The Night Watchman's invitation... inviting me?
Xu Qian found it hard to believe for a moment. He kept silent, not rushing to speak.
"You're a talent. Back in the prefecture's rear hall, I'd already confirmed it. But the Night Watchmen have rules — Qi Refining is the minimum requirement." Li Yuchun shifted into a relaxed posture, no longer as aggressive as before. "As guardians of Great Feng and protectors of His Majesty, it's only natural we set high standards."
"But you proved yourself with your own methods. Even at the Essence Refining stage, the Night Watchmen are willing to recruit you."
*Because my methods are sufficiently dirty and my thinking sufficiently meticulous, so they're making an exception?*
Yes, this half-Southern-Barbarian Silver Gong had expressed admiration for him during the tax silver case.
The stern-faced Silver Gong added: "Of course, the most important reason is that the Princess Royal recommended you."
The Princess Royal?! Xu Qian was shocked again.
Who was the Princess Royal? Why would she recommend him? He'd never even met her... Well, he had heard of her at White Deer Academy, but they'd never crossed paths. So why had she put in a word for him with the Night Watchmen?
Xu Qian was full of confusion. The two Silver Gongs seemed to have no intention of explaining — or perhaps they didn't know themselves.
"Besides that, the reason you two didn't report me is..."
Li Yuchun smiled: "You should know the Night Watchmen's duties."
*Monitoring the officials... Vice Minister of Revenue Zhou, who embezzled state funds, wasn't on the same side as the Night Watchmen. In fact, the Night Watchmen organization had been pushing for his downfall.* Understanding dawned on Xu Qian.
"Vice Minister Zhou was bound to fall eventually. We'd already begun dealing with him; your little scheme just helped us accelerate the timeline." The stern-faced Silver Gong spoke.
Li Yuchun glanced at him: "Official Sun, as per our prior agreement, I'll take this man. Please give us some space to talk."
Official Sun didn't leave. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Xu Qian: "You have the right to choose — follow him or follow me."
"The power difference between us isn't great, but he's rigid and inflexible. The Copper Gongs under him scrape by. Under me, a Copper Gong can afford a decent courtyard in the inner city within three years at most."
*Three years of work for a house in the capital... that's genuinely tempting.* Xu Qian politely declined Official Sun's recruitment: "Back during the tax silver case, Official Li gave me a chance to make amends. I've always remembered that kindness. I'd like to work under him."
That was only one reason. The other was that he didn't want to go against his conscience