Adjustments

Earth God Shrine, within the Law Domain. Fang Ming sat in the main seat, his demeanor imposing. Red and white light flickered on his body, and pressure occasionally emanated, causing his subordinates to inwardly tremble. His subordinates were all present, along with four other individuals whose bearing was extraordinary. They all bowed, "Greetings, Lord!"

Fang Ming nodded and said, "All rise!"

"These four are the Ancestral Spirits of the Four Great Families from the county town: Zhou Si, Wu Hongyu, Zheng Jing, and Wang Deng. They have now joined my banner. You should all get to know them better in the future!" Fang Ming introduced them to his subordinates.

Upon hearing this, the subordinates were greatly astonished. The Anchang Four Great Families had traditions spanning hundreds of years, possessed immense power, and had intricate relationships. They were considered the de facto rulers of Anchang County.

These four Ancestral Spirits were all renowned for their efficacy. To think they were now Fang Ming's subordinates! Xie Jin and the others understood their Lord's power even more clearly and congratulated him, "Congratulations, Lord! Congratulations, Lord!"

Afterward, they exchanged greetings with the four newcomers.

Fang Ming looked at the four individuals with great satisfaction. Since these four Ancestral Spirits had served as Patriarchs of prominent families in the county and had achieved fame during their lives, receiving sacrifices after death, they were naturally outstanding individuals. Their natal qi was all pure red, making them highly usable.

After subduing Zhou Si, he had visited the other three families and done the same. They had submitted after being offered the same terms as the Zhou Family. After all, these four families were closely connected and might have already discussed this matter in secret, so it wasn't particularly surprising. Seeing that everyone had finished their greetings, Fang Ming spoke again, "Zhou Si, Wu Hongyu, and Wang Deng are all capable and eloquent. I now appoint them as Clerks of Records to assist me and familiarize themselves with affairs."

"Zheng Jing previously held a military position. I now appoint him as Fire Chief to establish two fires. He may recruit his own soldiers, who will initially be under Xie Jin's command."

Zhou Si, Wu Hongyu, and Wang Deng were all scholars in life and Ancestral Spirits of prominent families with significant influence. Fang Ming could only appoint them as Clerks of Records for now. In truth, it wasn't enough, and he would have to promote them further later. However, as new subordinates with no other options, this arrangement would suffice for the time being.

Zheng Jing, on the other hand, had a military background and had earned merits. He was perfect for strengthening the Yin Army. He had reached the rank of seventh-grade military official, indicating a promising future. He would be a good partner for Xie Jin, serving as his deputy.

Watching the appointments being made, the subordinates were all convinced. Fang Ming sighed inwardly, realizing this was the rule of this world. If these four individuals hadn't held such status, even with their high natal qi and talent, promoting them to positions above those who had served longer would have caused resentment, even if outwardly accepted. It would inevitably lead to subtle sabotage.

Now, as the renowned Ancestral Spirits of prominent families in the county, everyone was genuinely convinced. After all, even the County Magistrate had to primarily recruit subordinates from the Four Great Families. If he were to recruit Patriarchs, they would at least need to be officials, with ninth-rank being the lowest. Fang Ming had no choice but to act this way; it was all due to strength. The Four Great Families these four individuals represented could directly or indirectly influence nearly four thousand people, twice the number of Fang Ming's current followers. They were also the largest landowners in Anchang County and held considerable sway in rural areas. Both Fang Ming and the County Magistrate had to consider them.

As the appointments were being distributed, Fang Ming was about to say something else when a figure suddenly stepped forward, knelt, and kowtowed repeatedly. Although he was a spirit, he kowtowed until blood flowed. He said, "This subordinate admits his guilt! ... I unintentionally leaked information about my Lord before. I regret it deeply and beg my Lord to punish me severely!"

This person was He Dong. Seeing his sincere confession, Fang Ming inwardly sneered. He had been able to leak information before, and now, seeing the consequences, he came out to humbly beg for forgiveness. Hmph...

However, he didn't need to show it at this moment.

"This venerable one governs this region, overseeing both Yin and Yang. I cannot fail to reward and punish clearly to serve as a warning. He Dong! Since you have violated my laws, do not blame the law for descending upon you." Fang Ming's voice was cold, yet it sent a shiver down the spines of those below.

