One Dao Fruit a day, starting with the Dragon Taming Technique.

Chasi.

He Nian's eyes were wide open, and whenever someone passed by, his hand would subconsciously reach for the steel knife at his waist.

Yang Zhen, leaning against the door frame, watched this scene speechlessly.

"Da Nian, can you please stop making such a fuss? This is the police station!"

He Nian's face tightened. "What do you mean by being overly alarmed? Old Yang, you know how much these things are worth. That damned Xu Guang, do you think I can keep an eye on him?"

Yang Zhen rolled his eyes. He used to think He Nian was pretty good, but after being defeated by Xu Guang in public last time, he gradually started to go crazy in the direction of a clown.

"Next time you're stationed on the border, I'll have the squad leader transfer you to the supply battalion for a few days. You good-for-nothing."

He Nian ignored Yang Zhen's mockery, his eyes widened even more, and he couldn't help but raise his hand to rub them.

Staring your eyes wide can easily cause eye strain.

Footsteps came from outside the office. He Nian breathed a sigh of relief; they were finally back.

……

East Street, Cha Si Zheng Zheng Tang (Office of Government Affairs).

The furnishings weren't extravagant, but every item was arranged with great care. The pillars were carved with fierce beasts like Yazi, giving it an air of official authority.

Above it hangs an old, verdigris-colored plaque with the four large characters "明镜高悬" (meaning "a bright mirror hangs high").

Xu Guang sat in the head seat, with a document placed in front of him.

Du Changwei was standing behind him.

Duan Shan and Wu Qi stood respectfully in front of him. Duan Shan's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement as he reported on the treasures found during the raids on the Cao Gang's property and in Yang Jinshan's residence.

"A total of 9,800 taels of gold, silver and valuables, 900 mu of fertile land, including 100 mu of medicinal fields, 30 shops, 13 residences of varying sizes, cultivation medicines, 3 portions of medicines over 100 years old, 13 portions of medicines over 50 years old, and countless other precious medicines. It is roughly estimated that the value exceeds 10,000 taels of silver."

Additionally, there are four boxes of miscellaneous items, one hundred and thirty pieces of ironware, twenty-three suits of armor, thirteen carriages and horses, and ninety-three servants. Some supplies have not yet been fully inventoried. Please, Chief Constable, make your decision.

Before Xu Guang could speak, he heard his brother-in-law's slightly rapid breathing.

He glanced at the other person out of the corner of his eye and thought to himself that he was spineless.

But he didn't realize that his heart was also racing.

"What happened to the confiscated items from previous homes?"

Of course, these things cannot all be handed over to the police, otherwise things would fall into chaos.

Wu Qi continued, "According to the law, it should all be handed over to the imperial court, that is, the prefectural governor's office..."

"However, as you know, the current situation is not good. The magistrate takes pity on those below and has reduced the amount of grain handed over from 95% to 90% last year. This year, the amount handed over from South Street is around 80%."

Xu Guang immediately understood. What did Sun Yinglong mean by having a good temper? It was clearly because Sun Yinglong's control over Shuocheng was insufficient. Of course, it was also because of the government troops. When the government troops entered the city, Sun Yinglong would have his men risk their lives, so he would definitely have to pay more money.

When the treasury is empty, they make up for it by finding money in these odds and ends.

Xu Guang tapped his fingers lightly on the chair. "We officials bear a heavy responsibility: to be loyal to the court and to care for the common people. Punishments must be severe, but our actions must also be compassionate."

Duan Shan and Wu Qi naturally didn't interrupt, but listened quietly, wondering how big this general manager's appetite was.

"Du, the head of the yamen army, was seriously injured while resisting the rebellious canal gang. Therefore, take three portions of the century-old precious medicine and five portions of the fifty-year-old precious medicine and send them to the Du family for Du's recovery."

Gudong.

Only Xu Guang spoke in the entire hall.

Du Changwei then made noticeable swallowing sounds.

However, Duan Shan and Wu Qi acted as if they hadn't heard anything.

