...

He didn't seem to gain much benefit from the Demon Suppression Room's upgrade...

"Thank you, brother!"

Liu Chun heard footsteps approaching, looked up and saw Xie An coming, he immediately stood up and greeted him with a bow, "I heard yesterday that Brother Xie had returned safely, and I have been wanting to come and visit and congratulate you for a long time. Unfortunately, the Demon Suppression Division has many rules, so I have been delayed until today."

Xie An cupped his hands and said, "Brother Chun, you are too polite. Sit down and talk."

Liu Chun did not take a seat, but extended his hand to invite him, "Brother Xie, please go first."

Ok?
Xie An was stunned.

Although Xie An and Liu Chun had worked together for a long time four years ago, and Liu Chun had respected him during that time, he had never been respectful to this extent.

Did he know that he was going to be appointed as the fifth-rank general?

Xie An remained calm and took his seat first, followed by Liu Chun.

Yuhe politely bent down to make tea for them.

Liu Chun was a straightforward person, and he apologized right away. "Thank you, brother, for your safe return. Over the past four years, your two disciples have repeatedly come to me asking for help. I've also made numerous trips to Dayin Mountain... Unfortunately, I was powerless and couldn't help, and I'm deeply ashamed."

"Brother Chun, what are you talking about? I should thank you for taking care of my two disciples over the past four years." Xie An told the truth.

Last night, while chatting around the fire, He Chunli and Han Li talked about many things in the past, especially the care given to them by Tangjiabao and Liu Chun, as well as their concern for Xie An.

Xie An kept them all in mind.

Only when you are down and out, you will know who treats you well and who doesn't. It's like drinking water and knowing whether it's hot or cold.

After some pleasantries, the two gradually became more familiar with each other and talked about the past.

Liu Chun was reminiscing about the time he and Xie An had worked together, beheading the son of a prince, breaking a century-old bronze bell...

Finally, Liu Chunyan stated his purpose, "Brother Xie, I'm here today not only to congratulate you, but also on Zhao Qing'er's behalf. I hope you can take up your post as soon as possible. There are some issues within the Demon Suppression Division that require a decision from the General."

Xie An didn't expect that he was not anxious... but the Demon Suppression Division was anxious.

But this is easy to understand. The position of the chief director of the Demon Palace in Qingwu Town has been vacant for four years. Now that there is finally a clue, Chen Tie and others naturally want the top leader to take office as soon as possible to facilitate their work.

Xie An held the warm porcelain cup in his arms, and after a long while, he gently put it down. "Okay, I'm planning to go to the Demon Suppression Division today as well."

When Liu Chun heard Xie An agreed, he was immediately delighted. "Brother Xie is really straightforward. With the eldest princess at your side, Brother Xie will surely accomplish great things here. I will do my best to serve Brother Xie."

At the end of his speech, Liu Chun was beaming with joy, his face flushed with excitement.

For the past four years, Liu Chun has been frustrated.

Although the county's original organization was a small Demon Suppression Office, Liu Chun was the head of the office, the top leader. He lived a happy life. Later, the Demon Suppression Office was upgraded to a fifth-rank Demon Suppression Division. He thought he could become a sixth-rank deputy division chief, but it turned out not to be...

Then, Liu Chun seemed to have been forgotten... Until Xie An returned, someone remembered him for the first time and went to him to confirm Xie An's identity from afar.

Early this morning, Zhao Qing'er personally found Liu Chun and told him a shocking news: Xie An was going to be the fifth-rank general!

Liu Chun was shocked at the time and sighed: "Sure enough, I've long noticed that Xie An and the Princess have a special relationship!" Xie An's martial arts skills are obviously not very outstanding, but so what? With just one word from the Princess...didn't he still become a fifth-rank general?

To survive in the officialdom, you need someone to back you up.

Immediately, Zhao Qing'er asked Liu Chunlai to act as a lobbyist.

Liu Chun finally discovered the value of his existence...because of Xie An.

Fortunately, Xie An agreed... At least it shows that he is valuable as a lobbyist.

Moreover, Xie An was going to be a fifth-rank general, so why would he have to worry about not having a chance to make a name for himself in the future?

Four years of depression vanished in an instant.

……

The Demonic Office in Qingwu Town.

A seven-story building, next to the tea table next to the railing.

Chen Tie sat at the head of the table, leisurely brewing tea. Zhao Qing'er and Wei Haoran sat on either side, their faces solemn.

