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Chapter 157 Getting Up Early and Arriving Late
Lang Xiaoba left with his head hung.

Military strategist Meng's mission failed, and the first plan he offered to the inspector was rejected.

Xu Yuan sat in the room drinking tea and thinking about things. Fu Jingyu, Song Lu, Yu Yunhang, Di Youzhi, Zhou Leizi, Lang Xiaoba...

This team is definitely considered to be a strong force in Champa.

The Iron Boat Gang is cooperating smoothly outside now, and we also need to subdue the Sanniang Society.

The last communication was not very pleasant, but Xu Yuan could not just ignore Sanniang Club, after all, it was Aunt Wang's faction.

But he couldn't handle this matter himself, so he first hinted to Lang Xiaoba and asked him to continue communicating with Sanniang.

After half an hour, Di Youzhi and Zhou Leizi arrived together.

Xu Yuan also got straight to the point: "From now on, your team will be under the command of this inspector."

Zhou Leizi was stunned, still not understanding the key point. Di Youzhi had already plodded to his knees, "Thank you for your support, sir! From now on, I will follow your lead and go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Zhou Leizi, the reckless fellow, hadn't really understood what was going on yet, but seeing how serious his boss was, he quickly knelt down, clasped his fists, and shouted, "Me too!"

Xu Yuan waved his hand and said, "Alright, go back to work first. Remember what I told you before."

"As ordered."

As soon as they came out, Di Youzhi pulled Zhou Leizi to find out who the owner of the house was.

The job had to be done well. What was the point of just reporting to the inspector that we'd found Lu Xiang and someone meeting in North City? We had to investigate thoroughly, leaving the final step for the inspector to personally direct the closing of the net!

In this way, the greatest credit goes to the inspector. If the inspector is promoted quickly, the brothers below can follow suit and rise to the top.

……

Whenever Xu Yuan had time these days, he would vent his anger into the carriage.

The Yin-Yang Threshold is difficult to refine.

When he opened it and took a look, he found that the man was still struggling inside the carriage. Xu Yuan became annoyed and immediately spat out seven or eight mouthfuls of flames.

Close the compartment and continue simmering.

Then Song Lu came in and called Xu Yuan to go and see Fifth Aunt off together.

Old Yan also brought a handwritten letter from Ma Tianshou to Fifth Aunt, instructing the Lord to invite Fifth Aunt to visit Luocheng.

As for the compensation for the Fifth Aunt, it is obviously necessary for the commander to discuss it with her personally.

The fifth aunt happily went there.

Yu Yunhang also came over, and the four of them said goodbye to the fifth aunt outside the north city gate and then returned to the Champa government office.

Lang Xiaoba came out and said, "Sir, your duty room has been arranged."

Every inspector had a separate duty room in the yamen, and in any yamen in the Ming Dynasty, the quality of the duty room directly reflected the official's status and power in the yamen.

Xu Yuan's is right next to Qu Jinpeng.

The house is not much smaller than Qu Jinpeng's, and it is sunny and warm, with bright windows.

The home furnishings are all over 80% new.

Another very important point is that the duty room is neither too far nor too close to the main gate of the yamen, which is just the right distance.

Xu Yuan and everyone were very satisfied.

There was still some cleaning work to be done, which Lang Xiaoba took care of. He called a few captains, fetched water from the well and started working.

Xu Yuan suddenly sensed something and took out the carriage from the duty room. The Yin-Yang Threshold inside was finally refined.

This thing can be said to be Xu Yuan’s greatest substantial gain in the battle at Laoye Tomb.

There is no news yet about the rewards from the Department of Elimination of Filth.

Xu Yuan stretched out his hand and fished out the Yin-Yang Threshold. This thing had not been refined into a good material. All the coverings on the surface were burned away, revealing its true appearance.

It turned out to be a guillotine!

It looked like the kind of knife used in the countryside of the Ming Dynasty to cut grass and feed cows, but it had no bottom groove and only the blade on top.

Large and heavy, with a sturdy handle.

Large areas of dark red seeped into the blade.

I don’t know how many lives this thing has killed.

Xu Yuan had no idea how the knife became the Yin-Yang Threshold and how it ended up in the master's hands.

After looking at it for a while, Xu Yuan tentatively reached out and grasped the hilt of the knife.

In an instant, Xu Yuan suddenly found that his entire body seemed to be divided into two parts from the middle.

The left side is still in the world of the living.