"I hereby dismiss He Dong from his position as Record Keeper Magistrate and demote him to a Servant Soldier. He will no longer manage accounts. His spiritual powers are revoked. Guards! Drag him out and give him twenty heavy blows!" Fang Ming was truly angered this time. If it weren't for his merits in helping to recruit the Four Great Families, he would have wanted to beat him to death directly. Even so, he couldn't be let off lightly!

This was Fang Ming's first severe punishment of a subordinate, which sent chills down the spines of the others. Fang Ming ignored them. With a wave of his hand, He Dong's official robes vanished, replaced by white garments. A spiritual power talisman was extracted from his body, leaving He Dong's face deathly pale. He knew that losing his position wasn't the worst of it; being removed from managing accounts meant being kicked out of the core group, with an uncertain future. But at this moment, he could only endure it.

Immediately, Yin Soldiers dragged He Dong out of the great hall, positioned him, and began striking him with water and fire staffs. The "crackling" sounds made everyone in the hall feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar. The four Ancestral Spirits trembled even more, their faces twitching...

He Dong gritted his teeth and endured the twenty blows, his body disheveled. Even then, he couldn't retreat. He struggled to crawl to the front of the hall and knelt, kowtowing, "Thank you, my Lord, for your grace!" This was a mandatory act after punishment; failing to do so would be considered harboring resentment and could lead to immediate death.

Fang Ming nodded and waved He Dong away. He saw that the four Ancestral Spirits below were all lowering their heads, half-bowed, appearing extremely respectful. He knew this served as a warning to the chicken by sacrificing the monkey. He then appeased them, saying, "Although your four families must change their faith, you cannot abandon your ancestral worship. Convert the main hall of your Ancestral Halls into Earth God Shrines, and continue to worship your ancestors in the two side halls, ensuring the incense and fire never cease!"

The four Ancestral Spirits expressed their gratitude.

Ancestral worship was a matter of filial piety, which Fang Ming naturally could not abolish. Moreover, it was the foundation of feudal rule. Governing through filial piety and promoting it could save a large amount of administrative manpower. Feudal empires ruled vast territories, and by the time they reached the villages, their influence was limited. They could only promote filial piety, leading to a semi-autonomous state.

If people were to be filial to their elders, then superiors, and even the emperor, were elders of elders, and one should obey them and work diligently. This was the true meaning of feudal rule through filial piety.

Fang Ming didn't want to change it and decided to use it. After all, a subordinate who could abandon their ancestors to serve him would likely not hesitate to abandon Fang Ming if he ever fell into danger.

"Guo Sheng, you have worked diligently during this period and are skilled in writing. I hereby relieve you of your position as Fertilize Land Clerk and appoint you as Record Keeper Clerk, managing accounts. I hope you will be loyal to your duties and not misstep!"

Fang Ming tossed a spiritual power talisman, which he had retrieved from He Dong, into Guo Sheng's body, replacing his Fertilize Land Spiritual Power with Earth Escape Spiritual Power. Guo Sheng bowed in gratitude. Managing accounts was a core position. Although he hadn't been promoted, it was only because his time was short. Guo Sheng understood that his Lord was nurturing him and was deeply grateful.

"Wang Liulang, please work a little harder and take over Guo Sheng's duties!" With another gesture, the original Fertilize Land Spiritual Power that belonged to Guo Sheng flew into Wang Liulang's body, giving him both Fertilize Land and Son-Sending Spiritual Powers.

"Thank you, Lord!" Wang Liulang, though confused, bowed. Fang Ming smiled. This was nurturing. By having Wang Liulang become more familiar with Earth Spiritual Powers, he could eventually be promoted to a local Earth God. This also served as compensation for appointing Zheng Jing under Xie Jin's command.

Managing accounts was Fang Ming's chief steward position, a matter of great importance. Although He Dong was proficient in accounts, with the arrival of the four Ancestral Spirits, they would surely be heavily relied upon. He Dong also had a history with them, and if they colluded, they might even be able to deceive Fang Ming himself. He had to guard against this.

Even if He Dong hadn't committed this offense, Fang Ming wouldn't have allowed him to continue managing accounts. Guo Sheng had talent and had followed him for a long time. By studying diligently, he could naturally manage the accounts well. He had pure red natal qi and could be promoted along with Fang Ming's advancement, keeping pace with him.

