Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

Zhou Qingfeng relayed the conversation in the warm chamber of the Red Mansion to Qiu Chengde.

He wanted to ask Qiu Chengde whether his guess was true.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Chengde stroked his beard and smiled: "My disciple, the lady is testing you today only to determine whether you have the business acumen to manage the five major workshops, not necessarily to hand them over to you."

"Don't rush into anything before this is officially announced, and don't mention it to anyone else."

"It should be known that things are accomplished in secrecy, and ruined by leaks."

"Before many things are settled, there are still many variables. What you need to do now is to join the Censorate, do your job well, and establish yourself."

Zhou Qingfeng looked serious and clasped his hands in a salute: "Thank you for your teachings, Master. I know what to do now."

The five major workshops are the core economic lifeline of the First Family, bringing unimaginable profits to the First Family every year. Whoever controls the five major workshops is equivalent to controlling immense power.

However, the relationships between the five major workshops are complex and intertwined.

A new leader taking office will bring about a new era of change.

Once a change occurs, it will affect many vested interests.

If today's conversation were to get out, it would immediately put us on the opposite side of those who benefit from the status quo.

Are these vested interests related to Ma, Mao, Tang, Song, Zhu, and the three collateral branches of the first family? Or are there hidden forces lurking deeper within the Sword Tower that see them as a thorn in their side?

How could they tolerate him taking over the five workshops? They would definitely try to stop him. At that time, open and covert attacks, framing, and dirty and despicable means would come at him, plunging him into an abyss of no return.

High position and great power mean turbulent times and hidden dangers.

One wrong move and you could be swept up in the undercurrents and forced to make a dismal exit.

As the art of war says, a skillful strategist seeks advantage in the situation, not in the individual; thus, he can select the right people to command the situation. When he commands the situation, his battles are as swift as turning a log or a stone.

To put it bluntly, opportunity always favors the prepared.

The mother's lack of explicit statement was, in fact, a strategic protection for herself.

What I need to do is continue to develop, accumulate strength, and build my own core team by leveraging the Censorate, a high-level power institution, so as to lay a solid foundation for taking over the five major workshops in the future.

Otherwise, even if the opportunity comes your way, you will miss it due to insufficient preparation.

"Good." Qiu Chengde nodded with satisfaction. He liked his disciple's intelligence the most. Many things did not need to be said too bluntly. He would say half and leave the other half unsaid, and his disciple would understand the rest on his own.

After a moment's thought, Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands in a fist and asked for guidance on cultivation. After all, his master was extremely busy, with a mountain of affairs to handle every day. It was a rare opportunity to ask him about cultivation, so he couldn't miss it.

"Master, I've already reached the Devouring Fiend Realm, what's next?"

"Your disciple is full of doubts and begs for guidance from your master."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Chengde smiled slightly: "The realm of Devouring Fiends is a preparation for advancing to the realm of Devouring Poisons. Once you reach the realm of Devouring Poisons, you will become a carrier of the rules of heaven and earth, and the spells and supernatural powers you use will also involve the rules."

"So you need to think ahead about what rules you want to learn in the future. You need to study these kinds of techniques and supernatural abilities in advance when you reach the Devouring Fiend Realm. Then you will be able to save a lot of energy and time when you reach the Devouring Poison Realm."

"You must think carefully about what kind of person you want to become in the future."

"What kind of person you become and what you do are related to the goals you pursue in your future life."

"As your teacher, I hope that you can choose to walk the path you love because of your passion, rather than being forced by circumstances or influenced by your environment."

"It is because of passion that we can persevere."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands and said, "Master, I have always known what I am pursuing and what path I am on. I have already found the path I want to take."

Qiu Chengde stroked his beard and smiled: "That's excellent."

Finding the path you love seems like a simple question, but it's actually quite difficult to answer.

Some people love being teachers from a young age and continue to be teachers as adults. This is because they are pursuing their lifelong passion, which is why they can persevere for decades and achieve remarkable success.

Some people never know what they love from a young age. They love this today and that tomorrow, but in the end, they gain nothing and never find the path they truly love in their entire lives.

Although there are countless roads, every one leads to the summit.

But without the crucial element of passion, one cannot reach the pinnacle.

These roads are frequented by officials, clerks, advisors, coroners, and sorcerers.

Thief, brothel patron, gambler, actor, musician, chess player.

Calligraphers, painters, nuns, Taoist priests, monks, and guards.

Swordsmen, military officers, soldiers, beggars, prostitutes, and street performers.

Fortune teller, matchmaker, barber, night watchman, doctor, private tutor.

Novelist, storyteller, gourmet, chef, accountant.

Farmers, flower growers, silkworm farmers, beekeepers, pig farmers, shepherds, cattle herders, horse herders, hunters, butchers, fishermen, carpenters, stonemasons, blacksmiths, silk weavers, leather craftsmen, winemakers, paper craftsmen...

The Poisonous Realm is about finding your place in this mortal world, persisting on the path you chose because of your passion, without regret, unlike the previous three realms where you aimlessly increased your combat power.

This realm has been significantly refined and improved; it is now more detailed, more specific, and stronger.

