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Chapter 326 11: Promoted to Two Department Chief_2
Chapter 326 11: Promoted to Two Department Chief_2
Shi Wenbo's gaze swept over everyone present and finally rested on Shen Qing.
"Chief Officer Shen."
"I am here," Shen Qing proactively stepped forward, cupping his hands.
Shi Wenbo said, "Regarding the recent demonic turmoil in Yongzhou, your actions have been witnessed by all the citizens of the city. It could be said that without you, this calamity in Yongzhou would not have ended so swiftly. Within my authority, I hereby promote you to Chief Officer of both the Military Department and the Guardian Martial Department, commanding both forces in Yongzhou. I hope you will live up to this trust and safeguard Yongzhou's peace and security."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qing's eyes flashed with surprise.
If he was promoted to General of the Military Department, then where would Huang Furo go?
He instinctively turned his gaze towards Huang Furo, standing to the side.
She was looking at him with a smile, a gentle toughness in her eyes, without any hint of negative emotions.
Shen Qing instantly speculated that she probably had a better opportunity elsewhere.
He did not hesitate any longer and said in a firm voice, "Thank you, sir, for your guidance! I, Shen Qing, will do my utmost to fulfill your high expectations and ensure the peace of Yongzhou!"
After settling matters with Shen Qing, Shi Wenbo stood up and said, "Alright, gentlemen, we still have to pack our things. We'll depart for the Capital early tomorrow morning. We won't stay any longer."
Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou stepped forward ingratiatingly, "Imperial Envoy, since you're leaving tomorrow, why not let us host a farewell banquet for you tonight at Baihua Building?"
"No need, just do your duties well."
Before he finished speaking, a surge of vigorous energy rippled through the assembly hall, causing everyone to pause and remain silent as they watched Shi Wenbo and his entourage leave.
Once Shi Wenbo and his party departed, the others also gradually left the assembly hall.
"Where are you planning to go?"
"The Capital, Mountain Sea Department."
"The Capital's Mountain Sea Department is a critical area of the court. Lord Huangfu, you consider this a promotion, congratulations, congratulations!"
In the prefecture, the sunlight slanted across the bluestone path, casting long shadows as Shen Qing and Huang Furo walked side by side, taking slow steps.
A complex emotion flashed in Huang Furo's eyes as she sighed, "It's just a change of place to serve the court."
Shen Qing said with a smile, "But after all, it's under the feet of Heaven, it's different. I heard the Capital's Mountain Sea Department has access to the Imperial Armory. If Lord Huangfu enters, the prospects are limitless, and future Martial Arts cultivation will surely advance greatly."
"How do you know that entering the Imperial Armory will necessarily enhance Martial Arts cultivation?" Huang Furo asked.
Shen Qing found himself at a loss for words momentarily.
"Alright," Huang Furo smiled, revealing two shining tiger teeth, "I just hope that when we meet again, my cultivation won't lag too far behind yours."
Shen Qing laughed along, half-jokingly saying, "That might be a bit tough. I'm one in a million, with very high cultivation talent."
"How high?"
"Already three, four floors high."
Huang Furo was momentarily stunned, then her eyes curved into crescent moons.
As they spoke, the two had reached the entrance of the prefecture. Shen Qing stopped and looked at Huang Furo with deep eyes, withdrawing his smile, "Lord Huangfu, this journey to the Capital is long and arduous, please take care."
Huang Furo nodded, her eyes shining with a determined light, "I will do my utmost. You, too, be careful of everything in Yongzhou."
They exchanged a smile.
Then they each turned around and walked in different directions from the entrance of Yongzhou County Office.
...
The next day, Shi Wenbo and his party took the lead to leave in a radiant light, while Huang Furo, after a few days of transition with Shen Qing, soon followed with some attendants and several swift horses, heading eastward and northward.
At this time, after experiencing such a grand upheaval and transformation, Yongzhou seemed to be reborn, revitalized, and restored to peace and prosperity.
The past stagnation and ailments were swept away by the turmoil, replaced by peace and flourishing.
Every day, travelers and merchants from all around flocked into the city, making both the inner and outer city vibrant and prosperous.
Among this, the Shen family seemed to rise to fame overnight, with numerous enterprises under the Shen family emerging like bamboo shoots after the rain.
As the head of the Shen family and also Chief Officer of the Two Departments, Shen Qing had undeniably become a newly rising power in Yongzhou, with countless people looking up to him.
Shen Qing estimated that the daily income from his current businesses was already over a thousand taels, astonishingly enough to satisfy his cultivation needs.
However, compared to these external possessions, he was more concerned with the actual power in his hands.
After taking over the two departments, he quickly positioned reliable confidants, such as Xiao Zhi and others, into the Military Department.
Thanks to his reputation, the process went smoothly, and with Huang Furo's full support before she left, he quickly gained de facto control over the Military Department.
Everything was developing positively.
Seeing the city stable, Shen Qing immediately moved his uncle, aunt, elder sister, and others into the inner city.
Given his significantly elevated status, Shen Qing acquired a Shen family residence in Yongzhou's central area.
Upon entering the residence, his Uncle Shen Er and others were served like a master and mistress by the maids and servants, which made them very uncomfortable and often resulted in amusing mishaps as they struggled to adapt to the change in status.
Shen Qing let them have their fun.
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed, and winter arrived, with snowflakes drifting down.
In the Shen family residence, amidst the silver-clad courtyard, servants occasionally passed by in haste, their breaths forming puffs of white mist that dissipated in the cold air.
"Master, Wu Sheng is here to request an audience," a servant respectfully stood outside Shen Qing's study and said.
Shen Qing put down his pen and raised his head slightly.
A few days ago, he had sent Wu Sheng out to acquire cultivation resources, and after such a long period, he must have some results.
Shen Qing put away his writing brush, ignoring the ink's reminder in his vision, and casually said, "Let him in."
"Yes, Master."
The servant responded and withdrew.
Not long after, Wu Sheng entered the study.
He wore a thick cotton coat, with traces of wind and frost on his face, but his eyes shone with excitement.
"Greetings, Master."
Shen Qing rose to meet Wu Sheng and motioned for him to sit while personally pouring him a cup of hot tea, saying calmly, "Brother Wu, how was your journey?"
Wu Sheng took the teacup, holding it with both hands as warmth spread from his palms, filling his heart with a warm current.
He happily said, "Master, this trip to the Capital yielded much. I followed your instructions and procured many rare pills and elixirs, hard to find in the market. Besides, I specifically acquired some wish beads."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qing's eyes flashed with delight.
Pills and elixirs have great effects on enhancing cultivation and healing, while wish beads are extremely precious and beneficial for practice, the more the better.
Shen Qing said with a smile, "You truly did not disappoint me."
Wu Sheng put down the tea cup and quickly took out a small jade box from his pocket, gently opening it to reveal seven or eight white jade pearls emitting a faint glow.
Surely, they were wish beads.
Shen Qing took the jade box, carefully inspecting these precious pearls, and revealed a satisfied smile.
"Wu Sheng, you've done well, these things are very useful to me indeed." Shen Qing's words carried gratitude and praise: "Is there anything you wish for? Let me see if I have it here."
"Thank you, Master, for nurturing me! It's my honor to serve you, Master. I wouldn't ask for any other reward." Wu Sheng immediately bowed in gratitude and said with a beaming smile.
Shen Qing slightly frowned; in his view, what comes free is often the most costly.
As a seasoned traveler, Wu Sheng quickly realized he had misspoken, hastily correcting himself, "If I must say, I hope Master can grant me an official martial arts manual to practice. I hope Master would fulfill this wish."