Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 416 Fallen Leaves Signal Autumn
The so-called new version of the Heroes Ranking actually inadvertently helped the adulterous couple have their office affair.

This morning, former editor-in-chief Sheng Yuanyao was invited to the Demon Suppression Division by the new editor-in-chief to discuss the major revision: "General Sheng, we feel that the Heroes Ranking has reached a dead end. In the issue when General Sheng was the editor-in-chief and made the revision, the sales of the Heroes Ranking doubled. However, when we made it again, the sales dropped and were not as good as before."

Since she was being asked for advice on a task she had already completed, Sheng Yuanyao had no interest in using her supernatural powers to eavesdrop on whether Pei Yaojing was taking the opportunity to seduce the doctor. She pondered and said, "I've seen the new version. It's very well made. Apart from cursing me to be single, there are no other problems."

Editor-in-Chief: "..."

Sheng Yuanyao said, "Logically, since my previous version sold well, your version shouldn't have failed to sell... Have you done any research? Have you asked for feedback?"

"I've done it. The feedback is that it's getting better and better, but there are two problems."

"Ok?"

"Firstly, people's cultivation progresses very slowly. In the past, the semi-annual publications often didn't change much. Although now, with the emergence of various talents, such as Shen Tang, Dugu Qingli, Lu Xingzhou, Pei Chuyun, and others... oh, and of course, our General Sheng, each issue has changed, making it more interesting than before. But compared to the huge number of people, it's only a handful. Especially the older generation, who hardly change at all. People are willing to pay extra for something that doesn't change much, so they naturally don't want to be ripped off."

"There's nothing we can do about it; we can only put more effort into the content."

"Yes, so General Sheng's previous model stimulated a wave of sales... but it was only a novelty for a short time and it was hard to sustain. The more crucial issue is the second one. People's horizons are broadening day by day, and more and more people know that our Heroes Ranking is incomplete. Since many strong people have not been included, the appeal of this ranking has greatly decreased, and it may even be somewhat misleading."

Sheng Yuanyao nodded; this was the key issue.

Your list is incomplete, which is one thing, but it's missing way too many people. Who would want to look at it?

Perhaps the list itself has credibility, and the evaluations and rankings of the people on the list are relatively objective, but it becomes useless if too many are omitted.

The editor-in-chief was complaining: "There is a problem with our incomplete information collection, but it's not the whole story. General, think about it. His Majesty initially created this list for the purpose of honor and encouragement. Everyone would be proud to be on the list and become famous throughout the world. So they wouldn't hide their achievements. They wanted the whole world to know about their accomplishments. Naturally, we would get the information and include it. If we didn't include it, they would even get angry with us."

"now what?"

"But times have changed. For some reason, people are becoming more and more cunning. They'd rather make a fortune in silence than be on the list... Even those who were on the list don't want us to know about their new breakthroughs... If they want to hide their abilities, how can we possibly gather all the information? You might think someone is just a low-ranking third-grade person, but when it comes down to it, you find out they're already a second-grade person. What's the point of our outdated list if we're so insecure?"

Sheng Yuanyao stroked her chin. This was a matter of choosing between the honor of being on the list and personal privacy. The benefits of being on the list had to outweigh the need to hide, for people to like being on the list.

For example, Shen Tang and Lu Xingzhou both wanted to be on the list. One was a third-rank sect master, and the other was a deputy alchemist. Being on the list for both literary and martial arts would make the declining Tianxing Sword Sect's reputation resound, which would be beneficial to the sect's establishment.

But now that Shen Tang is at the second rank, she's unwilling to make any more public announcements. The Heavenly Sword Sect has established a firm foothold and no longer needs to use this as a publicity stunt. Instead, she needs to keep a low profile and not let her enemies easily figure out her current level. Times have changed.

But this situation has always been the same, so why is it particularly serious now?
As morals decline and conflicts become more frequent, the imperial court is increasingly losing control of the situation.

