Chapter 01 Part 06 - Promotion
Chapter 01 Part 06 - Promotion
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Gu Qi Mountain lay between the inner area of House ZiChuan and the Far Eastern Region. The strategic position of its high mountain range had formed an almost insurmountable natural barrier around the heart of House ZiChuan. The only pathway through the Gu Qi Mountain, connecting the Far East and the inner area of House ZiChuan, was the great road, the Chang He Highway.
Fort Warren, also known as the greatest fortress on this side of the world, (except for the great Demon G.o.d Fortress in the land of Demons) built in Imperial Calendar, Year 456. It is an impregnable fortress guarding the only access point into the heart of House ZiChuan from the Far Eastern Regions, the Chang He Highway. There had been rumors floating around stating that: “Inside the Fort Warren, you are safe from even the wrath of G.o.ds!” The evidence did seem to support such outrageous claim. The Demons had launched four major invasions in the past. Each time House ZiChuan relied on the thick walls of Fort Warren to repel the invaders, each time the powerful Demon horde was forced to return, with wounded pride.
The former head of the family, a famous general at the time, ZiChuan Yuan Xing once said: “Without Warren, we would have been wiped out twenty times over.” The fact that both the General Headquarters and Base Camp of the Far Eastern Army were located in Fort Warren showed its importance.
ZiChuan Xiu and many others who had rendered great military service during the Heng Chuan campaign received an invitation to join Deputy Commander Luo Bo at the Far Eastern Army’s General Staff Department in Fort Warren. Alas…
The gorgeous secretary politely informed ZiChuan Xiu: “Master Xiu, I’m sorry. Deputy Commander Lin Bin suddenly decided to hold a military conference. Commander Luo is thus still unavailable. He did say to have you wait in the drawing room in case you arrived early. I’m terribly sorry.”
ZiChuan Xiu leaned sternly next to her face while looking suspiciously to the sides, then whispered to her: “Miss, do you recognize that man wearing the Banner Warrior’s uniform?” He pointed at a young officer coming out of the Headquarter Building.
“Oh, that is the Communication Officer sent by Banner Master Ge Xi of the South Eastern Army. He just delivered a doc.u.ment to Deputy Commander Luo’s office…”
“He is a fake!” ZiChuan Xiu spoke adamantly: “He is an a.s.sa.s.sin sent by the House Liu Feng!”
Colours instantly fled from her cheeks: “But he had a valid Military ID and Access Pa.s.s, even the doc.u.ment…”
“Do you doubt my words? Well, I don’t blame you. I saw the real Communication Officer on my way here, and he told us everything before he died.” ZiChuan Xiu spoke with utmost conviction: “Commander Luo is his target! Where has the a.s.sa.s.sin been to? We have to perform a thorough search!”
The young secretary was completely indoctrinated by ZiChuan Xiu’s overwhelming display of confidence: “He just went inside Deputy Commander Luo’s office, but he only stayed for five minutes and I was with him the whole time…”
“Give me the keys!” Without explaining, ZiChuan Xiu took the keys from her: “Five minutes? He is a professional spy, five minutes is enough to plant over thirty bombs!”
With that, he walked into the office, closing the door behind him: “Till the danger pa.s.ses, n.o.body is to be allowed inside!”
Once the Staff Department of the Far Eastern Army fell into chaos, the Military Constables quickly arrived to the scene, but were ordered by ZiChuan Xiu to stay out of the office. Only the sound of maddened table flipping and Master Xiu’s murmuring could be heard on the outside: “Where? Where is it? Come out this instant, I know you have been hiding them… I won’t stop till I find it!”
The crisis went on for five full minutes, until Master Xiu emerged from the door drenched in sweat: “I didn’t manage to find any… He must have planted it elsewhere!”
Since all officers, constables and staffs present were gaining a new found respect for Master Xiu’s bravery and calmness in the face of crisis, no one noticed the strange bulge in his briefcase… even the sound of bottles b.u.mping into each other went unnoticed.
Deputy Commander Luo only found out about it after the conference. Even though he rushed back as fast as he could, the content of his personal safe was long gone. His outcry could be heard everywhere in the building!
Everyone thought the Liu Feng spy must have gotten away with some super secret doc.u.ments…
Deputy Commander Luo Bo gritted his teeth: “Ah Xiu, what have you done?!”
ZiChuan Xiu replied with great trepidation: “Ah Yes! It’s my fault! I shouldn’t have acted so recklessly without confirming my suspicions first. I have caused chaos to the department, and wrongfully accused an innocent fellow officer, leading to his arrest. Please accept my sincere apologies!”
Lu Bo roared: “I don’t give a hoot about that Banner Warrior!” Lowering his voice: “Where are my bottles? My three hundred year old wine and royal brandy!”
ZiChuan Xiu looked confused… as though he had never heard of the word “bottle” before: “What bottles?”
“Stop pretending! The ones you stole from my…” Luo Bo suddenly stopped himself.
“Are you sure, Sir? The Far Eastern Army Regulation clearly states that, during service hours, alcohol is strictly forbidden. Could there be alcohol in your office, Sir? Surely that can’t be true. Everyone in the Far Eastern Army knows you for your discipline and rect.i.tude. There is no way something like that could have happened. Someone must be spreading false rumours with the intent to tarnish your reputation, but don’t you worry, I have complete faith in you, Sir!”
Luo Bo begged in earnest: “Come on, don’t be like that… Just give me my Brandy back.”
ZiChuan Xiu’s answer was a simple and mysterious smile… a smile Luo Bo knew all too well… This was not the first time he suffered at his hands.
“Fine, you got me! There won’t be a next time.”
“The official decree has arrived: Banner Master ZiChuan Xiu’s outstanding performance during the Battle of Heng Chuan has brought honor to the family. After consulting with the Council of Elders, the High Command has decided to commend Banner Master ZiChuan Xiu for his efforts and promote him to the rank of…”
Luo Bo purposely drew out his voice: “…Deputy Commander! Issued by: Supreme Commander Yang Ming Hua. Approved by: Chief of Staff Luo Ming Hai, Far Eastern Army Commander Ge Ying Xing, Border Army Commander Ming Hui, Central Army Commander Lei Xun, Black Banner Army Commander Fang Jin, and Imperial Guard Army Commander Pi Gu. Imperial Calendar, Year 778 July 28th”
ZiChuan Xiu could not believe what he just heard: “Deputy Commander! Promoted from Banner Master directly to Deputy Commander, skipping the rank of Red Banner Master entirely!” That was not what he expected…