If you don't bring disaster to the world, what kind of henchman are you to be?

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room was stunned.

Zhu Qing suppressed a smile, her heart filled with emotion.

Sure enough, the law of the Jade Throne and Golden Buddha applies everywhere.

These two gold ingots were just melted down by Zhu Qing today.

During this time, he extorted money and bribes, taking advantage of every opportunity. In addition, there were some gifts from Guo Qin before he came, and he had more than 500 taels of gold alone.

In order to get promoted smoothly this time, he had someone melt down two gold ingots, just waiting for the opportunity to pave the way, and now they came in handy.

And unexpectedly, he skipped the deputy centurion and went straight to the position of full commander!

This was a huge surprise for him.

As he came to his senses, Xu Lai was still talking eloquently beside him: "Zhu Qing has made such great contributions at such a young age, the court should entrust him with important responsibilities."

"Xiao Ting, aren't you right?"

Yang Ting, standing to the side, smirked and then flattered, "Yes, yes, Godfather has always had a keen eye for talent and knows how to recognize and use people."

"As the saying goes, the capable are often burdened with more work, and I've always felt that Zhu Qing is capable of great things!"

"Yes, that makes sense."

Xu Lai gently raised his hand: "Submit a memorial tomorrow, and I'll approve it."

"yes!"

Xu Lingyun, standing to the side, clenched his fist secretly, his face grim.

In this way, wouldn't Zhu Qing be on equal footing with him in terms of official rank?

This really annoyed him.

"Not only Zhu Qing, but all of you have made outstanding contributions in this case. I will truthfully claim credit for you before the Emperor."

"It's getting late, everyone should get some rest."

After Xu Lai finished speaking in two short sentences, he turned to leave. Yang Ting wanted to help him out the door, but Xu Lai stopped and spoke leisurely.

"Xiao Ting, you've spent the whole day with this old man. Go back and rest."

"Zhu Qing, I'm old and senile, please help me into the sedan chair."

Yang Ting's expression stiffened slightly, but returned to normal in an instant.

Zhu Qing was also slightly surprised. She quickly stepped forward to help the old eunuch, and the two of them slowly walked to the door.

The people in the hall watched quietly, each with a different expression.

"Hehe, Commander Zhu really has risen through the ranks so quickly, directly promoted to centurion, now on par with Centurion Zhang," Xu Lingyun said sarcastically.

"This is a good thing."

Zhang Sanshi ignored his attempts to sow discord, bowed slightly to Yang Ting, and then left.

Guo Zhendong followed closely behind, but suddenly turned back to look at Yang Ting and Xu Lingyun, his deep eyes filled with a sense of loneliness.

On the ramp in front of the government office.

"Eunuch Xu, watch your step," Zhu Qing said calmly.

"well."

Xu Lai, walking with a limp, chuckled and said, "You're such a funny little kid, my family likes you very much."

"This humble official thanks you for your kindness, Eunuch!"

"Little Zhu, we know you're a hereditary member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, you've read some books, do you like reading history?" Xu Lai suddenly changed the subject.

His seemingly casual question sent alarm bells ringing in Zhu Qing's mind.

Such an old fox never speaks carelessly.

He paused for a moment, then replied truthfully, "Reporting to Father-in-law, I am quite interested."

Xu Lai nodded slightly: "My family has recently taken to reading Tang Dynasty history. Do you know about the rebellion in the fifteenth year of the Tianbao era?"

Zhu Qingwei pondered her memories: "Is Grandpa referring to the An Lushan Rebellion?"

This world is strange. The historical timeline before the Great Yu Dynasty is almost identical to my memory of the Chinese civilization, and there was also a prosperous Tang Dynasty.

Xu Lai said slowly and deliberately, "That's right. I've always been puzzled. When the city fell, Prime Minister Yang said to go south, while the Crown Prince said to go north. Each of them had their own reasons."

"Xiaoqing, from your perspective as a young person, who do you think is more reasonable?"

When this question was posed, Zhu Qing knew it was a death trap.

A good answer means you've managed to climb the social ladder by associating with Xu Lai, which will lead to a smooth and successful career.

If things don't go well, my position as a centurion will be in jeopardy.

