Lord Zhao, What Impressive Official Authority! (Bonus Chapter 1)

Bao Wenshan's injuries were deeply ingrained and difficult to heal completely; they could not be fully cured simply by taking a few pills and using the Yin Yang True Self Scripture -Meditation Method.

Although Zhao Xing was able to revitalize Bao Wenshan, it was only a temporary solution at present.

To completely cure it, you can only take it slow and recuperate.

Unless Zhao Xing comprehends the [Start of Spring] to the fifth level of the Knowing Realm and comprehends a high-level recovery method from it.

Alternatively, by mastering the second level of the Yin Yang True Self Scripture Sutra, one can see the myriad threads of the Five Elements Qi within the body and perform deeper conditioning.

If one can comprehend the third level and master the "Five Elements Particles," then Bao Wenshan can be cured in an instant.

However, Zhao Xing cannot do that at present.

"Lord Bao's injuries are too severe to recover from. I imagine the Medical Division in Cloud City is in the same situation as the Agricultural Supervisorate," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "If only Yuan Yang were here."

"If he, the military doctor, were here, and with the help of my Yin Yang True Self Scripture conditioning method, supplemented with tonics, the treatment time could be greatly shortened."

Unfortunately, Yuan Yang's destination was uncertain. At the time, the only things Old Chen could be certain of were the Mechanism Master Wang Ji and the Priest Zhang Yi.

However, Zhao Xing checked and found that neither of the two men appeared on the list of officials in Cloud City.

This isn't because Old Chen broke his promise, nor is it because he was unlucky.

Rather, the tasks and progress differ for each profession.

He contacted Wang Ji and Zhang Yi through the Earth Mirror. The two of them were still on the Second Ring Mission and had not yet crossed the river.

Zhao Xing is fast; he either kills them all or takes them all down. How could he not be fast?

Although it wasn't a cure, Bao Wenshan was still very excited.

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian were also greatly shocked, because they saw with their own eyes that Bao Wenshan had grown a lot of black hair and his blood and energy had become much stronger.

"Lord Zhao is not joking; he is truly capable."

"Have we really finally gotten our chance?"

"Is the imperial court really taking Cloud City seriously now?"

"We must seize this opportunity!"

No amount of nice words can replace a single practical action.

Seeing Zhao Xing casually give Bao Wenshan four fourth-grade pills, their expressions changed.

Before, I felt somewhat numb, but now I have a bit more hope.

This superior not only has a powerful background and real skills, but also knows how to take care of his subordinates.

Following someone like that might actually help us escape Cloud City's predicament.

"Lord Bao, please go back and rest for three days. You can come back for treatment after three days... Please don't refuse so soon. Rest is for the purpose of better performing your duties."

"Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, He Fengnian!"

"Your humble servant is here."

Zhao Xing looked at the three men and said, "In the next few days, you need to compile detailed information about Cloud City for me, such as the extent of disasters over the years, the types of natural disasters, the grains planted, the amount of land, the taxes paid, including the evaluation of the prefectural city... the more detailed the better. Also, give me a summary of the deficit in the Agricultural Supervisorate's treasury."

"Go and inform the relevant departments. Seven days, Heavenly Timing," Zhao Xing said, gesturing with his hand. "Only after seven days will I conduct an audit. I will not investigate any vacancies in the offices of Equalization Office, Agricultural Inspectorate, Metropolitan Interior Office, State Farmlands Office, and Iron Administration before their terms of office. Do you understand what I mean?"

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, He Fengnian felt a chill run down their spines and quickly replied, "Understood."

Cloud City is in dire straits. If the higher-ups are slacking off, those below will inevitably follow suit, and there's no doubt that many cases of embezzlement will occur.

But this is not the time to investigate.

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures in personnel management.

Zhao Xing's idea is that vacancies before the term of office will not be investigated, and those who embezzle during the term of office will be given Heavenly Timing to fill the vacancies. If it is really difficult to fill the vacancies, they can also confess and be treated leniently.

