In the lobby, there was a sense of solemnity, like the low air pressure before a rainstorm, which made people feel tight in their chests.
Fine benzoin was burning in a Xuande stove, and the smoke curled upwards, but it could not dissipate the solemn atmosphere that filled the room.
The roll call officer was a middle-aged man with a fair face and no beard. He had a high-pitched voice, but it was penetrating. He was obviously a practitioner.
He was holding a yellow silk book in his hand, and every time he read a name, there was a sound like a golden stone.
"Miaojiang Five Immortals Sect, Blue Phoenix!"
In the corner, a silver bell rang.
A woman wearing indigo homespun clothes and a head full of silver jewelry raised her hand lazily.
She didn't speak, but the small red snake wrapped around her wrist hissed and spat out the message, and several charlatans around her subconsciously moved their chairs to the side.
"Snowland Great Wheel Temple, Master Jingangzhi!"
The sound of heavy breathing is like the sound of bellows.
A lama wearing a red robe and as strong as a bear put one hand on his chest and whispered the Buddha's name.
He was spinning a Purple-Gold Sutra Wheel in his hand, and every time he turned it, there seemed to be a faint sound of wind and thunder.
"Daoist Human Sect, Daoist Miaoxuan!"
An old Daoist with white beard and hair carrying an ancient sword nodded slightly, his eyes half open and half closed, as if he didn't care about anything around him. Only the light that occasionally opened and closed made people dare not look directly.
"Mount Wutai Discipline Academy first, Mount Longhu Daoist Tongyuan----"
As the names were announced one by one, the expressions on the faces of everyone present became more and more exciting.
Qin Geng was sitting among the senior brothers, his eyelids were slightly drooped, but his heart was stirred up.
Today's battle can be said to have brought together the top combat power of the Great Xin Dynasty, both black and white.
In the past, these people were either Grandmaster who guarded one side, or hermits who never saw their tail, but now they are all sitting honestly in the lobby of Dragon-Guard Office, waiting to be dispatched.
When the roll call came, the official closed the book and stepped aside.
On the main seat, Shen Yi and Jia Xincun looked at each other.
This civil and military force, one new and one old, might have been a life-and-death fight in the court, but at this moment, the expressions of the two of them were surprisingly consistent.
"Tuk-tuk."
The two of them seized the big case of pear blossom wood almost at the same time.
The sound was not loud, but it seemed to hit everyone's heart.
The lobby, where there were some whispers, suddenly fell into deathly silence.
Even the Miao Borderlands woman's silver bell has stopped, and the Great Wheel Monastery lama's prayer wheel has stopped turning.
Shen Yi was the first to speak, and the sound was like sandpaper grinding the edge of a knife, cold, hard, and crisp.
"Official of the Fourth Division, Three Teachings and Nine Schools, a hero in the world."
His gaze was like a hawk, slowly sweeping over the entire place, and those he saw felt their skins grow cold.
"Sitting here today are officials from the imperial court, Qing cultivators from outside the country, leaders from Green Forest, and local tycoons.
"I don't ask you what grudges you had in the past, and I don't ask whether you are seeking wealth, office, or fame."
Shen Yi slammed the table, causing the tea cups to jump wildly.
"After entering this door, there is only one important point for Dragon-Guard Office - defend Dragon Vein at all costs!"
"Foreigners is ambitious and intends to cut off my Great Xin foundation and ruin my destiny. This is not a fight between one family and one surname, this is a disaster that will destroy the country and destroy the species!"
Jia Xincun took over the conversation and shook his folding fan. Although his tone was gentle, his always squinting eyes revealed the shrewdness of an old fox.
"Everyone, the situation is urgent."
"We have pretty much figured out the situation over there at Foreigners. Their so-called scientific exploration won't work. If we want to find Dragon Vein, we have to rely on the Magic Artifact left by our ancestors."
"This Magic Artifact is a double-edged sword."
Jia Xincun paused and looked at an old man in black sitting at the top on the left.
The old man looked haggard, and he was none other than Western Hunan, a master of the corpse-killing lineage, Partridge Sky Elder Wu.
