Supreme Martial Venerable: Starting with the White Ape Cloak Hammer skill point allocation

Chapter 82 Change of the World (Seeking First Subscription)

Starting with Zhu Yiwei's wife, people kept coming to their door.

A similar incident occurred when Zhou Yuan topped the county examination; however, this time, the visitor's words and attitude were much more respectful.

Zhuo Changyu also noticed a sense of awe and sycophancy in their eyes.

Filled with doubt, Zhuo Changyu received them with great poise, silently noting down their names and the gifts they had given him.

Zhou Yuan followed Zhu Yiwei to the outside of the county government office. As soon as he dismounted, someone inside took the reins from him.

"Commander Zhou, please."

Zhu Yiwei was very attentive.

The county government office in Gaoshan County is magnificent and imposing. The pair of stone lions at the entrance are taller than a person, and two yamen runners stand beside them.

"Greetings, Commander!"

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.

When Zhou Yuan passed by, they all shouted loudly, which startled him.

As Zhou Yuan walked into the imposing county government office, a term he had heard in his previous life suddenly came to mind: "power and influence."

He had previously achieved the highest rank in the county examination, holding the prestigious title of "Top Scholar," and had also experienced a change in status.

Even though he was the top scholar in the county, he was still just a martial arts scholar. He received some respect, but not much.

Later, he became Luo Baiyan's nominal disciple. Anyone with eyes could see the significance of that nominal disciple, so it wasn't much better than becoming a martial arts scholar.

This time it's clearly different.

From the head constable Zhu Yiwei down to the other constables, everyone treated him with utmost respect. You'd think they were all gentlemen if you didn't know better.

The reason is simple: in the past, whether he was the top scholar in the county or became a disciple of Luo Baiyan, it only meant that he had a promising future.

Now, he is the commander of the garrison in Gaoshan County, a powerful figure in his own right.

Upon entering the main hall, Luo Baiyan was seated in the county magistrate's seat, with Yue Zichuan standing beside him, giving a loud report.

"All those who colluded with the Pang family have been brought to justice, and all their property has been confiscated, including over 600 taels of gold, over 8,000 taels of silver, and 313 deeds for houses and land."

"So little?"

Luo Baiyan frowned.

Although Gaoshan County is a small county, it is nestled among mountains and rivers, and has many wealthy households.

Given the large number of people colluding with the Pang family this time, it's reasonable to believe that only this little bit of information was found.

"Before we arrived, these people had already been plundered by Pang Yunlong, so—"

Yue Zichuan said, "But we haven't found what Pang Yunlong looted yet."

What is certain is that those items haven't had time to be returned to the Pang family yet.

"If I had known, I would have spared Pang Yunlong's life."

Looking at the stacks of land deeds, field deeds, and mountains of gold and silver jewelry, Zhou Yuan was secretly filled with envy.

So much silver, so many properties, so much land—it's a pity it's not his.

Just as I was thinking, I suddenly heard Luo Boyan say.

"The cash was brought back to the valley, and the house deeds, land deeds, and field deeds were all registered under the name of the city guards."

Zhou Yuan was taken aback, and a sense of surprise welled up inside him.

Compared to silver, these house deeds, land deeds, and field deeds are the most valuable.

Those who colluded with the Pang family were all powerful and influential families in Gaoshan County. The properties and land they owned were in the best locations and were the most fertile in the county.

Registering these items under the city guard's name means that they are all under the control of him, the commander of the city guard.

Yue Zichuan agreed and led his subordinates to arrange the follow-up matters.

Luo Baiyan's gaze fell on Zhou Yuan.

"Your official title has been issued; you are now the Commander of the Garrison of Gaoshan County."

He tossed a decree and a bronze ivory plaque to Zhou Yuan.

"You can return my badge now. From today onwards, you are no longer my disciple, Luo Baiyan."

Zhou Yuan agreed, returned Luo Boyan's waist token to him, and glanced down at the things Luo Boyan had just given him.

The imperial edict stated his life, place of origin, age, appearance, family background, official position, rank, and place of office.

