Chapter 99: The Baitian Pavilion Takes Action

  Chu Yang stood quietly by the lake, silently getting used to the increasing power in his body, as if waiting for something...

  By dawn, this huge construction site had turned into a bustling ocean. After Tie Butian scolded those two officials last night, the six major official families did not dare to come and ask for the land and industry back, but it didn't stop them from asking for an explanation. After all, their own family's slaves and warriors were killed or injured, and several leading housekeepers were detained...

  This has caused a huge stir in the noble circle of Iron Cloud City.

  Those who came to discuss the law, those who came to watch the excitement, and some officials from the imperial court responsible for mediation, all chattered and laughed, enjoying themselves immensely.

  But the chaos only lasted for less than half a minute, and then rumbling sounds came from all directions. Troops of iron cavalry poured out from all sides, and the leading knight shouted loudly: "The Emperor has decreed that the Military Department will requisition Liutui Lake for military use. If anyone obstructs this, they will be considered rebels! The entire family will be executed, and nine clans will be implicated!"

  Several cavalry teams galloped back and forth several times, shouting this "imperial edict" more than a dozen times. Then, they jumped off their horses, placing two soldiers in each direction. The remaining cavalry let out a loud whistle and disappeared into the rolling dust.

  From start to finish, he didn't even give a glance to the people gathered on the shore who wanted to cause trouble. But the deterrent force of this imperial edict was evident.

  Several family members looked at each other in dismay and slunk away dejectedly.

  Chu Yang remained in the pavilion, closing his eyes and pretending to sleep, without making any sound. It wasn't until the cavalry left that he slightly opened his eyes, a hint of a satisfied smile flashing in them.

  The method of iron supplementing heaven is still satisfactory.

  It also shows the utmost importance attached to Chu Yang.

  "Then I'll help you with internal and external affairs!" Chu Yang smiled slightly and stood up.

  Chu Yang arrived at the Bu Tian Pavilion at noon. Cheng Zi Ang and others were all busy with tense expressions, following up on the leads they had investigated yesterday, checking out various pieces of information in a state of high tension.

  From morning till now, three teams have been sent out on missions. Everyone in the hall stood up respectfully as Chu Yang arrived.

  "Tell the three teams that have already gone out, on this road, no matter what wind blows or grass moves, they must make a detailed record. In the process of action, it is even more necessary to record everything without omission." Chu Yang arranged: "In addition, the people recruited by Bǔ Tiān Jí Xián Guǎn should be confirmed at the first time."

  "Regarding the masters recruited by Jixian Hall, which one of you audited and passed, must sign your own name. Do you know that?"

  Cheng Zilang and Chen Yutong both had a chill in their hearts: "Is the imperial seat saying... that there is also an insider in the Ji Xiangguan?"

  "I didn't say that. It's always better to be careful; once something happens, we can follow the clues and find some leads that we didn't notice before." Chu Yang smiled and said: "Also, the training hall needs to add some auxiliary equipment, all those who are at home without a mission, go train."

  Cheng Zixiang and Chen Yutong both rolled their eyes: Isn't this managing the Buxiantang in a military way? Is that okay?

  "Moreover, the prince has an order that all those who come to the Ji Xian Guan for an interview and have a cultivation level above that of a warrior will be accepted as long as they meet the requirements. They will receive one hundred taels of silver. Those who achieve merit in battle will receive gold and silver rewards, and according to their achievements, they will be granted official positions and noble titles. The highest position they can attain is... high-ranking officials in the imperial court, governors of provinces, or even princes and dukes!"

  "What? High-ranking officials of the imperial court? Provincial governors... kings, dukes, and princes?! Cheng Zikang and Chen Yutong both widened their eyes in unison: "Your Majesty, isn't this a bit..."

  Chu Yang said lightly, "No heavy rewards to attract, no future prospects; who would risk their lives? Do you really think that everyone who comes to the Bu Tian Pavilion is a hero dedicated to the country and the people? Heroes also need to eat! They also want to have wives and children, wealth and glory."

  He smiled and looked at the two of them, saying: "You are no exception."

