34: Chapter 34: The Rise of Wealth

Boom!

The two words "Not Guilty" struck Xia Nuannuan's mind like two thunderclaps, shattering all the psychological shackles she had been carrying for the past year.

She froze.

In her large eyes, which had originally been filled with fear, inferiority, and guilt, a light began to emerge bit by bit, as she let her tears flow silently.

For the past year, she had lived in such agony.

Every mouthful of rice bran she swallowed felt like she was swallowing guilt.

On one hand, her instinct for survival made her not want to die; on the other hand, her father's lifelong teachings of integrity tortured her conscience day and night.

She felt like a thief, a stain.

Actually, the moment Lei Lie dragged her out, although she instinctively felt afraid, deep down she felt a sense of relief.

Because she finally didn't have to hide anymore, and could finally face judgment!

She thought what awaited her would be prison, or even death.

But she never expected this.

The handsome City Lord before her had actually told her himself that this was a father's love as heavy as a mountain! That survival is not a crime!

The heavy stone that had been pressing on her heart for an entire year completely vanished at this moment.

"Wuu..."

Xia Nuannuan pursed her lips, trying desperately not to cry out loud, but her shoulders couldn't stop trembling.

She took half a step back and adjusted her large, patched robe.

Then, she bowed deeply to Zhou Yun, almost at a ninety-degree angle.

She didn't rise for a long time.

A voice thick with nasal tones came from below, devout and firm:

"Tha... Thank you, City Lord!"

Facing Xia Nuannuan's almost devout bow of gratitude, Zhou Yun smiled gently, "What is there to thank me for?"

"As the City Lord, ensuring the citizens under my rule have food to eat and a place to live is my duty."

"It just so happens that quite a few vacant houses have opened up in the city, and the new city in the west is also under construction. You don't have to hide in this dark, sunless cave anymore; you can move out and live openly under the sun."

"As for food..." He glanced at the shriveled bag of rice bran and said half-jokingly:

"You don't have to worry about that either. Of course, the prerequisite is that you must work hard, okay?"

Hearing the first part of Zhou Yun's words, a glimmer of longing flashed in Xia Nuannuan's large eyes.

But when she heard "you must work hard" at the end, the light in her eyes quickly dimmed, replaced by deep inferiority and embarrassment.

She lowered her head, her two dirty little hands twisting together, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum:

"But I... I don't know how to do anything..."

"I only add trouble for everyone..."

Long-term confinement had made her feel like she was a good-for-nothing.

Seeing this, Zhou Yun was about to offer some words of encouragement, but Lei Lie couldn't help himself and spoke first.

"Silly girl!" He said, feigning anger:

"What kind of nonsense is that? You've been reading and writing with Brother Xia since you were young, full of literary talent, how can you say you don't know how to do anything?"

"Flower City is completely different from before! Anyone who knows a little reading and writing, or can do some accounting, is highly sought after! They can all find good jobs!"

"With your foundation, I think, being a scribe to copy documents is more than enough!"

"A... A scribe?" Xia Nuannuan looked up, her eyes filled with disbelief, "Can I do that?"

Wan'er, who had been standing by the side, also smiled at this moment. She stepped forward and said gently:

"Lei Lie is right. Clerical work is indeed in short supply right now."

"However, since you would be a scribe, neat handwriting is the most basic requirement."

Handwriting?

Hearing this, Zhou Yun's mind stirred.

He gently opened the small accounting booklet that Xia Nuannuan had given him, walked out of the dark room, and took a few steps toward the gate of the Granary.

By the sunlight filtering in from outside, the rows of handwriting came clearly into view.

At just one glance, his gaze froze.

He saw that on the yellowed, rough paper pages, the date and the weight of the consumed rice bran were recorded densely.

Although it was just a dull ledger, this handwriting...

It was too beautiful.

It was standard, elegant small regular script.

Each character was only the size of a grain of rice, yet the strokes were delicate and elegant, with inner strength.

The horizontal strokes were like clouds stretching across a thousand miles; the turns were like a heavy crossbow ready to fire.

Between the lines, there was a sense of meticulousness and composure, even when in desperate straits.

