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

Chapter 157 New NPC! The aloof Commander of Fengming Division!

Su Mo, dressed neatly, stepped into the main hall. Then, his expression suddenly changed, and his eyes narrowed instantly!
To everyone's surprise, one of the three people in the central hall was none other than the incredibly powerful Fengming Si Qianhu, a cultivator at the Guiqiao Realm!

With a large yellow exclamation mark above his head, Su Mo couldn't ignore it!

Su Mo couldn't help but become suspicious.

Wasn't it said that the one coming was the trial commander of the Longxiang Guard, and also the young woman Yin Rou?
Why is the aloof Commander of Fengming Division here too?

Why is there an exclamation mark?

This wasn't available before!
Last time, Leng Liuxi suddenly gained favorability, and this time, Gao Leng Qianhu directly gave her a mission?
Su Mo clicked the exclamation mark without hesitation.

The task panel popped up instantly!
[Nangong Sheyue]: Fengming Si Qianhu (7%)

[Quest]: Divine Arm Bow

[Requirement]: Within three months, manufacture one thousand Divine Arm Bows with a range of over two hundred paces to help Nangong Sheyue establish the Divine Arm Bow Battalion!
[Note]: Because the cost of making a bow by craftsmen in Fengming Division is as high as ten taels, Nangong Sheyue's favor with the emperor has wavered. He urgently needs to prove himself with merits and is even willing to pay a price for it!

[Tip]: Sometimes, low cost of arms production is not necessarily a good thing!

[Reward]: Affection +20%! Rank 2 Sword Embryo! To be determined!

……

As the task panel popped up, a progress bar for affection appeared above Nangong Sheyue's head in real time!
Su Mo was taken aback.

Unexpectedly, I actually have a slight fondness for this aloof and cold-hearted commander!

He only now realized that the commander of the Fengming Division was named Nangong Sheyue, a name that perfectly reflected his aloof and cold personality!

pity.

That cold-hearted girl only ever had a favorable rating, but no exclamation mark ever appeared above her head.

Unable to open the panel to view her true identity.

Su Mo looked at the task panel, especially at the two prompts, and frowned slightly.

Did Nangong Sheyue fall out of favor? And why was the Divine Arm Bow so expensive?
Wasn't the blueprint for the Divine Arm Bow taken away by Leng Xixi just the day before yesterday?

In just two days, Fengming Si has already built the Divine Arm Bow?

This level of efficiency is completely contrary to Su Mo's image of bureaucratic style!

Furthermore, in Su Mo's opinion, the cost of ten taels was really not high.

After all, it was made in a hurry and there was no experience involved, so how low could the price be? Even if I had Ding Bashi make it, it would still cost seven or eight taels per piece.

How could this arouse the sage's suspicion?

Isn't that empress a bit cold-hearted and otherworldly?

Indeed, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger!
I'll have to be extra careful when I see that empress in the future!

Never do anything reckless!

Is she willing to pay a price to help these thousand households complete their mission? What price?
The second hint left Su Mo both amused and exasperated.

Who would have thought that the system could be so cunning!
Knowing that the cost of the Divine Arm Bow was too low, which would offend more people, I made a special reminder to myself!
The final reward was quite generous.

Needless to say, you'll definitely need to boost your favorability rating.

The fact that the sword was of grade two made Su Mo subconsciously swallow hard!
His own sword embryo is a treasure!
Advancing to the second-grade sword embryo is basically equivalent to the power of a fourth-grade magic weapon!

Just by looking at Lord Qianhu's fourth-grade sword-controlling manual, one can see how astonishing the power of a fourth-grade magic weapon is.

A second-grade sword embryo will definitely give me the strength to challenge immortal cultivators in the Soul-Stabilizing Realm and half-step Grandmasters!

No matter how much effort you put into nurturing a treasure and collecting materials to refine it, nothing beats the satisfaction of getting a direct reward from a quest!

Just as Su Mo squinted and stared intently at Nangong Sheyue.

Nangong Sheyue frowned slightly and said coldly, "Why is Officer Su staring at me?"

