Chapter 13

Is it because one can't afford to offend someone that they should go and provoke them?! Li Xian's brain was about to explode. He had to admit that when it came to technology, he wouldn't be worse than anyone here; but when it came to scheming and plotting, he couldn't match these true strategists. They had developed for countless years, while Li Xian's greatest advantage was—self-awareness.

After thinking for a while, Li Xian finally gritted his teeth, "Please, Mr. Xu, make the arrangements."

Xu Ren smiled confidently, "Young Master, Xu Ren will not disappoint you."

"Alright. Mr. Xu, please explain why I will definitely become the military officer of Wuyang City?"

"Very simple, once I say it, you'll understand. This is Wuyang, the capital. The city is full of nobles and royal relatives. Moreover, it's a place where dragons and tigers lie in wait, and it's not uncommon for old monsters at the Golden Core stage to appear.

To govern such a place, one not only needs ability but also a powerful backing, and a young, hot-blooded, unyielding, and reckless person.

And you, Young Master, are the most suitable. Look, your father is the Censor-in-Chief, and you are young and hot-blooded. Therefore, it's most appropriate for you to take on this role as the military officer."

"Unyielding, reckless..." Li Xian was covered in black lines, thinking it meant acting without thinking; "Alright, I'll take office tomorrow. It's already late today."

Xu Ren shook his head, "No, take office tonight! Set out immediately!

If you want to establish your authority, you must start with yourself. Reorganize the office tonight, post notices and announce your appointment tomorrow."

"Alright!"

Li Xian had this one good quality: although he wanted to be lazy, he could listen to advice. So, he quickly packed his things, took a few servants, and, following Xu Ren's requirements, brought some silk, wooden rods, water and fire sticks, copper rods, ordinary jade lamps, and ten chests of ten thousand taels of silver. Half an hour later, they arrived at the North District.

"Damn, did we come to the wrong place?" Li Xian looked at the office in front of him. The walls were collapsed, and the main gate was broken; the entire office was overgrown with weeds, and birds and rats were happily chirping and scurrying around.

Li Xian was still in shock when Xu Ren stepped forward, activated his Foundation Establishment cultivation, and shouted loudly, "Where is everyone!"

The sound was like thunder, startling countless birds and rats, but no one appeared.

After waiting for a while, an old soldier finally shuffled over, accompanied by a seven or eight-year-old boy, "What do you want?"

Li Xian also stepped forward, "Old man, where has everyone gone?"

"They've all scattered."

Li Xian's face was already turning sour, "Didn't you say there were 30 officers here?"

"Hey, young man, it's good to be passionate, but you shouldn't ask about these things." The old man was about to turn around.

Li Xian pulled out the imperial decree, "I am the newly appointed military officer by His Majesty. I now order you to tell me everything."

"Ah... I am Xie Jun, and this is my grandson Xie An. Sir, there hasn't been an official here for ten years; the team leader took all the salaries and dismissed the officers. I had nowhere to go, so I stayed here."

Li Xian's face was a mix of emotions. This Immortal Realm was truly different; no one had managed the security for ten years.

"Don't get angry, this is normal." Xu Ren stopped Li Xian's anger and turned to Xie Jun, "Xie Jun, this is the young son of the Censor-in-Chief, Li Xian. Go and gather the former officers now. For each one you bring back, you get one tael of silver.

By the end of the hour (9 PM), it's too late. Those who return will continue to receive their original salaries and will not be punished. Those who do not return on time will face the law!"

"Yes, yes. I'll go right away." Xie Jun didn't waste any time. Although he was old, he was a cultivator at the Qi Condensation stage, stronger than ordinary people.

Xu Ren said, "Young Master, this is expected. If you can't stand it, you can punish them later. Tonight, hire cultivators to help repair the walls, level the ground, and restore the buildings. You also need to re-announce the laws."

"Alright." Li Xian finally walked inside and, seeing the little boy Xie An looking a bit lost, picked him up, "Come, big brother will give you something fun."

He took off a jade pendant from his neck and gave it to the little boy.

"I don't want it. Grandpa said not to take things from others." The little boy was quite sensible.

"Ha, how could it be from others? This is an official's reward. Ha..." Li Xian finally laughed.

"Thank you, big brother official."

Big brother official... such a childish title. Li Xian happily accepted it.

A moment later, Xu Ren found the people responsible for the repairs. Li Xian watched the cultivators repair the office, feeling deeply moved. A series of spells restored the walls, and a layer of lime was applied for beautification. Leveling the ground was even simpler; a single earth spell quickly flattened it and even formed a path of blue stones and beautiful flower beds.

Only the buildings were a bit more troublesome, but not much. The cultivators worked quickly, and pre-assembled doors, windows, and beams were brought in one by one.

Seeing the roofs floating into place with the help of spells, Li Xian kept smacking his lips. No wonder people considered craftsmen as skilled artisans, no wonder they didn't look favorably on them; indeed, cultivation was still the way to go. But, I don't believe it!

By the end of the hour, the buildings were mostly repaired. The remaining internal decorations would take some time, but the craftsmen assured him they would be done by morning.

By the end of the hour, Xie An had only brought back five people: Song Xing, Chen Jinbing, Wang Cong, Yuan Yun, and Yu Chao, all in their thirties.

When the time came, Li Xian grunted angrily, "Close the gate!"

The gate of the office was closed. However, not long after, three more officers slowly walked up and knocked on the door.

" Ignore them." Li Xian said.

Xu Ren, now acting as a secretary, immediately suggested, "Sir, you should bind them. To establish authority, you need to make an example."

Li Xian thought about it and agreed, "That makes sense. Song Xing, you five, grab them, seal their true essence, and wait for questioning."

"This..." The five hesitated, the situation looking grim.

"Hmm~~~" Li Xian's tone was low.

The five exchanged glances and finally had no choice but to comply, going out to grab their former comrades.

After the hour, six more people trickled in, clearly trying to challenge Li Xian. Li Xian had them all arrested. By the end of the first watch (1 AM), no one else came. Li Xian began his first act as the new official.

"Xie Jun, how much salary should you have received over the years? Calculate the highest possible amount."

"Ah..." Li Xian's words surprised everyone. Was he going to pay them?

Xie Jun calculated for a long time and finally gave a number, "Sir, at the highest rate, each person is owed 220 taels of silver."

"Compensate them!"

Xu Ren immediately gave 220 taels of silver to each of the 15 people present, including Xie Jun. Everyone was overjoyed.

Li Xian pointed to the little Xie An, "The little guy has also guarded the office for eight years. Compensate him 200 taels."

Xu Ren quickly took out 20 ingots and gave them to Xie An, who smiled widely with 200 taels of silver in his arms.

The joyous atmosphere spread through the hall, as if the air itself was filled with happiness.

But the next moment, Li Xian's face turned cold, "Song Xing, Chen Jinbing, Wang Cong, Yuan Yun, Yu Chao, step forward. You arrived by the end of the hour, and I said I would not punish you. But the rest, I have a question for you.

What is the punishment for leaving the office without reporting?"

Ah...

The bound officers were stunned.

"Xie Jun, what do you say?" Li Xian's official authority burst forth, and a small tyrant's aura filled the room.

Xie Jun lowered his head, his voice slightly hoarse, "Sir, one day of absence, one reprimand. Three days, three beatings. Ten days, fifty beatings. One month, military service."