Becoming a god by following the natural order and seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune.

Chapter 15: First Military, Then Courtesy
Returning to Changshan County, everything I saw began to slowly overlap with the long-forgotten memories in my mind.

The initial sense of unfamiliarity gradually faded, and more delicate and complex fragments of memories belonging to the original owner, like thawing streams, uncontrollably resurfaced in her heart.

The desolate and cold outside the city and the bustling and prosperous inside the city are separated by only one door, yet they are like two completely different worlds.

On one side are emaciated refugees and indifferent guards, and on the other side are bustling streets and alleys filled with traffic and noise. This sense of incongruity seems so natural here.

Chen Sheng originally thought that the local powerful figures and the county government's show of force would not be limited to the cold reception at the city gate. Perhaps there would be further difficulties upon arrival at the county government, or even a deliberate attempt to humiliate Wu Kuang.

However, to his surprise, when they arrived at the county government office, there were already dozens of people waiting to greet them at the gate.

The leader was none other than Lin Shou, the magistrate of Changshan County. He was plump and fair-skinned, with a round face and a pair of squinting, smiling eyes, and a full beard. He smiled before speaking, quickly stepped forward, and bowed apologetically to Wu Kuang, saying:
"Oh dear, I was so busy with official duties that I almost missed the important event of welcoming Magistrate Wu! It was all my oversight, and I hope Brother Wu will forgive me and not take offense!"

"Haha, Magistrate Lin, you flatter me!"

Wu Kuangli nimbly dismounted, his face instantly spreading into a warm, spring-like smile, as if the unpleasantness at the city gate had never happened.

“As the magistrate of the county, Magistrate Lin is busy with countless affairs every day, which is a blessing for the people of Changshan County. How could I, Wu, be such an ignorant person? We are all serving the court and working for the benefit of the people. Such formalities are not worth mentioning.”

Chen Sheng stood quietly to the side, observing silently, his expression unchanged. He knew that although Wu Kuang was greedy for money, he was extremely shrewd and cunning. Such a change of face in officialdom was just a basic skill for him.

"Haha, I'm relieved that Magistrate Wu is so understanding!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Shou's smile grew even more genuine, as if everything before had truly been a misunderstanding. He then enthusiastically expressed:
"The office of County Magistrate Wu has been tidied up and all the items have been replaced. In addition, the local elders and virtuous people have specially prepared a small banquet at Juxianlou to welcome Brother Wu. I hope that Brother Wu will not refuse."

"Oh? Since you gentlemen are so kind, then I, Wu, will have to accept your hospitality." Wu Kuang hesitated for a moment before readily agreeing.

"Good! Good! That's excellent!"

Lin Shou clapped his hands and laughed, appearing extremely pleased.

Next, Lin Shou introduced the officials behind him to Wu Kuang one by one, including the county magistrate, the registrar, the clerk, the head constables, and the prominent clerks in the county government.

Despite any potential discord between the two sides, Wu Kuangzheng's rank as a seventh-grade county magistrate was undeniable, and everyone treated him with utmost respect.

Wu Kuang then took the opportunity to formally introduce Chen Sheng, his trusted deputy.

Lin Shou had already noticed the composed and heroic young man behind Wu Kuang. Now, after hearing the introduction, he carefully looked Chen Sheng up and down a few more times, and praised him with a smile:
"Indeed, he is a handsome and extraordinary man. It is truly enviable that County Magistrate Wu has such a talented individual under his command!"

"You flatter me, sir. I am unworthy of such praise." Chen Sheng quickly bowed, his attitude humble.

Lin Shou, however, did not take it seriously. He smiled and praised Chen Sheng a few more times, his gaze lingering on Chen Sheng for a moment longer.

However, this extra attention made Chen Sheng feel a strange sensation. He felt that there was something intriguing hidden in the depths of the magistrate's eyes, and that it was not just simple appreciation.

'Could it be... that my identity has been exposed?' A thought flashed through his mind, but he immediately dismissed it. 'It shouldn't be. Even if the original owner's identity was somewhat involved, it had no direct connection to Lin Shou, and besides...'

He sensed it to himself, but the "Seeking Good Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune" celestial book in his sea of ​​consciousness remained unresponsive, offering no warning whatsoever. 'It seems perhaps I was just overthinking it.'

