Township Inspector

"Ultimately, it's because the Wu Family's foundation is too weak and its rise too rapid. We're nowhere near as deeply rooted as the Zhou Family... To say nothing else, our Wu Family certainly can't support a County Vice-Magistrate or a Chief Clerk..."

Wu Ming sighed, then suddenly stood up and walked to the door.

Two maids were already waiting, respectfully tidying his clothes.

"Have they all arrived?"

"Bai Shui Village, Qingshi Village, Da Tian Village... even the branches from other townships, they've all arrived!"

A maid with bright eyes, named Lürui, spoke softly, her breath like orchids, her warm exhales carrying the faint scent of her hair, making Wu Ming's heart fill with joy.

"Very good! To the ancestral hall!"

However, the timing was wrong. Wu Ming naturally dismissed thoughts of pleasure and went to the Wu Family ancestral hall.

This ancestral hall occupied a vast area, with flying eaves and bracket sets, red bricks and green tiles, appearing even newer.

In front, a small plaza was densely packed with over a hundred people, men and women, old and young. Upon seeing Wu Ming enter, they all bowed slightly, their faces beaming with smiles. Only a few elders maintained their composure.

This was the Wu clan.

Of course, there were almost no actual close relatives. They were basically all collateral branches and distant relations, some even having to trace their genealogies to forcefully attach themselves.

For such a clan, if one were to truly discuss blood ties, it would be a laughable matter.

However, in ancient times, people emphasized banding together for mutual protection. People with the same surname were, after all, one family five hundred years ago! As long as the genealogy matched, outsiders couldn't say much.

"Everyone!"

Wu Ming raised his hand slightly.

The people below saw that the usually notorious little devil had completely changed, exuding immense authority, and they all quieted down.

"Everyone... As the Wu Family Patriarch, I am deeply pained to hear of the events in Qingshi Village! I am truly heartbroken!"

Wu Ming spoke eloquently, a stark contrast to his previous image as a dissolute, debauched wastrel. "I have summoned you all here today to establish rules for our Wu clan!"

"...Without studying and knowing etiquette, which prominent family in Yunping today isn't built on generations of scholarly tradition? I see my younger generation spending their days farming in the fields and playing in the countryside, wasting precious time. I am truly heartbroken... Therefore, I have decided to establish a clan school. One hundred mu of land will be set aside as school fields. All Wu Family scions may enroll for free, with room and board provided. Those who excel will even receive rewards!"

As soon as this was said, the crowd below erupted in an uproar.

Education was not cheap, and growing boys could bankrupt their fathers. Wu Ming's willingness to open a school, provide meals, and offer a future for the Wu Family scions greatly astonished everyone.

"Good!"

At this moment, a clan elder who had remained silent earlier clapped his hands and said, "This should have been done long ago! It should have been done long ago!"

These people had naturally received word from Wu Ming beforehand and had agreed upon this.

Now that they saw it was indeed a good thing, they naturally offered their strong support.

Wu Ming smiled and said, "Now, everyone, please enter the ancestral hall with me to finalize the regulations, and then we shall offer sacrifices to our ancestors to formalize this law!"

At this, the doors of the ancestral hall opened. Wu Ming led the way, and the men filed in orderly, with strict adherence to rules. The women could only wait outside with envy and jealousy.

Incense smoke curled within the ancestral hall. After deliberation, Wu Ming personally wrote the sacrificial text, which was read by a clan elder before being burned. Then, incense was lit to pay respects to the ancestors.

Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion. Wu Ming performed his duties solemnly, meticulously, and with great dignity, though his thoughts were elsewhere.

"Nephew! Your actions today lay the foundation for our clan's prosperity for a hundred years. This old man can die without regret..."

"Indeed, Nephew! It is our great fortune to have you take charge!"

These elders, who genuinely cared for the Wu Family's future, could not help but express their true feelings, tears streaming down their faces.

Wu Ming responded with smiles, completely eradicating his impression as a wastrel.

Perhaps, after today, stories of 'a prodigal son's return is worth more than gold' would spread throughout the surrounding villages.

The work continued until noon, and a grand banquet was held, treating the hundred attendees to a substantial meal. A whole pig was specially slaughtered for the occasion, served as fragrant, fatty braised pork, accompanied by white steamed buns and various dishes that flowed in like a river, incredibly abundant. Wu Ming knew that many had come perhaps just for this meal, so he specifically instructed the kitchen to increase the portions.

In those times, the countryside was poor, and even during festivals, it was rare to eat meat. Upon seeing this feast, the clan members were overjoyed. They devoured the food like a whirlwind. Men, women, and children all had smiles on their faces. Finally, they packed up the leftovers and departed, their spirits high.

"Young Master!"

At this moment, Steward Wu, who had been sent to the county town, returned, his face filled with shame. "The Eldest Young Lady is in seclusion and refusing to see anyone. I am incompetent!"

"Seclusion, huh..."

Wu Ming stroked his chin. "Very well, you may go down first and make preparations for the school's construction. Get the land deeds for the hundred mu ready..."

Seeing Steward Wu's slightly pained expression, he couldn't help but smile. "What? Do you think it's not worth it?"

"No... I was just thinking, if the Eldest Young Lady knew, she would surely be pleased..."

Steward Wu smiled obsequiously and said a few more words before taking his leave, his eyes seeming to glisten with a hint of redness.

