Chapter 159: Start chopping people right away. Is the first round of military duty so exciting?

The sky was gloomy, and the river seemed to have turned black with turbulent waves. The Marching Hall rose and fell along with the tower ship on the river. The three words "Inspection Office" on the plaque of the side hall were printed upside down on the river surface. The left and right Sikou in the hall held orders in both hands, the left one for beheading and the right one for arresting.

There was an arrest warrant inserted behind Zhao Xing's back. The arrow emitted a black and gold light, locking up all his vitality.

No light could penetrate into the gloomy hall. Candlelight flickered on both sides. A huge figure sat in the main seat, with an aura as majestic as a prison. Half of his body was shrouded in shadow, with only half of his face exposed. However, this half of his face was covered with dead grass. His eyes were open, revealing pure black eyeballs, and a few strands of green grass actually grew on his eyelashes.

"Are you Zhao Xing, the second-level transport envoy of the Lanjiang Transport Bureau?"

"It is you who are here. I wonder why you want to arrest me?"

"As the Lanjiang Transport Commissioner, you embezzled 749,000 shi of fifth-level supplies. You also forcibly scrapped three 70% new ships and sold them at a low price to Yi Zhijie of the Leiyang Chamber of Commerce, from which you received kickbacks. Do you plead guilty?"

"I plead guilty and am willing to pay the stolen money and fine..."

"Since you have confessed your guilt, you will be executed immediately!"

"What?! I am a fifth-rank official, how can I be executed without questioning? Lord Liu's actions violated Article 362, Law 7 of the Great Zhou Law..."

"Pfft~"

Before Zhao Xing could explain himself, he saw his body kneeling on the ground without a head.

It's so damn unlucky. I finally got promoted with the help of my union brothers, but now I get killed by this guy... The last thought flashed through Zhao Xing's mind, and his eyes went dark.

"Zhao Xing, Zhao Xing, wake up! It's time to set off!"

A familiar voice sounded in his ears, and then Zhao Xing felt his face wet.

When he opened his eyes, he saw a bobcat licking his cheek.

Zhao Xing sat up from the bed, his eyes a little dazed.

The dream has lasted for thousands of years, what year is it now?
"You haven't slept enough? You woke up at the hour of Mao the day before yesterday and have slept for twenty-seven hours now. Are you okay?" When Long Xiao saw Zhao Xing wake up, he came to the bed curiously.

"It's okay." Zhao Xing's eyes instantly became clear. Yes, I am now Zhao Xing of the Divine Power Army, and I am about to leave Shiyang Cave Heaven and go to Jiutian Yingyuan Mansion south of Canglan River to complete the military affairs arranged by the military world.

"I heard that you only slept for one hour every day during training, and you never stopped for a year. Now it seems to be true." Chen Shijie stared at Zhao Xing and said, "You were too tired. Now that your mind is relaxed, you slept for 27 hours. How was it? Did you sleep well?"

"Comfortable." Zhao Xing nodded, stretched out his hand, and clouds moved in his palm, automatically forming a cloud basin.

Splash~ Water emerged, the towel was blown by the wind, and then he began to wash in front of Chen Shijie and Long Xiao.

When Chen Shijie saw this scene, a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.

An expert knows the ins and outs of the matter. From the details of controlling the clouds, it is enough to tell that Zhao Xing's magic has truly reached the highest level.

"Meow~" The bobcat came over and drank the water in the basin.

"Aotian, why are you drinking this?" Long Xiao quickly pulled Shanmao away, "It's not clean."

"Meow!"

The mountain cat broke free from Long Xiao's hand and moved closer.

No, I just want to drink!
Zhao Xing smiled and opened the mountain cat's head, then separated another cloud and filled it with water, motioning it to drink it.

The bobcat immediately turned its head obediently.

Long Xiao felt a little depressed.

I've raised it for a year, but it's not as effective as what you, my cheap master, say. Alas.

After washing up, Zhao Xing, Long Xiao and Lao Chen went to the side hall to eat.