In that dark, cramped, dark room where she couldn't even fully extend her arm, she had actually managed to write such neat, calm characters!

The handwriting reflects the person.

Even when mired in the mud, her heart still faced the sun.

From this, Xia Nuannuan's Heart-Nature could be glimpsed!

"What beautiful handwriting!" Zhou Yun couldn't help but exclaim in sincere admiration.

Wan'er also curiously leaned over to take a look, then her beautiful eyes widened slightly, and she nodded repeatedly in agreement:

"It is indeed beautiful handwriting! This small regular script would be worthy of praise even if it were placed in the Imperial Academy of the Capital."

"Right?" Zhou Yun laughed, the more he looked at the handwriting, the more he liked it.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Zhou Yun's mind.

He thought back to two days ago, when the Chamber of Commerce went on strike, and the City Lord's Mansion had no one available to use.

At that time, to issue a public notice to calm the people, he had to let Lei Lie take up the brush.

As a result, Lei Lie's handwriting looked like it had been scratched by chicken claws, and it was hard to tell which was worse, his or his own!

Thinking of this, he closed the small booklet and looked at the dirty girl in front of him, who couldn't hide her scholarly aura, and immediately made a decision:

"Nuan Nuan."

"It would be a waste of your talent to have you be an ordinary scribe."

"I happen to be missing a personal secretary by my side to help me convey orders, draft documents, and organize files."

"I really like your handwriting."

"So, why not... stay by my side."

"Ah?" Xia Nuannuan was completely stunned.

She stared blankly at Zhou Yun, her mind completely blank.

Stay... stay by City Lord's side?

Be a... personal secretary?

Does that mean she could follow this handsome big brother every day?

A huge, surreal sense of happiness struck her instantly, making her little face turn bright red, and she didn't even know where to put her hands.

"Silly girl! Why are you just standing there stunned!" Lei Lie, who was nearby, saw this and was so anxious his nostrils were practically smoking, "This is an incredible stroke of fortune! Hurry up and thank City Lord!"

Having been shouted at by Lei Lie, Xia Nuannuan finally snapped back to reality.

"Thump!"

She knelt down heavily once again.

This time, it was not because of fear, nor was it to atone for sins.

It was because of gratitude.

"Thank you, City Lord!!"

Xia Nuannuan looked up, her clear large eyes sparkling with an unprecedented, firm light, her voice crisp and loud,

"I will definitely work hard! I will never let down City Lord's trust!"

Zhou Yun nodded with a smile.

Having arranged things for Nuan Nuan, his attention naturally returned to the purpose of his visit to the Granary.

He looked at Wan'er and instructed:

"Wan'er, Minister Wang and everyone in the Chamber of Commerce have already donated their vacant houses, fields, and large quantities of hoarded supplies."

"With this, the problem of everyone's housing is basically solved."

"But just having a place to live is not enough."

"Like this, arrange for manpower immediately to go and coordinate with Minister Wang. Take inventory of all existing bedding, cotton-padded clothes, and clothing, then distribute them as soon as possible."

"We absolutely cannot let everyone suffer from the cold when they have housing."

Wan'er's expression became serious, and she immediately bowed to accept the order:

"Understood! This subordinate will go and handle it immediately, and will not let a single citizen suffer from the cold!"

After watching Wan'er walk away quickly, Lei Lie stepped forward and reminded him:

"City Lord, there is one more thing..."

"The East City Gate was broken through by refugees last night. Although we temporarily blocked it with miscellaneous items, it hasn't been repaired after all. Now our main force is all in the west building the new city, and the defense in the east is empty..."

"Should we arrange for manpower to fix the East City Gate first? Otherwise, if we encounter Demonic Beasts or... or rioters, I'm afraid..."

"This is indeed a problem." Zhou Yun nodded, "Refugees are secondary, but if Demonic Beasts enter the city, it will be troublesome."

"Like this, you will be responsible for coordinating with Elder Tie regarding the repair of the city gate."

"In addition... the thirty thousand people knocking on the city gate yesterday shouldn't be a coincidence. There should still be a large number of refugees coming to Flower City in the near future."

"However, the gates of Flower City stop Demonic Beasts, but they do not stop refugees."

