Chapter 45 Using a Banquet to Pay the Silver

Chen Mu remembered clearly that when he demonstrated the Divine Void Step, Xu Changze had used the promise of recommendations and prioritized resources as bait to lure him into risking his life at Sangye Village.

Now that the task was done, it was time for the other party to fulfill his promise.

Upon hearing Chen Mu mention the Cultivation Technique, Xu Changze's smile did not fade in the slightest as he stroked his beard.

"Regarding the Cultivation Technique, since I have already promised you, I will absolutely not go back on my word."

"It is just that the Secret Manual needs to be allocated from above, so it will take some time. How about this: in a few days, I will definitely give it to you in a few days!"

He lightly brushed over the delivery time with the words "a few days"; it seemed like an explanation, but in reality, it was extremely perfunctory.

After all, there was too much room to maneuver in those words; if Xu Changze truly wanted to stall, it would not be difficult for him to delay fulfilling the promise for a month or so.

Liu Ziming was a shrewd person. As soon as he heard the implications behind Xu Changze's words, his brows furrowed. Although it was not his place to speak much about Chen Mu's affairs, this concerned his own interests, so he had to fight for it.

Thus, he put on a smiling face and took over the conversation.

"My Lord, then... besides the Cultivation Technique, regarding the reward money for this demon suppression mission, do you think it might also..."

His voice was not high, and his words were subtle, but the meaning he expressed was exceptionally clear.

Xu Changze frowned upon hearing this, and the smile on his face faded a little. He glanced at Liu Ziming indifferently, as if he hadn't heard him at all, and continued speaking that same old bureaucratic jargon to Chen Mu.

Liu Ziming had run into a brick wall, and with all his colleagues present, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed. However, because Chen Mu was by his side, he felt a bit more emboldened, so he lowered his voice and muttered in dissatisfaction.

"But we risked our lives this time, and I even nearly lost my leg..."

Before Xu Changze could speak, Head Constable Wang, who was standing to the side, could no longer contain himself and spoke up repeatedly.

"Liu Ziming! As a runner of the Demon Suppression Division, it is your duty to slay demons and eliminate evil! Always talking about money—what kind of decorum is this?"

"Do you have any respect for the law or your superiors in your eyes at all?"

Xu Changze did not even deign to spare him a glance, merely curling the corner of his mouth with a sneer.

Liu Ziming shuddered at the rebuke, opened his mouth, but ultimately dared not bring it up again.

After all, as a lowly runner, he still lacked the confidence to openly defy his superior.

Just then, Chen Mu stepped forward half a step, blocking in front of Liu Ziming's side. Facing Xu Changze's gaze, his voice was calm yet exceptionally firm.

"My Lord, slaying demons and eliminating evil is indeed our duty, yet the imperial court has laws, and those who perform meritorious service should be rewarded."

"I do need the Cultivation Technique, but this operation caused significant losses, and Liu Ziming's leg injury also requires care."

"Material rewards are also appropriate."

He spoke reasonably and with evidence, going from imperial laws to personal needs and even his colleague's injury, making it difficult for Xu Changze to refute him on the grounds of being greedy for money.

Xu Changze's eyelid twitched, a trace of imperceptible annoyance flashing in his eyes. After a moment of thought, he put on an expression of having unspeakable difficulties and sighed.

"Chen Mu, it is not that I am stingy, it is just that Yunmeng is not a large place, and tax revenue is limited, yet various expenses are quite high. The Demon Suppression Division's wages, the maintenance of weaponry, daily expenditures... tell me, what doesn't require money?"

"If the common people do not understand the yamen's difficulties, that is fine, but you who serve as officers see all of this—do you not understand the yamen's difficulties either?"

"As for the reward money, it naturally exists, but the county treasury is indeed tight right now. How about this: when the taxes are collected next month, I will definitely prioritize allocating the funds to you. How is that?"

After speaking, he paused, then switched to a tone of confiding in someone, looking earnest and sincere.

"However, Chen Mu, if you truly have the ability, then solve one more troublesome matter for me and for the people of Yunmeng."

"Recently, that Qingfeng Stronghold has been causing quite a stir; the bandits and demons are colluding with each other, harming the region. If you can also pacify them, then even if I have to smash the pots and sell the iron, I will scrape together enough reward money for you—as much as you want!"