The bright red seal of the Ministry of Personnel proved the legality of this document.

The copper badges were much simpler, only showing the name and rank/position, similar to the work badges Zhou Yuan had in his previous life.

"As is customary, the city guard of Gaoshan County has a quota of 300 men. Due to this turmoil, the city guard has been reduced by more than half, and now only 121 men remain."

Luo Boyan continued, "If you're willing, you can make up the difference yourself."

"Yes."

Zhou Yuan bowed and asked, "Is there anything else I need to do?"

Luo Baiyan gave him a meaningful look. "You were recommended by me, but that doesn't mean you're one of my people. What you need to do is to perform your duties and serve the court."

If you're willing, after you take office, try to find the treasure that Pang Yunlong has hidden.

As soon as Zhou Yuan stepped out of the county government office, a sedan chair was immediately parked at the bottom of the steps, allowing him to get in without having to walk an extra step.

"Commander Zhou, I have official business to attend to, so I won't see you off. I'll host a banquet later, and I hope you'll do me the honor of attending."

.

Zhu Yiwei helped Zhou Yuan into the sedan chair and casually tipped the sedan chair bearers a few taels of silver.

"Be careful, everyone, don't jostle Commander Zhou!"

Sitting in the sedan chair, Zhou Yuan was filled with emotion. No wonder all the officials in Gaoshan County were almost wiped out, but the head constable Zhu Yiwei was able to get away unscathed.

He's big and burly, but he's actually quite clever.

Zhou Yuan touched the four sides of the sedan chair with some curiosity, clearly feeling the change in his status.

The commander of the city guards was a seventh-rank official, and his annual salary was 140 taels of silver, which was neither a lot nor a little.

But this was only a fixed salary; the city guard commander's other income included rewards for apprehending thieves, and tributes from merchants providing security.

Fees for entering and exiting the city gates, and deductions for military supplies and provisions —

Putting all that aside, the properties and land registered under Chengwei's name alone offer enormous room for manipulation, and leasing them out each year would generate a substantial income.

Although those properties and lands did not belong to Zhou Yuan, he had the final say on who to rent them to and at what price.

"County Magistrate Sun Kang was dismissed before, and this time even the County Magistrate was taken down by Luo Baiyan."

"Now that the county's chief official and deputy officials are all vacant, until the new county magistrate and county assistant are in place, I am the highest-ranking official in Gaoshan County."

The sky over Gaoshan County has changed.

"They gave a total of 1,600 taels of silver, to every well-known family and shop in Gaoshan County."

Zhuo Changyu handed the ledger to Zhou Yuan; the handwriting on it was delicate and neat.

"The He family returned the money we used to buy the house and gave us an extra hundred taels of silver."

"The Cheng family also gave one hundred taels of silver, as well as two maids."

Looking at the account book, Zhou Yuan felt more and more the weight of power held by the city guard commander.

------

The commander of the city guards only received a little over one hundred taels of silver a year, but he had collected congratulatory gifts for over a thousand years, which was equivalent to more than ten years' worth of salary.

The most important factor is the attitude of the various forces in Gaoshan County.

When he achieved the highest rank in the county examination, some powerful forces did not send him congratulatory gifts. Now, those forces not only made up for it, but also doubled the amount of their gifts.

"Put them all away. If you can trust those two maids, keep them; if not, send them away."

Zhou Yuan held Zhuo Changyu's small hand, knowing that the family did indeed need help.

Zhuo Changyu blushed slightly and hummed in agreement.

Although they hadn't consummated their marriage yet, Zhou Yuan and Zhuo Changyu spent some time together after not seeing each other for several days. They did almost everything except for the crucial part.

Then, with great willpower, he broke free from the comfort of her gentle embrace and went to the courtyard to begin practicing his martial arts.

Maintaining a virginity increases the success rate of transforming blood and qi into essence, and also results in higher quality true essence cultivated.

He cultivated until midnight, when a golden light flashed in his pupils.

