Chapter 116: Let Him Go All Out

"Old Master, I have already brought the item back!"

Inside a magnificent mansion in Changxing City, the center of the Nanhua Domain, Mr. Chen stood respectfully beside an old man of about sixty, handing over the Jade Tablet Command Sword in his hand.

"Good, you did well this time. Although we didn't catch them all in one net, it was enough to break their bones and tendons. Only a few small fry escaped; they won't amount to anything!"

Taking the Command Sword, the old man wore a smile, his mood seeming quite good. Although the matter in Sanshui County seemed minor, it was actually a situation where pulling one hair would affect the whole body.

By using Gu Xi, he had easily stirred up the entire Nanhua Domain, allowing him to distinguish friend from foe and then cut through the chaos with a sharp blade. After this purge, the overall environment of the Nanhua Domain would certainly improve significantly.

"By the way, there is also that Sanshui County Magistrate, Shen Hengzhi. This person truly did not disappoint me. In just over half a year, he combed through Sanshui County and brought those who had no regard for the law to heel!"

"I hear he has even governed Sanshui County into a state of prosperity far exceeding the past; he is indeed a capable official! Now that he has performed such a great service, he must be rewarded!"

"As I thought!" Hearing this, Mr. Chen's heart stirred slightly. Ever since he was sent to Sanshui County by this Old Master, he had known what the old man was thinking.

Sending Shen Yu to Sanshui County in the first place was actually a bit of a "break the pot to mend it" gamble. But he hadn't expected this person to be far more useful than imagined; in less than a month, he had brought the entirety of Sanshui County to heel.

Such a fierce record of achievement surprised even him. Of course, the Old Master couldn't let him stay in Sanshui County forever; he had to be used wherever there were difficulties. Therefore, the promotion of this Magistrate Shen was inevitable.

And this time, when fishing, even the Dongning Army had been moved. If the 150,000 troops of the Dongning Army were handled poorly, it might needlessly cause trouble. That was why he had guessed that Shen Yu would definitely be sent to Songnan Prefecture, and specifically as the Prefect of the prefecture, to keep the Dongning Army in check!

"Mr. Chen, take a guess: what kind of reward do you think I will give him?"

"I guess the Old Master intends to send Shen Yu to Songnan Prefecture!"

"Not bad, exactly Songnan Prefecture!" He looked at Mr. Chen with eyes full of appreciation. It was a pity that such a sharp advisor was not his own and could only be borrowed.

Now his own good-for-nothing son had sent people to urge him time and again; he couldn't keep Mr. Chen much longer. That brat was afraid he would hold onto the man and not give him back—what a petty mind! He had raised that brat for nothing!

"This Shen Hengzhi is not only young and hot-blooded but also exceptionally intelligent, capable in both civil and military affairs. There is no one better to serve as the Prefect of Songnan Prefecture!"

"Old Master, that may be so, but he is, after all, too young, and he has only been in the officialdom for a year!"

Although Mr. Chen had spoken firmly to Shen Yu himself, he actually had his own concerns. He couldn't help but say in a low voice, "Old Master, promoting Shen Hengzhi several ranks within a year, directly from a Ninth Rank County Magistrate to a Sixth Rank Prefect—such a rapid promotion might invite criticism!"

"Criticism? Bah! Do they even have any shame left?" The old man slammed the table, erupting in rage. It was clear that some anger had been building up inside him for more than a day or two.

"Old Master, please calm your anger; it is not worth it for the sake of such people!"

"How can you tell me to calm down? Look at those people. What achievements do they have? On a daily basis, they seek only to avoid mistakes rather than achieve anything, each one of them just occupying a position and eating for free. How do they have the nerve to criticize others!"

"Fine!" The Old Master's explosive temper was truly as great as ever. Regarding this, Mr. Chen could only look at his nose and his heart, pretending he hadn't heard anything.

"Mr. Chen, there is one thing you might not have thought of. You think I transferred him there just for the Dongning Army? You are wrong!"

As he spoke, the old man casually threw the secret report that had been on the table to Mr. Chen beside him. "Take a look. This is the secret report from Songnan Prefecture. Some things you don't know until you investigate, and once you do, it is truly shocking!"

