Chapter 1

Pingchuan County Office.

In the magistrate's bedroom.

"Sir, Mr. Zhao has sent you a gift, a carefully selected young lady, very fresh and tender," the clerk said.

Zhang Yu looked at the few people dressed in ancient attire before him, a hint of helplessness flashing through his mind.

He had been transported!

As the strongest all-around soldier king of the 21st century, he had never lost a battle. However, during a mission, he was betrayed by a traitor and ambushed by over a dozen elite enemy units.

He was now reincarnated as a newly appointed magistrate in the Great Qi Dynasty.

How dilapidated was Pingchuan County?

The city walls were no more than two people high and were severely weathered, with some sections seemingly able to be pushed down with a little effort.

The Zhao family group controlled the county's lifeline, layering exploitation, leaving the entire county's population barely able to feed themselves.

Once winter arrived, many more would starve to death.

"Is this woman clean? I am not a man to be trifled with," Zhang Yu said calmly.

The woman kneeling on the ground, dressed in thin clothes, was trembling slightly.

"This woman is named Yang Xin, from Matou Village. Her family maliciously defaulted on Mr. Zhao's rent, and her parents committed suicide out of fear of punishment, leaving her and her brother struggling to survive. Therefore, Yang Xin has already signed a contract of servitude with Mr. Zhao," the clerk said with a meaningful smile. "Sir, please enjoy her."

The clerk had been in this position through many changes of magistrates, which spoke volumes about the situation.

Seeing Zhang Yu's hesitation, the clerk spoke again, "Sir, Mr. Zhao said that if you accept his gift, you will be one of us from now on."

Zhang Yu laughed inwardly. The obvious intention to pull him in was clear.

If he refused this gift, his body might "accidentally" appear somewhere tomorrow.

In short, Pingchuan was the Zhao family's Pingchuan, and if Zhang Yu wanted to survive, he had to get on their boat.

"Such a tender lady, one is not enough to satisfy me," Zhang Yu said with a lecherous look. "Tell Mr. Zhao that if he has more such fine goods in the future, he should send them to me, and I will surely repay him."

"The sir's wishes will be conveyed to Mr. Zhao," the clerk said with a satisfied smile.

"Alright, you can leave now!"

"Sir?" The clerk frowned.

"Is it proper for you to watch this moment?" Zhang Yu said sternly.

"Understood, understood!" The clerk immediately led the guards out, gently closing the door.

Zhang Yu's gaze fell on Yang Xin.

The moment their eyes met, Yang Xin trembled.

"Don't come any closer!" Yang Xin immediately ran to a pillar, terrified. "If you come any closer, I will kill myself here."

"If you die, what will happen to your brother?" Zhang Yu countered.

Yang Xin's body jolted as if electrocuted, her eyes instantly reddening.

Her parents had been forced to death, and her brother was her only remaining family.

If she died, she couldn't imagine what kind of life her brother would have.

Taking advantage of Yang Xin's moment of shock, Zhang Yu dashed forward and pulled her into his arms, covering her mouth.

Yang Xin struggled in fear.

However, due to long-term malnutrition, her struggles were weak, and her slender figure rubbed against Zhang Yu's body.

At this moment, Zhang Yu could see that although Yang Xin was somewhat thin, her delicate features and well-proportioned figure would make her a goddess in modern times.

Zhang Yu couldn't help but swallow.

Zhang Yu slowly leaned close to Yang Xin's ear, "First, I won't touch you, but you must listen to me. I promise to keep you and your brother safe."

Although every cell in Yang Xin's body resisted, the mention of her brother made her nod forcefully.

"Start screaming now!" Zhang Yu released her.

"What? Scream... what?" Yang Xin was stunned.

Zhang Yu smiled awkwardly, knowing that the inexperienced Yang Xin wouldn't understand his meaning.

However, several pairs of ears were listening outside the door.

If she didn't scream, neither of them would be able to complete their task.

Zhang Yu took a deep breath and grabbed Yang Xin's shoulders.

He gave her a light kiss, which was cool and slightly sweet.

Yang Xin's body trembled, her eyes wide open.

It felt like an electric shock, and she couldn't help but moan.

"Yes! That's the feeling, scream louder!" Zhang Yu said excitedly.

However, Yang Xin still felt embarrassed and couldn't fully let go.

"Do you want your brother to die?"

Yang Xin's pupils dilated.

Zhang Yu suddenly grabbed her wrist.

The pain made Yang Xin scream.

Taking advantage of this, Yang Xin also abandoned her sense of shame.

The room soon filled with moans.

An hour later.

Zhang Yu, disheveled, opened the door.

The clerk immediately approached.

"Sir! The lady is quite delightful, isn't she?" The clerk licked his lips, looking at Yang Xin hiding behind Zhang Yu.

"Mr. Zhao's gift is indeed special. Tell him that I will be his friend, and I will do whatever he asks," Zhang Yu laughed.

"Mr. Zhao will be very pleased to hear this," the clerk thought, his task now complete.

"By the way, prepare a horse, I'm leaving the city!" Zhang Yu ordered.

"Sir, what for?" The clerk asked, puzzled.

"The lady misses her home. I'll take her to visit her family. I can't miss the opportunity to enjoy this pleasure," Zhang Yu said with a lecherous smile.

"Understood, sir!" The guard smiled knowingly.

"While I'm away, handle the county office affairs as you see fit."

"Yes, sir! Have a safe journey." The clerk was pleased, thinking this magistrate was quite sensible.

The clerk quickly prepared the horse.

Zhang Yu took Yang Xin and headed straight for Matou Village.

Outside the county, the landscape was desolate.

On the road, a few scattered villagers could be seen entering and leaving the city, all with vacant eyes. They instinctively knelt by the roadside as Zhang Yu passed.

They only dared to stand up after he was out of sight.

Seeing this, Zhang Yu's heart tightened.

This year's poor harvest, combined with heavy taxes and landlord exploitation, left the people of Pingchuan County with no food.

With winter approaching, many more would starve to death.

However, Zhang Yu understood that he must first ensure his own survival to have a chance to save others.

The Zhao family could easily kill him like squashing an ant.

For now, they were merely observing whether he was of any value to them.

Zhang Yu's previous life had been too frustrating. Reborn, he not only wanted to live but to live well.

To survive in the dangerous Pingchuan County, he needed to make the Zhao family relax their guard.

Currently, he was at their mercy.

He had to bide his time, first escaping their surveillance, to build his own power.

This was not a difficult task for a modern soldier king.

Once the time was right, he would confront the Zhao family, and who would rule Pingchuan County was yet to be determined.