"We have Elder Wu here. Although Elder Wu is in the business of exorcising corpses, in this business, Feng Shui is a special skill. This Seventy-Two Mountains of Tianjin, where is the wind, where is the energy gathering, where is the dragon's head, and where is the acupuncture point. If the old man goes into the mountain and walks around, he will have an inseparable feeling in his heart."
Hearing this, someone below couldn't help but interject. "Well, since we know where it is, let's just send a large army to surround the place. No flies can fly in. What else can Foreigners do?"
The speaker was a ruthless charlatan, obviously a straight man.
Jia Xincun smiled and said nothing.
Shen Yi snorted, "Idiot!"
The charlatan's face turned red, and he was about to have a fit when the person next to him grabbed him tightly.
Shen Yi said coldly, "Don't you understand why there is no three hundred taels of silver here? Tianjin Mountains stretch for hundreds of miles. If we gather heavy troops somewhere, wouldn't it be obvious to tell Foreigners that Dragon Vein is here?"
"Foreigners's artillery is not a vegetarian. Once the position is exposed, they don't need to enter the mountain. They only need a few hundred rounds of artillery shells to blast over. Earth Veins will be broken and the mountain will collapse. Dragon Vein will be destroyed as well!"
When everyone heard this, their hearts trembled.
This is quite true.
In this era of rampant firearms, traditional law-abiding is no longer feasible.
"So!"
Shen Yi stood up, and Xiezhi Painting behind him seemed to come to life, overwhelming the audience.
"Now our troops are divided into two groups!"
"First, Elder Wu is leading the team, and Geomancy Office is cooperating. You are not responsible for guarding Dragon Vein Array Eye, but for hiding!"
"We need to set up mazes in the mountains and set up blockades at chokepoints. It's not about guarding points, but guarding lines and fronts!"
"Among them, there are two top priorities."
Shen Yi Hold up two fingers.
"First, it's Wave-Quelling Bureau!"
At this shout, Qin Geng, Li Tingyun and other Water Official immediately straightened their backs.
"Tianjin is Nine Rivers' Lower Reaches, the northern waterway hub. Most of the Dragon Vein energy comes from the Tianjin River and underwater Underground River."
"Tianjin underground, Underground River extends in all directions, just like the meridians of the human body, it can flow into Seven Mountains of Tianjin. There are many large tombs underwater, and it is possible that the key Magic Artifact is lying in the coffin of an underwater prince."
Speaking of this, Shen Yi's expression became ferocious. It was a real murderous aura, Killing Intent rolling out of the sea of blood from the mountain of corpses.
"Wave-Quelling Bureau obey orders!"
"Here!"
Li Tingyun, Qin Geng and Wave-Quelling Bureau responded in unison.
"Wave-Quelling Bureau has an important mission. From now on, no Foreigners will be allowed to cause trouble on top of the Tianjin River!"
"Starting immediately, block waterways. All Foreigners merchant ships, no matter what flag they fly or what cargo they haul, are not allowed to travel by land or water!
Once discovered, they will be seized directly! The ship will be confiscated and the goods will be confiscated!"
"If you dare to resist, or if you find out that Foreigners went into the water privately----"
Shen Yi squeezed out four words from between his teeth. "Kill without mercy!"
As soon as these four words came out, the temperature in the lobby seemed to drop to freezing point instantly.
Cruel!
Too cruel!
This is going to completely break your face.
Although this Tianjin is the territory of Great Xin, Foreigners is used to being domineering, and Concession is their country within a country.
In the past, the imperial court turned a blind eye and paid attention to diplomatic relations and dignity.
But today, Shen Yi's words are tantamount to declaring war on the water.
Qin Geng felt a burst of joy in his heart.
This is what he wants.
With this order, if you kill a few foreign devils on the water in the future, you will be killing people under orders and committing meritorious service!
Moreover, it would be disgusting if the two factions above were restrained due to infighting.
It now appears that although these two adults belong to the Retired Emperor and Xinhuang factions and have different political views, they both have strong bones when it comes to dealing with the outside world.
They are all people who want to do practical things.
Of course, how to divide the credit and how to pass the blame afterwards is another matter.
At least now, the goals are the same.
Wave-Quelling Bureau's stage is so big.
Shen Yi didn't give everyone much time to digest, and continued, "The second most important thing is the mountains."
