In a campaign on the southern border within the Qi clan's territory, a group of youths no younger than sixteen years old were lined up to receive approval to enter the training camp and join the imperial army.
"Next," said Chu Feng, a mid-ranking soldier who distinguished himself in the last clash with a western tribe on the other side of the central mountain ranges and was rewarded by the emperor with a few gold talis and a rank not much better than he had.This made him feel a little more impatient and grumpy.
"Sir, Chao Tao reports to your superior." A stalwart and enthusiastic young man displayed no arrogance, but rather joy and happiness at joining the imperial army. This caused Chu Feng to feel a burst of anger, and he slammed the table. "Do you think the imperial army is a game? Tell me, what's with that silly smile?" he said with mockery, anger, and a hint of impatience.
"This humble man wouldn't dare, sir," he said somewhat stiffly, but with the same firmness, without changing his posture. Though his smile quickly disappeared with Chu Feng's shout. His eyes were smiling. Whether he were sad or angry, they would look just as smiling.
Realizing that his attitude was out of place and that he had no reason to scold a child, he calmed down slightly and massaged his temples, not before handing Chu Feng the entry token. "This humble sir bids farewell to his superior," Chao Tao said, taking the token and bowing to Chu Feng.
"What's wrong with this kid? Why is he so excited?" he muttered in a low voice. "Next." This time, his mood had worsened, and he was a little more impatient. He wanted to leave as soon as possible. Seeing someone approaching without a word, he found it strange, but he didn't look at him. Instead, he asked, "Your name?" "Xie Lan, sir." "Xie Lan?" Chu Feng suddenly repeated. He felt that it was the name of someone delicate and beautiful, and looked up curiously.
What appeared before her eyes was a young man of about fifteen, slim, with snow-white skin, a straight nose, thin lips, and unusual green eyes. His hair was loose and somewhat disheveled, but that didn't make him any less attractive; on the contrary, he seemed more handsome than a girl. Truly attractive.
Chu Feng, seeing this, moved his fingers slightly and unexpectedly tapped the table. His mood had changed drastically, so he wasn't as impatient with the young man.
"Tell me, where do you come from?"
"This humble one comes from Beiyuan."
"Eh? Isn't that the Hao Clan's territory in the north? Why are you here? Didn't they accept you into their army?" Che Feng asked sarcastically and with interest.
"This humble one came voluntarily to train in the south, my lord," Xie Lan said firmly.
"I see. You may go," Chu Feng said as he handed him the entry token.
"This humble man thanks his superior," Xie Lan said, bowing.
"Mmm, I'll see you later at the training ground with your companions. You may go."
After leaving the campaign, Xie Lan was led to a platform full of young soldiers. Some were scared, others genuinely happy and excited to learn martial arts. Xie Lan didn't know anyone, but that didn't worry him at all. While he was deep in thought, he didn't notice someone speaking to him.
"Hey," Chao Tao said, touching him on the shoulder. "I'm sorry. You weren't listening. You seemed distracted, so I touched yours."
"Hmm. Sorry, I was overthinking. Do I know you?"
"No, but you were behind me in line for the registration card, and I wanted to say hello. Have you come to make a name for yourself? Because I am. I want to defeat the barbarians and become a great general," he said with a big smile. "I was very cheerful and enthusiastic."
-I'm sorry, making a name for myself is not in my plans, I'm here to get closer to someone- he said with a smile but his eyes showed a deep sadness
"Approaching someone? Ah, a pretty girl? Hahaha, I understand. With your beauty, it shouldn't be difficult," Chao Tao said with a hint of impudence and laughter. "It's not a girl, it's..." But before Xie Lan could clarify, Chu Feng walked up to the platform to speak to the young soldiers.
At the same time, in his room, Liu Zhen was in crisis. He estimated that the dispute in the imperial court against the Qi clan was approaching. Although he was a very intelligent person, he still found it difficult to resolve problems in public. Normally, when he was young, he did so out of obligation and always with arrogance, which led to his dying day. But this was completely different. This time, he had to resolve it at all costs, of course, if he didn't want to be seen as a human stick.
"So if I go south to talk to General Qi and warn him about what's going to happen, maybe... no, he'll probably suspect me and wonder how I knew." Liu Zhen thought, a little desperately, and muttered in a low voice: "What should I do? What should I do? How do I stop him?"