The right side, however, leads to another world.

Cold, miserable, and lifeless.

The right eye can see the world of the dead, and the sword in the hand is heavy.

If swung to the right, the knife can kill ghosts, zombies, evil spirits, etc.

With a flick to the left, the knife can chop off the necks of all living creatures in the world.

Xu Yuan tried to perform a few moves - of course, these moves were based on memory, imitating the martial artists he had seen.

He felt that he looked quite competent, and if he became a martial artist, he would be two meters tall and would be very coordinated holding such a large sword.

Xu Yuan became even more excited and wanted to learn another martial art as well.

And it is true that I have never had a weapon that suits me.

The Saint Lady's knife was already not powerful enough, and the big gun hidden in the stepmother's car seemed to be out of place with her, and she couldn't explain why.

Xu Yuan likes this big sword very much.

So he refined an external pill with satisfaction and swallowed it.

Just as he finished, he heard someone in the small courtyard outside loudly ask, "Is Inspector Xu here?"

Lang Xiaoba, who was wiping a table, came out and looked at it. He asked in surprise, "Jiang Jianxiao, why are you here?"

Jia Yi bowed slightly to Lang Xiaoba: "Brother Xiaoba, is Lord Xu here?"

Xu Yuan's voice came from inside: "Please invite Inspector Jia in."

Lang Xiaoba led the men in. After Jia Yi came in, he clasped his fists and bowed to Xu Yuan: "Master Xu, Inspectors Shi and Wan, who just came from the Southern Office, are here to give the brothers a lecture..."

Shi Bading is He's man in charge of law, and Wan Yun is Xie's man in charge of law.

Xu Yuan just nodded, drank his tea calmly, and then signaled Lang Xiaoba to pour a cup for Jia Yi as well.

Jia Yi gritted his teeth and said, "Master Xu, this group of brothers under my command used to work with Inspector Zhu. They are all top-tier practitioners. In the entire Champa Administration, our team's overall strength is also one of the best."

Xu Yuan smiled and praised: "This is because Inspector Jia leads the team well."

Jia Yi continued, "We can serve you, sir, but I have a request."

Xu Yuan raised his hand: "Just say it."

Jia Yi knelt down and said, "I beg Lord Xu to ensure that Inspector Zhu is safe and sound."

Yesterday, as soon as He Youxing arrived, Zhu Sili was taken into custody.

Xu Yuan was quite impressed and nodded, saying, "Jiang Jian is a man who values friendship and loyalty. I don't have the final say on Lord Zhu's affairs. But... I don't think there will be any big problems.

Inspector Jia, just go back and wait patiently."

Jia Yi pleaded again: "Master Xu..."

Xu Yuan waved his hand: "I really can't do anything. Principal Jia, please go back."

Jia Yi stood up, shook his head and left helplessly.

As soon as he arrived in the yard, he ran into another inspector, Qin Ze.

Jia Yi was about to say hello, but Qin Ze's face changed when he saw Jia Yi. Without waiting for Lang Xiaoba to report, he rushed in.

When Jia Yi heard this guy coming in from outside, he knelt down with a thud. The eighth-rate martial artist broke the blue bricks on the ground with his knees and said in a thunderous voice: "Sir, I, Lao Qin and my brothers, want to sell our lives to you! We don't trust those newcomers, we only trust you, sir!"
Please take me in, sir!"

Boom!
A knock of the head brought down another brick, which broke.

Jia Yi in the courtyard was dumbfounded: "You are so good, Qin Ze! Where is the integrity of a martial artist!"
In the duty room, Xu Yuan laughed and scolded, "Inspector Qin, are you here to demolish my house?"

Jia Yi felt vaguely that he seemed to have done something wrong. Just as he was thinking about it, he suddenly heard Lang Xiaoba coughing deliberately beside him.

"I'm ashamed." Jia Yi apologized and left quickly.

He hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but he had.

Lang Xiaoba didn't see him off for long. He hurried back as soon as he reached the gate of the courtyard because the inspection team still needed my help.

Jia Yi went back alone, absent-minded and worried all the way, and almost bumped into another inspector Mao Dabing.

"Old Jia, what's wrong with you?"

Jia Yi quickly apologized: "I'm sorry, I was a little distracted while thinking about something..."

Mao Dabin suddenly glanced at where he came from and asked, "Did you go to see Inspector Xu?"

"Yeah." Jia Yi answered subconsciously. Mao Dabing didn't say another word and ran away, heading straight to Xu Yuan's duty room.

