Zhuang Mingyue and Zhang Tianchang had just entered Wang City Prefecture on an official boat when they felt a stark difference in the atmosphere compared to several months ago.
There were many more merchant ships on the Tianxiang River than before, and crucially, these ships were not only sailing alone but also daring to navigate at night.
As everyone knows, in any part of the Great Song Dynasty, sailing at night was considered quite dangerous, with a high chance of encountering demons.
Even if one had to navigate at night, it was usual to gather dozens of merchant ships and hire specialized agencies guarding the waterways to escort them.
However, in Wang City Prefecture, these local shipping merchants were very bold, speeding on the water at night, leaving the many boatmen and captains on their ship stunned.
When they arrived at Jing Port, they learned that ever since Lord Lin of the Capital Commandant’s office in Wang City took charge, he had vigorously eradicated demons; he not only exterminated all the demons within the Prefecture but also extended his efforts to the Tianxiang River.
For a while, Lord Lin patrolled the river daily on a boat, executing any demon or demon cultivator on sight.
Lord Lin was also fierce against those who committed evil. A while ago, he single-handedly obliterated three nearby bandit dens, slaughtering over a hundred demon cultivators.
It was said that Lord Lin had excellent perceptive abilities and very strong combat skills. It was rumored that demons and demon cultivators now shuddered at the mention of Wang City, with those undergoing demonic transformations fleeing the region at the first opportunity, so the entire prefecture under his governance was very peaceful.
"I’ve always felt that the lad Twelve is no ordinary person, and indeed it is so,"
Zhang Tianchang stood on the dock and glanced around: "He has only been in charge for a few months? Actually, when I came here on official business half a year ago, the demon dragon was still around, and the entire vicinity of Wang City was very desolate, with almost no pedestrians on the roads. Only this port area was somewhat bustling, with just a bit of liveliness, but it couldn’t compare to the thriving prosperity and booming trades we see now."
Zhuang Mingyue also observed the endless stream of people and carriages on the dock and then looked at the distant Walls of Wang City, a slight smile curling at her lips: "Not bad at all! It’s worth my recommendation,"
As they walked outside Jing Port, Zhuang Mingyue, with her keen senses, overheard the workers on the dock discussing Lin Twelve.
"Have you heard? Our Prefectural Governor, Lord Li, and Capital Commandant, Lord Lin are supposedly getting transferred to serve in the capital."
"I know, the higher-ups are talking about making Civilian Umbrellas for both gentlemen. I’m puzzled why though. Prefect Li has been governing our prefecture for a year, and him being transferred is understandable, but why Lord Lin too?"
"What else could it be? His outstanding achievements, look at what Wang City has become now?"
"It’s a shame, if Lord Lin could have stayed in our Wang City for a longer period, such a good official is hard to come by. Previously, it was thanks to him distributing grains from the storage that my family had a much better year. He also worked day and night, patrolling the city rivers, slaying demons, which made our dock’s business several times better than in previous years. The next Capital Commandant who takes over might not match up."
"It certainly is a shame. I have nothing to say about making a Civilian Umbrella for Lord Lin and erecting a Stele of Remembrance. But why Prefect Li Changguo? He has been in our Wang City for a year, and we just followed him eating chaff for half that time."
"Shut your mouth! The title of Prefectural Governor is not for you to judge. Keep it down, don’t let the Government Officials from the Prefecture hear you."
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Zhuang Mingyue and Zhang Tianchang exchanged glances, realizing Lin Twelve’s reputation among the local officials was indeed excellent.
Not long after they had left the dock, they looked up and saw Lin Twelve and his Blood Blade Ji Ce galloping towards them.
"The two of you caught me by surprise,"
After dismounting his horse, Lin Rui looked slightly astonished. He saw Zhuang Mingyue and Zhang Tianchang, and behind them, dozens of Capital Commandants dressed in ’Imperial Dragon Guards’ uniforms, including several Martial Dukes among them.
Why had Zhuang Mingyue brought so many Imperial Dragon Guards with her?
Lin Rui then forced a smile and bowed slightly to the two before him, his words tinged with reproach, "Why didn’t Sister Teacher and Brother Tianchang send a message ahead of your visit? I should have been the one to welcome you at the dock."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianchang’s expression eased; he was genuinely afraid that this fellow would start with "Little Zhang."
