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

On October 25, 1092, during the winter of Emperor Gengshi, it snowed.

Sword Tower City, Luo Mansion, the gates of the mansion are wide open.

Today, the Luo residence was unusually quiet and deserted. All the servants in the residence had been dismissed by Luo Bingyi, and the streets outside the residence had been quietly cleaned up. There wasn't even a single footprint on the snow-covered streets.

A small squad of heavily armored dragon riders stood quietly outside the Zhai residence.

Three groups of secret agents have been silently deployed inside and outside the mansion.

In the back garden, the grass and trees were withered and desolate. Luo Bingyi, wearing a scarlet cloak, sat on a grand chair with a back scratcher in his hand. The chair creaked and swayed. He looked up at the heavy snow and shakily took out a box of chewing tobacco, took a small pinch and chewed it to maintain his normal mental state.

"Manager Luo, I am honored to meet you." Bi Muge stopped and respectfully clasped his hands in a salute.

Luo Bingyi smiled at Bi Muge and said calmly, "Muge is here."

"Yes, I have been ordered to read out the imperial edict." Bi Muge bowed again, took out an edict signed and issued by the City Lord's Mansion, and slowly unfolded it, saying: "Luo Bingyi, the head of the Plum Blossom Division of the Fifth Bureau of the Censorate, was honest and upright, shrewd and capable throughout his life, and made great contributions to the prosperity and stability of Sword Tower."

"The city magistrate, out of consideration for the old age and poor health of Supervisor Luo, has specially selected a plum garden outside the city for his recuperation. Once he recovers, he will be given an important position. During his recuperation period, all his benefits and treatment will remain the same."

After speaking, Bi Muge remained calm, put away the imperial decree, stepped aside, and gestured: "Elder Luo, please. The carriage is ready outside the mansion. The Dragon Cavalry will take you to the Plum Garden outside the city for your lodging."

Luo Bingyi smiled slightly, put his hands behind his back, and walked calmly out of the mansion. He knew that once he went there, he would be confined to the Plum Garden until his death, and would never be able to step out of the Plum Garden again, but he still went.

This was the city lord's way of giving him a final moment of dignity, considering his life's dedication to the Sword Tower.

If he doesn't appreciate it or wants to resist, then someone will help him save face.

Bi Muge watched her teacher's retreating figure and couldn't help but take two steps after him, calling out, "Teacher..."

Without turning his head, Luo Bingyi walked forward with a hunched back, his feet leaving blurry footprints in the snow: "When the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away; when the cunning rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked."

Upon hearing his teacher's words, Bi Muge stood frozen in place as if struck by lightning, speechless for a long time. Only when the heavy snow covered his teacher's footprints did he awaken as if from a dream, his expression complex, unsure of where to go in the future.

He seemed to have chosen the right side, and a bright future was within his grasp. However, he also lost his most solid support. In the past, his teachers had always led the way, and he could simply follow behind them.

But from this day forward, there will be no one to guide him on the road ahead, and he will have to bear all the storms alone.

"When the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away; when the cunning rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked." Bi Muge looked up at the snow falling all around him and muttered to himself. He realized that his teacher was predicting his tragic end, but he really didn't believe it. He didn't believe that Zhou Silang would discard him after he had served his purpose. He still believed that he had enough value.

Moreover, Zhou Silang had no reason to kill him. He was loyal and devoted to helping Zhou Silang get rid of his old classmates and teachers, and also helped Zhou Silang regain control of the Fifth Division.

Now that Zhou Silang has made him the acting deputy director and put him in charge of the daily work of the Fifth Division, it is obvious that he wants to promote and give him important responsibilities. As long as he sticks to Zhou Silang's coattails, he will surely rise rapidly in the future.

Two flowers bloom, each telling its own story. Luo Bingyi's dignified exit was the final result obtained by Zhou Qingfeng after consulting with the First Lady. The order was then relayed layer by layer, with Bi Muge in charge of the final execution.

Zhou Qingfeng had something more important to do: to finish up the remaining tasks.

Reports on the closed cases of bootlegging, killing officials, and geisha serial murders, as well as detailed reports on emergency relief and post-disaster reconstruction efforts…

Zhou Qingfeng needed to carefully review all these case files, adding names to those who deserved commendation and ensuring no one was overlooked in terms of punishment, so that there would be no problems before they could be submitted to the First Lady.

The officials of the other five Plum Blossom Divisions underwent a major reshuffle, with almost all core leadership positions vacant and two-thirds of the officials purged from the ranks, leaving those loyal to Zhou Qingfeng to work beyond their capacity.

These people should be promoted if they deserve it, and sidelined if they should be sidelined.

For example, Zhou Qingfeng wrote a recommendation report for Bi Muge, suggesting that he be transferred to the Court of Sacrifices to preside over the affairs of the Department. It seemed that Bi Muge had been promoted, but in reality, his power had been greatly reduced and there was no possibility of further advancement.

The Court of Imperial Sacrifices appears to be on the same level as the Censorate and the Privy Council, but it is responsible for matters such as rites and music, sacrifices, court assemblies, banquets, and receiving foreign envoys. It is basically a department for retirement and seniority accumulation.