"Demon-Suppression Bureau obey orders!"
On the other side, a row of military attaches wearing black armor stood up.
"After the approximate location of Dragon Vein Array Eye is found, you need to guard all the key points into the mountain and don't let up. There are also evil spirits and ghosts in the mountains, and there may even be someone guarding the tomb Zombie."
"You not only have to guard against Foreigners, but you also have to guard against these dirty things. Please do your best and don't lose your life."
"Yes!"
After arranging the first group of people, Jia Xincun shook his fan and spoke, "The second group of people is staring at Magic Artifact."
"This requires the cooperation of Antiquities Office Customs Bureau Geomancy Office."
"Foreigners cannot find Dragon Vein, so it will inevitably search frantically for Magic Artifact. You should keep an eye on all the news on Tianjin's land. Antique shops, tomb robbers' stolen goods sales dens, black markets, and even Foreigners's auction houses."
"Once you discover the news about Magic Artifact, no matter what means you use, whether you buy it, steal it, or rob it, we will do our best to stop it!
We must not let it fall into the hands of Foreigners!"
"If you really can't get it back----"
Jia Xincun flashed a fierce look in his eyes, and the folding fan in his hand suddenly closed with a crisp sound.
"That's ruined!"
"It's better to be broken into pieces than to be broken into pieces!"
"Yes!"
Everyone agreed in unison, and the sound shook the rubble.
The meeting didn't last long, it was full of practical information and there was no nonsense.
Finally, Jia Xincun stood up and waved his hands with a tired look.
"Okay, that's all."
"Whether you are seeking promotion and wealth, or you are really motivated by righteousness, I just ask you to do your best. After all, if Dragon Vein is destroyed, it will be difficult for Hundred Trades to stop cultivating, not to mention cultivating Zheng Guo.
This is to the point.
Everyone present is a practitioner, and no one wants to cut off the road ahead.
"Starting from today, start taking up your duties. The divisions in each county have been set up. Headquarters is in the inner city of Tianjin."
Jia Xincun looked at the sun outside the window and murmured to himself, as if speaking to himself, but also as if speaking to everyone, "I hope that one day, we can work together to wipe out Foreigners Concession, drive all these Foreigners out of Great Xin, and return our mountains and rivers to peace."
After the meeting ended, the crowd did not disperse immediately, but gathered together in twos and threes, communicating in low voices.
Qin Geng didn't stay long and followed the eighth senior brother Li Tingyun out of the yamen and went straight to the Wave-Quelling Bureau Headquarters to report.
--
Along the way, the streets of the inner city were still bustling, but Qin Geng keenly felt that underneath this bustling, there was an uneasy undercurrent.
There were more soldiers on patrol, the expressions of passers-by were hurried, and even the sound of storytellers in the teahouse seemed to have lost some confidence.
"The world is in chaos, and it's just the right time."
Li Tingyun walked in front with his hands behind his back, his iconic long knife slung across his waist.
He didn't look back, but his voice reached Qin Geng's ears clearly.
"Junior brother, after entering this Wave-Quelling Bureau, I have to give you some instructions."
"Senior brother, please speak."
Qin Geng took two steps and followed beside him.
"Do more, talk less."
Li Tingyun looked at a vendor selling candied haws on the roadside with a deep look. "Although Lord Shen and Lord Jia showed the same hatred at the meeting, the factional disputes are engraved in their bones. Although we Ye School are powerful, we should not get involved easily."
"Whether it's Retired Emperor or the Emperor's side, we only recognize the Dragon-Guard Office brand and the reason to kill Foreigners."
"Understood.
Qin Geng nodded.
"And."
Li Tingyun stopped, turned around, and looked at Qin Geng extremely seriously.
"Wave-Quelling Bureau and Demon-Suppression Bureau, those are the two sharpest knives in Dragon-Guard Office's hands. They are both equipped with real weapons."
"As I said before, run your Ping'an County Town well."
"That's where you make your fortune, and it's also your retreat."
Li Tingyun patted Qin Geng on the shoulder and said earnestly, "This is an important place. When you get promoted in the future, you will have a staff under you. Don't just focus on practicing on your own. Promote all the capable people under you."
