From a refugee to a martial artist

Chapter 94 Meng Xiaoqi

I returned to my new home, changed into new clothes, and tied up my long hair.

The new house is not very big, but it is close to Jingyuan and very quiet.

"You're so handsome!" Nie Yannian said sarcastically when he saw Meng Yuan looking at himself in the mirror endlessly.

"It's just a shell." Meng Yuan said in a tone of enlightenment.

"Haha." Nie Yannian sneered at the words and said, "I heard that the little girl was taken to the princess's side for training. What did she train her for?"

"I don't know either." Meng Yuan was somewhat helpless. "She said that the princess didn't allow us to talk about it, so nothing about Jingyuan could be spread out."

"It's not a bad thing anyway." Nie Yannian was very relieved about Ying Ru.

The two chatted nonsense as they walked out of the palace.

The Demon Suppression Division of Songhe Prefecture is located in the south of the city, not far from the government office.

Nie Yannian was a meticulous person. On the way, he first told Meng Yuan about the Demon Suppression Bureau.

The Demon Suppression Bureau is located in the capital city and was founded at the beginning of the country. Now it is gradually expanding in scale and has more and more staff.

There were thousand-household offices in the capitals of various places, and hundred-household offices in each prefecture.

The Hundred Households Office is in charge of the evil activities in the counties and towns under the city. As for the evil ways like the Luo Sect, they are the focus of the Hundred Households Office's attention.

Of course, if there are big thieves or bandits that the prefectural or county government offices cannot handle, the Hundred Households Office will be invited to cooperate.

However, there is a difference between civil and military officials, and the Hundred Households Office also has the responsibility of supervision. The local government offices also have to prevent the Hundred Households Office from usurping their authority to handle cases. Therefore, the relationship between the local government offices and the Guards Office is average.

The Hundred Households were lowly in rank but powerful in power. There was one chief Hundred Households official and one deputy Hundred Households official. The official rank was the seventh rank. The martial arts realm was at least the seventh rank, or even the perfect realm.

Then there is the chief flag officer, whose rank is the eighth rank, and who must be at the eighth rank or even the seventh rank in martial arts. Under him are several small flag officers, whose rank ranges from the eighth rank, and who also must be at the eighth rank. Finally, there are the lowest-level lieutenants, white servants, etc.

Of course, the situation varies from place to place. Some places are peaceful, while others are full of evil spirits, so the personnel deployment is different.

"Those who can enter the garrison are either from a good family with a clean record, or have been promoted through the merits of their ancestors or parents. Or they are people like you who were forced in by others!"

Nie Yannian was very serious. "If you have no roots and want to climb up, joining the army or joining the Demon Suppression Bureau are both good ways out. Not only can you gain more experience, but you can also learn more. If you dare to work hard, you can climb up."

His voice became serious. "Remember, in the Demon Suppression Division, two things are most important. One is merit, and the other is someone who records your merit! With these two, you will have no problem climbing up! The latter is Lao Zhang, and the former depends on you! As for the Third Miss, wait until you take Lao Zhang's position, then it will be time for the Third Miss to contribute."

Meng Yuan nodded.

"Also, get along well with everyone." Nie Yannian put his hand on Meng Yuan's shoulder.

"I understand." Meng Yuan is not the type to cause trouble.

"Now Old Zhang and the deputy captain of the garrison are not getting along, and the two are fighting among themselves! However, there was a disaster last year, and this year there was the incident of the Buddhist demon. Old Zhang is the head of the garrison and is the one who gets things done, so he can easily suppress the deputy." Nie Yannian pointed out again.

"Is there internal strife in such a small garrison?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"There are fights everywhere. Even in an ant nest! As long as your martial arts realm has not reached the seventh rank, you can't escape the petty intrigues in the officialdom." Nie Yannian sneered, and then continued: "But don't worry, when you reach the seventh rank, you will be the third most important person in the garrison. No one dares to look down on you."

Meng Yuan understood. People say that one should respect the clothes before the person, but for a warrior, respect is not only about the official position, but also the strength.

Although the seventh, eighth and ninth grades are the lower three grades, the seventh grade is different after all. It can open secret treasures and obtain divine powers.

As long as he stepped over the first of the three steps to heaven and entered the seventh-grade warrior realm, not to mention that Meng Yuan would not be promoted, even if he was demoted, others would still respect him.

