Becoming a god by following the natural order and seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune.

Chapter 21: Famous Throughout Changshan!

"My lord, your actions today... truly leave me utterly in awe!"

Inside the government office, Yan Ming's face was filled with barely suppressed excitement and respect as he bowed deeply to Chen Sheng.

After this incident, he was completely impressed by Chen Sheng's thunderous spirit and methods. This young official was usually calm and collected, but once he made a move, it was like a thunderbolt, instantly suppressing the entire scene and turning the tide.

The two seemingly unshakeable deputy commanders were like chickens and dogs in front of Chen Sheng—Gao Qiheng was killed on the spot, his blood splattering five steps away; the other deputy commander, Cheng, was so frightened that he was completely out of his mind, and now he obeyed Chen Sheng's orders without the slightest disobedience.

This made his old subordinates, who had followed Chen Sheng, feel extremely proud and honored.

Chen Sheng's expression remained calm and unmoved by the flattery. He looked at Yan Ming with a composed gaze and spoke earnestly:

"I have given you the opportunity. Whether you can seize it and truly gain a foothold in the North City Martial Camp depends on your future performance."

"Don't worry, sir!"

Yan Ming straightened his chest, his expression solemn, and resolutely promised, "Your subordinate will do his utmost and will never fail to live up to your kindness in nurturing and promoting me. If there is any mistake, I am willing to accept military punishment!"

Chen Sheng nodded slightly and continued to give instructions:

"The North City Martial Camp has deep-seated problems. Starting today, we will begin to rectify it. All the old, weak, tired, and useless personnel will be dismissed according to the law. Vacancies will not be filled for the time being. The brothers brought from the Mountain Battalion should be used as the backbone and placed in key positions as soon as possible. I want the North City Martial Camp to be able to be used as an extension of its own limbs from top to bottom."

Having made up his mind to take action, he would not hesitate any longer. Gao Qiheng himself was insignificant, but the key was the attitude of the Gao family behind him and the powerful forces in Changshan County that the Gao family represented.

Chen Sheng was well aware of the power struggle behind this:
The Gao family and other local powerful families stirred up trouble with the aim of forcing Wu Kuang to make a statement: either cooperate or suppress him. Wu Kuang's stance meant that he could not easily give in.

His decisive killing of Gao Qiheng today was part of his plan from the moment he stepped into the camp.

Including deliberately provoking the other party, all of this was to gain the right to claim "insubordination and forced retaliation," leaving no room for excuses. At the same time, this move was also a test for Wu Kuang, using this intense method to probe the attitude and bottom line of the superior prefecture on this matter.

As for the North City Martial Camp, he could kill Gao Qiheng, who was backed by the Gao family, without hesitation. Who else would he not dare to touch?

Under such swift and decisive measures, figures like Deputy Commander Cheng immediately pledged allegiance. This was far more effective and swift than any attempt at appeasement or winning over. As a newcomer with limited influence, this was the most direct and efficient way for him to quickly gain control of the situation.

"Understood! I will certainly carry out your instructions to the letter!"

Yan Ming immediately bowed and accepted the order.

Chen Sheng waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

When he was alone in the government office, he closed his eyes and slowly began to breathe, his blood and qi circulating throughout his body. He quickly became immersed in cultivation again, as if the earth-shattering strike and the ensuing turmoil had never happened.

Next, we'll have to see how Wu Kuang and the prefectural city respond.

……

On the other side, the military camp.

Deputy Commander Cheng dared not delay in the slightest. He brought Gao Qiheng's body, which had already been prepared, and rushed to see Chu Yueshan, the commander of the Armed Forces Battalion. He then reported the whole incident in detail, without embellishment.

"This Commander Chen... is indeed an extraordinary person."

Chu Yueshan lifted the white cloth and carefully examined Gao Qiheng's miserable corpse. His eyes narrowed slightly, gleaming with shrewdness.

Although he was tall and strong, he was not a reckless warrior. On the contrary, he was meticulous and thoughtful, otherwise he would not have been able to hold the position of the eighth-rank military commander.

He was fully aware of Gao Qiheng's underhanded tactics and the hints from the Gao and Huang families, but he had simply gone with the flow, pretending not to know, and was happy to sit back and watch the situation unfold.

