Investiture of the Gods: Childhood Sweetheart Daji, Starting with Quasi-Saint Cultivation

The next day.

At dawn, the morning bell tolled throughout Chaoge.

Su Yunbai changed into the court robes that King Zhou had sent him the night before.

With a black background and gold trim, embroidered with a Qilin stepping on clouds, this is the exclusive uniform of the General Who Protects the Nation.

He stood in front of the mirror.

The person in the mirror has sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and a calm yet fierce demeanor.

"It's time to go on stage."

He turned and went out.

Outside the palace gates, officials had arrived one after another.

The civil officials were led by Shang Rong and Bi Gan, while the military generals were led by Huang Feihu; each group formed their own faction.

When Su Yunbai appeared, everyone's eyes turned to him.

Unfamiliar faces.

Too young.

But the qilin-patterned court robes caused many people's pupils to shrink slightly.

"That is..."

"The court robes of the Grand General Who Guards the Nation? Who is this person?"

"I have heard of Su Yunbai, the adopted son of the Marquis of Jizhou, who was meritorious in suppressing the rebellion in Beihai."

"So young, yet to receive such an honor from His Majesty?"

A low murmur arose.

Ignoring the stares, Su Yunbai walked straight toward the palace gate.

As was customary, officials were required to line up according to their rank to enter the palace.

Su Yunbai's rank as Grand General of the State is equivalent to that of the Three Dukes, placing him at the forefront.

He had just stood still when someone spoke in a deep voice.

"Sir, may I ask what official position you hold?"

The speaker was an old man, dressed in a purple robe and jade belt, with a serious expression.

Su Yunbai recognized him.

Prime Minister Shang Rong.

"General Who Protects the Nation, Su Yunbai," Su Yunbai said calmly.

Shang Rong frowned: "This old minister has never heard of such an official position in the imperial court."

"From today onwards, it will be there," Su Yunbai said calmly.

Shang Rong's expression darkened.

At this moment, another person spoke up.

"General Su is young and promising, and he has indeed made great contributions in suppressing the rebellion in Beihai. However, the position of Grand General of the State is to command all the troops in the country and supervise all officials. Only someone of high moral character and prestige can be competent for this position. Although you are brave, you are still relatively inexperienced and I am afraid that you will not be able to win the respect of the people."

This is the Asian equivalent of dryness.

Although his tone was gentle, his words were barbed.

Su Yunbai looked at him.

This uncle, who would later be hailed as an "eternally loyal minister," was now looking at him with scrutinizing eyes.

"Seniority?" Su Yunbai laughed. "Does Uncle Bi Gan mean that official appointments should be based on seniority rather than ability?"

Bi Gan shook his head: "Ability is certainly important, but prestige, experience, and connections are equally indispensable. General, you have just entered the court and have not yet made any contributions. It is arousing controversy that you are in such a high position."

"Dissent?" Su Yunbai glanced around. "If anyone has any objections, feel free to say them to my face."

Everyone fell silent.

Nobody wants to be the first to stick their neck out.

But silence does not mean submission.

Su Yunbai could sense the doubt, disdain, and even hostility in those gazes.

At this moment, Huang Feihu stepped forward.

"General Su, this is your humble servant, Huang Feihu."

This King Wu Cheng was tall and imposing, with a powerful aura, and had already reached the cultivation level of a Taiyi Golden Immortal.

He clasped his hands and said, "General, you defeated 100,000 demon soldiers with 3,000 iron-blooded soldiers in the Battle of Beihai and captured Yuan Futong alive. I have long heard about this and admire you very much."

These words, though seemingly polite, are actually quite sharp.

I know your record in Beihai.

But that was a battlefield.

The imperial court is a different matter.

Su Yunbai nodded: "King Wu Cheng is too kind."

Huang Feihu changed the subject: "However, the position of Grand General of the State concerns the deployment of troops throughout the land, and carries immense responsibility. This humble general dares to ask the general's views on the current military affairs of the Great Shang Dynasty?"

As soon as he said this, everyone looked at Su Yunbai.

This is a test.

It was also a show of force.

If you, Su Yunbai, cannot answer, or answer poorly, you will not be able to hold this position.

Su Yunbai's expression remained unchanged.

"The military affairs of the Shang Dynasty have three long-standing problems."

He spoke, his voice clear and resonant throughout the palace gates.