"Is there anyone you want to see?" Chen Shijie asked.

"No more." Zhao Xing shook his head. The day before yesterday he went to Wanfa Palace and met the last person.

Unexpectedly, when he was sleeping, he actually dreamed of many scenes from his previous life, including the scene where Liu Tianning killed him. It seems that he should go to the Wanfa Palace less often in the future.

"Since there's nothing left, let's leave after we finish eating." Chen Shijie said, "There's no need to move too much in Eighteen Trees and Willows Courtyard. You'll be back later anyway."

"Okay." Zhao Xing really didn't have anything to pack.

After dinner, I went out and saw a swordfish flying boat parked on the lawn.

However, the three people and the cat were not in a hurry to get on the boat, but were waiting for something.

"Da da da~"

Gao Ming, riding on a bamboo horse, ran over from the horizon and landed outside the courtyard gate.

"We're here." Zhao Xing went forward to greet him. "Brother Gao Ming."

"Zhao Xing." Gao Ming dismounted and handed over a box. "This is the mission item issued to you by the Yangcheng Military Department."

"Thank you, Brother Gao, for seeing me off." Zhao Xing took it. It was just a small box, which contained a new secret seal, a ground mirror, and related certificates for carrying out military affairs.

"I wish you a bright future and a smooth career." Gao Ming bowed.

"Thank you very much. I also wish Brother Gao a prosperous business." Zhao Xing returned the greeting.

"Hahaha, let's go." Gao Ming turned over, mounted his bamboo horse, and rode away.

Datong Prefecture, Wanfeng Mountains.

The calm lake surface suddenly began to ripple. The texture became denser and denser until a certain moment, when the central area suddenly bulged.

"Wow~"

A striker pierced through the crest of a wave, and a sharp bow and a hull covered with scales emerged.

"Whoosh~"

Just like a swordfish leaping out of the water, the flying boat quickly climbed diagonally, and when it reached a height of one hundred meters, the hull returned to a horizontal position.

A military flag fluttered with ten suns embroidered on it.

"Zhao Xing, after leaving Shiyang Cave, you should be able to see the first mission issued to you by the military world. If the location does not pass through Xi'er County, I will not go with you." Chen Shijie said.

He also had to return to Xi'er County, where the Shenwei Army was currently mainly gathered.

There are military towns stationed along the Canglan River, and Jiutian Yingyuanfu, a bridgehead, is like a needle inserted across the Canglan River. However, the border line of the Great Zhou south of Pinghaizhou is very long, and the war has not yet officially started, so most of the garrisons, except for the permanent combat reserve troops in Jiutian Yingyuanfu, are waiting for orders north of the Canglan River.

Zhao Xing opened the box sent by Gao Ming and took out the new ground mirror to check. Sure enough, the first round of tasks had been posted on it.

However, after seeing the first round of tasks, Zhao Xing's expression changed slightly.

"What's wrong?" Chen Shijie asked.

"The first round of missions will be located in Xi'er County."

"That's perfect. Old Chen can go back with us." Long Xiao said nonchalantly, until he noticed that Zhao Xing and Chen Shijie looked a little strange, then he realized. "Your first mission, is it related to the Shenwei Army?"

Zhao Xing said nothing.

Chen Shijie's expression became uglier: "Is it that serious?"

Is it so serious that both of them have to avoid suspicion and cannot know the content of the mission?

Zhao Xing nodded slightly.

Long Xiao also opened his mouth wide: "You, your first mission won't be an inspection mission, right?"

"Don't ask anymore." Chen Shijie said in a deep voice, "Hand over your ground mirror."

"Oh, okay." Long Xiao took out his floor mirror from his arms.

Then Chen Shijie took out his piece and gave it to Zhao Xing. His attitude was very clear, meaning we support you, and we will do whatever you want.

Zhao Xing thought for a moment and said, "Just keep it. I trust you."

"It's not a question of belief or not." Chen Shijie said firmly, "The evaluation of the military community began from the moment you left the cave. God is watching over you. Your every move will be watched and recorded. They will be returned to us at the Xi'er County Inspection Office."

