Ink panel: Hunting the sun and surveying the sky from the bow.

The streets of Kyoto are crowded with people and all kinds of hawking sounds can be heard.

Wei Chengye took Shen Qing to the vicinity of the south city gate.

"Boss Shen, we are here."

Shen Qing reined in his horse and stopped. He looked up and saw a low house at the corner of the street in front of him. On the gate was a plaque with the words "Qinglongfang Bingmasi-37".

Wei Chengye dismounted and said, "This is Qinglongfang in the south, one of your defense areas. Let's go and identify the gate."

Shen Qing nodded and dismounted.

Wei Chengye walked in with a swagger and said in a loud voice, "Is there anyone still breathing in the room? Come out."

After a while, hurried footsteps were heard in the slightly crowded and dim room.

Three minor officials in black robes ran out quickly.

As soon as these petty officials saw Wei Chengye, their faces were immediately filled with flattery, and they said in a servile manner: "Oh, isn't this Lord Wei? We are sorry for not welcoming you from afar, we are sorry for not welcoming you from afar!"

"Sir, please come and sit down."

The three people hurriedly brought out a few long benches and placed them beside Wei Chengye, then swiftly served tea and water, their eyes full of compliments.

At this time, Shen Qing looked around and found that the room was cramped and the furnishings were simple. It was obvious that the treatment of these servants was not very good.

These officers are at least martial artists at the Qi-nourishing realm, and they are local tyrants in Taiping County. But in the capital, they are like minions, ordered around by others. It is simply like heaven and earth between them.

Seeing this scene, Shen Qing couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Wei Chengye did not take the tea nor sit on the bench. He just stepped aside and led Shen Qing in front of everyone.

"Come, let me introduce you to Lord Shen Qingshen, the chief of the Southern Division. He will be your new leader in the future. You should get acquainted with him first."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room tensed, and everyone's eyes were focused on Shen Qing at the same time, with a complex emotion mixed with curiosity, awe and anticipation.

Shen Qing stood there, motionless as a mountain, his face serious.

A petty official immediately responded: "I, Ma Lingfei, greet you, Your Excellency."

"I am Shi Yifei."

"I am Ge Wenbin."

Wei Chengye said directly: "Take out all your files from the past few days."

"Yes, my lord."

Among the three, a clerk ran into the room, holding something similar to an account book and presented it to Wei Chengye and the others: "My lords, these are the files from the past few days. Please take a look at them."

Wei Chengye took the account and flipped through it, then handed it to Shen Qing: "Take a look at it and feel it."

Shen Qing took the file and opened it and read it carefully.

Relying on his ability of "studying the truth and seeking the truth", he quickly understood the cases recorded in these files.

Most of them were street fights, home burglaries, etc. The only murder case was when a father-in-law was accidentally beaten to death by his son for having an affair.

It is completely different from the cases in Yongzhou where murders and demons are rampant.

In other words, it's very peaceful.

"So we are not usually needed on weekdays, and it is more than enough to let these runners and messengers handle it." Wei Chengye said calmly: "You don't have to worry too much."

Shen Qing closed the file and said, "I understand."

"Your jurisdiction is from No. 30 to No. 44, all in this area. If you have nothing to do later, you can find them one by one here. Okay, I'll take you to the next place."

As Wei Chengye spoke, he stood up and walked out of the house.

After Shen Qing returned the file, they all went out.

Three clerks escorted them to the door and said with a smile, "Goodbye, my two lords."

Outside the house, Shen Qing and Wei Chengye each mounted their horses.

Shen Qing said: "Should we go to the next place next?"

"You can meet the subordinates in the area under Lord Shen's jurisdiction later when you have time. I will take you to another place." Wei Chengye kicked the horse's belly and said, "Gee!"

That’s right, with so many neighborhoods and fourteen stops, it would be a very time-consuming task to visit them one by one.

If the situation in different places is similar, there would be no need for it.

Shen Qing followed without asking any questions.

When he had nothing to do yesterday, he had already walked around this place and was quite familiar with the layout here.

It seems that Wei Chengye went to a place further south.

If he remembered correctly, the location was close to the Qifu Gate.

After walking for a while, Wei Chengye stopped at a restaurant. He threw the reins to the waiter at the door and strode in.

The house was bustling with activity and the first floor was full of people.

Wei Chengye took Shen Qing directly to the second floor and found a seat by the window and sat down.

The waiter in the restaurant came running over with tea in his hand, and greeted them with a smile, "What would you two like to eat?"

