How to become a Taoist priest starting from a brothel

The City Lord's Mansion in Yancheng, Northwest China.

"What do you think?" Duan An placed the two letters on the desk and looked at everyone.

The seven or eight young people looked at each other, none of them making a move for a moment.

He Ruilin glanced at them, then took the two letters himself. After reading them carefully, he passed them on to the others. Once everyone had read them, he put the letters back on the desk.

"Cousin, you go first." Seeing that no one in the group spoke, Duan An looked at He Ruilin.

He Ruilin pondered for a moment before looking up and saying, "I think that, according to Mr. Wen, Yin Rong's method was too merciful."

"I also think that Mr. Wen's words are more appropriate. What the princess said is not wrong, but as the young general said, it is too... too kind."

"I also think Mr. Wen's suggestion is better."

"I agree with what Mr. Wen said."

"Subordinate..."

After his seven or eight subordinates finished speaking, Duan An sighed and said, "What you said is not unreasonable. However, as you said, supervision is a major drawback. In that case, let's not use it for now and think of a solution after the world is at peace."

"Yes." Everyone responded in unison.

"In addition, what Mr. Wen said is usable, but it should not be taken too seriously. You should first draft a list and submit it," Duan An continued.

After thinking for a moment, Duan An instructed, "As for the matter of the people in the city taking out loans to make money, send students from the academy to the countryside to explain the dangers to the people and tell them that the city lord's mansion supports them to do some small business to supplement their household income. However, taking out loans is really not allowed. If there are really people who cannot be persuaded, just let them be. Just have someone keep a close eye on them and make sure that those noble families do not get involved."

“Yes,” the crowd replied.

After Duan'an finished speaking, he gave several instructions on the new policies before dismissing the others.

After the others left, she drank her tea and waited for another person to arrive.

This man was weathered and dressed in tattered clothes. If he weren't in the city lord's mansion, but outside, he would definitely be mistaken for a beggar on the street.

"Your Highness." His weathered beard and disheveled hair obscured most of his face.

However, if Liu Yin were here, she would definitely recognize that voice.

"Mingyou, how is your men's training going?" This person was none other than Yuan Mingyou, who had worked at the Guining Escort Agency.

It's just puzzling why he, who once helped Duan'an train his army, is dressed like this now.

"It's mostly done, but it still needs time," Yuan Mingyou replied respectfully without looking up.

"Do you hate me?" Duan An asked abruptly.

Without the slightest hesitation, Yuan Mingyou replied, "I don't hate it. This was something I did voluntarily."

As he spoke, regret flashed in his eyes, a regret that seemed to have dragged him into an abyss, leaving the once naive Yuan Mingyou now silent and unlike his former self.

“Back then, I wanted to build a group of spies to help me gather information in various places. I preferred Cui Heng to do this, but you found me.” Duan An stared into his eyes, carefully observing his expression.

“It is my Yuan family that has let down the Prince and Princess, and even more so the Heir Apparent and the Little Princess. The day Mingyou learned the truth, he swore that he would go through fire and water for his master without hesitation.” Yuan Mingyou knelt on the ground, head bowed, his voice filled with despair.

Duan An sighed softly before continuing, "That's why I trust you and entrusted this group of people to you. Mingyou, my sister's and my life are in your hands."

Yuan Mingyou lowered his head and replied directly, "Your subordinate swears to be loyal to you to the death."

Duan An thought for a moment before saying, "How quickly can you give me a batch of people?"

Yuan Mingyou replied without hesitation, "We have thirty-eight men available now."

"Thirty-eight... that's a bit low, but it's alright. How long will it take for the rest to take care of itself?" Although Duan An was somewhat dissatisfied, he didn't say anything more.

Yuan Mingyou continued, "The earliest would be next June."

"Next year... how long will it take to achieve my initial plan?" Duan An asked, frowning slightly.

Yuan Mingyou thought for a moment before replying, "At least four years."

“Four years… I’m seventeen, that’s perfect.” Duan An thought for a moment, then nodded and continued, “Four years from now, I want to see the person I want. I don’t care what methods you use, understand?”

"Yes!" Yuan Mingyou accepted the order.

"Just one thing, don't tell my sister about this. She's always been soft-hearted and can't stand seeing such filth," Duan'an reminded her.

Yuan Mingyou paused for a moment before nodding in agreement and turning to leave.

Time flies, and the New Year is approaching again, but the people of the seven northwestern cities do not have the usual sad faces.

"Hey, Li Laosan, you bought meat too?" Villagers greeted each other when they bumped into acquaintances at the market.

Li Laosan, who had been stopped by him, replied with a smile, "That's right, it's almost Chinese New Year, this year should be a prosperous one."

"Great, great, your family has made it through." The man clapped his hands in approval.

Li Laosan, with a simple and honest look on his face, scratched the back of his head and continued, "Yes, thanks to the city lord, we are finally doing well now."

“You should call her Princess,” the man corrected him.

"Call her Lord, Princess, or General, she's still our good lord. But the Lord of the City said she prefers us to call her Lord or General, it sounds better than Princess," a passerby chimed in.

Li Laosan and his fellow villagers looked at each other and nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, whatever you call us is fine."

This kind of thing is no longer unique to the people of Yancheng.

The people of Yancheng used to live very well, making the surrounding cities envious and wishing they were from Yancheng. After they came under the jurisdiction of the city lord of Yancheng, they had mixed feelings of worry and anticipation.

Now my wish has finally come true, and I am living the good life that the people of Yancheng have. The hunger and poverty of the past seem like a thing of the past.

"Princess! Princess!" Duan'an was reviewing documents in her study when she heard a series of urgent shouts from outside, which almost made her ruin the documents in her hands.

"What's wrong?" Duan An asked, frowning slightly, as a servant rushed in, his forehead covered in sweat.

The man took a deep breath before saying, "Express delivery from the trading company!"

"What!? Tell them to come in quickly!" Duan An put down his pen, got up, and followed the servants straight to the front hall.

There was a man standing in the front hall. When he saw Duan'an enter, he quickly knelt down and bowed.

"No need for formalities, tell me what's wrong?" Duan An waved his hand and asked eagerly.

The man hurriedly handed over the letter in his arms: "Our master sent us to deliver this, saying that we must get it to you as quickly as possible."

Duan'an took the letter directly, opened it, and his face turned green.

"Absurd!" She slammed her hand on the table, overturning the teacups.

"Your Highness, our master sent us to ask you what to do now?" the man asked hurriedly, seemingly knowing what was written in the letter.

Duan An held the letter in his hand, his face darkening, and replied, "I will reply to you tomorrow. You should go and rest first."

The man bowed and withdrew.

Liu Yin immediately gave the order: "Summon the officials from all departments, and also summon General He along with them."

"Yes!" The servant acknowledged the order and withdrew.