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

Chapter 48 The Azure Sky of Chaoge!

Following the scent, Su Yunbai arrived at a secluded residence in the south of Chaoge City.

The house was not large, but it was elegantly decorated and shrouded in a faint protective barrier.

As soon as he landed, the courtyard gate opened automatically.

"Come in."

Bixiao's voice came from inside.

Su Yunbai walked in.

Inside the courtyard, Bixiao was sitting at a stone table, brewing tea.

She changed into a pale yellow dress, her hair simply tied up, losing some of her ethereal fairy-like aura and gaining a more down-to-earth quality.

When she saw Su Yunbai come in, she looked up and smiled.

"They arrived quite quickly."

Su Yunbai walked over and sat down opposite her.

"Why are you in Chaoge? Didn't you say you were going back to Three Immortal Islands?"

Bixiao handed him a cup of tea.

"I did go back. But my eldest and second eldest sisters heard that I had a great time in Jizhou, and they insisted that I tell them in detail."

She blinked.

"I simply told her about meeting you. My eldest sister didn't say anything, but my second sister seemed quite interested."

"and then?"

"Then, they sent me to Chaoge to take a look," Bixiao said. "My eldest sister said that the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods has begun, and Chaoge is the eye of the storm. She sent me to observe the situation, and also... to see you."

Su Yunbai's heart stirred.

"Does Fairy Yunxiao know about our affair?"

"She hasn't said it outright yet." Bixiao smiled, "But my eldest sister is so smart, she must have guessed a bit. Her lack of objection means she tacitly approves."

That's good news.

Su Yunbai breathed a sigh of relief.

"So, how long do you plan to stay this time?"

"It depends," Bixiao said. "Chaoge is quite lively right now. When I entered the city, I sensed the presence of many cultivators, including those from the Xuanmen sect, those from unorthodox sects, and even demonic energy."

She looked at Su Yunbai.

"Being a general like you is no easy task."

"It's really not easy." Su Yunbai smiled bitterly, "There's a bunch of old foxes in the court, and various forces outside the court are eyeing us covetously."

Bixiao reached out and took his hand.

"Do you need my help?"

Su Yunbai grasped her hand in return.

"Your arrival is the greatest help you can give."

This is true.

With Bixiao, a great immortal, in Chaoge, many things become much easier.

more importantly--

The anchor point for the escape of love threads has been found.

Su Yunbai was secretly delighted.

That system really is a jinx.

When you speak of a Daoist partner, they arrive.

"Oh, right," Bixiao suddenly remembered something, "when I entered the city, I saw a notice posted at the city gate saying that the Tian Ce Prefecture was recruiting craftsmen and would reward inventions handsomely. Did you put that up?"

"Yes."

"What are you going to do?"

"Improve people's livelihood and enhance national strength," Su Yunbai said, "and incidentally... accumulate merit."

Bixiao's eyes lit up.

"Merit? That's a good idea. Humans are the protagonists of heaven and earth. Improving the lives of humans will surely be rewarded by the heavens."

She thought about it.

"Our Jie Sect also has many classic texts on weapon crafting, formations, and agriculture. I'll compile a list later; it might be useful to you."

Su Yunbai was overjoyed.

"Thank you very much."

"Don't mention it," Bixiao said with a smile. "Between us, there's no need for thanks."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

"Is it safe for you to live here?" Su Yunbai asked.

"It's safe," Bixiao said. "This house is a stronghold of our Jie Sect in Chaoge. It's protected by an array, so ordinary cultivators won't be able to detect it."

"That's good." Su Yunbai stood up. "I'll go back to Tian Ce Mansion to handle some official business first. I'll come see you later."

"Wait a minute," Bixiao called out to him.

She stood up, walked to Su Yunbai, and reached out to straighten his collar.

You've lost weight.

Her tone was gentle, tinged with concern.

Su Yunbai felt a warmth in his heart.

"The affairs of the court are complex and unavoidable."

"No matter how busy you are, you must take care of your health," Bixiao said earnestly. "You are now the Great General who protects the nation of Shang. If you fall, Shang will truly be finished."

