What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 121 Commander, I've been promoted again!

Hearing the Empress say three sentences in a row, she said she wanted to investigate Su Mo!

Fengming Si Qianhu felt a sudden chill and hurriedly responded and left.

Leng Liuxi remained seated in the stone pavilion for a long time!
That clerk had completely caught her attention!

Knowledge was the most precious asset of this era. The aristocratic class controlled the world by monopolizing knowledge.

Of all the knowledge, the way of governing a country is the most important!
This is the art of slaying dragons!
How could ordinary people possibly grasp it, let alone be qualified to grasp it!

Those who possess the art of slaying dragons, regardless of the dynasty, must be controlled by the imperial court.

Otherwise, endless troubles will surely follow!
These were the learned scholars, sages, and wise teachers who had taught her in the past and were still teaching her now!
Never before have they uttered such concise words of wisdom on governing a country!

The saying "governing a large country is like cooking a small fish" perfectly captures the essence and core of governing a nation!
As an emperor!

Leng Liuxi's understanding is ten times deeper than that of Fengming Si Qianhu!
There was also a proposal for a policy pilot program, which almost made Leng Liuxi slam her hand on the table in admiration!
Just these two sentences.

That clerk can be called a national hero!
Even more terrifying.

He not only knew the art of slaying dragons, but was also proficient in financial management, and could write masterpieces such as "When Will the Moon Be Bright Again?", "Three of Us in the Shadows", and "An Old Man's Youthful Madness".
Governance, finance, literature, cooking...

And then there are those exotic and ingenious crafts such as perfumes and distilled spirits...

Any one of these is enough to make someone dedicate their entire life to studying it!

The young clerk, not yet twenty, was not only well-versed in everything, but had also reached a level that ordinary people could not reach!
It's absolutely unbelievable!
How could Leng Liuxi not be suspicious!
Where did Su Mo come from... such a prodigy! And who taught him such skills?
have to say.

Su Mo's suggestion to quickly increase the imperial treasury's funds really struck a chord with her!

Relax some regulations?

Could this quickly solve the imperial court's financial problem?

Leng Liuxi couldn't help but look in the direction Su Mo had left!
As the first female emperor in history, Leng Liuxi broke the rules.

What harm is there in breaking it again?

However, the clerk also said so.

Every policy and regulation of the imperial court affects hundreds of millions of its subjects!
It cannot be decided arbitrarily.

or?

Should we start by selecting a county near the capital, which is adjacent to the city, as a pilot area?

Let's see how it goes.

Perhaps, before implementing it, we should consult the clerk again about the specific strategy?
Leng Liuxi could naturally see it.

Although the clerk had already uttered some shocking words, he was clearly still hiding something very well and refused to reveal it!

That method could even solve the problem of the Northern Barbarians...

Leng Liuxi's eyes flashed with an increasingly fierce light!

Wei Zhengguang submitted a memorial stating that the lower ranks of the Imperial Guard in Shenjing were becoming increasingly lax, and therefore requested that junior officers who had made meritorious contributions in suppressing the Tianmu sect be rewarded.

This serves as both an inspiration to the lower-ranking soldiers and a warning to them!
Leng Liuxi didn't think much of it.

He was just a minor officer.

Moreover, Wei Zhengguang's request is indeed reasonable.

He then issued an imperial edict.

I never imagined that a single imperial decree would summon such a prodigy to the capital!

Thank goodness!
Such great talent, if discovered beforehand by spies from the enemy country, could fall into enemy hands...

……

The carriage stopped.

We are already at the Vermilion Bird Gate of the inner city.

Su Mo looked back at the majestic city wall and felt a sense of utter absurdity.

The newly promoted junior officer was promoted to senior officer in less than two months!

Can promotions really happen that fast?
If we do it again, wouldn't that be like testing a hundred households?

If the trial centurion of Shenjing were to return to Changping County, wouldn't his father-in-law, Xue Shan, be eager to serve him tea and water?

Fengming Division Commander warned himself not to reveal the matter of his performance review to anyone!

Bullshit!

If even the Lord of the Thousand Households, who said "If you do not betray me, I will not betray you," can't be trusted, then who can I trust?