Then an idea occurred to him:"Under the guise of studying administrative matters, I can review some financial and supply reports from the south. There I can find sufficient evidence of the alleged bribery and prove the Qi clan's innocence, as well as prevent General Qi and his clan from being overthrown from the imperial court and thus avert the catastrophe that will occur ten years from now."
With this in mind, he asked a servant to prepare a carriage to take him to the Ministry of Administrative Affairs. This office was divided into five sections: taxes, warehouses, militia and supplies, imperial payments, and census and property letters.
As crown prince, it wasn't unusual for him to want to learn about ministerial administration. However, it might be a good prospect for those who wished him to ascend the throne. That being the case, the servant didn't ask for much and continued with the task entrusted to him.
As he boarded the carriage, he remembered that there was someone behind him carrying out his plans, which had led him to unjustly accuse the Qi clan in his previous life. "No matter what happens, I have to stop their plans. My life depends on it," he said softly, gritting his teeth.
"What does life depend on?" someone inside the carriage asked in a firm, yet childish voice, given his age. His determination was undisguised. It was Liu Zhen's second brother, Liu Zhao.
Seeing that he had made a mistake this time, Liu Zhen paled. His younger brother was only two years younger than him, but he was extremely intelligent. In his past life, he had been a great opponent for the throne. He had also been a key strategist in the fight against the barbarians. If he could keep his younger brother by his side, it would be a great advantage. So he beamed.
Liu Zhao narrowed his eyes at that smile. Although they were brothers, their parents kept them apart due to disputes over the throne. It was the first time his brother had been so kind to him, so he began to suspect.
"What are you going to do in the administrative ministry?"
"Sigh. I can't hide it from you, huh? You always catch me out, but this is an urgent matter, so I need your help."
"My help? Haha, how interesting. Why does the Crown Prince need my help?"
"Well, you see... I discovered that an official from the imperial court is trying to frame the Qi clan by hinting at alleged bribery," Liu Zhen said.
"That could be a serious problem," Liu Zhao said, frowning. "Framing a clan as large as the Qi clan, not to mention its large army. If General Qi were to stray from the imperial court, there could be trouble. Furthermore, it could be considered treason, and the entire Qi clan could be wiped out."
All right, bro, you're clever. This is pretty much what will happen in ten years if I don't fix this mess. Liu Zhen thought.
"However," Liu Zhao said, "I find it a little suspicious that you know so much. As far as I know, you have never been interested in the imperial court. Tell me, Your Highness, what sparked your interest this time?" As he said that, Liu Zhen's smile disappeared.
Damn brat is smarter than I thought Liu Zhen thought.
"Don't worry about the details. I promise to share them later," Liu Zhen said. "However, this topic cannot go any further."
"As you wish, Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince," he said with sarcasm and mockery. Liu Zhao knocked on the wall of the carriage and began walking toward the administrative ministry. The carriage was impressive, with crimson cushions and gold threads. It had a small table where tea was served and go was played.
Beiyuan (北原)
Región del norte bajo la administración del Clan Hao. Conocida por su clima riguroso y sus estrictas tradiciones militares. Se distingue por enviar jóvenes prometedores al ejército imperial. Su nombre significa literalmente "Llanura del Norte".
🏛 Ministerios Administrativos (五司)
1. Departamento de Impuestos (税司 · Shuì Sī)
Encargado de la recaudación y distribución de tributos dentro del imperio. Supervisa la eficiencia fiscal en las provincias.
2. Departamento de Almacenes (仓司 · Cāng Sī)
Administra los graneros, almacenes de armamento y provisiones imperiales. Es vital para las campañas militares.
3. Departamento de Milicia y Suministros (兵供司 · Bīng Gōng Sī)
Controla la logística militar, incluyendo la distribución de armas, equipos y raciones para las tropas.
4. Departamento de Pagos Imperiales (俸司 · Fèng Sī)
Gestiona los salarios de los funcionarios, estipendios del ejército y subvenciones imperiales.
5. Departamento de Censos y Registros (籍司 · Jí Sī)
Encargado del registro poblacional, propiedades, fronteras, y actualización de documentos oficiales.