I Am Immortal in Great Yu

Chapter 203: Chapter 84: Two Years (Part 2)

”That’s different. The past is the past.”

”Yeah, Old Gou... no, Old Xun is right. What’s that saying? A new official has to make his presence known, right?” Li Dadan said, scratching the back of his head.

”Chief, have a seat!” Niu Bajin said ingratiatingly, moving a chair over.

”Sit? What for? Can’t you see I’m about to get off work?”

Fang Rui walked straight out. ”Alright, you all head home early too. Get some rest, it’s freezing out!”

”But, Chief, you were just officially promoted a few days ago. Is it really okay for us to be like this? Maybe you could see if there are any cases...” Li Dadan said, his hands itching for action.

That’s right. Fang Rui had been officially promoted a few days prior, becoming the Silver Seal Chief Constable of the Huaiyin Prefecture’s Southeast District Divine Capture Bureau branch. He was in charge of several nearby streets, which in a way made him a local ’Land Tyrant’.

In the Prefecture City, just like back in Changshan County, the hierarchy went from unranked governmental officers, to Ninth Grade constables, Eighth Grade Chief Constables, and Seventh Grade Chief Constables. Only a Sixth Grade Martial Artist could become a ’Silver Seal Chief Constable’ and take charge of a district’s Divine Capture Bureau branch.

These standards corresponded to one’s strength, which was the basic requirement. Other aspects were also evaluated. For example, despite having the overt strength of a Sixth Grade Martial Artist, it still took Fang Rui a year to be officially promoted to ’Silver Seal Chief Constable’.

”’Not okay’ my ass! Has our Southeast District branch’s case-solving rate ever dropped because we clocked out early? But let’s not even talk about that...”

Fang Rui turned and looked straight at the three of them. ”Let me ask you, who’s in charge of this Southeast District Divine Capture Bureau branch?”

”You are, of course!” the three Chief Constables replied in unison.

”Good. Then listen to me. Clock out!”

Fang Rui waved his hand dismissively and walked right out the door.

Outside the door.

WHOOSH!

A frigid wind howled, snowflakes still drifted through the air, and the land was frozen solid.

He shook his head, thinking about his three Chief Constables. ’Li Dadan has decent strength; he’s brave and charges forward, a real sharp blade. Xun Buhe, nicknamed ’Old Gou,’ is as steady as an old dog—experienced, worldly, and always handles assigned tasks with perfect propriety. Niu Bajin is a nepotism hire, skilled at... sucking up?’

Outside, a carriage was already waiting. ”Master, are we heading straight back, or shall we pick up the two young misses?”

”To the Four Seas Building first.”

”Yes, Master!”

On the way.

Fang Rui got out of the carriage at a familiar roadside stall, planning to buy some donkey meat sandwiches to take back with him.

”Well, if it isn’t Silver Seal Fang! The usual, I take it? I’ll wrap it up for you right away. Threw in a free side dish for you, too.”

”Thanks.” Fang Rui tossed over some silver coins.

”Hey, you’re really... too kind! I’ve never seen an official as polite as you.”

After Fang Rui left, the stall owner jerked his chin, pointed a thumb at Fang Rui’s back, and boasted to the surrounding customers, ”See that? That’s Master Fang, Silver Seal Fang! He’s a famous gourmand, and even he loves our donkey meat sandwiches!”

CREAK...

The carriage continued onward. It bore the plaque of the Divine Capture Bureau, so most prominent households would proactively make way for it, granting it a clear path straight to the Four Seas Building.

...

Four Seas Building.

This was the largest restaurant in the Southeast District. Business was booming, and with the constant stream of guests coming and going, the daily traffic of carriages was like a flowing dragon.

In a room in the back.

The Stewards, who were usually imposing figures managing the restaurants, inns, and trading teams, now stood like students before their teacher, listening to instructions.

”The two Four Seas Restaurants had a net profit of one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-six taels last month. The six Four Seas Inns, a net profit of... The twelve teahouses, a net profit of... The Four Seas Trading Team has also turned a profit from a loss. This is a good start!”

”Merit shall be rewarded, and mistakes shall be punished. Steward Yu of Fenghua Street is rewarded with silver... Steward Jin of the Yunshui Street teahouse embezzled funds. He is dismissed and will be handed over to the Government Office...”

After the Third Lady finished her summary, she continued speaking under the fearful, silent gazes of the crowd. ”Next, I’ll lay out the plan for next month. For the next month, the restaurants will be adjusted as follows... As for the trading team, continue with a learning mindset. Follow the other major trading teams... prioritize stability... I’m not asking you to earn a lot of silver. The priority is to establish information channels...”

