Starting as a centurion, he fought his way through the chaos of the world.

Chapter 108 Another Winter

Lu Ming started browsing the system's shop.

The points totaled a considerable amount, reaching 46 million.

He was satisfied with the amount; it was enough for his current needs.

Next, it's time to filter the items in the store.

[Forging Method for the Complete Set of Equipment for Wei Wuzu (50 Points)]

[The complete forging method for the Qin Warriors' equipment, 50 points]

Looking at the numbers, Lu Ming didn't hesitate.

I redeemed it directly.

Both of these troop types are considered the elite of the elite.

If this could be recreated, the strength of the Governor's Office would increase considerably.

Then, I logged out of the system.

He stood up and walked towards the backyard.

He was preparing to go see his wife.

Having not seen him for so long, Li Xirou must miss him too.

As the territory expands, so do the things that come up.

I spend even less time with my partner now.

As I walked out of the lobby, I saw all the soldiers still training.

The warriors under Lu Ming's command have now reached the Blood Transformation Realm, and they have the experience of following him on the last expedition.

They seem to have changed a lot.

They were all training like crazy.

This made him very happy.

As Lu Ming was about to head to the backyard, he saw Zhang Meng, who had already finished his business.

He was holding a water ladle and gulping it down.

His cultivation level has now caught up, reaching the early stage of True Essence.

Although he was a bit less capable than the others, he was still competent enough to guard the house and handle some trivial matters.

Seeing Lu Ming's gaze fall upon her, she didn't dare hesitate and quickly walked over.

"Does Your Excellency have any instructions?"

He hunched over when he spoke.

He now has a very clear understanding of his own position.

That means following Lu Ming's arrangements at any time.

"I plan to set up two camps, the Wuzu Camp and the Ruishi Camp, each with three thousand men. The personnel will be selected from the existing camps, and they must be the elite. The gaps left in the camps will be filled by the new army."

"Yes, sir!" Zhang Meng replied hastily.

Lu Ming nodded and walked towards the backyard.

As soon as I entered my yard, I saw Li Xirou standing on tiptoe, waiting for something.

It was obvious that they knew about Lu Ming's reply.

She wore a long white dress that accentuated her curves.

It's a bit fuller than before.

His skin was so white it was almost translucent, and a fine bead of sweat covered his forehead.

It was obvious that they had waited quite a while.

As soon as she saw Lu Ming, she ran over and said, "Husband, you're finally back."

As she spoke, she gracefully took Lu Ming's arm.

"I had some things to take care of, so I was a little delayed. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." As Lu Ming spoke, the two of them had already entered the house, and the maids tactfully withdrew.

After pouring herself a glass of water, Li Xirou sat down next to Lu Ming.

"My mother cooked dinner at home and would like you to come over for a chat tonight."

Since Lu Ming became the governor, he has rarely visited the Li family.

It's not because of anything else, but because I've been too busy with all sorts of things.

He was overwhelmed with work.

“Okay, we’ll go in a bit.” Lu Ming didn’t refuse and nodded.

A smile instantly appeared on Li Xirou's face.

"Mmm!" she responded softly.

Then Lu Ming continued, "We brought back quite a lot of supplies this time. Go to the warehouse and pick out some gifts, and we'll take them with us."

There was a small storeroom in their yard.

After each battle, some exquisite and valuable items would be stored inside.

This time is no exception.

"I'll go right away," Li Xirou said with a smile.

After saying that, he stood up and went out.

After she had chosen the gift.

Lu Ming accompanied them as they walked outside.

The carriage and guards were already prepared.

When they arrived at the Li residence, they had clearly already received the news.

Zhang Ming was still the one greeting them outside.

He was even more cautious when he saw Lu Ming this time.

"Xi Rou, brother-in-law, you've arrived. Please come in. The old man has brought out all his treasured wines today."

A smile appeared on his face as he spoke.

Unconsciously, it carried a hint of flattery.

Lu Ming nodded and then walked inside.

When we arrived at the backyard, we saw quite a few people.

Even Xi Rou's other brothers were there; Lu Ming had met them once before.

Her brothers are all good.

At this moment, they all stepped forward to greet him.

Zhao stood up and pulled Lu Ming to sit down.

"Sit down and eat. Today's dishes are all your favorites."

"Brother-in-law, try this. I bought a sea fish at a high price when I went out this time. I heard it tastes very delicious."

Li Xun placed a piece of fish into Lu Ming's bowl.

"It's a pity that Wang Yue and my second sister aren't here, otherwise the whole family would be together," Zhao said softly.

She felt sorry for her daughter.

Although Wang Yue was promoted, he went to Fenglei County.

Li Xiyao followed.

Meeting in person is never very convenient.

