Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

"My lord, the matter has been completed!" Gao Zhao returned to the study to report to Gao Qiu.

"Hmm!" Gao Qiu responded, then said indifferently, "Since you've already taken care of it, why are you telling me?"

Gao Zhao said with a grin, "After all, it's something the master instructed us to do, so it's good to give a response so that the master has a clear understanding of the situation."

Upon hearing this, Gao Qiu raised his head and looked at him seriously, feeling that this kid had really changed. His previous timid and submissive demeanor was definitely a disguise.

He hesitated for a moment, then pushed a book on the table towards him, saying casually, "Take a look at this!"

"What is this?" Gao Zhao took it in surprise, opened it and saw that it was all about etiquette and rules. He frowned, wondering why Gao Qiu was showing him this.

Gao Qiu lowered his head again, writing as he explained, "This is the 'New Rites of the Five Rites' compiled by the Emperor. What do you think?"

"No, I don't understand any of this either, what am I supposed to look at!" Gao Zhao complained, but still started reading. This page was the wedding section, which detailed the etiquette process.

When the wedding party arrives, the groom's family is to sit and wait in which hall, and in which hall to greet and pay their respects, etc.

"Excellent..." Gao Zhao praised in a drawn-out voice, "The Holy Emperor has ascended the throne, and in response to the times, the dynasty has been revitalized. He has taken it upon himself to restore the ancient ways and revive the rites, promoting rites and music, rectifying customs, and clarifying social roles. This is enough to trace back to the great achievements of the three sage kings in establishing rites and music. His civil and political achievements will be recorded in history!"

Gao Qiu raised his head and glanced at him, a half-smile on his face, and said, "Do you really think so?"

"Then... how could this be fake?" Gao Zhao patted his chest and said, "Every word I spoke came from the bottom of my heart!"

Gao Qiu nodded and said, "Yes, His Majesty is preparing to appoint an official in charge of rites to implement this ceremony!"

"No way!" Gao Zhao exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't that just reckless nonsense?!"

"How so?"

"Is that even a question? Does the Emperor really think that the people of our Great Song Dynasty are so wealthy that every household has two halls?"

Gao Zhao was speechless. You didn't even investigate the people's conditions before implementing this decision; you just made it on a whim!

Damn, now I know what frivolity means!

"Don't say such things!" Gao Qiu reprimanded sternly. "Be careful what you say!"

Gao Zhao was speechless: "Sir, we need to be reasonable. You're the one who led me to say that!"

"I only came here to test you, but I didn't expect you to be so impatient." Gao Qiu sneered, then stood up and said, "You've come at the right time. Stay here and have dinner with me!"

"Ah!" Gao Zhao was taken aback. He was planning to leave after reporting his business. What was the point of having dinner with Gao Qiu? It was nothing compared to the girls in the brothel!

Gao Qiu frowned and said coldly, "What? You're unwilling?"

"No! Of course I would be honored!" Gao Zhao quickly replied. This was his biggest backer right now, and he couldn't afford to offend him!

However, while it's important not to offend him, Gao Zhao is not someone to be trifled with!

During the meal, he displayed an imposing manner, eating voraciously and sweeping the table, leaving Gao Qiu dumbfounded, holding his wine cup but unable to take a sip!

"My lord, please forgive my embarrassment!" Gao Zhao said with a sheepish expression, "I've been busy all day and only just found time to eat!"

"Get lost!" Gao Qiu could easily see through his intentions. With a glare, Gao Zhao turned to leave!

"No fooling around outside. You're coming to the barracks with me tomorrow!"

"what!"

Gao Zhao, who was preparing to help those wayward girls, was devastated!

This is ruining my spiritual practice!

However, seeing Gao Qiu's expression, it was clear that there was no room for negotiation. Gao Zhao had no choice but to nod in agreement and walk towards his own courtyard with a sigh.

When he encountered Qian Bao'er at the courtyard gate, he didn't bother to pay her any attention. He ignored her resentful gaze and walked straight into the house without turning around.

The old woman could only sigh repeatedly at this scene. Men are indeed all heartless; once they get something, they don't cherish it. This was true then, and it is true now!

Gao Yi hurriedly ushered Gao Zhao into the house. Seeing that he was sullen, he took the initiative to start a conversation, "Young master, Qian Bao'er's eyes are practically drooling over you. She must be lusting after you. Why don't you just take her?"

Gao Zhao glanced up at him, then slapped him across the face, angrily saying, "Vulgar! Does she have to be lusting after my body? Couldn't she admire my talent and character?"

Gao Yi covered his head, looking aggrieved, and muttered, "Why are you talking about something that doesn't exist..."

Gao Zhao flew into a rage, jumped up to kick him, and yelled, "Young master, I'm a student of the Imperial Academy now, how come I have no talent or learning!"

Gao Yi ran away with his head in his hands, and dashed outside in a flash. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the young master did not chase after him. He counted on his fingers, somewhat puzzled. Why did the young master only refute him for saying that he had no talent, but not for his character?

That's really strange!

……

The next day, Gao Zhao woke up early as usual. Looking at the faint morning light outside the window and then at the furnishings in the room, he was momentarily stunned before realizing that he was not in the Biyong and there was no need to get up early!

But even after lying in bed for a while, I just couldn't fall asleep!

Feeling utterly bored, I got up and was about to go out when I saw Lu Qian walking towards me.

"Young master, the Grand Commandant has sent me to take you to the Imperial Guards' training ground!"

Gao Zhao only remembered that he hadn't dealt with this guy yet when he saw him!

That day, I set a trap for him and caught him red-handed. Under those circumstances, his first reaction was not to confess, but to make excuses and push the blame onto himself!

Gao Zhao knew at that moment that he could no longer keep him by his side!

Although he didn't care about the loyalty of his subordinates, keeping him around was ultimately a hidden danger and an unpleasant experience!

Actually, distancing yourself from him is also a solution!

But in order to please me, they betrayed even their best friends!

Having paid such a high price, it wouldn't be right or appropriate for me to distance myself from him again!

Such a lack of compassion will only give others something to gossip about me.

So it's better to just kill them!

Gao Zhao reminded himself again, then nodded and followed him to the military camp.

Upon arriving at the military camp, Lu Qian introduced the scenery along the way to Gao Zhao.

Gao Zhao listened silently as he walked and observed. When he came across a martial arts instructor training soldiers, he stopped to watch.

"How many instructors are there in the Imperial Guards? Why isn't Lin Chong here?"

Lu Qian hurriedly replied, "The Imperial Guard has a quota of 270 ordinary instructors, plus 30 chief instructors, 10 patrolling instructors, and dozens of instructors like Lin Chong who specializes in teaching batons. He's not on duty today!"

Gao Zhao nodded and moved closer to watch, but soon found it boring. The person was only teaching some rudimentary techniques, not even as many as he already knew. He immediately shook his head and said, "How can someone with this level of skill go into battle!"

Lu Qian forced a smile and said, "What you say is true, young master. These people's skills are naturally far inferior to yours!"

Gao Zhao smiled arrogantly, then turned and left.

Just then, a loud shout came from behind: "You two, don't leave yet! If you don't think much of the martial arts I teach, why don't you have a spar!"