Su Yunbai nodded.

"Know."

He lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead.

"wait for me."

"Um."

Su Yunbai left the residence and returned to Tian Ce Mansion.

As soon as he entered, Fei Zhong came to greet him.

"General, you're finally back!"

"What's wrong now?"

"Someone from the Ministry of Works came and said that our recruitment notice for craftsmen has broken the rules."

Su Yunbai raised an eyebrow.

"What are the rules?"

"The Ministry of Works says that artisans are under their jurisdiction. Our Tian Ce Prefecture is overstepping its authority by recruiting them without authorization."

Su Yunbai sneered.

Who is the Minister of Works?

"He is Zhou Ji, a disciple of Jiang Huanchu, the Marquis of Dongbo."

really.

It has affected the interests of certain people.

"Let him in."

"Yes."

Soon, a middle-aged official walked in, his face arrogant.

"This humble official, Liu Hong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, greets the General."

Why hasn't the Minister of Works come?

"The Minister is unwell and has asked me to convey his message."

Su Yunbai sat down.

"Speak, what is it?"

Liu Hong cleared his throat.

"General, according to the laws of the Great Shang Dynasty, artisans are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Works. Although the Tian Ce Mansion has received special permission from His Majesty, the matter of recruiting artisans should still be discussed with the Ministry of Works for unified arrangements."

"Negotiation?" Su Yunbai asked calmly. "How do we negotiate?"

"The Tian Ce Prefecture can report its needs to the Ministry of Works, which will then allocate craftsmen. As for rewards and official positions, these should also be approved by the Ministry of Works."

To put it bluntly, they just want a piece of the pie.

They also need to restrict personnel authority.

Su Yunbai smiled.

"Vice Minister Liu."

"Your humble servant is here."

"Which do you think holds more power, the Tian Ce Mansion or the Ministry of Works?"

Liu Hong was taken aback.

"Well... the Tian Ce Mansion is directly under His Majesty's command, so it naturally wields great power. But the management of craftsmen is ultimately a matter within the Ministry of Works..."

"It's just part of your job?" Su Yunbai interrupted him. "The Ministry of Works has been in charge of craftsmen for many years, but have they made any decent inventions? Have they improved a single farm tool? Have they increased the production of even an inch of cloth?"

Liu Hong was speechless.

"this……"

"No," Su Yunbai answered for him. "The Ministry of Works only knows how to follow the established procedures and adhere to ancestral rules, without any ambition."

He stood up.

"This general has established the Crafts Bureau to recruit artisans and reward inventions handsomely, all in order to enhance the national strength of the Shang Dynasty and improve the lives of the people."

"If the Ministry of Works truly wants to take charge, then demonstrate its capabilities. If the Ministry of Works can invent three new items that benefit the country and its people within three months, this General will merge the Craftsmen's Office into the Ministry of Works."

If not—

Su Yunbai stared at Liu Hong.

"Just shut up and get out of the way."

Liu Hong's face turned pale and then red.

"General, that's just sophistry!"

"Soliciting excuses?" Su Yunbai's eyes turned cold. "Then this general will use force to oppress me. What are you going to do about it?"

A trace of the quasi-saint's aura leaked out.

Liu Hong felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave; his legs went weak and he almost knelt down.

"roll."

Su Yunbai withdrew his oppressive aura.

Liu Hong ran away as fast as he could.

Fei Zhong watched in horror.

"General, wouldn't this... offend the Ministry of Works?"

"So what if we offend them?" Su Yunbai said calmly. "If they know what's good for them, they'll cooperate obediently. If they don't..."

He looked at Fei Zhong.

"Do you have any dirt on the officials of the Ministry of Works?"

Fei Zhong's eyes lit up.

"Yes! From the Minister to the lowest clerk, not a single one in the Ministry of Works is clean. Embezzlement, bribery, using inferior materials, withholding wages from artisans... the evidence is there!"

"Compile it," Su Yunbai said. "I want to see evidence of the crimes committed by all officials in the Ministry of Works within three days."

"yes!"

Fei Zhong went there excitedly.

Su Yunbai returned to his study.

