Afterwards, Chen Bo’an, as Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, approaches Henwell. “Isn’t this a bit abrupt? Do you know how many registered locksmiths there are? How many Essence Cultivation Pills need to be distributed every year? Where are we supposed to get so much money?”
Henwell nods. “I know. There are 1,632 registered locksmiths: 452 Iron Locksmiths, 224 Copper Locksmiths, 93 Silver Locksmiths, and 18 Gold Locksmiths. That totals 4,946 Essence Cultivation Pills annually. “
”Including 100 pills each for the five Soul Locksmiths and 300 for myself, the grand total is 5,746 pills. At current market prices, that costs 60,000 gold coins a year.”
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review spits out his tea in shock. “How can our Court of Judicial Review possibly cover such a huge expense? You’re being too hasty! I know you have money, but that’s your own wealth. You can’t use public funds for private gain, that will only cause trouble.”
Henwell soothes Chen Bo’an. “Please don’t worry, sir. Let run the numbers for you. By cutting the locksmiths’ salaries, we save over 20,000 gold coins annually. Additionally, we take a 20 percent cut from the bounty rewards locksmiths earn from wanted posters, which roughly adds another 7,000 gold.”
Chen Bo’an points with his finger. “That still leaves a shortfall of 30,000 gold. Where do you want to find that?”
“Sir, a portion of the cultivation pills the court commissions is actually held by the Ministry of Works. We’ve established a good relationship with Cao Yu, the Left Assistant Minister of Works. He’s preparing to compete for the Minister of Works position, so he won’t reject goodwill from you. From him, we can purchase large quantities of Essence Cultivation Pills at a much lower price. The market price is 10 gold per pill, but if Cao Yu agrees, we could get them for 8 gold or even less.”
Chen Bo’an considers this for a mont. “That’s a good plan, but there’s still nearly 20,000 gold missing.”
Henwell plays with the pill bottle in his hand. “Sir, we can obtain 10,000 Essence Cultivation Pills from the Ministry of Works. Only 6,000 will be distributed to locksmiths; the remaining 4,000 we can sell to them. In reality, each locksmith can afford to pay several dozen gold coins, but before, they had no way to buy pills, so saving up was pointless. “
”The court’s pills sell for 12 gold each, that’s already a discounted price. Our internal purchase from the Ministry doesn’t leak outside, so no one can accuse you of wrongdoing. This way, we generate 16,000 gold in revenue. Adding in rewards from other supplies, the Court of Judicial Review only needs to provide 10,000 gold.”
Chen Bo’an sighs. “Your idea is much better, to be honest. I shouldn’t have rejected it outright. But that’s still 10,000 gold coins! The Court of Judicial Review’s budget is tight, where am I supposed to find that kind of money?”
Henwell changes the subject. “Sir, why do you want to establish the Prison Departnt?”
Chen Bo’an replies, “The Court of Judicial Review needs its own law enforcent and capture force!”
“Like the Ministry of Justice’s Divine Detective Departnt and Evil-Catcher Departnt!”
“Exactly! We’re always too passive. When others feast, we’re left with scraps, and even then, we have to beg for them!”
Henwell asks a crucial question, “Then sir, not to ntion the Divine Detective Departnt, how much budget does the Ministry of Justice’s Evil-Catcher Departnt receive annually?”
Chen Bo’an freezes and falls silent.
Henwell answers his own question, “130,000 gold coins a year! Sir, if you want to build a powerful departnt, you have to invest in it. Martial Warriors aren’t scholars; they don’t chase titles or fa—they seek real personal strength. Now, with 10,000 gold, you could build a strong departnt. Why not give it your best shot?”
Chen Bo’an stands up, paces a few steps, then turns to Henwell. “How confident are you that you can make this work?”
Henwell shakes his head. “No guarantees, but this is the Court of Judicial Review’s best chance.”
After a mont, Chen Bo’an grits his teeth. “Next year, I’ll give your departnt a budget of 30,000 gold. You must show results!”
Henwell clasps his hands. “I accept your order!”
Chen Bo’an supports Henwell’s arm. “You’re smart, talented. I’ve been with the Court of Judicial Review for ten years, and soon I’ll move up to the Imperial Secretariat. The Court of Judicial Review still belongs to young people like you. Work hard!”
The implication is clear: if I advance, you’ll benefit too.
Seizing the mont, Chen Bo’an imdiately takes Henwell to the Ministry of Works to et Cao Yu.
Upon hearing their purpose, Cao Yu doesn’t hesitate and agrees right away. He also promises to take them to visit the Golden Core Division soon.
Five days later, with Chen Bo’an busy, Henwell sets out under the guidance of Cao Mingzhi to a valley dozens of miles outside the city.
This place is heavily guarded, with various traps and chanisms protecting it.
From the mont he enters the valley, Henwell senses the presence of several experts. Among them, the strongest are Fourth Rank Martial Warriors—three in total—hidden in the shadows.
Along the way, a steward introduces them to various pills and the different types of furnaces used.
Different pills require different furnaces, located in various spots: so hang suspended on cliff faces, others lie within underground caves, and so are embedded directly into the mountain walls.
The most unusual furnaces are underwater, heated by fire channels sealed beneath them.
The flas themselves are carefully controlled, using charcoal, coal, and sotis special Qi to stimulate combustion.
Around them, the pill masters shout out strange phrases while furnace workers and herbalists carry out their tasks with precise coordination.
The pill masters’ chants sound peculiar, sotis like aningless fragnts, other tis like poetry, and occasionally resembling singing or theatrical performance.
Henwell recognizes these as secret codes, core to the entire pill-refining system.
In Peace Haven’s alloy slting, similar secret phrases exist, which Henwell calls “Fire Timing Whisper.”
In the Tudor Dynasty, it’s known as the “Gold Touch Whisper.”
Henwell moves slowly, occasionally asking curious questions. None of these are sensitive secrets, so the steward reveals details freely.
After more than an hour of touring, Henwell collects several samples and leaves Golden Core Valley.
That night, instead of returning to the capital, Henwell stays at a villa outside the city.
After Cao Mingzhi retires for the night, Henwell lights a lamp, rubs his slightly throbbing head, and begins writing.
He writes through the entire night, binding a thick stack of papers.
Before dawn, he delivers them to a secret location, waiting for William to collect.
The group chat is now banned, and photo recording is disabled. Otherwise, Henwell wouldn’t have to work so hard.
Yes!
From the very start, Henwell’s goal has been the pill refining thods within the Golden Core Division.
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