The County Lieutenant's Special Letter!

With Lu Yan's explanations, Lu Feng finally had a rough understanding of the situation regarding Exotic Beasts.

However, this also brought another question to Lu Feng's mind: if these Exotic Beasts were so formidable, their flesh certainly wouldn't be cheap.

"Lord Lu, according to what you've said, wouldn't the price of this Exotic Beast Meat be extremely expensive?"

Lu Yan smiled and nodded. "That goes without saying. Take the Crimson Fire Deer meat you ate at noon, for example; that meat costs two taels of silver per jin."

Hearing this, Lu Feng was slightly startled. The raw beef he usually bought cost only about twenty wen per jin, yet this Exotic Beast Meat was incredibly pricey.

Given his current appetite, he needed at least two jin of Exotic Beast Meat per meal.

At this rate, one meal would cost four taels of silver. Counting two meals a day, that was eight taels of silver daily. Just for food and drink, he would need to spend over two hundred taels a month, and that wasn't even counting other expenses.

Such a terrifying cost was something an ordinary Martial Artist could not afford.

Now that the County Magistrate Wang Lichuan was going to provide for him at this dietary standard for two months, it was no wonder the Chief Clerk, Lu Yan, said the man had invested a significant amount of capital.

At this moment, Lu Yan watched his shocked expression and spoke again, "Lu Feng, you must think the price of Exotic Beast Meat is very high, but what I want to tell you is that even if an ordinary Martial Artist had the money, they wouldn't be able to buy this kind of meat."

"Ah... does that mean the quantity of this Exotic Beast Meat is very scarce?" Lu Feng looked puzzled.

"Correct! Generally, those capable of hunting Exotic Beasts are Martial Artists themselves, but Martial Artists need to consume Exotic Beast Meat for their own cultivation. Therefore, most Martial Artists do not sell their catch to outsiders. Furthermore, the various Noble Families of our Great Yan Dynasty purchase Exotic Beast Meat at high prices, so you will basically never see it for sale on the open market."

Lu Feng suddenly realized. "So that's how it is! Then where does the Exotic Beast Meat that the County Magistrate arranged for me come from?"

Lu Yan smiled meaningfully. "Heh, what do you think?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Lu Feng suddenly thought of something and replied, "Does the Lord mean that the County Magistrate is also from a Noble Family?"

Lu Yan nodded slightly. "Yes, not only is the County Magistrate from a Noble Family, but the County Assistant, the County Lieutenant, and even I myself are all from Noble Families."

After hearing this, Lu Feng finally understood the backgrounds of the officials in the County Yamen.

After the two chatted a bit more about Exotic Beasts, Lu Feng took his leave and returned to his room.

As soon as he reached his room, he saw two figures standing in front of his door.

These two were none other than Chen Han and Fan Tao.

Seeing them, Lu Feng greeted them with a smile, "You two, why are you still hanging around the County Yamen in the middle of the day?"

Hearing this, the two quickly hurried over and cupped their hands. "We greet Captain Lu!"

Lu Feng frowned slightly, looking somewhat displeased. "You two, you're being too formal. Even though I've been promoted to Captain, you know what kind of person I am. From now on, there's no need for such formalities when you see me, understand?"

Hearing him say this, the slight tension on their faces instantly vanished.

Fan Tao smiled and said, "Lu Feng, since you've said so, I can finally stop worrying."

"Right, that's more like it! So, what's the reason for you two suddenly coming to see me?" Lu Feng continued to ask.

"About that, we saw that you'd become the new Captain, so we thought we'd invite you to Hongman Tower for a celebration. It's just a small token of our appreciation."

Lu Feng did not refuse, nodding instead. "Hmm, sure! Let's go then."

With that, the three of them walked together toward Hongman Tower.

Along the way, the three chatted and laughed. During the conversation, Fan Tao intentionally or unintentionally mentioned wanting to be transferred to work under Lu Feng.