"Huh?" Jia Yi frowned deeply.

I originally thought that I had a strong army and that it should be no problem to ask Inspector Xu to plead for mercy in front of the commander and save Lord Zhu on the condition of his surrender.

But now it seems... that's not the case.

Old Qin is a reckless man, and his subordinates are just a bunch of guerrillas, so they are not a concern.

But the strength of Mao Dabin's subordinates is comparable to his own.

"He's also going to take the initiative to surrender to Master Xu? And he seems very anxious..."

Jia Yi returned to Zhu Sili's original duty room.

This is also a cross-courtyard. Zhu Sili used to work in the main house, and his deputy inspectors, inspectors, and captains stayed in the side rooms.

As soon as he entered the room, his captains surrounded him and asked, "Boss, how is it?"

Jia Yi told the truth.

The brothers were disappointed: "Master Xu is unwilling to help?"

"Perhaps what Lord Xu said was true, and Lord Zhu would have been safe without his intervention."

The captains talked at once but could not come up with anything.

Seeing Jia Yi's gloomy face, everyone was puzzled and asked, "Boss, is there anything else?"

Jia Yi told the story of Qin Ze and Mao Dabin.

Everyone was a little dumbfounded: "Are we all going to join Lord Xu?"

So everyone fell silent.

Gradually, everyone figured it out: Judging from Lord Xu's performance in the battle at the Laoye Temple, he would not be short of men.

If Xu Yuan hid behind, he would just release the sword ball, sneak attack the master with a few swords, and then shout a few times: Brothers, come on!
That will never have such an effect.

Then think about it from a higher level. Although Lord Xu did not get promoted this time, he is still the commander's direct subordinate after all.

Even the commander's student, Fu Jingyu, stayed behind to follow Lord Xu.

Can the future prospects be small?

That would be even more worthy of everyone's efforts to join.

The more I thought about it, the more disappointed I felt - there was definitely some regret, but no one blamed Jia Yi. After all, this condition was something they all discussed together.

Inspector Zhu treats us well, and we all want to give something back.

The room was silent for a full quarter of an hour. Someone said in a self-deprecating tone, "At worst, I can choose between Inspector Shi and Inspector Wan. I'm on duty anyway, so it doesn't matter who I follow."

No one answered.

God knows if those two will shout: Brothers, come on!

……

Xu Yuan received a total of nine inspectors.

Dafu was very frightened: Why are there so many people feeding me today?!

I haven't done anything recently... How come there are suddenly so many people who want to fatten me up and kill and eat me?!

Who leaked the news that goose meat is delicious?!
Dafu decided to stick to the food for the next few days and not leave the place. The Champa Office originally had eleven inspectors, each with about twelve lieutenants.

Zhu Sili and Lu Qiuyang each have four inspectors under them, and another three report directly to Lin Zijin.

Including some other positions, the Champa Office originally had more than 200 people.

Judging from He Youxing's attitude, the team must be expanded.

But the number of one inspector-general and four inspectors should remain unchanged.

Xu Yuan had to leave a team for Fu Jingyu, which meant he could only recruit two more people.

Even if He Youxing gave Ma Tianshou another inspector for his sake, he could only accept three more people.

At this time, in the duty room, Lang Xiaoba was beaming with joy: "Brothers, you are all capable of seeing things. You are all willing to follow us on patrol."

Yu Yunhang also laughed and said, "But how do we choose? It's a real problem."

Lang Xiaoba came up and said, "Sir, the Inspector Wang I used to follow is very capable and has always been conscientious and responsible in his work.

He is an eighth-rate craftsman and will soon be promoted to the seventh-rate."

Xu Yuan pondered and remained silent.

Lang Xiaoba didn't dare to say anything more.

This matter was originally decided by Lord Xu, and at most Fu Jingyu was qualified to give some suggestions.

He Lang Xiao Ba is not good enough.

Moreover, when he was following Inspector Wang, he did not receive any care, otherwise Lang Xiaoba would not have been so lowly.

Xu Yuan knew that in addition to considering the other party's attitude and ability, there is another factor that determines the selection: fate.

Xu Yuan used "Wangming" to check all these inspectors and roughly identified a few people.

Everyone else was excited, but Xu Yuan smiled bitterly: "I've offended people..."

The inspectors under He Youxing and Xie Qingman were trying to recruit people, but these guys ignored them and wanted to follow them.

