Can I Become Emperor by Being This Lazy? - Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Everyone scratched their heads in distress. When it came to endurance and hard work, not a single one among them lacked these qualities. Most had been praised by family and neighbors for such traits—there was nothing extraordinary about it.

But if they had to select and recommend one person from the many, the standard would undoubtedly be raised, requiring the most outstanding and diligent individual. The trivial tasks they had performed were hardly presentable, making it truly difficult to speak up.

After much thought, they tentatively recommended someone, but that person immediately changed expression, waving their hands in refusal: I merely fulfilled my duties—hardly worthy of recommendation. If I were to accept such an award, my conscience would torment me. Please recommend someone of greater virtue instead!

Several others were recommended in succession, but all declined, believing their virtue was not the highest. Yet virtue is intangible, lacking concrete standards and relying solely on personal perception, making the selection exceptionally challenging.

Just as everyone was at a loss, someone suddenly suggested: Why not recommend our group leaders and class monitors? They run around helping us daily, bearing heavy responsibilities and numerous tasks without ever complaining—exactly what the Marshal seeks.

Eyes lit up with delight as they exclaimed: That’s perfect! Let’s choose the group leaders and class monitors!

Recommending their own class monitor, if successful, would surely be remembered. The monitor would likely inform them first of any future opportunities—a mutually beneficial arrangement.

The group leaders and class monitors present suddenly grew tense, straightening their backs as they recalled their usual conduct, weighing whether it merited recommendation. As the saying goes, If virtue does not match position, disaster will follow.If one’s qualifications were insufficient, even if forcibly pushed into the role, they would eventually fall.

More importantly, the Marshal was exceptionally wise and perceptive, seeing through all schemes with her keen eyes. No hypocrite or deceiver could fool her, for she possessed remarkable judgment in assessing people. If she had manipulated others to choose herself and was exposed before the Marshal, wouldn’t that be humiliating?

Or if others challenged the choice and she couldn’t defend against the doubts—the mere thought of such a scenario made her heart race with shame, utterly disgraced!

Group leaders who usually slacked off immediately felt guilty, their cheeks burning crimson as they hurriedly declared, awkwardly: I’ve been lazy before, failing to recognize my duties and not helping everyone with their troubles. I don’t deserve this recommendation. I’ll work diligently and earnestly from now on.

They pushed the responsibility back and forth—whoever was chosen would refuse.

After long discussion, there was still no resolution.

Frowning in frustration, they lamented: Recommending someone is truly difficult. What should we do now?

Let’s do this: everyone vote according to their heart. Choose whoever you feel has done the most for us regularly. After all, the final decision rests with the Marshal’s evaluation—no need to hold back.

After lengthy debate with no better alternative, they temporarily settled on this: everyone would return and submit the name of whoever they most wished to recommend.

The next day, the lists were submitted and compiled by Xu Mao, who brought them to another meeting for immediate vote counting.

Class One, the recommended candidates are… Xu Mao leaned in for a closer look and started in surprise. Wang Xingzhu—16 votes.

When Wang Xingzhu’s name appeared, Xu Mao truly hadn’t expected it—and the number of recommendations for her was substantial. At first glance, Xu Mao thought her eyes were deceiving her. After a second look confirmed it, she realized the person indicated was indeed the one she had in mind.

Yet Wang Xingzhu was clearly assigned to manage discipline—a thankless task—and with a past record that made her unwelcome to most. Her name suddenly appearing in this context felt rather peculiar.

Xu Mao couldn’t quite grasp how Wang Xingzhu had managed to secure over half the votes in one class. Had something happened that she wasn’t aware of?

Clutching the list tightly, Xu Mao lifted her head and scanned the corner until she spotted Wang Xingzhu. Not belonging to any class, Wang stood alone by herself, forming a solitary column.

At that moment, Wang Xingzhu also wore a look of astonishment, as if caught completely off guard. Her mouth slightly agape, eyes wide, she appeared dazed and stunned, her limbs awkward and stiff, unsure where to place them.

As for the others, their reactions were muted, even accepting, with no objections raised.

Xu Mao continued reading aloud, tallying the numbers. When it came to other classes, the votes for Wang Xingzhu gradually increased. In the final tally, she unexpectedly received the most votes—Wang Xingzhu ranked first!

Once the results were confirmed, Xu Mao’s curiosity peaked. Unable to hold back, she asked, Can someone explain why you recommended Wang Xingzhu?

A voice rose from the ranks: Marshal, Wang Xingzhu is kind to others and exceptionally diligent. She wakes earlier and sleeps later than any of us, often helping with chores—splitting firewood, tending the stove, cooking, fetching water from miles away, storing it, mending clothes, organizing writing materials. She’s constantly busy, and I believe no one is more hardworking and dedicated than her.

Others chimed in one after another, voices full of praise.

On one hand, it was true that Wang Xingzhu was diligent, consistently doing far more than others—quickly and well, without complaint, leaving no room for criticism.

On the other hand, a significant reason was their consideration of recent reassignments. With the recent restructuring, new Experimental and Rocket Classes had been established. Many had been assigned to the Experimental Class, farming in peacetime and fighting in war, while the Rocket Class remained empty, indicating further personnel adjustments. This presented a perfect opportunity to transfer Wang Xingzhu.

If Wang Xingzhu were rewarded with a promotion, her disciplinary and supervisory role would be vacant, leaving the training grounds unsupervised. Then they could practice without time restrictions, freely and recklessly.

