Chapter 217: Chapter 217

"My Lord, you have had a long journey, why not take a rest first? Dealing with the matter tomorrow wouldn’t be too late."

Du You waved his hand dismissively: "No need. Just give me a schematic of the bandit distribution, I will act immediately. The sooner I finish this, the sooner I can hit the road." That’s just the way professionals are, time is too scarce to waste in one place.

The City Master did not insist, and directly handed him a rough schematic. Despite its crude quality, it was comprehensible. "Then we will have to trouble Mage Du. This is the result of our investigation, slightly inaccurate, but most of it is correct."

Du You took the map and strode out of the City Lord’s Mansion. As soon as he stepped out, he summoned Xiaozi and took to the sky.

Only after Du You left, did the officials return to the City Lord’s Mansion with the City Master.

"My Lord, is our decision really appropriate? That one recommendation spot..."

The City Lord waved his hand: "Kaski, tell us, how much money do we have left in our coffers?"

"My Lord, we cannot touch this money. We don’t have much left, and we were planning to buy food with it. Otherwise, people outside will starve, and they will surely storm the City Lord’s Mansion then."

"You all have realized it too, haven’t you? We cannot use our wealth; we must search for other methods. The mage seems reasonable, otherwise I wouldn’t have offered the slot."

"But, My Lord, we worked so hard to get the approval of the Divine Flame Empire this year, and received one slot. Giving it away , we’re at a serious loss."

The City Master glared at the man discontentedly, "Then what would you suggest? We are already at our wit’s end. Nearby cities have no chance of sending reinforcements, we were already planning to fight to the death. Isn’t it good that someone is here to help now? Besides, why would he help if we don’t show some sincerity?"

"If the mage fails, we won’t lose anything, and at the very least, some bandits will be eliminated. If he succeeds, it’s just one recommendation spot, we won’t lose anything. Perhaps we can even use this chance to obtain the wealth left behind by the bandits, which will improve our situation in Qingji City."

So, this was the City Master’s real plan.

"You’re correct, My Lord. Everything should revolve around Qingji City, all else can be abandoned."

Another official spoke with some dissatisfaction: "But, we could easily sell this slot. The price of such a slot is already extremely high in the black market. Selling it for money to hire people or buy things would be much easier."

Thinking of the price of the recommendation slot, everyone’s eyes lit up. In general, these slots are reserved for nobles’ children in most cities. It’s only in small cities like theirs that there are vacancies. Scores of common people who want to become nobles are eyeing it, even some nobles who need merits are watching it, making the price tremendously high.

"Hmm, you are oversimplifying it. Is the slot that easy to sell? Moreover, the empire has just recognized our territorial status this year, and we are selling the recommendation slot. How are the great nobles going to look at us?"

Everyone fell silent. Indeed, such action might not matter much to other cities, but doing this in their first year would make them lose face. Who knows how the nobles would treat them.

After all, they are just a small city, it wouldn’t matter if they were abandoned.

"Moreover, though this slot may not seem important, it’s actually a key criterion for a city’s power and contributions."

A glint shone in the City Master’s eyes: "I have secretly investigated long ago. The contributions made by each city’s recommended person for the Empire are counted towards the recommending city. If the person recommended is very powerful and makes a great contribution, then the city can get the empire’s favor in resources, which is very important for our Qingji City."

"The strength of this mage can be validated in this effort to exterminate the bandits. If he truly is powerful, our Qingji City will rely on this mage for development, do you understand."

Indeed, Qingji City is too remote, and it is basically impossible to develop this place. But if they have the empire’s favor in resources, they might be able to do something else.

Although their location is desolate, lacking in good resources, there aren’t any threats either.

"Such a spot, held in our hands, serves no purpose at all. White Stone City, while beneficial for gaining military merits, is extremely dangerous. Do you get it? Do any of you want to go there?"

Alright, among these people present, many have no ranks, and even those who do are capped at level two. Those with level three are basically military commanders. With their abilities, going to White Stone City would be suicide.

"So, this is why our lord has decided to give him a recommendation spot. Truly brilliant, My Lord. No matter how that man performs or whether he is successful in gaining noble status with this authorization, it will only bring good, not harm, to our Qingji City." Everyone finally understood.

Indeed, that’s why they couldn’t become the City Master, this was the difference.

The City Master picked up a piece of mantou and gently nibbled at it: "Let’s wait and see, everything ultimately depends on the strength of that mage. If he’s not strong enough, we might have to organize our own people to fight to the death; don’t celebrate too early."

Now everyone remembered; although the prospect seemed promising, it all relied on the strength of the mage. If he wasn’t capable, in the end, nothing essentially changes.

But to see hope and then continue in despair, it was an unpleasant feeling in their hearts. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝕟𝕖𝕥

"My Lord, shall we continue to organize personnel?"

The City Master lowered his head, speaking indifferent, "Continue to assemble, prepare but do not act, we should know the outcome by nightfall. Also, inform any nearby covert agents to keep a constant watch on those bandit camps, and to immediately report any special changes."

They may not be able to track Du You, but they could certainly monitor those bandit camps.

Du You, who was currently flying in the sky, had no idea about the City Master’s scheming. If he knew, he would surely be astonished. Clearly, no one who sits in high positions is truly a fool.

With a useless recommendation spot, they could reap huge benefits. It was indeed a brilliant scheme. But even if he did know, Du You would have accepted it anyways.