Chapter 147: Patrol Guard Division Vice Commissioner

Cheng Zhi was very clear about exactly how much ability he possessed.

His talent for learning was limited, his comprehension average; even if a Heaven-tier cultivation technique were placed before him, he still wouldn't understand it.

His former classmates at the academy, though their memories couldn't compare to his, were able to draw inferences about other cases from one instance and master the subject thoroughly.

What about himself?

A good memory is a good memory, but not understanding is still not understanding!

Even if he could recite some classic texts backward, he still didn't understand them!

Without following Wen Gu, it was truly difficult to get ahead.

His strengths and weaknesses were both very obvious, and having no other skills, he could only rely on his memory to fight for a path forward.

Especially now in these chaotic times, with Epidemic Poison and Ghosts running rampant outside, Cheng Zhi was currently the hope of his entire family.

If he accidentally bumped his head, his family would be even more panicked than he was.

This time, after finishing his conversation with Wen Gu, Cheng Zhi was so excited that his face flushed red and his gait felt unsteady.

Joining the Patrol Guard Division!

It was a pity he couldn't speak of it to outsiders yet; he had to wait for the official announcement in the Xinzhou Times.

In the Outer City District of Xinzhou City, inside a small courtyard within a military ward.

Pei Jun had been recuperating here since being injured.

The Inner City District was crowded and complex, with too many shrewd people among the powerful and wealthy families living inside the city, and someone was watching all day long.

It was better in the Outer City District, where it was more convenient to conceal news and also beneficial for healing.

Inside the room, Pei Jun was drinking medicine, listening to a personal attendant report on the day's movements in Xinzhou City this morning.

Despite a face pale and devoid of color, Pei Jun still maintained the bearing of a noble family.

The attendant said that Wen Gu had returned to Xinzhou City and paid a visit to Zhao Fu.

Pei Jun set down the medicine bowl: "I had also guessed previously that Zhao Dutong would have him transferred back."

The attendant worked by Pei Jun's side and knew more than others: "Is the position of Deputy Envoy really going to be given to Wen Gu?"

He was somewhat worried.

Wen Gu was not only a cousin of the Zhao Family, but had also saved the life of Zhao Shaozhu in Shuo City, along with other contributions that could or could not be made public. If Wen Gu entered the Patrol Guard Division, it was unknown whether it would shake the management and prestige Pei Jun had built up in the Patrol Guard Division.

One had to know, Pei Jun was not originally a direct descendant of the Xinzhou Zhao Family; he was formerly a noble of Huangcheng and a close minister to the Emperor!

Being able to firmly occupy the current position of chief officer of the Patrol Guard Division was extremely difficult!

He worried that after Wen Gu came to the Patrol Guard Division, he would push Pei Jun out.

Pei Jun knew what his subordinate was worried about, and with an unperturbed expression, said calmly: "No need to worry. Only with Wen Gu in this position will we be more stable!"

The attendant was puzzled.

Pei Jun continued: "That person Wen Gu, his ambitions do not lie here. The position of a mere Patrol Guard Division Vice Commissioner cannot bind him."

The attendant: "————"

A "mere" Patrol Guard Division Vice Commissioner?

Forcing himself to control his facial expression, the attendant said again: "I wonder what Cheng Xu will think."

As one of the previous Vice Commissioners of the Patrol Guard Division, Cheng Xu had stayed here for two years; although he had already run off to the Defense Post to open up wasteland, he still had some old acquaintances and former subordinates remaining in Xinzhou City. If he were to cause trouble later, it would be enough to annoy Wen Gu.

Pei Jun raised his eyes: "Cheng Xu? I fear the reality is the opposite of what you expect. Cheng Xu is very clear that he cannot stand firmly in this position."

During the initial founding of the Patrol Guard Division, there were few personnel and few people who could be used, so Cheng Xu took advantage of his previous merits.

But with the expansion of the establishment, the increase in personnel, and the growth of power in his hands, it also meant greater responsibility.

"Cheng Xu himself cannot grasp it, and knowing his ability is limited, it is better for him to go to the Defense Post to hone himself for a few years."

Perhaps he could even carve out a new, more advantageous path.

"With him gone, this Vice Commissioner position would go to someone else if not Wen Gu. Wen Gu is the one who proposed the Defense Post System, and Cheng Xu still needs Wen Gu's guidance. By comparison, he would rather Wen Gu go up. Therefore, not only will he not let people cause trouble, he will even entrust others to assist as much as possible!"