"Brother Chen, the princess is a bit partial." Zhao Qing'er peeled a tangerine and said casually, "Regardless of family background or martial arts skills, the position of General Manager should belong to Brother Chen. As far as I know, Xie An's strength is still at the Blood-rushing Realm. Even if he became the General Manager, he wouldn't be able to do anything."

Chen Tie remained calm, "The Princess's arrangement must have a profound meaning."

Zhao Qing'er used her slender fingers to break open a tangerine leaf, stuffed it into her mouth and began to chew. "Have you never doubted that the princess made a mistake?"

"Impossible!" Chen Tie rejected it outright. "Her Royal Highness the Princess is very thoughtful and has long-term plans. It's beyond your and my ability to fathom."

Wei Haoran interrupted, "Zhao Qing'er, you are being disrespectful to the Princess."

"Shut up. A subordinate should have the awareness of a subordinate. You have no right to speak here. Otherwise, this princess will punish you for treason." Zhao Qing'er did not give Wei Haoran any face at all. The latter snorted coldly, turned his head away and stopped talking.

It's so hurtful to my self-esteem.

This Zhao Qing'er is so annoying.

Every time he can't win an argument, he throws on the airs of power, as if he's never been an official in his life...

Isn't it just half a level higher than me, Wei Haoran...

Zhao Qing'er handed half a peeled tangerine to Chen Tie. "I don't have any personal problem with Xie An, but I feel he's unsettled in his position as the head of the Demon Palace in Qingwu Town. I've asked Liu Chun to ask him for his opinion. It would be best if he rejects the letter of appointment. Then, Senior Brother Chen can take over. Then everything else will be easy."

Chen Tie, who had taken the tangerine and was about to eat it, lost his appetite after hearing this. He put down his feeling and slammed the table, "Nonsense! Call Liu Chun back quickly."

Zhao Qing'er was stunned. "Everyone has gone. Don't worry, Senior Brother Chen, I meant to ask Liu Chun to urge Xie An to take office. I didn't mean to go against the Princess's wishes."

Chen Tie finally breathed a sigh of relief. "You guys are still too young. You don't understand the princess's considerations. Do you think the princess can make the decision on upgrading the Qingwu Demon Suppression Office?"

Zhao Qing'er finally realized the seriousness of the problem and sat up straight, "Please give me some advice, Brother Chen."

Chen Tiedao said, "The Nanyang Demon Suppression Office, where the Princess is currently in charge, is now under the jurisdiction of the Nanzhou Demon Suppression Office. It's just that the Princess's status is special, so the Demon Suppression Office doesn't dare to interfere.

To upgrade the Qingwu Demon Suppression Office, we first need the consent of the Demon Suppression State Office. The position of Chief Office is not only desired by the Princess, but also by the King of Huainan. Initially, the Princess did want me to be the Chief Office, but the Demon Suppression State Office refused to agree and wanted to use their own people.

Zhao Qing'er suddenly realized, "So you compromised?"

Chen Tiedao said, "That's right. Even if you can't use your own people, you can't let the other party's people take the position. In the end, the princess had to find a compromise and chose someone without faction to serve as the general director. But I didn't expect that person to be Xie An."

Eh.

Zhao Qing'er sighed, "The waters of Nanzhou are so deep that even Her Royal Highness the Princess has to compromise."

Chen Tiedao said, "The court is inherently complex, and many things are achieved through compromise. Although Xie An's power is not strong, this also has an advantage. It can easily make the people of Huainan Prince relax their vigilance. In addition... although Xie An has not joined a faction, he is generally closer to us."

Zhao Qing'er and Wei Haoran then understood the difficulties faced by the eldest princess and no longer had anything to say to Xie An.

Chen Tie noticed their expressions and took the opportunity to criticize them, "We are all in the same camp, sharing honor and disgrace. We should put aside our grudges. Xie An as the general manager is the best option at the moment. He is not strong enough, so we should assist him. If there is anything, just bear with us."

Zhao Qing'er and Wei Haoran nodded in agreement. Chen Tie breathed a sigh of relief, "That's more like it. Our opponents are the Changsheng Sect and the King of Huainan.

The Nanzhou Demon Suppression Prefecture Office had already dispatched two officers, Zhu and Liu, to the Qingwu Demon Suppression Prefecture Office. They are currently patrolling the Shuideng Town area. In addition, the Demon Suppression Prefecture Office has also assigned a deputy chief officer and a patrol inspector. They will soon take up their posts and may have already arrived in Qingwu County. They just haven't come to the government office yet.