Fang Ming watched as the appointments were distributed. As the four Ancestral Spirits accepted their orders, four large white clouds floated above the fortune, vast and substantial, constantly transforming into wisps of white qi that filled the Golden Seal. He rejoiced, knowing that this was due to the allegiance of the Four Great Families. Once the Golden Seal was filled, he would undoubtedly be promoted.

Deep within an unknown mountain range.

A mountain peak stood tall. The mountain was shrouded in faint white mist, with verdant peaks and lush foliage, presenting a magnificent sight. Within, immortal cranes cried, and white apes offered fruit. Below, a hundred flowers bloomed, emitting a rich fragrance.

It was truly a scene of immortal grandeur.

At the summit of the peak, there was a complex of buildings, layered and intricate, with palaces and bamboo houses arranged with exquisite precision, scattered like stars and emitting an inexplicable fluctuation.

A young man, dressed in a Daoist robe, around twenty years old, with rosy lips and white teeth, elegant and dashing, was walking towards the central great hall. As he passed, Daoist boys bowed to him, calling out, "Senior Brother Yuheng!" The young man responded with a gentle smile, acknowledging them one by one, appearing to be well-liked.

Shortly thereafter, he arrived and said, "Master, Yuheng requests an audience!"

"Enter!" The voice was clear as jade, yet seemed to possess irresistible power.

Yuheng entered and saw that the great hall was extremely spacious. In the center was a single futon, upon which sat a middle-aged Daoist priest with an ordinary face, ruddy complexion, and a faint glow.

Yuheng respectfully bowed, knowing that although his master appeared middle-aged, he was already eighty years old yet remained agile and healthy, like a youth.

This was due to his profound cultivation. This Daoist priest was one of the only two True Persons in the White Cloud Temple, Daoist Master Qingxu.

"Yuheng, you are a core disciple of my lineage and have received the true teachings. You can divine good and ill fortune. Do you know why I have summoned you?" Daoist Master Qingxu asked after Yuheng had risen.

"Could it be that the matter of suppressing bandits in Linjiang Prefecture has progressed?" Although Yuheng could divine good and ill fortune, he found it difficult to divine for himself and could only guess.

"Regarding the Linjiang Prefecture matter, your Martial Uncle Qinghe has already been dispatched. Although the ghosts are cunning and avoid battle, it will not be long before they are wiped out. We only need to await good news. Your divination skills must advance further to divine for yourself. This step is not easy, you know..." Qinghe was the other True Person who had gone to assist Wu Qi in suppressing the bandits and had not yet returned to the mountain.

The middle-aged man then offered a few crucial pointers. Yuheng listened, feeling as if he had received a divine revelation. He felt as if his usual bottlenecks were loosening. This was the benefit of true inheritance: having his master constantly guiding him and answering his questions.

After his disciple had comprehended, Qingxu continued, "I have summoned you today for another difficult matter." He handed Yuheng a piece of intelligence, which was a Bluebird message from Anchang County.

Yuheng took it and read it carefully, then understood. He said, "Master, do you want me to descend the mountain and investigate this matter?"

"Wuzhou is within the jurisdiction of our White Cloud Temple. If there are strange occurrences here, it is naturally our responsibility to resolve them. The matter of the Earth God mentioned in this letter is highly suspicious. Although I wish to go personally, I am unable to..."

Qingxu finished speaking, and Yuheng understood. His master needed to remain at the sect to protect its foundations. Martial Uncle was also stretched too thin, so he could only send a disciple. Yuheng accepted the order, saying, "Master, rest assured. For such a minor matter, why would Master need to trouble himself? This disciple will investigate it thoroughly!"

"Do not be careless. Previously, when I performed the Art of Observing the Heavens, I discovered that the opportunity was muddled, though I know not why. There are still twenty years until the chaotic times, and this phenomenon should not have appeared. But since it has, we must pay more attention to the strange occurrences throughout Wuzhou. Moreover..." A hint of worry flickered across Qingxu's face.

"So that's how it is!" Yuheng suddenly realized. Sending a True Person for the Fierce Ghost incident before seemed like overkill, but now he understood the reason.

ps: Thank you to My Arrogant Er and others who don't understand, for the reward for Warhammer: Total War, thanks to pk Ancient Greece for the likes, and thank you to all the book friends for your collections. Also, the recommendation votes are so dismal, I'll add more chapters to beg for recommendations.