"Why are you bringing this up? That's how it is in the military. They're all adults now, so they naturally have their own things to do. How can they be kept around?"

The father-in-law opened a jar of wine and had his son fill everyone's glasses.

He began to speak.

At this moment, Lu Ming pondered for a moment and then said, "We are preparing to add two more troops to the Governor's Mansion. Wang Yue has made great progress and is one of our own. I will transfer him back in a few days to serve as a captain in the Governor's Mansion."

Then we'll be able to see each other more often.

In fact, he not only wanted to transfer Wang Yue back, but he also planned to make use of the people in the Li family.

Although he had a good relationship with Baili Fei and knew about the Baili family's thoughts.

However, everything needs checks and balances; a single dominant entity is always a hidden danger.

Today, the Governor's Office has an Imperial Household Officer.

In charge of the business within the government office.

He plans to establish another Trade Route Commandant to be responsible for transporting goods abroad.

Separate powers.

Only in this way can you use it more easily.

Moreover, they are, after all, Li Xirou's family members, although their strength cannot compare with that of the Baili family.

However, having myself in the picture and using them to check and balance each other is the most appropriate approach.

Then, his gaze fell on Li Xun. "Brother, do you have any intention of taking up a post in the Governor's Office?"

As soon as the voice rang out, Li Xun's eyes lit up, and even the other members of the Li family looked over.

The opportunity to serve as an official in the imperial court was something the Li family naturally desired.

In the past, perhaps they would have considered it, since the imperial army at that time didn't even dare to leave the city. Even if they did go, they wouldn't have many men under their command, and they might even have to take the blame for their superiors. But now everyone knows that.

The Yunzhou Army is at its zenith and will soon be stationed in two prefectures. Joining the army might just be a path to a bright future.

Of course, they were willing to enter.

It's just that because of the unpleasantness between Li Ren and Lu Ming in the past, no one mentions it now.

I'm worried that I might upset the former.

It embarrassed the other party.

Now that Lu Ming has brought it up, Li Xun naturally won't refuse.

"Can I? If it's possible, of course I'd be willing," he said without hesitation. After all, things were chaotic everywhere.

Even though the Li family was extremely wealthy, the caravan could not navigate through the chaos of the army.

Now, even many of the servants and helpers have been dismissed.

Without business, these people have become a burden.

"Your cultivation level is at the Blood Realm, which is a bit weak, but you don't need to charge into battle. So, you can start as a trade route captain and be in charge of managing the caravans."

You can set it up yourself, and everything will be funded by the Governor's Office.

As for the transportation of goods, you can just discuss it with Baili Fei.

You two will each be responsible for one section. He will be in charge of organizing the supplies from Yunzhou, and you will be in charge of transporting them out for sale.

You can have three thousand strongmen at your command.

After drinking a glass of wine, Lu Ming said calmly.

Li Xun's eyes lit up instantly.

"Thank you, Governor!" he said formally as he stood up.

The rest of the Li family looked on with envy.

Li Xun then became a captain in the Governor's Office.

In the past, it was necessary for families to make efforts to befriend such figures.

Lu Ming waved his hand, "Now that we're at home, and you're the elder brother, there's no need for such formalities. Tomorrow you can go to the Governor's Mansion and get a cultivation manual from Guo Huai."

“Okay!” Li Xun nodded.

An excited look appeared on his face.

After the meal, the Li family personally escorted them out.

Lu Ming and Li Xirou headed towards the Governor's Mansion.

On the way, Li Xirou whispered through the car window, "Husband, thank you."

Why are you thanking me? Is it because of your brother?
There's no need for thanks; besides, I've given this matter considerable thought, and he's the most suitable candidate.

"Mm!" Li Xirou nodded gently.

But I couldn't help but feel moved.

Meanwhile, after seeing Lu Ming off, the Li family members were walking towards the backyard.

Li Ren looked at his eldest son and said, "Go to the Governor's Office and do a good job. Don't embarrass your sister."

“I know, Father,” Li Xun said with a smile.

Li Ren glared at him and said, "What do you know? Lu Ming sent you to the army, firstly to check and balance the Baili family, and secondly to reassure your sister and give her a powerful backer. If you don't do a good job, I'll punish you according to family rules."

The old man's words made Li Xun involuntarily shrink his neck.

The Li family's rules were very strict; he had witnessed them firsthand.

I don't want to go through that again.

Then, Li Ren continued, "Didn't we stockpile a lot of grain at the beginning of spring this year? We can't even finish it ourselves, and we can't sell it now. Tomorrow, you can take it all to the Governor's Mansion."

I heard that when Baili Fei was in office, the Baili family gave him quite a few benefits.

The sound startled the Zhang family members.

That's hundreds of thousands of bushels of grain.

