Chapter 157: Chapter 157
Owen Bertram nodded secretly, knowing full well what kind of place the Wood Dynasty was.
Just looking at the Extinct Village made it clear. Such a dangerous place, where people die in three years, why do people keep coming in? It’s because they can’t survive outside in the face of various taxes and levies, but at least Extinct Village grants them three more years of life.
As for this "Guardian Hall", it currently focuses on cases involving ghosts and demons, but as soon as it expands, it can reach out to all aspects of the Wood Dynasty.
Wanting to investigate someone, as long as it is related to ghosts and demons, there is an excuse to do so. No one can be certain whether or not it has anything to do with the ghosts and demons until the case is thoroughly investigated.
This Scholar Dunn is not simple at all.
Matthew continued, "Scholar Dunn founded the Guardian Hall with a focus on ability rather than background. It is said that over the past month, many strong people have been recruited, and the basic framework of Guardian Hall has been established, mainly with ghost catchers, demon beast hunters, and underachieving solo cultivators as members."
"In some places near the Capital City, Guardian Hall has already begun handling cases."
Owen Bertram nodded and asked, "What kind of people are Adonis Dunn and Abner Lane?"
Matthew earnestly stated, "Scholar Dunn is an honest official of this age, harboring great ambitions, wanting to help the nation and extend the country’s luck for another 5000 years!"
"Master Lane... is very special, perhaps the only person in the Horizon Bureau who has no selfish intentions and just wants to do his job."
After saying that, Matthew sighed, "It’s just a pity that he probably won’t be able to hold on much longer."
Horizon Bureau is rotten to the core, and Matthew, a grassroots Lord Prescott, could see it clearly. Abner Lane’s character was certainly admirable, but the final outcome would most likely be a tragic end.
One tree cannot support a hundred branches.
Owen Bertram pointed to the official document in front of him, "What is the specific nature of this arrangement for our Horizon Bureau to assist Guardian Hall in recruiting personnel?"
"Scholar Dunn requested His Majesty’s decree and stated that both Horizon Bureau and Guardian Hall are part of the Imperial Court. Guardian Hall ranks half a level lower and is a subordinate, so that military officers of the Horizon Bureau can hold positions within Guardian Hall.
Horizon Bureau will also support the establishment of Guardian Hall. Whoever Guardian Hall is interested in can be contacted directly by the General government and be transferred there.
When they are recruiting in various places, we must also provide them with convenience."
Owen Bertram couldn’t help but say, "What does the Emperor mean by this? By saying that Guardian Hall is ranked half a level lower, the face of Horizon Bureau is saved, but there is no hierarchy system in place, so Guardian Hall can formally transfer people from the Horizon Bureau with just one official document?"
Although the Horizon Bureau maintained a bit of face, it was actually Guardian Hall that gained the real benefits. The Horizon Bureau shouldn’t be thinking of taking advantage of infiltrating Guardian Hall either, as the people there are not fools; they would definitely screen the candidates before making a request.
Matthew bitterly smiled, "Master, you truly have insight, seeing the essence of the situation right away. I have no qualification to know the specifics in court, but I heard that His Majesty is wary of the Horizon Bureau, so he supports Lord Dunn."
Owen Bertram understood that the Horizon Bureau’s power was too great, and they might not be very obedient.
"The official documents were sent to Quinn Base yesterday, and they rushed them over this morning. However, due to the delay of one night, the gold-medal Arrester from Guardian Hall might have already arrived at Jaafar County. Shall we go and welcome him?"
In the newly established Guardian Hall, the rank levels are distinguished by the shoulder badges worn on the left shoulder: the lowest level are Bronze-badge Arresters, followed by Silver-badge and Gold-badge Arresters, and higher are Double-badge, Triple-badge, and Chief Arresters.
Owen Bertram also noticed that the Wood Dynasty’s official system was different from those in his previous life’s history, and because the dynasty had lasted so long, it had undergone many reforms, resulting in a chaotic and messy mix.
A small place like Jaafar County could send a Gold-badge Arrester, showing that Guardian Hall’s side has an attitude of "eager to find talents" and highly values the Prescott Group at Quinn Base.
Matthew’s long-term fixed thinking within officialdom led him to believe that they should go and welcome the newcomer, especially since Guardian Hall was in favor with His Majesty at the moment.
But Owen Bertram wasn’t concerned about all this formalities.
He admired Adonis Dunn for shouldering the responsibility of the collapsing empire and Abner Lane’s commitment to staying true to his heart despite the mud around him.
If Owen Bertram were in their shoes, he might not be able to do the same.
However, this doesn’t mean that he must immediately echo their cause and devote himself to this still unfamiliar "Guardian Hall". In fact, in his previous life, Owen Bertram witnessed how many well-intentioned policies by famous ministers eventually turned into harmful governance when applied to the people.
Moreover, Owen Bertram doesn’t think he should reveal himself at this moment - shouldn’t he hide a few more tricks? His strength is not yet on a level where he can act recklessly.
"No, don’t go." Owen Bertram said lightly as he left, back turned. Welcoming a Gold-badge Arrester wasn’t as good as accompanying my youngest boy to find something to eat.
Matthew bitterly smiled, mentally chastising himself: yes, what is Master’s status? Asking him to deal with the officialdom and its welcome policies would make him uncomfortable.
Before Owen Bertram stepped out of the outpost, a hearty voice echoed through the sky, "Is Lord Prescott of Quinn Base and Chief Flag Owen Bertram here?
Gold-badge Arrester Orson Everett of Guardian Hall is here to visit!"
Owen Bertram was surprised: is he coming to my door?
And why did he single out my name? As a mere Chief Flag, am I really so conspicuous?
Could it be because it’s happening on the territory of my outpost?
Owen Bertram shook his head softly, realizing he wouldn’t be able to dodge this. Since they named him directly, he had to follow Matthew and go out to meet them. He secretly warned Matthew, "Remember, you’re my superior. Don’t let our relationship slip in front of outsiders."
At the gate of the outpost, a sturdy man was mounted on a spirited warhorse, wearing half-armor and a golden shoulder badge of Guardian Hall on his left shoulder. A three-edged, double-bladed spear hung on his saddle, and a Chain Lock Meteor Hammer was wrapped around his waist.
Confronting the entire outpost alone, he was not the least bit intimidated. The outpost’s military officers secretly praised him as "what a man!"
Matthew and Owen Bertram welcomed Orson Everett together. He was forthright and generous, asking, "Have you seen Lord Dunn’s official document?"
Matthew hastily nodded, "We were just about to head to Jaafar County to welcome the Arrester when you arrived."
"We can’t wait," Orson Everett sighed, "There is a growing number of demonic disturbances, and the local government is either ineffective or incompetent. We hope to set up Guardian Hall as soon as possible."
Matthew laughed, "Arrester Everett is truly dedicated to his duty."
Orson Everett saluted him, "Honestly, I came here to ask for Lord Prescott’s help."
"Of course, with Scholar Dunn and Master Lane’s official documents, the Horizon Bureau will do everything it can to assist."
Orson Everett said, "Thank you, Lord Prescott. I came to Jaafar County this time to request someone from Quinn Base’s Prescott Group."
Orson Everett pointed to the side, "Chief Flag Owen Bertram."