Regarding this, he did not agree immediately, intending to report the matter to the County Magistrate first.

If the County Magistrate agreed, there would be no problem at all. After all, his main focus right now was on his martial arts cultivation.

Therefore, having subordinates didn't hold much significance for him.

However, personally speaking, he was quite inclined to take Fan Tao and Chen Han under his wing.

Within the County Yamen, these two were the ones he got along with the best. If any errands came up in the future, having their help would certainly save him a lot of trouble.

Thus, after the celebration, Lu Feng returned to the County Yamen and headed straight for the County Magistrate's study.

County Magistrate Wang Lichuan was currently cultivating. Seeing that it was him requesting an audience, he spoke up, "Oh, it's Captain Lu. What is it?"

Lu Feng cupped his hands in a salute and then explained the matter regarding Fan Tao and Chen Han.

The County Magistrate listened, a thoughtful look appearing on his face. "Hmm, given your situation, it doesn't really matter whether you have subordinates or not. But since you've asked, I will grant your request."

Hearing this, Lu Feng felt a surge of joy. "Thank you, Lord County Magistrate!"

"Since you've taken on two subordinates, I must also assign you some tasks as a formality. However, your primary task remains your cultivation, do you understand?" County Magistrate Wang Lichuan added.

"Yes, this subordinate understands!"

Wang Lichuan pondered for a moment before continuing, "Then, starting tomorrow, the patrol work for East Street will be handed over to you. Additionally, I will transfer four Constables from the other two Captains' squads to assist you in your duties."

Upon hearing this, a look of delight immediately appeared on Lu Feng's face. East Street in Qinglu County City was where the officials and wealthy merchants resided.

This district was the safest in the entire county, so the patrol work there was the simplest and easiest. The County Magistrate assigning the East Street patrol to him was indeed just a symbolic gesture.

Seeing this, Lu Feng cupped his hands again to thank him. "This subordinate thanks you for your care, Lord. I will certainly do my best."

Having obtained the County Magistrate's approval, Lu Feng returned to his room to cultivate.

Time flew by, and soon it was evening.

Xiao Wang from the County Yamen was seen carrying a food box as he arrived at Lu Feng's room.

As the food box opened, it revealed two more plates of Crimson Fire Deer Meat.

Lu Feng did not waste any words this time, immediately devouring all the food.

"Hiccup!"

A satisfied burp escaped his lips. Hmm, the energy within this Exotic Beast Meat is truly incomparable to beef, and the taste is beyond reproach.

Fully fed and satisfied, he grabbed his Specialized Oxtail Saber and left the County Yamen.

When he arrived at his doorstep, he suddenly saw a familiar figure standing there waiting for him.

This person was none other than Captain Fang, who had sought him out previously.

The man was one of County Lieutenant Li Muyuan's subordinates; his reappearance here was likely another attempt to recruit him.

However, the County Lieutenant held the belongings of the original owner's father, which suggested that he might know how his father died.

With that in mind, Lu Feng walked up with a smile and cupped his hands in greeting. "Captain Fang, we meet again. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Seeing him approach, Captain Fang also wore a smile. "Haha, pleasure is too strong a word. Captain Lu's status is not what it used to be. After the County Lieutenant heard of your promotion, he had nothing but high praise for you!"

"I am unworthy of such praise from the County Lieutenant," Lu Feng replied modestly.

Seeing his response, Captain Fang continued, "Captain Lu, the County Lieutenant asked me to bring you this letter. He says that once you read its contents, you will know how to make your choice."

As he spoke, he pulled a letter from his robes and handed it over.

A look of confusion flashed in Lu Feng's eyes, but he took the letter nonetheless.

Seeing this, Captain Fang cupped his hands in a salute and took his leave.

Standing in place, Lu Feng watched the man's retreating back, lost in thought.

Only after Captain Fang had completely disappeared did he enter his home.

Once inside the courtyard, he bolted the gate shut, then walked into the house to open the letter and examine it.