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Shortly after Pei Xuanjing entered the Martial Academy, Gu Ji’s residence was hosting a colleague.

“My dear Brother Bo’an, I really envy you. As the upheavals in Tiandu are escalating, you have managed to withdraw in time, which is indeed enviable,” Gu Ji laughingly spoke to the middle-aged man that sat before him.

The colleague was named Wang Yun, an old friend, who, like Gu Ji, had become an imperial scholar at the same time. They had experienced the ups and downs of life together for several decades, and unexpectedly met each other again at the Ministry of Personnel.

Regrettably, not long after he returned, this colleague of his prepared to leave the capital for his new post at Nandu in Yingtian Prefecture.

Although Yingtian Prefecture in Nandu did not compare to Tiandu, Wang Yun was being promoted and had this opportunity to leave the center of the storm that Tiandu had become. This filled Gu Ji with envy.

If he had known the situation in Tiandu was like this, he would never have considered transferring back there.

Wang Yun, who was about to assume his post as the head of Honglu Temple in Nandu, shook his head and said, “In Nandu, where leisure prevails, how can one exercise their learning?”

“The Grand Marshal holds you in high esteem. Your departure to Nandu is but for a short time. After recuperating for a few years, you will surely rise again,” Gu Ji comforted him.

His consolation wasn’t just an empty promise. Wang Qiong, the Minister of War, greatly admired Wang Yun. It was just that Wang Yun had just been transferred from the Ministry of Households to the Ministry of War, and for the moment was unable to make any moves.

Once the current furor died down, the Grand Marshal would surely show his appreciation to Wang Yun by putting him to good use.

Hearing Gu Ji’s comforting words, Wang Yun nodded. He was well aware that the current predicament of his old friend was even more awkward than his own.

Even though he had joined the Ministry of Personnel on entry to Tiandu, he was not trusted by the high-ranking officials. Though he held the office of Vice Minister of Personnel, his duties were only of a trivial nature, and he never had the opportunity to display his capabilities.

Both looked at each other and sighed.

“Brother Bo’an, may I ask what your view on the Martial Academy is?” Gu Ji tactfully changed the subject.

Wang Yun frowned, hesitated, and then could only muster, “The Emperor’s ambitions far exceed the expectations of us ministers.”

Perhaps because of his own ups and downs during his governmental career, Wang Yun was very cautious about this matter.

Gu Ji understood his prudence. Seeing that he didn’t want to say more, he didn’t press him.

Gu Ji went on to say, “Actually, I invited you today because I have a favor to ask.”

Wang Yun looked puzzled as Gu Ji continued, “I have a friend who loves to read ‘Records of Strange Tales in Shenzhou’, and I’ve heard that you have a copy of this book that Bai Xiaosheng once had. I would like to brazenly ask you for a copy. I hope Brother Bo’an can fulfill my request.”

The man before him, aside from establishing his own line in the school of Confucianism and being known as a great Confucian scholar of this generation, also had extraordinary achievements in the cultivation of Martial Arts.

Although Wang Yun’s official career might be less stellar than Gu Ji’s, his aptitude in Martial Arts was extraordinary. Even though he was not focused on the path of Martial Arts, he had already entered the Master realm ten years ago.

For the past ten years, he had been focusing on his official career and Confucianism and had never shown his true capabilities. However, many speculated that he had already reached the second class.

Although Gu Ji did not know why Pei Xuanjing wanted these curious tales, having made a promise to him, he stepped forward to make the request on his behalf.

Wang Yun chuckled, “Since Brother Gu has requested this, of course, I won’t be stingy.”

About that book gifted by Bai Xiaosheng, he had only regarded it as a collection of odd stories, not attaching much importance to it. If it hadn’t been gifted to him by someone else, he wouldn’t even mind gifting the original copy to Gu Ji.

Pei Xuanjing perceived the Emperor’s deeper thoughts.

If the “Martial Classics” caused an increase in the number of Martial Artists entering their ranks, then it would mean that more resources for cultivation would be needed.

The Great Ming Empire as it stood was unable to support such a large number of Martial Artists. If the problem was to be solved, there was likely someone who would suggest a solution.

With the nation’s present resources insufficient to meet the empire’s needs at its peak, naturally there would be people suggesting — to seize!

When that time came, the need for resources among these low-level Martial Artists would unconsciously form a force, a force outwards for plunder.

Although the Great Ming Empire currently controlled the Divine Continent, it didn’t mean they had no enemies.

The Western Regions, the northern prairies, or overseas, none were territories of Great Ming, yet they were abundant with cultivation resources.

“If that day indeed comes, war will be inevitable,” Pei Xuanjing made a judgment.

By that time, no one would be able to stop this trend.

Not even the Civil Official Group. They could suppress the Noble Group, they could even restrain the power of the Emperor.

However, when all Martial Artists came together, the Civil Official Group would not have the power or dare to obstruct it.

In fact, when that day comes, the Civil Official Group would find themselves bound to this chariot intent on foreign plunder, or they themselves would be one of the charioteers.

“The Emperor has a wise adviser by his side!” Pei Xuanjing exclaimed.

He suddenly recalled the attitude Gu Ji had when speaking with him that day, and a guess arose in his heart.

Did the Civil Official Group see through this plan?

Had they seen through the Emperor’s ambitions?

Pei Xuanjing scoffed. If even he at his level could see through it, could those old and experienced politicians not see it?

Impossible.

If they couldn’t figure even this out, then the Noble Group wouldn’t have suffered such a harsh setback.

“It seems the waters here run deeper than I thought!” Pei Xuanjing murmured to himself.

The next day, a junior official brought someone to see Pei Xuanjing.

“Pang Hong pays his respects to the sir,” said a boy of around thirteen or fourteen years, as he bowed ceremoniously to Pei Xuanjing.

The boy seemed a bit thin, but his bright eyes were extremely spirited. He looked at Pei Xuanjing curiously, seemingly surprised at his youth.

Pei Xuanjing asked, “How old are you this year?”

“I am thirteen years old this year the boy answered, his voice crisp and clear.

The junior official standing at his side quietly informed Pei Xuanjing about the boy’s background.

The boy was of a good family background; originally a child from a military family, his parents had passed away, leaving him alone. The junior official took care of him. The official could only provide him with warm meals, and when this opportunity appeared, he wanted to secure a future for the boy.

The junior official didn’t hide that he had a relationship with the boy’s father, and he told Pei Xuanjing about it.

At thirteen, if the boy had been born into a rich and noble family, he would still be enjoying a blissful life at home.

However, for a child born into a poor family, he would have already been out looking for work to support himself.

He then asked, “Are you afraid of hard work?”

The boy shook his head resolutely, “I am not afraid of hard work. I can do a lot of things.”

Looking at the firmness in the boy’s eyes, mingling with a touch of fear and anxiety of being rejected by Pei Xuanjing, Pei Xuanjing unintentionally felt a twinge of pity.

Pei Xuanjing saw his younger self when he looked at the boy in front of him.

If he hadn’t been adopted by his master when he was young, he might not have lived long enough to wait for the activation of the simulator.

He sighed, “Alright, let him stay.”

The junior official’s face lit up, and he quickly ordered the boy to kneel and give thanks. “Quickly thank the editor for taking you in.”

The boy was about to kneel when Pei Xuanjing stopped him with an invisible force.

“There’s no need for that.”

The junior official bowed to Pei Xuanjing, “Thank you, editor, for your compassion.”

Pei Xuanjing shook his head, “There’s no need to thank me. I just feel that this child and I share a connection..”