Besides, such a young seventh-rank cultivator has someone protecting him from behind. There are only bullies, not those who are bullied.

Meng Yuan was not interested in internal fighting, nor did he want to get involved in trivial matters. He came to the Demon Suppression Division for three purposes: the first was to nourish his spirit, the second was to cultivate his divine power, and the third was to make progress.

And now that he is about to reach the seventh rank, as long as he crosses the ladder and takes care of each other with Zhang Guinian, he can walk around the garrison with ease.

After that, if you serve the third young lady well, you can move up step by step.

"Don't worry, I have arranged everything." Nie Yannian smiled proudly, "When you enter the garrison, you don't have to start as a lieutenant. Lao Zhang is the recommender, so you can directly become a small flag officer. When you have made contributions, you can be promoted to the general flag."

Meng Yuan nodded. The lowest level in this garrison was the white servants, who were not of high rank.

As for the captains, most of them have reached the ninth level of martial arts and are not much stronger than ordinary people.

Then comes the small flag, an eighth-rank military position, which also requires an eighth-rank martial arts realm.

"What about going further up?" Meng Yuan had an idea.

"We are following the path of warriors. Ultimately, it all depends on one's own realm." Nie Yannian tapped his chest. "Look, Lao Zhang is a seventh-rank military officer. Sounds like a small official, right? In fact, he is very valuable! It is not easy for ordinary people with no roots to reach his level! But he is not good at talking about it. Unless he reaches the sixth rank in martial arts, Lao Zhang can no longer go any higher!"

He warned seriously, "Remember, your official position may seem to be promoted by your superiors, but in the final analysis, it is your own strength that determines your success."

"I understand." Meng Yuan nodded.

Seeing that Meng Yuan was obedient, Nie Yannian went on to explain in detail the personnel lineup of the Hundred Households Office of Songhe Prefecture, in case Meng Yuan was being tricked without knowing it.

"Master Nie, when I become a small flag officer, how much will my monthly salary be?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"A small flag officer must reach the eighth rank in martial arts, with a monthly salary of seven taels of silver and two dan of rice," said Nie Yannian.

"The salary at the Demon Suppression Bureau is so low? I remember when I first entered the ranks, the Third Miss gave me ten taels a month." Meng Yuan was shocked.

"You don't understand." Nie Yannian chuckled, "There are many things going on here, there must be more than this, even if it is multiplied several times. Otherwise, why do you think I let Lao Zhang invest in the martial arts business and Zuiyue Tower?"

At this point, Nie Yannian pointed at Meng Yuan and said seriously: "But don't delve into these evil ways. These are only done by old hands with no hope. You just need to make achievements and get promoted, and then the money will flow into your pocket!"

"I know." Meng Yuan didn't have that thought in mind. After all, he had just received more than three thousand taels from Jie Shen, so he was not short of money at all. Even if he was short of money in the future, he could always coax Nie Qingqing a little more.

Seeing that they had arrived at the gate of the guard post, Meng Yuan asked in a low voice: "Master Nie, when I get the job, can I bring back the spirits? Just like the annunciation fairy."

Since he parted with Xiangling last time, Meng Yuan went out on business for half a month, and then meditated for ten days. It has been a month since they last met, and it is already May, but he has not gone to see Xiangling yet, and he still misses her a lot.

"Miss your little devil?" Nie Yannian glared.

"Master Nie, Xiangling and I only discussed poetry. Besides, Taoist Li Weizhen also asked me to take care of her." Meng Yuan said.

"When I see a fox, I think of a vixen, I think of repaying a favor, I think of a beautiful woman with red sleeves, I think of getting into bed!"

Nie Yannian clicked his tongue, "You haven't even become a bachelor yet, but you've already contracted the bachelor's disease!"

"Master Nie, why do you have to slander me? Xiangling and I are friends who know each other through poetry. It is a pure friendship. You probably won't understand this kind of friendship." Meng Yuan is an upright man and didn't think too much about it.

"Who would believe that!" Nie Yannian was annoyed. "Why do I always run into people like you who are so easy to find? You're so annoying!"

The two of them argued with each other and entered the guard post together.

