The low-key prince summons trainees from the Imperial Household Department at the start of the game.

Grand Commandant Zhou Jing's words were resounding and powerful.

There was a brief moment of silence on the platform, and everyone's expression was different.

Qin Wu frowned, clearly disapproving of Zhou Jing's "use people first, then investigate" attitude, but due to the old Grand Commandant's seniority and prestige, he could not refute him on the spot.

Yuwen Lie, on the other hand, looked relaxed and even nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing with Zhou Jing's words. He valued Dian Wei, and there was no direct conflict of interest with Xu Chu, so there was no need to offend the old Grand Commandant for this matter.

Of the four marquises, Han Chong's expression was the most complicated. His distant nephew, Han Dang, had just had his halberd cleaved away by Xu Chu with a single blow. Personally, he felt somewhat embarrassed, but publicly, he had to admit that the blow was indeed amazing. If he could recruit this man into the army, he would be a great help.

Zhou Qian took in everyone's expressions. He picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and then turned his gaze to Qin Wu, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable decisiveness: "Commander Qin, you can investigate the person; it's your duty, and I won't stop you. But—"

He paused, put down his teacup, and the bottom of the cup tapped softly on the rosewood table. "Until you have a clear understanding, it will not affect the Grand Commandant's mansion's personnel appointments. I have approved the Zhenwu Division's request for these three men's resumes. But if you have solid evidence, then report back to me. If you have no evidence and detain people based solely on the word 'suspicious,' that would be cutting off your own arm."

Qin Wu's expression changed slightly, but he immediately bowed and clasped his hands, saying in a deep voice, "Your subject obeys the decree."

As he returned to his seat, his gaze met Yuwen Lie's.

Yuwen Lie still wore a smile, but Qin Wu saw a hint of schadenfreude in that smile.

The animosity between the two deepened once again.

Seeing that the emperor had made the decision, Grand Commandant Zhou Jing did not stand on ceremony. He immediately stood up, leaning on his bamboo cane, and announced loudly to the crowd below the arena: "The final selection continues."

His voice, amplified by his internal energy, resonated like a booming bell across the entire training ground, silencing all the noise and chatter.

The crowd immediately fell silent, their attention refocusing on the ring.

However, everyone knew in their hearts that the winner of the final selection was already a foregone conclusion.

Han Dang, currently ranked second among the strongest, with a sixth-grade cultivation level, couldn't even withstand a single move from Xu Chu's blade.

Of the remaining people, who else dares to challenge Xu Chu?

Sure enough, Dian Wei accepted two challenges in the following rounds.

One of them is the fourth-ranked centurion of the Imperial Guard, with a peak fourth-grade cultivation level.

One of them is a skilled individual ranked fifth, also at the fourth rank.

Dian Wei won decisively in every match, maintaining his third-place ranking.

Zhan Zhao also accepted a challenge. His opponent was the Tiger Guard Flag Officer, who was currently ranked sixth and was at the peak of the fourth rank.

Zhan Zhao still did not draw his sword, but relied on his lightness skill and the scabbard to force his opponent off the stage within thirty moves, rising to fourth place.

As for Xu Chu, no one has challenged him since Han Dang.

The ranking of first place, which was initially uncertain, has now become a certainty.

As the sun began to set, the final selection process concluded. The official in charge of ceremonies, carrying the final ranking list, ascended the high platform and knelt to present it to the Emperor for his perusal.

Zhou Qian took the booklet, his gaze sweeping from first place to tenth place, his face revealing neither joy nor anger.

He closed the booklet, stood up, and slowly walked to the edge of the platform, looking down at the ten Imperial Guards standing straight below.

The golden rays of the setting sun shone on his dragon robe, making the five-clawed dragon appear as if it were about to take flight.

"Xu Chu, step forward to receive your investiture." The emperor's voice was not loud, but it could be clearly heard in the silent training ground.

Xu Chu stepped out of the ranks, knelt on one knee, placed his right hand on his left chest, and his armor gleamed darkly in the setting sun.

He lowered his head, but his back was ramrod straight, like a heavy sword stuck in the ground.

"Xu Chu, the centurion of the Imperial Guard, is exceptionally brave and skilled in martial arts, truly the best among the Imperial Guards."

Zhou Qian's tone was steady and solemn, each word like a nail driven into a wooden board: "He is hereby promoted to Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard Battalion, with the rank of Fifth Grade, and is bestowed with a set of golden armor, a jade belt, and a copy of the Yellow Rank Lower Grade martial arts manual, 'Tiger Roar Golden Body Technique'."

These words immediately caused an uproar in the audience.

Fifth rank!

A centurion is a military rank of the seventh grade, while a deputy commander is a rank of the fifth grade, with a full four ranks in between.

This was unprecedented in the history of the Imperial Guards' Grand Competition. In previous years, the top performer would rise by a maximum of two ranks, but Xu Chu jumped by four ranks.

Moreover, the "Tiger Roar Golden Body Technique" is a Yellow-rank technique in the royal armory, which is a level higher than first-class techniques. Ordinary generals may not be able to reach the threshold of this level of technique even after a lifetime of hard work.

But no one felt it was unfair.

The image of that single strike cleaving the halberd flying is still vivid in everyone's mind, and everyone knows that this taciturn man deserves this reward.

Xu Chu replied in a deep voice, "This humble general thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

His voice remained calm, devoid of any excitement or pride, as if this honor of being promoted four ranks was merely a change of shift.