For example, Zhou Qingfeng is currently in the Devouring Fiend Realm and loves the path of power. The best thing for him is to become an official and cultivate power-related techniques and supernatural abilities to lay a good foundation for ascending to the Devouring Poison Realm in the future and becoming a carrier of the rules of power.

For example, if someone is passionate about autopsies, then the best thing for them is to become a coroner and practice autopsy techniques and supernatural abilities.

For example, some people are passionate about conquering...

Everyone has different passions, and therefore chooses different paths.

The master and apprentice chatted for a whole day in the secluded courtyard.

Throughout the day, Qiu Chengde did not handle any official business, devoting all his personal time to his disciple. He taught his disciple what to pay attention to and what to avoid in the Food of Evil Realm, and repeatedly instructed Zhou Qingfeng not to study techniques and supernatural abilities based on the ranking list, as the ranking list only comprehensively evaluates the strongest batch of techniques and supernatural abilities.

Qiu Chengde discovered that no matter what level his disciple was at or what magical arts he practiced, he always chose the one ranked first. He wouldn't learn anything that wasn't ranked first. Qiu Chengde didn't know if he looked down on it or if he thought everything outside of the top rank was trash. Qiu Chengde had to correct this wrong idea of ​​his disciple.

The next morning arrived in the blink of an eye.

Qiu Chengde personally took Zhou Qingfeng to the Censorate to complete his formal employment procedures.

The Censorate, located north of Sword Tower City, is one of the core high-level power institutions in Sword Tower City.

Once the onboarding procedures are completed, you are officially considered to have started working.

Qiu Chengde took Zhou Qingfeng around the entire Censorate, showing him the departments and functions of the Censorate.

Qiu Chengde pointed to a courtyard marked with a sign and said, "This is the first supervisory office of the Censorate, which is mainly responsible for supervising all officials and impeaching officials who violate the law or neglect their duties."

"This humble official greets Commander Qiu!" Officials passing by greeted Qiu Chengde with clasped hands and a respectful bow.

Qiu Chengde nodded slightly, said nothing more to them, and led Zhou Qingfeng to another courtyard: "This is the Second Advisory Office, which is responsible for discussing the merits and demerits of governance, making criticisms and suggestions, and playing a role in public opinion supervision."

"The three Drum Inspection Offices were responsible for receiving and processing memorials from civil and military officials and the public, ensuring that all opinions and appeals were properly addressed."

"The Ever-Normal Granary Office is responsible for basic livelihood issues such as food, housing, education, medical care, infrastructure, environmental sanitation, and cultural entertainment, as well as supervising the market and ensuring the stability of people's livelihood."

"The Fifth Division, Plum Blossom Division, is responsible for investigating, arresting, and interrogating individuals involved in major cases such as treason and corruption."

"The Six Demon Suppression Divisions were established to prevent local officials from abusing their power. As the city lord's representative in the local area, they supervise the administrative and judicial activities of local officials in castles and villages throughout the territory, and are responsible for suppressing local demons and monsters."

"Seven places..."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng asked curiously, "Commander, what happened to the Seventh Division? Why didn't you say anything?"

Qiu Chengde smiled and said, "The Seventh Division has been vacant for a long time, with no personnel activity, but it is called the Secret Intelligence Division."

"The people in the Secret Service have a unified name: Plum Blossom Secret Agents."

"The identity and origin of each spy are top secret and will never be revealed to the public. They only use code names to address each other. Once you become a Plum Blossom Spy, you can never leave and will forever remain hidden in the shadows."

"They are only loyal to the lady and are only responsible to her. I am just acting on her behalf."

Zhou Qingfeng's heart tightened, and he clasped his hands in a salute: "Thank you for your explanation, Commander. I have learned a lot."

Qiu Chengde smiled slightly: "Among these seven departments, is there a place you'd like to join?"

Zhou Qingfeng licked his lips and tentatively asked, "Choose whatever you like?"

Qiu Chengde smiled and said, "That's right, take your pick. I have that much authority."

Zhou Qingfeng lowered his head slightly, lost in thought.

Qiu Chengde stood aside and waited quietly, giving Zhou Qingfeng the opportunity to choose freely. The seven departments represented seven different paths. Even as a mentor, he couldn't help too much, otherwise Zhou Qingfeng would miss out on many essential life experiences.

All he could do was to provide support for his disciple within his capabilities.

Zhou Qingfeng frowned, deep in thought. He knew too little about the seven departments of the Censorate, and his information was too limited. How could he make an accurate judgment?

Life has entered a new stage, and at this moment, the path of destiny presents seven forks in the road once again.

Each fork in the road represents a different future outcome.

Such an important moment.

Deep within his consciousness, Zhou Qingfeng summoned the crimson, mysterious divination bucket and cast a divination for himself.

Silently recite the command, then draw the lots!

Seven divination sticks flew out of the crimson, mysterious divination bucket, wobbling precariously.

[A very unlucky omen; a supervisory office, an ominous sign.]

[Medium-level decree, Second Office of Remonstrance, Neutral]

[A very bad omen; three places marked by drum inspections; an ominous sign.]