Therefore, he pondered for a moment and did not answer immediately. Xu Lai did not press him for an answer and simply walked slowly.

It's about thirty steps from here to the ramp where the horse-drawn carriage will be.

With ten steps remaining, Zhu Qingfang smiled faintly and said, "Eunuch Xu's question has truly stumped me. I am young and ignorant, and can only offer some humble opinions."

"Prime Minister Yang suggested going south because Sichuan and Chongqing were originally his territory, and it was inevitable that he would have the intention to recreate the Eastern Han and Cao Wei dynasties."

"The Crown Prince went north because of the Shuofang Army, whose generals are mostly his henchmen. Who knows if he has any intention of serving the emperor?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Lai slowed his pace.

Zhu Qing continued, "Therefore, I believe that I cannot know whose plan is better, but they all have their own ulterior motives, and none of them are considering the Emperor's interests."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Lai slowly turned his head, and a smile gradually appeared on his pale face.

"Good, it's rare to see a young person put so much effort into historical research. You have a good temperament, a talent for martial arts, and more importantly, you have knowledge. We haven't misjudged you."

His eyes betrayed his undisguised admiration, and he slowly raised his hand to take the two gold ingots out of his wide sleeve.

"Take it back. I'm content that you have the heart to be filial to our family."

Zhu Qing's eyes widened in surprise: "Eunuch Xu, this..."

"Don't worry, we won't go back on our word to you, the centurion."

Xu Lai took Zhu Qing's hand and placed the gold on it: "Your monthly salary is only a few coins. In the future, you'll need gold and silver to pave the way for your official career."

"Our family is rootless; without the sage, we are nothing. What use is this gold nugget to us?"

Zhu Qing declined again, but Xu Lai insisted, so he finally nodded and withdrew his offer.

"Hehe, you're taking this too."

Then Xu Lai took out a fist-sized wooden box from his wide sleeve. When he opened it, there was a glittering white pearl inside.

"This is the Disheng Pearl, a holy medicine for healing wounds. It is the culmination of Qingxi Sect's medical skills. Only ten pearls are produced each year. It can bring the dead back to life and heal flesh and bone."

As he listened to his introduction, Zhu Qing's pupils constricted slightly, and her hands trembled a little.

A while ago, when he bought the Tianya Kelu, he had caught a glimpse of this so-called Disheng Pearl, which was known in the martial arts world as one of the three holy medicines for internal injuries!

It is said that each Disheng pearl is made from at least one hundred ten-year-old oysters, making them extremely precious.

Compared to it, the Red Jade Cicada that I had obtained before was far less rare.

"Eunuch Xu, this is far too precious. I am merely a junior in the Body Refining Realm and am unworthy to receive such a gift."

Xu Lai placed it in Zhu Qing's hands and said earnestly, "You're still young, you'll be useful sooner or later."

"My father-in-law has not only promoted me but also given me a sacred medicine. I truly do not know how to repay such a great kindness."

"Your dedication to your duties and loyalty to the sage is your way of repaying our family."

Xu Lai patted Zhu Qing on the shoulder and said with satisfaction, "Keep up the good work. A golden carp is no ordinary fish; it will transform into a dragon when it encounters wind and rain."

"Our family is willing to send you a rain shower."

After saying that, he stepped onto the back of a little eunuch and got into the sedan chair.

Watching the sedan chair gradually disappear into the distance, Zhu Qing finally came to her senses and let out a long sigh of relief.

Phew~ I've passed this level!

The current political situation in the court is turbulent and unpredictable, with the struggle between the Tang faction and the Prince of Chu intensifying.

The question that Eunuch Xu asked just now, seemingly about history, was actually a test to see who he was on the side of and whose people he was working for.

Zhu Qing did not give a clear answer, but rationally implied that she did not favor any particular side and was only loyal to the Emperor.

That's how they got past him and even received a miraculous healing medicine, which was like having an extra life-saving charm.

More importantly, I've managed to latch onto this powerful figure!

As the saying goes, "It's easy to be an official if you have connections in the court." Previously, he was bullied and oppressed because he had no power or influence.

Now that I've climbed up to the position of Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, I can say I have a powerful backer!