Bringing Meng Fei and his younger brothers and sisters with him, Wang Chen returned to the Upper Xun Celestial Master Pavilion.
He summoned the steward of the residence.
The former steward, along with a whole group of servants and maids, had all been dismissed by Wang Chen. The people newly recruited into the Heavenly Master Pavilion now had basically all come through arrangements made by the Xi Family.
Wang Chen naturally could not trust the Xi Family one hundred percent, but they were certainly cleaner than the previous lot.
For instance, the new steward was exceptionally diligent and reliable. He kept the affairs of the residence in perfect order, saving Wang Chen a great deal of trouble.
"Steward Zhang."
He said bluntly, "These children will be of great use to me. You are responsible for arranging their lives properly."
Steward Zhang's heart jolted, and he quickly replied, "This humble one understands. Please rest assured, Heavenly Master!"
Wang Chen's meaning was crystal clear. Steward Zhang did not dare show the slightest negligence.
Wang Chen nodded. "Mm. All expenses are to come from the public accounts."
As the Protector Heavenly Master of the Upper Xun Celestial Master Pavilion, Wang Chen was entitled to receive a portion of the offerings from Xun District's tax revenues.
They were meant for his daily living and cultivation.
Seven Districts and Thirty-Nine Streets in Xun District held nearly three hundred thousand people. This offering was no small sum!
The previous Protector Heavenly Master had been incompetent, stripped of real authority and reduced to a puppet, so naturally he had been unable to hold onto the financial power.
The moment Wang Chen took office, he had made an example of the officials below by killing one to frighten a hundred, suppressed Steward Wu Jingwei, then purged the entire