Chapter 278: Still Too Young

"Lord Shen, the office is just ahead. The brothers would like to host a welcome banquet for you tonight; I wonder what you think, my Lord?"

Leading Shen Yu all the way toward the office, the North City Lieutenant Du Wei remained cautious and prudent throughout the journey.

No one knew what this superior's temper was truly like; the only known information was that this man killed like he was mowing grass, nearly turning the Beishan Region into a river of blood.

If one were to ask who was discussed most in the Capital during this period, it would be none other than this Lord Shen; even people like them often heard rumors about him on the streets and in the alleys.

It was said that the situation in the Beishan Region was originally precarious, yet this Lord Shen had single-handedly suppressed the entire region and held on until the imperial court's disaster relief grain arrived.

Moreover, he had purged corrupt officials and exterminated bandits there; there were at least eighty corrupt officials who had died by his hand, and he had killed enough to make the entire Beishan Region tremble in fear.

When they heard that this Lord Shen had become the new Feng'an Lieutenant, they did not know whether to be happy or worried.

Since joining the force, their impression was that they had always been pushed around, so naturally, they longed for a tough superior.

With a capable superior to back them up, they would have more confidence in their own words and could be firmer in their actions.

They wouldn't have to be scolded by just anyone pointing a finger at their noses, nor would they have to avoid taking action or even hide away when they clearly knew someone was guilty.

Thinking about how they had lived these past years, it was more than just stifling; they had almost lost all their dignity!

But if this superior had a great bloodlust, that would be a different matter entirely. Let's hope he doesn't start killing his own people when he gets into the mood.

Furthermore, such people were usually difficult to get along with and extremely harsh toward their subordinates. The days ahead might be even harder!

However, walking along the way, Du Wei discovered that this Lord Shen was not difficult to get along with. His attitude was kind, humble, and polite, making him very easy to approach.

It was just that there seemed to be a unique aura about him that made one involuntarily feel respectful; it was a respect that came from the heart.

"How long has it been? You bunch of trash, you can't even handle a simple case like this!"

When Shen Yu stepped through the main gate, he happened to see a man glaring at everyone; the key was that the official uniform the man wore was clearly not that of the Patrol Guard.

An outsider was being bossy on his turf, and the key was that the people inside were all silent as cicadas in winter, being lectured like grandsons.

Not to mention fighting back, not a single person dared to talk back; they all shrank their heads and let the man point at their noses and curse.

These were his own men, and they were this cowardly? This batch of troops was hard to lead!

"Lord Shen, this is Director of the Ministry of Justice, Lord Zhong Wuwei!" Seeing Shen Yu's displeased expression, Du Wei on the side hurriedly explained.

"Lord Zhong's only son went missing some time ago, but there have been no clues in this case. Lord Zhong is anxious for his son, so it is inevitable that he is a bit impatient!"

"Is this impatience? This is clearly coming here to throw his weight around. A Director of the Ministry of Justice is such a high official, huh? Giving him too much face, aren't we!"

Waving his hand, Shen Yu said directly, "Someone, carry him out for me. Let him straighten out his attitude before he comes back in!"

As soon as Shen Yu finished speaking, several people nearby immediately walked over, stepped up, and hoisted Zhong Wuwei up, preparing to drag him out and throw him directly out the door.

These were all big shots they could only look up to in the past; they never had the guts to do this before, but now it was different.

Like those spoiled rich kids from before, although they held no official rank, they could only nod and bow when they saw them.

They had to take the insults and beatings without fighting back; their lives had been stifling beyond words.

And then there was this Lord Zhong before them, who had been coming over to curse at them for no reason these past two days; they hadn't been suppressing this anger for just a day or two.

Today they could finally get revenge; the feeling now was truly beyond satisfying!

"What are you doing? Do you know who I am? Who gave you the guts to lay a hand on this official!"

"Then who gave you the guts to run wild here?"

"Presumptuous! Who are you? How dare you speak to this official like that!" With a cold shout, Zhong Wuwei felt his dignity had been challenged.

He was a dignified Director of the Ministry of Justice, being carried out by a group of Patrol Guards; if word got out, where would his face be?

And this pretty boy in front of him didn't even wear an official uniform, clearly a commoner, yet he dared to shout at him. Kid, do you know who you've offended?

"Lord Zhong, recognize this official's face. This official is the new Feng'an Lieutenant; I am the one who calls the shots here!"

"Carry him out. When Lord Zhong has straightened out his attitude, then he can come back in!"

"A mere Feng'an Lieutenant, who do you think you are? Your rank isn't high, but you're certainly arrogant!"