"Bring a pot of Jingui wine, three taels of mutton, a roast chicken, and three dishes of side dishes." Wei Chengye said skillfully.

The servant took a bamboo slip and quickly marked it: "Okay, the two distinguished guests, please wait a moment."

Shen Qing sat opposite Wei Chengye and asked in confusion, "Master Wei, is this the place you want me to go?"

Wei Chengye smiled and pointed, saying, "Look at the street below."

Shen Qing stretched his head and looked down the street, only to see pedestrians hurrying by and shops lined up on both sides of the street.

Other than that, no other differences can be seen.

"Forgive my ignorance, I can't see any way."

Wei Chengye smiled and said, "Do you know which noble families there are in Kyoto?"

"Cui, Wang, Xue, Xie, Zhao, Li, Zhang, Su."

"That's right. The row of shops below happen to be the stores of the eight great families. The Su family's casino, the Zhang family's brothel, the Xie family's pawnshop... In your jurisdiction, this area has the most stores of the great families, so you have to be careful." Wei Chengye said meaningfully.

"There are so many powerful people in Kyoto that even if this brick is thrown down, anyone it hits has connections with the court. If you don't pay attention, you might bring yourself unnecessary trouble."

"But you know, it's easiest to offend people in our line of work, and it's unavoidable. So, you just need to know not to mess with people from these eight surnames."

"You'd better turn a blind eye. This is the most important part of your jurisdiction."

Shen Qing said calmly: "So, even though we are officials of the imperial court, we have to kneel before the eight great families?"

"Don't say such harsh words." Wei Chengye said with a smile: "There are so many people who want to kneel but can't."

Shen Qing said: "Is there no way to stand?"

"Yes, if your last name was Ji, no one would dare to make you kneel."

"My two guests, your food and drinks are here."

At this time, the restaurant waiter came up with a full bowl of wine and food and interrupted the two.

Wei Chengye said, "Let's drink first."

With a flick of his fingers, the seal on the wine jug was easily opened, and the rich aroma of osmanthus mixed with the aroma of wine filled the air.

"Master Shen, try the osmanthus wine here. It tastes much better than the sweet and greasy wine outside." Shen Qing didn't ask any more questions. He picked up the wine glass and said, "Then I won't be polite. Have a good taste."

Gululu.

Shen Qing raised his head generously and swallowed a big mouthful of wine like a whale drinking.

The amber nectar slid down his throat like a torrent, bringing a burning and satisfying pleasure, and a warm current spread from his stomach.

After drinking it, the unique aroma of osmanthus and a light sweetness emanate from the tip of your tongue.

Shen Qing suddenly felt that this wine was indeed a little different.

"Brother Shen, how about this wine?"

"Good wine."

"Hahaha." Wei Chengye said, "There isn't much else in Kyoto, but there is a lot of wine here. Almost every restaurant has its own special flower wine. The annual Hundred Flowers Brewing and the competition for the Wine King are even more lively. You'll have a chance to see it in a few days."

Shen Qing picked up the chopsticks and said, "Then I will definitely go and take a look when the time comes."

After taking a few more sips, Shen Qing suddenly remembered something and asked, "I wonder if Brother Wei knows about the affairs of the noble families and the vegetable city?"

The smile on Wei Chengye's face suddenly disappeared, and he asked, "Where did Brother Shen hear about this?"

"I heard those children from aristocratic families occasionally mention it during the pacification meeting." Shen Qing made up a story and pushed the blame onto the dead man.

Wei Chengye sighed and said fearfully: "The water here is very deep, it is not something we can get involved in, you'd better not ask about it."

Seeing Wei Chengye being so secretive, Shen Qing stopped asking any more questions.

Downstairs of the restaurant, a carved carriage slowly stopped. The sound of horse hooves stopped abruptly, raising a cloud of fine dust.

The curtain of the car was slightly lifted, first revealing a hand full of traces of time, and then an old man with white hair and beard and vigorous spirit slowly walked down.

After he got out of the car, he blocked the curtain and said respectfully to the inside: "Master, we are here."

"Hmm." A young hum came from the carriage.

A young man with lively eyes and handsome face walked out of the carriage.

He took a light leap and landed steadily, looking clean and neat.

Obviously he is also a martial artist.

The restaurant owner Li Fu was already waiting at the door.

He kept an eye on all directions and listened carefully. When he saw the carriage stop, he hurriedly stepped out of the door, smiling, and trotted forward to greet them: "Hey, Old Butler Li, Ninth Young Master, you are finally here. I have been waiting for you for a long time!"