"Okay." Zhao Xing put away Chen Shijie and Long Xiao's ground mirrors.

The swordfish flying boat cut through the air. Chen Shijie was outside controlling the flying boat. Long Xiao entered the cabin, and Zhao Xing took Shanmao into another room.

Since Zhao Xing's first destination was Xi'er County, and it was an inspection mission, the atmosphere became a little heavy.

Therefore, the three of them did not communicate with each other along the way.

After flying for most of the day.

At a certain moment, Zhao Xing suddenly looked outside the cabin.

The water force between heaven and earth became stronger.

"We are almost at our destination." Zhao Xing sat up straight. Xi'er County is next to the river, and the power of water is several times stronger than that outside the Shiyang Cave.

Observing the weather and feeling the advantages of the terrain, the water veins in the earth also become vigorous.

Taking out his own ground mirror, Zhao Xingfu looked over the task.

[First round of military affairs: inspecting the Shenwei Army]

【Location: Xi'er County】

[Military intelligence: Xi'er County is an important frontier town, but it has been peaceful for too long and has been poorly managed. Many illegal activities have arisen within it, including smuggling, illegal immigration, corruption, adultery, murder, robbery, abduction, and wounding, totaling 1423 people.]

[The following is a specific list and the crimes committed by each person. You need to convict and punish the people on the list. ]

[After completing the task, you can submit it in the ground mirror. 】

Zhao Xing clicked on the list and read it again.

【Hong Tai: The current Changshui Commander of the Shenwei Army, rank 7th. He served as the Jitian Magistrate of Tao County, Xi'er County for five years. He returned to the Shenwei Army after the reorganization. Crimes committed: raped 14 people and forced five people to death. After Bo Pinghou was reinstated, he killed all the family members of the 14 victims to cover up his crimes.】

[Qi Shan: The current commander of the Zhonglei Commandery of the Shenwei Army, a seventh-rank officer, served as the Pinghuai Magistrate of Fubu County, Xi'er County for three years. He privately set up checkpoints and received bribes totaling 3.42 million taels from foreign chambers of commerce.]

[Fan Geng: The current commander of the Nine Sections of the Shenwei Army, a top 8th rank, was once the Minister of Agriculture of Taicang in Heyuan County. He abused his power for personal gain and occupied three mountains, two lakes, manor fields, a total of 14,800 acres.]

[He Cheng: The current ninth-section commander of the Shenwei Army, eighth-rank lower...]

【Chang Sihai...】

……

The list was very long. Zhao Xing quickly read it through and then closed his eyes to think.

It was five years since Marquis Boping lost his position as commander-in-chief of the Shenwei Army.

He also returned to his fiefdom.

During these five years, the Shenwei Army existed in name only.

Without their commander, most of the soldiers were sent to serve as officials in various places. This was the reason why Lao Chen had been in Gucheng, Nanyang County for five years.

A year ago, when Zhao Xinglai was receiving training, Yang An, Marquis of Boping, was reinstated and reappointed as the commander of the Shenwei Army. This was a fourth-rank military general. No matter what Yang An's original strength was, as long as he was the commander of the Shenwei Army, he would definitely be at the fourth-rank.

If the Pingman War breaks out, it is estimated that we can temporarily possess the combat power of the fourth rank. This is the characteristic of the Qiyun Dynasty system.

No matter what your own strength is, once you sit in this official position, your strength and official rank must match.

The Shenwei Army was reorganized, and many soldiers who had been dismissed from their posts in various places returned to Xi'er County.

Of course, there are also those who are unwilling to do so and do not want to fight anymore, so the reserve forces are needed to supplement the troops, hence the selection.

Five years is enough time for a brave and capable soldier to rot.

After the reorganization, Yang An, Marquis of Boping, did nothing but reorganize military affairs in Xi'er County and re-train the old troops to restore their combat effectiveness and morale.

However, Yang An is not a god. Even though he screened out many people and conducted a self-examination of the Shenwei Army this year, some people still hid well and concealed their illegal activities.

