Chapter 8

Zhao Huizhong came out of Zhangtai Palace, and it was already close to noon.

As soon as he returned to his sleeping quarters, someone, as instructed by King Zhuangxiang, sent over a bamboo slip detailing the specific tasks assigned to him.

The fragrant smoke from the bronze incense burner wafted through the air, filling the study with a pleasant aroma of grass and wood.

In this era, the palace windows and doors were designed to reach the ceiling, almost as tall as the room itself.

The windows were divided into many square grids by wooden strips, which not only served as decorative elements but also reinforced the stability of the windows. A thin, translucent material was used on the surface, allowing light to pass through.

After sitting down, Zhao Huizhong began to review the bamboo slips in front of him.

The political system of the Qin people already had the雏形 of the separation of powers known in later generations, where legislative, executive, and judicial powers were held by different institutions, each independent and checks and balances maintained stability.

However, this was still a feudal society, and above the law, there was the existence of the ruler of the state.

"The highest officials in the Qin government are led by the Chancellor, followed by the Imperial Censor and the Grand Commandant.

The Imperial Censor is responsible for supervision and law enforcement. The Grand Commandant is the highest military commander. Lü Buwei and my father want me to join the army guarding Xianyang or the Night Guard Bureau.

Tsk, the Night Guard Bureau has authority on par with the Imperial Censor and the Grand Commandant, second only to the Chancellor.

What a heavy responsibility!

So, in this world, the Qin system is not the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, but rather the Four Dukes, with the addition of the Night Guard Bureau...

Besides the seven states' governments, there are many other forces in this world.

Especially with the existence of cultivation techniques, various sects and schools possess formidable martial power, and sometimes people use their martial skills to defy the law and refuse to be governed... The Night Guard Bureau is the institution that handles such incidents.

Including disasters caused by demons and monsters.

In other words, the Night Guard Bureau has the dual functions of a police force and a national security agency, and it even has the power to execute. This evil feudal system, giving such great power to a single institution, is impossible in modern times."

Zhao Huizhong criticized the feudal structure as unscientific, but he felt a bit more anticipation in his heart.

His current identity is the greatest beneficiary of the feudal system, the crown prince of the state.

Entering the Night Guard Bureau with the dignity of a crown prince to exercise the king's supervisory responsibilities is the most suitable, and it also serves as a means of control and restraint over this heavily empowered department.

"I'll choose it. The Night Guard Bureau must have plenty of interesting things, and it will also be beneficial for my own growth to interact with cultivators."

Zhao Huizhong closed the bamboo slip and then closed his eyes to cultivate the immortal and demon powers within him. As the sky grew dark, he returned to his room to sleep.

The next day, he informed King Zhuangxiang of his decision.

Seeing that he had chosen the Night Guard Bureau, King Zhuangxiang pondered and said, "Among the choices I gave you, the Night Guard Bureau is the most dangerous. Whenever there are extraordinary events, have you considered it well, Huizhong?"

Receiving Zhao Huizhong's affirmative response, King Zhuangxiang nodded in agreement and issued the relevant edict.

From that day on, Zhao Huizhong became the supervisor of the Qin Night Guard Bureau, exercising the king's authority.

For the Night Guard Bureau, this was equivalent to the crown prince overseeing the state, responsible for assisting the chief officials in normal circumstances with the intention of learning. In special situations, he could even act independently, a position of significant power.

After leaving King Zhuangxiang, he went to Zhangtai Palace to visit his stepmother.

In this world, he had no relatives, and although his stepmother was not his biological mother, she was still the mother of his previous incarnation, and there was still some affection.

"Huizhong, come quickly."

Upon receiving the report from the servants, Zhao Ji personally came out to welcome him, smiling and hugging Zhao Huizhong, ready for a hug.

Zhao Huizhong was a bit uncomfortable with his stepmother's sudden excessive enthusiasm, feeling the soft and plump sensation as he was tightly embraced by Zhao Ji, slightly embarrassed.

Zhao Ji, however, temporarily put aside the constraints of etiquette, enjoying the feeling of maternal love, and refused to let go of Zhao Huizhong.

Once inside Zhangtai Palace, Zhao Huizhong understood the situation.

In the harem, harmony is impossible, and the place where seductive and scheming women gather is a place of constant intrigue.

Zhao Ji, from a humble background, had no support in the harem except for King Zhuangxiang's favor.

Even though she used all her charm to attract King Zhuangxiang, she still lacked a sense of security.

However, now that Zhao Huizhong had returned and demonstrated astonishing cultivation potential, King Zhuangxiang not only allowed him to attend court but also assigned him to oversee the Night Guard Bureau, a department with significant power, clearly solidifying his position as the crown prince.

Zhao Ji's mood had been wonderful for the past two days.

Her son was her own flesh and blood, and such a capable one, she planned to rely on him until her old age.

"Huizhong, when you enter the Night Guard Bureau, you must not slack off. You must achieve something to show your father and the royal relatives. Your mother relies on you," Zhao Ji said with a broad smile.

Zhao Huizhong laughed and responded, "Most importantly, to make your opponents die of jealousy, so that the seductive and scheming women dare not plot against your mother."

