Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day before the Empress's visit to Shu County on the fifth day of the fourth month. Yuzhou City was visibly bustling with activity.

The streets and main roads were kept spotless, and anything that affected the city's appearance was strictly controlled.

Each restaurant also conducts strict checks on all customers, and anyone found to be suspicious will be immediately sent to jail.

The number of patrol teams in the city has increased several times, and petty criminals have almost disappeared during this period.

Checkpoints were set up at all four city gates to thoroughly check all people entering and leaving, with a particular focus on martial artists.

"Xu~"

A horse's neighing echoed in front of the neighborhood.

A warrior, nearly thirty years old and clad in black armor with a fierce expression, addressed the civilians who had rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, speaking sternly:

"From the fifth day of the fourth lunar month to the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, none of you are allowed to leave the neighborhood!"

These words immediately drew indignant voices from the crowd.

"Why can't we go out? Sir, that's too domineering."

"Sir, you should at least give us a reason, right? We need to eat too, you know. The stone statue I carved for Master Gao's family is about to be overdue."

"General Dong, please do us a favor. How can we not leave the neighborhood during the day? What will we eat if we don't work?"

Faced with the people's conflicting opinions, Marquis Wu was furious.

"Enough! This is an order from the governor's office. Anyone who dares to disobey is going against the imperial court. Are you planning a rebellion? Hmm!"

Upon hearing the word "rebellion," the people immediately fell silent, and when they looked at the General on horseback, their eyes showed even more fear.

Seeing that everyone was intimidated by him, the Martial Marquis broke off his horsewhip, pointed it at them, and continued to threaten: "Let me tell you..."

I, Dong Biao, come from humble beginnings in the martial arts world. I worked as a ghostwriter in Guanliang for two years before being noticed and enlisted in the army, becoming a military officer here.

I'm a rough man, I don't have any grand theories to share. All I know is that whether you understand what I say or not, you must do it.

otherwise……"

He suddenly leaped forward and kicked a rock on the side of the village.

The rock, weighing at least a thousand pounds, was kicked so hard that it flew more than twenty steps off the ground before coming to a stop amidst a cloud of dust.

"This is what happens, do you understand?"

After showing off his skills in front of others, Dong Biao remounted his horse and rode away.

Upon returning to the governor's mansion, Dong Biao dismounted and immediately abandoned the arrogance he had displayed in front of the people, adopting a fawning attitude as he tried to enter the governor's mansion.

"Stop! Who is it?"

Just as they were about to enter, they were stopped by two guards at the door.

Dong Biao immediately bowed and said, "We are soldiers from the Wuhou Mansion in Yuzhou, here to report to the governor. We would appreciate it if you two gentlemen could help us inform him."

The guard glanced at Dong Biao, then grinned and replied, "You, a lowly, unranked soldier of the Marquis of Wu's mansion, actually dare to bypass your rank and meet with the governor? What are you thinking?"

"Excuse me, sir, could you please do me a favor?"

Dong Biao did not leave, but continued to plead with the guards.

The Wuhou was responsible for maintaining order in a certain area of ​​the city, which was under the jurisdiction of the local Ministry of Justice and also under the command of the governor's office.

The Martial Marquis had no official rank, and it was the second government office established after the Swordsman to assign positions to those in the martial arts world.

Although the Marquis of Wu did not have a rank, he enjoyed the treatment of a low-ranking ninth-rank soldier, including the privilege of riding a horse, carrying a sword, and wearing armor. Some were even equipped with pistols and rifles.

After the upheaval in the northern border region, Dong Biao became one of the first ghostwriters, specializing in arresting criminals who had committed serious crimes for the Ministry of Justice in exchange for payment.

The life of a ghostwriter is too hard, but fortunately Dong Biao has a solid foundation in cultivation and is decisive and ruthless in his actions, so he has made a lot of money.

Then, using the savings he had earned at the cost of his life, he obtained a military ID.

The buying and selling of military registration certificates was recognized by the Ministry of Justice, but the prerequisite was that one had to have served as a ghostwriter and assisted the court in arresting six criminals, or independently arrest a designated wanted criminal, before one was eligible to pay for a military registration certificate. With a military registration certificate, one could smoothly join the Wuhou Army.

In fact, the treatment of a Marquis of Wu is only that of a ninth-rank soldier, which is not very high. However, the only difference between a Marquis of Wu and a mere swordsman is that once you become a Marquis of Wu, you can climb the ranks and maybe even reach the position of Commander of the Guards.

Dong Biao is that kind of person; he wants to climb up and stop living that inhuman, ghostly life.

"You should go back first. The governor is not here right now. We will tell him that you came when he returns."

The two guards didn't make things difficult for Dong Biao. Seeing his humble attitude, they stopped making sarcastic remarks and truthfully told him that Sun Yuwang was not in the government office.

"Where did the governor go?"

How would we know that?

Unable to see Sun Yuwang, Dong Biao couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

He was still planning to climb up the ranks by relying on Sun Yuwang, but it seems he'll have to wait a while longer.

Just as he was about to go back, he passed by Noriyuki Fō.

Fa Xiaozhi suddenly turned around and called out to him: "Is that Dong Biao, Marquis Dong?"

Dong Biao was taken aback, turned around and sized up Fa Xiaozhi, then asked blankly, "Do you know me? May I ask, sir, who are you...?"

"Hahaha, I am Fa Xiaozhi!"

"Greetings, Prefect Fa!"

Upon hearing this, Dong Biao immediately knelt on one knee and solemnly bowed to Fa Xiaozhi.

Although he had never met Fa Xiaozhi, as a member of the "Imperial Party," he had heard of him extensively.

Dong Biao was very respectful: "It is truly an honor for me to meet Prefect Fa here."

"You should get up first."

"Yes, my lord!"

After Dong Biao stood up, Fa Xiaozhi couldn't help but ask, "Lord Dong, what's wrong with you?"

Dong Biao sighed softly: "To be honest, sir, I was ordered to maintain order in the area under my jurisdiction. Now that the matter is settled, I wish to report the process to the governor."

But the guards said that the governor doesn't seem to be in the mansion, and I'm really worried about that."

"Hahaha, I thought it was something serious, but it turns out it's just here." Fa Xiaozhi shook his head with a laugh. "Lord Dong, just go and do your own thing. I'll talk to the governor for you."

"Then thank you very much, sir."

Although Dong Biao spoke with great respect, the look of disappointment in his eyes betrayed his true feelings at that moment.

Fa Xiaozhi saw through his thoughts at a glance and asked cautiously, "Lord Dong, what's on your mind?"

"I……"

"I know without you saying it. You personally came to see the governor, bypassing your own rank, simply because you wanted to get things done for your superiors, is that right?"

Having his thoughts exposed, Dong Biao stopped pretending and knelt down in front of him, pleading, "Prefect Fa, please show me the way. I don't want to live my whole life in a daze."

Fa Xiaozhi squatted down: "Minglu is yours, it just depends on whether you dare to take it."

Dong Biao: "I'm willing to risk my life, what else wouldn't I dare to do?"

"Okay, come closer."

After a brief, hushed discussion, a smile gradually appeared on Dong Biao's face.

"Thank you for your guidance, sir. If I ever achieve great success, I will certainly repay your kindness."