If they remain unrepentant and dare to go against Old Master Zhao?

Zhao Xing didn't need to say anything more threatening; he himself was a threat!

"Go."

Zhao Xing did not assign any additional tasks to anyone else.

Because he also needed to visit other institutions in Cloud City.

"The Third Ring Mission will inevitably involve subsequent missions. The more prepared we are, the better we will be able to expand our influence."

"Whether it's flood control or fighting the barbarians, I must resolve the internal problems of Cloud City as soon as possible so that I can use my position as Commandery-level County official to gain more power."

The reserve officials inside the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven haven't arrived yet, so Zhao Xing has to prepare in advance. In addition, Emperor Jing's determination this time is greater than ever before. Others may not realize it, but he is well aware of it.

Zhao Xing now wants to make use of every bit of power, and even try to control more influence, in order to achieve his goals.

"There's a chance that troops from other Grotto-Heaven might come over. If we seize the initiative, we can get ahead of the competition."

Zhao Xing didn't rest. He simply walked around the Directorate of Waterways Bureau), chose an official residence as his lodging, and then headed straight for Cloud City Works Office).

The Third Ring Mission mainly involves water management.

Without the assistance of Engineer Family Formation and mechanical devices, relying solely on manpower to treat the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled would be much less effective.

For example, Zhao Xing absolutely needed to acquire some of the powerful tools such as the Return to Origin Waterwheel, the Water-Quelling Bronze Bull, and the Mountain-Splitting Shield Chariot.

"Phew~"

A quarter of an hour later, the Arrowfish Flying Boat landed directly above the Cloud City Heavenly Craft Workshop.

"Who goes there?!"

Zhao Xing's sudden landing immediately attracted interception, and the various halls of the Heavenly Craft Workshop even emitted Magic Array arrays for defense.

He was not angry at all; on the contrary, he was very pleased.

It's good if someone stops it; the worst thing is if no one stops it at all—that would be terrible.

"How dare you! Before you stands Zhao Xing Lord Zhao, the newly Waterways Magistrate of Cloud City Agriculture Office!"

"Who is the head of the Heavenly Craft Workshop? Quickly summon him to greet us!"

Long Xiao acted as a lackey, letting out a loud shout that echoed throughout the entire Heavenly Craft Workshop.

Within the Agricultural Supervisorate, Zhao Xing's attitude was relatively mild, and he didn't put on any airs.

But when dealing with outsiders, he has to put on airs of officialdom.

As the saying goes, words can deceive a gentleman, and fine clothes can intimidate a petty person.

Putting on this official air can save you a lot of unnecessary trouble.

That kind of incognito patrol, pretending to be weak to deceive others, and then having one's true identity revealed is just creating trouble for oneself and disgusting people; it's completely unnecessary.

"A Seventh Grade official has arrived?"

Upon seeing Zhao Xing's attire, the interceptors panicked and immediately dispelled the Magic Array barrier.

Someone else hurriedly went to report it.

It only takes the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Inside the workshop, a large group of fifty or sixty people emerged.

Looking around, all I could see were Eighth Grade.

Even those of the Ninth Grade weren't qualified to come and greet them; they could only wait far behind.

The leading Mechanism Master Ling Yuan.

Official Eighth Rank.

He was only one rank below Zhao Xing, but a higher rank always had an advantage. He had to pay his respects respectfully, addressing Zhao Xing as "Lord Zhao" and asking Zhao Xing to come down from the heavens.

Ling Yuan had a sharp eye, because the martial artist standing next to Zhao Xing was a sword cultivator. Although he wasn't wearing a crown or robes, he was at least Seventh Grade!

It's not that the Seventh Grade Waterways Magistrate Token is anything special, but the bodyguard is also Seventh Grade sword cultivator.

That would be a very powerful background!

The normal procedure for Seventh Grade official to take office is to play drums and gongs, and for county officials to send out an honor guard to welcome him.

Back in Gucheng, when Ji Ming Gucheng, Li Wenzheng would always go out of the city three miles to greet him.