He originally thought that Gao Qiheng had the advantage in strength and could at least make the newly arrived Chen Sheng suffer a setback and dampen his spirits. However, he did not expect that this Commander Chen would be so decisive and ruthless, completely disregarding the consequences, and actually killed Gao Qiheng on the spot, thus establishing his absolute authority in the Beicheng Martial Camp.

Most importantly, Chen Sheng's actions were "reasonable," while Gao Qiheng's provocation, insubordination, and even preemptive strike all crossed the red line of military law.

Although Chen Sheng's counterattack was fierce, it was justified by the noble cause of "legitimate self-defense and cleaning up the ranks," and he also had the potential support of his superior, County Commandant Wu, making it impossible for anyone to find fault with him on the surface.

Of course, even if he could choose, Chu Yueshan wouldn't dare to do so rashly at this moment. His previous indulgence of Gao Qiheng was actually a fence-sitting move to stay out of it. The root cause was that he was wary of Wu Kuang, the newly appointed county magistrate. Before Wu Kuang and the local powerful figures had settled their differences, he would never dare to easily get involved and invite trouble.

"My lord, what should be the verdict regarding Deputy Commander Gao's... posthumous affairs and the crimes he committed?"

Deputy Commander Cheng carefully observed Chu Yueshan's expression and asked for instructions in a low voice.

Chu Yueshan snorted coldly, his tone indifferent:

"Insubordination and attacking a superior are crimes for which the evidence is irrefutable. Moreover, this is a self-inflicted disaster, and death is no pity. Clean up the body and send it back to the Gao family. There is no need to say anything more."

"Yes, I understand."

Deputy Commander Cheng understood that the Grand Commander intended to continue to protect himself and not get involved in the matter.

"What do you think of Commander Chen as a person?"

Chu Yueshan suddenly changed the subject, his gaze seemingly casually landing on Deputy Commander Cheng.

Deputy Commander Cheng felt a chill run down his spine and cautiously replied, "Commander Chen... his methods are swift and powerful, and his strength is unfathomable. I... I have only just met him, so I dare not make any rash judgments."

"Hmm," Chu Yueshan responded noncommittally, waving his hand.

"Go down. Remember, from now on, in the North City Martial Camp, put aside all your thoughts and obediently follow Commander Chen's orders. Otherwise, Gao Qiheng's fate will serve as a warning."

"Your subordinate will remember your teachings, sir!"

Deputy Commander Cheng broke out in a cold sweat and quickly bowed and retreated.

……

Almost simultaneously, in the back hall of the county government office.

Upon learning of what had happened at the North City Military Camp, Wu Kuang's reaction was one of mixed surprise and delight.

He had already thoroughly investigated Gao Qiheng's background and connections. He had even privately summoned Chen Sheng before, indicating that if necessary, he could personally step in to exert pressure and stabilize the situation for him.

Unexpectedly, Chen Sheng politely declined. Chen Sheng then bluntly stated that Gao Qiheng was merely a pawn put forward by the Gao family. If the county magistrate were to personally suppress him, it would only make the other side underestimate their own trump card and appear cowardly.

He is capable enough to deal with such a character.

Although Wu Kuang agreed to Chen Sheng's plan based on trust, he was actually worried, especially since Chen Sheng was slow to take office, which made him even more uneasy.

To his utter surprise, Chen Sheng's actions were nothing short of earth-shattering. He resolved the trouble in the most ruthless and effective way, giving him a huge surprise!

Without further hesitation, he spread out paper and pen and began to write furiously, skillfully embellishing his "achievements" since taking office (mainly Chen Sheng's) – namely, his swift and decisive rectification of military discipline and severe punishment of those who rebelled. He then wrote a detailed report and ordered his trusted confidant to send it to the prefectural city by express horse.

Both he and Chen Sheng needed to use this opportunity to see the true attitude of the prefectural government.

If the prefectural government's attitude is ambiguous, or even reprimands him for his excessive methods, it means that the superior does not want to completely break ties with the local powerful families at this time. They will need to lie low for the time being, or even consider compromising with the powerful families.
If the prefectural city explicitly supports or even rewards this move... then it means they can act freely and truly take real action within Changshan County!

While Wu Kuang anxiously awaited a response from the prefectural government, Gao Qiheng's body had already been delivered to the Gao residence.

The Gao family was furious.

The turmoil at Beicheng Wuying quickly spread to the ears of various forces in Changshan County through various channels.

With this bloody and decisive strike, Chen Sheng's name truly rose to fame and shook Changshan!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

(End of this chapter)