If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

A full thousand people gathered at the training ground, which was even more impressive than the three hundred people at the time. Zhou Wu was the commander-in-chief, and Niu Er was the deputy commander-in-chief.

"Niu Er, now that we have added 700 men, are we short of military supplies?"

"Brother Wu, yesterday the Ministry of War sent people to deliver weapons, clothing and other equipment for a thousand men, but the Ministry won't be issuing us repeating crossbows and horses."

"How much of a shortfall is there now?"

"We are short 700 crossbows, and we plundered some horses from the Khmer army last time, so we are short about 400 horses."

"Alright, I'll have Lao Jiang and Niu Mu expedite the construction of the repeating crossbows. As for the horses, I'll think of a solution."

The repeating crossbow wasn't a big problem; the materials needed were just wood and bowstring, neither of which were scarce. However, the horses were quite troublesome. All the warhorses in the country were registered and recorded by the government. Although there were some in the private sector, they were not only rare but also extremely expensive.

However, after the last great battle, Zhou Wu concluded that the Qingyang Army's advantage lay in the mobility of their horses, combined with the long-range attacks of their repeating crossbows—this was the Qingyang Army's secret to victory. Therefore, Zhou Wu was determined to find a way to acquire horses.

------

The county government office of Qingyang County.

"Greetings, Magistrate Chen."

"Haha, Zhou Wu, we don't need to be so polite. I should be congratulating you. You've won three levels in just a few months. That's truly something to celebrate!"

"Lord Chen, you flatter me. Without your guidance, how could I, Zhou Wu, be where I am today?"

Although I don't know how much of Zhou Wu's words were true and how much were false, it was still comforting to hear.

"I called you here today for two reasons: first, to congratulate you on your promotion; and second, to remind you of something—Peng Zhenguo is probably going to cause you trouble again."

"Oh."

"According to reliable sources, Peng Zhenguo has found a backer in Jinshan Prefecture, and that person may come to Qingyang County to cause you trouble."

"Come on then, I have nothing to fear as I am upright."

"That being said, one should always be wary of others; better safe than sorry."

"Thank you, sir, for reminding me."

Previously, Zhou Wu and Peng Zhenguo were of the same rank and were on equal footing. Now, Zhou Wu's rank is higher than Peng Zhenguo's, and given that he also holds military power, it seems he needs to find an opportunity to eliminate this security threat.

Sure enough, a few days later, the prefect of Jinshan Prefecture personally led a group of officials to Qingyang County. It was said that Qingyang County had performed well in the disaster relief efforts and they were there to visit and learn from them. Zhou Wu was also in the welcoming party. Logically speaking, Zhou Wu belonged to the military camp and did not need to participate in such activities, but he could not resist the invitation from the prefect, and he also wanted to see who Peng Zhenguo's backer was.

The arrival of such a large group of officials completely baffled Zhou Wu. Who exactly was Peng Zhenguo's backer? Could it be the prefect?

. . . . .

"I, the magistrate of Qingyang County, along with all the officials of Qingyang County, respectfully welcome Your Excellency the Prefect."

An led all the officials, big and small, of Qingyang County and stood at the county gate early in the morning to wait.

"No need for formalities. We came to Qingyang County with a learning attitude. It is an honor for Jinshan Prefecture that Qingyang County has been specifically commended by the higher authorities."

A plump, middle-aged man helped Magistrate Chen up and then kept praising Qingyang County. Based on Magistrate Chen's previous description, this man should be Jing Binbin, the magistrate of Jinshan Prefecture.

"Lord Jing, I have prepared a small feast to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey. Please, sir."

"Oh, Magistrate Chen, you're too kind."

Although he spoke politely, Prefect Jing showed no intention of refusing.

Qingyanglou, the best restaurant in Qingyang County, has two floors. It was the busiest time of day, and the restaurant, which should have been packed with guests, was rather deserted. The entire first floor was quiet, with not a single table occupied. Magistrate Chen had already led Prefect Jing and his entourage up to the second floor.

"It's the middle of the day, and there's not a single person in the restaurant. This is really a county town."

The man with a gloomy face and a pointed, monkey-like appearance spoke, and the originally harmonious atmosphere became somewhat awkward because of his words.

"Your Excellency has misunderstood. Magistrate Chen has booked the entire restaurant today to entertain you all."

A minor official standing next to Magistrate Chen stepped forward and explained with a forced smile.

"Oh, Magistrate Chen is doing quite well in Qingyang County. He's even able to book a whole restaurant."

Zhou Wu, who was listening from the side, couldn't stand it anymore. He really admired An's ability to endure.

"Hey, Magistrate Chen meant well, how can you speak like that? Get out of here."

Just when the atmosphere was at its most awkward, Prefect Jing spoke up, rebuking the person who had just made such outrageous remarks, thus stopping the farcical situation.

"Who is that person?"

While everyone was seated, Zhou Wu took the opportunity to quietly ask.

“Yu Hou, Prefect of Jinshan Prefecture”.

The prefect, a low-ranking official of the seventh grade, dared to openly defy his superior, An, who was also a high-ranking official of the seventh grade. It was not hard to hear some anger in An's words, but what could he do?

"Sir, this is a specialty dish of Qingyang County: steamed seafood."

This dish was actually created by Zhou Wu. It's a mixed seafood steamed dish. Because the area is near the sea, the locals can find all kinds of seafood. Steaming it all in one pot is convenient, and it gradually spread to Qingyang County, where it became a local specialty.

"Oh my, what kind of nonsense is this? Magistrate Chen, you're using this to entertain the Prefect?"

Just as things calmed down, that irritating voice started up again. Even if Magistrate Chen had a good temper, this repeated provocation was getting to him. Just as An was about to make a move, Zhou Wu spoke up first.

"Hey, whose crotch wasn't fastened properly, and your thing is sticking out."

As soon as Zhou Wu said this, some people couldn't help but burst out laughing, and An also looked at Zhou Wu with a worried expression as he stood up for him.

"Hmph, I am Yu Hou, the Prefectural Magistrate of Jinshan Prefecture. Who are you to be so rude?"

Yu Hou was afraid that Zhou Wu wouldn't know his identity, so he made a point of emphasizing it.

"Prefect of Jinshan Prefecture? What an imposing official air! I am Zhou Wu, Commander of Qingyang Army."

Zhou Wu's revelation of his identity at this moment made his meaning very clear: First of all, I am a military officer, and secondly, my rank is higher than yours. Not to mention you, a mere deputy prefect, even your superior, the prefect of Jinshan Prefecture, cannot control me.

"Bullshit! I've never heard of any Qingyang Army. You're just a greenhorn and you call yourself a commander? I think you're an imposter. Well, you dare to impersonate an official of the imperial court. Guards, seize him!"

All that could be heard was this man's roar. Only an idiot would utter such words—impersonating a high-ranking official in front of all the officials of Qingyang County and Jinshan Prefecture? Everyone stared at him like he was a fool, including the officials of Jinshan Prefecture, and even Prefect Jing.

Zhou Wu immediately understood that this person must have always been arrogant, domineering, and foul-mouthed, which was why the people around him disliked him and even showed a gloating expression.