Chapter 100 - 98: Hundred Years Old Ginseng
After leaving the courtyard, Song Changming knew he had already gained the preliminary trust of his new superior.
That was enough.
Afterwards, Song Changming returned to his official duties, and the first task he received was to escort those who severely disrupted the order to the execution ground for public execution to shock the people’s hearts.
The number of these people was considerable; those with serious offenses numbered in the hundreds, and those who did not deserve death but took advantage of the chaos were in the thousands.
And these were just the ones caught by the government and the army, with many others still at large.
For the past period, the city had been so chaotic, and this group played no small role in adding fuel to the fire.
They were either ruffians or profit-driven rascals in the Jianghu, and the crimes they committed were enough to have each of them beheaded seven or eight times.
Therefore, there was basically no need for a trial; they were taken to be beheaded directly.
"Kill! Kill them well!"
"These beasts have harmed so many families!"
"A bunch of heartless things! They should have been dismembered long ago!"
"Heavens open your eyes!"
"..."
At the execution ground, countless people watched this scene, and curses could not be stopped.
Some victims even wished they could execute the criminals themselves.
"Hour has arrived, execute immediately!"
At the executioner’s command, countless people on the high platform were scared to the point of wetting their pants, while the executioner wasted no time, slashing under instruction, heads rolling, clean and efficient.
As batch after batch of evil criminals were beheaded, the once severely diminished prestige of the Governor’s Mansion was rebuilt in the eyes of the people, commanding more respect and awe.
The arrival of the new Governor soon earned him the title of an iron-fisted leader.
In fact, this new Governor was decisive in his actions, handling important matters without a trace of procrastination.
Before long, he had organized the various affairs of the Governor’s Mansion in an orderly manner.
One could only say he lived up to being an official from the Imperial Capital, and his competence was indeed reliable.
And here at the Public Security Bureau, Song Changming was entrusted with important responsibilities by his new superior, helping to reorganize the bureau and the patrol armor bureaus in various districts.
Previously, Xie Shihuan had taken away too many patrol guards and captains, causing even some directors to escape, severely weakening the strength of the Patrol Armor Bureau and Public Security Bureau.
To restore the former strength and foundation, time and a slow accumulation were needed to recover and renew strength.
But regardless, the city’s public security situation had stabilized.
Afterwards, as winter approached, the climate began to gradually turn colder.
Houli Street, Chunfeng Garden.
Song Changming met with his old acquaintances, Liang Chuan Mountain, Lv Gang, and Zhou Sixin, who was still in the General Department, for a drink and discussion.
Currently, Liang Chuan Mountain was still in charge of the Patrol Armor Bureau on Houli Street, while Lv Gang, thanks to Song Changming’s recommendation, went to Changting Street to serve as Director of that district’s Patrol Armor Bureau, seizing the opportunity of the staff shortage to get a promotion.
"For those common folks, this winter is likely to be hard to endure." Song Changming looked at the gradually frosting brick walls outside the window, shaking his head and saying.
"Indeed." Liang Chuan Mountain sighed lightly, nodding in agreement.
The most ruthless act of Xiao Jingchuan was taking away all the stockpile from the county city’s grain storage.
Combined with the previous turmoil, this winter there would likely be many who couldn’t obtain food, possibly starving to death.
By then, even the Governor’s Mansion would be unable to open the warehouses to distribute grain.
"I heard the Governor has already reported to the Imperial Court, hoping for some grain to be sent over, but there’s been no news so far, and I think it’s unlikely." Zhou Sixin shook his head.
"Although the old Emperor still manages affairs, the situation at the imperial court remains complicated, and they probably can’t spare time for our Donglai Prefecture."
The three fell silent for a while.
They were all pessimistic about the new Governor’s ability to obtain grain.
"I also heard that the Imperial Court’s army encountered Governor Xiao’s forces outside the prefecture and fought a tough battle!" Liang Chuan Mountain suddenly said.
"Brother Liang, where did you hear this? How do you know such things?" Zhou Sixin exclaimed in surprise.
"I have my sources." Liang Chuan Mountain said complacently.
Song Changming knew that Liang Chuan Mountain’s channels were mainly through dealings with those business firms and caravans that ran the Jianghu all year round.
Regarding certain affairs under the heavens, Liang Chuan Mountain could get the word, although the reliability of the information was not always one hundred percent.
However, it was still quite good, as the others did not have access to the extensive information network Liang Chuan Mountain had.
"Brother Liang, what was the result then?" Lv Gang couldn’t help but ask.
"Naturally, the Imperial Court won, you should see how fierce those fifty thousand border defense troops are; the county soldiers from other six prefectures were more or less just making noise. This border defense army alone was enough to send the Xiao Family Army fleeing in panic." Liang Chuan Mountain clicked his tongue.
When the border defense army entered the city before, he witnessed their imposing military presence and could remember it vividly.