Nie Yannian was a frequent visitor to the garrison. Everyone he met along the way would smile and bow, and Nie Yannian would smile back. Sometimes he would even stop to chat with people and introduce Meng Yuan.

After passing the lobby and coming to a room at the back, I saw that Zhang Guinian looked much more vicissitudes of life, with a few more strands of white hair on his temples.

Since they were not strangers, Zhang Guinian did not say much. He called Gong Zihua over and said, "Take Xiao Meng to register, and then recognize the place and the people. We will go to eat after the shift."

Gong Zihua obviously knew about this and immediately took Meng Yuan out.

The two of them did not talk about Xie's affairs, but just chatted about some gossip, and then took a few turns and came to the secretarial room.

He took out Zhang Guinian's letter of recommendation and talked a lot of nonsense, which took him half an hour to record.

After that, he went to get an identity card, and Meng Yuan finally became a small flag officer of the Songhe Prefecture Guard Station of the Demon Suppression Bureau.

"Meng Xiaoqi." Gong Zihua bowed with a smile.

"Gong Xiaoqi." Meng Yuan returned the greeting with a smile.

The two smiled at each other, and Gong Zihua took Meng Yuan to meet his colleagues.

Now the garrison is divided into two factions. Captain Zhang Guinian was promoted based on his ability, while the trial captain was assigned here, so he must not make a mistake.

"I heard from Master Nie that you met the White Ape Elder and got some leftovers. Can I take a look?" Meng Yuan asked.

"We are family, what can't we do?" Gong Zihua brought Meng Yuan all the way to the storehouse, and saw a middle-aged man. He immediately smiled and bowed, saying, "General Yang."

General Yang was holding a wooden box in his hand. He put it down immediately and said with a smile, "Xiao Gong, haha, who is this?"

"This is Meng Yuan Meng Xiaoqi, a new employee. We were just looking for you, asking General Yang for some advice." Gong Zihua said.

Meng Yuan saluted with a smile.

General Yang was very polite and said with a smile: "You can tell at first glance that he is a good kid."

"What is General Yang looking at?" Gong Zihua stepped forward.

Meng Yuan also took two steps closer and saw that there were more than a dozen Bodhi rosary beads in the wooden box in front of General Yang.

The rosary was engraved with an eternal lamp, exactly the same as the rosary in Jie Shen's hand.

"We are here to see this thing too." Gong Zihua said with a smile.

"That's fate." Yang Zongqi asked curiously, "This item was obtained from the White Ape Elder. Is it really the White Ape Elder's item?"

"The guy from the capital said that this rosary was probably given to Elder Baiyuan by Qing Guangzi." Gong Zihua whispered.

"I see." Yang Zongqi nodded slowly and asked, "What is the effect?"

"No, it should be a token of trust or something like that." Gong Zihua said.

General Yang nodded slowly and stopped asking questions. Instead, he smiled and asked about Meng Yuan's background.

Meng Yuan had nothing to hide and answered them one by one.

After General Yang left, Gong Zihua then said, "We have two generals in our garrison now. The one is General Yang Huaiyi. He is from the Yang family in Songhe Prefecture and is one of ours."

After hearing this, Meng Yuan couldn't help but recall that during the heavy snow last year, someone came specially to buy a young book boy, and that person claimed to be the manager of the Yang Mansion.

Now it seems that the Yang Mansion's steward and this person are probably from the same family. After all, there is only one family with a name and surname in Songhe Prefecture, the Yang family.

"Does he have any hobbies?" Meng Yuan asked in a low voice.

"I haven't heard of it. General Yang has a very good temper and never fights or competes." Gong Zihua smiled, "He has been in the eighth level of martial arts for many years, and cannot advance any further. He is stuck at the first level of the three levels of ascension. Now he has a son and a daughter, and he never goes out to take risks, let alone take power. He is almost a civilian."

Meng Yuan nodded and didn't ask any more questions. There was plenty of time anyway.

"By the way, how many acupoints have you opened in the Thirty-three Heavens now?" Gong Zihua asked with a smile.

"All open." Meng Yuan said.

"..." Gong Zihua was stunned for a moment, then said with a wry smile: "In a few days I won't be able to call you Meng Xiaoqi anymore, but Meng Zongqi." He actually cupped his hands.

"When did you and I start to divide these things?" Meng Yuan smiled.

(End of this chapter)