After taking the secret report, Mr. Chen read it quickly, and his brows immediately furrowed. The situation in Songnan Prefecture was, even to him, extremely troublesome.

"Old Master, this..."

"This is why I am determined to send him there!"

Taking a deep breath, the old man said with some helplessness: "The previous Prefect of Songnan Prefecture was a coward. He himself was high-minded—not greedy, not taking bribes, not seizing property—but he dared not offend anyone and completely ignored the suffering of the people!"

"Look at the contents of this secret report. As a Prefect, he could actually watch the commoners under his rule be beaten to death right before his eyes, yet he not only ignored it completely, but even continued to play with calligraphy and poetry every day, showing off his refinement, without even letting out a fart!"

"Hmph!" With a heavy cold snort, the old man slammed his palm onto the table again, causing dense cracks to appear on the table in front of him.

"Such a person—what use does the Imperial Court have for him? What use do the people have for him! Once the transfer order arrives, have this Shen Hengzhi take the dismissal document and go directly. Tell that brat, he doesn't need to give this former Prefect any face!"

"Also, have that brat Shen Hengzhi pass on a message for me. Tell that bastard in Songnan Prefecture to roll back to his hometown and farm. The Imperial Court does not feed trash—tell him I said so!"

"Yes, Master!"

"Phew!" Having said all this, the old man seemed to have vented all the fire in his heart, and he felt much more comfortable.

"Mr. Chen, I can see it now. This brat Shen Hengzhi is not only immune to both soft and hard tactics, but he is also not one to suffer a loss. Sending him to Songnan Prefecture, I can be completely at ease!"

"The Old Master is right!" Nodding, Mr. Chen expressed his agreement. Given the current situation, sending him was the most appropriate choice.

"Hey, Mr. Chen, tell me, if he handles the Songnan Prefecture matter beautifully, how should I reward him!"

"Right, as long as this brat can straighten out Songnan Prefecture for me, I... I will not interfere with him associating with my precious granddaughter!"

"Wait, Old Master, are you serious?" Upon hearing this, Mr. Chen's eyes widened. Do you not know what kind of temper that young lady has, or are you just playing dumb? Is that someone an ordinary person dares to marry?

The last marriage alliance was forced; do you think the other party was willing? I heard that the eldest young master on that side, upon learning that they had called off the engagement, set off firecrackers at home for three days to celebrate. The deterrent power of our young lady is evident.

Now this Old Master has set his sights on Shen Yu, and even he couldn't bear to watch this.

He had finally figured it out: this Old Master had taken a liking to the man. No wonder he was being promoted so quickly; it turns out he was being groomed to be a grandson-in-law. Have you even asked if the man is willing?

Old Master, even if we are going to trick someone, can we pick someone else? If you end up scaring him away, there won't be anyone as useful as him in the future!

"Also, Songnan Prefecture is not like Sanshui County; it is far more dangerous!" After thinking for a moment, the old man said, "Hand over all the Shadow Guards of Songnan Prefecture to his command; they should be able to help a little!"

"Shadow Guards? Old Master, the Shadow Guards are secret agents directly under the Governor's Office, representing the attitude of the Governor's Office itself. How can this be done!"

"Why can't it be done? I want to tell everyone clearly that this brat is under my protection!"

"Old Master!" Saying this, Mr. Chen also became a bit anxious. It was one thing for that brat Shen Yu to be impulsive, but why were you, old man, also being so impulsive?

"Old Master, you may not understand him. Shen Yu is a newborn calf that is not afraid of tigers; once he gets stubborn, he ignores everything. I am worried that he is too young and hot-headed. If the Shadow Guards are handed over to him, what if..."

"What 'what if'? Young people should be hot-headed; that is exactly what I want—his youthful vigor, fearing nothing! If he were like those old pedants, considering the pros and cons of everything, then there would be no point in cleaning up Songnan Prefecture!"

"Since you put it that way, then I have chosen the right person!"

Saying this, the old man slammed the table and said loudly, "You help me tell that brat: no matter how big a mess he makes, I will cover for him. Let him go all out!"

"I refuse to believe that I cannot deal with this bunch of bastards in Songnan Prefecture!"