Officials from the Ranked Realm must be present.

The Waterways Magistrate a commander in a border town, and he is not necessarily inferior to the county magistrate; it all depends on the actual situation.

He might not be able to cause trouble for the Cloud City County, but he could definitely control Ling Yuan, the Eighth Grade official in charge of the workshop.

"Your humble servant Ling Yuan, along with the officials and craftsmen of the Cloud City Heavenly Craft Workshop, pays homage to Lord Zhao."

Seeing that Zhao Xing remained unmoved, Ling Yuan bowed again and said, "Please, Lord Zhao, deign to enter the Heavenly Craft Workshop for inspection."

Zhao Xing remained silent.

Ling Yuan felt helpless, and led the servants to bow again:

"I was unaware of the arrival of the Waterways Magistrate, and Ling Yuan was unable to go out of the city to greet him. I beg Lord Zhao to punish me."

Three bows should be enough.

Zhao Xing displayed his official authority before instructing Long Xiao to press down on the Arrowfish Flying Boat and land directly in the workshop square.

"Boom!"

The Magic Array of the Arrowfish Flying Boat went out, stirring up a storm around it.

Landing directly inside instead of landing outside first and then walking in through the main gate—that's the kind of attitude you'd use to demand an explanation.

Ling Yuan quickly jogged over and stood under the flying boat to wait.

The other officials, watching, could only think that this Lord Zhao truly possessed an immense air of authority!

Seeing that the other party was so sensible, Zhao Xing no longer made things difficult for him for not coming to greet him earlier. He simply returned the greeting with a light bow, and that was it.

"You're too Guest Qi, Lord Ling."

"It was my dereliction of duty." Since Ling Yuan knew that he could not afford to offend Zhao Xing, he made sure to be polite and kept bowing as he spoke, "Please, Lord Zhao, go to the inner hall to rest. Allow me to bathe and change my clothes before I come to pay my respects formally."

"There's no need for a bath and change of clothes. I've come here to discuss important matters."

"Please give your orders, Lord Zhao." Ling Yuan listened obediently.

"Officials below the Official Eighth Rank, each go about your duties. Official Eighth Rank officials currently in the workshops, all of you shall be summoned to the main hall for a meeting," Zhao Xing commanded without any Guest Qi. "Those who are resting at home, bring them here as well. I will only wait for a quarter of an hour."

"Should I call them all over?" Ling Yuan thought to himself, feeling a bit dreadful. He didn't have much control over the workshop, after all, he was just an Official Eighth Rank.

Normally, he should be Seventh Grade, but he is only Official Eighth Rank official concurrently serving as the head of the workshop, which is clearly problematic.

"Lord Zhao, this is probably a bit difficult to handle," Ling Yuan said in a low voice. "Some of the workers have been transferred away by County Magistrate Jiao, and even if I wanted to call them, it would be difficult to gather them all at once."

"Difficult? Hmph." Zhao Xing immediately expressed his dissatisfaction, and Long Xiao also immediately looked fierce.

Ling Yuan's heart skipped a beat. "This humble official, this humble official will do his best."

Zhao Xing said, "Alright then, gather everyone you can."

"Yes." Ling Yuan immediately began instructing people to inform them, and then accompanied Zhao Xing to the main hall.

He invited Zhao Xing to sit in the main seat.

I was standing in front of the lower left option.

Zhao Xing didn't say he could sit down, so he really didn't dare to.

The few Eighth Grade officials who arrived one after another could only stand and wait when they saw Ling Yuan like this.

Half an hour later.

Only thirteen people came to the workshop, and even including Ling Yuan, the chief official of the Official Eighth Rank, there were no more than fourteen people.

"As expected, it's far below the full complement."

The workshops require a large number of officials, far more than the Agricultural Supervisorate, because the Agriculture Official can take care of a large area by performing magic alone.

However, for Mechanism Master, many heavy and large components require the joint efforts of multiple people to build.

The number of people needed is even greater; in terms of numbers, they are only slightly less than the Three Martial Arts Divisions.