"Those Carriage Driver, coolies, although they come from a lowly background, as long as they are willing to work hard and rise to the top, they are good soldiers."
"Ping'an County Town is your home base. As long as you manage that territory like a metal barrel, even if Dragon Vein is really gone or Great Xin Dynasty is really messed up, you won't be afraid of trouble."
Qin Geng's heart moved slightly.
Senior brother is teaching him the foundation of his life.
But the ambition in his heart is not just a Ping'an County Town.
With Water Lord's Supernatural Ability, this Tianjin River eight hundred miles of water system will sooner or later become his back garden.
Even if I can unlock a priest profession on land in the future, it will be truly amphibious on land and amphibious, and I will be a real Tianjin king.
Of course, this cannot be said.
"Senior brother, don't worry, I have already made arrangements for Ping'an Cart Company. That is our basic plan."
The two of them continued walking forward, passing through a long and narrow alley, and their eyes suddenly opened up.
Wave-Quelling Bureau's Headquarters Yamen is located in a large house near the dock. It was originally a separate courtyard for water transport Governor-General, but it has now been expropriated.
The two huge stone sculptures at the door are not lions, but prone water-suppressing beasts, which look particularly ferocious.
While walking inside, Li Tingyun helped Qin Geng dismantle the structure of the Wave-Quelling Bureau in detail.
"This time Dragon-Guard Office also spent a lot of money."
"Although Ping'an County Town's branch is just a branch, it is located at the intersection of the sea estuary and the inland river due to its key geographical location, so the staffing is very sufficient."
"Establish two thousand households, three generals, and ten general banners."
Li Tingyun extends his palm to make the famous gesture.
"Under each general flag-bearer, there are nine departments."
"Suppress evil spirits, block rivers, wash sand, watch at night, listen to waves, lead dragons, worship tides, cut off currents, and pagodas."
Qin Geng Listen carefully. Behind each name, there is real authority.
"About a thousand people in total."
Li Tingyun lowered his voice and began to penetrate Qin Geng.
"But among these thousands of people, there are many ways to go."
"Fifty percent of them are navy soldiers transferred from the South camp. These people are good at water, understand battle formations, and obey orders. They are the direct descendants of Shen Yi Lord Shen, and they are also the main force of our Wave-Quelling Bureau."
"The remaining 30% are Three Teachings and Nine Schools warriors from various sects. Just like the ones we saw at the meeting, Granny Liu's grandson Tiger Cub, Partridge Sky's disciples and disciples, and some Rogue Cultivator who want to fight for wealth."
Li Tingyun curled his lips. "These people are capable, and some even have special skills, but they are really difficult to control. They are all arrogant, and I am the best in the world.
"The others are locals like you, local snakes."
"The remaining 20%----"
Li Tingyun pointed to the north with a playful expression.
"That's the elite from Capital, the landlubber picked out from Imperial Guard. Although his water quality is average, he is definitely good at water and has strong martial arts. That's the person from Jia Xincun."
Qin Geng made quick calculations in his mind.
This is not a branch, it is simply a small court.
South Navy, rivers and lakes, local powerful, Capital Imperial Guard.
It's not easy to make a meal when all the forces from all directions are mixed in the same pot.
"Although you are just a little River-Blocking Guard, according to your grade, you are also a Subordinate Ninth Rank."
Li Tingyun looked at Qin Geng with a bit of expectation in his eyes.
"But you have thousands of Dragon King Society, Ping'an Cart Company brothers under you. People from all over the country will respect you Fifth Master Qin. You are a proper Ping'an County Town local snake."
"A strong dragon will not overwhelm a local coward. Even if a thousand households come, they will still give you some thin noodles."
"This situation is different from other places."
"When something happens, it's up to you to make your own decision whether you want to join forces and fight against others, and have both sides, or whether you want to listen to the advice but not the propaganda."
Arriving at the entrance of the Headquarters lobby, Li Tingyun stopped and did not go in any further.
"Senior brother, I am here at Headquarters. Although I am the general banner, I can only take care of you on a general level. You have to shoulder the specific errands yourself."
"This Wave-Quelling Bureau water is deeper than Xun River."
"Don't drown."
Qin Geng straightened his clothes and bowed deeply to Li Tingyun.
"Remember senior brother's teachings."