NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: Promoted to Two Department Chief_2
"Chief Officer Shen."
"Your subordinate is here," Shen Qing stepped forward proactively with his hands clasped in a salute.
Shi Wenbo said, "During this demon disaster in Yongzhou, your actions have been witnessed by all the citizens of the city. It's safe to say that if it weren't for you, the calamity in Yongzhou wouldn't have ended so swiftly. Within the capacity of my authority, I specifically promote you to the position of General of both the Military Department and Guardian Martial Department, commanding the forces of both departments in Yongzhou. I hope you live up to the trust placed in you and safeguard the peace of Yongzhou."
Upon hearing this, a flicker of surprise passed through Shen Qing's eyes.
If he were promoted to General of the Military Department, then where would Huang Furo go?
He unconsciously shifted his gaze towards Huang Furo who stood aside.
He saw her looking at him with a smile, her demeanor gentle yet with a trace of firmness, and her eyes devoid of any negative emotions.
Shen Qing immediately understood: she must have a better position awaiting her.
Without any hesitation, he kneeled on one knee, his voice resonant and forceful, "Thank you, my lord, for cultivating me! Shen Qing will spare no effort and live up to your high expectations to keep Yongzhou safe and peaceful!"
After arranging matters with Shen Qing, Shi Wenbo stood up and said, "Well, gentlemen, we still have to get our things in order for we set off for the Capital early tomorrow morning. We shall not stay any longer."
Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou approached with ingratiation, "Imperial Envoy, since you are leaving tomorrow, why don't we host a banquet tonight at Baihua Building to send you off?"
"No need, just attend to your own duties."
As his words fell, an impassioned aura filled the council hall, making everyone's heart tighten, and without further words, they watched as Shi Wenbo and the others left.
"Where are you planning to go?"
"The Capital, Mountain and Sea Bureau."
"The Capital's Mountain and Sea Bureau is a place of great importance to the court. Lord Huangfu, this is certainly a promotion, congratulations!"
In the county government, sunlight slanted across the cobblestone pathway, stretching the shadows of Shen Qing and Huang Furo long as they walked side by side with leisurely steps.
A complex emotion flickered in Huang Furo's eyes as she sighed, "It's just serving the court in a different place, that's all." Discover exclusive content at empire
Shen Qing smiled and said, "Nevertheless, that's right at the emperor's feet; it's not the same. I've heard that the Capital's Mountain and Sea Bureau has access to the Imperial Armory. With entry into that, Lord Huangfu's prospects would be limitless, and your Martial Arts Cultivation will surely advance further."
"How do you know that after entering the Imperial Armory, one's Martial Arts Cultivation will necessarily improve?" Huang Furo questioned.
Shen Qing was momentarily taken aback, finding himself at a loss for words.
"Never mind," Huang Furo said with a smile, revealing her bright pearly teeth, "I hope that when we meet again, my cultivation won't lag too far behind yours."
Shen Qing also laughed, half-jokingly saying, "That might be a bit difficult. I am one in ten thousand with a high natural talent for cultivation."
"How high?"
"About as high as the third or fourth floor."
Huang Furo was slightly stunned, and then she laughed along, her eyes curving into crescents.
As they spoke, the two had arrived at the entrance to the Prefecture, Shen Qing stopped walking, his smile fading as he looked intently at Huang Furo, "Lord Huangfu, the journey to the Capital is long; please take care. I believe that with your talent and wisdom, you will shine at the Mountain and Sea Bureau."
Huang Furo nodded with a resolute glint in her eyes, "I will give it my all. Likewise, take care in handling everything in Yongzhou."
The two exchanged smiles.
Then they each turned and walked away from the door of the Yongzhou County Office, each towards different streets.
"Until we meet again!"
...
Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, as seasoned officials, had mastered the art of stalling.
There was progress every day, new leads in the case every day, but never a result, wearing down even the patience of Shi Wenbo and the others.
Moreover, these nobles of the Capital were well-informed and had early knowledge of the Xue Family's intentions, further diminishing any motivation to vigorously pursue these cases.
Everything was as Huang Furo had predicted: the death of Xue Yan was beginning to fade into an unresolved case.