Xu Guang continued without changing his expression, "These money and supplies certainly cannot be kept by the yamen runners. I, Xu, come from a military background and hold two positions. The spoils of war should naturally be handed over to both of them. You can divide them equally to avoid any problem of one side having more and the other having less."

However, those land deeds and property deeds, once handed over, would require the officials of the governor's mansion to have their subordinates come up with money to redeem them, along with those precious medicines, all of which would be converted into cash.

"In that case, I will set an example by raising a thousand taels of silver to redeem some items that the governor's mansion doesn't want."

Duan Shan and Wu Qi exchanged a glance, wondering what they meant by "the governor's mansion doesn't want it."

Translate this: What the hell does "the governor's mansion doesn't want it" mean?

"Your Excellency is merciful!"

Xu Guang nodded, "This year, we can only say that our brothers will have to suffer a bit."

Wu Qi and Duan Shan's noodles twitched.

Brothers, are you going to suffer?

The prices for those land and property deeds purchased internally by the police are definitely much cheaper than on the market. Is this considered hardship?

If I could, I would be willing to endure hardship every day.

Du Changwei couldn't hold back any longer, "Xiao Guang, is this really a good idea?"

Xu Guang waved his hand, "Don't worry, brother. Go home and raise the money. You can choose first."

Du Changwei felt like he was dreaming. He always felt that his father, Du Zhong, had been a soldier all his life and had some ways to make money, but it seemed that he hadn't made as much as Xu Guang had today.

Isn't Xiao Guang afraid of burning his hands while catching fish?

……

The news of the East Street constables confiscating the property of the canal gangs quickly spread throughout Shuocheng.

Yang Jinshan and Cai Long were both martial arts masters in Shuocheng and quite famous. Yang Jinshan even exchanged ideas with many martial arts sects outside the city back then, and was quite well-known in the martial arts world of Shuofang Prefecture.

But now... although no one knows the outcome, the fact remains that the Cao Gang's influence in Shuocheng has been completely wiped out.

Xu Guang, a military officer, concurrently served as the chief constable of the East Street branch. This name began to truly appear in the ears of various forces, large and small, in Shuocheng for the first time.

The governor's residence.

The silver delivered by the East Street constables was placed in the main hall, the gleaming silver filling four wooden boxes, and the copper coins amounting to the equivalent of four horse-drawn carriages.

But the people in the governor's office knew that this was definitely not the whole story of the canal gang's confiscation of property.

However, Governor Sun Yinglong did not say much about this. Considering Xu Guang's status as a military officer and the news from the yamen, some of the silver had been sent by Xu Guang to the military officer.

Many people despise someone who can please everyone.

"My lord, Xu Guang only started practicing martial arts after joining the imperial guards less than a year ago, and I've heard he's only reached the third stage of the Horizontal Strength Realm. How can he have such strength?"

Sun Yinglong remained noncommittal. "What did the constables say?"

"I asked the two guards who were escorting the silver. Cai Long was defeated by Xu Guang in one move. As for Yang Jinshan... he was most likely captured by Xu Guang as well, but no one saw what happened."

Sun Yinglong narrowed his eyes, "He mastered the three realms of external martial arts, defeated Cai Long in one move, and then captured Yang Jinshan alive..."

"Send a commendation to the constable of East Street, and write that he rid the people of a scourge."

After the clerk left, Sun Yinglong spoke softly.

"It's Madam's birthday in a few days, remember to send an invitation to the constable of East Street."

……

Yamen soldiers.

Qian Yue's expression was not good. The stronger Xu Guang's fighting power was, the more it meant that he had misjudged him before.

What's even more distressing is that he can't think of a way to make amends.

Given Xu Guang's current combat prowess, it is already quite difficult for him to restrain him using the rules of the Imperial Guard. Blood and courage are not absolute power, but absolute force brings absolute power.

Xu Guang was able to kill Yang Jinshan, but who knows if he still has any hidden tricks up his sleeve?

In short, what hurt him most was losing the means to control Xu Guang.

When Du Zhong refused to transfer Xu Guang to the personal guard, did he already see through his intentions?

The lamplight was dim, and Qian Yue's face flickered in and out of focus in the swaying firelight.