"Lord Yu."
After arriving at the inner hall, Chu Lingguang saw that the person sent by the Court was none other than Imperial Censor Yu Wanshao.
Back in Baiyang County, it was Yu Wanshao who had been responsible for verifying Guo Wei’s abilities. After confirming them, he had represented the Court in officially recognizing Guo Wei as a Martial Arts Grandmaster.
In Eunuch Liu’s residence, it had also been Yu Wanshao who relayed the emperor’s verbal decree to pardon Guo Xiaotian, preventing Chu Lingguang from being drawn into the struggles between the Princes.
He hadn’t expected the person sent by the Court this time to be Yu Wanshao again.
"Congratulations, Lord Chu! You’ve been in your post for less than half a year and have already wiped out the pirates of Xiazigou, striking fear into the hearts of all others. The Holy Emperor is greatly pleased and has specially commanded me to come and read the imperial edict."
Yu Wanshao said, grasping both of Chu Lingguang’s hands.
"You’ve had a long journey, Lord Yu. The credit for wiping out the pirates doesn’t belong to me, Chu Lingguang, alone. When you return and see the Holy Emperor, I hope you will put in a good word for my brothers-in-arms."
Chu Lingguang said earnestly.
"There’s no need to be so modest, Lord Chu. After you took office, you restored military discipline, rose early every day to personally lead the troops in their drills, and went out on patrol every few days. You’ve carried out your duties with the utmost diligence. The Holy Emperor was greatly pleased when he heard of it."
Yu Wanshao replied with an equally earnest expression.
"I’m humbled."
Chu Lingguang felt a flicker of doubt. ’It seems someone has been deliberately speaking well of me before the emperor, someone who understands the situation on Black Bear Island.’
’He thought of one person in particular: Liu Ziyun, the head of Qingzhou Prefecture.’
A month ago, he had led his men to conquer Xiazigou. After such a great success, Liu Ziyun would surely report the achievement to the emperor. By convention, a large part of the credit should have fallen to Liu Ziyun himself.
Liu Ziyun could have even stated in his memorial to the throne that he was the one who devised the detailed plan and assigned Chu Lingguang to attack Xiazigou. If the Court were to inquire, Chu Lingguang would have had to corroborate his story.
This was because Liu Ziyun was the top official in Qingzhou Prefecture. Mobilizing the island’s entire military force to attack pirates at sea was completely different from a routine patrol. Without an order from Liu Ziyun, Chu Lingguang’s actions would have been tantamount to defying military commands, an offense punishable by law.
But in the end, Liu Ziyun didn’t take all the credit. Instead, he made it a point to praise him in the memorial, which came as a great surprise to Chu Lingguang.
He didn’t know if Liu Ziyun had done this to make him owe Favors, ensuring he would keep his promise in the future, or if the man was simply a person of loyalty and integrity.
After the two exchanged some pleasantries, Yu Wanshao conveyed the emperor’s verbal decree to Chu Lingguang and the others.
"Chu Lingguang, Captain of Black Bear Island in Qingzhou Prefecture. He is young, promising, loyal, and righteous. For his merit in exterminating the pirates, he is hereby granted a promotion of one rank to Senior Fifth Grade. In one month’s time, he is to travel to Wolf Valley Pass to assume his new post."
"Zhang Baofu of Black Bear Island in Qingzhou Prefecture is appointed to the post of Captain of Black Bear Island."
"Xuanyuan Jinkang, a Captain of Black Bear Island in Qingzhou Prefecture, for his merit in exterminating the pirates, is promoted half a rank to the position of Deputy Captain of Black Bear Island and will assist Zhang Baofu in governing the South Sea."
"Long live the Emperor!"
The three of them were completely caught by surprise.
Chu Lingguang knew that his merit in destroying the pirates would, even without a promotion, earn him a commendation from the Court and leave a brilliant mark on his record.
He never expected a direct promotion of one full rank, from Senior Sixth Grade to Senior Fifth Grade. The only thing was, he was being transferred from Black Bear Island to Wolf Valley Pass.
Wolf Valley Pass was located within the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
It held over a thousand Turkic captives, as well as court-condemned criminals who had broken the law. Guo Xiaotian had been imprisoned in Wolf Valley Pass before, and by the time he was released, both of his legs were permanently afflicted.
He had learned from Guo Xiaotian.
Wolf Valley Pass was a harsh and desolate place. There was a huge stone quarry inside, and the prisoners were forced to toil there all day. Many with weaker constitutions were worked to death long before a court amnesty was ever declared.
Even Guo Xiaotian, who knew how to cultivate and had mastered the Day and Night Breathing Technique, had ended up with permanently damaged legs and various other hidden ailments. One could only imagine what it was like for an ordinary person.
Compared to the wind and sun of Black Bear Island, Wolf Valley Pass was in the middle of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, a place teeming with Demon Beasts. Its location was extremely remote. ’It looks like a promotion on the surface,’ Chu Lingguang thought, ’but it feels more like I’m being exiled.’
Yu Wanshao seemed to read his mind and said, "The ore from Wolf Valley Pass is of critical importance to the Court. Your transfer there, Lord Chu, is a sign of the Holy Emperor’s high hopes for you. He wishes that you can change Wolf Valley Pass just as you changed Black Bear Island."
"Furthermore, while Wolf Valley Pass may be a desolate place for exiled criminals, for a powerful expert like yourself, Lord Chu, it is a cultivation paradise that offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Even I am envious of your assignment."
"As for what the situation there is truly like, you will understand once you assume your post in a month’s time."
Yu Wanshao didn’t elaborate, deliberately leaving him in suspense.
"Thank you for clearing my doubts, Lord Yu. I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties and not fail His Majesty’s grace."
Chu Lingguang said, clasping his hands in a salute.
He then personally hosted Yu Wanshao. As Yu Wanshao was leaving, Chu Lingguang presented him with a gift of gold and jewels from Xiazigou. Yu Wanshao was grinning from ear to ear, reminding Chu Lingguang that he absolutely must arrive at Wolf Valley Pass within the month.
"Congratulations, Lord Chu."
Zhang Baofu and the others congratulated Chu Lingguang.
"Congratulations to you as well, Lord Zhang, and to you, Xuanyuan."
Chu Lingguang congratulated Zhang Baofu and Xuanyuan Jinkang in return.
Zhang Baofu had guarded Black Bear Island for many years. His position was finally made official, going from Deputy Captain to Captain. From now on, he would be the one in charge of Black Bear Island.
As for Xuanyuan Jinkang, although he wasn’t being transferred away from Black Bear Island, he had been promoted from the rank of Captain to the post of Deputy Captain, a half-rank promotion from Junior Sixth Grade to Senior Sixth Grade.
Black Bear Island was full of opportunities. As long as they kept the sea lanes safe and ensured that trade between Qingzhou Prefecture and the neighboring smaller nations was not affected, it would be considered a great merit. There would be plenty of chances to leave this place, perhaps even to enter Yuanchu Mountain.
"This is all thanks to you, Lord Chu. It is only because of you that we have had this chance to achieve such merits."
Zhang Baofu said with a look of sincere gratitude.