Chapter 11: Instant Rewards
Chai Xiao discovered that his current "useless" body was not entirely without merit.
Although he was left gasping for breath while jogging in circles, and his speed and precision left much to be desired when wielding a broom, he found that when he unleashed the "Power Splitting the Mountain" strike from the "Mountain-Cleaving Staff Technique," the force was formidable.
A large frame meant no lack of raw power!
Of course, weight loss was imperative. He needed to transform this flabby body into solid muscle to better withstand the hardships ahead. There were many storms and turbulent times yet to come, and one's body would always be their most fundamental asset.
At that moment, Zhang Bao was almost instinctively blocking the strikes with his own broom.
*Crack!*
With Chai Xiao’s final heavy blow, the long broom handle in Zhang Bao’s hand snapped clean in two!
"This..."
Although Zhang Bao rarely displayed his martial arts, he had never known defeat. He stood frozen, staring blankly at the broken broom in his hands, much like a child whose favorite toy had been shattered.
He Yun, Lan Zhi, and the guards were equally stunned. Their new master had started his first day by waking up early to run laps, and then, in a "broom duel" with the inscrutable Chief Steward Zhang, he had actually managed to break the steward’s staff!
It seemed that from now on, they would all have to wake up early for morning training. Otherwise, if they were struck by him with a broom, they might end up with broken legs!
The captain of the guards, having heard the commotion, had quietly followed them. Seeing the scene, he dared not speak, only casting meaningful glances at Zhang Bao.
After a full minute of shock, Zhang Bao finally regained his composure.
"My Lord!" Zhang Bao shouted, dropping to his knees with a thud.
*Clatter!*
The captain of the guards led the men, along with He Yun and Lan Zhi, as they all knelt in succession.
"My Lord is mighty! From this day forward, we shall join you in diligent martial arts practice to strengthen our bodies!"
"Diligent martial arts practice to strengthen our bodies!"
Hearing their shouts, Chai Xiao smiled and set down the broom.
"Haha! Those are good words! Diligent martial arts practice to strengthen our bodies! I thought you were going to say 'rise at the crow of the rooster to practice the sword.' That’s too early—I couldn't possibly get up for that!"
*Rise at the crow of the rooster?*
Zhang Bao’s mind raced. A rooster’s crow, or the hour of the rooster, was during the *Chou* period (1:00 AM to 3:00 AM). Their young master usually slept until the sun was high, around the *Si* period (9:00 AM to 11:00 AM). That left the *Yin*, *Mao*, and *Chen* periods in between—a full three segments of time earlier. It was no wonder he couldn't get up!
Still, today was early for him; he had risen right at the *Chen* period (7:00 AM to 9:00 AM). Normally, officials of the Great Qi Dynasty began their workday at this time. The diligent founding emperor had held court during the *Mao* period, but as it proved unsustainable, the time was gradually pushed back to the *Chen* period. Of course, fishermen, farmers, and small workshop owners rose much earlier, often starting their preparations during the *Yin* period.
The master said he didn't need to rise at the *Chou* period, but he hadn't specified an exact time. Was this just a whim for today, to be followed by a return to the old ways? Or was he setting a new rule?
Chai Xiao glanced at Zhang Bao, reading his mind as if he possessed telepathy. *He’s wondering what time is appropriate to wake up, isn't he?*
According to the sundial and water clock in the training yard, it was currently the fourth quarter of the *Chen* period, or 8:00 AM. Since they had been training for about an hour, it meant he had woken up at 7:00 AM, just as the *Chen* period began.
A rooster typically crows around 3:00 AM. In the old days, laborers rose at that time to work. There was a landlord named Zhou Papi who was so cruel that he would mimic a rooster crowing at 1:00 AM just to force his servants to work. While that story was once in elementary textbooks, Chai Xiao, now a transmigrator inhabiting the body of the "useless" Ninth Prince, was determined to govern well—but he didn't want to be a Zhou Papi and get beaten for his trouble.
The original "useless" prince typically didn't wake until nearly noon (11:00 AM). Waking at 7:00 AM was already four hours earlier than usual; that was enough! Everything must have its limits, and the key was consistency.
"Zhang Bao!"
"Here!"
"The morning court usually begins at the *Chen* period, right?"
"Yes! Throughout the Great Qi, that is the standard time!"
"Since there is a rule, we shall be punctual. From now on, daily training begins at the *Chen* period!"
"Understood! Daily training begins at the *Chen* period!" Zhang Bao and the guard captain acknowledged the order.
"Let’s go have breakfast!"
Chai Xiao strode away. As he passed the guard captain, he asked, "You are the captain of the guards?"
"Yes! My Lord, my name is Yao Jin!"
"Yao Jin! 'Want to advance' (Yao Jin)! Good! Whether you achieve progress depends on your dedication!"
Yao Jin felt a shiver run down his spine. He had been with this Ninth Prince for eighteen years. The prince had never asked his name before, nor had he ever shown any interest in the guards' duties, treating them as if they didn't exist.
The guard captains of other princes had risen to become deputy palace stewards or generals of the Divine Strategy Army. For instance, the second prince's three successive guard captains had achieved fourth and third-rank positions, each more prestigious than the last, wielding power across provinces and commanding respect. Only he had remained in place for all these years, still a mere "attendant" without even a formal rank. He wasn't even a ninth-rank official!
The older palace guards mocked him, calling him "Yao Eighteen," forever tethered to the eighteen-year-old "useless" prince. He had no choice but to console himself with the fact that these eighteen years had been peaceful. But what had come over the Ninth Prince today? Upon arriving in Daxu, he asked his name and spoke of "progress."
Could it be that his own spring had finally arrived?
"Please rest assured, My Lord! This subordinate will dedicate his life to the task and lead the guards in diligent training!" Yao Jin knelt on one knee, placing his right hand across his chest, and gave a solemn military salute.
Chai Xiao nodded and walked ahead with Zhang Bao, speaking in low tones. Zhang Bao suddenly looked back at Yao Jin, his eyes filled with immense shock.
Yao Jin stood frozen, watching them walk away.
Earlier, Chai Xiao had asked Zhang Bao, "What is the rank of the guard captain?"
"Reporting to My Lord, he has no rank; he is still an 'attendant'!"
"Has he always been?"
"Always! For eighteen years! Since you were born, he has been in the Ninth Prince's residence, following you all the way to Daxu!"
"He must have cursed my ancestors eighteen generations back by now, right?"
"This... he wouldn't dare!"
"There’s nothing he wouldn't dare! What is the procedure to grant him a rank?"
"As the master, a single imperial edict from you is sufficient. However, for ranks from the ninth to the sixth, while the states like Daxu can establish them, the Great Qi court must acknowledge them. Anything above the fifth rank requires reporting to the capital for court confirmation."
"Have someone keep watch. If they continue training after we leave, issue an order granting him the ninth rank. If they slack off, he remains an attendant!"
"My Lord is wise! This subordinate thanks you on behalf of Yao Jin!"
Chai Xiao merely smiled slightly. Satisfying employees or mid-to-low-level managers appropriately and at the right time was an effective incentive in modern management. If one knew a subordinate was dissatisfied yet remained indifferent or delayed action, it would only amplify their disappointment and render future incentives useless.
They hadn't walked far when they heard Yao Jin’s voice booming with renewed vigor!