The more prosperous and stable a society is, the less afraid people are of making a name for themselves on the list of heroes. Being listed among the heroes is a great honor that greatly increases one's status. Whether it's establishing a sect like Shen Tang, seeking to enter the court's sights, or being recruited by a major sect, it's all a prestigious title. However, the more chaotic and bloody a society is, the less people like to be targeted. Having one's every feature studied is a huge danger.

Furthermore, the more chaotic the social environment, the more likely the list will exacerbate conflicts, making the chaos worse and turning it into a list of disorderly times, which would run counter to the original intention of the imperial court to incentivize people through the ranking.

Sheng Yuanyao was momentarily dazed.

A single falling leaf heralds the arrival of autumn.

A mere list of heroes reveals the changes in the entire landscape of the Great Qian Dynasty.

She thought for a while, then suddenly smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. You're on the government payroll. If you do well, you won't get much extra money, and if you do poorly, they can't fire you. If you really have nowhere to go, I'll introduce you to the Ministry of Personnel to compete with others for writing jobs."

The editor-in-chief gave Sheng Yuanyao a strange look. Although this general was a bit of a playboy, he used to be very responsible. Why was he acting like this now?

He simply consulted with some senior colleagues, but since they didn't offer any advice, he could only sigh and say, "Let's leave it at that. If we continue like this, this ranking list probably won't last much longer."

Sheng Yuanyao smiled and said, "Take a look at this list. Well, I'll set an example by not hiding anything. I'm already a third-rank official and at the middle level. You can arrange it as you see fit."

The editor-in-chief laughed, "We knew that day when the general beat Qi Tuizhi... Well, let's leave aside how the general ranks on the list of heroes, he's number one among the new talents..."

Sheng Yuanyao replied matter-of-factly, "Of course it's Qi Tuizhi. Do you really think a half-step third-rank cultivator at his age is worthless?"

"But he was beaten by you all, so public acceptance..."

“You’re about to stop publishing, why are you worried about public acceptance? Besides, let anyone who disagrees challenge you. Let’s see who can beat Qi Tuizhi.” Sheng Yuanyao suddenly laughed as she spoke: “Who knows, this challenge Qi Tuizhi event might even boost the sales of the Heroes Ranking.”

The editor-in-chief was both amused and exasperated.

A knock came at the door: "Editor-in-chief, Miss Pei is here."

Sheng Yuanyao's smile vanished instantly, and she looked towards the door with a sullen face. Pei Chuyun entered leisurely, bringing a fragrant breeze with her: "Oh, General Sheng is here?"

Sheng Yuanyao raised an eyebrow.

She was very familiar with the aura of the Great Joy and Bliss Sutra that had just been circulated. She had learned this technique with Lu Xingzhou and was an expert in it!
"Pei Chuyun! Have you no shame! I've only been gone a short while, and you've already cheated on me?"

"Oh ho, don't talk like I'm your person. What do you mean by 'stealing someone'?" Pei Chuyun didn't know how she figured it out, but she didn't even blush. So what if she stole someone? What are you going to do about it? "You can only be a thief for a thousand days, but you can't guard against thieves for a thousand days. General Sheng comes from the Demon Suppression Division, yet you don't even understand such a simple principle. It's really disappointing."

She sighed softly and patted Sheng Yuanyao on the shoulder: "If you're so capable, why don't you steal it too?"

Sheng Yuanyao's hair stood on end: "Don't touch me, it's disgusting."

"Isn't this to give you a sense of participation?" Pei Chuyun sighed, patting Sheng Yuanyao's hair. "Look, it's all green." Sheng Yuanyao: "?"

fight.

The editor-in-chief quietly moved outside.

Strange, how come you, a dignified third-rank warrior, are pulling hair like this...?

Fortunately, this was the Demon Suppression Division, so the two couldn't fight. Just as they grabbed each other's hair, Sheng Qingfeng's cold snort came from outside.

The two women awkwardly lowered their hands and turned their heads away from each other.

Sheng Qingfeng strolled in with his hands behind his back, expressionless: "Since you're both so free, it seems I need to discuss with Prime Minister Pei about reassigning you both to a different position to avoid your noise."