The Ritual Academy has several departments under its jurisdiction. Bi Muge was appointed to preside over the work of one department, and was directly promoted from the head of the fifth department to the head of the first department, a jump of two ranks, putting him on par with Luo Bingyi.

In reality, there was no opportunity to make merit in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. It was a typical insignificant department, completely far removed from the core of power, and it was impossible to achieve anything significant.

"Pei Xingchun..." Zhou Qingfeng pondered for a moment, and after thinking it over, he decided to reinstate Pei Xingchun to her original position and continue to serve as the person in charge. After all, Pei Xingchun had a good father, and even if she took sides, her father could step in to smooth things over.

Now the struggle is over, and the dust has settled.

Pei Xingchun can still return to be the official in charge, and nothing will change.

Jin Wei and Zhi Qi were directly promoted to the position of chief clerk. The lower-ranking officials were also reassigned, with those outside the official ranks becoming regular officials, and those in charge of clerks being promoted to deputy chief clerks. It was a case of one person's success bringing prosperity to his entire family.

There is one vacancy for the head, two vacancy for the deputy head, and one vacancy for the head. Zhou Qingfeng does not plan to recommend anyone to fill these positions in the short term. He would rather leave them vacant than not have these positions in his own hands.

Otherwise, if all these high-ranking official positions are given away, what will be the reward for subordinates who make meritorious contributions in the future? Will they give up their own positions? Moreover, without room for advancement, people are prone to laziness and even crooked thoughts.

Finally, these key positions can also be used as important bargaining chips to exchange for resources and benefits when necessary.

Of course, Zhou Qingfeng wouldn't easily give it to outsiders, and even his own people would have to be carefully considered to ensure that the right person is placed in the right position. After all, it's easy to give up power and position, but difficult to take it back.

As for Xiao Hongyun, this outside helper, his name was added to every case, second only to Zhou Qingfeng. Regardless of whether he participated or not, or how much he contributed, Zhou Qingfeng would never forget to share the spoils with this staunch ally.

Only when staunch allies gain greater power and status within the Sixth Division of Demon Suppression can Zhou Qingfeng extend his influence into the Sixth Division, expanding the reach and scope of his power.

"Jin Wei, come back." Zhou Qingfeng contacted Jin Wei through the Thousand-Mile Mirror, a powerful communication artifact.

Jin Wei was living a fairly comfortable life in Winter City. Upon hearing the young master's call, he knew that the young master had wiped out all the enemies and that he could now return to the Sword Tower. He happily packed his bags and hurried back.

After contacting Jin Wei, Zhou Qingfeng used the Disaster-level communication bracelet to contact Su Shuiyao, asking her to take her uncle back to Sword Tower for the New Year's Eve reunion dinner, putting aside the matter of Yong'an City, and having everyone have a reunion dinner together.

After planning and arranging everything, the case files, merit lists, and recommendation lists were all sent to the city lord's mansion for stamping and approval. Those who deserved promotion were promoted, and those who deserved rewards were rewarded.

In the blink of an eye, it was November 1, 1092, the year of Emperor Gengshi.

Zhou Qingfeng entered the city lord's mansion again to see his mother.

Inside the City Lord's Mansion, in the Water Garden and the Council Pavilion, snow was falling heavily outside, creating a frozen landscape. However, inside the pavilion, it was warm and comfortable, making people feel very comfortable. As the end of the year approached, the assistant commanders finally stopped their endless bickering. Many things were put on hold, waiting for a month-long vacation. They would postpone all matters, big and small, until next spring.

Sword Tower officials take a vacation from December 20th to January 20th each year. All civil and military officials are given leave to go home and spend time with their families, completely ceasing their work. They are also given a batch of cultivation resources and daily necessities. Of course, each level of Sword Tower will still have personnel on duty to prevent any emergencies from going unhandled or unreported.

"Has Si Lang arrived?" The First Lady asked, holding a small yellow book and looking down at it.

Zhou Qingfeng, being of seniority and relegated to the bottom of the list, stood like a lackey. Upon hearing the call, he immediately stepped forward, bowed respectfully to the First Lady, who was ten paces away, and said, "Mother, your son is here."

The assistant commanders Ma, Mao, Tang, Song, and Zhu, along with the three elders of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, all cast scrutinizing glances. They were well aware of the achievements Zhou Qingfeng had made since taking charge of the Fifth Division, and he was certain to receive a generous reward today.

The First Lady looked up at Zhou Qingfeng, a hint of affection appearing in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up: "Fourth Prince, you have already made several great contributions since you took charge of the Plum Blossom Division. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

Zhou Qingfeng bowed and replied, "It is my duty to share my mother's burdens, how dare I ask for a reward?"

The First Lady tapped the book lightly and smiled, "Those who make contributions must be rewarded; that's the rule."

Seeing this, Qiu Chengde, who was serving ten paces away, knew it was his turn to step forward. So he cleared his throat, stepped forward, and said, "I hereby grant Fourth Brother entry into the First Treasure Pavilion, where he may choose any treasure."

