The Empress Kneels in Her Palace to Admit Her Mistakes After Slaying Her Ways in the Female-Oriented

Huai'an City Government Office.

Zhang Shida, looking travel-worn, strode in, but was stopped at the door by a guard: "General, if you have nothing urgent, please wait a moment. The Duke is inside dealing with some matters."

The government office was divided into inner and outer halls for officials to consult. The outer hall was guarded by personal guards and had several armchairs for people who came to see their superiors to rest.

The inner hall was the place for discussing state affairs.

Zhang Shi could vaguely hear people talking inside.

Just as he was about to ask, a person walked out from the inner hall. It was Wang Ming, whom Zhang Shi had always regarded as his rival and vowed to completely crush and surpass him.

"Is the Duke busy?"

Zhang Shi asked.

"Yes!" Wang Ming wouldn't hide anything from Zhang Shi, and even if Ren Tianye were here, he wouldn't hide these things from Zhang Shi. He said, "Huai'an City is a water town with a strong commercial atmosphere. Once we take Huai'an City, it will be our rear base."

"However, we don't have enough manpower, and it's impossible for all of them to be under our control. The Duke is interviewing the former officials of Huai'an City one by one to select the capable ones."

"Oh, right..."

After a pause, Wang Ming said, "Lord Pei Jingzhi has also arrived. He and the Duke will meet with him together. The Duke wants Lord Pei Jingzhi to revise and improve the regulations of the Demon Suppression Bureau, as well as to clean up the mess in Yunjing and restore a bright and clear world to the world."

Zhang Shidao: "Pei Jingzhi?"

"Is it Pei Jingzhi, the one whose wife found eighteen substitutes and whose children aren't his?"

Wang Ming glanced at Zhang Shi.

It is indeed this person, and it is indeed these things, but... there's no need to say it out loud.

Zhang Shi wasn't stupid; he immediately shut up and waited.

Although he was not interested in these civil administrations, his greatest wish was to demonstrate his hard-earned lightning-fast skills on the vast land, but he never questioned or opposed the Duke's decisions.

Even, to revere, to respect.

After all, he knew that conquering the world relied on military generals, while governing it required civil officials. In particular, he had recently witnessed firsthand how terrifying and absurd the "love-struck" mentality could be, and he needed an even clearer environment to bring the world back to normal.

This meant that even when he had something to report, he would simply wait outside the door, watching one Huai'an city official after another go in and out.

By the time night was approaching, the officials had mostly finished coming and going.

"Is this the last one left?"

"Yes, General Zhang Shi."

"Alright." Zhang Shi sat down again and saw a middle-aged man with a dignified bearing, wearing an official robe and with a meticulous expression walk in with measured steps.

"This is Lord Zhou," Wang Ming introduced to Zhang Shi. "This Lord Zhou is in charge of criminal matters in the entire city of Huai'an. I've heard that he adheres to the rules and is impartial. He's very likely to be highly valued by the Duke."

Zhang Shi wasn't interested in these things, but he listened patiently, knowing that a collaboration might happen at any time.

Then, the sound of Lord Zhou kneeling and paying respects could be heard from the inner hall. Immediately after the Duke and Pei Jingzhi asked their questions, Lord Zhou's clear voice, seemingly able to clear the entire universe, rang out.

"Lord Duke, Lord Pei, in my opinion, the key to governing Huai'an City lies entirely in strictly adhering to the rules."

"Everything must be done in accordance with established rules, and no selfish decisions are allowed. Each government office should perform its duties and act in strict accordance with regulations."

"Criminal proceedings, finances, and daily affairs shall all be handled in accordance with regulations, with proper conduct and discipline, without letting personal feelings disrupt the rules or favoritism break the standards."

"Both superiors and subordinates should fulfill their duties and follow the rules."

"In Huai'an City, the government is well-disciplined and everything is stable."

The voice was righteous and imposing, which made Zhang Shi curious and glance inside again. Then he saw Lord Zhou step out.