Name: Zhou Yuan

[Free Points: 120]

[Realm: Bone Forging Realm]

【功法：白猿披风锤圆满、白猿通臂拳大成（600/3000）、断水刀法大成（100/3000）、八方雷音小成（1800/5000）、八步赶蝉圆满（90/3000）】

[Skills: Advanced Blacksmithing, Basic Weapon Forging (600/3000)]

[Equipment: Plum Blossom Hidden Arrow]

He had run out of Qi and Blood Pills, and his daily earnings had dropped from 300 Free Points back to 120.

Free points.

From frugality to luxury is easy, from luxury to frugality.

Having gotten used to the rapid increase of 300 free points per day, he now feels that 120 points per day is a bit too slow.

"These people in the county are so ignorant! All they know is to give money, but no one is giving them Qi and Blood Activating Pills?"

Zhou Yuan muttered to himself that he would have to find a way to buy some Qi and Blood Pills later.

After adding all 120 points to the Eight Directions Thunder Sound, Zhou Yuan quickly washed up and went to bed.

The next day.

Zhou Yuan, who had slept for two hours, got up early and practiced boxing.

After having breakfast with Zhuo Changyu, he traveled to the county military camp located outside the city.

The city guards had already been dealt with once by Luo Baiyan.

Of the three hundred city guards, only one hundred and twenty-one remain, with more than half killed or wounded.

These 121 city guards were also responsible for guarding the four city gates of Gaoshan County and conducting routine patrols.

To assist the county government in tasks such as arresting criminals.

Only a handful of twenty or thirty people remained at the camp.

"My lord, the brothers dare not leave their posts without permission, so they can only come to see you in batches."

"Squad leader Zhou Shun said, unable to resist stealing a glance at the excessively young new commander.

The platoon leader was not a military officer, but just a minor leader in the army. Zhou Shun was a martial arts student with the title of martial arts scholar and had broken through three cultivation levels.

He sighed inwardly, thinking, "We're both surnamed Zhou, but the difference is so huge. He's already the commander of the city guards before he's even eighteen."

I'm already twenty-eight, and I'm still just a squad leader. The martial arts examination seems a long way off, and I don't even know if I'll ever pass it in this lifetime.

"Zhou Shun, tell me about the current situation of the city guards."

Zhou Yuan flipped through the roster and said casually.

"Yes."

Zhou Shun put aside his complicated thoughts, cupped his hands and said, "The city guard is 300 men at full strength. When Commander Pang—no, Pang Yunlong—was in charge, there were three squad leaders in the army, each commanding 100 men. Under each squad leader were 15 platoon leaders, each commanding 20 soldiers."

The three flag bearers have been executed, and now there are still 121 brothers in the camp, including six squad leaders.

The entire city guard, including its high-ranking officers, was wiped out, and most of the lower-ranking officers also perished.

Luo Baiyan was even more ruthless, but this wasn't necessarily a bad thing for Zhou Yuan.

The city guards were completely scattered, which made it easier for him to take over their command.

What are the recruitment procedures for the city guards?

Zhou Yuan pondered for a moment and asked.

The city guards have heavy responsibilities, and a hundred or so men are definitely not enough.

"In the past, recruitment notices were posted, and anyone with a clean background and who was young and strong could apply."

Zhou Shun said.

"Okay, you handle this matter and fill the quota as soon as possible."

Zhou Yuan nodded, then after a moment's thought, added, "From now on, you are Xiao Qi."

Zhou Shun came from a humble background, and his survival proved his innocence. In addition, he was from the same clan as Zhou Yuan, who was currently in need of capable people and would not mind giving him a chance.

"Thank you, sir!"

Zhou Shun was overjoyed, as there was a significant difference in status between a junior officer and a squad leader, as well as a large difference in their salaries.

Previously, he had no background and was not good at scheming, so although he was quite capable, he had no chance to stand out.

"This humble servant will certainly go through fire and water for you, sir, without hesitation!"

Zhou Shun knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said in a deep voice.

"Since we are comrades, there is no need for further formalities."

"5

Zhou Yuan waved his hand, telling him to get up.

"Sir, there's something I need to tell you—"

'

Zhou Shun hesitated for a moment before bringing up something that gave Zhou Yuan a headache.