Chapter 79: New Official Takes Office

The heavy wheels rolled over the muddy road, kicking up dust, as the convoy laden with gold, silver treasures and provisions marched mightily into Wangjiang Cheng.

"Lao Da, you're amazing! You actually cleared out Yunjinnian's lair!"

Xiong Kuohai excitedly slapped Jiang Xiaomu's shoulder, his force so great it almost knocked him apart.

Jiang Xiaomu sidestepped without changing expression, glancing at him lightly.

"Don't make a fuss; wealth should not be displayed."

"Quickly move these things into the storehouse, assign guards to watch them closely, and keep them safe."

"Part of the gold and silver will be used to recruit troops and buy horses, another part to improve the lives of the city's residents."

"The provisions are the same: part stored for emergencies, part distributed to the city's hungry residents."

"Also, keep a ledger of all these items for safekeeping."

Xiong Kuohai quickly nodded in agreement, directing his men to move chest after chest of gold, silver and provisions into the city.

"Ye Ying, you've worked hard too; go back to the mountain to rest."

Jiang Xiaomu turned to the silent Ye Ying at his side, his tone softening considerably.

Ye Ying nodded slightly, leading her Ghost-Faced Army commanders to vanish silently into the night, leaving no trace.

After handling all this, Jiang Xiaomu returned to his residence.

He pushed open the courtyard gate to see his younger sister Jiang Xiaoyu practicing martial arts in the yard.

"Brother, you're back!"

Jiang Xiaoyu saw Jiang Xiaomu, immediately put away her dagger, and ran over happily.

"How's your practice going?"

Jiang Xiaomu rubbed her head, his eyes full of tenderness.

"I've already mastered the first dagger form you taught me, Brother!"

Jiang Xiaoyu puffed out her chest proudly, a pleased expression on her face.

"Not bad; keep working hard."

Jiang Xiaomu encouraged, saying:

"As long as you put in the effort, you'll surely become a great hero one day."

In the days that followed, besides handling city affairs, Jiang Xiaomu devoted himself to guiding Jiang Xiaoyu's martial training.

He passed on all the fighting skills and combat techniques he had learned in his previous life, hoping Jiang Xiaoyu could protect herself in this chaotic era.

"Brother, this Phantom Step you taught me is amazing! I feel like I'm about to fly!"

Jiang Xiaoyu said excitedly while practicing the footwork.

Watching her agile figure, Jiang Xiaomu's face broke into a relieved smile.

However, the peaceful days did not last long.

Jiang Xiaomu had just sat down in the courtyard, preparing to point out a few new dagger techniques to Jiang Xiaoyu, when a system voice sounded in his mind:

{Ding dong! Warning! Wangjiang Cheng is about to be taken over by the new Prefect! }

{This person's temperament is unpredictable and hard to fathom; they might highly favor the host, or they might execute the host. }

{Suggestion one: The host should strike first, kill the Prefect and establish himself as king! }

{Suggestion two: The host should pack up and leave immediately; Wangjiang Cheng is no place to linger! }

{Suggestion three: If relations with the Prefect sour, the Prefect will execute the host! }

Hearing this, he nearly spat out his tea; he had only just returned a few days ago and hadn't even settled in, yet trouble started again.

At that moment, Xiong Kuohai burst in like a whirlwind.

"Lao Da! Lao Da! Something big has happened!"

Xiong Kuohai shouted loudly, his voice making Jiang Xiaomu's ears ring.

Jiang Xiaomu frowned, resignedly saying:

"What now? Calm down and speak slowly—has the sky fallen?"

He disliked nothing more than Xiong Kuohai's noisy temperament; although this guy is fiercely loyal, he can be utterly irritating.

"It's worse than the sky falling!"

Xiong Kuohai wiped sweat from his brow, speaking urgently:

"The Imperial Court has sent a new Prefect! He'll be arriving at Wangjiang Cheng any moment!"

"Oh? Is the news reliable?"

Jiang Xiaomu asked in a low voice.

"Absolutely certain! Scouts report a mighty procession with banners flying, heading straight our way!"

Xiong Kuohai slapped his chest, guaranteeing:

Jiang Xiaomu lowered his head, beginning to ponder:

"Although he now controls Wangjiang Cheng and has recruited some troops, his foundation is still unstable, far inferior to the Imperial Court's regular army."

"Moreover, being of refugee origin, his legitimacy is questionable; if the Imperial Court investigates, his situation will become perilous."

"Lao Da, what should we do? Should we go out to meet him?"

Xiong Kuohai asked cautiously, himself unsure.

"Meet him, of course we should." Jiang Xiaomu's eyes flashed with determination.

"We're not yet strong enough to confront him head‑on."

"First courtesy, then force—let's see what kind of person this new Prefect is."

"Yes! Lao Da, you're wise!"

Upon hearing this, Xiong Kuohai immediately broke into a grin, turned and prepared to make arrangements.

"Wait," Jiang Xiaomu called out to stop him.

"Don't make it too elaborate; just bring some elite troops, a token gesture will suffice."

He didn't want the other side to notice his formidable strength, to avoid unnecessary suspicion.

Jiang Xiaomu quickly tidied his attire, then took Xiong Kuohai and a unit of elite soldiers out of the city.

On the official road outside the city, dust rose as a troop slowly approached.

Jiang Xiaomu spotted the troop from afar, and thought to himself:

This new prefect's entourage is quite impressive; he doesn't look like someone easy to deal with.

The troop stopped not far from Jiang Xiaomu, the sedan curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged man stepped out of the sedan.

He was broad-built, pale-faced and clean-shaven, yet his eyes were sharp, giving an aura of imposing dignity without anger.

"I, your humble servant Jiang Xiaomu, respectfully greet you, Prefect!"

Jiang Xiaomu stepped forward and clasped his hands in salute.

The middle-aged man sized up Jiang Xiaomu from head to toe, the corners of his mouth turning up as he spoke:

"Are you Jiang Xiaomu? I've heard you've been causing quite a stir in Wangjiang Cheng lately."

Jiang Xiaomu replied without changing his expression:

"Prefect, you overpraise me; I am merely a commoner, barely scraping by in these troubled times!"

"As a commoner, I merely exert my modest effort to protect the land and pacify the people."

Jiang Xiaomu continued to respond humbly, but inwardly he remained on guard, sensing that the new prefect's words had hidden meaning.

The prefect laughed heartily, revealing a mouthful of slightly yellow-stained teeth, and said:

"Mr. Jiang, there's no need for excessive modesty; I've long heard of your great name, and upon seeing you today, you truly are a hero among youths!"

Jiang Xiaomu dealt with him with a false smile, while his mind weighed the three suggestions given by the system:

Strike first? The risk is too great.

Pack up and leave? I can't bear to abandon the foundation I've painstakingly built.

As for the third suggestion…… he certainly doesn't want to die young.

"Alright, enough small talk," the prefect waved his hand, cutting off the pleasantries.

"Mr. Jiang, please lead me into the city so I can properly inspect Wangjiang Cheng."

"Yes, I will obey."

Jiang Xiaomu bowed in response, but inwardly he groaned, this prefect doesn't play by the usual rules.

The newly appointed official, instead of first resting at the prefect's office, wants to tour the city—what is this old fellow up to?