"This is the first interview between the Duke and Lord Pei with these officials in Huai'an City. They will also take into account their past administrative experience later."

Wang Ming explained from the side.

Zhang Shi nodded, and seeing that there was no one else in the room, he quickly sent his personal guard to ask. A short while later, the guard came to invite him.

"General Zhang Shi, the Duke is waiting for you inside."

Zhang Shi got up and went inside.

Wang Ming followed him inside.

"How is it?"

Upon meeting Zhang Shiwangming, Ren Tianye's demeanor relaxed somewhat. After all, as a military man, he didn't particularly enjoy the formalities when meeting with civil officials. But there was no way around it; if you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight.

The proper etiquette must be upheld.

However, Ren Tianye was able to relax a lot when no one else was around.

"My lord, I was incompetent and failed to capture Xu Shang."

"Still haven't caught him?"

Ren Tianye was somewhat helpless. Su Jin had already taken action and even sent Lu Shuang to help Zhang Shi. How could Zhang Shi let Xu Shang escape?

"Lord Duke..." Zhang Shi also felt wronged: "This humble general did not expect that Xu Shang could escape by running down the cliff. This humble general really did his best."

As he spoke, Zhang Shi was still somewhat unconvinced, saying, "This humble general dares to say that even if someone else were sent, they might not be able to capture him."

Ren Tianye immediately asked Wang Ming, "Wang Ming, if it were you, what would you do?"

Wang Ming said, "Lord Duke, I am not as capable as General Zhang Shi, and I certainly cannot capture him. However, if I enter the city, I will find Xu Shang's lover immediately and wait at her house."

Zhang Shi: "???"

"Even if Xu Shang escaped, didn't he leave behind the body of his lover? I think we can make a fuss about that."

Zhang Shi: "???"

Ren Tianye nodded, then turned to Zhang Shi and asked, "Now, do you understand?"

Zhang Shi said with a bitter face, "My lord, I understand."

"Good, you understand. Study hard next time. By the way, how's Xu Shang doing now?"

"He ran to Yuancheng, which is next door!" Zhang Shicai's expression turned serious. "Yuancheng does not belong to Yunjing, but it is not far from Huai'an City. Xu Shang and the garrison commander of Yuancheng should have a good relationship, so he ran to Yuancheng."

"When I gave chase, the garrison commander of Yuancheng kept the city gates tightly shut, refusing to let me in to arrest the man. He was showing contempt for the imperial court. I actually wanted to break in, but..."

Zhang Shi paused and said, "Lu Shuang reminded me that Yuancheng belongs to the imperial court. Not opening the city gates would be Yuancheng lord's disregard for the law, a crime deserving of death. But if I were to break in, the crime would be far greater."

"Moreover, I led several hundred men to pursue Xu Shang, so Lu Shuang suggests that I return first to ask the Duke for his permission."

"I thought Lu Shuang was right, so I rushed back."

Ren Tianye nodded and said, "It seems that Yun Jing has a wide influence, even the surrounding cities are deeply connected with Yun Jing."

As he spoke, he gave Pei Jingzhi a look, and Pei Jingzhi immediately wrote an imperial edict. Ren Tianye took out the jade seal he had obtained from Xiao Mingzhao, stamped it with a "clang," and had it given to Zhang Shi.

"Go back and bring me Xu Shang's head."

"If the garrison commander of Yuancheng dares to obstruct us again, I will give him his head."

"Yes!" Zhang Shi was overjoyed.

With this imperial decree, he would have to teach the garrison commander of Yuancheng what the Swift Wind fighting style was all about!

He quickly retreated, intending to lead his troops while the sky was still dark. Bangchui, who had been waiting anxiously outside, strode over.

"General, General..."

Upon seeing that it was Bangchui, Zhang Shi was overjoyed: "Bangchui, where's that fine horse? Bring it out quickly! The situation is critical right now, and I need to get to Yuancheng. I'll take this opportunity to ride it and experience its lightning speed!"

……