Of course, Su Mo wouldn't go looking for Lin Moyin right now.

Who knows if the Phoenix Cry Division has sent someone to secretly monitor me?

Lord Qianhu is probably on duty at the Qianhu Office at this time.

Let's find a place to fill our stomachs first.

That day on the first floor, Xue Yishu and Wang Xiuzhi praised him highly, and Su Mo had long admired him.

I was thinking of ordering some signature dishes to have a friendly cooking competition.

But not knowing the location, they had to give up.

Turning my head, I saw a rare two-story restaurant.

Those coming and going were all people of some status; there were many carriages parked at the gate, and servants were watching over them.

A plaque in front of the building reads "Zhenweilou".

The gateposts are inscribed with the following couplet: "A cauldron of spring wine brings the flavors of mountains and rivers; a thousand cups of cloud-like liquor await your arrival."

It truly deserves the description of a place where guests flock in droves, and the couplets at the entrance are quite bold, so the food must be quite good.

This is a good opportunity to test the waters.

Half of the profits from the East and West markets were inexplicably seized by Fengming Company as protection money.

Su Mo naturally had to find other ways to make money.

Clothing, food, housing, and transportation were the four major necessities for the ancients, and they were also the most lucrative professions.

Su Mo has no real foothold in Shenjing, so replicating the Changping County model is definitely not going to work.

Opening a restaurant is the perfect choice!

Adding distilled liquor to stir-fries helps maintain customer flow.

With a junior officer in the Imperial Guard and the powerful lord as a backer, a restaurant can still be managed.

They don't even need to show their identity as Fengming Si.

Although Su Mo came on foot.

But this outfit alone cost four or five taels of silver, basically making the word "nouveau riche" stick to his forehead.

The jade talisman at the waist, in particular, has an astonishing hidden value; it's common for it to sell for thirty or fifty taels of silver to someone who knows its worth.

Considering that few people can recognize the value of the jade talisman.

Su Mo won't brag about it everywhere!
After all, only one in ten thousand can cultivate immortality. Even if there are two or three million people in the capital, there may not be more than a thousand immortal cultivators.

On the street, very few people could discern Su Mo's true character.

Then a rich young man dressed in clothes worth several taels of silver appeared.

A waiter immediately came to greet them warmly!

Su Mo asked them to lead him to a private room near the main street and ordered some signature dishes and a pot of fine wine.

He then fell into a deep thought.

Looking back on the performance review, did I say anything I shouldn't have?

Hmm, there shouldn't be any.

I only answered the questions after thinking them through myself.

My words might be a bit inappropriate, but they certainly won't offend anyone!
Examples include concealing land ownership and households, as well as increasing commercial taxes.

Su Mo would never mention such a suggestion that would offend people to death.

Relaxing the rules of etiquette will certainly not offend anyone.

It's not mandatory.

Some wealthy merchants, now that they have money, want to improve their status and prestige, and they are naturally happy to be able to buy those things with money.

The court is equally pleased that it can quickly collect money and fill the national treasury by giving up some insignificant things.

Who would blame themselves for being the instigator?
What puzzled Su Mo was...

What was the reaction of the commander of the Fengming Division?
That's really strange!
It was as if someone was manipulating her to ask the questions!
The problem is, that stone pavilion, you can see everything at a glance.

The area is surrounded by clear, still pool water, making it impossible for anyone to hide.

Who was in charge of her?
Also, it was just a routine performance review.

How did I transfer from the Embroidered Uniform Guard to the Phoenix Cry Division?

They even inquired about matters of wealth and goods, as if their words could reach the ears of Heaven.

Su Mo really couldn't understand the reason.

Forget it.

It's not too late to ask her when we see Lord Chiju tonight.

Limited by the available resources, no matter how smart you are, it's impossible to grasp the whole picture.

Just as Su Mo was frowning and deep in thought.

Suddenly, a somewhat familiar voice, tinged with surprise, rang out.

"Huh? I never expected to meet you here, my lord!"

Su Mo subconsciously turned her head to look.

I was stunned for a moment.