"If refugees come, do not block them, and do not drive them away. As long as they are willing to work and are willing to abide by the rules of Flower City, they can all be allowed to stay."

"This matter will require more of your effort."

"As for how much manpower you need, you can select it from the current citizens. Whether it is forming a patrol or expanding the City Guard, you have the authority to act first and report later!"

"City Lord shows compassion for the suffering of the refugees, with a heart as vast as the sea. It truly makes this subordinate admire you!" Lei Lie clasped his fists heavily, his voice loud and clear,

"City Lord, rest assured! This subordinate will definitely do his utmost to guard Flower City with his life! I will never let Demonic Beasts or any scoundrels step a single half-step into Flower City!"

"With those words from you, I can rest assured." Zhou Yun nodded with a smile.

Lei Lie is currently the only Silver Rank Professional in Flower City, and he has also served as the City Guard captain for many years, so he should have been entrusted with important tasks.

But... he had hinted several times before, and Lei Lie had declined, citing insufficient ability.

But the problem of ability is often the smallest problem.

As long as there is a suitable platform, ordinary citizens can quickly grow into talents capable of handling things on their own.

That is why he entrusted this matter to Lei Lie.

...

After Lei Lie also left, only Zhou Yun and his newly appointed, obediently following "little tail" Nuan Nuan remained in the Granary.

Zhou Yun walked out of the Granary and took the Green Element Heart Sutra from his bosom.

His fingers gently caressed the rough book cover, looking at the ancient handwriting on it, Zhou Yun felt a little excited inside.

This is a Cultivation Technique.

It is what Professionals crave the most.

Now, he had obtained it.

But the problem is...

Since his Transmigration, although he has the System by his side, and although he is the City Lord, he is still an unawakened ordinary person.

Without Awakening a profession, he naturally cannot Cultivate this Cultivation Technique.

Thinking of this, he felt a little disappointed.

However, this emotion lasted only for a brief moment.

"This Green Element Heart Sutra is of great significance to the current Flower City." Zhou Yun re-examined the ancient book in his hand and whispered to himself:

"However... this is only a Black Iron Rank Cultivation Technique after all, the Rank is a bit low."

Thinking of this, his mind stirred, and his eyes suddenly turned golden.

City Lord Skill!

Touch of Gold!

Hum!

The sky trembled!

Golden characters suddenly appeared in the sky!

[Flower City Lord's Decree: Touch of Gold!]

As the skill was activated, a mysterious fluctuation that only Zhou Yun and Nuan Nuan could see instantly enveloped the ancient book in Zhou Yun's hand.

In an instant.

The originally yellowed, dilapidated, and even curled-edged Green Element Heart Sutra actually began to turn pages automatically in the golden light!

Streams of golden runes emerged from the Void Realm and drilled into the pages, modifying the originally rough and obscure circulation routes and chapter contents inside.

Because almost everyone in the city was working enthusiastically in the west of the city, this anomaly did not cause a commotion.

Only Nuan Nuan, who was standing behind Zhou Yun, had her eyes wide open!

She didn't understand what those golden runes represented.

But she could clearly see the golden characters in the sky!

Flower City Lord's Decree!

City Lord's Decree!

This is clearly a City Lord Skill that only a Destined City Lord can use!!

Zhou Yun did not notice Nuan Nuan's reaction.

When the golden light dissipated, the dilapidated Green Element Heart Sutra in his hand had completely disappeared.

Replacing it was a brand-new Secret Manual that emitted a faint cyan fluorescent light, with a texture as warm and smooth as jade!

The characters on the cover had also changed from five to three, written with vigorous, flowing strokes, exuding a sense of vitality.

Green Wood Art!

"It really changed!"

Zhou Yun looked at the new book in his hand, his eyes full of surprise.

The previous Black Iron Rank Green Element Heart Sutra had become the Bronze Rank Green Wood Art after the Touch of Gold!

Just as he was preparing to flip through this brand-new Cultivation Technique to see the changes inside, he heard a rush of hurried footsteps.

He saw a City Guards member walk up quickly and shout:

"Report—!"

"Reporting to City Lord!"

"There are a large number of refugees outside the East City Gate requesting to enter the city!!"