421: Tao Yun's operation is impeccable

Outside Shangyuan Prefecture.

A large contingent of people and horses, thundering across mountains and rivers, looked majestic.

It was the Demon Suppression Guard led by Chu Jiang, along with the Tiger Brave Army.

“Stop!”

Chu Jiang waved his hand, and the army stopped neatly in the Void Realm, silent.

He looked towards the horizon, his expression surprised.

He saw.

More than a dozen figures were flying at high speed, seemingly chasing something.

“Find a few people to go check it out!”

“Yes, Lord Chu!”

Principal General Zhao nodded and then left with a few Heaven and Earth Realm experts.

As he spoke.

He vanished from the spot.

Chu Jiang did not linger and continued to lead the army towards Shangyuan Prefecture.

As for why they were going.

The reason was simple.

Several major grain-producing prefectures had suffered disasters, and the Lan Prefecture would face even more severe food shortages in the short term, so it was natural to “borrow” some grain from the local magnates.

Coincidentally, the East Earl Residence was the biggest fat sheep.

It was the number one Family in Shangyuan Prefecture, rumored to be as rich as a province, with the wealth of one Family equaling the total of more than a dozen major powers.

It was the only second-Rank Hou in Lan Prefecture.

Borrowing a little grain from him wouldn't be too much, would it?

…

Outside Shangyuan Prefecture City.

Several groups of people stood, one side being officials from the Prefectural Governor’s Mansion, another being the Shangyuan Prefecture Demon Subjugation Camp, and a third being people from the East Earl Residence. Of course, there were also representatives from the various prominent families and clans of the Prefecture City.

The major families, hearing that Chu Jiang, the Three Provinces Inspectorial Envoy, was coming to Shangyuan Prefecture for inspection, dared not show any disrespect after receiving the notice, and almost all of them attended.

Not to mention his identity as the Three Provinces Inspectorial Envoy, just the title of Deputy Commander of the Demon Suppression Division was enough to be intimidating, let alone his two second-Rank Hou titles.

His Rank of peerage was even higher than the Marquis of Dongbo's by one level.

Marquis Wuan and Marquis Who Pacifies Demons—these were high-level title (Feng Hao) titles; if their future contributions were significant enough, they might even advance to first-Rank Hou.

Unlike the worried expressions of the various major families.

Commander Niu Qian, the Qianhu of the Shangyuan Demon Subjugation Camp, had a different train of thought.

Commander Niu Qian was upright and incorruptible; under his governance, the Demon Subjugation Camp could barely maintain the appearance of a Demon Suppression Guard, engaging in demon slaying and monster eradication.

He had once discovered that the East Earl Residence was involved in human trafficking, funneling profits to the Sun Moon Country, but the East Earl Residence had immense power, and relying on his strength alone would undoubtedly be like striking a rock with an egg.

He reported it to the Lan Prefecture Demon Suppression Division headquarters, but the report sank like a stone.

Instead, he received a warning.

This further proved that the East Earl Residence's influence was terrifyingly vast.

Therefore, he could only temporarily bide his time, waiting for an opportunity, and secretly collecting evidence.

Now, the lawless and murderous Chu Jiang, the Three Provinces Inspectorial Envoy, had arrived.

This was his chance.

Even if Chu Jiang couldn't completely remove this thorn of the East Earl Residence, severely suppressing it and preventing it from being too excessive would still be a good outcome.

Suddenly.

Everyone looked into the distance.

Thump!

Thump-thump!

The heavens and earth rumbled!

“They’re here!”

An official's eyes narrowed as he looked into the distance, his expression startled.

He saw.

Large numbers of Demon Suppression Guard riding Spirit Horses and the Tiger Brave Army, like a mountain tsunami, swept across the heavens and earth, giving a sense of awe, like dark clouds pressing down on a city about to crumble, and armor light illuminating the clear sky.

“Quick, quickly… follow this Prefectural Governor to pay respects to Lord Inspector!”

Prefectural Governor Han waved his sleeve, leading the officials of the Prefectural Governor’s Mansion to immediately step forward to greet them. The Demon Subjugation Camp, the East Earl Residence, and representatives from various major families, hundreds of people, all followed suit.

Boom!

With a tremor, nearly a thousand Demon Suppression Guard and two thousand Tiger Brave Army stood uniformly, like statues, outside the Prefecture City.

The leader, divinely mighty and extraordinary, with an Aura like a fighting bull, and a gleaming golden saber at his waist, gave off an immense sense of pressure.

