Journey to the West: Starting from the Imperial Horse Stable

This time, when Wu Gongcao came to see him, he wasn't reviewing documents; instead, he was standing by the window with his back to the door. He only turned around when he heard a noise.

"You've arrived." Wu Gongcao said with a faint smile. It wasn't a deep smile, more like a fleeting expression. "Sit."

Wang Chen sat down as instructed, but a sense of unease crept into his heart. Wu Gongcao's attitude today was different from last time.

Wu Gongcao didn't return to his desk. Instead, he walked over and sat down in the chair next to Wang Chen. He first sized up Wang Chen a few times, then reached out and grasped Wang Chen's wrist.

Wang Chen's heart skipped a beat, realizing that this guy was probing his cultivation level. But why check his cultivation level before even speaking? What was going on?

Wu Gongcao released his grip, his smile seeming more genuine now. "Early stage of Celestial Immortal. The foundation is solid. However... you're still a bit short of the mid-stage."

Wang Chen withdrew his hand and said in a low voice, "It's my fault for being slow-witted; my progress has been slow."

"No rush." ​​Wu Gongcao waved his hand and leaned back. "Cultivation is something that can be done step by step. I called you here today to talk about that matter from last time."

He paused, looking at Wang Chen, "Last time you said you were worried that Supervisor Sun wouldn't tolerate you in the future, and that Feng Anruo would take over the position. Your life would be even more difficult. I've thought about all of this carefully."

Wang Chen raised his eyes and listened quietly.

"I'm appointing you as the Supervisor," Wu Gongcao said slowly. "This is not suitable."

His tone was calm, as if stating an obvious fact: "Sun Mingyuan did not commit any major offenses during his tenure as the supervisor, and the affairs of the Imperial Horse Administration were handled in a well-organized manner. It is unreasonable and illogical to remove him without a reason."

Wang Chen's face showed just the right amount of disappointment and a hint of understanding. He lowered his head and said, "Yes, I understand. I misunderstood before."

However, he knew in his heart that what Wu Gongcao said was just opening nonsense, and the real business was yet to come.

"However," Wu Gongcao changed the subject, "your concerns are also reasonable. Sun Mingyuan is not a magnanimous person. You have already developed a grudge against him. If he intends to make things difficult for you in the future, you will indeed be in a difficult position."

He tapped the armrest lightly with his finger. "So, I want you to be the Keeper of the Heavenly Horses."

Wang Chen looked at Wu Gongcao again. Well, so instead of making me the Supervisor, they want me to be the Keeper of the Heavenly Horses? That's quite a turn of events.

"The position of Bi Ma Wen in the Imperial Stables has been approved by the Tianxian Division," said Wu Gongcao. "But the candidate has not yet been finalized."

He paused, his gaze falling on Wang Chen's face. "After much thought, I've realized that although you're new, you've accomplished several tasks that others couldn't. You certainly have the ability."

"So," Wu Gongcao leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice, "rather than making you the Supervisor, it would be better to directly give you the position of Keeper of the Heavenly Horses. Of course, your position as Keeper of the Heavenly Horses is different from before. You and the Supervisor will jointly manage the Imperial Horse Administration. Otherwise, I'm afraid you might turn against Sun Mingyuan, haha."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Wang Chen's face showed astonishment. He opened his mouth, "Wu Gongcao, this... what qualifications do I have? Although Bi Ma Wen is not a high-ranking official, he is still in charge of supervising the imperial horses. I am still too inexperienced to be qualified."

Wu Gongcao didn't expect Wang Chen to refuse. Now he says he's not qualified enough. You didn't say that when you wanted to be the supervisor yesterday.

"Those are minor matters," Wu Gongcao waved his hand. "If I say you're qualified, then you are. In this way, wouldn't your conflict be resolved?"

He spoke of it so casually, as if it were truly a win-win solution.