This was no longer just a simple empty promise; it was a blatant trap!

The Qingfeng Stronghold was a notoriously dangerous place in Yunmeng, plagued by both demons and human calamity. Its level of danger was no less than Sangye Village. Xu Changze was clearly trying to use the same old trick and push Chen Mu into the fire pit again!

But Chen Mu was not about to fall for that, and he shook his head immediately.

"My Lord, one thing at a time. Regarding the Qingfeng Stronghold, if you issue an order in the future, I will naturally serve. But for now, regarding the merit from Sangye Village, I ask that you first fulfill the promised reward money."

"This money and compensation is what the brothers deserve. If it is delayed, I fear it will chill the hearts of the brothers."

Although his tone was calm, he threw the accusation of "chilling hearts" right back at him.

The onlooking runners began to whisper among themselves, but cowed by Xu Changze's official authority, they dared not speak loudly.

Xu Changze's expression stiffened slightly; he never expected Chen Mu to be so impervious to reason, clinging so tightly to this matter and refusing to let go.

But there really was no money in the county yamen's accounts. The reward money originally reserved for the runners had long been misappropriated by him to smooth over relationships and fill deficits—which of those things didn't require heaps of silver? With Chen Mu forcing him now, wouldn't that be making him pay out of his own pocket?

This was unacceptable.

Xu Changze's expression was unpleasant, but he had no choice but to continue crying poor and spouting bureaucratic jargon.

Just at this moment, Liu Ziming, who was beside them, suddenly rolled his eyes and interrupted with a smile.

"My Lord, if the county treasury's cash is temporarily inconvenient, this subordinate actually has a flexible solution. I wonder if I should say it or not?"

Xu Changze glanced at him indifferently, signaling him to speak.

Liu Ziming's face carried three parts flattery, yet it also concealed something meaningful.

"This subordinate has heard that the Yanbin Restaurant in the East Market has dishes that are truly the best in Yunmeng! The owner, Master Jin, seems to have a deep friendship with you, My Lord? He hasn't used your name little in the past... no, he hasn't been lacking in gratitude for your patronage."

"How about this, My Lord: why don't you treat us to a banquet at Yanbin Restaurant, and let that serve as compensation for our hard work this time?"

"This way, it both perfects your reputation for caring for your subordinates and resolves the immediate difficulty. It is a win-win situation."

His words were very clever; he pointed out that Xu Changze had a deep relationship with the restaurant owner, yet he did not explicitly state who the true owner of the restaurant was.

According to the laws of Great Wu, those who receive a salary from the state may not compete with the people for profit, and it is strictly forbidden to engage in business using one's power.

But who among those present didn't know that Master Jin was merely a front put out in the open?

Yanbin Restaurant made a fortune every day; it was self-evident whose pockets the real profits flowed into.

Upon hearing this, Xu Changze felt a jolt in his heart, then inwardly sneered.

This wretched little rascal, he's well-informed! It must be that Master Jin has been too flamboyant lately, acting everywhere under my banner, and these sharp-eared runners caught wind of it and got hold of some leverage!

But then he thought again, how much could a meal cost?

For two people, ordering a table would cost no more than a dozen taels of silver; that was much better than paying out real silver and gold, and he could still earn a good reputation for caring for his subordinates, at least smoothing over this awkward situation.

Thus, his expression cleared slightly, and he appeared generous.

"Very well. I have always viewed you all as my own children, so why would I be stingy about a meal? That Master Jin indeed has an old acquaintance with me; today, I will borrow his precious establishment to reward the two of you!"

He deliberately emphasized that he was "borrowing" his precious establishment and that he had an old acquaintance with him, attempting to distance himself, but the effect was truly limited.

Chen Mu spoke up again at this moment, causing Xu Changze's generous expression to immediately stiffen on his face.

"With your consideration, My Lord, this subordinate is extremely grateful. Since that is the case, why not let the brothers in the yamen go along as well?"

"Although it was the two of us who went to Sangye Village, we are all colleagues. Why not take this opportunity to share in your grace, My Lord? It would also show that you treat everyone equally and care for your colleagues!"