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

In the inner courtyard of Sword Tower City, in the Water Garden, in the council chamber, many assistant commanders took their leave one after another. The First Lady was in deep thought, while Qiu Chengde served her ten paces away. She looked at the drafted judgment on the desk.

Zhao Kuo, the Night Patrol Officer, was dismissed from his post, investigated, and permanently barred from employment. He was also sentenced to 150 years in prison.

If Zhou Qingfeng hadn't said a few kind words at the right time today, and if Zhao Kuo hadn't written such a beautiful confession that he could explain everything from top to bottom, then the contents of this judgment would have become a reality soon.

The First Lady closed the verdict and casually tossed it into the discarded reports beside her: "This Zhao Kuo is quite clever. For the sake of the fourth prince, let him work as a deputy in logistics after he is exiled out of the city."

"Understood." Qiu Chengde bowed his head in response. With a single word from his wife, Zhao Kuo's fate was sealed. Basically, Zhao Kuo could never hope to become the head of any department within the territory of Jianta. Moreover, no matter how much power an official held outside the territory, he was far from the core of power, so what future could he possibly have?

The First Lady calmly asked, "Has the new Chief Secretary been chosen?"

Qiu Chengde said, "Currently, there are two captains in the Night Patrol Division who are both capable of serving as the head of the Night Patrol Division. Both of them are quite capable. It is up to you, Madam, to decide who will take over."

The First Lady's expression was indifferent. Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the report, as if she were thinking. After a moment of silence, she suddenly said, "From today onwards, a new Security Bureau will be established, named the Daytime Patrol Bureau. Its functions will be the same as the Nighttime Patrol Bureau. The First Duanmu will serve as the head of the Bureau. As for the new head of the Nighttime Patrol Bureau, let's follow the proper procedures."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Chengde clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and replied, "Yes, I will obey your orders, Madam."

The First Lady rose from her throne, walked to the observation deck, picked up a fishing rod, and began fishing. She calmly gazed at the beautiful scenery of the water park, her mind as clear as a mirror and her eyes as sharp as fire. No one knew what she was thinking.

However, Qiu Chengde seemed to sense something and lowered his head, remaining silent.

After this incident, the Night Patrol Office is completely unusable.

Firstly, the Night Patrol Division handled a major case, but ended up making a mistake. The mistake became a city-wide scandal, known to everyone. Zhao Kuo's incompetence was to blame, and it also thoroughly exposed the increasingly serious problem of the Night Patrol Division: everyone from top to bottom was just going through the motions. If they weren't just going through the motions, how could they have made such a big joke?

Secondly, there were behind-the-scenes manipulators behind Zhao Kuo's downfall, but the way Zhao Kuo was brought down was within the scope of the rules of the game, so there was nothing to criticize. In that case, let's set up another department and let the First Duanmu serve as the head of the Day Tour Department, so that he can check and balance each other with the newly appointed head of the Night Tour Department.

Time flies like an arrow, and half a month has passed in the blink of an eye. Zhao Kuo's punishment has been finalized. He has been demoted and exiled from the city, and is required to take up his post within a specified period. He is not allowed to stay in the Sword Tower.

Zhao Kuo, a powerful official, thus departed from the stage in obscurity.

Zhao Kuo moved away from Jianta with his entire family.

Before leaving, he made a special trip to Zhou Qingfeng to express his gratitude. He knew that without Zhou Qingfeng's mediation, his final outcome might not have been much better than that of the previous Sifu Lu Nanping.

At the city gate, the convoy stopped on the official road. Zhao Kuo faced Zhou Qingfeng, clasped his hands and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Commander Zhou, for seeing me off outside the city. If it weren't for your help at the crucial moment, I wouldn't have been able to escape this calamity."

"After today's parting, we don't know when we will meet again."

"But please believe me, Commander-in-Chief, no matter where I am, I, Zhao Kuo, will never forget this kindness. If you ever need my help in the future, please feel free to contact me. I, Zhao Kuo, will not hesitate to do so."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng's expression softened, and he smiled as he took Zhao Kuo's arm: "Alright, it's getting late. Let's hurry on our way. As long as we're alive, there's always hope for a comeback."

"Don't be discouraged, don't lose heart. Life is full of ups and downs. Today, Zhao Sifu has made a mistake and been demoted out of the city, but in the future, Zhao Sifu may still be able to make a contribution and return to the Sword Tower. The future is still uncertain, and you may still be a dark horse."

"I believe in your talent because I see qualities in you that no one else has."

"Moreover, you haven't lost everything. You've gained new freedom and a new world. I believe that with your talent, you'll definitely achieve great things in this new place!"

"At that time, I will definitely take the opportunity to report to the city lord and have you transferred back to the city for important positions."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuo's spirits lifted immediately. After drinking the bowl of chicken soup, his listless spirits were instantly lifted, and he felt a renewed sense of hope.

It has to be said that Zhou Qingfeng is very good at making motivational speeches; with just a few words, he managed to confuse Zhao Kuo.

Zhao Kuo's dejected and desperate heart gradually gave birth to new hope, and he even felt a sincere expectation for the place where he was to take up his post. His gaze towards Zhou Qingfeng became burning, and he even regarded Zhou Qingfeng as a confidant.

He hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward to hug Zhou Qingfeng, and secretly took out a brocade pouch and placed it in Zhou Qingfeng's palm. He whispered in Zhou Qingfeng's ear, "Commander-in-Chief, my ten years of service in the Ministry of Personnel were not for nothing."

"I actually know more or less about what many high-ranking officials in the Sword Tower do behind the scenes, but I can't say it, or my whole family will die."

"I originally intended to keep these secrets to myself, but the Assistant Commander has treated me like a confidant, so how could I let him down? Please take the secrets hidden in the brocade pouch and open it in a secluded place after I leave. The secrets inside may be of great use to you."

Zhou Qingfeng was taken aback for a moment, then his expression returned to normal. He calmly put the brocade pouch into his holy ring, pretended to bid farewell to Zhao Kuo, and then watched Zhao Kuo's caravan gradually disappear into the distance.

Jin Wei and Zhi Qi stood to the left and right of Zhou Qingfeng's back.

Zhiqi stepped forward and bowed his head to ask, "Young Master, what should we do about Zhuang Zheng?"

Zhou Qingfeng glanced at the crowded people and carriages queuing to enter and leave the city, and said calmly, "He dared to touch the people I wanted to protect, so he has to pay the price. Alright, there are too many people around, let's go back and talk."

A moment later, he returned to the study in the Zhou residence.

Jin Wei and Zhi Qi stood still in the study, eyes downcast and mindful, awaiting instructions.

Zhou Qingfeng sat behind his desk and slowly opened the brocade pouch left by Zhao Kuo, revealing a folded piece of paper. Unfolding the paper, he saw four characters written on it: Yaochi Manor.

He placed the note on the table, frowned, and said, "This is a riddle Zhao Kuo left me before he left. He said this secret might be of great use to me. Yaochi Manor, has any of you heard of it?"

Upon hearing this, Jin Wei and Zhi Qi exchanged a glance.

Zhiqi shook his head: "Young Master, I've never heard of it."

Jin Wei pondered for a moment, then clasped his hands in a fist salute and replied, "I've heard someone mention Yaochi Manor once."

Zhou Qingfeng said, "Tell me about it."

Jin Wei clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I don't know the specifics either. I just happened to hear the name from Bi Muge. If you want to know the details, you'll probably have to ask him yourself."

Zhou Qingfeng pondered for a moment, then tapped the table and said, "Let's set a time. I need to see him."