He retreated back into the ranks and exchanged a fleeting glance with Dian Wei—a silent exchange that only those who had fought side by side could understand.

"Dian Wei, step forward to receive your appointment," Zhou Qian continued reading.

Dian Wei stepped forward and knelt on one knee.

When he knelt down, his knees slammed onto the bluestone slab with a dull thud, like two anvils colliding.

"Dian Wei, a bodyguard of the Imperial Guard, possesses extraordinary strength, superb halberd skills, and a calm and dignified demeanor, displaying the qualities of a great general. He is hereby promoted to centurion of the Imperial Guard, a rank of seventh grade, and is bestowed with a pair of fine iron halberds and a copy of the Yellow Rank low-grade martial arts manual, 'Mysterious Armor Iron Bone Skill'."

Another exceptional promotion.

A bodyguard with a sword is a regular bodyguard of the ninth rank, while a centurion is of the seventh rank, with several ranks skipping in between.

In the Tiger Guard formation below the stage, Han Chong's lips twitched. He had originally intended to recruit Dian Wei into the Tiger Guard, but the emperor had personally appointed him as a centurion of the Imperial Guard Battalion, and his plan had failed.

Fortunately, the double halberds made of fine iron and the "Mysterious Armor Iron Bone Skill" bestowed by the emperor were truly excellent items. In particular, the "Mysterious Armor Iron Bone Skill" was a yellow-rank martial art in the royal armory specifically for body tempering. Combined with Dian Wei's already astonishing strength and physical constitution, his future achievements were limitless.

Although Han Chong felt some regret, he wasn't too disappointed. As a centurion of the Imperial Guard, he would have the opportunity to fight alongside the Tiger Guard, and there would be plenty of time in the future.

"Zhan Zhao, step forward to receive your title."

Zhan Zhao stepped out of the queue and knelt on one knee.

His movements were clean and crisp, and his kneeling posture was standard and elegant, consistent with his previous style of moving like the wind in the ring.

"Zhan Zhao, instructor of light footwork in the Imperial Guard Battalion, possesses superb agility, profound swordsmanship, and composure in the face of enemies. He is hereby promoted to chief instructor of light footwork in the Imperial Guard Battalion, with the rank of sixth grade, and is granted a copy of the Yellow Rank lower-grade martial arts manual, 'The Nine Turns of the Soaring Dragon.'"

Zhou Qian paused slightly at this point, his gaze lingering for a moment on the long sword at Zhan Zhao's waist that remained unsheathed. A faint smile appeared on his lips. "Zhan Zhao, I've remembered your sword. I hope to see you draw it in the next competition."

These words carry more weight than any reward.

The emperor himself said, "I will remember your sword," which means that Zhan Zhao's name has been engraved in the emperor's memory.

Zhan Zhao bowed his head and clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice clear and bright: "This humble general obeys the decree and will certainly not fail Your Majesty's expectations."

On the high platform, Kong Yan twirled his prayer beads and chuckled softly, "His Majesty is exceptionally generous to these three young men. Not only did he bestow gold and silver upon them, but he also gave them all three Yellow-Rank cultivation techniques in one go. The royal armory is probably going to be emptied out."

His words were half-joking and half-serious. Yellow-rank cultivation techniques were extremely precious in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and ordinary generals might not be able to obtain one even after a lifetime of struggle.

Giving away three books today is truly a generous gesture.

Zhou Qian sat back down in his chair and smiled faintly upon hearing this: "Grand Tutor, you jest. I think it's better to give the martial arts manuals to those who can use them, rather than leaving them to gather dust in the armory. The more capable people there are, the more stable the Great Zhou's rule will be."

He turned to Zhou Jing and said, "Grand Commandant, we still need to investigate the backgrounds of these three people, but we should also use them."

"Your Majesty is wise." Zhou Jing stroked his beard and smiled, standing up with his bamboo cane. "Then this old minister will not stand on ceremony. As for Xu Chu's transfer to the Grand Commandant's office—"

"No rush." ​​Zhou Qian waved his hand. "He was just promoted to deputy commander. He will first spend a year in the Imperial Guard to familiarize himself with the defense of the palaces and the military affairs of the capital. Then he will go to the Grand Commandant's office for training. Dian Wei and Zhan Zhao will do the same. They will stand guard or teach as needed. Talented people are not meant to be worshipped, but to be used."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jing didn't insist and sat back down with a smile.

He knew that what the emperor said made sense. If a newly promoted general were immediately transferred from his original post, it would easily cause dissatisfaction among his colleagues and make his position unstable.

The best long-term approach to personnel management is to first serve a full year in the current position to establish a solid foundation before making a transfer.

The rewards for the remaining seven were also announced one by one.

Some were promoted, some acquired martial arts techniques, and some were transferred to various government departments.

Although Han Dang was defeated by Xu Chu, his sixth-rank cultivation and exquisite halberd techniques were still recognized, and he was transferred to the Ministry of War.

Luo Feng was personally selected by Han Chong to join the Tiger Guard cavalry battalion because of his bravery in the battle against Dian Wei.

With the final announcement of the ceremony by the master of ceremonies, the Imperial Guard Competition of the twentieth year of the Yonghe era officially came to a close.

The setting sun had sunk below the western edge of the palace walls, bathing the entire drill ground in a dark gold hue.

The three battalions of the Imperial Guards retreated one by one, the sounds of armor clashing and footsteps gradually fading away, leaving only the laborers responsible for cleaning up the ground, gathering up the broken planks and weapons.

However, for some, the aftershocks of this competition have only just begun.