Chapter 1387: Chapter 1387 - 1372: A Show of Force

According to the system of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the military and political administrations of states, counties, and prefectures are separated. Take a county as an example: the administrative chief is the Prefectural Governor, while the military chief is the County Captain. However, in the hierarchy, the military chief County Captain is half a rank lower than the administrative chief Prefectural Governor. Under normal circumstances, the Prefectural Governor takes precedence, and the County Captain is subordinate.

However, this is only typical. In border counties of the Great Zhou, like North Sea County that suffers greatly from water demons and demon clan, the military chief County Captain often overrides the Prefectural Governor.

Many times, the Prefectural Governor must cooperate with the County Captain to keep the territory safe and the populace secure. This situation is tacitly accepted in the Great Zhou.

North Sea County is such an example, and because it also suffers from water demon and demon clan issues, it is almost a military centralized county. Thus, the authority of the County Captain is considerably large.

In some respects, the County Captain of a county like North Sea County is almost like a local tyrant.

Naturally, County Captain Tang Biao of North Sea County is not welcoming of someone like Viscount Ye, who descended from above.

No local tyrant would be happy to suddenly have a lord set over them. But regardless of his displeasure, the laws of the Great Zhou are strict, and especially the prince and nobles have great authority over officials in their fiefdoms. In the worst case, losing one’s position is minor.

Under normal circumstances, even if County Captain Tang Biao was dissatisfied, he would still have to respectfully come to greet Viscount Ye. But a visit from a mysterious person days prior changed County Captain Tang Biao’s mind.

This subsequently led to the current extremely tense atmosphere.

In the evening, Viscount of North Sea Ye Zhen entered through the east gate of North Sea County City with much fanfare. Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu led over a hundred subordinates from various government offices to greet Ye Zhen at the east gate.

However, none of the officers under the command of current County Captain Tang Biao, who currently holds sway over North Sea County, showed up. Not a shadow was to be seen.

Ye Zhen did not become angry but calmly accepted the homage led by Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu alongside other officials. Soon after, Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu ushered Ye Zhen to the newly constructed Viscount Mansion, hastily completed in the past ten days.

The Viscount’s Mansion of North Sea, located in the southern part of North Sea County City, was originally the County Governor’s Mansion. Due to time constraints, it was expanded and renovated based on the County Governor’s Mansion, making it the Viscount’s Mansion of Ye Zhen.

As for Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu, he requisitioned a civilian residence a few miles away and rebuilt it into the Prefectural Governor’s government office.

"Lord Ye, everything in this County Governor’s Mansion was personally refurbished and arranged by me. However, the maids and servants inside are still arranged by me for the time being, and you can replace them one by one after you settle in," Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu said, while pointing to the plaque at the entrance of the Viscount Mansion covered in red silk. "Lord, this is the Viscount’s Mansion of North Sea; please unveil it and move into your new residence..."

"No rush!"

Ye Zhen waved his hand with a smile, "Governor Qiao, why hasn’t County Captain Tang arrived yet?"

Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu’s expression changed. This was exactly the question he feared the new Viscount might ask. Everyone knew County Captain Tang Biao’s intention was to show the new Viscount a show of defiance.

Of course, everyone knew it, but no one would say it out loud.

"Lord, just an hour after your command talisman arrived, County Captain Tang Biao sent a report stating that water demons had invaded the northern sea area and that he went to repel them," Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu said.

"Repel them?" Ye Zhen let out a cold laugh, "When will he return?"

Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu’s face changed again, speaking softly, "Lord, there’s no certainty in repelling them; it could be as short as two or three days, or as long as ten days, half a month, or even longer."

"So does that mean as long as this Viscount is in office, he will be repelling them? Governor Qiao, do you think Commander Tang is truly repelling them, or is he lying in wait for this Viscount?" Ye Zhen stared intently at Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu and asked forcefully.

Under Ye Zhen’s piercing gaze, cold sweat immediately broke out on Qiao Fu’s forehead. Hesitating for a few moments, Qiao Fu softly replied, "Lord jests, Commander Tang is really out repelling the sea invaders, I can vouch for that! We North Sea County frequently face banditry; water demons and the demon clan have frequent incursions, and Commander Tang spends almost nine-tenths of the year...repelling them!"

Hearing this, Ye Zhen’s pupils suddenly constricted as his expression turned cold, "Really?"

"Really!" Suddenly, seemingly thinking of something, Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu’s expression became resolute.

"Very well!"

Ye Zhen let out another cold laugh, having already made up his mind about Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu. This path was chosen by Qiao Fu himself, so when the time comes, he could not blame Ye Zhen.

The talk of County Captain Tang Biao repelling sea invaders is known to be just an excuse. However, Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu, knowing the real situation of Tang Biao, still chose to support County Captain Tang Biao.

"I won’t unveil the plaque for now. Let’s first enter the mansion to take a rest!" Ye Zhen said.

"Lord, I have prepared a banquet to welcome you..."

Before Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu could finish, Ye Zhen interrupted, "No need. Traveling has been tiring; it’s best to rest early today!"

Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu’s expression turned somewhat awkward, "Lord, this might seem a bit lacking in courtesy..."

As Qiao Fu finished his words and looked up, Ye Zhen had already stepped into the mansion, and half a quarter-hour later, chaos erupted inside the mansion as the maids and servants arranged by Prefectural Governor Qiao Fu were all driven out by the Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunter.

