447: Situation in Northern Xinjiang

The next day, as the sky brightened, in the Meeting Hall of the City Lord's Mansion.

Situ Jun summoned the Guards:

"Summon Zhu Changpo, Tu Xiong, and the others."

Moments later, the doors to the Meeting Hall were pushed open, and seven or eight people, including Zhu Changpo, Tu Xiong, and Cao Guang, filed in one after another.

All were dressed in martial attire, with burly statures and fierce auras. They were all Situ Jun's trusted generals and the pillars of Northern Border City.

The group bowed in salute and shouted in unison, their voices so loud the window frames rattled slightly:

"City Lord!"

"Rise."

Situ Jun raised his hand and flipped his palm upward.

In an instant, dozens of porcelain bottles, white as jade, flew out from his Storage Pouch and hovered in mid-air.

The bottles were engraved with intricate pill patterns, and a rich medicinal fragrance wafted out, instantly filling the entire Meeting Hall.

Zhu Changpo and the others' eyes lit up, their faces filled with joy.

They were all Cultivators and could naturally tell how extraordinary the medicinal fragrance was.

"These are 'Qi Condensation Pills,' all of High Grade. They can help you stabilize your Cultivation and even give you a chance to break through to a higher Realm."

As Situ Jun's voice fell, the porcelain bottles seemed to gain a life of their own, each flying toward one of the men.

Zhu Changpo reached out to catch the bottle flying his way. It felt warm in his hand. His cheeks flushed with excitement as he bowed and said:

"Thank you for the reward, City Lord!"

The others also expressed their thanks, their expressions full of gratitude.

Having followed Situ Jun for so long, they knew their master was always generous and never mistreated his Subordinates.

High Grade Medicinal Pills that ordinary Cultivators could only dream of, he could produce dozens of bottles at will. Such a grand gesture was enough to show the deep foundations of Northern Border City.

Situ Jun waved his hand, signaling for everyone to take their seats:

"No need for such formalities. While pills are good, they are ultimately external aids. The path of Cultivation is long and difficult; in the end, you must rely on your own diligence and must not slack off."

Everyone nodded in agreement, their expressions becoming even more respectful.

Situ Jun changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the group as he said in a deep voice:

"I called you here today not only to distribute rewards but also to hear about the recent situation of the people in Northern Border City. Farmlands, workshops, city defenses—if there is anything important, speak up."

As soon as he finished speaking, Tu Xiong was the first to stand up. He had the most impulsive personality and the loudest voice:

"Reporting to the City Lord, the people of Northern Border City have been living peacefully lately! The new fields reclaimed outside the city this autumn have yielded thirty percent more per acre than last year. The commoners have harvested their grain and are beaming with joy, everyone remembering your kindness, My Lord. The workshops in the city are also flourishing. The agricultural tools and weapons forged by the blacksmith shops, as well as the cotton cloth woven by the textile mills, are so popular that even people from the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce are scrambling to buy them. Orders are already backed up until next spring!"

He paused and scratched his head, a hint of distress appearing on his face:

"It's just that the winter in the Northern Border is too cold. Many of the commoners' houses have fallen into disrepair and are drafty. I've already organized people to help with repairs, but... the timber needed for the repairs is in short supply, and it's difficult to gather enough in a short time."

"Leave the matter of the timber to the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce," Situ Jun decided immediately. "Have them transport it from the Southern Border. The City Lord's Mansion will cover the shipping costs. This must be resolved as quickly as possible."

"Yes!"

Tu Xiong grinned and loudly accepted the order.

Situ Jun then looked at Zhu Changpo, who was in charge of Northern Border City's military affairs: "Are there any other problems in the city?"

Zhu Changpo stood up, his expression solemn:

"Reporting to the Mansion Lord, the medical clinics in the city have been overcrowded lately, mostly with commoners suffering from the cold. Although the mansion has allocated plenty of medicinal ingredients, there are still too few doctors skilled in medicine. Many people can only wait in line, which delays their treatment."

"I am aware of this matter."

Situ Jun nodded, his gaze steady:

"I will have Su Wan and the other female Cultivators who understand medicine go to the clinics to help. Additionally, post a notice immediately to recruit local physicians with generous benefits. Those with exceptional medical skills can be directly employed by the City Lord's Mansion."

Hearing this, everyone accepted the order.

For the next half hour, everyone spoke up one after another, clearly reporting the daily affairs of Northern Border City.

From the repair of irrigation channels in the fields to the treatment of craftsmen in the workshops, from the stockpiling of winter supplies for the people to the patrol and defense of the city—everything, no matter how small, was reported in an orderly fashion.

Situ Jun listened carefully, occasionally interjecting with questions and repeatedly emphasizing key points.

Once everyone had finished speaking, he finally spoke, his voice carrying a hint of praise:

"That Northern Border City can have its current peace and stability is all thanks to your dedicated efforts. In the future, you must continue to fulfill your duties and protect these people; you must not betray their trust."

"We shall not fail your trust, City Lord!"

Everyone responded in unison, their voices powerful and filled with sincerity.