This means that there will be no peace in Champa Office in the future.

After lunch, a captain came to the duty room and said, "The Chief Justice invites you all to come over for inspection."

Xu Yuan hurriedly followed Qu Jinpeng.

He Youxing was working in Lin Zijin's former duty room. After his inspectors and deputy inspectors had all arrived, he passed down a document from his desk: "A strange case has occurred at Shuangjiang Pass in the west of the city. It's said that the temple is cannibalizing people. Does anyone here volunteer to exterminate this evil spirit?"

He looked at the two inspectors he brought with him, Shi Ba Ding and Sang Yi Zi.

This is He Youxing's first case since taking office, and he needs his subordinates to deliver a good start.

Shi Ba Ding and Sang Yi Zi stood up together, clasped their fists and said, "We are willing to go!"

Wan Yun also stood up: "I request your orders!"

Qu Jinpeng quietly pressed Xu Yuan.

Even if this hadn't happened, Xu Yuan wouldn't have tried to steal the limelight.

He Youxing smiled and looked around at the three of them, and finally said, "Then leave it to Inspector Shi.

Allocate the necessary manpower and set off immediately!"

"As ordered!"

Shi Ba Ding carefully read the official document, estimated the strength of the evil spirit, and finally carefully brought two teams of people with him.

Jia Yi and Mao Dabin.

Mao Dabing almost had "I don't want to" written on his face as he walked out of the yamen gate, leading his horse with a gloomy face all the way.

Jia Yi and his captains were more cooperative.

They felt that they had already lost the initiative with Lord Xu. Shi Ba Ding was Lord Zhanglu's confidant, so following him... was not a bad choice.

Xu Yuan found something to do for himself and continued to track down those who pretended to be from the Extermination of Filth Division.

……

As it was getting dark, the captain received news that the Champa Office had a new chief.

"Not good!" the helmsman said inwardly.

I didn't expect the Jiaozhi South Office to act so quickly. Originally, Xu Yuan was the only one in the entire Champa Office who could lead the team to handle strange cases, but now it's probably not Xu Yuan's turn.

The captain tugged at a spider's thread, and soon a maid trembled as she entered the forest. "Captain, what are your orders?"

"Notify Wu Jinghan to come back first."

It’s definitely too late today.

Wu Jinghan will receive the news tomorrow, and it will be afternoon when he gets back.

After the maid left, the captain was frowning in thought when another man came up and knelt outside the woods to report: "Captain, our spies in the Iron Boat Gang report: The Iron Boat Gang has discovered the whereabouts of those Xu Yuan is looking for."

The helmsman's eyes lit up and he had an idea!

……

The Iron Boat Gang brought some not-so-good news to Inspector Xu: two days ago, the four men might have hired a carriage and went to Qingyu Township.

Qingyu Township is at the foot of Xiaoyu Mountain, which is one of the branches of Guiwu Mountain.

Most of the evil spirits in the mountains come from Guiwu Mountain.

Guiwu Mountain is extremely large, located in the southern part of Jiaozhi Province, spanning four prefectures.

Even in Luocheng Prefecture, there is a part of Guiwu Mountain.

Qu Jinpeng happened to be there too, so he said, "Xiao Xu, since you are investigating this case, you should take full responsibility and go there early tomorrow morning.

I have my own way in the yamen.

Don't be hasty when investigating the case. Xiaoyu Mountain is full of evil spirits and is very dangerous. Don't let your rival get too far."

"I understand, kid."

Wait until He Youxing and Xie Qingman have finished fighting a round, then come back.

On the second day, the almanac showed:

It is forbidden to travel at night, shout in the mountains, cut ice, and dig wells.

Xu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. If there was another taboo against riding horses or cars, today would be a difficult day.

As for "breaking ice", it was mainly a problem in the north of the Ming Dynasty.

Although it is a bit cold in Jiaozhi in winter, it is far from freezing.

Xu Yuan was about to leave: "Xiao Ba, go inform Di Youzhi..."

Di Youzhi quietly pushed the door open and came in, reporting in a low voice: "Sir, we have found evidence of collusion between Lu Xiang and Shanhesi!"

Xu Yuan laughed for a moment, but soon realized: now is not the time.

"What evidence is it?"

Di Youzhi: "Lei Zi followed him the day before yesterday..."

Di Youzhi had to go to great lengths to find out the owner of the courtyard in the north city.

According to the house deeds registered in the government office, the owner's name is "Cao Qiu".