After processing several official documents, he activated the system.

"Exchange for knowledge of 'Simplified Steelmaking Method', 'Improved Textile Technology', and 'Basic Agronomy'."

[Ding! Searching...]

[Simplified Steelmaking Method (Traditional Method): 200 points]

[Improved textile technology (efficiency increased by 30%): 150 points]

[Basic Agronomy (Seed Selection, Fertilization, Crop Rotation): 100 points]

[Redeem or not?]

"exchange."

[Ding! 450 Intimacy Points consumed!]

[Current intimacy level: 595 points.]

Relevant knowledge flooded my mind.

Su Yunbai closed his eyes to digest the information.

These technologies are not particularly advanced, but in the world of Investiture of the Gods, they are enough to trigger a revolution.

He picked up his pen and began writing a technical manual.

It is to be handed over to the artisans of the Crafts Department for trial implementation.

As I was writing, a thought suddenly struck me.

I sensed Bixiao's presence approaching.

Soon, Bixiao's voice rang out from outside the door.

"Yunbai, may I come in?"

"Come in."

Bixiao pushed open the door and entered.

She was carrying a food box.

"I brought you some food."

Upon opening the food box, one finds several delicate side dishes and a pot of wine.

"You did this?" Su Yunbai asked in surprise.

"Hmm." Bixiao smiled, "I learned it from Daji when I was in Jizhou. Give it a try."

Su Yunbai took a bite.

tasty.

"I didn't know you could cook."

"I know a lot more than that," Bixiao said, sitting down opposite him. "I'll show you later."

The two ate and chatted.

"Did the Ministry of Works come to cause you trouble?" Bixiao asked.

"You found out?"

"In Chaoge City, nothing can escape my divine sense," Bixiao said. "Do you need my help?"

"Not for now," Su Yunbai said. "A bunch of clowns, I can handle them."

"That's good." Bixiao put some food on his plate. "But you have to be careful. The Ministry of Works is backed by the Marquis of Dongbo. Jiang Huanchu has considerable influence in the court."

"I know," Su Yunbai nodded, "but the Marquis of Dongbo dares not act rashly now. Queen Jiang is in the palace, and Ji Fa is still a hostage in Chaoge. He is afraid to act rashly."

"Ji Fa?" Bi Xiao frowned. "The second son of the Marquis of Xibo?"

"Yes. Now it's called Boyi Kao."

"What do you plan to do with him?"

"Keep him," Su Yunbai said. "He's an important bargaining chip to keep Xiqi in check. Ji Chang doesn't dare to act rashly because he's afraid we'll kill his son."

Bixiao seemed to be deep in thought.

"You want to use Boyi Kao to force Ji Chang to submit?"

"No," Su Yunbai shook his head, "Ji Chang will not give in. But at least we can buy some time."

He looked at Bixiao.

"By the way, how many disciples of the Jie Sect did you bring this time?"

"It's just me," Bixiao said. "My eldest sister asked me to check the situation first. What, do you need help?"

"Yes, we need them," Su Yunbai said frankly. "The Tian Ce Prefecture is currently short of people, especially cultivators."

Bixiao thought for a moment.

"I can send a message back to Jin'ao Island and have some outer disciples come over. Their cultivation level isn't high, but it should be enough to handle worldly affairs."

"Outer sect disciples..." Su Yunbai pondered, "Are they reliable?"

"Most of them are reliable," Bixiao said. "The Jie Sect believes in teaching without discrimination. Although the outer disciples are diverse, they value loyalty. As long as you treat them with sincerity, they will be loyal to you."

"Okay," Su Yunbai said, "then I'll leave it to you."

"Leave it to me," Bixiao said with a smile.

After finishing her meal, Bixiao packed up the food box.

"I should go back now."

Su Yunbai got up and saw her to the door.

"Azure Sky".

"Um?"

"Stay in Chaoge and help me."

Bixiao turned around and looked at him.

"That was my original plan."

She stepped forward and gently hugged Su Yunbai.

"Yunbai, I know you have ambition and plans. I won't ask you what you're going to do, I'll just ask you one question—"