"But I heard that although many have died on Governor Xiao’s side, they were not completely annihilated and were allowed to escape..." Liang Chuan Mountain took a sip of hot wine and added.
"I used to think that the Xiao Family might be able to rise again, but now I feel their demise is only a matter of time."
In response, Song Changming said nothing.
This particular lesson taught him never to easily get involved in those political struggles.
The most dangerous thing under the heavens is nothing but this.
"By the way, Changming, you asked me to keep an eye out for high-year wild ginseng before. I recently heard about a hundred-year-old ginseng in the hands of a caravan in Lianhua County Town. Do you want it?"
After three rounds of drinks, Liang Chuan Mountain looked at Song Changming and asked.
"If the price is right, I’ll take it." Song Changming nodded.
High-year, high-grade ginseng is very useful for his body refinement.
However, such ginseng is rarely seen, so he now collects them whenever he can.
Speaking of which, he has practiced the Great Strength Bull Demon Skill for so many years, yet he has never ingested a hundred-year-old wild ginseng to assist in cultivation.
There was a record on that sheepskin scroll, stating that ingesting ginseng over a hundred years old and then practicing this skill would have miraculous effects.
He was once curious about what miraculous effects it could have, but unfortunately, the appearance of hundred-year-old ginseng is extremely rare and the value too expensive, and he never had the financial resources to purchase it in the past.
Until now, he has accumulated some wealth and finally had the idea of buying it.
"Okay, I’ll have someone get it for you then." Liang Chuan Mountain nodded.
Three days later, Song Changming got his hands on this hundred-year-old ginseng valued at nine hundred silver.
Although the price made him somewhat pained, the effects of this hundred-year-old ginseng were indeed quite delightful.
After consumption, he could clearly feel the surging and magnificent medicinal power, constantly stimulating every part of his body.
On the day he practiced the Bull Demon Skill, the experience value increased by more than ten points.
It should be known that in the past, the Body Refining Skill might not even increase by one point in two or three days.
Besides, the experience value of the other three body refining skills he practiced was also slightly boosted and increased.
Afterward, the medicinal power of this hundred-year-old ginseng persisted for a month.
During this month, as long as Song Changming was in the ’Heaven Rewards Diligence’ cultivation state, the experience value of the Bull Demon Skill would increase every day.
It is no exaggeration to say, this efficiency in practicing the skill has become nearly doubled compared to before!
This is the help a hundred-year-old ginseng brings to his body refinement.
It must be said, it indeed has miraculous effects.
He couldn’t help but ponder, if he could renew the usage of this hundred-year-old ginseng every month, perhaps the Bull Demon Skill that originally required years of hard training to make progress could expect a breakthrough to the Sixth Realm of Bone Forging within a year!
Unfortunately, although this thing is good, it is too precious.
Wanting to use this hundred-year-old ginseng for cultivation year-round, he really can’t do it.
Firstly, he doesn’t have that much money and silver, secondly, he doesn’t have a stable supply channel.
If the Xiao Family were still around, he might have been able to buy more hundred-year-old ginseng through Xiao Shuyun.
But now the Xiao Family has fallen, and relying only on Liang Chuan Mountain is somewhat a matter of luck; hundred-year-old ginseng doesn’t appear in Donglai Prefecture every month.
"With my current savings, I can at most buy three more hundred-year-old ginseng roots..."
Song Changming calculated his accumulated wealth over the years and got a rough estimate.
Among them, the monthly salary from his position as Chief Patrol Guard accounted for only a small part of his total income.
The majority came from the bounty reward silver obtained from the General Department, which was the main part of his savings.
Additionally, Father Song’s silkworm-raising business also finally turned profitable this year, gradually able to sell at a price and obtain revenue.
However, it currently just started, and the profits are not high, averaging only one to two strings of copper coins per month.
The ability of this business to amass wealth still needs more time to verify.
...
As the year-end approaches, the cold wind howls outside the city, mixed with tiny snowflakes like cotton fluffs.
On the official road, the ground trembles as a group of horses gallops by, each ridden by a person.
They wear dark green armor, helmets on their heads, knives at their waists, and crossbows on their backs.
This appearance would never be unfamiliar to anyone; they are the patrol guard managing the public security of each city.
And the striking gold stripe on their collars and sleeves indicates they are the Patrol Guard of the County City General Department.
Leading the team, riding a black horse, is none other than the new General Director, Zhuang Ren.
Following closely are Song Changming and two other Chief Patrol Guards.
Next are the General Director’s personal guards, a total of sixteen riders.
The strength of these sixteen is extremely high; all were brought from the Imperial Capital by the General Director, each having Fourth Realm or above body refining power!
Even letting them serve as Guard Captain would be more than sufficient.
Behind them are nearly a hundred patrol guards from the General Department.
The entire team gallops towards a large port near the sea along the Luolong River.
They have only one task.
Suppress bandits!