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The day after the temple was established was the Imperial Court meeting.

Although the Emperor had left the Capital City, the meetings of the Imperial Court could not be interrupted, especially now that the army had been dispatched, and numerous matters such as the supply of provisions and internal adjustments needed to be discussed.

In three days it would be the New Year. According to the tradition set by the Great Jin at its founding, high officials would rest at home for an entire month during the New Year period.

Naturally, most matters had to be arranged properly before this so that everyone could celebrate the New Year with peace of mind, right?

At this moment, atop the great hall, the once-nine-ministers were no longer the same, and the Sorcerer Family had almost completely withdrawn from the power circles of the Capital City.

It had become a scene dominated by the Warrior class.

Even the position of Minister of War was no longer held by a civil official but was instead taken by the military-born Duke of Yue, Shen Mao—a rarity in past dynasties, clearly showing the Emperor’s resolve to favor military over civil affairs.

Wei Gongxing was fortunate to participate in this great meeting.

Under normal circumstances, as a collateral member of a vassal family, he would probably never be qualified to enter the hall of the Imperial Court.

But things were different now. As the top Ghost General under the command of King Xiang had suddenly arrived, Wei Gongxing’s current status was even higher than some of the dukes in the hall.

The appearance of such a person caused the situation in the Imperial Court to become somewhat eerie. According to the status and hierarchy of Yin Spirits, everyone should pay respects to Wei Gongxing, and even the seat of honor should be his.

However, Wei Gongxing remained low-key. Although granted the seat of honor, he virtually didn’t speak, which slightly relieved the civil and military officials.

Outside the hall, the jealous young nobles nearly popped their eyeballs out with envy.

Just a few days ago, that Wei brat was still ranked as a common soldier who could at most manage the horses for most people, and now he could actually receive bows from the ministers and sit in the seat of honor at the court—was there any justice in this?

That’s not how one simply walks into good fortune, is it?

But no matter how jealous and dissatisfied they were, they dared not do anything. The position of a top-level Ghost Spirit was extraordinary. If they dared to show any disrespect, they might not even need someone else to take action; their own Martial Spirits could consume them.

Meanwhile, inside the hall, the arrangements for the new generation were being discussed.

Currently, the Capital City was in dire need of manpower.

For the success of the northern campaign, the Emperor had mobilized most of the elite forces into the northern army.

The number of the Imperial Army guarding the Imperial City had been reduced to one-third, not to mention those responsible for city defense.

The more difficult arrangement now related to Wei Gongxing. As a being possessed by a top-level Ghost General, it seemed unreasonable not to give him a position. Yet, what position to give was the problem, considering that... good positions were scarce, and who would be willing to give them up?

"Let’s first talk about city defense arrangements," the Duke of Ying coughed lightly. "It’s definite that we need to increase the number of the Imperial Army. Among the new recruits, we need to replenish our numbers. I hope to transfer an additional five thousand men into the Imperial Army."

"Five thousand men? You dare to ask for so much.

.." The Duke of Yan snorted coldly from the side.

"In this round of bestowed Martial Spirits, there were just over six thousand persons in total.

With one word from you, ninety percent would be gone.

What, you leave the rest of us to fight over broth? "

"The Imperial Army is the face of the Imperial City. The last reduction was a last resort. Now that there are new recruits, shouldn’t it be the priority to focus on them? Is there a problem?"

"Of course, there’s a problem..." replied the Duke of Yan coldly.

"The Martial Temple is urgently understaffed. According to the previous scale, the three great Martial Temples each need at least three thousand elite guards rotating on defense. If everyone goes to your Imperial Army, what, we’re supposed to be content with the few that are left? "

"What kind of security issue can there be at the Martial Temple? With the current situation, who would dare to offend the Martial Temple foolishly?"

"That’s uncertain... What if something happens? Will you, the Duke of Ying, take responsibility?"

"You...."

"Enough..." The Chief of Staff and Duke of Yue, Shen Mao, appeared to have a headache intervening between the two dukes who enjoyed competing for resources even when the Emperor was present, and were still at it now.