Lin Moyin's aloofness is a kind of ruthless and decisive coldness!
This aloofness of Qianhu is an aloofness that is unapproachable and completely disdains communicating with outsiders.

He was being stared at like that by Su Mo.

Nangong Sheyue felt uneasy all over.

If it weren't for needing Su Mo's help, he probably would have already given me a scolding!

Su Mo then came to his senses, immediately looked away, and smiled, "Wasn't it an unexpected surprise that Commander Qianhu suddenly arrived?"

He snorted: "I'll give that doorman a good scolding. How could he not even announce the arrival of the Commander!"

With the favorability boost, communicating with the aloof Qianhu became much easier.

Su Mo's gaze fell on Yin Rou, a young woman he had met a few times before.

Then he looked at the burly, scale-armored, and thick-bearded Longxiang Guard commander.

This commander, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, had a dignified appearance and seemed very generous, the complete opposite of Nangong Sheyue!
Su Mo sized up the acting commander of the Dragon Guard, then cupped his hands and said, "This humble official greets Your Excellency!"

"May I ask what brings you to my humble abode, sir?"

The commander of the Longxiang Guard was also sizing up Su Mo.

He was secretly shocked.

The commander of the Fengming Division was extremely arrogant; he didn't even dare to look him in the eye.

This mere captain dared to stare straight at Nangong Sheyue for several breaths!
That's incredibly bold!

Moreover, Nangong Sheyue only frowned and asked a question!

No wonder the Commander-in-Chief repeatedly warned him before setting off not to underestimate the two commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Phoenix Cry Division!

A captain who can get by in both the Phoenix Cry Division and the Embroidered Uniform Guard must have some impressive skills!
He nodded and smiled at Su Mo, saying, "Commander Su, there's no need to be so polite."

"I, Xiahou Yi, have been ordered by the Emperor to lead my troops to garrison the artisan camp at Gufeng Mountain!"

"I have heard that Lord Situ of Fengming Division has handed over full command of the Lone Peak Mountain Artisan Battalion to Commander Su and Junior Commander Yin."

"Therefore, I request Lord Situ to make an introduction so that we can work together to fulfill the important task of guarding the artisan camp in the future."

Su Mo was taken aback upon hearing this.

His gaze couldn't help but turn to Nangong Sheyue: "Lord Commander, what exactly is going on?"

"The Lone Peak Mountain Artisan Battalion is not under the jurisdiction of the Upper Left?"

Also, isn't Yin Rou a captain?

When was he promoted to junior officer?

Nangong Sheyue coldly said, "His Majesty has already transferred the Lone Peak Mountain Artisan Battalion to the Phoenix Cry Division!"

"From now on, all affairs of the artisan battalion will be handled by Commander Su, with Yin Rou assisting him!"

He paused, then continued, "Your Majesty will entrust the heavy responsibility of guarding Lonely Peak Mountain to the Dragon Guard."

Su Mo gasped in shock!
The Longxiang Guard, responsible for guarding the palace, was sent to the desolate Gufeng Mountain, and was even personally commanded by the acting commander!
The Empress valued the Eight-Ox Crossbow and the Divine Arm Bow even more than he had estimated!

But that's just right.

The transfer of a thousand households to the five core institutes should not be a problem.

He nodded solemnly, then nodded to Xiahou Yi: "Please rest assured, Lord Xiahou, I will cooperate with your duties and not make things difficult for you!"

Xiahou Yi nodded slightly: "I am relieved that Officer Su thinks this way!"

Nangong Sheyue suddenly said calmly, "Lord Xiahou, please step aside for a moment. I have something to say to Su Mo!"

Su Mo clicked his tongue in admiration.

That was said without any politeness.

I don't know when I'll be able to speak like that.

Xiahou Yi immediately nodded: "I am under imperial command and dare not delay. I will go to Lonely Peak Mountain now!"

"Lord Nangong, Commander Su, and Junior Commander Yin, farewell!"

He then strode away.

Just as he reached the door, he suddenly saw several sons of noble families, including Zhang Xuzu, Wen Bi, and Li You, walking together. His heart skipped a beat.

How could he not recognize Zhang Xuzu and others?