"Speaking of which... this person didn't join us later after we became prosperous, but has been with the family for generations. No wonder he's so..."

Wu Ming fell silent for a moment, then sighed.

One could not truly understand the role of a clan in a person's life without experiencing ancient times.

In fact, even during rebellions, because of the nine generations of familial punishment, if Wu Ming did something, these clan members and household servants would have to follow him to the bitter end.

Of course, this was when the power was strong. If they were in a weak position, it was not uncommon for their property to be encroached upon or coveted.

However, times change. Before, Wu Ming's branch was the weaker one, naturally subject to bullying. But now, with Wu Qing's rise, she even seized the position of clan leader, making things vastly different!

"Although this is a world where individuals transcend, having an organization, a network of allies, isn't useless. At least many trivial matters can be handled..."

Establishing a school, cultivating scholarly atmosphere, and teaching the young to read and write are truly major affairs for a clan.

Wu Ming knew that Wu Qing must have had this idea before, but being a woman, and with Wu Ming being useless, it had been delayed.

But now? Everything was different!

"Among the clansmen, there are naturally good and bad. They need to be screened one by one. Those who coveted my family's land before will be directly excluded. Other clansmen's children will be treated equally..."

These older generations had too many schemes; Wu Ming didn't dare to use them.

But once the younger generation learned to read and write, and then entered his system, their rough edges would be smoothed, and they would essentially be usable.

He could even let some of the house-born children go to study alongside them, at least so they could learn a few characters.

If this continued persistently for more than ten or even several decades of hard cultivation, the scholarly tradition would flourish. If a few Talented Scholars or successful candidates could emerge, the family's prosperity would be secured, and the clan would flourish.

However, this was the way of peaceful times. In chaotic times, there was another approach.

Scholars were merely seeds; the wings of martial prowess and scholarly achievement were both indispensable!

Now, facing pressure from the Zhou Family, Wu Ming was even more anxious to control power.

The next day, as the dawn was faint and the weather still cold, he ordered the Village Militia to assemble.

The Wu Family owned twenty qing of land and had two hundred tenant farmers, making them a leading force in the area. Currently, there were over fifty Village Militia, lined up in formation. While not the most elite, they were all strong, robust men, which was quite good.

"Cough, cough!"

Seeing Wu Ming approach, Feng Han gave a light cough, and the more than fifty men immediately shouted in unison, "Greetings, Young Master!"

"Rise!"

Wu Ming was somewhat satisfied seeing this.

In fact, if the entire fortified village were to be mobilized, two hundred men could be mustered, but that would delay matters.

According to ancient military systems, five households provided one man, meaning from every five households, one able-bodied man would be selected for full-time military service, so as not to disrupt normal societal production activities.

The Wu Family now had two hundred households, so easily mustering forty to fifty men was no problem.

Any more would only be necessary during an attack, when defending the village. At that time, everyone would become a soldier, their families' lives would be within the fortified village, and hundreds of men fighting to the death could withstand an army of thousands!

Wu Ming was extremely confident in controlling these men.

This was because, at this time, the lives of the tenant farmers were entirely dependent on the main family. If Wu Ming were to have a bad day and reclaim the land, they would immediately become homeless and have to become refugees.

To this day in the Great Zhou, land annexation was increasingly severe, coupled with constant natural and man-made disasters. Refugees truly faced a dead end.

"My intention is to rebuild the Township Inspector's office!"

Wu Ming first observed the drills before loudly announcing.

"According to regulations, the Township Inspector's office will have one Township Inspector and five Laborers, all of whom can be registered as officials, receive a salary and provisions, and there will also be ten Hired Hands. That makes sixteen people!"

Within the county, there was a Township Inspectorate responsible for dealing with thieves. Each township had a Township Inspector's office, subordinate to the Township Inspectorate. However, in reality, according to unwritten rules, once a powerful family emerged in a township, they would recommend candidates, and the Township Inspectorate would approve them.

Although they were clerks, for the people below, it was still a path forward, and a stir immediately arose.

"Now, the Village Militia teams will compete in group matches to select sixteen people, and then elect a Township Inspector!"

As soon as Wu Ming said this, the men below were seen flexing their muscles, eager to try. With Feng Han managing order, they divided into circles, and it was a heated yet orderly scene.

What a shame... If Feng Han were to become this Township Inspector, it would be excellent!

This thought was something Wu Ming could only entertain in his mind.

Feng Han was a great talent at the eighth level of Body Refining, in the Internal Gang realm. If he directly joined the army, he could obtain Official Status and be appointed a Ninth Rank Deputy Commander.

While the Township Inspector had some real power and benefits, in the end, they were still lowly constables. Having Feng Han take the position would be an insult.

Although Feng Han had some understanding with Wu Ming now, his status in the Wu Family was still that of a guest elder; he could leave whenever he wished.

"Haha... A martial competition for official positions? How could I not be part of something like this?"

Suddenly, a voice like muffled thunder sounded from outside the training ground.

Immediately, a robust, spirited man with hawk-like brows, leopard-like eyes, needle-like whiskers, and a voice like rolling thunder strode in, laughing.

Even though it was late autumn, he wore no shirt. His muscles were like tempered steel, crisscrossed with fierce, centipede-like scars, inspiring awe.

"A fine fellow indeed, but he seems a bit unruly!"

Wu Ming's eyes flashed: "Who is this?"