Fortunately, after training with his third uncle for a period of time and leading the Jinyiwei of the Jiazi Group for a month, he became much more composed.

Otherwise, they would be terrified and reveal their weakness!
After her initial shock, Su Mo immediately adopted a surprised expression: "It's you?"

"Brother... how did you arrive in Shenjing so quickly?"

The -39% favorability bar above her head—who else could it be but that demoness from the Heavenly Mother Cult!
This was a Grand Sorcerer at the peak of the Divine Realm, and he still harbored the thought of killing Su Mo. How could Su Mo not be shocked!

However, this is Shenjing, which is also Su Mo's territory.

The demoness from the Heavenly Mother Sect should not dare to act recklessly.

Looking at Bai Susu, Su Mo immediately became suspicious.

Last time it was clearly -59% favorability.

How did it suddenly become -39%?

Are pancakes and silver really that powerful?
No wonder the system didn't issue a red warning!

Bai Susu was still disguised as a man, but her makeup skills were so good that it was extremely difficult to detect any clues.

She smiled and said, "After my husband left last time, I happened to come across a carriage heading to the capital, and I asked him to give me a ride..."

She didn't elaborate on the issue, then said, "I only realized now that you were dressed so casually before, sir. I was really mistaken!"

Su Mo smiled wryly and said, "Brother, you've misunderstood."

"I am by no means a rich man; I merely purchased a nice robe to make a good impression."

"In the capital, dressing like this will save a lot of trouble."

He didn't finish his sentence.

The waiter then carried over a large wooden tray: "Sir, your braised mutton, steamed mandarin fish, and spiced chicken soup... are here!"

"And this pot of Chen Family Brew!"

"But this is a newly produced top-quality wine in the capital. It's all thanks to our Zhenweilou restaurant; ordinary restaurants don't have such fine wine!"

"Please enjoy your meal, sir!"

Su Mo...

Bai Susu looked at the table laden with seven or eight main dishes and a pot of aged liquor, and covered her mouth with a smile: "Is this also for show?"

"Brother, you're probably putting on a bit too much face!"

"It is said that Zhenweilou is one of the most famous restaurants in the outer city, and the dishes are not cheap."

"This meal, sir, must cost two or three taels of silver, right?"

Su Mo gave a wry smile: "I only asked the restaurant to bring out a few of their signature dishes to try, I didn't expect so many to come."

Seeing that this demoness from the Heavenly Mother Sect showed no sign of leaving.

Su Mo could only smile and say, "If you don't mind, why don't you sit down and have a meal with me?"

Bai Susu: That's exactly what I was thinking!

After saying that, he sat down opposite Su Mo without any hesitation!
your sister!
Shameless!

Su Mo cursed under his breath. Bai Susu ignored Su Mo and picked up her chopsticks, saying, "Not bad!"

"The dishes at Zhenweilou are expensive, but they are worth the price!"

"My lord, you should eat too!"

She smiled and poured Su Mo half a bowl of wine: "I've only just arrived in the capital, and I've already heard of the Chen Family Brew!"

"Indeed, the wine is as clear as water; it is a rare find in the world!"

"By the way, my name is Su Bai. I apologize for not having asked your name, sir!"

Su Mo understood that the other party must know his identity, and even knew a lot about the Dragon Gate Cave.

Otherwise, why would he hold such a grudge against an ordinary member of the Imperial Guard?

There were over a thousand soldiers involved in the Battle of Longmen Cave.

If I had to remember them all, I probably wouldn't even have time to sleep!

Therefore, Su Mo smiled and said, "So it's Brother Su Bai!"

"What a coincidence! I share the same surname, Su, and my given name is Yimo!"

This Bai Susu, if she changed her name to Su Bai, she really wouldn't be afraid that people wouldn't know her identity as a demoness!
A witch is a witch!

Extremely arrogant!

Bai Susu was unaware of her own background, but Su Mo knew everything about her.

He laughed and said, "That's quite a coincidence!"

"May I ask, sir, where do you currently reside?"

"I have just arrived in the capital and am looking for a place to stay so I can devote myself to my studies and prepare for the imperial examinations. Perhaps..."