He was a wealthy businessman in the city, running a warehouse business. He owned more than a dozen properties inside and outside the city, including houses, warehouses, etc.

This yard is just one of them.

On the surface, Cao Qiu has nothing to do with the Shanhe Division.

Most people don't know that Cao Qiu secretly adopted seven or eight goddaughters, all of whom were married to the inspectors and lieutenants of the Shanhe Division as concubines.

Zhou Leizi secretly watched the yard again yesterday and found that many people from the Shanhe Division were coming in and out.

Finally, Di Youzhi said, "According to Lu Xiang's habit, he will definitely go to the casino after finishing his shift today. After leaving the casino, he will go to that yard. Should we..."

Di Youzhi spread out his five fingers and made a "grab" gesture.

Xu Yuan shook his head: "It's not time yet. Take Lu Xiang with you, let's go on an errand to Qingyu Township."

Di Youzhi nodded: "Okay, then I'll go and ask the brothers to prepare."

After Di Youzhi left, Xu Yuan instructed Lang Xiaoba again: "Go and call Inspector Qin."

Qin Ze has a loud voice.

While still outside the courtyard gate, a loud voice came in: "Hahaha, Master Xu, you finally remembered me, Old Qin!"

Lang Xiaoba and Qin Ze came in side by side. The eighth-rate martial artist was two sizes bigger than him, who was not even that good.

Lang Xiaoba secretly looked at the other's strong body, his eyes full of envy.

For martial artists, bigger means better and stronger!

Xu Yuan waved through the window and asked him to come in first: "Follow me to Qingyu Township."

Qin Ze didn't ask what they were going to do, and immediately said, "Okay, my hometown is Qingyu Township. Although my father's generation moved to Champa, I still have many old relatives in the township..."

Xu Yuan's eyes lit up.

I chose Qin Ze because Qin Ze's fate is blue.

Although he has not yet reached the level of condensing his destiny, his green color is very rich, and he is the most expensive among the inspectors who came to serve.

Sure enough, it became a great help in this trip to Qingyu Township.

"Go and have the brothers prepare. We will set off in half an hour."

"Okay." Qin Ze responded, and went there staggeringly with his arms crossed.

He didn't do this posture intentionally, but because his shoulders were too broad.

Lang Xiaoba watched Qin Jianxiao leave, just like a scholar watching his sweetheart gradually walk away.

"Cough." Xu Yuan coughed, and Lang Xiaoba quickly came back to his senses, his face flushed: "Sir."

"Do your job well." Xu Yuan promised: "For your meritorious service, this inspector will reward you with a cultivation manual."

"Really?" Lang Xiaoba was overjoyed.

When Xu Yuan found a "Tongtian Cannon" on Lao Ba, he also thought about learning another martial art, but he never got started.

Lang Xiaoba has really made great contributions, so it’s okay to lend it to him to take a look.

"Really." Xu Yuan nodded, and Lang Xiaoba suddenly became full of energy.

Qin Ze had a loud voice, and within a quarter of an hour after he returned, all the other inspectors knew that Inspector Xu had asked him to go to Qingyu Township together.

The other inspectors could no longer sit still, and except for Jia Yi and Mao Dabing, the others hurried over again.

Do you all think that I am not as good as Jia Yi and Mao Dabin, and I am not as good as that reckless Qin Ze?

Xu Yuan comforted them one by one with kind words.

No promises were made, but no rejections were given either.

It’s because Xu Yuan is a scumbag that he figured it out last night.

Who said that one inspector can only lead four teams?

Everyone wants to follow me, so I can’t let them down, right?

If you are not convinced, go and recruit people yourself.

The Quhui Division is a place that values strength.

I have more than eight or nine teams under my command, so if He Youxing has any problems, he has to discuss them with me in a friendly manner.

Of course, I can't reveal this ambition now, as it will easily arouse the vigilance of He Youxing and Xie Qingman.

If things go wrong, those two might join forces and give me a beating.

In short, every inspector received a satisfactory answer and felt that they deserved a bright future.

Afterwards, Xu Yuan went to report to He Youxing. He Youxing now needed Ma Tianshou's support from above and Xu Yuan's cooperation from below, so of course he would not be embarrassed at all.

When I came out of He Youxing's duty room, it was almost time.

Di Youzhi and Qin Ze each brought their brothers and lined up in the yard where Xu Yuan was on duty.

(End of this chapter)