Zhuang Ming Yue listened to Lin Rui’s words, but her expression was somewhat awkward.
She smiled and waved her hand, "What is our relationship? Why bother with these formalities?"
Zhuang Ming Yue knew that Lin Rui would come to the dock to welcome her, felt it was inappropriate, and thus did not notify him in advance.
Zhuang Ming Yue was aware of the significant responsibility of the ’Spying Bureau Commandant’ and knew that soon after, their family would also need to show great respect to this position. How could she allow Lin Rui to come to greet her? If others knew about it, they would only say that she, the Miss Zhuang Family, was too presumptuous.
Zhuang Ming Yue also felt a secret sigh of relief; when she had recommended Lin Rui to her father and the Garrison Commander of Sha State, she never expected that in just a few months, he would rise rapidly, taking control of the most powerful department within the Imperial Guard Office, becoming one of the hottest figures in the Great Song Dynasty.
"Also," Zhuang Ming Yue paused, her cheeks reddening, "I am just a named disciple of the Divine Envoy and have not yet been fully accepted into his sect. I don’t deserve the title of senior sister; in the future, you should call me junior brother."
Lin Rui was slightly startled at these words, and then he realized.
It seems Zhuang Ming Yue was not his real senior sister. She was merely using the Divine Envoy’s name for convenience in her actions.
This was similar to how he, in Qin Yan’s cave residence, wielded Meng Tian Official’s name to bolster his influence.
And according to the rules of the Great Song Dynasty, once Zhuang Ming Yue truly joins the Divine Envoy’s sect, she would still have to call him senior brother.
Lin Rui then laughed and clasped his hands, "Sister Zhuang has exceptional talent and virtue. Sooner or later, you will be accepted into our master’s sect. Each of us speaks for our own."
Zhuang Ming Yue still felt awkward. The once junior constable had now become not only her superior but would also become her senior brother in the future.
Thinking of the word ’superior,’ Zhuang Ming Yue’s face became solemn, and she took out a scroll of official documents from her sleeve: "Director Lin! We are here by imperial decree to deliver the transfer documents to you!
Decided by the Commandant of the Imperial Guard and the three Divine Envoys, Lin Rui’s current position as a fifth-grade Lower Mingwei Colonel is upgraded, his position as the Defense Commander of Wang City is removed, and he is appointed as the Spying Bureau Commandant. Furthermore, by the order of the Third Divine Envoy, please head to the capital as soon as you receive the documents to take up your new post!"
The two of them were entering the capital to participate in the promotion exam and were preparing to return to Sha State when their master entrusted them with this task.
Normally, these documents should have been distributed through the Bureau of Communication channels, but the Third Divine Envoy, fearing delays and negligence from the Bureau of Communication, had them deliver this transfer document on their way back to Sha State.
Lin Rui’s expression also grew solemn as he took the documents in hand.
He glanced through quickly, noting that it consisted mostly of the standard bureaucratic jargon, basically proclaiming that the defense official, Lin Rui, was a talented individual, not only exceptionally gifted but also virtuous and clean, whose tenure had accumulated numerous meritorious deeds, and whose achievements were remarkable, making him a capable and moral official. Hence, he was promoted to Colonel Mingwei and appointed as the Spying Bureau Commandant.
Lin Rui, far away in Sha State, realized that the person who wrote the document lacked a thorough understanding of him; the achievements listed were somewhat embellished, and many details did not align.
However, the document bore the seals of the Imperial Guard Commandant and the three Divine Envoys. Explore new worlds at freewebnovel
Lin Rui had always been puzzled about why the Imperial Guard would appoint him as the Spying Bureau Commandant and was deeply curious. He found no clues in the document.
At that moment, Zhuang Ming Yue signaled to several robust men in Imperial Dragon Capital Commandant garb to bring forward a huge black box, two zhang high.
"Rui, take a look at this," Zhuang Ming Yue said with a smile as she unveiled the wooden box: "This is something Senior Sister Meng asked me to bring for you. You might guess what it is, but Senior Sister Meng still said it would surprise you."
Lin Rui’s expression brightened, knowing it must be the Heavenly Demon Dragon Armor crafted on Meng Weiyun’s behalf!
However, when those Imperial Dragon Capital Commandants opened the black box, Lin Rui’s eyes still narrowed slightly.