For example, 'Hongtai' who was at the top of the list, remained in Xi'er County even after he was dismissed as the commander of the Shenwei Army.

Since these important frontier towns all have a military-first system and military is the priority in everything, his power is still very great.

Upon learning that Yang An, Marquis of Boping, had returned, he immediately dealt with his illegal activities and became the Changshui Cavalry Captain (a type of military agriculture position).

"It's easy to investigate others, but difficult to investigate oneself. It's hard to cleanse oneself completely through self-examination." Zhao Xing thought to himself, "They may even consider their old friendship and let their old subordinates go even if they know about it, allowing them to make meritorious contributions while serving their sentence."

The border military system of the Great Zhou Dynasty gave great power to the commanders of the military garrisons, and the same was true for the princes. The right to deal with the crimes of the princes' vassals was also left to the princes themselves.

If Yang An discovered any illegality, he had the right to let his subordinates go if he wanted to, as long as it was not an unforgivable crime.

In addition, all the major thousand-year-old families had obtained iron certificates of immunity from death during the Taizu period, which was also a privilege.

When Emperor Wen was alive, he was tolerant of the people and officials, and he did not make any changes to these systems. But Emperor Jing was different.

He exploited the aristocratic families and, by taking the lead in internal circulation, he recovered a large number of red-lettered iron certificates from the aristocratic families for various reasons. This was the main direction of his reforms for more than two hundred years.

During the Jingxin period, the border troops were reformed. As for enfeoffment of princes? This was the foundation of the country, and he did not dare to take such a big step.

"During the Jingxin period, the number of reservists recruited by the military increased greatly, and this type of inspection mission also increased dramatically. If I receive this kind of mission, if I want to get a high evaluation, I must comply with the court's major policy."

"The best approach is to ruthlessly kill all these people."

"Only in this way can we meet Emperor Jing's expectations. The 'fresh blood' he wants to add to the army is people who dare to face the powerful and are selfless."

"If I do this, I will definitely get an A-level review."

Zhao Xing rubbed his brows, thought from the perspective of the task setter, and quickly came up with the 'best answer'.

"But this is the best answer the court hopes for."

"If I really do this, it will definitely lead to dissatisfaction among the soldiers of the Divine Might Army, and it may even make Marquis Boping unhappy. People's hearts are like this. If it doesn't affect their own interests, if you want to kill my brothers, then naturally everyone will plead for mercy. People of the same kind will feel sympathy for each other."

"If I kill half and release the other half, the court should be able to give me a B, which means I am courageous but not thorough enough. But in this case, I might as well kill them all."

"If the death penalty is reduced to a felony and the felony is given a lighter sentence, based on my previous performance, I should be able to get a C, which means passing." Zhao Xing pondered.

He didn't even consider the possibility of failing, because even if he did nothing and just told the situation to Bo Ping Hou and then submitted it, and didn't care about anything himself, he could still get a C-level grade. This was the solid foundation laid in the first half of the training.

The inspection mission does not involve the personal ability of Jun Si Nong, and it does not even involve his morality, because from the perspective of the above three systems, Zhao Xing is allowed to release people.

This mission is only to test your heart, to see whether the heart of a genius like you is on the same path as the court.

But if you get below C for three times in a row, even if you were an A-level genius before, you will be done with the three-ring mission.

At best, he could be an eighth-rank military minister of agriculture.

"I have to kill the captain and the commander right away. Is the first round of the mission so exciting?" Zhao Xing muttered to himself and looked out the window.

The swordfish flying boat began to slow down and fly downward.

We have arrived at Xi'er County.

　I give up, the weather is so changeable. Yesterday I was wearing short-sleeved shirts and shorts, but today I am still cold even with a single layer of clothes.

　　I was probably hit by a "weather change" because I started having diarrhea in the afternoon and got prickly heat on my face. It was so painful.

　　However, there will still be two updates today. I’m not sure about the time, but as usual, it will be midnight.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)