Zhao Ji paused, muttered "seductive and scheming women" a couple of times, and then beamed with joy, "I don't take the other women in the palace seriously, except for Xiu Li... She is of royal lineage from the state of Han, married to your father, and has a son, Chengjiao, with significant backing.

You must be careful of her, Huizhong, and not be outwitted."

Zhao Huizhong smiled, chatted with Zhao Ji for a while, and then returned to his sleeping quarters. Considering he had to go to work the next day, he decided to go out and explore Xianyang City on his last day off.

"Someone."

Before he finished speaking, an eunuch ran in and pushed the door open.

This eunuch was named Liu Qi, sent by Zhao Ji out of concern for her son. Originally the second-in-command in Zhangtai Palace, he became the head eunuch in the current crown prince's quarters, a promotion. He was very clever and had a natural talent for being a lackey.

"Do I have any restrictions if I want to go out of the palace?" Zhao Huizhong asked.

Liu Qi responded smoothly, "According to Qin law, the crown prince must report to the Minister of Rites and the Minister of Clan Affairs if he wants to leave the palace. The crown prince's departure from the palace is a significant matter, so please prioritize your safety."

"No problem, I just want to take a look around. I'll go and report," Zhao Huizhong said.

Half an hour later, he put on casual clothes and strolled out of Xianyang Palace.

Of course, even with the simplest arrangements, his identity still required the presence of dozens of people, all elite Qin soldiers, to ensure his safety.

He came out of the main gate of Xianyang Palace, and Liu Qi bent down to follow, also in civilian clothes, and explained in a low voice, "This street is near Xianyang Palace. Turn left and go straight to reach the main street of Xianyang City.

If the crown prince wants to see the bustle, you can go that way."

Zhao Huizhong nodded slightly, his face full of curiosity.

The street was paved with large blue bricks, and buildings lined both sides, exuding an ancient charm.

As he moved further away from the palace, the number of people on the street increased.

"Calling me crown prince is inappropriate when we're outside the palace. Change the title," Zhao Huizhong said.

"Yes, Young Master," Liu Qi quickly corrected himself.

Zhao Huizhong then looked at another attendant, a young woman with a fierce and agile demeanor, slightly dark-skinned.

This young woman, named Jiang Si, was personally assigned by King Zhuangxiang to protect him after his return.

She looked like a formidable person, with a sharp and fierce presence, and a ruthless and merciless aura.

However, her appearance was rather ordinary, with a pair of triangular eyes as fierce as a leopard, and a flat chest that was almost nonexistent, making one feel calm.

"Relax a bit, we're here to stroll, not to fight."

As they walked, Zhao Huizhong asked Jiang Si, "What cultivation system do you practice?"

"I mainly practice the art of war and killing, and I also study the Yin-Yang techniques," Jiang Si replied with her head bowed.

"What level have you reached?" Zhao Huizhong asked.

"The Yin-Yang techniques were created by Master Zou Yan, and there is no complete lineage in our Qin. I have only reached the sixth level, where I have opened the dual paths of Metal and Water. My main practice in the art of war is one step away from the Sage realm," Jiang Si replied.

Zhao Huizhong was slightly surprised.

To be able to practice two techniques simultaneously is a sign of genius, and her main practice in the art of war is just one step away from the Sage realm.

Such a person is just his bodyguard.

The Qin truly gathers the world's fortune, with a wealth of talent.

The other two leaders of the guards responsible for his safety were also nearby but did not reveal their identities. Zhao Huizhong only kept Liu Qi and Jiang Si by his side.

The street was crowded with people, bustling and lively.

The sun was high in the sky, and it was around two or three in the afternoon. People on the street wore long robes, which were designed with the left side of the garment extended to the back and then wrapped around to the front, tied at the waist with a belt, often in contrasting colors to enhance the decorative and aesthetic appeal.

The daily attire for both men and women was similar, with large lapels and narrow sleeves.

The difference was that men wore leather belts around their waists, while women used silk belts.

In terms of clothing, Zhao Huizhong was relatively adaptable, but he found it somewhat inconvenient and cumbersome.

What he found most unbearable was that this era did not have men's underwear, and even pants were not common. Some people only had two layers of long robes, forming an inner and outer layer.

There was no restraint for the pendulum between the legs, which swung freely.

Worse still, this era commonly used kneeling, and any slight carelessness during kneeling could result in an embarrassing scene.

Sometimes Zhao Huizhong could only console himself that this was actually not bad, allowing for the release of one's nature and a sense of freedom.

He strolled around for a while, and there were no trivial matters for him to handle, as often seen in novels. Suddenly, he asked, "How do I get to the Night Guard Bureau?"

Liu Qi immediately realized that his master was not just out for a stroll and quickly responded, "The Night Guard Bureau is not far from Xianyang Palace. We can turn left ahead and reach it in about four to five hundred breaths."

Zhao Huizhong nodded and calmly said, "After we left the palace, someone has been secretly following and monitoring us. They probably have ill intentions. Have you noticed?"

"Who would be so bold?"

Liu Qi was startled and almost jumped up on the spot.

Fortunately, he maintained his composure and did not look around.

Jiang Si was also surprised but not afraid. Her eyes turned fierce, and she asked, "Can the crown prince be sure? Where is the person?"