Wei Haoran angrily said, "The Demon Suppression Prefecture Office simply can't stand to see us prosper. It would be fine if they sent a deputy chief, but they also sent a provincial inspector. Doesn't that mean they're above the chief? This time, the princess is still at a disadvantage."

The Inspector General represents the will of the Demon Suppression Prefecture and can naturally suppress the Chief Inspector of the Qingwu Demon Suppression Prefecture.

You have to know that the chief of the Demon Suppression Prefecture is a high-ranking official of the Second Rank. He is a top figure who can come to the capital to meet the emperor at any time.

Chen Tie's eyes flickered, "The Princess is temporarily at a disadvantage only on the surface, but it may not be so in secret..."

Just then, a voice came from outside the door.

"I, Liu Chun, and Xie An, request an audience with Lord Chen."

Xie An!

Chen Tie immediately stopped talking and gave Zhao Qing'er and Wei Haoran a look. The two immediately cleared the oranges on the table and stood behind Chen Tie with solemn expressions.

Chen Tie straightened his clothes and said, "Please come in."

Liu Chun brought Xie An and Yu He inside and bowed to Zhao Qing'er first, "Chairman Zhao, I have lived up to your expectations."

Zhao Qing'er said indifferently, "Well done, you may leave."

"I'll take my leave." Liu Chun left happily.

I feel very satisfied to receive a compliment from Zhao Qing'er.

"Brother Xie, please sit down." Chen Tie invited Xie An to sit down and offered to pour him some tea. "Brother Xie, what do you think about the letter of appointment?"

Xie An took out the letter of appointment, handed it to Chen Tie, and said humbly, "In theory, it is a gift from the princess, and I cannot refuse it. However, this place is full of talented people. There are Princess Zhao Qing'er, the daughter of Prince Bao, Wei Haoran, the son of Duke Wei, and Lord Chen in charge of the central government. I am a lowly person, so I dare not interfere."

Although he had a plan in mind, when it came time to take office, Xie An felt that he still needed to be humble and see the attitudes of these people.

Although it seems a bit hypocritical...but it seems that everyone in this world is like this.

When a minister who plotted rebellion came to power, he would always decline the position three times. On the one hand, it was to show his noble character and helplessness, and on the other hand, it was to test the intentions and attitudes of the other ministers.

If a few important officials stand out and oppose him, he cannot take the throne by force.

Although it has been planned for a long time, the process still needs to be followed.

Xie An felt that his actions today had a bit of this flavor.

What kind of person is Chen Tie?

He saw through Xie An's thoughts at a glance, but did not expose them. He smiled and said, "Brother Xie, you worry too much. We are all officials appointed by the court and have received great favors from the princess. We should follow her lead and be devoted to her.

Since the Princess has chosen Brother Xie to be the Chief, I, Chen Tie, Zhao Qing'er, and Wei Haoran will of course fully assist Brother Xie."

After saying this, Chen Tie didn't forget to wink at Zhao Qing'er and Wei Haoran. The two of them suddenly came to their senses and expressed their opinions.

"Zhao Qing'er, I am willing to assist General Xie with all my strength."

"Wei Haoran, I am willing to assist General Xie with all my strength."

Although the two of them usually compete with each other and see who is better, they are still clear-headed when it comes to major issues.

Xie An did not expect the three men to be so blunt. He continued to resign, "Master Chen, how can this be done? How about I resign from the eldest princess and become a small demon-suppressing guard? I can also serve the princess wholeheartedly."

After hearing this, Chen Tie was so shocked that he didn't dare to sit down. He quickly stood up and bowed, saying with a little panic: "Absolutely not. If Brother Xie resigns, it will appear that we are ignorant. To be honest, even if Brother Xie resigns, I, Chen Tie, cannot be the general manager."

Xie An was stunned, "Why is this?"

Chen Tie recounted the entire dispute between the Princess and the Nanzhou Demon Suppression Division, concluding, "The new General Director must not be affiliated with either the Princess or the King of Huainan. Brother Xie is the perfect fit. If Brother Xie resigns, then Chen Tie will have no choice but to face the Princess and offer himself up to her."

Xie An bowed deeply and said, "Since that's the case, I will respectfully obey your command."

Chen Tie didn't know why, but beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. "Subordinate, greets General Xie."