Everyone was short of people, and both wanted more control over manpower, he understood, but the youngsters were still outside.

What did it look like, with two such esteemed dukes publicly grabbing people?

"None of the new recruits will be divided between the Martial Temple or the Imperial Army!"

Upon hearing this, both dukes were stunned, and so were the other lords, who looked over in surprise.

The Duke of Yue, the old fellow, though holding the position of Chief of Staff, had no authority over troops. Could it be that he too wanted to grab people?

"What do you mean by that?" the hot-tempered Duke of Ying roared outright. "If not ours, then you’re saying they should belong to the Chief of Staff?"

"What would the Chief of Staff want with so many men?

" the other retorted with a roll of his eyes.

"Before the New Year, when gathering troops for the northern campaign, due to shortages, the Emperor not only pulled two-thirds of the Imperial Army but also diverted city defenders.

Now, the night patrols of the Capital City rely on the government officials of the Jingzhao Prefecture to double up, is that acceptable? "

"My suggestion is to re-establish the city defenders, to be managed temporarily by..." He glanced at Wei Gongyu, "Lord Mu Ye, how about that?"

As soon as these words were uttered, the two dukes who had been arguing heatedly suddenly stopped talking.

Both had been determined to acquire these newcomers, but if everyone was to be managed by Mu Ye, this new big shot, none dared to vie for them.

Moreover, they were more than happy to facilitate this arrangement.

Although Mu Ye held an extremely high position, Wei Gongyu had no footing whatsoever; it wouldn’t be appropriate to rashly give him a high position, especially since there weren’t any significant positions available.

For a newcomer, being in charge of city defense was a definite sign of favor, as it used to be managed by the Crown Prince himself.

In terms of status, it was sufficiently prestigious and also came with a certain degree of military authority, so it wasn’t considered a disgrace.

The key was that while the responsibility of city defense was heavy, it didn’t affect the interests of others. If the other party agreed to such an arrangement, the awkwardness of today could be resolved.

Everyone’s gaze instantly turned to Wei Gongyu.

At this moment, Wei Gongyu’s heart grew cold; he hadn’t expected the inside agent to be none other than the esteemed Duke of Yue!

Such a watertight plot...

The Duke of Yue’s position seemed important but had nothing to do with military power and was the least feared. His stepping forward to assign these newly born Ghost People to a place was actually the most appropriate...

Wei Gongyu hadn’t expected that the person behind this scheme was not simple at all.

"Hey... kid, guessed wrong, didn’t you?"

"The predecessors’ schemes are profound, I was too arrogant..." Wei Gongyu admitted with shame in his heart.

"Hahahaha..." The other side burst into laughter, "Not bad at all, being able to guess that far. You can’t possibly guess everything, can you?"

"The young one is ashamed..."

Mu Ye chuckled, then spoke up, his deep voice emanating from Wei Gongyu’s body, "Then let it be so. It’s good for this little ghost to get some practice, and you all could use a breather, couldn’t you?"

"You overstate it, sir..." Everyone hurriedly bowed, fearing that he might be dissatisfied with the arrangement.

"Enough, enough..." Mu Ye waved his hand dismissively: "I couldn’t care less about your little schemes.

I have come out ahead of time not to fuss over these trifles with you.

Let it be. Let him practice for now. When King Xiang returns, I shall head to the front lines, so you all should prepare well for the successor of this city defense command. "

"Yes... sir..."

Witnessing the ease with which Mu Ye commanded military power, Wei Gongyu became even more vigilant but also puzzled.

These newcomers did not choose to infiltrate the Imperial Army or the Martial Temple but became a separate city defense force. This way, although control naturally fell into their hands, wouldn’t it be inconvenient when the time came to make a move?

According to his reasoning, it would be most opportune to distribute people into the Martial Temple during this time, secretly controlling it from within, wouldn’t it?

City defense? Could it be they were planning to assault the Ghost Temples during their nightly patrols?

No matter how he thought about it, there seemed to be no chance of victory...

Just what was the calculation here?