“What a powerful Aura!”

“This is the Three Provinces Inspectorial Envoy, Lord Chu!”

“I heard that Liu Qing, the Yue Province Pacification Commissioner, was slapped ten times by Lord Chu and died on the spot just because he didn’t come to greet him!”

“I heard that if Lord Chu’s soldiers set their eyes on you, even a passing dog, if it doesn’t like you, will slap you!”

“You’re thinking too small. I even heard that the Old Prince of Wu Prefecture was kicked unconscious by Lord Chu…”

“Really? How do I feel like you’re just talking nonsense.”

As they spoke.

Some young second-generation heirs whispered to each other, gossiping.

The stories became increasingly outrageous.

These were mostly rumors; as for what the original version was, no one cared.

“Shut up!”

Some heads of major powers slapped their foolish sons on the head.

“Prefectural Governor Han Xing of Shangyuan Prefecture, Qianhu Niu Qian of the Demon Subjugation Camp, and Tao Yun, Son of the East Earl, son of the Marquis of Dongbo, greet Lord Chu!”

Prefectural Governor Han took the lead, leading everyone to bow.

“Hm!”

Chu Jiang nodded slightly, signaling everyone to rise. He had originally intended to use his old trick, accusing them of the great crime of disrespecting the emperor, and directly “borrowing” from them…

These people had become smarter.

The various factions stood up, looking respectfully at the person before them. Tao Yun, Son of the East Earl stepped forward and said, “Lord Chu’s visit to Shangyuan Prefecture for inspection is a blessing for Shangyuan Prefecture. I have already arranged a banquet for Lord Chu at the Immortal Residence, the largest restaurant in the Prefecture City. Please honor us with your presence!”

Tao Yun, Son of the East Earl spoke. Chu Jiang’s visit to Shangyuan Prefecture was nothing more than to ask for money and grain to relieve the disaster victims in various parts of Lan Prefecture.

“In the past, Lan Prefecture was riddled with corrupt officials. Our Shangyuan Prefecture also donated grain and provisions, but they were all embezzled and never reached the disaster victims.”

“Now that Lord Chu, this upright official, has graced Lan Prefecture, that problem will no longer exist.”

As he spoke.

He handed over a roster.

“This is the grain and provisions collected by the various families of our Shangyuan Prefecture for Lord Chu, to relieve the disaster victims and help Lan Prefecture return to normal as soon as possible.”

Tao Yun, Son of the East Earl said slowly, his words sincere and seemingly for the country and the people.

This was also the result of the East Earl Residence taking the lead and discussing it jointly with the various families of Shangyuan Prefecture.

Instead of waiting for Chu Jiang to come and seize it, it was better to take the initiative.

To offer it voluntarily.

And still preserve most of their assets.

After all.

In Lan Prefecture, the places that had not been affected by the disaster and were still peaceful could be counted on three fingers. Chu Jiang would definitely come.

The wealthy families of Shangyuan Prefecture and the bigwigs watching from the city walls were also extremely satisfied with Tao Yun, Son of the East Earl’s response.

Everyone sighed.

As expected of the Marquis of Dongbo’s only son, intelligent and astute, knowing when to advance and retreat, neither servile nor overbearing, and clearly explaining the situation.

It wasn’t that they didn’t donate, but that there were too many corrupt officials before, so donating was useless.

He also indirectly flattered Chu Jiang, saying that with his arrival, these problems would be easily solved, and they felt relieved.

Coupled with the invitation to dinner and the voluntary submission of grain and provisions, these series of moves were basically flawless.

If Chu Jiang still found fault with this, he would truly be a devil.

At least for now, they hadn’t found any reason for Chu Jiang to cause trouble.

Chu Jiang took the roster and casually flipped through it a few times.

Thirty million catties of grain.

Five million taels of gold.

And five hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

They really knew how to do things. Since his debut, this was the first time he had encountered such a clever villain. To be honest, for a moment, he really couldn't find a reason to cause trouble.

Chu Jiang’s face was expressionless, showing no joy or anger.

Tao Yun, Son of the East Earl also had a proud look on his face. He believed he had done everything perfectly, and it was basically impossible for any more trouble to arise.

Just then.

Fu Yunxuan, seeing Chu Jiang’s intent, suddenly spoke, cupping her hands and saying, “Lord Chu, it seems one of our Demon Suppression Guard has gone missing in the East Earl Residence!”