"Is everyone here?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Everyone I could summon is here," Ling Yuan said, forcing a smile.

"Then please take your seats."

"Yes."

Ling Yuan sat at the first table on the left.

"I have come today to discuss matters concerning natural disaster prevention and water conservancy projects in Cloud City."

"This is the duty of the Heavenly Craft Workshop."

Actually, this should be considered a joint responsibility of the Agricultural Supervisorate and the Heavenly Craft Workshop.

But once Zhao Xing spoke, the whole thing became Heavenly Craft Workshop.

This is mainly to lay the groundwork for the next step.

"Lord Ling, according to the regulations for water conservancy and agricultural machinery manufacturing at the Commandery-level County, do you know how many water conservancy machines Cloud City should have, and how many projects are used for natural disaster prevention and flood control?"

Ling Yuan stood up and said, "Reporting to Lord Zhao, according to the specifications of previous years, the total number of water conservancy equipment used in agricultural work should be more than 54,700 pieces. The flood control projects, according to the specifications of previous years, include Four Storage Lakes, Seven Pingjiang Canals, and Thirty-Two Dams."

Zhao Xing glanced at Ling Yuan, whose answer was evasive; he had asked about the regulations for Commandery-level County.

His answer, however, referred to the standards set by Cloud City in previous years.

They sound like the same thing, but they are actually completely different.

Zhao Xing immediately pointed out, "Lord Ling, I was referring to the regulations for Commandery-level County, but you mentioned the standards for Cloud City in previous years. Did I not make myself clear, or did you misunderstand?"

"Or perhaps you think I'm easy to fool?"

Ling Yuan was inwardly groaning. Cloud City was Cloud City, and Commandery-level County was Commandery-level County. Although it was called Commandery-level County, it didn't have that many materials at all. Moreover, it had been fighting for years, building and destroying things. If it were to be strictly followed according to the regulations, everyone would be beheaded!

How am I supposed to answer that?

But this is inexplicable, because Zhao Xing is using rules and regulations to intimidate people. How can we really explain the actual situation?

Ling Yuan offended people as soon as he opened his mouth, and he was criticizing the inaction of those above.

Ling Yuan isn't Bao Wenshan; he hasn't lived enough yet.

But if he doesn't answer Zhao Xing's question, it would prove that he, as the chief official, has failed in his duty. If you look closely, just as he said, ten heads wouldn't be enough to cut off.

The new Waterways Magistrate is not someone to be trifled with... Ling Yuan's forehead immediately broke out in a sweat.

Just as he was caught in a dilemma, Zhao Xing spoke up:

"Alright, let's do as you say, based on the standards Cloud City has used in previous years."

Ling Yuan and the other officials had just breathed a sigh of relief.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Xing First-Turn: "Then may I ask Lord Ling and all the other officials, according to the standards of previous years, how much has actually been implemented? Lord Ling, you should think carefully before answering this time. Before I came here, I checked with the Agricultural Supervisorate. Zhang Zhong, Bao Wenshan, and the others all told me everything they knew."

Ling Yuan's heart jumped again.

Knowing there was no way to avoid it, he immediately stood up and bowed to Zhao Xing: "Reporting to Your Excellency, according to the standards of Cloud City in previous years, the actual number of water conservancy machines used for agricultural work is only about 23,600. As for the flood control projects, there is one reservoir, three canals along the Pingjiang River, and twelve dams; the rest are all in disrepair."

This number is far from the number that should be repaired and built. In principle, less than half of the agricultural machinery and engineering projects that should have been built for the Agricultural Supervisorate have been completed!

Ling Yuan was prepared to accept Zhao Xing's questioning, but to his surprise, Zhao Xing remained calm and simply extended his palm, saying, "Lord Ling, gentlemen, what you are referring to is the lowest standard of Cloud City in the past ten years, and there has been no major war in the past ten years."

"I will give you a number. If you can make up the difference within three months, I will forgive all past transgressions."

"You have already refused me three times, and I do not wish for a fourth."

Bonus Chapter 1