Brocade Robe Unparalleled

Chapter 6 Demotion
Lin Xuan entered the Jingbian Division and happened to run into Zhang Hu and Chen Bao.

Zhang Hu, his face full of resentment, complained, "What kind of nonsense is this? They promised us a two-week vacation, but it turned into three days. And our compensation of six months' salary is nowhere to be seen. So all the suffering we endured that day was for nothing?"

Chen Bao grabbed his wrist and whispered, "Keep your voice down..."

Zhang Hu shook off his hand and said angrily, "So what if I raise my voice? If Commander Chen leaves, I'll just quit too. I'm not going to put up with this shit!"

Upon seeing Lin Xuan, Zhang Hu immediately greeted him: "Lin Xuan, you're here too. It seems that the guy surnamed Wu is clearly targeting the three of us. Why don't we all quit and go out and make our own way in the world? I don't believe we can't make something of ourselves!"

Lin Xuan smiled bitterly to himself. Zhang Hu and Chen Bao could leave Jingbian Division at any time, but he couldn't.

He shook his head slightly and said, "I'll go to Commander Wu's place first."

A moment later, at the door of a duty room.

Lin Xuan knocked on the door and said, "Your subordinate Lin Xuan has come as ordered."

"Enter."

After a long while, a slow, leisurely voice finally came from inside the duty room.

Lin Xuan entered the duty room and saw Wu Baihu standing with his hands behind his back, leaning over a large table, intently admiring a painting.

As he looked at it, he stroked his short beard and exclaimed in admiration, "What a wonderful painting! It's truly a genuine work by Wu Daozi..."

As if forgetting Lin Xuan's presence, Wu Baihu paced around the table again and again, his gaze never leaving the painting.

Lin Xuan stood quietly in the duty room, without making a sound.

His eyes would occasionally move almost imperceptibly, taking in everything in the duty room.

Wu Baihu was clearly a person who loved calligraphy and painting; his duty room was filled with various calligraphy and paintings.

Even the books on his bookshelf are all related to calligraphy and painting.

After an unknown amount of time, Wu Baihu finally straightened up, slowly put away the scroll, and then his gaze seemed to casually sweep over Lin Xuan. He suddenly realized, "Oh, look at my memory. I was so engrossed in the painting that I forgot about you... Lin Xuan, sit down, sit down and let's talk."

He pointed to a hardwood chair next to him, then strolled back behind the large table and sat down comfortably in the main seat.

Lin Xuan sat down as instructed, straightening her back and placing her hands flat on her knees, as if awaiting instructions.

Wu Baihu picked up a cup of warm tea from the table, took a slow sip, and then looked up at Lin Xuan with a gentle smile. He asked, "Lin Xuan, how are your injuries? That bastard Hong Tian betrayed his country and dragged you all down with him..."

Lin Xuan cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your concern, sir. My injuries are no longer serious."

Wu Baihu nodded and said, "That's good. Chen Baihu has been transferred for some reason, and I will temporarily take charge of all matters of the Sizhou Jingbian Division. You were unjustly punished, and Chen Baihu granted you half a month of rest and recuperation, which is perfectly reasonable. However, the division is currently very busy and needs manpower. Since your injuries have healed, I will shorten your rest period to three days. I believe you can understand the difficulties of the division and my good intentions."

Lin Xuan remained calm and cupped his hands, saying, "This subordinate understands and will follow the arrangements of Commander Bai."

Commander Wu nodded approvingly: "Good, you do know what's important..."

After a moment of silence, he took another sip of tea, his fingers lightly tapping the table: "There is one more thing, and I feel quite apologetic about it. I am aware that Commander Chen promised you three six months' salary as compensation, but..."

He put down his teacup and said, "The theft of the Xuan Guang Armor resulted in a loss of 100,000 taels of silver for the court, and our funding has been greatly reduced. This year, the department's various expenses, especially for pensions and rewards, are already stretched thin; we're living beyond our means..." Commander Wu glanced at Lin Xuan and said, "Half a year's salary compensation is a considerable amount, and the treasury simply cannot afford it. If we force its distribution, it might delay the pensions for our fallen brothers. I'm sure you understand the urgency of this matter—"

Therefore, this matter of compensation can only be put on hold for now. When the treasury is more financially secure in the future, I will certainly prioritize making the compensation for you. I hope you will understand the difficulties the treasury faces.”

Wu Baihu's official speech was so eloquent and flawless that Lin Xuan had to admire it.

