Starting as a centurion, he fought his way through the chaos of the world.

Chapter 24 Three months

[The crafting method for the Blackscale Heavy Armor: 100000 points]

This armor is quite good. Once worn, it covers the entire body and can withstand 50% of the attacks from experts at the Bone Forging Realm. Moreover, it is not very heavy, making it the most suitable armor. 100,000 points is acceptable.

The only thing that made Lu Ming a little embarrassed was that he had to become a seventh-rank captain before he could exchange for it.

"I can only wait a little longer. I should be breaking through to the Blood Exchange Realm soon. When that happens, I can go up the mountain to kill some bandits, use some silver to make some money, and maybe I can still advance one level."

Lu Ming muttered to himself.

"Husband, get some rest." Li Xi's soft, sweet voice rang out in the darkness.

Lu Ming felt a sudden surge of heat throughout his body.

Ignoring everything else, she tore off her clothes and jumped onto the bed.

Then, embarrassing sounds rang out in the room.

The next morning, after having breakfast, Lu Ming took Zheng Yong out.

Before he went to the prefectural city, the Zhou family and the Wu family both sent gifts, each giving five thousand taels of silver, which was not a small amount for these two families.

Clearly, this is them extending goodwill.

In fact, even if they don't release them, it won't work, because the Qianhu Office has now truly become the sole dominant force.

The Zhang family could be wiped out overnight, something even the two great families combined couldn't do.

Therefore, they have no choice but to bow their heads now.

The Zhou family built a manor on the west side of the town, at the foot of Black Mountain.

Every day, a large number of herb gatherers come to the village to report for duty.

However, now that the sun is high in the sky and everyone has gone up the mountain, it has become much quieter.

Today, Lu Ming was wearing a black outfit, which he bought in the city, and it made him look even more capable and efficient.

Zheng Yong followed behind him, a knife slung at his waist.

His hawk-like eyes scanned the surroundings, fully committed to his role as a protector.

As soon as they arrived at the Zhou family's gate, the gatekeepers came to greet them.

"Greetings, sir. Please wait a moment, I will inform the head of the family immediately."

After the doorman finished speaking, he dashed into the Zhou residence.

They were incredibly enthusiastic.

Clearly, Lu Ming has now truly established himself in Fenglei Town.

A moment later, the Zhou family head came out, his rugged face now filled with flattery.

"I was unaware of your arrival, sir, and failed to come out to greet you sooner. It is truly my fault."

The Zhou family head, who usually had a stern face, was now as docile as a kitten.

He wiped out the Zhang family overnight and was even promoted to commander of a thousand men.

From any perspective, Lu Ming is someone they can't afford to offend.

If those thugs he raised were to fight against the officers of the garrison, they probably wouldn't even know how they died.

"Master Zhou, you're too kind. I've come today mainly to order some medicinal herbs from you. I wonder if that's convenient for me?"

"What are you saying, sir? It's my honor that you're patronizing my business. There's no way you'd say it's inconvenient."

When speaking, he would bow and lead the way.

Once inside the living room, both parties were seated.

Lu Ming didn't speak, but tapped the table with his fingers while scanning his surroundings.

He seemed very interested in the Zhou family.

A hint of anxiety flashed across the face of the Zhou family head.

Finally, unable to hold back any longer, I asked, "What kind of medicinal herbs does Your Excellency wish to purchase?"

"That's all, take a look." Lu Ming took out the copied list of medicinal herbs, adding a few more herbs to avoid alerting the Zhou family head.

After all, high-end items like Body Tempering Soup are not something you can obtain easily.

"These medicinal herbs aren't cheap, sir. They're worth about 1,100 taels. How about I round it down to 1,000 taels?"

“Alright, thank you very much, Patriarch Zhou. However, I don’t just want it this time. I’ll send it every three days. Is that alright?” Lu Ming’s voice rang out.

The Zhou family head's eyes widened instantly, becoming as big as copper bells.

"Sir, a hundred pounds in three days?"

Lu Ming could clearly see that his throat was trembling.

He nodded indifferently.

The Zhou family head immediately replied, "No problem, sir. From now on, our Zhou family's herb gatherers will do their utmost to supply the medicinal herbs to the Thousand Households Bureau."

He has now made a complete decision to abandon all external orders and supply only the Qianhu Institute.

A huge order worth 120,000 taels a year! That's enough for me to work for two or three years, and that's only if we have a good year.

As long as you serve this master well, you'll make money hand over fist.

If he was afraid of Lu Ming before, now he wishes he could treat him like a grandfather.

"That's good. If there's stock, let's start from tomorrow. Payment will be settled monthly."

"I'll listen to you, sir," the Zhou family head quickly replied.

Lu Ming then stood up.

"Since everything is settled, I'll be leaving now. The rest is up to your Zhou family. Don't delay my business!"

“No, absolutely not!” the Zhou family head hurriedly said.

Then, despite the other party's attempts to persuade him to stay, Lu Ming insisted on leaving the Zhou family.

As soon as I returned to the Thousand Household Office, I saw a convoy parked outside.

The blacksmith was inspecting something while lying on it. When he saw Lu Ming approaching, he excitedly said, "Sir, it's all top-quality steel. We can start working today!"

Lu Ming nodded.

It was clearly Baili's cargo that had arrived.

A man who looked like a steward approached at this moment. "Sir, the goods have arrived. Would you like to know the amount of silver?"

Lu Ming glanced at him and said to Zheng Yong, "Go to the accounting office and withdraw 100,000 taels of silver."

As he said this, he felt a pang of regret. All he had left was 230,000 taels of silver, and now 100,000 taels had been gone, leaving him with only 130,000 taels.

The blacksmith will go to the Wu family to buy iron ingots later; he will need another 10,000 taels.

The money has shrunk by half.

Even without other expenses, the cost of medicine is 10,000 taels per month, and the remaining silver will only last for less than a year.

Fortunately, the Zhang family's businesses and commercial taxes were enough to pay their own salaries; otherwise, things would have been even more difficult.

However, this is enough. In less than a year, or perhaps a few months, all of his subordinates will be able to enter the Body Tempering Realm.

Then, there will be many more ways to find money.

A moment later, Zheng Yong and his men brought out the silver.

After finishing the inventory, the manager of the Baili family bowed and took his leave.

In the period that followed, the entire Baihu Office flourished.

In the blacksmith's workshop, after recruiting dozens of apprentices, the old blacksmith started working, and the sound of "clanging" could be heard outside the manor every day.

In the training ground, the soldiers of the Thousand Households would train in the morning and practice the Mo Dao Formation in the afternoon.

Because the silver was plentiful, a thousand strongmen from the thousand-household garrison were also recruited. Although they didn't get to drink the body-tempering soup, they were given plenty of oil and fat, and they also practiced martial arts. They were all young men with vigorous blood and energy.

Not long afterward, some people began to make breakthroughs.

Every three days, a large pot of body-tempering soup is simmered and distributed on the side of the training ground.

All of these factors contributed to the daily progress of the soldiers at the thousand-household garrison.

As for Lu Ming, he had been cultivating and comprehending his own power.

In the blink of an eye, three months had passed, and Lu Ming was welcoming his first autumn since coming into this world.

As for the thousand-household office, it has also undergone tremendous changes.

(End of this chapter)