Chapter 216: Arrival of the New City Lords, Song family’s Cooperation!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Li Tieniu, starting today, you will lead your platoon and be permanently stationed in Lunan City.”
Lu Yu issued the above order immediately.
As the captain of the 4th Battalion, Lu Yu, the Count of Western Conquest, had the authority to transfer troops into Lunan City.
Within the federal government, military and political powers were completely separate, but those with titles of nobility were an exception. They could implement within their own fiefdom their own taxation rules, legislation, and they could even own military troops. It was like a nation within a nation.
For the first time, Lu Yu experienced the convenience that comes with privilege, and it was all built on the basis that he was powerful.
“Alrighty.” Li Tieniu nodded his head excitedly.
Increasingly, he felt that following Lu Yu was a completely correct decision. A Great Grand Master on the cusp of breaking through to the War General realm was destined to have a future that was limitless.
Four hours later, the troops that Lu Yu led stationed themselves in Lunan City.
The people of Lunan City lined up both sides of the street to welcome them. Even Lu Yu got a fright. He did not think he was that popular in Lunan City.
After surveying the still broken ruins in Lunan City, Lu Yu realized that a lot of money would be needed to rebuild the city fully.
Starting today, all the civilians of Lunan City were exempted from paying taxes for three years!
It was tantamount to a fool’s dream to squeeze money out of a group of civilians who had just experienced the war to rebuild Lunan City.
“Long live Count of Western Conquest! ” The civilians of Lunan City were moved to tears, and they clapped their hands in approval.
Overwhelmed by the crowd’s embrace, Lu Yu took a lot of effort to extricate himself from the crowd. Qin Yong saw this scene, and snickered foolishly, “Captain Lu, it seems that you are very popular among the folks in Lunan City.”
Lu Yu swept his eyes over the subordinates following him and said calmly, “From today onwards, all the expenses of your cultivation will be borne by me. You guys have to do your best to elevate your cultivation levels. I don’t keep any idle people here!”
“In addition, let me make this clear upfront. If you are in need of money, feel free to tell me. If I find out anyone dared to squeeze the people for their hard-earned money, I will punish him severely!”
“Yes, Sir!” The members of the 4th Battalion behind Lu Yu all straightened up and stood at attention, nodding their heads solemnly.
Zhang Wu was also following right behind. He became very excited at this moment, and his eyes were filled with fervent admiration. This was the kind of military troop that he aspired to join. He was willing to fight and give his life for such a military troop!
Soldiers should place the peace and security of the country foremost. They should view protecting the country and its people as their own mission, and not use violent means to oppress their own people.
The first reconstruction project of Lunan City was the Central Dojo. Lu Yu threw a massive amount of money into this project, and the reconstruction work went into full swing at once.
Now that all four dojos had been destroyed, the Central Dojo had become the only martial arts training dojo in Lunan City. It could be said to be unparalleled in its might for now. Thus, Lu Yu gave a new name to the new Central Dojo. He renamed it Excellence Dojo!
It meant this was a place to nurture the talented!
At this moment, a construction foreman holding blueprints in his hand was analyzing the topography. Lu Yu walked to him and asked, “How much money needs to be invested in the reconstruction of this entire Lunan City?”
This construction foreman felt very flattered at being spoken to. He answered, “It will take about 100 billion federal dollars. Currently, the reconstruction fund is only five billion.”
This figure was merely a drop in the ocean. If he depended on this small amount of funds, he did not know how long it would take to complete the reconstruction. Lu Yu said, “I will inject additional funds afterwards.”
Not long ago, the federal government disbursed one round of reconstruction funds, but for some reason, the funds were never delivered to Lunan City.
Just then, news came in that the new city lord appointed by the federal government had arrived at Lunan City.
This guy’s name was Song Lun. He was pot-bellied, and had a pair of small beady eyes that were squeezed in by the layers of flesh on his face. When he squinted his eyes, he appeared very affable. The moment he saw Lu Yu, he beamed happily and said, “Count of Western Conquest, I have been looking forward to meeting you for a long time. I have heard how heroic you are. Today after meeting you, I see that you certainly lived up to your reputation.”
Lu Yu simply ignored all this flattery and said meaningfully, “Surname Song? I wonder what is your relationship to the Song family and the main family’s Patriarch?”
Song Lun cupped his hands as a hint of pride crept over his kind face. “Your humble servant is none other than a member of the Song family’s direct lineage. I am the third uncle of the Song family’s daughter.”
Lu Yu froze in surprise. He was just asking a casual question, yet it turned out that this guy Song Lun was really a member of the Song family. It seemed that the four great families wield tremendous power in the federal government.
They could even decide who could become the Lord of a city.
“Count of Western Conquest, perhaps you are unaware. The reconstruction funds allocated by the federal government were intercepted when they were being transferred by the Economic Division. That is the reason for the delay in disbursement.” Song Lun also went straight to the point, and then said he was here on behalf of the Song family to send Lu Yu the funds to rebuild Lunan City.
When Lu Yu asked for further details, he found out that the important position in the Economic Department was occupied by someone from the Ying family. In that instant, Lu Yu understood everything. So it was the Ying family who set up this tumbling block secretly.
“I want to know what’s the reason the Song family wants to provide me with financial support.” Lu Yu said with a frown.
“What our Song family values is precisely your potential, Count of Western Conquest.” Song Lun revealed a businessman’s shrewdness. He did not beat around the bush and explained directly, “I also hope that from now on, you and I will cooperate in good faith to rebuild this Lunan City into a more vibrant and stronger city.”
With that, he stretched out a hand to shake hands with Lu Yu. Lu Yu also extended his palm, and gave this big fat man a gentle handshake.
“Hahaha… Here’s to a happy working relationship.” Song Lun laughed out loud and said he was going to take a look at the City Lord’s Office first.
When he finally arrived, there was only a dilapidated building built on the ruins. If not for the big sign hanging over the main entrance of the City Lord’s Office, Song Lun wondered doubtfully whether he had come to the slum by mistake.
Song Lun’s chubby face sank as he said, “Count of Western Conquest, I am aware that Lunan City is in a state of ruin, but surely it’s not as dismal as this, right?”
“Ahem, please excuse our situation. You see, we are short of money, remember?” Lu Yu coughed awkwardly. “It’s not only the City Lord’s Office. I also don’t have the means to rebuild my own residence.”
“While it’s true that funds are really lacking, the reconstruction of your dojo seems to be in full swing.” Song Lun shot a glance in the direction of the Excellence Dojo and rolled his eyes.
Lu Yu appeared even more embarrassed. “In today’s world, the path of cultivation is the only way. My priority is to rebuild the dojo in the hope that the people of Lunan City can benefit from it and strengthen their bodies.”
Song Lun still rolled his eyes, his expression implying that only fools would believe Lu Yu.
Lu Yu could only change the subject and ask for an update on Song Yu. Since taking leave and leaving the Gamma Military Zone, the Gamma Military Zone had lost contact with Song Yu. As her superior, he naturally had to inquire about her situation.
“It’s all because of the Northern Chill City’s Song family. In the battle to protect Lunan City, they suffered heavy losses and all their elite members perished. Song Fangchang was very incensed and rushed all the way to the main Song family to demand an explanation.”
“Sigh! Thus my poor niece was put in confinement!”
As he recounted this matter, Song Lun looked at Lu Yu and rolled his eyes again. Lu Yu felt so embarrassed that he almost exploded. At the end of the day, he was also partly responsible that Song Yu ended up being confined..
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