Pang Ban furrowed his brows upon hearing the report from the Captain under his command, his fingers gently tapping on the table as he spoke in a deep voice, "The approach is wrong? You have no way forward?"
"Sir, an approach like this cannot be resolved by experience alone. If there is no clue, no starting point in that tangled mess, then everything else is out of the question."
Solving a case is like this—it’s not like fighting or killing where brute force can win the day. If you lose your line of inquiry in an investigation, the case immediately grinds to a halt, unable to move forward an inch.
Seeing Pang Ban lost in thought, the Captain added, "What we need now is someone with unconventional thinking, skilled at handling strange cases, to take charge of the preliminary work. As long as a reasonable breakthrough can be found, the rest will be easy to handle."
Unconventional thinking and skilled at handling strange cases?
There are many sleuths in Xuanqing Guard, countless mystery cases have been solved. Even the Captain before him was once famed across Xuanqing Guard as an outstanding investigator. But as for those four words—"unconventional thinking"—not many in Xuanqing Guard truly fit. In fact, Pang Ban’s first reaction produced just one name: Shen Hao.
That thought, once surfaced, could not be suppressed. Ever since the Black Banner Battalion was established, Shen Hao’s name had been deeply imprinted upon the new Chapter of the Xuanqing Guard. Every initiative he launched was novel and effective; problems seemingly thorny would be handled with effortless ease in that youngster’s hands.
Take for example this recent change in the Inspector’s authority. Everyone thought it was a thankless task, yet as soon as Shen Hao took charge, he immediately deployed a series of precise measures that left the Military Supervisors completely flustered. He quickly reversed the Inspector’s position and image within the military, securing a solid foundation.
Afterwards, by virtue of the "Chief of Miscellaneous Affairs" position, he made Xuanqing Guard’s presence shine in the military for the first time, repeatedly cited in the top three of the military reports.
Pang Ban had often, seemingly in jest, praised Jiang Cheng for having recruited a good disciple. In truth, Pang Ban was more than a little envious. Pang Ban had reached Profound Sea Realm Second Layer in Cultivation, with five disciples under his tutelage, but their abilities and talents were fast losing luster. None could inherit his mantle on the path of officialdom. Wouldn’t having a disciple like Shen Hao save much trouble?
Perhaps it’s because that Shen-named youngster’s performance these years had been too outstanding; not only did Pang Ban instantly recall him, but he also felt great confidence. It seemed as if, so long as the Shen kid took the case, the matter would be resolved easily.
While Pang Ban pondered in a tangle of thoughts, the Captain at his side hesitated briefly, then said, "Though I haven’t personally dealt with affairs these past years, I have carefully studied each issue of the Xuanqing Guard’s official gazette, and some disciples would bring news back to share with me. Therefore, I believe if this case is handed over to Shen Hao, Deputy Thousand Households of the Black Banner Battalion in Fengri City, the chance of breaking through the fog would be much higher."
Pang Ban was taken aback, thinking: How did you know I was considering that Shen kid?
No such thing as Mind Reading Skill in this world, so Pang Ban knew it was coincidence. He then asked, "Tell me your reasons." Favoring someone can blind a person to their flaws; hearing another’s view made things more complete.
The Captain said, "Shen Hao’s many deeds show he is the most quick-witted among Xuanqing Guard right now. Clever and still young, I hear his Cultivation is impressive as well. I think he’s the most suitable to handle this case."
The reasoning was blunt and to the point—much in line with Xuanqing Guard’s usual style. However, Shen Hao was not so easy to extricate at present.
"Go and organize the case for now. I’ll think on it further."
"Understood, I take my leave."
Once everyone had left, Pang Ban rose from his chair and walked over to the window, looking out at the grove, continually calculating in his mind.
Weighing the priorities between the front lines and the Imperial City.
Previously, lacking intelligence from within the military, Pang Ban had almost no grip on army movements. Now, with Inspectors penetrating the core commands of the military, every action was clear to him, so Pang Ban could confidently make sound judgments about the state of the army.
Is the Southern front currently urgent?
Of course it is! According to the latest reports from the front line, a war of attrition of unprecedented intensity since the standoff began had already erupted near White Head Gorge. Moreover, the fifty-thousand-strong army at Jianchuan, after three rounds of personnel changes, had increased its proportion of cavalry to thirty percent, and was now mounting large-scale pressure against the White Head Gorge defensive line, forming a flanking pincers attack alongside the frontal assault.
In Pang Ban’s view, Zuo Yuliang was already preparing for a decisive battle at White Head Gorge. If the Barbarian Race was forced off their main line of defense at White Head Gorge, the flat terrain behind the gorge would be ideal for large-scale engagement.
In other words, as things stood, the major war with the Barbarian Race was already halfway through; the decisive battle was at hand.
Meanwhile, the southern military campaign and the Royal Family’s "Major Examination" had a strangely synchronized timeline. Pang Ban had sensed this early on, and many in the court had likewise detected it. Thus, the progress of the "Major Examination" would soon reach its latter stage, on par with developments at the southern front.
If past "Major Examinations" were any guide, the final outcome would soon emerge—potentially even ahead of the southern campaign, entering its conclusion first.
One external, one internal. Which was more critical? Pang Ban drew his gaze back from the window, settling finally on the Map of the Jingjiu Dynasty’s Territory hanging in the room.
"This vast Empire is about to welcome a new ruler, and the succession will set the tone for the next several decades. So... Xuanqing Guard cannot sit idly by. It seems even Your Majesty expects us to show our talents before the future Emperor."
Having sorted through these thoughts, Pang Ban made up his mind.
"Attend me!"
As soon as he spoke, the gatekeeper outside entered and bowed in attendance.
"Summon the Deputy."
That very afternoon, an urgent official letter from the Xuanqing Guard Commander’s Office reached Wen Mingju, Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. The wording was all cordial, replete with the spirit of "the military and Xuanqing Guard being one family." But at the end, there was nothing negotiable about the language—one could even say it was barely a notification rather than a request to the Ministry of War.
"Due to internal affairs adjustments, the position of Inspector and Chief of Miscellaneous Affairs held by Shen Hao with the Southern Border Army is hereby altered, and he is recalled to his original post. Please be so advised..."
Wen Mingju was startled upon receiving the note, and his displeasure quickly surfaced. What did this mean? Did the Xuanqing Guard not realize Shen Hao’s importance to the current military? At this critical juncture, pulling him out—what are they up to?
He was about to get up and confront Pang Ban. But suddenly, Wen Mingju paused, his face unsettled. In the end, he sat back down in his chair. He had guessed Pang Ban’s intentions. After all, turmoil within the Imperial City had lasted some time, with Xuanqing Guard repeatedly thrust into the fire. It seemed Pang Ban was preparing to bring Shen Hao back to resolve the impasse?