The Dragon Guard's superior, the Vice Commander of the Vanguard Commandery, is the eldest son of the Duke of Ningguo and Zhang Xuzu's elder brother!
Among the nobles of Shenjing, Zhang Xuzu was definitely the top-tier, not much inferior to princes and princesses! Such a noble was naturally arrogant and domineering, and no one dared to provoke him.

What is he doing at the Su residence?
Could it be that he knows Su Mo?

Despite Xiahou Yi's rugged appearance, he was no ordinary man, having served as a trial commander of a thousand households in the Longxiang Guard.

He quickly stepped forward and smiled at Zhang Xuzu, "Young Master Zhang, what brings you here all of a sudden?"

Zhang Xuzu was also taken aback when he saw Xiahou Yi.

He glanced at Xiahou Yi and the hundreds of brightly armored Longxiang Guard soldiers, then frowned and said, "I have business with Su Shannan."

"General Xiahou, what brings you here?"

Xiahou Yi's heart skipped a beat again, and he quickly asked, "Su Shannan? Su Mo?"

Zhang Xuzu nodded: "That's right!"

"Does General Xiahou not know that His Majesty has already issued an edict, bestowing upon Su Mo the title of Man of Lone Peak Mountain?"

Xiahou Yi was immediately dumbfounded!
baron?

Hasn't the empire stopped granting titles of viscount and baron?
But Zhang Xuzu had no time to argue with him; making money was the priority: "I'm not going to say anything more. I have important business to attend to with Su Shannan."

After saying that, he called to Li You and Wen Bi and hurriedly walked into the side gate of the Su residence.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he was stopped by Yin Rou in the corridor outside the second hall.

Zhang Xuzu was about to scold the ignorant young woman.

But the next second, the sound of Fengming Si Qianhu discussing matters with Su Mo in the second hall abruptly stopped!

……

Su Mo looked at Nangong Sheyue with a serious expression: "May I ask what business you, Commander, have with me?"

Nangong Sheyue's tone was not as cold as when he spoke to Xiahou Yi: "His Majesty has ordered that ten thousand taels of silver be allocated to the artisan battalion of Gufeng Mountain to manufacture one thousand divine crossbows and ten eight-ox crossbows within six months!"

"I would like to know, how many Divine Arm Bows can the artisan camp on Lone Peak Mountain produce per month?"

She pursed her lips and added, "Also, is the cost really... as low as five taels?"

Su Mo's spirits jolted!
The drama is coming!

He took a deep breath and said with a serious expression, "Reporting to Your Excellency!"

"If the material supply is sufficient, producing 300 bows within a month should not be a problem!"

The system says that a thousand bows can be made in three months, so it's impossible that the task cannot be completed.

As he spoke, Su Mo glanced at the second prompt of the task and then said, "The cost... five taels will suffice!"

Nangong Sheyue's eyebrows twitched slightly. After a moment's hesitation, her voice suddenly lowered considerably: "Is it really only five taels?"

He paused, then his voice turned serious: "This matter is of utmost importance. You must not cut corners, or the Emperor will not forgive you!"

Su Mo said in a deep voice, "Rest assured, my lord, I dare to make this guarantee because I am quite confident in my abilities!"

His expression grew even more serious and respectful: "Your Excellency has entrusted this important task to me. I will do my utmost to save money for Your Excellency and the court!"

Nangong Sheyue has a black line on his forehead!

This kid used to be so cunning, how come he's so clueless this time, completely failing to understand my hints?

She suddenly became confused.

If Su Mo could create a divine bow for five taels of silver.

Fengming Division wants ten taels of silver!

This is a big problem!
Could it be that the craftsmen of Fengming Division are not even as skilled as the craftsmen of Gufeng Mountain?
If not.

Is it possible that the artisans of the Fengming Division are embezzling public funds and misappropriating the Emperor's private treasury?

Or perhaps, she, the commander in charge of overseeing the construction of the Divine Arm Bow, was simply too incompetent.

After hesitating for a long time, Nangong Sheyue finally gritted his teeth and lowered his voice even further: "I think the cost of the Divine Arm Bow can be slightly higher!"

