Free Web NovelChapter 45: Chapter 45: Adjustment and Major Overhaul
"To suppress certain forces..."
Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Fang Xing quickly understood.
These "certain forces" were, without a doubt, the Five Great Forces.
The Evil Cult’s infiltration was widespread.
Even some powerful local families had been infiltrated.
This situation was not an isolated case.
It was rampant.
At critical moments, they could cause powerful upheavals.
"My Lord, I understand," Fang Xing nodded.
Zhang Chen smiled faintly. "You are in charge of the constables’ affairs. Last month’s commotion was significant, but it has also made Qingshan more stable."
"You can use this as a starting point to further clean up public order."
Hearing this, Fang Xing nodded. "Yes, My Lord. I will take responsibility."
After chatting for a while longer, Fang Xing left the Inner Hall.
He called a few constables to inform the others, then went to the General Guard Room to wait.
...
Upon receiving Fang Xing’s order, the four Constables and four Deputy Constables arrived at the General Guard Room.
"Lord Fang!"
The men bowed in unison. Fang Xing, seated, gave a slight nod. "Everyone, please be seated."
The eight men took their seats.
All eyes were on him, filled with curiosity.
"My Lord, why have you summoned us?" Chen Shan was the first to ask.
Normally, Fang Xing didn’t involve himself much. A sudden summons like this was a first.
Fang Xing took a sip of tea, scanned the room, and then said, "I’ve gathered you today to announce a matter concerning the restructuring of the guard rooms."
"Restructuring the guard rooms?"
Hearing Fang Xing’s words, the Constables were stunned.
Yang Bo, on the left, felt his heart skip a beat. Although Fang Xing hadn’t done anything against him since becoming Chief Constable, and he himself had treated him to a meal and sent gifts, there was still a rift between them. ’A restructuring of the guard rooms... he’s not planning to strip me of my post, is he?’
As Chief Constable, Fang Xing naturally had this authority.
If he were to make a move, Yang Bo was the most likely first target.
He had no thought of resisting.
Setting aside Fang Xing’s status, his strength alone was enough to crush them all.
Peak Dark Force Cultivation—such strength was more than a match for his status.
At this thought, Yang Bo couldn’t help but look up at Fang Xing at the head of the room. "Lord Fang, I wonder what kind of restructuring you have in mind?"
Fang Xing glanced at him. From the subtle change in Yang Bo’s expression, he knew what the man was worried about.
He had indeed considered removing Yang Bo in the past.
But there was no need for it now. Yang Bo’s strength was decent, and he was obedient.
Now, he had no reason to act against him.
His status and strength had both changed completely.
After Entering the Neutralizing Force Realm, he had even less reason to do so.
As long as Yang Bo remained obedient, letting him keep his position wasn’t a problem.
’If he disobeys, I can crush him with a turn of my hand.’
Withdrawing his gaze, Fang Xing said calmly, "Report. How many Bright Force Martial Artists do we have now?"
The Constables were taken aback but dutifully reported the numbers.
Across the four guard rooms, including the Constables and Deputy Constables, there were a total of twenty-two Bright Force Martial Artists.
The North Guard Room was still at the bottom.
Besides Xu Zhengxiong and the Deputy Constable, Ji Bochang, there was only Xu Le left.
After hearing the report, Fang Xing nodded lightly. "Hmm, not bad."
"My Lord, what exactly is this restructuring?" Chen Shan couldn’t help but ask.
Fang Xing glanced at him and said coolly, "Regarding the restructuring, starting tomorrow, each guard room will add two Deputy Constables. At the same time, each guard room will issue a public notice to recruit new members, with a new cap of one hundred people per room."
What?!
Everyone was shocked by Fang Xing’s words.
Adding two Deputy Constables and raising the member cap to one hundred.
Good heavens, this wasn’t a restructuring; it was a complete overhaul!
The eight men stared at Fang Xing in shock. Such a massive increase all at once.
Although the Chief Constable had the authority to manage the four guard rooms, no one besides the County Magistrate should have the power to make such a drastic change.
