Chapter 13: Taking office

“Just because they’re untouchable, we have to provoke them?!” Li Xian’s head was spinning. He had to admit, when it came to technology, he didn’t think he was any worse than the people here. But when it came to political scheming, he couldn’t compare to these true strategists. They had thousands of years of experience, while Li Xian’s greatest strength was—knowing his own limits.

After thinking it over for a while, Li Xian finally gritted his teeth. “Please go ahead with the arrangements, sir.”

Xu Ren smiled confidently. “Young master, I won’t let you down.”

“Hmm. Sir, please tell me, why was I certain to become the Warden of Wuyang City?”

“It’s very simple, and once I explain, you’ll understand. This is Wuyang, the imperial capital. The city is filled with powerful nobles and many members of the royal family. In addition, the city is home to hidden masters—it’s not even surprising if an old monster in the Golden Core stage appears from time to time.

“In a place like this, governing it requires not only ability but also a strong backing. It also requires someone with youthful vigor, hot blood, someone who doesn’t believe in evil and acts without considering the consequences.

“And young master, you’re perfect for this role. Your father is a high-ranking imperial censor, and you yourself are young and energetic. So, having you as the Warden is the most suitable choice.”

“Someone who doesn’t believe in evil and acts without thinking of the consequences…” Li Xian was exasperated. More like someone who acts without using their brain! “Fine, I’ll take office tomorrow. It’s already getting late today.”

Xu Ren shook his head. “No, take office tonight! Set out immediately!

“If you want to establish your authority, it has to start with yourself. Tonight, reorganize the yamen (government office), and tomorrow post a notice and announce your appointment.”

“Alright!”

Li Xian had this redeeming quality: even though he sometimes wanted to be lazy, he was willing to take advice. So, he hurried to pack his things, took a few servants, and as per Xu Ren’s instructions, brought along some silk, wooden staves, fire and water staves, copper staves, regular jade lamps, and ten chests of silver, each containing ten thousand taels. Half an hour later, they arrived in the northern district.

“What the… did we come to the wrong place?” Li Xian stared at the yamen in front of him. Not only had the courtyard walls collapsed, but the main gate was in tatters. The entire yamen was overgrown with weeds, birds were chirping happily, and occasionally, a few rats strolled leisurely right in front of Li Xian.

While Li Xian was still in shock, Xu Ren stepped forward, summoned his Foundation Establishment-level strength, and shouted loudly, his voice booming like thunder, “Where is everyone?!”

The sound startled countless birds, beasts, and rats, but not a single person appeared.

After waiting for quite a while, an elderly soldier finally came, trembling as he walked, with a seven- or eight-year-old boy by his side. “What can I do for you all?” he asked.

Li Xian stepped forward, “Old man, where have all the people gone?”

“They’ve all scattered.”

Li Xian’s expression turned sour. “Weren’t there supposed to be 30 yamen constables?”

“Heh, it’s good for young people to have passion, but you’d better not ask about such things,” the old man replied as he prepared to turn away.

Li Xian quickly pulled out the imperial edict. “I am the newly appointed colonel by His Majesty. Now I order you to tell me everything.”

“Ah… This old man’s name is Xie Jun, and this is my grandson, Xie An. Sir, there hasn’t been a superior here for ten years. The team leader took all the salaries and dismissed the constables. I had nowhere to go, so I stayed here.”

Li Xian’s expression was quite colorful—this Immortal Domain truly was unique, ten years without anyone managing law and order.

“Don’t get angry, this is quite normal,” Xu Ren stopped Li Xian’s anger and turned to Xie Jun. “Xie Jun, this is Li Xian, the young son of the Censor-in-Chief. Now, go summon the former constables. For each one you bring back, you’ll get a tael of silver.

“By the end of the hour of Xu (9 PM) today, no later. Those who return will continue to receive their original salaries, with past offenses forgiven. However, those who do not return on time will face the full weight of the law!”

“Yes, yes. I’ll get right on it,” Xie Jun replied, without any further delay. Though old, he was still a cultivator in the Qi Refinement stage and stronger than an ordinary person.

Xu Ren said, “Young master, this was expected. If you can’t tolerate it, we can deal with them according to the law later. Tonight, we should hire cultivators to help repair the courtyard walls, level the ground, restore the buildings, and so on. We also need to re-announce the regulations.”