Upon hearing this, Su Mo was startled and quickly turned to look around.

His face turned pale. He took a deep breath and lowered his voice, saying, "What do you mean by that, sir?"

"This...this isn't...deceiving the emperor?"

Nangong Sheyue's pretty face darkened slightly: "How can this be considered deceiving the emperor!"

"It's just that Commander Su should focus on improving the power of the Divine Arm Bow, and not put too much effort into saving money!"

Su Mo looked troubled, and finally, when Nangong Sheyue's heart was in her throat, he hesitated before asking, "May I ask, sir, what do you think would be a suitable cost?"

Nangong Sheyue breathed a sigh of relief and said in a low voice, "Seven taels of silver is about right! Any less and I'm afraid we can't guarantee the quality!"

The artisan battalion trial-produced ten taels of divine arm bows, while Gufeng Mountain mass-produced them at a cost of seven taels each, which is understandable.

The difference of five taels is a full double.

I really can't find an explanation!
After this matter is over, we must thoroughly reorganize the artisan battalion. None of those battalion commanders or squad leaders will be able to escape!

Su Mo pondered for a long time before finally nodding reluctantly and saying, "In that case, this humble servant... will try to raise the cost to seven taels of silver!"

He paused, then continued, "However, I once boasted to Lord Leng that it would only cost five taels!"

"Please, sir... explain this to me!"

Nangong Sheyue fell silent, then looked at her intently for the last time: "Can't you find any other reason?"

He paused, gritted his teeth, and said again, "After this is done, I... will not mistreat you!"

Su Mo took a deep breath.

Isn't that exactly what he was waiting for?
The system has warned that in order to regain the Empress's favor, Nangong Sheyue is willing to pay any price!

Su Mo looked directly into Nangong Sheyue's eyes: "My lord, please rest assured!"

"The Eight-Ox Crossbow and the Divine Arm Bow are national treasures. I will strive for perfection and will never cut corners to save money!"

Nangong Sheyue nodded, and for once, she smiled at Su Mo, her attitude becoming much more friendly: "It's good that you know!"

"Once this is accomplished, I will certainly petition His Majesty to recommend you for credit!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the favorability bar above his head suddenly jumped.

It's gone from 7% to 10%!
After a slight pause, Nangong Sheyue added, "I will also reward you handsomely!"

Su Mo quickly bowed to Nangong Sheyue and said, "This humble servant thanks you for your trust, my lord!"

Nangong Sheyue thought for a moment and said, "The ten thousand taels of silver allocated by His Majesty will be escorted to the artisan camp by Xiahou Yi. If there is a shortage, you don't need to argue with him. Just let Yin Rou handle it!"

Su Mo swallowed hard.

It really makes a difference when your favorability rating increases!
Lord Nangong always knows how to consider his own interests.

Leave the task of offending people to Yin Rou!
The two completed their shady deal.

Nangong Sheyue and Su Mo walked out of the second hall together.

Then, to my astonishment, I saw that Zhang Xuzu and the other two had actually arrived.

When Zhang Xuzu and the others saw that Su Mo had come out together with that terrifying Fengming Division commander, they secretly swallowed hard and hurriedly bowed to Nangong Sheyue to greet him!

Su Mo looked at Zhang Xuzu with some surprise: "Brother Zhang, Brother Li, Brother Wen, what brings you here?"

"Do you have business with me?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Zhang Xuzu nodded and smiled, "We know that Lord Su has just been bestowed the title of Man of Lonely Peak by His Majesty, so we have come here to congratulate Lord Su!"

He paused, then suddenly asked out of the blue, "And another one!"

"Lord Su is from Changping County. Do you know who Mr. Zhiru is in Changping County?"

Su Mo was immediately taken aback: "What, Mr. Zhiru?"

Zhang Xuzu laughed and said, "It's Mr. Zhiru, the one from the poem 'If only life were as beautiful as the first time we met'!"

Zhang Xuzu's expression was solemn, and his voice was full of admiration: "To be able to write such wonderful lines, one must have rich life experience and profound understanding! He must be a literary elder and a great scholar of our time!"

"Lord Su, you must have heard of this before?"

(End of this chapter)