"My Lord, isn’t such a massive change a bit too much?" Li Qing asked tentatively, looking at Fang Xing.
"I have already discussed this matter with Lord Zhang. Just carry out the orders," Fang Xing stated.
That one sentence immediately silenced everyone.
However, the two new Deputy Constable positions were definitely a good thing.
"My Lord, about the Deputy Constables..."
"You can nominate them internally. The Constable of each guard room will be responsible. As long as they meet the threshold of Bright Force, bring them here tomorrow to report," Fang Xing said.
Hearing this, the Constables’ eyes lit up.
’He’s giving us a lot of authority!’
They could decide with just a word.
"It is decided. Bring the nominees tomorrow."
"Yes, sir!"
Their sharp replies echoed as the men began to disperse. Xu Zhengxiong stayed behind and looked at Fang Xing. "For the North Guard Room, Xu Le can be promoted, but that still leaves one vacancy."
"Uncle Xu, you decide. Just coordinate with the other Constables," Fang Xing said.
Hearing this, Xu Zhengxiong’s eyes brightened, and he nodded. "Alright."
’He really takes care of his own,’ he thought.
"I’m heading back now. If anything comes up, you can find me at my home," Fang Xing said, rising to his feet.
Xu Zhengxiong nodded and then also left the General Guard Room.
***
The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching everyone.
And this news soon reached the ears of certain forces.
Fang Xing paid them no mind.
The next day, after meeting the nominated candidates, Fang Xing made his decisions directly.
Each guard room now had three Deputy Constables, and other adjustments were made within the rooms.
However, Fang Xing didn’t need to worry about these matters.
He had delegated authority; whether it was recruiting or other affairs, each guard room was responsible for its own.
Meanwhile, the news of the County Yamen’s recruitment drive caused a stir in the County Town.
Any young man between the ages of sixteen and thirty was eligible.
Preference was given to those with some Martial Arts training.
This quickly sent ripples through the County Town’s various martial arts schools, and some of their disciples signed up.
While the County Yamen’s offer held little appeal for the Official Martial Artists of the schools, it was very attractive to the unofficial ones.
Becoming a constable wouldn’t interfere with their training!
Moreover, they would gain a status as personnel of the Court. Even if they made no great achievements on the Martial Dao in the future, with this status, they would never starve.
In these chaotic times, having a connection to the Court greatly increased one’s safety.
For a time, a flood of people flocked to the County Yamen’s gates.
With a cap of one hundred, the four guard rooms filled their recruitment quotas quickly.
Within a few days, all positions were filled.
Fang Xing also made an appearance to meet the new recruits and leave an impression.
He didn’t want his own subordinates not to recognize him. freewebnovel.cσ๓
After that, Fang Xing no longer intervened. The four Constables and the Deputy Constables of each guard room were in charge.
The benefit of delegating authority was the freedom it brought.
Every day, aside from his Cultivation, Fang Xing only needed to make an occasional trip to the County Yamen.
Time passed peacefully.
In the blink of an eye, two months had gone by.
As the new year approached, Qingshan County was hit by a rare, heavy snow.
Everything was draped in a silver mantle!
「Tongfang District, within Linxi Courtyard.」
An afterimage flashed through the courtyard, its features nearly invisible. An unseen current of air swept through, shredding the falling snowflakes to bits.
"WHOOSH—!"
Stopping, Fang Xing let out a light breath.
In these two months, his Cultivation had not slacked.
His Wind God Step had also reached the Peak Realm.
He could now use his two Superior Martial Arts techniques with complete ease.
Besides the improvements in his Martial Arts, his Cultivation had also climbed significantly.
However, now that he had entered the Neutralizing Force Stage, his progress was much slower than before.
Of course, this was only slow relative to his own previous rate of progress. Compared to other Neutralizing Force Martial Artists of the same level, his advancement was astonishingly fast. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
In just two months, he had reached the Middle Stage of Neutralizing Force.
Cultivating the Longevity Technique made his Power abundant and pure, far surpassing others at his level.
Not only was his Power abundant, but his physique and Perception Ability had also improved dramatically.