Pei Jun closed his eyes slightly, pondering the current situation in Xinzhou.

A moment later, he instructed the attendant: "If Wen Gu wants to do anything, you all should cooperate as much as possible."

"And if we don't cooperate?" The attendant was not dissatisfied, merely doubtful.

Pei Jun spoke with implication: "You will be forced to cooperate."

The attendant said solemnly: "Yes, this subordinate understands!"

As long as it did not touch upon fundamental interests, they would certainly cooperate as much as possible in other matters.

He also felt that Pei Jun would not have too much rejection toward Wen Gu.

Besides, Pei Jun's own younger brother, Pei Jing, had taken over Wen Gu's position as Ward Chief in the Jingqing Two Wards————

Pei Jun showed signs of fatigue; the medicine he had just drunk brought obvious drowsiness, so he instructed: "Wen Gu should come here tomorrow. You first organize the case files related to the Gao Family; if he wants to review them, take him to see them."

Having arranged the matters, Pei Jun took a short nap.

When he woke up, it was still bright outside; looking at the sky, he hadn't slept for too long.

The attendant heard movement and entered; seeing that Pei Jun's expression was clear and his injuries showed no abnormalities, he said in a low voice: "Ward Chief Wen————Vice Commissioner Wen is here."

Pei Jun was surprised.

He was here already?

Lao Zhao had only called Wen Gu over for a talk in the morning; there should have been many things to prepare, yet he still had time to come here?

"Invite him in."

Soon, footsteps were heard from outside. Pei Jun looked over, observing him unobtrusively.

About to hold great power, Pei Jun did not see any arrogance on Wen Gu's face. He didn't look like he was suppressing excitement or feigning calmness either; he looked more like he was pondering some important problem.

Wen Gu was indeed thinking about something.

Aside from visiting the injured and recuperating Pei Jun, he had some questions.

Lao Zhao had said that if there were any questions, one could come and ask, so he had come over immediately!

When he arrived, Pei Jun had already finished her medicine and fallen asleep, so he did not disturb her, but instead asked Pei Jun's subordinates some questions. However, there were some doubts that others truly could not answer.

He had intended to come back another day, but suddenly learned that the person inside had woken up, so he came over to have a chat.

Pei Jun was not a person who liked empty talk, so Wen Gu looked at her injuries and recovery status, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then entered the main topic.

He took out a piece of paper on which the patterns on the literary knife Gao Lao Er had used were drawn, with the style of that literary knife drawn to the side, and the material noted.

"Patrol Guard Envoy Pei, have you ever seen an object with this kind of pattern?"

Before Lao Zhao took control of Xinzhou, he perhaps had never even seen this kind of non-standard pattern. Only an old-fashioned noble family like the Pei Family would have more understanding.

And as the chief captain of the house-raiding team, Pei Jun should have a clear understanding of the things that were confiscated.

Pei Jun took the drawing and examined it closely.

Previously, although secret letters between Shuo City and Xinzhou City were exchanged frequently, they all relied on flying slaves to transmit messages, the content capacity was limited, and there were many inconveniences. Only today did she see this pattern.

Its exquisite form and level of complexity were definitely not something that could be used by an ordinary status!

After examining it, Pei Jun's face became a bit more serious: "It is indeed a court-style design, and it is also a high-level pattern!"

Only those in the imperial family with noble status could possibly use it.

No matter whose hands these things eventually fell into, when they were first produced, they would certainly be supplied to those with high status in the imperial family first; those with slightly lower status were not worthy of using them.

Pei Jun recalled the items confiscated during the recent house raids: "Among the things confiscated, I did not see this pattern. But it is also possible that there was some negligence and it was not checked carefully."

Those things are all currently placed in the designated warehouse, and one can go and check them one by one again.

"Gao Lao Er didn't say?" Wen Gu asked.

"The second son of the Gao Family has an extraordinary temperament and a very tight mouth; I still haven't been able to pry it open. Moreover, he has attempted suicide many times; if not for the strict supervision, this lead would have been broken."

The clues Pei Jun found were obtained from the mouths of other members of the Gao Family.

Wen Gu asked a few more questions, did not disturb Pei Jun's recovery, and took his leave.

He left behind the drawing he had made.

Wen Gu had also left a copy of this drawing with Lao Zhao's side, so that whenever anyone had a lead, they could give a heads-up.

Inside the room, only Pei Jun and that personal attendant remained.