"Wait, you are the new Feng'an Lieutenant? Shen Yu, Lord Shen?" Seeming to have thought of something, Zhong Wuwei's face changed instantly.

He hadn't been able to control his temper once it flared up, but at this moment, he suddenly remembered: wasn't the new Feng'an Lieutenant that Shen Yu? That ruthless man who nearly slaughtered his way through the Beishan Region!

Rumor had it that this young man had extremely high Martial Arts and had killed countless people. The key was that he was also petty; anyone who offended him was directly taken down by him using some excuse.

Not only were the people killed, but their family assets were also confiscated; he was not just ordinarily ruthless.

Even now that he had entered the Capital, this temper wouldn't change for a while. If he got into the habit of killing, and he ended up killing him, it wouldn't be worth the loss!

Had he already offended the man? He wouldn't actually do it, would he?

"Carry him out!"

Following Shen Yu's cold shout, Zhong Wuwei was thrown out and fell heavily to the ground.

The whole process was very obedient, without a hint of resistance, which made everyone secretly feel satisfied—it was delightful!

"Look at yourselves. From now on, keep your backs straight; don't let just any stray cat or dog make you bow your heads!"

Looking at everyone, Shen Yu shook his head. They had no backbone left; what else could he expect from them? Enough said, time to give them a political lecture first.

"The Patrol Guard is responsible for the Capital's security. This official knows that there are countless high-ranking officials and Martial Arts masters within the Capital, so it is inevitable that you have your reservations!"

"I don't care what you were like before I arrived, but from today on, the Patrol Guard must enforce the law impartially!"

"No matter who the other party is, if they break the law, arrest them if they should be arrested, kill them if they should be killed; there is no need to give anyone face. I will take responsibility for everything, do you understand!"

Taking a deep breath, Shen Yu swept his cold gaze over these people. He also knew that one or two sentences couldn't change anything; these people had knelt for too long, and their knees had grown soft.

What he needed now was to establish his authority, to let everyone know that the current Patrol Guard was no longer the old Patrol Guard—they were not to be trifled with!

"My Lord!" Just then, someone from the side suddenly walked up and whispered to Shen Yu, "Governor of the Capital Prefecture, Lord Zhuo, has arrived!"

Just as his subordinate finished reporting, an old man of about sixty years old hurried over.

Once he saw Shen Yu, it was as if he had seen a relative; the smile on his face, along with all the wrinkles, was almost blooming.

"Lord Shen is truly young and promising; it really makes this old man feel ashamed!"

A relative indeed; I've been waiting and hoping, and finally, you've arrived, kid. Do you know how this old man has spent these past few months!

"Lord Zhuo is too kind. Lord Zhuo, this is..."

"Lord Shen, to tell you the truth, as soon as I heard that Lord Shen had arrived in the Capital City, I came over immediately!"

"There is a case that was originally the responsibility of the Patrol Guard, but after the previous Feng'an Commandant, Lord Wu, retired to his hometown, this case was temporarily transferred to our Capital Prefecture!"

"This matter has troubled me for a long time, and now that Lord Shen has taken office, this case shall be transferred to you, Lord Shen! I believe that Lord Shen will certainly not disappoint the Imperial Court!"

Right from the start, this Lord Zhuo got straight to the point. He didn't say more than two sentences before ordering someone to drop the case files, and then he slipped away without even looking back.

The entire process left Shen Yu looking completely bewildered; it was just a case, was there any need for this Lord Zhuo to act like that!

"My Lord, are you really going to take on this case?"

Opening his mouth, Du Wei hesitated to speak; it was obvious that the Prefecture Governor, Lord Zhuo, was bullying Lord Shen for being a newcomer who didn't understand anything. Dropping the files and running was nothing more than a fear that Lord Shen might change his mind.

"What, is there a problem with this case?"

"My Lord, you are unaware!" After hesitating for a moment, Du Wei finally gritted his teeth and said, "This case involves the Nanhua Marquis Mansion; it is not that simple!"

Do you really think the previous Feng'an Commandant retired to his hometown because he couldn't handle being pressured by a group of playboys?

He had worked in the position of Feng'an Commandant for so many years and endured so much frustration without anything happening, so how could he suddenly be unable to take it now?

That bastard is very shrewd; he was merely using this as an excuse to extricate himself and protect his own interests.

This matter is unusually hot to handle; it involves a Marquis Mansion, so investigating it is wrong, and not investigating it is also wrong!

Oh, Lord Shen, you are still too young; you've been set up!