Wang Chen's mind raced. Before Li Jing's conquest of Huaguo Mountain, Sun Mingyuan had been frantically trying to curry favor with the people of the Tianxian Division, all for the position of Bi Ma Wen.

Now that news of Li Jing's defeat has just reached us, Wu Gongcao has come knocking on my door, trying to force me into this position.

Sun Mingyuan isn't stupid. How could he easily give up something he's fought so hard for?

This guy must have been afraid of Sun Wukong and didn't dare to directly become the Keeper of the Heavenly Horses. Now he regrets it.

He wanted to get rid of this hot potato, but the approval document from the Tianxian Division had already gone through the process, and someone had to take on the role of Bi Ma Wen, which is why Wu Gong Cao approached him.

Moreover, Wu Gongcao just checked my cultivation level. He was probably confirming that my cultivation level was not up to the actual level of the弼马温 (Bima Wen, a low-ranking official in charge of horses). They were waiting to use this as a backup plan to remove me from the position of弼马温.

This guy is really good at scheming.

The astonishment on Wang Chen's face faded, replaced by an expression of trepidation. "Wu Gongcao is too kind; I truly, truly dare not accept such an important responsibility."

Wu Gongcao frowned almost imperceptibly. "Why wouldn't I dare? Since I said you could do it, then you can do it."

"It's not that I'm refusing," Wang Chen said, his head lowered, his voice trembling with unease.

"However, the position of Bi Ma Wen is the steward of the Imperial Horse Stables, a weighty responsibility. My cultivation is too low, and I fear I will not be able to command respect. If I botch the job and delay the affairs of Heaven, I will be condemned to death. Moreover, this position of Bi Ma Wen should rightfully be held by Supervisor Sun; how dare I overstep my bounds?"

His words were perfectly watertight. He both acknowledged his own inadequacy and praised Sun Mingyuan. He attributed his "unworthy" status to public interest rather than personal considerations.

Wu Gongcao looked at him for a while, then suddenly smiled. "You are indeed cautious. However, you don't need to worry about Sun Mingyuan. With me here, no one in the Imperial Horse Stables dares to disobey."

His words carried an undeniable air of authority: "This is a good thing for you. Becoming the Keeper of the Heavenly Horses means you'll be in charge of a department. Your salary and power will be different from before. More importantly, Sun Mingyuan can no longer do anything to you. What else do you have to worry about?"

Wang Chen was silent for a moment, then raised his head, his eyes filled with pure confusion. "Wu Gongcao, I'm stupid. I still don't understand. Why must such an important position be given to me? There should be people more suitable than me in the Imperial Horse Administration."

Wu Gongcao's smile faded slightly. He picked up the teacup beside him, took a sip, and then slowly said...

"This matter... is indeed somewhat complicated. The regulations of the Tianxian Division have been finalized. Sun Mingyuan's promotion document will be issued soon, but there are still some hurdles to be smoothed over. You don't need to know these things. You only need to know that I have faith in you and believe you are capable of handling this task, which is why I'm giving you this opportunity."

He put down his teacup, his gaze becoming somewhat profound. "This is a rare opportunity; once it's gone, it'll be gone forever. You should think it through carefully."

The words have been spoken so plainly that it's a nod: I'm giving you this position, but you'll need to curry favor with me; you have to show your appreciation.

Wang Chen sneered inwardly, but on the surface he appeared even more terrified. "Wu Gongcao, please understand, I am truly terrified. Such an important task, I have neither connections nor resources, how can I possibly smooth things over? If my actions delay Wu Gongcao's arrangements, I deserve to die a thousand deaths."

He paused, his voice lower, "Besides... although I have some disagreements with Supervisor Sun, I dare not let personal matters interfere with public duty. I... cannot do such a thing as vying for the position of弼马温 (Bima Wen, a minor official in charge of horses) just to avoid Supervisor Sun."

He kicked the ball back, and he did it beautifully. I won't compete, not because I don't want to, but because I'm not capable and I don't have enough spirit stones. You decide what to do.