"Firstly, the military system is outdated. There are too many private armies of feudal lords, and the number of troops directly under the control of the imperial court is insufficient, resulting in slow deployment and difficulty in enforcing orders."

"Secondly, the equipment was outdated. The soldiers' armor was still mainly leather, the weapons were old, and the siege equipment and crossbows were inferior to those of Xiqi."

"Thirdly, training is lax. Apart from the direct troops under Grand Tutor Wen, the troops stationed in various places are poorly trained, their discipline is lax, and their combat effectiveness is worrying."

Everyone was taken aback.

I never expected him to be so bold, and to be so blunt about it.

Huang Feihu frowned: "General, your words are a bit too much."

"Too much?" Su Yunbai looked at him. "Does the Prince of Wucheng, who commands the Imperial Guards of Chaoge, dare to challenge my Iron-Blooded Army?"

Huang Feihu's face darkened.

"Is this a provocation by the general?"

"It's true," Su Yunbai said. "Three thousand Iron-Blooded Soldiers can form an array to kill Golden Core cultivators. Can King Wucheng's Imperial Guards do the same?"

There was an uproar around.

Severing the Golden Core?

That's the threshold to immortality!

Can an army of three thousand mortals kill a Golden Core cultivator?

You're just bragging!

Huang Feihu didn't believe it either.

"General, your words are an exaggeration."

Su Yunbai smiled.

"Whether it's an exaggeration or not, you'll know once you try it."

He paused.

"However, today is a court assembly, so we will not discuss military exercises. Since King Wu Cheng has asked for my views on military affairs, I will say a few more words."

His gaze swept over the military officers present.

"Military reform should implement a system of both conscripted soldiers and recruited soldiers. The imperial court should establish military prefectures to command troops stationed in various regions; and recruit elite troops to form a standing army directly under the imperial court."

"Equipment innovation requires the establishment of an Ordnance Bureau to develop new armor, weapons, and siege equipment. I already have several designs that can significantly enhance combat capabilities."

"In terms of training, a unified training manual needs to be developed, reviewed regularly, and the best and worst need to be eliminated."

At this point, he looked at Huang Feihu.

"If King Wu Cheng is interested, he can come to the Tian Ce Mansion after the court assembly to discuss the matter in detail. Military reforms still require King Wu Cheng's strong support."

Huang Feihu remained silent.

He didn't expect that Su Yunbai would not only answer correctly, but also answer logically and clearly, and even turn the tables on him.

At this moment, the palace gates opened.

The eunuch announced, "All officials, enter the court—"

The discussion has paused for now.

The group entered the palace one by one.

Su Yunbai walked at the front, alongside Shang Rong, Bi Gan, and Huang Feihu.

The Golden Palace.

King Zhou sat high on the dragon throne, his face majestic.

But Su Yunbai could see that there were bloodshot eyes in his eyes, indicating that he hadn't slept well last night.

"Greetings, Your Majesty—"

All the officials bowed.

"Rise."

King Zhou raised his hand, his gaze falling on Su Yunbai.

"My lords, the most important matter at today's court assembly is to reward the meritorious officials who quelled the rebellion in Beihai."

He looked at Su Yunbai.

"Su Yunbai, the adopted son of the Marquis of Jizhou, led three thousand iron-blooded soldiers to quell the rebellion in Beihai and captured Yuan Futong alive, achieving remarkable feats."

"I have decided to bestow upon Su Yunbai the title of Grand General Who Guards the Nation, in charge of all military operations in the realm; and concurrently, to lead the Heavenly Strategy Office, oversee all officials, and report directly to the Emperor."

"Furthermore, Marquis Su Hu of Jizhou is commended for his meritorious service in educating his son and is hereby granted the title of Duke of Jizhou, a hereditary title; the Iron Blood Army will be incorporated into the imperial court's ranks and will remain under the jurisdiction of Jizhou."

Upon the issuance of the decree, the entire hall erupted in uproar.

Although I had expected it, I was still shocked when I actually heard it.

The Great General Who Protects the Nation!

Tian Ce Mansion!

That's too much power!

Shang Rong immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable!"

Bi Gan followed closely behind: "Your Majesty, although General Su has rendered great service to the nation, such immense power is perhaps not a blessing!"

Huang Feihu also said, "Your Majesty, military power should not be so concentrated!"

The ministers all seconded the motion.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

"General Su is young and still needs more experience!"

"The power of the Tiance Mansion violates ancestral rules!"