417: Establish Jiuyuan County!

"What? What does this have to do with Ye Xuan?" Lin Yue leaned forward, instantly energized upon hearing that name.

"Yesterday, he sent someone to invite me for a drink. I didn't want to go, but as an Imperial Censor, I didn't want to offend him, so I had to attend the banquet."

"Unexpectedly, during the meal, he discussed wanting to invest. I remembered that he had some minor friction with Brother Lin, so I refused," Ji San said with a smile.

"Thank you, Brother Ji San!" Lin Yue raised his cup to him from afar, then said, "However, this person is narrow-minded, and I'm afraid he won't let the matter rest."

Ji San shook his head, a hint of disdain in his expression: "It's fine. In Xianyang City, I wouldn't dare boast about anything else, but an Imperial Censor, I truly don't put him in my eyes."

Zhao Tuo also looked indifferent upon hearing this, even making a chopping motion in the air with his hand and saying, "Do you need us to help Brother Lin?"

Lin Yue shook his head with a bitter smile: "The last time His Majesty ordered me to accompany him, he brought up the matter of my ten percent dry shares. It almost scared me to death. Now I just want to serve my duties peacefully."

Lin Yue knew that the two in front of him had also helped him deal with Ye Xuan once before, and neither of them could be The First Emperor's people. Because if they truly were The First Emperor's people, they wouldn't have given him ten percent dry shares for nothing.

Ji San and Zhao Tuo, however, were momentarily stunned upon hearing this. Then the three exchanged glances, as if they hadn't heard, and moved on to the next topic.

Who this person was wasn't important; what was important was whose person he was. Now that they knew walls had ears, the few of them could only be cautious in their words and actions, guarding against it in their hearts, with no other recourse.

Perhaps this was the most helpless thing... The next morning, Lin Yue arrived at the front of the main hall to relieve Lu Bu.

The two exchanged quiet greetings, and then Lu Bu left with the Gentlemen.

Lin Yue then patrolled the vicinity. Seeing that the Cavalrymen around him no longer looked as fatigued as before, he breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the training was effective.

Just then, Han Cheng walked over: "Cavalry Commandant, His Majesty summons you to the hall."

"Understood!" Lin Yue followed Han Tan into the main hall.

Upon entering the hall, Lin Yue found that Meng Yi and Wang Ben were also there.

"This humble general Lin Yue, greets Your Majesty!"

The few people in the hall looked at him upon hearing this. The First Emperor spoke: "Lin Yue, how is your newspaper coming along?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, This humble general has brought a sample. Please, Your Majesty, review it!" Lin Yue pulled the newspaper from his embrace. Han Cheng took it and respectfully presented it.

The First Emperor took the newspaper and began to read it. After a quick glance, he handed it to Wang Ben: "Not bad. The training of the Cavalrymen must be expedited."

"Understood!" Lin Yue responded.

Wang Ben, however, was reading it with great interest, even pointing to one of the reports and asking: "Is this true?"

Lin Yue immediately smiled: "Reporting to Marquis Tongwu, everything written in this newspaper has indeed happened. Although the conclusions may sometimes be one-sided, the process is factual."

"Be impartial. Just record the events completely," The First Emperor said in a deep voice.

"Understood!" Lin Yue then silently withdrew.

As he exited the hall gate, he noticed Director of the Chariot Office Zhao Gao still standing there silently, appearing exceptionally respectful. The two nodded to each other in greeting, and then Lin Yue left.

Time passed until noon. During this period, ministers continuously entered the main hall, each one bustling and hurried, presumably preparing for the war in Lingnan.

Later, when it was afternoon, just as Lin Yue was about to go eat, he saw a familiar face.

Lin Yue rubbed his eyes, and after confirming, he quickly went to meet him: "This humble general Lin Yue, greets Marquis of Wucheng!"

Wang Li smiled upon hearing this, and patted Lin Yue's shoulder, saying, "Good, you're becoming more energetic."

Lin Yue smiled, then heard Wang Li say: "Help me inform His Majesty, Wang Li of the Great Wall Legion requests an audience."

"Understood!" Lin Yue responded.

Soon, Wang Li entered the main hall.

At this time, Han Cheng also came out, and the two stood side by side, guarding outside the main hall.

"Cavalry Commandant, are you not curious to meet an old acquaintance?" Han Cheng looked straight ahead and spoke softly.

"Of course I'm curious. Please enlighten me, Eunuch," Lin Yue also looked straight ahead and whispered.

"Heh heh, you are also a member of the Great Wall Legion. Why don't you guess?"

"Could it be about the construction of the Great Wall?"

Han Cheng shook his head: "It's about the commanderies and counties. General General Meng Tian has already built thirty-four county towns along the river and established Jiuyuan Commandery. It is now complete, and Deputy Commander Wang Li has been specially dispatched back to Xianyang to await His Majesty's instructions."

"That fast?" Lin Yue was a little surprised. When he left, the artisans had just taken their positions. Even with a generous estimate, they built thirty-four cities in just one month?

Han Cheng chuckled upon hearing this: "To achieve long-term stability, it must be done quickly to establish the commanderies and counties early, so the imperial court can send people to manage them. Otherwise, a bunch of killers there would be detrimental to governance. This matter should be announced at the next grand court assembly."

"Thank you, Eunuch!" Lin Yue whispered.

After finishing his shift early the next morning, Lin Yue walked out of Zhangtai Gate, got into his carriage, and said to Xiang Zi, "Xiang Zi, to the Great Wall Tavern."

"Alright, sir, please hold on tight!" Xiang Zi responded, and then the carriage disappeared down Zhangtai Street... Just as Lin Yue got out of the carriage, the Shopkeeper had just opened the tavern's main door and looked at Lin Yue with surprise: "General Lin?"

"Hmm, is Brother Ji San awake?"

"The manager woke up early and is stretching in the back. Shall I call him for you, General?" the Shopkeeper said with a smile.

"No need, I'll go myself. Thank you." Lin Yue waved his hand.

"Alright then, just go straight through the main hall and turn right," the Shopkeeper said, pointing to the back.

"Thank you." Lin Yue said, then walked through the main hall to the back. After turning right, he arrived at the back of the tavern.

It was still early morning. Pushing open the door, a breath of fresh air invigorated Lin Yue.

"Brother Ji San!" Lin Yue looked up and saw Ji San leaning back in a lounge chair, with two blonde, exotic-looking maidservants half-kneeling beside him, fanning him.

Ji San subconsciously pulled his hand away when he heard the call, then wiped his sweat and stood up: "Brother Lin, when did you arrive?"

"Just arrived. I didn't interrupt you, did I?" Lin Yue chuckled, rubbing his nose.

"No, no, I just finished my morning exercises and was resting for a bit," Ji San said with a smile.

Lin Yue looked at the two blonde women, thinking, 'Your morning exercises are quite good.'

But this scene fell into Ji San's eyes. He looked thoughtful, then asked, "What, Brother Lin, are you interested?"

"No, no." Lin Yue shook his head, "I came to tell you, Brother Ji San, that the Hetao Plain has established a commandery, and all thirty-four county towns are fully completed."

Ji San quickly reacted: "Brother Lin, you mean, the newspaper's headline?"

"Exactly!" Lin Yue nodded.

When the newspaper is first released, if it can coincide with a great imperial event, sales will surely explode!

"Brother Lin, come with me." Ji San pulled Lin Yue's hand and walked outside.

Lin Yue felt the lingering warmth on Ji San's hand, took another deep look at the two blonde exotic women, and then left with Ji San.