"Bestowed into the First Scripture Pavilion, and may choose any two evil-level secret manuals."

"He is granted twenty years of cultivation time in the White Bone Foundation Building Tower, and may freely enter and exit the tenth floor and below."

"I bestow upon you 10 bottles each of Heart-Piercing Pill, Earthly Fiend Pill, Human Fiend Pill, and Water Fiend Pill." These four types of pills are fiend-grade pills specially made for cultivators in the Fiend Realm. Each bottle contains thirty pills, and each pill has a market price of 300,000 magic coins.

"Bestow upon you a set of superior-grade evil-evil robes, a superior-grade evil-evil truth sword, a superior-grade evil-evil dragon horse mount, a set of superior-grade evil-evil heavy armor, and a superior-grade evil-evil slaying bow and arrows."

"I bestow upon you a Yaochi Manor outside the city, 50 million in magic coins, ten jars of True Immortal Brew of the Fiend Grade, ten catties of Fiend Grade Buddha Relic Tea, ten bottles of Longevity Pills, ten sets of Fiend Grade Talismans, a number of rare flowers and fruits, and a number of precious gems."

This is what it means to spend lavishly.

Secret manuals, treasures, pills, weapons, talismans, mounts, heavy armor, magic robes, bows and arrows—everything was given out without hesitation, and Zhou Qingfeng could use it immediately.

If it weren't for the rules of the Sword Tower that no title could be conferred without military merit, Zhou Qingfeng would definitely have been granted a title.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng was overjoyed and immediately clasped his hands in thanks, saying, "Your son thanks Mother for this gift."

The First Lady looked at her fourth son with a smile in her eyes, feeling that she still hadn't given him enough. But that was all she could do. After all, her fourth son was weak, and even things beyond the Devouring Fiend Realm were useless to him.

After a moment's hesitation, the First Lady beckoned to Zhou Qingfeng: "Come here."

Upon seeing this, Zhou Qingfeng hurriedly ran forward, bowing and scraping like a good boy. The First Lady took Zhou Qingfeng's hand, then took off her own jade snake bracelet and put it on Zhou Qingfeng's wrist.

"Mother, what is this...?" Zhou Qingfeng asked in confusion.

The First Lady casually remarked, "It's just a little gadget. Wear it and play with it, but don't lose it."

"Thank you for the gift, Mother." Zhou Qingfeng touched the bracelet, but didn't feel that there was anything special about it. However, anything his mother wore was definitely not simple, and wearing it probably wouldn't do any harm.

Ma Dalang and Mao Erlang couldn't hide their envy. With a new baby in the family, they, the eldest sons, felt neglected. The Xiuyan jade snake bracelet was something their mother had worn for over a thousand years, and now it was being given to their fourth son. This favor truly represented extraordinary significance.

"Everyone, you may leave now." The First Lady slowly helped Zhou Qingfeng to his feet, subtly patting his shoulder before turning and walking towards the observation deck, gazing alone at the swirling snow.

The assistant coaches present came up to Zhou Qingfeng in twos and threes to congratulate him. Zhou Qingfeng returned their greetings with a smile and clasped his hands in greeting. Even when facing the three old fogies, the Sun, Moon and Star Elders, he maintained a superficial harmony.

Qiu Chengde gave Zhou Qingfeng an approving look, and then left the council chamber.

At this moment, only Zhou Qingfeng and the First Lady remained in the council chamber on the observation deck.

Zhou Qingfeng hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked to the viewing platform, stood quietly ten steps away, and asked with his head bowed, "Mother, is there anything else you need me to do?"

Just now, my mother told everyone to leave, but she secretly patted her own shoulder. This wasn't a random pat; it was a hint that she should stay and that there was something else to discuss.

Moreover, this matter is probably not suitable for public discussion.

Of course, it could also mean encouragement, affirmation, trust, or special attention, but to be on the safe side, it's best to stay and ask again in a little while. If you're sure everything is alright, then you can leave.

The First Lady looked up at the swirling snowflakes and asked, "Si Lang, how much do you know about Hongye?"

Zhou Qingfeng was slightly taken aback. He didn't expect his mother to bring up this topic with him. The First Red Leaf was a taboo subject in the Sword Tower, and no one dared to mention it in public. Why did his mother suddenly bring up the First Red Leaf?

After his thoughts raced through his mind several times, Zhou Qingfeng decided to answer honestly: "I only know a little bit from what I've heard."

"I heard that my third sister is deeply entangled in a love affair and was imprisoned by you after falling in love with a mortal."

“On my way to the library to get the secret manual, I happened to chat with my third sister for a few minutes.”

"Hmm." The First Lady said in a flat tone, "Hongye is somewhat interested in you. She told me during the Heavenly Pride Competition that she wanted to see you. When you go to the Scripture Pavilion to retrieve the secret manual, stop by and see your third sister, talk to her, and find an opportunity to persuade her to admit her mistake. Don't say that I sent you, otherwise she won't talk to you."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng's expression became somewhat subtle. He bowed his head, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Yes, Mother."

P.S.: I'd appreciate free gifts, donations, positive reviews, and attention.