Facing these sharp-witted Stewards, she spoke with poise and confidence, exuding the air of an elite professional woman.

After everyone was dismissed.

Only then did Fang Rui enter, calling out, ”Third Sister!”

”Ah, Brother Rui, when did you get here?” The female CEO who had just been issuing commands instantly transformed into a gentle, caring older sister, her pretty face blushing with shyness and embarrassment.

As she managed a vast array of affairs, her prestige grew by the day, and she only revealed this side of herself to a very few people, like Fang Rui.

The contrast between her attitude toward others and her attitude toward him made Fang Rui’s heart itch, and he couldn’t resist pulling the Third Lady into his arms.

”I’ve been here a while, since you were scolding your people. By the way, Third Sister, you were truly impressive back there!” he said, teasing her.

”CHIRP CHIRP!”

Two Phoenix-tailed Swallows appeared from somewhere on the Third Lady’s person.

Don’t be fooled by their small and exquisite appearance—with the body of a swallow and a tail like a phoenix, they were exceptionally beautiful but also extremely dangerous. With a sneak attack, they could easily take down a Sixth Grade Martial Artist.

They were a type of Exotic Beast he had acquired during his travels. They possessed strong combat abilities and were extremely sensitive to hostility. After capturing and taming them, Fang Rui had given them to the Third Lady as bodyguards.

It wasn’t just the Third Lady; Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, Fang Ling, and Nannan each had two of them as well.

”Brother Rui, you’re teasing me again. I’m just borrowing your prestige... Stop, there are people outside!”

To stop Fang Rui’s hands from wandering, the Third Lady changed the subject to business. ”Brother Rui, didn’t you ask me to keep an eye on news from the Three Southern States? This is the latest.”

She handed over an intelligence report. ”There’s not much to see, really. They’ve been fighting there for the past two years, back and forth...”

”Right now, to say that nine out of ten homes are empty in the Three Southern States is a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s no overstatement to say that half the population is gone.”

”Is that so?!”

Fang Rui’s expression turned grave. He thought of his old acquaintances in Yunzhou, like Jiang Ping’an, and couldn’t help but sigh.

Having left the Three Southern States, he was no longer ”in the mountains” and could see things more clearly.

Putting other things aside, places like Wuzhou and other state mansions weren’t affected by disasters and had no shortage of food. Yet, they were continuously sending grain to the Three Southern States. Otherwise, the stalemate there couldn’t have lasted for one or two years.

But was this something a normal Court should be doing? It was completely outrageous.

”Is there any other news?” Fang Rui asked again.

”The Court’s main army has been mobilized! Not the local Official Army from the three states of Yun, Lin, and Yue, but the Central Imperial Guard. They started from Linzhou and are sweeping through, having already recaptured the lands of three mansions. This time, it looks like they’re serious...”

’Are they about to begin the final harvest?!’

Fang Rui’s gaze was profound.

The waters of this Great Yu ran too deep! He had never believed that Great Yu could stand for a millennium just by culling its population like this.

’There must be more secrets behind this that I don’t know about yet.’

Fang Rui had changed his mind and joined the Divine Capture Bureau, seeking an official position not only to protect the Fang Family but also to study in depth and understand the workings of Great Yu.

After all, if he didn’t understand this behemoth, how could he dare to stir up trouble wantonly to acquire Tribulation Points?

’So, is the ultimate career goal a stable government job?’ he thought with some amusement, shaking his head.

”Oh, right, Brother Rui, the trading team brought back a Snow Sturgeon. It’s a full zhang long. Should we make fish soup tonight? Those two girls, Ling’Er and Nannan, will definitely love it.”

”Fish soup is perfect for this weather. I also brought some donkey meat sandwiches from Zhang’s Shop. Let’s pick up the two little ones and head right back.”

Fang Rui collected his thoughts, nodded with a smile, and walked out the door with the Third Lady’s arm in his.

...

Huaiyin Women’s Academy.

”Brother!”

”Brother Ah Rui! Mother!”

Compared to two years ago, the two little girls, Fang Ling and Nannan, were clearly older and taller.

They rushed out like a pair of Child Kings, surrounded by a group of adolescent girls.

Yes, women’s academies existed in this world, but they were generally only found in major places like a Prefecture City. Moreover, the tuition was steep, affordable only for well-off families.

Of course, while they also taught reading and writing, the curriculum was much more relaxed than that of a men’s academy. The content taught was also quite different, including subjects like embroidery and etiquette.

”Are you tired?”

”Did anything happen at the academy today?”

Fang Rui and the Third Lady chatted idly with the two little girls, Fang Ling and Nannan, as the carriage made its way home, its wheels creaking over the fluffy snow.

...