"No, Lao Sheng!" Sheng Yuanyao said with a forced smile, "I'm still racking my brains over the Heroes Ranking..."

"You're talking nonsense about exhausting your energy!" Sheng Qingfeng sneered. "Instigating others to slack off is also called exhausting your energy."

Sheng Yuanyao looked up at the sky: "This ranking was already almost over, and it was beyond human power to reverse."

Sheng Qingfeng said, "Go ask Lu Xingzhou if he has any ideas to bring the dead back to life. Why not use a strategist? What can you come up with with your brain? You're working in the Ministry of Rites, are you there to play around?"

Sheng Yuanyao laughed: "Then I'll go find him now."

“Now?” Sheng Qingfeng smiled. “He’s busy right now, he’s at the Huo family… It’s a pity we don’t have any spies to eavesdrop, otherwise some things inside might be quite interesting.”

Sheng Yuanyao was overjoyed and secretly found a place to hide.

You can't listen, but I can—that's where the value of this supernatural power comes in! You think you can only listen to the sun?

…………

The Huo family at this time.

Jiang Duxu, accompanied by Jiang Yuan, was discussing matters in the main hall of the Huo residence.

Normally, the woman wouldn't show up for such pre-marital betrothal ceremonies, but Jiang Yuan insisted on going this time, and Jiang Duxu let her have her way, as the immortal sects didn't really follow these rules.

I only found out after following along that they had actually gone so far as to exchange birth charts, which basically meant it was settled.

Jiang Yuan felt a chill run down her spine as she watched the two sides exchange letters, and her eyes darted around towards the Huo family's gate.

If that guy really manages to mess things up, then I'll accept being taken advantage of by that pig yesterday; otherwise, this isn't over.

Jiang Duxu was chatting with Huo Xingyuan: "It seems that the Marquis is a bit absent-minded and has some worries today?"

"Oh." Huo Xingyuan smiled. "It's nothing, I hope I didn't disturb you."

Jiang Duxu asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Huo Xingyuan asked, "Did Mr. Jiang meet with Lu Xingzhou yesterday? To discuss maritime trade?"

"Correct."

"What is your opinion of Lu Xingzhou, sir?"

“He’s a talented individual, unlike those bureaucrats who just coast along. I think he’s genuinely interested in making a difference in foreign trade, and he has the ability to do so.”

Huo Xingyuan's smile became even more strained, and he started coughing again.

Jiang Du knew exactly what was going on. That morning, the Ministry of Commerce had issued a ban, listing a large number of prohibited items, which would likely severely damage the Huo family's trade in the Northern Frontier. Of course, the Huo family could completely ignore it. Politically, they could have Lu Xingzhou's superiors exert pressure, and in the Northern Frontier, they could disregard any related inspections.

But this would inevitably lead to animosity with Lu Xingzhou... Jiang Duxu now knew about the Huo family's private affairs with Lu Xingzhou, and he felt a pang of regret. If he had treated them well before, they would be a powerful ally now, and things wouldn't have come to this.

Moreover, Lu Xingzhou is not someone to be trifled with. You say you can exert political pressure? He has the Grand Preceptor, the Prime Minister, and the Head of the Demon Suppression Division behind him. You say the Northern Frontier can ignore the inspections... A bunch of soldiers in the Northern Frontier owe Lu Xingzhou favors, and it's hard to say what kind of relationship he has with the Demon Clan's border general.

If things really escalate, the Huo family might not be able to handle this mere doctor.

It's ridiculous.

The marriage was originally intended for Gu Zhanting, but pushing it to the Huo family had already infuriated Jiang Duxu. However, considering that the Huo family had two members holding the highest rank and wielded immense power, it wasn't entirely unacceptable to force the issue.

But now that I see it, you're really not as good as your son.

Just then, the butler rushed in to announce, "Master, Lu Xingzhou has come to visit."

Jiang Yuan's eyes lit up immediately. He really came... At least this guy's credibility isn't bad!
(End of this chapter)