Chapter 28: When the Chess Piece Gains Sentience

Bai Yu felt an immense sense of exhilaration, as if he were using cheat codes or a trainer in a video game, just like in his previous life. His earlier analysis had been spot on: the AI system was most effective in high-stakes scenarios, where it could maximize the advantage of information asymmetry.

Seeing that Yan Maoqing seemed to have retreated into a shell of silence, offering no response, Bai Yu turned to the other officials: "Gentlemen, you have all witnessed it yourselves. I did not attack Minister Xu today; I merely expressed my views. It was a perfectly normal discussion regarding border defense affairs. Furthermore, I never intended to seek attention or recklessly comment on state affairs—it was Vice Censor-in-Chief Yan who forced me to speak! Therefore, Minister Xu’s resignation truly cannot be blamed on me! If the imperial court launches another investigation, I implore you all to testify on my behalf!"

The officials were left wondering: could Yan Maoqing actually be an undercover agent planted by the Yan faction? Had the political infighting of the Great Ming evolved to such a surreal level? Yan Maoqing, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, remained silent, turned, and walked away.

"Why did he just leave?" Bai Yu muttered. "Isn't he going to represent the organization and provide a conclusion?"

Once the investigation team had departed, Bai Yu returned to his work, heading back to the Brocade Guard office with Centurion Qian.

"You... sigh!" Centurion Qian didn't know what to say. These events were far beyond his level of comprehension. Though deeply shocked, he couldn't grasp the underlying logic, so he had no way to comment.

Bai Yu idled in the office until the sun began to set, preparing to head home. Just as he greeted Qian, he turned to see Lu Bing—Grand Tutor, Junior Preceptor, Left Chief Commander of the Rear Chief Military Commission, and Commander of the Brocade Guard—blocking the doorway, his face inscrutable, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Centurion Qian lunged forward and saluted, "Greetings, Commander!" Ever since the Commander had taken up permanent residence in the West Garden and received the grace to enter and exit through the Xi'an Gate, he rarely visited the Meridian Gate. But whenever he did appear there, it spelled trouble.

Ignoring Qian, Lu Bing looked at Bai Yu and asked, "How does it feel to be on duty at the Meridian Gate?"

Bai Yu replied, "The people here are quite pleasant, they speak eloquently, and the atmosphere is very conducive to creative work. How were the poems about the spring outing I submitted the other day? If there are any shortcomings, I will certainly correct them next time!"

Lu Bing suddenly wished those works had been utter garbage. That would have given him a reason to berate the young lieutenant, or even have him lashed with a few dozen military staves, just to clear his own mind. He ordered everyone else to leave, keeping only Bai Yu behind.

Centurion Qian gave Bai Yu a look of helpless sympathy, as if to say, "You're on your own, kid."

Bai Yu, however, remained calm. He did not believe he would face any real trouble, for two main reasons. First, he had already demonstrated value far exceeding his rank; he was both scholarly and capable in combat, a well-rounded talent. A political player like Lu Bing, provided he wasn't a fool, had no reason to discard him. Second, he had forced two ministers of the Yan faction to resign, which, on the surface, was a massive achievement. If Lu Bing were to turn around and punish a hero, what credibility would he have left? Who would ever serve him again?

With no one else around, Lu Bing questioned him: "Do you have any idea how much trouble you have caused the imperial court?"

Bai Yu quickly distanced himself. "I repeatedly requested beforehand that I not be placed at the Meridian Gate, as it was bound to lead to major incidents!"

Lu Bing was speechless. He had thought those words were nonsense at the time, but who could have imagined they would turn out to be the absolute truth? The resignation of two ministers was like a massive boulder crashing into a water vat, causing violent turbulence. Being caught in the middle meant that, regardless of the ultimate outcome, there was no comfort to be found right now.

Lu Bing couldn't help but complain, "When the court sent people to investigate, you could have just played along and let it blow over, couldn't you?" At the highest levels, they had reached a deal with the Yan faction. They would sacrifice a small pawn like Lieutenant Bai to give the disgruntled Minister of Works, Ouyang Bijin, a way out, and in return, the Yan faction would offer compensation in other areas. Instead, things had veered off course, and after losing the Minister of Works, the Yan faction had lost a Minister of War as well.

Bai Yu answered with feigned confusion, "Why didn't you tell me that earlier, Commander? You gave no clear instructions for me to just accept the punishment."

Lu Bing felt a sharp pain in his liver. He scolded, "Did that really need to be spelled out? Which small lieutenant, when investigated by the court, doesn't just keep his head down and play along? How many people fight back to the bitter end like you?"

Bai Yu felt truly innocent and spoke with a very clear political stance: "As one of your men, Commander, when I saw they were all of the Yan faction, my instinct was to fight to the end. Is that not what I should have done?"

Lu Bing was rendered speechless by the retort. He couldn't very well tell his own confidant, "You aren't allowed to fight the Yan faction." Under normal circumstances, faced with high-pressure investigations, it made no difference whether a small fry fought back or just gave up. But this time, the situation was anything but normal. Who could have guessed that this lieutenant would be so aggressive, confronting the investigation team head-on? It was as if they were playing chess against the Yan faction, only for the pieces to come alive and flip the board over.

Seeing the constipated look on Lu Bing's face, Bai Yu took the initiative to ask, "What kind of trouble could there possibly be? Why is the Commander so deeply worried?"

As if finding an outlet for his frustration, Lu Bing snapped, "Do you have any idea? Just now in the West Garden, that 'Little Cabinet Minister' Yan Shifan was frantically demanding to know if I wanted a full-scale war! If I wanted to fight to the death from here on out! If I wanted to reduce the imperial court to ruins!"

Bai Yu seemed fired up, his blood boiling as he declared, "War! War! War! If he wants war, let there be war! We will accompany him to the end! Within a year, we shall decide both the outcome and the fate of the Yan faction!"

Lu Bing was stunned for a moment. How had he failed to notice that Lieutenant Bai was such a fanatical warmonger? Bai Yu was shouting loudly on purpose, but he was observing Lu Bing with cold eyes, testing his character and resolve. The AI's analysis of people wasn't this detailed; he still had to rely on his own observations.

"Enough of your nonsense!" Lu Bing barked, then added, "The timing is not yet ripe. We must still proceed with caution. After all, the Yan faction has held power for twenty years; their roots run deep and their influence is entrenched."

Bai Yu said calmly, "So, the 'major trouble' you speak of is simply that it’s hard to explain yourself to Yan Shifan?"

Lu Bing felt his face grow hot. *Is your train of thought jumping a bit too fast? And why must you speak such blunt truths? Does a Commander like me have no face?*

Bai Yu seemed to grow fanatical again. "If it’s hard to explain, then don't! Just start the fight! As long as you follow my plan, Commander, I guarantee we will eliminate the Yan faction within a year! From then on, the seas will be clear and the rivers calm, and the world will be at peace!"

Lu Bing: "..." He realized that when it came to bragging, Lieutenant Bai always managed to redefine the upper limits of his perception. And furthermore, why was this newcomer so radical? Could this be the "zeal of the convert"?