“Hmm,” Li Xian finally walked inside, but as he glanced at the somewhat bewildered young boy, Xie An, he decided to pick him up. “Come, big brother has something fun for you.”

With that, he took off the jade pendant he wore and handed it to the little boy.

“I don’t want it. Grandpa said we shouldn’t take other people’s things,” the little boy, surprisingly mature, replied.

“Haha, how could this be someone else’s? This is a reward from me,” Li Xian laughed heartily.

“Thank you, big brother official,” the boy responded.

“Big brother official…” Such an innocent title. Li Xian was delighted to accept this name.

A moment later, Xu Ren had gathered the workers responsible for the repairs. As Li Xian watched the cultivators repairing the yamen, he couldn’t help but feel amazed. With a series of spells, the walls were restored, requiring only a layer of lime for beautification. Leveling the ground was even simpler—after some earth-based spells, the ground was quickly evened out, and elegant stone paths and beautiful flower beds appeared.

The houses were slightly more complicated but still only a minor challenge. The carpenters, who had undergone cultivation, worked rapidly, and many pre-installed doors, windows, and beams were swiftly moved into place.

As Li Xian watched the rooftops float into position, aided by spells, he clicked his tongue in amazement. No wonder people regarded craftsmen as merely skilled in peculiar tricks and didn’t hold them in high regard. It truly showed the importance of cultivation. But, Li Xian thought, ‘I refuse to believe that!’

Before the end of the hour of Xu, the repairs were mostly finished. The remaining tasks, such as interior decoration, would take more time, but the craftsmen assured him that everything would be completed by the next morning.

By the end of the hour, Xie An had only brought back five people: Song Xing, Chen Jinbing, Wang Cong, Yuan Yun, and Yu Chao—all around thirty years old.

As the time passed, Li Xian snorted in anger, “Close the gates!”

The yamen gates were shut. However, not even a cup of tea’s time later, three more constables leisurely approached and knocked on the door.

“Ignore them,” Li Xian ordered.

Xu Ren, now acting as the advisor, immediately offered a suggestion, “Sir, we should tie those three up. If you want to establish authority, someone must be made an example of.”

Li Xian thought for a moment and agreed. “You’re right, absolutely right.” He then turned to Song Xing and the others. “You five, capture those three, seal their true energy, and wait for interrogation.”

“This…” Song Xing and the other four hesitated for a moment, realizing the situation was looking grim.

“Hmm~~~” Li Xian’s tone grew somber.

The five exchanged glances and, reluctantly, went outside to apprehend their three former colleagues.

After the hour of Xu, six more people arrived one after another, clearly trying to challenge Li Xian. Li Xian had all of them captured as well. By the end of the hour of Zi (1 AM), no more people showed up. Li Xian began his first act as the new official.

“Xie Jun, over the years, how much salary should you have received? Calculate it at the highest rate.”

“Ah…” Li Xian’s words caused some surprise among the crowd. Were they going to receive money?

Xie Jun calculated for a long time and finally gave a number. “Sir, according to the highest calculation, each person is owed 220 taels of silver.”

“Pay them!”

Xu Ren immediately distributed 220 taels of silver to each of the 15 people present, including Xie Jun. The crowd was overjoyed.

Li Xian pointed to little Xie An. “The little guy has also been at the yamen for eight years; pay him 200 taels.”

Xu Ren promptly handed 20 gold ingots to Xie An, who hugged the 200 taels of silver with a broad grin.

The joyful atmosphere spread through the hall, with a sense of happiness in the air.

But the next moment, Li Xian’s expression turned cold. “Song Xing, Chen Jinbing, Wang Cong, Yuan Yun, Yu Chao, step forward. Since you arrived before the end of the hour of Xu, I will overlook it as a first offense. However, the rest of you will be questioned now.

What is the punishment for fleeing the yamen without reporting?”

Ah…

The remaining bound individuals looked stunned.

“Xie Jun, speak up,” Li Xian’s authority surged, exuding an overwhelming air of dominance.

Xie Jun lowered his head, his voice somewhat hoarse. “Sir, for fleeing for one day, there is a reprimand. For fleeing three days, thirty strokes of the rod. For fleeing ten days, fifty strokes. For fleeing a month, military service.”

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