The show of force was so obvious that the attitude of the officials throughout North Sea County was clear. As for the maids and servants within the mansion, it was likely that there were numerous spies. It would be strange if Ye Zhen were willing to use them.

Looking at the tightly closed gates of the Viscount’s Mansion of North Sea, Governor Qiao Fu’s face was gloomy.

In his view, Ye Zhen, the Viscount of North Sea, was unwilling even to keep up appearances. He was simply too inexperienced, completely negligible.

This further confirmed what the other side had said, that Ye Zhen was merely a fortunate official who climbed up through the princess’s favor, lacking any real means.

With the means of the other side, as long as this Ye surnamed Viscount reached North Sea County, he wouldn’t last a year or two before being ousted.

At this moment, Governor Qiao Fu felt that his choice a few days ago was correct!

He casually called over a confidant, gave a few instructions, and then Governor Qiao Fu quickly left.

Not long after Qiao Fu left, several watchful eyes appeared in the hidden, shadowy corners around the Viscount Mansion.

At the same time, in the military camp outside of County City of North Sea, a towering man over two meters tall with a muscular build and a face full of steel-bristle-like beard, County Captain Tang Biao, was pacing back and forth inside the large tent, looking somewhat anxious.

Suddenly, an officer dressed in plain clothing stepped into the tent, and County Captain Tang Biao quickly went up to him, "So, how is that Ye’s reaction?"

"Reporting to the lord, Viscount Ye was coldly received upon entering the city. After reaching the Viscount’s Mansion, he showed displeasure on the spot and didn’t attend the welcome dinner arranged by Governor Qiao, instead he went directly to rest at the mansion.

However, according to my observations, those who accompanied him are all outstanding, and they follow his orders very obediently!"

Hearing this, County Captain Tang Biao pondered for a few moments, "It seems this young man is not deep, should not be difficult to deal with! But the identity of the Wind Patrol Envoy, however..."

"County Captain Tang, rest assured, my lord already has arrangements in place, it’s just a matter of a day or two. Without the support of Captain Tang, relying solely on his meager entourage, it won’t be long before my lord subdues him.

By then, County Captain Tang, you will continue to enjoy your life in North Sea County as if it were paradise! Moreover, it’s not as if County Captain Tang is new to the office; here in the west, there’s no one that Inspector Xio can’t handle!" A man dressed as a scholar said confidently within the tent.

This man’s assurances set County Captain Tang Biao’s heart at ease.

"The Junior Director is right; there truly isn’t anyone that Lord Patrol of the West can’t handle on this ground." Saying this, County Captain Tang Biao called to his subordinates.

"Come, set up the banquet, today we must let the Junior Director Ma have a good time!"

This Junior Director Ma was from the West Patrol Office. Usually, those from the West Patrol were lofty and unattainable, and County Captain Tang Biao couldn’t make any connections. Now that the West Patrol proactively reached out to ally with him, if he didn’t seize the opportunity, he would indeed be foolish.

Looking at the enthusiastic Tang Biao, Junior Director Ma remained calm and still reminded, "County Captain Tang, although Ye Zhen has temporarily given in, his underlings, the fifty Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters, aren’t to be trifled with, especially since there’s a Heavenly Patrol Divine General among them, you must be extremely careful!"

"Junior Director Ma, rest assured, I will be extra cautious! People, pass down the order, tonight’s patrol and each guard post, increase to three times the usual!" Tang Biao commanded.

Instantly, the entire military camp of the Soldiers of North Sea County became full of Killing Qi; the guard became several times more stringent. At the same time, an array of mountain and sea delicacies was being delivered to the Commander’s Tent in an endless stream.

Moreover, graceful maids entered the tent, attending to the side of the generals, immediately filling the tent with chirping and laughter.

During the height of intoxication, several generals unscrupulously extended their hands into the garments of the maids beside them and began to grope vigorously. Seeing this, Junior Director Ma followed suit, and suddenly, laughter filled the Commander’s Tent.

.....

At the same moment, within the Viscount’s Mansion of North Sea, Spirit Scout Niu Er, who had stealthily infiltrated the mansion, was reporting the information he had gathered to Ye Zhen.

"My lord, the situation is currently like this: County Captain Tang Biao, who has military authority, is not yet deploying troops but is stationed in the military camp outside the city waiting for news. However, according to reliable information, from tomorrow, County Captain Tang Biao is likely to begin long-term military deployment.

Once he starts that, my lord, you will be... I implore you to make swift decisions!"

Niu Er’s meaning couldn’t be clearer; if Ye Zhen couldn’t control the military authority of North Sea County, then he’d be a nominal Viscount with no real power, and without the cooperation of the army, their attempt to re-establish the Second Route Wind Patrol would face great difficulty.

The frown of Heavenly Patrol Divine General Feng Jiumo twitched, "My lord, shall I take a batch of Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters to break into the military camp and see if I can capture that guy alive! Or perhaps, find an opportunity in a few days to deal with that guy..."

"No!"

Before Feng Jiumo finished speaking, Niu Er opposed, "The Soldiers of North Sea County have been repelling invaders for years and are battle-tested; charging in with your few people is no different than seeking death!"

"But..."

"There’s no need for you to argue anymore!" Ye Zhen suddenly interrupted the argument between Niu Er and Feng Jiumo, "I already have a plan for this matter! However, before taking action, Niu Er, there is something I need to discuss with you!"

"What is it?" Niu Er asked with a face full of confusion!