Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 310 - 2: The Benevolent Do Not Command Soldiers, Zhao Xing’s Choice

Chapter 310: Chapter 2: The Benevolent Do Not Command Soldiers, Zhao Xing’s Choice

Xier County, Inspection Bureau.

Chen Shijie landed the Arrowfish Flying Boat in the plaza of the Inspection Bureau.

The first destination was not the Minister of Agriculture Supervision, but rather the Inspection Bureau, as Zhao Xing had requested.

He had to handle inspection tasks, and the first protocol was to go through the Inspection Bureau.

Moreover, the task involved a significant number of people; he couldn’t manage it alone and had to utilize the resources of the Inspection Bureau.

As they disembarked, Chen Shijie and Long Xiao both wore grim expressions, for Zhao Xing’s choice of first location alone signaled that this was no trivial matter.

If it involved merely dozens or hundreds of people with low ranks, Zhao Xing and Long Xiao alone would have sufficed, without needing the Inspection Bureau’s assistance.

"Did you really have to come here as your first stop?" Long Xiao couldn’t help but ask as they were about to step into the Inspection Bureau. "Couldn’t you inform the Marquis first if there’s anything important?"

"Long Xiao!" Chen Shijie said sternly, "Don’t interfere with him; the Marquis will understand."

In the Inspection Bureau, the "Great Inspection Envoy" Qiu Mingyi held a Standard Fifth Rank.

This rank exempted him from the control of Marquis Yang An; his position was specifically to oversee the military.

Except for Yang An, whom he couldn’t govern, the Inspection Bureau had the authority to arrest and prosecute any other military officer involved in illegal activities. During wartime, the Inspection Bureau also acted as a law enforcement squad.

Of course, unless it was a case of treason, to dispose of any military leaders, the Inspection Bureau still had to consult Yang An.

The soldiers generally despised the Inspection Bureau. So, nearly every few years, the personnel of the Inspection Bureau had to be replaced, and the departing staff often had to leave secretly to avoid being attacked by the soldiers.

Great Inspection Envoy Qiu Mingyi had been in office for just a year. His relationship with Yang An was relatively harmonious; the previous internal clean-up operations were mostly handled by Yang An himself, with Qiu Mingyi’s role being supplementary, providing assistance in interrogations and inspections.

When he learned that Zhao Xing’s first stop was the Inspection Bureau, he promptly came out to greet him in person.

Because Zhao Xing’s Arrowfish Flying Boat now bore the Ten Suns flag of the Military Realm, they had to treat such a genius, entrusted with such a task, as they would an imperial envoy, representing the will of the Military Realm, or even that of Emperor Jing, at a larger scale.

"Bring Zhao Xing to the main hall for reception," Qiu Mingyi instructed. "Order all Inspectors of third rank and above to return to the county and await further orders."

"Also, notify Master Priest Ma Dezhu of the Military God Temple, and instruct him to bring a team of priests and the enforcement idols Fan Wujiu and Xie Bian."

"Bring out the Qilin Sea Stepping Suit and the Heavenly Facing Bird Feather Hat. I need to bathe and change clothes."

Qiu Mingyi gave the orders to his subordinates with a burst of energy.

Just moments ago, he had been leisurely drinking wine under a grape arbor. But upon hearing of Zhao Xing’s arrival, he was immediately invigorated, even licking his lips unconsciously.

He fully understood the signal Zhao Xing sent by making his first stop at the Inspection Bureau.

"Kill, kill, kill, I want to see rivers of blood!" Qiu Mingyi’s eyes glittered with excitement. "The sharp tools are ready for you, boy. Don’t disappoint me."

During his year here, Qiu Mingyi had mostly been drinking wine. With Yang An reinstated as the main commander, he could only watch a lot of affairs from the sidelines. In Qiu Mingyi’s view, Yang An’s methods were not ruthless enough, failing to expunge all the rot. If he were allowed to thoroughly investigate, more heads would certainly roll.

Now, with Zhao Xing’s arrival, he surely possessed significant evidence, and the scope and rank of the involved were evidently not minor.

Two quarters later, in the main hall of the Inspection Bureau.

"Your subordinate Zhao Xing greets Mr. Qiu," Zhao Xing bowed to Qiu Mingyi, who was one of the evaluators for this first task phase.

Upon completing the first phase of the mission, Qiu Mingyi’s evaluation would carry a significant weight.

"Zhao Xing, what matter do you bring to the Inspection Bureau?" Qiu Mingyi asked.

"By order of the Military Realm, I am here to address the illegal activities in Xier County," Zhao Xing stated directly. "I request the assistance of the Inspection Bureau."

"Oh? How many personnel do you need to mobilize, and how many are involved?" Qiu Mingyi asked.

In fact, the moment Zhao Xing stepped through the door, Qiu Mingyi had already synchronized with the intelligence information. This inquiry was merely to see how much Zhao Xing was willing to disclose.

Zhao Xing was also aware of this. As long as he was conducting the operation and Yang An did not intervene, those involved were doomed. The only question was whether he did it himself or relied on the members of the Inspection Bureau.

"There are a total of 1,423 illicit members involved. I need the entire Inspection Bureau to be mobilized, and preferably, the cooperation of the Military God Temple," Zhao Xing said, handing over a list, "This is the list of the offenders."

"Very well. Investigating illegal activity is the duty of the Inspection Bureau. I will ensure secrecy and grant you full authority over our personnel," Qiu Mingyi said. "This is the Great Inspection Envoy’s order; all personnel of this bureau will follow your command upon receiving it."

"Additionally, Master Priest Ma Dezhu from the Military God Temple will arrive at the Inspection Bureau within an hour to assist you."

"Thank you, sir," Zhao Xing cupped his hands in a salute, then immediately took the Great Inspection Envoy order and left the hall.

Outside the hall, Chen Shijie and Long Xiao saw Zhao Xing emerge holding the Great Inspection Envoy order, and both felt a chill run down their spines. Even Chen Shijie’s eyes narrowed in response.

Zhao Xing, holding the Great Inspection Envoy order, began moving through the various departments, forming the arrest plan.

"Inspector of the First Department, apprehend Changshui Captain Hong Tai and Middle Barrier Captain Qi Shan..."

"Inspector of the Second Department, apprehend Fan Geng and He Cheng..."

"Inspector of the Third Department..."

Long Xiao, being Zhao Xing’s Protector, stayed by Zhao Xing’s side, while Chen Shijie remained in a side hall of the Inspection Bureau, drinking tea and avoiding suspicion.

Hearing Zhao Xing read out that lengthy list of names, Long Xiao’s eyes widened in astonishment.