The Ming Dynasty's henchmen, working from nine to five

Chapter 7 Assigning Duties

"This isn't much better than the martial arts techniques we used to practice, is it?"

A clear look of disappointment flashed across Qin Erniu's face.

"How good can something be if it's given away for free? If you're not satisfied, go and do something worthwhile."

"Do you see it there?"

Liu Baichuan pointed to the tallest building in the backyard: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard's Zhenwu Pavilion!"

"It contains not only cultivation techniques, but also all sorts of treasures and weapons. As long as you accumulate enough merit, you can exchange them for whatever you want!"

Qin Erniu asked curiously, "What's the best cultivation method?"

Liu Baichuan stroked his beard: "A supernatural skill!"

"A supernatural skill?!" Qin Erniu's eyes widened, his face full of excitement.

Although I don't know what the special skill is, it sounds very powerful just from the name.

Liu Baichuan chuckled and said, "It's incomplete, with only a few pages, and it's extremely difficult to cultivate. Many people have tried to learn it, but no one has been able to master it."

"What's the name of this technique?"

Shen Lang became interested. This was good. Many people had changed jobs, which meant that the required contribution was not high.

As for the incompleteness and difficulty in training, these are not problems for him at all. After all, once he gets to the basics and his name appears in the skill list, he can directly add points to level up.

It was practically tailor-made for him!

"It seems to be called... Luo Hou Jue?" Liu Baichuan was a little uncertain.

"You can go see for yourselves later. The cultivation manual is placed right at the entrance, very conspicuous."

"Come on, let me introduce you to some colleagues. They all work under Commander Zhou. From now on, we'll be brothers!"

Liu Baichuan led the two to the small yamen of the Hundred Household Office. When they passed the Imperial Prison, he deliberately lowered his voice and warned them, "Everyone on duty here is a pervert. Don't mess with them."

Upon arriving at the Hundred Household Office, Liu Baichuan shouted a few times, and three young men in official robes came out from the inner hall.

"This is Xue Zhan, this is Qin Yue, this is Wei Linrong, and the rest have all gone out to work. I'll introduce them to you when we meet again!"

Shen Lang and Qin Erniu greeted them one by one, and the three of them responded with smiles, showing no airs at all.

Liu Baichuan stroked his beard and said, "We're all on the same side, so tell me, which connections did you two use to get in?"

Qin Erniu scratched his head, not understanding what he meant.

Liu Baichuan pointed to the three men: "Qin Yue, the distant nephew of Minister Qin, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel!"

"Xue Zhan, the only son of Master Xue of Sichengfang, owns the largest silk shop in Jiangnan."

"And then there's Wei Linrong. Don't let his thick eyebrows and big eyes, and his seemingly honest and simple appearance fool you. This guy runs a brothel, and several of the high-ranking officials in the government office had their concubines given to them by him!"

Shen Lang clasped his hands in a fist salute: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard is full of hidden talents; each of you possesses extraordinary skills. My apologies for my disrespect!"

Liu Baichuan said, "This is the situation in all government offices, so you two don't need to feel embarrassed."

Qin Erniu asked curiously, "So, what's your background?"

"Me?" Liu Baichuan chuckled, straightening his back proudly. "I'm not a relative!"

"I entered here honorably by paying with money!"

"Well......"

Qin Erniu was speechless for a moment.

Shen Lang smiled and said, "We have no connections or money, so we're going through the selection process."

Liu Baichuan and his men were taken aback, exchanging glances: "Isn't the reserve battalion assessment still ongoing? Why are you here now? Are you being specially recruited by the commanding officer?"

"I guess so." Shen Lang nodded.

The men's expressions simultaneously turned solemn, and they clasped their hands in a respectful greeting: "So you're a master, sir! Our apologies for our lack of respect!"

Xue Zhan said warmly, "Tonight at Zuixianlou, it's my treat to welcome you two gentlemen!"

Shen Lang clasped his hands in return, saying, "Of course, of course."

At this moment, Liu Baichuan glanced outside and coughed lightly: "Commander Zhou is here."

The group straightened their backs, instantly switching to a serious and aloof demeanor.

Zhou Xiong walked towards the yamen with one hand behind his back and the other holding a book, reading as he went.

A burly, white-haired old man, dressed in a scholar's robe, his muscles so taut the fabric almost bursting, was reading a book while shaking his head – a truly peculiar sight.

"Zhou Baihu was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the ninth year of the Zhengde reign, a true scholar."

"Later, for some reasons, I abandoned my literary pursuits and took up martial arts, but I still can't let go of some of my habits."

"You know how intellectuals are; they're all a bit pedantic and pretentious. You should all be more careful with your words and actions in the future."

Qin Yue whispered, "Zhou Baihu is actually a good person, but he has a bad temper and likes to spout long-winded platitudes that give people a headache. You'll see later."

As Zhou Xiong approached, Liu Baichuan and the others pounded their chests with their right hands and shouted, "Greetings, Commander Zhou!"

"Okay, sure." Zhou Xiong licked his lips, flipped through the book, and replied casually.

"Are the formalities completed?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, everything has been taken care of."

Zhou Xiong walked to the main seat and sat down. He frowned and pondered for a moment before saying, "Recently, several women have gone missing in Yujing City. Rumors are spreading everywhere, and noble ladies are all on edge."

He pointed at Shen Lang: "You, go to the Jing'an Prince's mansion to work and protect the safety of the Jing'an Prince's widow and orphan."

Then he pointed at Qin Erniu: "As for you... go to the elephant stable!"

"Huh?" Qin Erniu was confused. "What's the elephant house for?"

Liu Baichuan said, "The elephant stable is the place where elephants are trained and kept in the palace!"

"Me? Raise elephants?" Qin Erniu was shocked and pointed to the tip of his nose.

It's quite common for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to serve as bodyguards for the powerful and wealthy, or even to carry signs as an honor guard during major festivals. But raising elephants... let alone Erniu, even Shen Lang had never heard of it!

"Foolish, stupid child!"

Zhou Xiong's eyes widened: "If it wasn't you, then who was it?"

Liu Baichuan explained, "The elephant training institute is a legitimate organization, under the command of Commander Jin Chuan."

"Our Embroidered Uniform Guard is the emperor's ceremonial guard. All royal ceremonies and imperial processions are under the jurisdiction of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Elephants are the highest-ranking royal ceremonial objects, so they naturally fall into this category."

Xue Zhan added from the side, "During royal ceremonies, the tribute elephants must stand on both sides of the dragon carriage. To prevent anyone from using the tribute elephants to plot a rebellion, the elephant training center can only be managed by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and no one else is allowed to interfere."

"His Majesty often rewards those who raise elephants well; this is a good job."

"Understood, I will report to the elephant stables immediately!"

Qin Erniu straightened his body and, imitating Liu Baichuan and the others, pounded his left chest with his right hand.

"Hmph, you country bumpkin!"

Zhou Xiong blew on his beard: "You still don't want to go?"

"The first principle for recruiting members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is: a presentable appearance, broad shoulders, a strong waist, and mantis legs!"

"Look at yourself, which one of you meets the standard?"

"He looks like a bandit; can he really be a bodyguard for a noble lady?"

Qin Erniu said sheepishly, "Please rest assured, sir, I will definitely raise the elephant to be plump and healthy!"

"You vulgar brat!"

"And what are you guys doing standing here like wooden blocks? Don't you have your shifts?"

Zhou Xiong picked up the book and impatiently shooed him away.