Su Mo immediately interrupted him: "I have just arrived in Shenjing and am staying at a friend's house. I am not familiar with Shenjing and I am afraid I cannot help Brother Su Bai!"

Su Susu smiled and said, "In that case, I will find a quiet place for myself."

"With delicious food in front of us, let's eat first!"

"Please, my lord!"

……

Su Mo could only share food with the enchantress.

I'm currently figuring out how to extricate myself legitimately without arousing suspicion.

Unexpectedly, we had only eaten half of the meal and had barely drunk any wine.

Bai Susu's expression changed slightly, and she said, "Please forgive me, my lord!"

"I have just woken up and have some things to do, so I'll take my leave now."

"Thank you for the banquet, sir. I will certainly return the favor another day!"

After saying that, he got up and left in a hurry!
Su Mo sneered inwardly.

He even thanked me for the dinner!

The favorability rating hasn't changed at all!
Just as he was about to look away, he was surprised to find that a bright "light bulb" suddenly popped out from above Bai Susu's head.

Su Mo was dumbfounded!

Should we click on this exclamation mark?
She's a cult leader, and 99% of her missions are related to rebellion!

I saw it but didn't dare to do it.

Wouldn't that be just torturing yourself for nothing?
But in the end, Su Mo still foolishly clicked on the yellow exclamation mark!

then.

shocked.

[Bai Susu]: Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Mother Sect (-39%)

[Task]: Menstrual cramps
[Requirement]: Help Bai Susu treat her dysmenorrhea.
[Tip]: No matter how strong a woman is, certain physiological problems are unavoidable. It is said that simmering dragon's beard grass and blood lotus seeds over low heat and drinking it warm is highly effective for this condition.

[Reward]: Affection +20%
……

Su Mo was speechless.

No wonder Bai Susu suddenly got up and left!

It turns out it was my relative who came!
And the relatives even brought knives!
Should I try to increase her favorability?
That's a full 20%!
Once I turn things around and improve her feelings for me, I won't have to be so anxious when I see her in the future.

problem.

She is a holy woman of the Celestial Mother Sect!

If something goes wrong, will it implicate me?
Su Mo hesitated for a long time.

One last grit of teeth!

It's done!

As long as I don't say anything, who would know that I know her true identity!

Even if Bai Susu's affair is exposed, he is just a Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) whom she deliberately approached to gather intelligence.

He was decapitated by a peak-level sorcerer of the Divine Realm while he was sleeping, and this occurred between the time he was investigated by the Embroidered Uniform Guard after the incident.

Su Mo decisively chose the latter.

Between two evils, choose the lesser one!
Besides, this was the third NPC he had finally encountered who could give him quests.

Moreover, the frequency of task releases appears to be extremely high.

You might have unexpected gains in the future.

If you encounter a mission involving rebellion, simply refuse to accept it!

But where can we find those dragon's beard grass and blood jade lotus seeds?
Su Mo had no appetite left.

Call the waiter to settle the bill.

The enchantress's judgment was spot on!

No more, no less, just two or five qian of silver. Su Mo's heart bled!

He ate up his entire monthly salary in one meal!

Despite the high prices, there are still quite a few customers dining here!
It seems there are still a lot of wealthy people in Shenjing!
Opening a restaurant in the future will be very profitable!
Su Mo looked at the food that was still more than half full on the table and said, "Take it all up!"

Carrying the leftovers wrapped in oil paper, I went back to my house in Liushuihe and visited several pharmacies and clinics, but I couldn't find out the origin of the dragon's beard grass and the blood jade lotus seeds.

It is probably a spiritual object that only Taoist sorcerers can use.

Go back and ask Commander Qianhu!
……

Back at the Liushui River residence.

Jiang Lan obediently stood guard outside the gate of the house.

Su Mo asked habitually, "Have you eaten?"

Jiang Lan felt an even greater sense of awe towards Su Mo. After hesitating for a moment, she whispered, "No!"

Su Mo simply handed the leftovers she had packed back to Jiang Lan: "You did a good job today!"

"Take this food back with you."

"Come back tomorrow morning to serve me!"

Jiang Lan's pretty face lit up with joy, and she hurriedly said, "Thank you for the reward, sir!"

