I, Kangxi, am here to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming!

……

To make their "secret base" safer.

Hong Xiguan came up with another wicked trick.

He ordered the construction of animal enclosures around the Leopard House in the Western Garden.

They brought in several half-grown tigers and leopards from the royal hunting grounds and kept them there.

They euphemistically called it: "Following in the footsteps of our ancestors, we must not forget the fundamentals of riding, archery, fishing, and hunting, and observe fierce beasts to cultivate our heroic spirit."

The news reached Ao Bai's ears.

After hearing this, Ao Bai simply stroked his beard and smiled contemptuously.

"Is the Ming Zhengde Emperor raising leopards? He really thinks he's a tyrant."

"Let him be. A king whose body has been emptied by wine, women, wealth, and sensual pleasures is much easier to deal with than a king who is diligent and hardworking."

Ao Bai completely lowered his guard.

In his view, the young emperor had completely "gone astray" and was no longer a threat.

Unbeknownst to him, the roars of those ferocious beasts became the best soundproofing wall for the warehouse, silencing the boys' daily screams and cries.

……

The days passed by.

The engagement ceremony proceeded smoothly and according to plan.

According to the custom of the Qing Dynasty, after the engagement, the Sony family would send people to the palace to deliver "New Year's gifts" during festivals.

Among them, there are always a few small items made by Heseri himself.

Sometimes it's a sachet with crooked stitches, sometimes it's a handkerchief embroidered with an ugly little tiger.

Hong Xiguan would only frown each time he received it.

Is this a nine-year-old girl's craft class assignment? Her needlework skills aren't even as good as mine from sewing socks in my past life.

Forget it, it's just a tool for a political marriage, don't overthink it.

Hong Xiguan casually tossed these things to the eunuch beside him and then ignored them.

On this day, Soetu came to pay his respects with a joyful expression.

"Your Majesty, my father is going to the palace today to meet with the Empress Dowager to discuss the details of the betrothal ceremony. My niece... of the Hesheli clan will also be coming with her. I was thinking, could we... arrange for you two to meet by chance in the Imperial Garden?"

Soetu rubbed his hands together, looking like a matchmaker who said, "You can trust me to handle things."

Hong Xiguan was reading a book and didn't even look up when he heard this.

"What's there to see? We're not even twenty years old combined, what's there to see?"

Are you kidding me? Meeting a nine-year-old girl? What are you going to talk about? Have you finished your homework for tomorrow's school session? Or are you going to play house?

Just thinking about all this makes me cringe so badly. It's unnecessary, really unnecessary!

"This..." Soetu was rebuffed and somewhat embarrassed.

Hong Xiguan put down his book and, seeing his expression, knew that he had spoken too bluntly and might have hurt the feelings of the Sony family.

So he changed his tone and patted Suo'etu's shoulder earnestly: "Suo'etu, as you know, my mind is currently focused on state affairs and... martial arts training. It's too early for me to be sentimental. After the wedding, we'll have plenty of time to meet. There's no rush."

Yes, that's the tone of a "career man": "I love the country more than the beauty." This persona is pretty much right, isn't it?

Seeing that Suo'etu was about to persuade him again, Hong Xiguan immediately changed the subject, showing an interested expression on his face.

"Right! Isn't today the grand competition? Let's go! Let's see how my 'Receiving the Power of Nature' youth troupe is doing in their practice!"

Having said that, without waiting for Suo'etu's reaction, he strode towards the West Garden.

Helpless, Suo'etu had no choice but to jog to catch up.

……

Xiyuan, the venue for the competition.

The atmosphere was as heavy as a battlefield.

After a month of grueling training, the boys' eyes and demeanor have changed dramatically.

They are no longer subservient lackeys, but a pack of young wolves poised to pounce.

"The competition begins!"

With a command given.

The boys, who had been fighting in pairs, instantly became embroiled in a fierce battle!

There are no fancy moves, only deadly strikes!

Chokehold! Tendon severance! Joint lock!

Every move they made were the military combat techniques that Suo'etu had them practice!

On the stands, Hong Xiguan's face was calm, but his eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

Impressive! Their combat effectiveness has improved by more than one level compared to a month ago! I didn't expect that Suo'etu would be such a master at training troops!

Hong Xiguan's gaze was fixed on a figure.

Li Xu!

His "Haha Beads" were also the core team he trained earliest.

At this moment, Li Xu was like a tiger descending the mountain.

His opponent was equally strong, and the two fought fiercely, their blows landing squarely.

The opponent was clearly stronger, so Li Xu did not confront him head-on, but instead used his agility to dodge and focus his attacks on the opponent's lower body.

After several dozen rounds, Li Xu took advantage of his opponent's unstable lower body and delivered a swift sweeping leg kick, causing his opponent to fall to the ground.

Before the other party could get up, Li Xu pounced on him like a hungry tiger, delivering a clean and swift chop to the side of the other party's neck!

The boy groaned and fainted on the spot.

Fast! Accurate! Ruthless!

The entire audience was stunned!

Even the guards of the Plain Yellow Banner who were in charge of supervision showed expressions of surprise.

This kid's skills are already almost as good as those of us veterans!

In the end, Li Xu won the championship of this competition without any suspense, with a perfect record!

He walked up to Hong Xiguan, knelt on one knee, his face showing no pride, only calmness.

"Your servant Li Xu has fortunately fulfilled his mission."

Hong Xiguan stepped down from the stands and personally helped him up.

"Good! Very good!"

He surveyed the entire room, his voice booming.

"Li Xu has won first place in this competition! I am very pleased!"

"I have decided! Li Xu is promoted to... Blue-feathered Guard! He shall assume office immediately!"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

Everyone thought they had misheard.

Soetu was so shocked that his eyes almost popped out.

Blue Feather Guards?!

That's a sixth-rank military officer! Although it's the lowest rank among the guards, it's still an official position!

How old is Li Xu? Fourteen? A fourteen-year-old bondservant has suddenly become a sixth-rank imperial guard?!

After a brief silence, the entire venue erupted in a deafening clamor of discussion!

The boys' gazes toward Li Xu instantly shifted from awe to fervor!

The way they looked at the young emperor was filled with indescribable admiration and excitement!

Hong Xiguan, basking in the fervent gazes of the crowd, felt a sense of satisfaction.

See that? This is the benefit of following me! I'll make you an official right away!

Carrots and sticks alone are not enough; we must give them a tangible dream.

Li Xu was the first dream that Hong Xiguan set up for the young bondservantes.

Make a name for yourself!

They will unleash a hundredfold, a thousandfold, of energy in order to become the next "Li Xu".