After chatting with Xue Rushi, Jiang Wang understood one thing — the chief examiner position for the South Border official exam was originally bound to be won by Shi Mingcheng.

Su Guanying and Shi Mingcheng, one an Imperial Court Adviser, the other the Nine Soldier Commander, naturally collaborated closely outwardly, working in unity to govern Xia. Internally, however, competition was inevitable. Both were figures at the top of the Daqi court, sharing the official way, each wielding their own political power.

The buzz about the South Border holding an official exam had been around for some time, but the lack of specific details being released was due to the disagreement between the Governor of South Xia and the Military Governor.

Both Su Guanying and Shi Mingcheng had their vested interests. While they shared a common understanding to advance the South Border official exam, they had significant disagreements, which delayed the progress of the exam considerably.

The identity of the Governor of South Xia carried a natural advantage.

Shi Mingcheng’s focus was different. Compared to controlling the layered process of the entire official exam, he preferred to seize the position of chief examiner. Over time, the two important figures had secretly contested numerous times.

And today, Su Guanying conveniently offered the chief examiner position to Jiang Wang, effectively cornering Shi Mingcheng.

If Shi Mingcheng clashed with the currently powerful Marquis Wu’an as a result, all the better.

If Shi Mingcheng endures this time, it doesn’t harm Su Guanying. The Military Governor loses, the Governor does not, and Su still wins.

It can’t be said that Su Guanying used Jiang Wang as a pawn.

Taking charge of this South Border official exam brings significant benefits to Jiang Wang in the Qi Country’s officialdom. If managed properly... In the short term, regarding the great benefits of the South Border, he has already secured a legitimate way to indulge at will. In the long term, should he wish to advance into the Military Affairs Hall or Political Affairs Hall, the connections he weaves today could become robust support.

Whether the goal is to become a commander or a minister, one always needs support for their political ideals.

It’s just that if he had known earlier, Jiang Wang would never have agreed to Su Guanying.

His original intention in coming to South Xia was truly pure, one for the Great Yan Lian clan, and two for focused cultivation. He had no interest in getting entangled in any competition within the South Border’s officialdom. If his aim were officialdom, he would have already been active in Linzi, why wait until today?

Of course, perhaps in some people’s eyes, compared to the stable officialdom of Qi Territory, the South Border is an undeveloped fertile ground. Marquis Wu’an, who shone brilliantly during the Qi Xia War, choosing now to come to Xia is precisely a move with acute political instinct.

Even Xue Rushi thought so.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come so eagerly to pledge allegiance.

As soon as Jiang Wang arrived in South Xia, he obtained the chief examiner position for this official exam, acting so "assertively and precisely," which undoubtedly reinforced the perception that he came to take a seat and share a slice in South Xia.

How could one believe that, at such a young age, widely recognized, he came to South Xia merely for quiet cultivation?

Some things are hard to explain, so Jiang Wang simply didn’t. He just specially prepared a gift to be delivered to the Winter Silence Army garrison stationed at Chang Luo Mansion.

No matter what Shi Mingcheng thinks, he presented his gesture aptly. If not for the fear of losing room for maneuver, he might have considered visiting personally. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

He just hoped these individual Governors and Military Governors wouldn’t drag him into trouble at the slightest instance.

The day after Xue Rushi’s departure, Gu Yong also came to visit.

He, possessing External Building Environment cultivation, chose to surrender after the dust settled on the Minxi battlefield. His surrender was later than Xue Rushi’s, and his achievements were also far less, so after the war, he only became a City Lord.

Of course, now he also wants to take another step forward...

Gu Yong wasn’t the last either.

The generals they accepted in surrender alongside Chongxuan Sheng in Xia Territory back then almost queued up to visit. Back then, the humiliating history of being forced to surrender at swordpoint by Jiang Wang has now all become badges of honor.

"I was personally intimidated by Marquis Wu’an!"

"I abandoned the dark and surrendered to Marquis Wu’an as early as January!"

Such claims, the earlier they were, the louder they became.

This is one of the troubles of the official way. Everyone has their own interest claims; anyone who advances rapidly in the official way must balance various interest relationships.

The saying goes, "When one person gains the way, even the chickens and dogs ascend to heaven," conversely, if the chickens and dogs can’t follow you to ascend, why would they help you gain the way?

Among the series of visits, Shi Mingcheng’s subordinate generals also came once.

However, they said nothing else, only delivered a gift to celebrate the establishment of Marquis Wu’an Mansion here in Laoshan.

The meaning was quite clear too. This sturdy and straightforward, fiery-tempered Winter Silence Army Commander completely acknowledged Jiang Wang assuming the chief examiner role for this official exam, bearing no grudge.

Of course, what he truly thinks is unknown to outsiders. At least on the surface, the matter has been lightly brushed aside.

"Your mansion is really bustling; in the past few days, people have nearly worn down the threshold," Lian Que said with a laugh.

He was currently forging iron.

Jiang Wang had specifically arranged for a courtyard dedicated to crafting in another garden, complete with smithy, grindstone, hammers, etc. Although not as fine as the ones at Nan Yao Lian’s, they were fully equipped.

Chu Yao was standing by, practicing a stance.

With the flames from the furnace rising, the surrounding temperature was also high. The thin, dark-skinned boy was sweating continuously but remained motionless.

Jiang Wang used a stick to tap his arms, his legs, correcting his stance, while he said, "I originally came to South Xia seeking tranquility, but it seems unattainable."

"As someone as influential as you, how could you possibly find tranquility? Wherever you go, it’s the center of turbulence. Just like this piece of iron..."