Chen Family Old Silk Shop, Luogu Lane Tian'an County.
Su Che glanced at the sign hanging there; this should be the place.
As an investigative agency, the Imperial Demon Hunters had Judicial Inspectorate Office in various prefectures and counties, as well as branches in each county. This multi-layered structure formed the entire system.
Due to their special circumstances, Shanyin and Guobei counties did not have any garrison posts for the Imperial Demon Hunters. However, Tian'an County was different. It was a vital passage to Jiankang and also very wealthy, so naturally, the Imperial Demon Hunters were stationed there.
Su Che tied his horse to the hitching post at the entrance, while Lu Bai went inside first.
As soon as Lu Bai entered, a joyful shout rang out from inside.
" Old Lu, oh my, it's you! Oh, oh, oh, could it be...?"
Su Che smiled outside and stepped inside.
The silk shop was fairly well-organized, with a sturdy wooden counter in front and shelves stacked with various kinds of silks behind, and wooden plaques hanging on the walls.
Different names and colors such as "plain Shu Brocade ", "mixed floral purple dye", and "mirage rainbow".
A shopkeeper was excitedly watching Lu Bai and shouting.
Upon seeing Su Che enter, he quickly picked up a horizontal wooden board from the counter, walked outside, and bowed deeply.
The shopkeeper clasped his hands and said, "This humble Imperial Demon Hunters Zhu Yi, the garrison commander of Tian'an County, pays his respects to Your Excellency, the Minister of Justice."
The Imperial Demon Hunters had guards stationed in each county, who were generally Seventh Grade cultivators. They mainly served as the eyes and ears of the local area, and would also arrange for more skilled individuals to carry out any operations.
"Buy a three-foot-three-inch-long plain brocade with mixed floral patterns."
Su Che tapped lightly nine times on the counter.
This is a secret code used among the Imperial Demon Hunters; it varies from state to state and changes monthly.
"Since you're here, sir, there's no need for these."
The guard Imperial Demon Hunters and glanced cautiously at Lu Bai beside him.
Lu Bai remained silent, and the Imperial Demon Hunters immediately understood the implication.
"Our shop may not have elaborate decorations, but we do have aged Shaoxing wine. Please have a drink, sir, and we can discuss business at our leisure."
"Then we'll need six feet six inches of gold-threaded Shu Brocade transported from Jiankang."
After Su Che finished speaking, he tapped his chest with his right index finger.
" Su Che, Deputy Judicial Thousand-Householder of the Ci Prefecture Judicial Investigation Office."
" Zhu Yi, Garrison Commander of Tian'an County, Ci Prefecture Judicial Investigation Office."
Then Zhu Yi reached his hand behind him.
"Please move to the back room Judicial Punisher Su."
The back room of this silk shop was naturally filled with shelves of silk, but what was different was that there were octagonal tables and grand master chairs there.
Several young apprentices were sorting silk when they saw Zhu Yi leading his men in. They understood and put down their work, then silently withdrew.
Su Che was not surprised, because according to the internal rules of the Imperial Demon Hunters, this was indeed a normally operating silk shop. The shop's profits were divided, with 70% going into the Imperial Demon Hunters ' public account and 30% left to the guard himself as a subsidy.
One of my important responsibilities as the Deputy Judicial Thousand-Householder of Ci Prefecture was to manage the public property here and prevent others from embezzling it.
"Since you've come, sir, shall we take this opportunity to settle the accounts?"
Zhu Yi carefully lit the small stove beside him, ignited the flame, and began to brew tea.
"There's no time to ask about that now, Old Zhu, please sit down."
"Well."
Zhu Yi sat obediently to the side.
"If I remember correctly, you also entered the Imperial Demon Hunters after your father's appointment. You served in Jiangzhou for fifteen years and Ci Prefecture for six years. You're quite a senior member now."