[A very bad omen; recommended for promotion to the Ever-Normal Granary in four different places; an ominous sign.]

[Auspicious Fortune Telling, Fifth Division, Plum Blossom Office, Good Fortune]

[The worst possible omen; the Sixth Division of Demon Suppression is inauspicious.]

[Neutral sign, Seventh Secret Intelligence Bureau, Neutral]

Looking at the divination results deep within his consciousness, Zhou Qingfeng followed the basic principle of choosing auspicious if there was one, and neutral if there was no auspicious. He then bowed and clasped his hands decisively and firmly, saying, "Commander, I am going to the Fifth Plum Blossom Division."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Chengde nodded slightly: "Alright, from now on you will be in charge of the Fifth Division of the Plum Blossom Bureau. Follow me."

Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands in response and followed Qiu Chengde to the Fifth Plum Blossom Division.

As we entered the Fifth Plum Blossom Office.

Many officials in the department quickly rose and bowed: "Your humble servant greets Commander Qiu."

Qiu Chengde, dressed in a blue official robe, stood with his hands behind his back, looking dignified: "I have brought a man to your Fifth Division. He is Zhou Qingfeng, the deputy commander. He should have started his post ten years ago, but it was delayed due to some matters."

"From now on, he will be in charge of the five Plum Blossom Divisions, and he will be responsible for all matters, big and small."

Qiu Chengde's tone was not one of discussion, but rather of notification. He did not seek the opinions of the officials of the Five Plum Blossom Divisions at all, because the procedure was correct, the identities were correct, the official positions were correct, and everything was legal and compliant.

Upon hearing this, the hundreds of officials from the five Plum Blossom Divisions exchanged glances secretly, clasped their hands in salute, and replied, "Yes, Commander Qiu."

"This humble official greets Deputy Commander Zhou." Hundreds of officials bowed to Zhou Qingfeng in unison.

Seeing this, Qiu Chengde called out, "Luo Bingyi, the head of the Fifth Division."

Luo Bingyi, the head of the Fifth Division, dressed in a blue official robe, stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Your humble servant is here."

Qiu Chengde glanced at him, not intending to say much. He had only called him out so that Zhou Qingfeng could recognize someone. He patted Zhou Qingfeng's arm and said, "Do a good job and don't let me down. I have important matters to attend to, so I won't stay here any longer."

Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands in a salute: "Commander, I'll see you off."

Qiu Chengde smiled slightly: "No need, please stay."

Zhou Qingfeng watched Qiu Chengde leave the Fifth Bureau of Plum Blossoms, then turned to face the hundreds of officials, clasped his hands and looked around, saying: "Fellow colleagues, I am Zhou Qingfeng, temporarily serving as the Deputy Commander of the Censorate, in charge of the Fifth Bureau of Plum Blossoms. I am new here, and if there is anything I have done that is not up to par, I ask for your guidance."

The officials quickly returned the greeting with clasped hands, saying they dared not accept such a salute.

They had already heard that a new Deputy Commander Zhou was coming.

But this talk started ten years ago and continued for ten years, and they still hadn't come, making them think it was never coming. Who knew it would suddenly come, and it even took charge of their five Plum Blossom Divisions.

This caught everyone off guard, and their hearts pounded with anxiety.

Most people are afraid.

With the new broom sweeping clean, the entire Fifth Division of the Plum Blossom Bureau will undergo a new power transition.

This Deputy Commander Zhou will surely make an example of someone to establish his authority and set new rules.

At that time, I don't know what methods I'll have to come up with to torment them.

In such sensitive times, whoever gets caught is doomed.

I have to keep my eyes peeled, lest I become a scapegoat for others.

Zhou Qingfeng faced Luo Bingyi, the head of the Fifth Division, and smiled slightly: "Head Luo, would you please give me a brief introduction to the current situation of our company, such as personnel, cases, and the main business we are currently in charge of?"

Supervisor Luo smiled slightly and politely declined, saying, "I'm sorry, Deputy Commander Zhou, I have a chronic illness and have already made an appointment with a renowned doctor, but time is running out. How about this, I'll find someone for you."

"Hey you, come here for a second." Supervisor Luo pointed to a clerk who was organizing documents: "It's you, stop looking, everyone's busy, you're the only one idle, come here!"

The clerk in charge of recording and keeping archives is the lowest in status and position among the five departments of the Plum Blossom Bureau. The job is simple, but the threshold is high, and one must reach the realm of evil spirits to join.

Even though he was a master in the Food Demon Realm, he was just a minor official in the Plum Blossom Division of the Fifth Bureau of the Censorate. He didn't even have a name and was called "so-and-so" by others.

The clerk hurried over, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "This humble servant greets Supervisor Luo and Deputy Commander Zhou."

Supervisor Luo patted Zhou Qingfeng on the arm: "Deputy Commander Zhou, ask him if you have any questions. I really can't delay any longer. I've been trying to get an appointment with this famous doctor for three years. If I miss this opportunity, I don't know how long I'll have to wait."

Zhou Qingfeng smiled and said, "Manager Luo, your health is the most important thing. Go ahead."

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