After some polite greetings, Lin Shou personally led Wu Kuang into the county government office to familiarize himself with the environment and settle in. Chen Sheng was naturally not qualified to accompany him inside. After exchanging greetings outside the door, he was ordered to lead his troops to the military camp for resettlement.

Based on the adjustments made by the imperial court in recent years to the powers and responsibilities of officials in response to local unrest, the power of the county constable has been greatly enhanced, and he is now in charge of the entire county's tasks of apprehending thieves, suppressing bandits, maintaining stability and security, and even quelling rebellions.

Logically speaking, the yamen runners and clerks in the three shifts and six departments of the county government who were involved in public security and criminal cases should also be under its jurisdiction.

The most core directly subordinate force was the Changshan County Armed Forces Battalion—a sizable local armed force directly under the command of the county magistrate. The position of Commander-in-Chief of this Armed Forces Battalion was precisely Chen Sheng's next target.

He was in charge of the military affairs of a county and held real power. In terms of influence in Changshan County, he was among the top five, and was a proper eighth-rank official.

However, he was well aware of the difficulties involved, because strictly speaking, his current title of "Deputy Commander" was only a temporary appointment in the army and did not have a formal court rank, not even the ninth rank.

Even if Wu Kuang intended to promote him, it was impossible to simply place him in such an important position as the commander of the military camp out of thin air. Merit, seniority, and even his apparent cultivation level were all factors that had to be considered.

On the way there, Wu Kuang had already told him the truth: he would first arrange for him to serve as the commander of one of the four major towns under the county's jurisdiction, holding the rank of ninth grade official and ruling the area alone.

Once he has accumulated enough merit and raised his cultivation to a level that commands respect, he will then plot to become the commander of the military camp.

Undoubtedly, there is an element of "pie in the sky" involved.

However, the glimpse of the future that Chen Sheng gleaned through the "Auspicious Fortune" celestial book suggests that Wu Kuang's words may not be entirely unfounded.

Huang Ren is dead, and he has become the only trusted military confidant that Wu Kuang brought into Changshan County. As long as he demonstrates sufficient value and loyalty, Wu Kuang does need to support a capable general who can be fully controlled to take over military power.

That evening, Juxianlou was brightly lit and filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and toasts.

Almost all the county officials, prominent local gentry, and powerful figures were present. The event was ostensibly a welcome banquet for the new county magistrate, but it was in reality a subtle test and confrontation. Although there was no excessive flattery, compliments and sycophancy were heard everywhere.

However, beneath the facade of harmony, Chen Sheng clearly discerned the unspoken message: they hoped Wu Kuang would choose to cooperate and work together with the local forces for mutual benefit.

The saying "The family remains unchanged, but the officials come and go" is an implication that Wu Kuang should see the situation clearly and not get in the way of everyone's wealth.

Even more shockingly, after learning that Chen Sheng was Wu Kuang's confidant, some heads of powerful families, under the influence of alcohol, subtly proposed to arrange a marriage between women from their clans in an attempt to win him over.

Sugar-coated bullets, nothing more.

The cold reception at the city gate during the day was a show of force, while the lively banquet at Juxianlou at night was a demonstration of their "sincerity."

Whether to be an enemy or a friend depends entirely on Wu Kuang's decision.

Chen watched coldly, knowing that if he hadn't received a strict order from the prefectural city before coming, requiring him to rectify the local situation, given Wu Kuang's "money-first" nature, he would most likely have gone along with it, mingled with these people, and made money together.

Unfortunately, the superior officer transferred him here because he was from the military and had little connection with the local area, hoping that he could act decisively and make a breakthrough.

If he goes along with the corrupt practices and does nothing, then he will likely be easily discarded by his superiors and replaced with someone more capable.

At this moment, Chen Sheng could vaguely sense the subtle struggle and weighing of options beneath Wu Kuang's smile.

Midway through the banquet, Chen Sheng made an excuse and quietly withdrew from the noisy Juxianlou. Instead of returning to the military camp, he determined his direction and headed towards the northern area of ​​the city that he remembered.

That was the original owner's home.

His trip was not merely to reminisce about the past or to be moved by the scenery.

Furthermore, the long-dormant "Seeking Good Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune" celestial book had already provided new hints before entering the city.

My name is Chen Sheng. When you see this sentence, I deeply regret it...

(End of this chapter)