That's almost a third of the Zhang family's wealth.

Isn't this old man still giving Lu Ming the cold shoulder? Why is he being so generous?

"Can our family compare to the Baili family?" Li Xun muttered under his breath.

"Slap!" Li Ren slapped him on the head.

“You can’t compare to the past, but now with your brother-in-law’s support, things are different. At least you can give it a try in Yunzhou. Do your best.” After saying this, Li Ren left with his hands behind his back.

After Lu Ming returned to the Governor's Mansion.

They did not go straight back to the backyard to rest.

Instead, they went to the ironwork camp, where the old blacksmith was leading everyone to prepare for a rest.

It was getting late, and even the stove had been shut off.

When Lu Ming arrived.

Everyone's expression turned solemn.

The old blacksmith walked over cautiously.

"I've met my lord."

"Did Baili Fei tell you about making the cotton armor?" Lu Ming asked slowly, glancing around.

"Sir, the orders have all been given. We can start forging as soon as the fine steel and cotton from Fenglei County arrive." The old blacksmith's voice carried a hint of confidence.

I dare not say anything else.

He now has quite a few people under his command, and they are all quick and efficient.

Forging some armor was certainly not a problem.

"Hmm, I have two more types of armor here. Could you tell me how much it would cost to have them made?"

As Lu Ming spoke, he also took out the armor-making methods for the Wei Wuzu and the Qin elite soldiers.

The old blacksmith observed carefully for a moment.

He carefully said, “My lord, both of these armors require Vajra and Black Gold. We have enough Vajra, but we need to buy Black Gold. Each armor of the elite warriors requires one tael of Black Gold, and the equipment of the infantry requires three taels. Their large shields consume a lot of materials.”

"Go find Baili Fei and have him buy some from Baili's family. All expenses should be withdrawn from the account."

If, without delaying the forging of cotton armor, three thousand sets of each type of armor are needed, how long would it take to forge them all?

There is enough money for purchasing supplies.

However, Lu Ming hoped that the construction time could be shortened.

This is a question he cares about very much.

Lu Ming was certain that after this year, next year would be even more difficult.

Our strength must be improved as soon as possible.

"It should all be finished before next spring!" the old blacksmith said hurriedly.

“Okay, then let’s wait until spring begins tomorrow,” Lu Ming said.

He then left with his hands behind his back.

When we returned to the house.

Li Xirou had already lain down, the candlelight illuminating her face.

It shimmers with a crystal-clear luster.

Seeing this, Lu Ming could no longer hold back.

The candles were immediately extinguished.

The next morning, feeling refreshed, I went into the secret room.

In the time that followed, he practiced cultivation almost every day.

News of the increasingly rampant cultivation sects has spread from all over the country.

The Prince of Zhenhai had already occupied two states. They were originally planning to attack Yunzhou, but after hearing that Lu Ming had defeated hundreds of thousands of troops in Zezhou overnight, they changed their minds.

So they chose to temporarily avoid the limelight.

Instead, they began to expand outwards, and it is said that their army was aided by sea monsters.

The strength is extraordinary.

Meanwhile, the imperial court's defenses were constantly shrinking, and fighting was taking place in various regions.

However, overall, the Great Yu still controls most of the territory.

As for Zezhou, after Bai Yan entered, he pacified the rioters and distributed food.

On one hand, he led everyone to begin building canals and diverting water.

A considerable amount of wasteland has been reclaimed.

Encouragingly, merchants from the two states have begun to exchange goods and services.

Caravans that had disappeared due to war were gradually beginning to reappear.

The two elite battalions selected by Zhang Meng have already moved into the Governor's Mansion, and all of them are at the Bone Forging Realm.

With the addition of elixirs, he is transforming into the Blood Transformation Realm.

Wu Han's army, on the other hand, rampaged through Zezhou.

Finally, in the first month of winter, they occupied the entire Zezhou.

The newly recruited army of 100,000, with the supply of elixirs and cultivation techniques, coupled with the constant fighting on the battlefield, found a new force of 100,000.

They have all broken through to the Body Tempering Realm.

This met the minimum requirements for the strength of Lu Ming's army.

In the blink of an eye, three months have passed.

Lu Ming also welcomed his second winter in this world.

During these three months, he was also busy.

His cultivation level increased rapidly.

On this day, he had just woken up in the secret room, his entire body covered by an earthen-yellow light curtain.

Feeling the surging power within his body, Lu Ming couldn't help but smile.

Clearly, we gained a lot this time.

"It cost a full 30 million points, but the gains were also gratifying."

he said to himself.

Thank you so much to the generous reader Arkham for the 500 Qidian Coins reward, thank you to all the readers for the monthly tickets, and thank you to all the readers who have been following along!
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(End of this chapter)