After more than a month of investigation, Shi Wenbo and the other imperial envoys had already clarified the disturbances in Yongzhou and immediately prepared to leave, planning to return to the Capital to report.
Yongzhou Prefecture conference hall.
"Gentlemen," Shi Wenbo's voice was steady and powerful as he spoke, "after more than a month, we have finally clarified the demon disturbance here in Yongzhou, restored order to the city, and now it is time to report back to His Majesty. However, before we leave, we must properly arrange the personnel matters in Yongzhou to ensure that there will be a smooth transition and no more disturbances arise."
Shi Wenbo's gaze swept over everyone present, finally settling on Shen Qing.
"Chief Officer Shen."
"Your subordinate is present," Shen Qing said as he stood up proactively, his hands clasped together.
Shi Wenbo said, "During this demon disturbance in Yongzhou, your actions were witnessed by the entire city. It can be said that if it weren't for you, the calamity in Yongzhou might not have ended so quickly. Within the scope of my authority, I specially promote you to be the General of the Military Department and Guardian Martial Department, leading the forces of Yongzhou's two divisions. I hope you live up to the trust placed in you and safeguard the safety of Yongzhou."
Shen Qing showed a flash of surprise upon hearing this.
If he was promoted to General of the Military Department, where would Huang Furo go?
He instinctively turned his gaze to Huang Furo, who stood nearby.
She was smiling at him, her gentle demeanor tinged with firmness, and there was no sign of negative emotion in her eyes.
Shen Qing immediately understood; she must have a better opportunity awaiting her.
Without hesitation, he knelt on one knee, his voice clear and resolute, "Thank you for your cultivation, sir! Shen Qing will do his utmost to not let you down and ensure peace in Yongzhou!"
After making arrangements for Shen Qing, Shi Wenbo then stood and said, "Alright, gentlemen, we still need to pack our things, we will set out for the Capital early in the morning. I will not stay any longer."
Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou both stepped forward ingratiatingly, "Imperial Envoy, since you'll be leaving tomorrow, why don't we hold a banquet tonight at Baihua Building as a farewell to you?"
"There's no need, just attend to your own duties."
Before the words had ended, a vibrant aura swept through the conference hall, causing everyone to grow solemn and stay silent, watching as Shi Wenbo and the others departed.
"Where are you planning to go?"
"Capital City, to the Mountain Sea Department."
"The Capital Mountain and Sea Bureau is a critical establishment of the court. Lord Huangfu, this is a promotion for you, congratulations!"
Inside the prefecture, sunlight slanted onto the flagstone path, casting long shadows of Shen Qing and Huang Furo as they walked shoulder to shoulder, their footsteps slow.
A complex emotion flitted through Huang Furo's eyes as she sighed, "It's just serving the court in another place."
Shen Qing replied with a smile, "But that's under the feet of Heaven; it's different. I've heard that the Capital Mountain and Sea Bureau has access to the Imperial Armory, and with your entry, Lord Huangfu, your prospects are limitless. Your Martial Arts Cultivation is sure to advance further."
"How do you know that one's Martial Arts Cultivation will certainly improve after entering the Imperial Armory?" Huang Furo asked.
Shen Qing was momentarily taken aback, at a loss for words.
"Alright," Huang Furo laughed, revealing her bright canines, "I hope that by the time we meet again, my cultivation hasn't fallen too far behind yours."
Shen Qing laughed along, jokingly replying, "That might be a bit difficult. I am one in ten thousand, with a high natural talent for cultivation."
"How high?"
"About as high as a third or fourth floor."
Huang Furo was also momentarily startled, then she too started laughing, her eyes curving into crescents.
Speaking thus, they had reached the gates of the Prefecture. Shen Qing stopped walking, his smile fading as he looked intently at Huang Furo, "Lord Huangfu, the journey to the Capital is long; please take great care. I believe that with your talent and wisdom, you will shine brightly in the Mountain Sea Department."
Huang Furo nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination, "I will give it my all. You too, be careful with all matters in Yongzhou."
The two exchanged smiles.
Then they turned and walked away from the entrance of the Yongzhou County Office, heading in different directions down the streets.
"We shall meet again!"