The attendant sighed: "This newly appointed Deputy Envoy is a capable person!"

Pei Jun did not speak.

She just felt that her recovery process might not be particularly smooth.

The next day.

The express-printed *Xinzhou Times* came out.

——

The latest newspaper was sent to various government offices, the offices of the Ward Chiefs of each ward, and the wealthy families who had subscribed to the newspaper.

Now, the number of people reading the newspaper in the city had increased, and in every ward, there were a few people who relied on this to earn some food money.

A crowd of citizens quickly gathered around.

The newspaper reader was very good at building suspense and did not start reading the newspaper immediately.

"Latest news! The long-vacant position of Patrol Guard Division Vice Commissioner has been filled!"

"Who is it?"

"Wen Gu!"

"?!!!"

The name Wen Gu was not unfamiliar in Xinzhou City. Even the bottom-tier poor had heard many rumors about Wen Gu.

It was said that this person was very young, looked like a weak scholar, had a good temper, and was also a relative of the Zhao Family.

But connecting Wen Gu with the Patrol Guard Division was indeed very sudden!

Someone did not believe it: "This matter cannot be joked about; where did you hear it from?"

The newspaper reader took out the newspaper, not caring whether others could read or not: "Officially certified by the *Xinzhou Times*!"

The status of the *Xinzhou Times* in Xinzhou was about the same as the imperial court's gazette in the past.

"It is clearly written on it! How could it be fake?"

People who had just arrived in Xinzhou this year did not know much about the Patrol Guard Division and asked: "Between his position as Vice Commissioner and the Commander of the Garrison, which one is bigger?"

The newspaper reader immediately said: "The Vice Commissioner of the Patrol Guard Division and the Commander of the Garrison? One is a Division-level, one is a Garrison-level, what do you think? That is a high-level deputy position! One of the three real power-holders of the Patrol Guard Division!"

Seeing that some people still did not understand thoroughly, the person reading the newspaper cleared his throat and suddenly lowered his voice, with the air of "I am about to talk about a sensitive topic": "For example, everyone knows that some time ago the Patrol Guard Division was raiding houses everywhere, and the one leading the team was Chief Officer Pei. But if Chief Officer Pei is not there, then Wen—uh, Deputy Envoy Wen, can continue to lead people to raid!"

The people around suddenly changed color.

How long had it been since the "Elimination Game" in Xinzhou City?

Now, mentioning the keyword still made them feel terrified.

There were also many servants from wealthy families joining in the fun, and hearing it in their ears felt particularly relatable.

Phew, phew, phew!

What a terrible analogy!

Don't say such unlucky things!!

But it did indeed give them a clearer understanding.

It's hard to say about other things, but anyway, if they see Wen Gu on the road in the future, they must avoid him from afar!

They would even go around several wards to avoid him!

The important personnel change had already been announced in the *Xinzhou Times*.

The position of Deputy Envoy had been fiercely contested before, and many people had had ideas about it; now Lao Zhao was just informing everyone that this matter had already been decided, so don't waste any more effort.

Wen Gu serving as the Patrol Guard Division Vice Commissioner was indeed beyond many people's expectations.

The powerful and wealthy in the city gathered to discuss: "Lao Zhao and Wen Gu, one dares to give, and the other dares to accept!"

"However, this person Wen Gu is indeed somewhat wicked."

Wen Gu is a Ward Chief, so they are not afraid. In any case, he only manages the areas of Jing and Qing Wards, and cannot control their wards.

As for the Chief and Deputy Envoy of the Patrol Guard Division, they do not need to worry much either. As long as they do not take the initiative to look for trouble, the Patrol Guard Division will not come looking for them.

But!

If it is Wen Gu serving as the Deputy Envoy, this requires great attention!

Because this guy might really take the initiative to stick to them!

For example, Princess Guangning originally planned to go out to relax, and also let others in Xinzhou City know that the matter of Shuo City had nothing to do with her, and that she remained safe after a major purge.

Suddenly hearing about the personnel changes in the Patrol Guard Division, she urgently changed her itinerary.

She would wait and see for a few days first.

Qingyun Temple.

Qingyi Daozhang looked at the newly released newspaper and silently recited the Expel Misfortune Incantation for quite a while.

What were they thinking? How could they let him go to the Patrol Guard Division to hold such heavy power?!

That dog thing could stir up so much trouble just being a Ward Chief; it is hard to imagine how rampant he will be now that he has become a Deputy Envoy of the Patrol Guard Division!