"Then...this servant takes her leave!"

Su Mo waved her hand: "Go ahead, go ahead!"

Back at home, Su Mo, this lazy bum, sat cross-legged and began practicing the Yang Tian Technique!

no way.

The Heavenly Mother Cult's demoness whipped him during his cultivation!
Unfortunately, without the help of Lord Qianhu, the progress of this Yangtian Technique is slow!
Su Mo now knows that his rapid progress in dual cultivation with Lin Moyin is entirely due to the absorption of yin energy to replenish yang energy.

Lord Qianhu is expending his own profound Yin magic power to aid his cultivation!
I've made rapid progress.

Lord Commander, you've actually regressed quite a bit!
I wonder when another mission will come along that directly improves one's cultivation level and realm!

For Su Mo, no amount of hard work in cultivation could compare to the comfort of a direct reward from the system!
The best things are those that you get without working for them.

We still need to improve Lord Qianhu's favorability as soon as possible.

It's 100% ready!

You might be able to advance directly to the Soul-Stabilizing Realm!

With the addition of a first-grade talisman sword embryo and a demon-subduing pestle, he might not be without a fighting chance against a sorcerer in the Divine Realm.

After the cultivation is completed.

It was already dark outside.

Lord Qianhu should have already finished his shift.

Now is the best time to go see Lord Chiju.

If I don't go, the secret agents of the Phoenix Cry Division who are secretly monitoring me might become suspicious.

Let's assume for now that someone is secretly monitoring me!
Anyway, I should just be more careful in the future.

The two houses are very close to each other.

Su Mo hadn't walked far when he arrived at the house with three willow trees in front of it.

Guards of the gate.

It was still Tan Jin and his two strongmen.

Tan Jin, who had received half a tael of silver as a reward from Su Mo the night before, immediately greeted him warmly: "Little Su, you've come to see Commander Qian again?"

Su Mo nodded: "Is Lord Lin at home?"

Tan Jin quickly replied with a smile, "Yes, I'm here!"

"Lord Lin just finished his shift not long ago!"

Su Mo nodded and then entered the courtyard, naturally without needing Tan Jin to lead the way.

I met Lord Lin in the dining room.

Lord Lin was holding a bowl of white rice, with a small dish of pickled vegetables and a plate of boiled greens on the table, and he was eating with great relish.

Su Mo was dumbfounded: "Could it be that the Thousand Household Office doesn't provide food?"

Lord Qianhu looked up at Su Mo: "Bag!"

"Aren't I hungry again?"

Su Mo frowned, "Even if you're hungry, you don't have to eat this, do you?"

"Are you trying to pretend to be poor in front of me?"

"Trying to rip me off again?"

Lin Moyin looked at Su Mo with a serious expression, then nodded earnestly: "Yes!"

Su Mo...

I'm poor now!

At least two-fifths of Changping County's income has been lost.

I need to save the little money I have to make it work for me!
He snorted, then said, "My lord, I wish to cultivate!"

As he spoke, he approached Lin Moyin and silently traced two words on the table with his finger: "Secret Talk!"

Lin Moyin narrowed her eyes slightly and snorted, "You finally know how to practice diligently!"

"After I finish my meal, I will guide you in your cultivation!"

……

After a while.

Lin Moyin led Su Mo into the bedroom.

Su Mo pointed to the table and wrote in the air, "Is this place safe?"

Lin Moyin nodded and said in a low voice, "There should be no problem."

"I have set up a magic array here to block out sound, so I have no fear of being eavesdropped on!"

Su Mo then said in a deep voice, "Mo'er, I've been promoted!"

Upon hearing this, even the usually composed Lord Qianhu widened his eyes in disbelief as he stared at Su Mo.

"what?"

"You got promoted?!"

That bastard, he's only been a junior officer for a short time!
The competition for the position of centurion of Changping Garrison is still fierce, and Chu Jianghe may not actually be able to take the job.

The garrison is still nominally under Lin Moyin's control.

How could her superior not know that Su Mo had been promoted?

Hmm, exactly nine thousand words... Just a little short!
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(End of this chapter)