His father died in battle in Yunxiang Kingdom that year. According to the imperial court’s compensation edict, all descendants of fallen soldiers could receive an official post as a Yudu Guard. As the eldest son of the family, George Lambert should have become a regular guard as soon as he came of age.

But when he came of age to claim the position, he was told that he could become a regular guard, but he’d have to wait. The original imperial edict did say the position could be given, but now there were no vacancies for regular guards, and they couldn’t just force someone in.

Go home and wait for news.

This happened several times, and after waiting for a whole year, it was only when one of his father’s old comrades pointed out the real issue. He said that the vacancy for regular guard had most likely been taken by some powerful noble’s son, and that George Lambert could wait a lifetime and never get it. If George Lambert wanted to take the job, he might as well proactively apply to have the position changed to deputy guard, and look for a chance to get promoted in the future.

There’s only a one-character difference between deputy guard and regular guard, but the gap is like heaven and earth.

A regular guard is considered a ninth-rank official in the court, which means entering the officialdom, with a monthly salary of two or three taels of silver. A deputy guard isn’t even considered an official position; following patrols, you might get a small allowance, a few hundred copper coins a month. To put it nicely, it’s an official errand; to put it bluntly, it’s just an attendant.

Moreover, the Yudu Guard holds the authority over arrests and criminal cases, and this power is in the hands of the regular guards. Deputy guards have no independent authority to handle cases; they must be led by a regular guard.

Only by becoming a regular guard can one truly show their abilities.

At the time, George Lambert was eager to support his family and took the advice. Sure enough, he was immediately assigned to the Fukung Ward station and became a deputy guard.

But after arriving, he realized—how could getting promoted be so easy?

There are only two ways to get promoted: merit or seniority.

But deputy guards are the ones doing all the dirty and tiring work, while the credit goes to the regular guards and officers. How much could possibly be left for you?

As for seniority, forget it. The station’s Old Tom is over seventy this year, has been a deputy guard for sixty years, and is still hoping to get promoted before he dies—not knowing if he’ll ever get the chance.

In short, it’s as hard as reaching the sky.

“How about this, if you’re really eager to get promoted, I’ll give you a clear path.” Henry Howard lowered his voice and said, “Last year, four people in the entire South City Yudu Guard got promoted. Do you know how they did it?”

“How?” George Lambert’s eyes lit up slightly.

“Three hundred taels of silver.” Henry Howard held up three fingers and raised them, “Give it to the higher-ups, and you’re guaranteed a spot on this year’s promotion list.”

“Casework is more important. I’m leaving.” George Lambert didn’t say another word, got up, and left.

What a joke.

Let alone the meager allowance a deputy guard gets each month—even if you get promoted, the monthly salary is only two taels of silver. Who would spend more than ten years’ worth of future income to buy an official post?

“What kind of attitude is that?” Henry Howard saw his disdainful attitude, slammed the table in anger, sat down indignantly, then suddenly sprang up with a cry of pain: “Ouch…”

He shouted after George Lambert’s disappearing figure, venting his anger: “If you want to get promoted by merit, go catch a Jiuyang spy!”

Chapter 3: How Did You Know?

February days, willows intoxicated by the spring mist.

Longyuan City is located in Central Province, with four distinct seasons. Now, as the days grow warmer, a sense of vitality fills the city. The southern section of Heavenly Street is bustling with traffic, pedestrians stream along both sides, and the sounds of hawking and laughter never cease.

George Lambert, dressed in a plain cloth robe, sat outside a teahouse on Linmen Street, leisurely observing his surroundings, his gaze sharp and penetrating.

Sitting next to him was Daniel Parker, also in coarse linen clothes that didn’t quite fit, his large head lowered and shoulders hunched, looking like a hulking, furtive figure.

Across from them sat a young man of medium build, with a small nose and small eyes.

At first glance, he looked quite ordinary, but on closer inspection, his splendid embroidered robe, the valuable jade pendant at his waist, and the heavy gold-embroidered money pouch made his whole demeanor suddenly seem much more approachable.

“George Lambert, what exactly are we doing here?” the young man asked. “If you want tea, let’s get a private room upstairs. When have I ever sat by the street to drink tea? If someone sees me, it’d be so embarrassing.”

The standard setup in the Yudu Guard is one regular guard with two deputy guards. The young man speaking was named John Brooks, the regular guard whom George Lambert and Daniel Parker served under, from the Chen family, one of the four great clans of the Divine Capital.

Though from a collateral branch, he was still a noble son, with wealth far beyond the ordinary.

“The view upstairs isn’t as good. You can’t see as clearly as here,” George Lambert shook his head.

John Brooks was puzzled: “Aren’t the suspects all setting fires at night? Why are we here during the day?”

“Who says a fire at night can’t be set during the day?” George Lambert smiled. “If I’m right… you’ll know soon enough.”

“Tch.” John Brooks was rather disdainful of his mysterious attitude, but then asked, “I heard Old Hu wanted you to pay for a promotion, and you refused?”

“That’s right,” George Lambert said. “He wanted me to cough up three hundred taels of silver—way too outrageous.”

“Three hundred?” John Brooks widened his eyes. “My family paid five hundred taels to get me in, you know.”

He was a noble son and a genuine second-realm martial artist, but even he had to pay to get into the Yudu Guard. In this respect, at least, everyone was treated the same.

Maybe even the crown prince would have to pay three hundred taels to become a regular guard.

“So, Old Hu was actually giving me a bargain?” George Lambert replied.