The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 260

The Crown Prince had brought something with him this time. A guard carried what appeared to be a food box upstairs, only to return alone shortly after.

Shen Yibai rubbed his nose and remarked, "The Crown Prince really knows how to enjoy himself—snacking while listening to Jincheng’s tall tales, like it’s some kind of opera."

"Pfft…" Wei Xinglu burst out laughing but quickly warned, "You’d better stop talking. If Jincheng hears you, he might jump down and punch you."

Shen Yibai narrowed his eyes and said, "Just make sure He Zheng keeps his mouth shut. Brother Wenxiu would never snitch on us."

He Zheng’s eyes widened as he hastily backed away. "Big brothers, it’s all a misunderstanding! I’d never tattle to Jincheng, especially not about you two. How could I? We’re the most solid four-man team!"

Shen Yibai patted his shoulder threateningly. "Good. Remember that, and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of in the future."

He Zheng nodded vigorously, determined to play the role of the loyal little brother.

Zong Wenxiu shook his head with a smile. He wanted to say that He Zheng was overthinking it—Shen Yibai and Wei Xinglu were currently penniless, and their knowledge couldn’t even match He Zheng’s. Any promises of "benefits" were just empty talk.

**Upstairs...**

After the guard left, Zong Jincheng, mindful of the Crown Prince’s health, offered to help carry the food box. To his surprise, it was surprisingly light.

"Huh? There’s no food in here?" the little troublemaker muttered in confusion.

The Crown Prince smiled. "Open it and see."

Jincheng lifted the lid and found a booklet inside. "It’s just a book?"

The Crown Prince had used the food box as a disguise, making it seem like he was merely delivering snacks.

Jincheng picked up the booklet and read the bold characters on the cover: *"Records of Official Promotions—Ministry of Personnel."*

The Ministry of Personnel, the foremost of the Six Ministries, was responsible for all records of official advancements—precisely what this little booklet contained.

Jincheng glanced at the Crown Prince, who remained calmly smiling, before flipping through the pages. The records were organized by department, with entire groups of officials being reassigned at once.

Though the entries didn’t track individual promotions, Jincheng’s sharp memory allowed him to spot anomalies. While most officials took eight to ten years for a single promotion, a select few climbed the ranks every two or three years—some even within a single year—like express couriers racing eight hundred *li* without rest.

The booklet wasn’t long, covering only the last decade of promotions. Jincheng read carefully, and the Crown Prince waited patiently without rushing him.

Finally, the little troublemaker set the book down and replied obediently, "Your Highness, I’ve finished reading."

The Crown Prince set down his teacup and, instead of asking for impressions, countered, "What were your thoughts on the assignment I sent you the other day?"

Jincheng pondered before answering earnestly, "Building a faction is a practical matter—something we’ll need when we enter officialdom. But it’s also something the classics never teach us, which is puzzling."

The Crown Prince chuckled lightly. "The classics preach fairness, moral restraint, and equality—that advancement should be based on merit. But morality alone can’t ensure fairness. That’s why laws exist."

"Then why do we still study the classics?" Jincheng tilted his head.

"Because they impose the lowest cost in mitigating the consequences of human nature," the Crown Prince explained. "If no one had morals, laws alone couldn’t manage the chaos."

Jincheng mused, "So the classics and laws are inseparable—like extending courtesy before resorting to force."

The Crown Prince nodded approvingly. "Now, tell me—did you understand the booklet?"

Jincheng hesitated but then nodded firmly. "Yes. The average promotion span is about five years, but a few rose every two or three years—some even in just one. If we assume these were all exceptional talents, why did their rapid promotions stop when they transferred to other departments? Did their abilities suddenly fail, or… was it because their factional patron was no longer there to push them?"

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Seeing the Crown Prince’s silence, Jincheng voiced his conclusion: "I think it’s the latter. In a new department, they weren’t part of the faction anymore, so their true colors showed. So… to deal with such officials, all we have to do is transfer them?"

The realization struck him mid-sentence, surprising even himself.

*Good heavens, am I really this sharp now?*

The Crown Prince smiled in satisfaction and began his lesson. "Precisely. This is one way to dismantle factional ties. For you, having loyal subordinates is useful. But the same goes for corrupt officials—their factions trample over true talent, distorting promotions and aiding their misdeeds. So at the first sign of this, reassign them before the problem grows."

Jincheng nodded eagerly. "I’ll remember!"

The Crown Prince added, "But if a faction is already entrenched, don’t transfer them so openly. The corrupt official will sense your intent and resist fiercely."

"Right, right! Some might even rebel," Jincheng chimed in, recalling storytellers’ tales.

The Crown Prince laughed. "So instead, consider promoting the faction member."

"What? Why promote him? He’s no good…" Jincheng’s eyes widened. "Wait—are you saying I should steal him from the corrupt official?"

But wouldn’t a corrupt official’s lackey still be corrupt?

The Crown Prince shook his head. "No. You sow distrust. Make the superior suspect his subordinate has defected to you. Let jealousy and suspicion tear them apart."

"Another case of dogs biting dogs…" Jincheng remembered the Crown Prince’s earlier lesson about pitting corrupt officials against each other.

The Crown Prince met his gaze intently. "The key is to convince the faction member he’s truly become yours. Your acting must be flawless—so convincing it’s indistinguishable from truth. Then, once the corrupt official falls, deal with the accomplice."

Jincheng absorbed the lesson but still had doubts.

"What if the faction member genuinely switches sides?" he asked. "Like Zhuge Liang capturing Meng Huo seven times, or Li Shimin winning over Yuchi Gong—turning a non-ally into a true follower. Would I still have to punish him afterward?"