With no other suitable candidate in mind, everyone simply voted for Wang Xingzhu, hoping Xu Mao would reassign her or give her other duties, leaving her too occupied to oversee their Sky Ladder training. The thought of being able to hang on the Sky Ladder all day without anyone scolding them was exhilarating.

Hearing their words, Wang Xingzhu was moved to tears, momentarily choked up and speechless. Her head felt heavy as a mountain, bowed low, unable to lift it for a long while.

She was utterly ashamed.

Recalling that incident from her past—how Marshal Xu had been magnanimous, not holding it against her, and how everyone had tolerated her presence despite everything—she felt it was already more than she deserved.

Who would have thought they had noticed all her efforts, remembered them in their hearts, and were willing to recommend her under such circumstances?

Wang Xingzhu covered her face, sweating with humiliation, feeling there was no place to hide.

Wang Xingzhu’s heart was in turmoil, immensely grateful for everyone’s recognition, yet she couldn’t accept it with a clear conscience. Taking a proactive step forward, she said, Marshal, as one bearing the stain of past faults and lacking in virtue, I am unworthy of this reward. I beg you to revoke my first place and select someone of superior character from the subsequent candidates.

The crowd grew anxious, clamoring, No, no! Wang Xingzhu is the best choice! Only Wang Xingzhu!

Seeing this, Wang Xingzhu grew even more resolute in her refusal.

The back-and-forth created a peculiar spectacle, a truly strange scene. New recruits watched in bewilderment, utterly confused. Why would anyone refuse a reward? Shouldn’t people be fighting tooth and nail for it? they wondered.

How vulgar! This clearly demonstrates Marshal Xu’s exemplary leadership, remarked a surrendered general, his eyebrows raised in admiration. His officers and soldiers maintain such harmony and mutual respect. Even common soldiers display such virtue—how much more so the others? With such a disciplined, righteous, and powerful army that understands propriety and shame, how could they not conquer the world!

The future appeared broad and bright—surrendering had been the right decision.

As Wang Xingzhu and the soldiers continued their tug-of-war, Xu Mao caught a key phrase in their exchange. It turned out Wang Xingzhu had been tirelessly busy all day—the ultimate overachiever among overachievers.

This one cannot remain, he thought with alarm. She’ll cause major problems.

Xu Mao promptly decided, No more debates. Since everyone is so sincere, we’ll add two more names this time—select three in total. Wang Xingzhu, you needn’t fret about taking a spot anymore.

Based on the final votes, the two candidates behind Wang Xingzhu were included, satisfying all parties and bringing universal delight.

With Xu Mao’s decree, Wang Xingzhu could no longer refuse. She joined the two other selected soldiers on stage to receive their honors.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, Wang Xingzhu’s cheeks warmed, her chest filled with warmth, and even the breeze brushing through her hair felt gentle. Simultaneously, she resolved to redouble her efforts—rising early, retiring late, and never slackening.

Xu Mao produced pre-written certificates of merit, filling in the names: Wang Xingzhu, Lin Shuniang, and He Suifen, handing one to each.

The crowd craned their necks, eyes gleaming as they stared at the thin papers, their gazes so intense they seemed capable of burning holes through them. Regret washed over them—had they known they could receive a certificate handwritten by the Marshal, they would have cast aside hesitation and fought for it tooth and nail.

Noticing the shift in everyone’s expressions, Xu Mao allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. Turning halfway, he addressed the main issue, whispering to Wang Xingzhu and the other two, Later, return immediately to pack your belongings. I’ll be waiting in my study—there’s a new mission for you.

Wang Xingzhu and the others were taken aback, their joy replaced by solemnity. Anxious thoughts arose: What mission required them to pack? Were they to disguise themselves as spies?

With uneasy hearts and lingering doubts, they hurriedly gathered their belongings and rushed to Xu Mao.

To select outstanding talents to aid our cause, I’ve arranged a special test to identify those with both virtue and ability, Xu Mao explained. After writing letters of recommendation and stamping them with his seal, he distributed them along with silver taels to Wang Xingzhu and the others. These are your letters of introduction. Take them and the travel expenses. Tang Zhegui and others will escort you to either Jin or Jiang territory. Seek lodging with a wealthy family, establish sworn kinship with them, and learn their skills.

Remember, this money is only for precaution against the worst-case scenarios, covering just your round-trip expenses and one month’s food and accommodation abroad. I require you to lodge with local prominent families or wealthy households for a full year using minimal funds. You may invoke my name to intimidate or coax them—employ whatever means necessary.

Xu Mao cleared her throat and raised her voice for emphasis: In short, repeatedly imply that I possess no money. Arrive at their doors seeking free lodging while secretly learning their skills. Ultimately, whoever returns with the most leftover funds wins, and I shall reward them generously with important positions.

She then handed them a list she had meticulously compiled after thorough investigation, referencing System evaluation parameters and comprehensive considerations.

The individuals on this list possessed middling-to-low moral values—flawed but not directly responsible for taking lives. They operated in gray areas, neither too virtuous to gladly offer free accommodation nor so depraved as to commit murder or cross moral red lines, thereby ensuring Wang Xingzhu and the others’ safety.

Xu Mao declared, This defines the scope of the competition. You may choose any household from this list to visit. The contest begins today and concludes at the same time next year.

Additionally, you must maintain daily logs and summaries, compiling them into monthly reports. Submission dates are set for the beginning of each month, when I will dispatch messengers to collect and review your progress, Xu Mao added.

The group stood bewildered.