  Cheng Ziang and Chen Yutong exchanged a glance, both seeing the sparkle in each other's eyes.

  "Did the Crown Prince really say that?" Cheng Ziyang still had some doubts. He thought to himself that he was a martial arts practitioner of the Wu Zun sect, and although he wasn't considered a top expert in the lower three days, he could still dominate one side; wanting to achieve great things wasn't very difficult.

  If Tie Butian really made such a promise, then he would have to work even harder and be more diligent!

  "I can attest to this." Chu Yang said solemnly.

  Cheng Zi and Ang's eyes couldn't help but reveal uncontrollable joy.

  "Hmm, have all the officials' records from Iron Cloud sent to me. Start with Iron Cloud City first. Only those of fifth rank and above are needed, anything lower is pointless." Chu Yang left behind these words and turned to walk out.

  There is one sentence he didn't say: The level was too low, and it wasn't worth the effort for even a gentle fifth.

  As for what Chuyang said about rewarding achievements... a hundred taels of silver is nothing, the important thing is... being enfeoffed as a high-ranking official or king, this is what's most attractive. Especially for those from humble origins and the jianghu world, in an era where officials are selected based on literary talent, it's simply unthinkable to be considered for such honors.

  Chu Yang could foresee the sensational situation caused by posting this notice.

  Chu Yang's message about transferring the officer's files was fed back to Tie Bu Tian in no time. Tie Bu Tian hastily rushed over, his butt on fire with anxiety.

  "Mr. Chu, are you going to rectify...the officials in the imperial court?" Tie Butian asked hastily before he could even sit down properly.

  "Alas, won't it do?" Chu Yang asked.

  Tie Butian smiled wryly, he always felt that his relationship with Chu Yang was a bit strange. He had been cultivating the Emperor's Divine Technique all these years, no matter how busy he was, he never stopped, and his own aura could be said to have already possessed the kind of king-like aura that made people tremble with fear at first sight.

  But every time he's with Chu Yang, Chu Yang's attitude is as if he only considers himself an ordinary person. Tie Bu Tian really can't figure out where Chu Yang's strong mentality comes from; after all, Chu Yang's information shows that he's just a youth who's not even seventeen years old yet!

  "Tie Yun has already cleansed the imperial court three times! Now it's just a matter of rectifying, it's a bit too fast... " Tie Bu Tian said somewhat bitterly: "Since Tie Yun's decline, many scholars have given up on serving as officials in Tie Yun, especially in the border regions. Too many people have moved their families to Da Zhao and taken the imperial exams to become officials..."

  In Tie Butian's heart, rectifying the imperial court was a must, but he didn't expect Chu Yang to make his move so quickly.

  "People like that, even if they stay in Iron Cloud, do you think they'll be of any use?" Chu Yang sneered and smiled, saying: "Just like the phoenix, it can only be reborn after being bathed in fire; a country too, can only truly prosper by rising from adversity! Always going with the wind and water will only lead to extinction."

  "This point, how could I not know?" Tie Butian said tiredly: "But now, we don't have that many talents left."

  "It's better to be lacking than to have too much!" Chu Yang said coldly.

  Tie Butian lowered his head in contemplation for a moment, then raised it and said: "Alright, I'll give you a list of several hundred-year-old aristocratic families. If you can handle these people... I'll turn a blind eye."

  Tie Bu Tian smiled self-deprecatingly: "These aristocratic families, with Iron Cloud's roots running deep, if they were to truly become turbulent, I'm afraid even Iron Cloud's foundation would be shaken. In the past, Second Uncle's two purges also tried to avoid... you should also be careful."

  Chu Yang's eyes flashed twice, and he said, "Alright, but if it really can't be avoided, I'll use a relatively gentle method."

  Tie Butian pretended not to understand and said: "That's the best, no matter whether it's governing the country or doing other things, being gentle is always much better."

  The two exchanged a smile, finally reaching an understanding. What Chu Yang said was gentle... Tie Butian naturally understood what he meant. But he wouldn't expose it, tacit understanding is clever, exposing it would be foolish.