"Is everything ready? I came here today just to check the restaurant's accounts. I found that a lot of the accounts in your restaurant don't tally."

Shopkeeper Li Fu broke out in a cold sweat. He said, "Young Master Jiu, you are joking. No matter what, we dare not make a move on the accounts."

"Let's see first."

"Master Nine, please come this way."

An old man and a young man, surrounded by the old shopkeeper, slowly walked into the restaurant.

Although Young Master Li Jiu is not very old, he has an aura that cannot be underestimated.

As soon as he stepped into the restaurant, he immediately attracted the attention of the guests, who were curious about this sudden scene.

Young Master Li Jiu was calm and composed, with no ripples on his face. He took it all in stride.

A few people walked up the stairs and just as they stepped onto the wooden floor of the second floor, they ran into Shen Qing and Wei Chengye, who were wearing the uniforms of the military officers.

Young Master Li Jiu recognized one of them, he was Wei Chengye, the chief constable of the Bingmasi, but the other handsome man looked unfamiliar.

He turned to the old man beside him and said, "Grandpa Tong, who is that person next to Wei Chengye?"

The old servant looked over and saw Shen Qing, who looked very heroic, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and he couldn't recognize him.

"Master Jiu, I don't know him either. I'll go ask around later."

Young Master Li Jiu hummed lightly and was led into a separate room by the shopkeeper Li Fu.

The shopkeeper Li Fu quickly asked his servants to prepare some fruit and snacks, and brought out the account book and said, "Master Jiu, here is the turnover of this restaurant for the past year."

"Put them on the table and I'll read them one by one. If nothing else, take the people down."

The shopkeeper Li Fu quickly retreated.

After a while, the old servant who had inquired for the news came back to the young man's side, waiting quietly by his side, waiting patiently.

The boy looked through the accounts, his brows knitted together.

He closed the account book expressionlessly and said, "Let the shopkeeper come in."

"Yes, Master."

The shopkeeper Li Fu walked in tremblingly: "Master Jiu, you are looking for me?"

Young Master Li Jiu said grimly: "Grandpa Tong, go and twist his head off."

"Ah!" Shopkeeper Li Fu was so scared that he peed his pants and cried, "Master Jiu, I have worked here for so many years. Even if I have no merit, I have worked hard. I hope you can spare my life..."

puff!

Blood sprayed.

The voice of the shopkeeper Li Fu suddenly stopped.

His head was twisted off alive by the old servant.

"After so many years, the accounts are like this. I can't even understand them. How can I expect to survive?" Young Master Li Jiu snorted coldly and asked the old servant, "Have you found out who the new face outside is?"

The old servant threw the head on the ground and replied respectfully: "Master, I have already found out. This man is Shen Qing. He survived the rebellion not long ago and was appointed by His Majesty as the chief of the southern part of the military department."

"I heard that there is only one person left alive from this pacification meeting. Is this the person?" Young Master Li Jiu said curiously.

"Exactly."

"What a coincidence! He is nominally the chief of our city." Young Master Li Jiu glanced at the corpse on the ground and ordered expressionlessly, "Tell him to come over. I just want to ask about the affairs of Third Brother and the others."

"During this meeting to quell the rebellion, my third brother and his men died in an unclear manner, and my father is very unhappy. If we can get some news about the meeting from this person and bring it back, my father will probably feel better."

"Yes." The old servant took the order and went straight to Shen Qing and the other man.

At this time, Shen Qing was chatting with Wei Chengye when he suddenly saw a strange face standing next to him.

He glanced up and down at the old servant, not understanding anything.

The old servant spoke condescendingly, "Boss Shen, my young master has something to ask you, please come over here."

The tone of his voice was very disrespectful, which made Shen Qing unhappy.

The old servant frowned when he saw Shen Qing being so arrogant. He suddenly softened his tone and said respectfully, "Boss Shen, my ninth young master is in this restaurant today and wants to see Lord Shen. I hope Lord Shen will do me the honor."

Wei Chengye, who was standing by, was stunned when he heard the old servant introduce himself, and said unexpectedly: "The ninth young master of the Li family?"

"Exactly."

"I heard that the ninth young master of the Li family is the best among the younger generation of the Li family in terms of cultivation talent. I didn't expect to meet him today. It's such an honor." Wei Chengye introduced and lowered his voice and said, "Brother Shen, you may not know that the father of the young master Li is the current Wu Hou."

Shen Qing could tell that Wei Chengye wanted him to "lower his head" and understand the overall situation.

However, he did not want this.

Shen Qing put down his wine glass and said seriously: "No!" (End of this chapter)