Although it was just a few simple conversations, everyone present felt that General Manager Xie was experienced in handling matters.

Zhao Qing'er and Wei Haoran also stood up to express their opinions.

"Subordinate, greets General Xie."

Xie An hurriedly helped everyone up and said, "No, no, no. I'm new here and I still need your guidance in many areas. After all, I'm just a figurehead and still need to rely on you gentlemen."

"General Xie is too modest. The person chosen by the princess is definitely not holding an empty position. The Qingwu Demon Suppression Division must rely on your Excellency's divine judgment." Chen Tie's forehead was covered with more cold sweat.

This guy... doesn't look like a newcomer to the officialdom at all. All these tricks... I can't handle it.

More importantly, even though Chen Tie was a close confidant of the princess, he couldn't tell the depth of Xie An's relationship with her. Now that he had seen Xie An's various methods, he felt a great deal of pressure.

Zhao Qing'er and Wei Haoran had the same thoughts in their minds.

After some pleasantries, Chen Tie said, "Thank you, General Manager, since you've just arrived. I'll show you around and take you to the rest area. I'll collect your official seal, token, official robes, etc."

"Thank you!"

Chen Tie pointed to the top floor of the seventh floor and said, "This is General Xie's office. It has the best view of the entire Qingwu Town Demon Department. The place to rest is in the southeast courtyard. Please follow me."

Chen Tie led Xie An out of the high-rise building and walked around the entire Demon Suppression Bureau, introducing each office in detail.

There are document rooms, merit rooms, armories, teaching buildings, pharmacies, martial arts arenas, etc.

Xie An was shocked when he saw it.

I have never seen such a grand government office in Qingwu County.

Moreover, there are countless Demon-Suppressing Guards coming and going, and each of them has an extraordinary aura. Martial artists are not a rare thing here, and there are many hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

All companies above the department level have independent offices.

According to Chen Tie, the entire Qingwu Demon Suppression Division has four sixth-rank officials. Zhao Qing'er and Wei Haoran are two of them. In addition, there are two officials, Zhu and Liu, sent from the Nanzhou Demon Suppression Division. They are currently monitoring the remnants of the demonic forces in Dayin Mountain at Shui Deng Zhen. Each official has a separate office and oversees one hundred personnel.

Above the chief officer, there are two deputy chief officers of the fifth rank.

One of them is Chen Tie, and the other deputy general manager is from the Demon Suppression State Office, and has not yet taken office.

Above this is Xie An, the fifth-rank general.

Above the general manager, there is also an inspector sent by the Nanzhou Zhenmozhou Office, but he has not yet taken office.

After hearing this, Xie An understood in his heart: the Qingwu Town Demon Palace Office brought together the forces of the eldest princess and the King of Huainan.

The water is deep.

Finally, Chen Tie led Xie An to the southeast courtyard. The courtyard here was grand and elegant, with two rows of weapon racks filled with various weapons.

On the eight-immortals table in the living room were official uniforms, belts, tokens, official seals, etc.

Chen Tie extended his hand and said, "General Xie, please change into your official uniform and wear your token. I will go to the seventh floor and wait for you to arrive to discuss matters."

After saying that, Chen Tie bowed and left with Zhao Qing'er and Wei Haoran, leaving only Xie An and Yu He in the living room.

Yuhe stepped forward and stroked the official uniform. "What exquisite material! It's made of the finest silk, trimmed with gold. The workmanship and embroidery are both exceptional. I'm afraid no one in the entire Qingwu County can produce such silk. The uniform of a fifth-rank official is truly extraordinary."

"Master, put on this official robe and you will be a fifth-rank official in the imperial court. You will also be the chief officer of the Demon Suppression Division. Everyone in Qingwu County will call you 'General Officer' when they see you."

It was still morning, and the bright sunshine poured down, making the gold edges of the official uniforms shine brightly.

Xie An slowly walked to the Eight Immortals Table, reached out and gently stroked the material of the official uniform, feeling every stitch and thread of the embroidery, as well as the silver python pattern on it.

Then he gently stroked the official seal and token.

The official seal was pitch black, and it was engraved with a three-headed, entwined python. The carving was exquisite, lifelike, and visually striking. As for the black metal token, it was a small rectangular shape, engraved with the official's name, representing the general's status.

All of this is what many martial artists dream of all their lives.

But now it is placed in front of Xie An.

Then, Xie An said, "Yuhe, change my clothes for me."

(End of this chapter)