He stood up and said earnestly, “The compensation for fallen comrades is the foundation for maintaining the morale of the army, and it is also the court’s way of comforting the loyal souls. It is as heavy as a mountain. Compared with it, the grievances suffered by your subordinates are as light as a feather. If the compensation is delayed because of our efforts, causing the heroic spirits to be uneasy and the comrades to feel disheartened, then even if we receive the salary, we will not be at peace with ourselves, and we will be ashamed of our duty to the Jingbian Division and the words ‘loyalty’!”

Lin Xuanjiu, being within the system, naturally knew what to say in what situation and when.

Wu Baihu seemed surprised that Lin Xuan could utter such profound and righteous words. He was stunned for a while before recovering and continuing, "There is another matter. After much consideration, I feel that I should speak frankly..."

He paused for a moment, as if carefully choosing his words: "Your father, Commander Lin, was a meritorious official of our Jingbian Division. He sacrificed his life for the country, and I deeply regret it. Commander Chen, remembering our past friendship, promoted you to the rank of Banner Officer. This kindness is truly rare."

In the next sentence, Wu Baihu suddenly changed his tone and became serious: "However, the position of flag officer of the Jingbian Division bears heavy responsibilities. According to the regulations of the court and the conventions of the division, only those with a martial arts level of eight can be competent. This rule is to ensure safety and efficiency when carrying out missions and to avoid unnecessary sacrifices."

He looked directly at Lin Xuan, shook his head slightly, and said, "You've been with the Jingbian Division for three years, and you're still stuck at the first level of Zhenyue Gong, barely reaching the ninth rank of martial arts. With such strength, you're hardly qualified to be a flag officer. I'm currently in charge of all affairs of the Jingbian Division in Sizhou, and my primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of every one of my subordinates. If I disregard the rules because of past relationships, causing you to encounter misfortune while carrying out missions in the future, then I will not only fail the trust placed in me by the court, but also fail the spirit of your father in heaven..."

Wu Baihu took a deep breath and said, "Therefore, for your safety and to be responsible to the Jingbian Division, I have decided to temporarily relieve you of your position as a banner officer, effective immediately, and temporarily transfer you to the gatehouse. This will allow you to recuperate in peace, and also give you more time to cultivate. Once you break through to the eighth rank, I will restore your position according to the rules. Do you have any objections?"

Lin Xuan thought to himself, "Old fox."

Wu Baihu's words were full of rules and concern; in just a few words, he demoted him from a rank-holding military officer to a mere security guard.

With this series of combined blows, the holiday was gone, the compensation was lost, and the official position was gone. Throughout the whole process, Wu Baihu smiled, his attitude was sincere, his reasons were sufficient, and his wording was appropriate. He was good at putting on a show, but he stabbed people in the back without drawing blood, and no one could find any obvious mistakes or handles against him.

Anyone else would feel extremely frustrated.

Lin Xuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn't care about holidays or compensation anyway.

The demotion was exactly what he wanted.

He never wanted to work for Nanzhao. How many core secrets could a gatekeeper have access to?
Even if he can't provide any valuable information by then, it's not his fault.

Lin Xuan readily took out a token from his waist, placed it on the table, and clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying, "Lord Centurion, your considerations are thorough and your arrangements are appropriate. Your subordinate obeys."

Seeing his composure, a hint of surprise flashed in Wu Baihu's eyes, but his tone returned to its previous gentleness as he nodded and said, "Hmm, you know what's important and how to advance and retreat, very good... Go, rest well for three days, and report to the gatehouse after three days. Once you break through to the eighth rank, I will definitely reinstate you to your position."

Lin Xuan cupped his hands again and said, "This subordinate takes his leave."

No sooner had Lin Xuan left than a figure hurriedly slipped into the duty room and asked anxiously, "Commander Wu, when can I become a banner officer?"

Wu Baihu leaned back in his chair, not even bothering to lift his eyelids, and said indifferently, "What's the rush? You and Lin Xuan are both ninth-rank. I just demoted Lin Xuan and immediately promoted you. What will others think of me?"

The man grew anxious: "But the five hundred taels of silver I offered you as a token of my respect..."

Commander Wu narrowed his eyes, a hint of displeasure flashing in them. He said calmly, "I told you not to rush. In a few days, I'll arrange for you to achieve some minor merit, and then I'll promote you naturally. That way, I can shut everyone up..."

(End of this chapter)