Situ Jun nodded and waved his hand for everyone to withdraw. Silence once again returned to the Meeting Hall.

On the third day, as the first light of dawn appeared, Situ Jun changed into plain cloth robes and, accompanied by two attendants, quietly left the City Lord's Mansion to take a walk around Northern Border City.

He walked through the streets and alleys, checked the morning markets, asked about grain prices, and visited the workshops to observe the craftsmen at work. It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that he headed toward the Hundred Herbs Hall in the city.

Hundred Herbs Hall was the largest pharmacy in Northern Border City. Its manager, Jiang Yumei, was highly skilled in medicine and was also one of Situ Jun's Dao Companions.

He had come this time to discuss having the physicians from Hundred Herbs Hall work at the clinics to alleviate the city's shortage of medical care and supplies.

Upon hearing his purpose, Jiang Yumei readily agreed. The two discussed the details in the back hall of Hundred Herbs Hall for nearly an hour, finalizing everything from the scheduling of the physicians to the allocation and supply of medicinal herbs.

With everything settled, the two naturally shared some intimate moments.

"The snow in the Northern Border is more persistent this year than in previous years."

Jiang Yumei's voice was as soft as a honeyed medicinal catalyst. She stood up and walked behind Situ Jun, her fingertips lightly resting on his shoulder.

Situ Jun turned around and reached out to grasp her wrist.

His palms carried the chill of the Northern Border winter, yet they were so hot that Jiang Yumei trembled slightly.

He looked at her, the gloom and sharpness in his eyes completely receding, leaving only a boundless tenderness, like melting spring water.

"When I was inspecting the city defenses a few days ago, I saw that many commoners' roof tiles had collapsed under the weight of the snow. Tu Xiong is leading men to repair them, and as for the timber, I've already had the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce bring some in from the Southern Border."

Jiang Yumei leaned down and kissed him near his ear:

"You, your heart is filled with the hundred thousand people of the Northern Border, yet you always forget to take care of yourself."

Her voice carried a hint of reproach, but her eyes were brimming with a smile:

"There have been many patients with the cold in the clinics these past few days. I've brewed a medicinal soup to dispel the chill. You should stay today and drink it before you leave."

Situ Jun gave a low chuckle and pulled her into his arms.

His chin rested on the top of her head, his nose filled with the unique medicinal fragrance from her body, mixed with a faint scent of orchid and iris—a familiarity etched into his very marrow.

"Alright, I'll listen to you."

The candlelight flickered, casting their shadows on the wall where they merged into one.

Jiang Yumei leaned against his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, her nose feeling a slight sting of emotion.

His hand slowly stroked her long hair, his fingers passing through the strands and coming to a stop at the crown of her head, pressing gently.

Jiang Yumei let out a comfortable sigh and snuggled into his arms like a lazy cat, their lips pressing against each other.

The back hall was quiet, save for the soft crackling of the charcoal in the heater and their clearly audible heartbeats.

After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Yumei raised her hand, her fingertips lightly tracing the furrowed lines between his brows:

"I will go to the clinics with Sister Su Wan and the others tomorrow to help. We are also recruiting local physicians, so you don't need to worry about the clinics anymore."

Hearing this, Situ Jun's warm breath brushed against her ear, making her tremble slightly. His hand slid slowly down her back, his fingertips tracing the soft silk at her waist with just the right amount of pressure.

Jiang Yumei's face turned slightly red. She raised her hand and playfully thumped his chest, but she couldn't bring herself to use any real strength.

Situ Jun lowered his head and kissed her lips.

His kiss was not as sharp as his persona; instead, it carried a hint of cautious tenderness, as if he were afraid of disturbing the tranquility of the room.

The sound of the wind and snow outside grew more intense, rattling the copper bells on the eaves with a ding-ling-ding-ling sound. The candlelight inside flickered, stretching their shadows long across the room.

Jiang Yumei closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying herself deeper into his embrace.

After an unknown amount of time, Situ Jun finally released her slowly.

He looked at her flushed cheeks, the smile in his eyes deepening:

"Where is the medicinal soup? If I don't drink it soon, it will get cold."

Jiang Yumei gave him a playful glare but still let him hold her hand. Situ Jun tidied her slightly messy hair at the temples and pulled her collar together before she led him to the table in the outer room.

The celadon soup pot on the table was still warm, with curling steam rising and blurring their features.

She ladled a bowl for Situ Jun and handed it to him:

"This soup has angelica, goji berries, and Northern Border Snow Ginseng that I specifically sought out. It's excellent for nourishing the body."

Situ Jun took the bowl and took a sip.

The warm medicinal soup slid down his throat, carrying a faint bitterness that then bloomed into a hint of sweetness on the tip of his tongue.

He looked up at Jiang Yumei. She was resting her chin on her hand, looking at him with a smile, the light in her eyes brighter than the candlelight.

"It's good," he said softly.

Jiang Yumei's eyes curved into smiles as she reached out to wipe a medicinal stain from the corner of his mouth:

"If it's good, then have two more bowls."