"You flatter me, Li Xing." Zhu Yi waved his hand. "Li Xing, Ci Prefecture has been waiting for your news for a long time, and Captain Shi is getting impatient. Jiankang is sending seven documents a day to inquire..."
Old Su was getting anxious.
Su Che shook his head at this thought.
" Yu Ze resigned?"
"Yes, the situation in Mystic Mountain has just been pacified, and then Vice Minister Yu was dismissed. The court relieved him of his duties, and I heard that a new Vice Minister of the Censorate has already been chosen."
"Oh? Which family will take over the position of Vice Minister Yu? The Prince of the Langya Wang Clan, or the Chen Commandery Xie Clan, or the Longkang Huan Clan?"
"I heard that the court had originally decided to appoint someone from the Yingchuan Yu Clan to some position, but I heard that His Majesty rejected it. If there are no surprises, the Prince of Wuling should personally take up the Ci Prefecture."
It turned out to be a prince.
Su Che pondered for a moment, realizing that the imperial court seemed to have other intentions.
According to the old system of the Great Liang, princes were never granted titles lightly. Even the emperor's own sons among the imperial clan were often only granted the title of Prince of the Commandery, and without any real power.
The Prince of Wuling is the fifth son of the current emperor, and is said to be a young hero.
" The Langya Wang Clan has arrived?"
"It's Wang Jian's wife, from the Chen Commandery Xie Clan. Her caravan is currently parked at the post station in Tian'an County."
"Oh?"
Su Che thought for a moment, but he couldn't recall anyone Wang Jian.
" Wang Jian once served as the Prefect of Pengcheng and is now the Chief Secretary of the Prince of Wuling. Since the Prince of Wuling has established his own government in Ci Prefecture, he should be in charge of all the usual affairs, big and small."
"Has Wang Jian already arrived in Ci Prefecture?"
" The Prince of Wuling and his Chief Clerk Wang are still in Jiankang..."
After all that fuss, it turns out the lady was put at the forefront.
Su Che shook his head. These powerful families in Jiankang may appear prosperous and bustling on the surface, but their wealth is no longer sustainable.
What is the disaster situation in Tian'an County?
" Tian'an County wasn't severely affected, but it's a major route to Jiankang, and the influx of disaster victims from various counties has created some problems."
Zhu Yi cautiously said, "The others..."
"The cloud overhead."
Su Che tapped the table lightly.
What do you think?
"Natural disasters and man-made calamities are unavoidable," Zhu Yi said with a smile. "We just need to focus on slaying demons and eliminating evil..."
Just focus on slaying demons and monsters.
Natural disasters and man-made calamities, endless wars and turmoil—the current imperial court, regardless of north or south, has no time to follow the will of Heaven and the people; all it can do is take things one step at a time.
The best doctors treat illness before it occurs; nowadays, we're just treating the symptoms, not the cause.
Su Che said to Zhu Yi.
What's going on outside?
I don't know when, but a strong wind started blowing incessantly outside.
The windows of the silk shop began to shake.
"When dragons move, rain comes; when tigers move, wind blows." Lu Bai replied cautiously, " Yin Qi hangs overhead, an unusual omen in the sky; perhaps some evil spirit is at play..."
Su Che remained silent.
Suddenly, water vapor condensed on the square table, forming lines of small characters from the watermarks.
"The wind and rain will meet at Mount Zhong."
Su Che Immovability and raised his hand to erase the line of small print.
Looks like it's that time of year again.
That's true. Zhongyuan was also involved in this change in the Yin-Yang Realm. Although we don't know what benefits he gained, the Mount Zhong Association must have been behind it.
To be honest, Su Che had never understood why the Beimang Ghost Ancestor was involved in this matter, so he guessed that this person should also be one of Zhongyuan's subordinates.
"Prepare a clean room." Su Che feigned exhaustion. "I need to cultivate and recuperate."
"I'll go prepare immediately."
"Do not disturb me unless instructed to do so."
"Your subordinate obeys."