Daqin Zhentiansi

Looking at the remaining shredded meat in his hand, Wang Hu's eyes were filled for the first time with a genuine desire for power and hope for the future.

What Marquis Qingyang brought was a fundamental change!
On the high platform, Han Qi, the Grand Commander of the Eastern Frontier Camp and Duke of Ningguo, clad in armor, leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance.

He looked at the mountain of supplies in the storehouse, listened to the soldiers' increasingly powerful shouts carried on the wind, their blood and energy surging, and felt the fragrance of dragon flesh and blood mixed with the aroma of elixirs lingering around his nostrils.

Even this usually dignified and composed old general couldn't help but take a deep breath, his chest churning with turmoil.

"Exquisite armor like a forest, elixirs like a sea, and spiritual flesh like a mountain..."

Han Qi's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible excitement as he spoke to the personal guard beside him.

"With such a continuous supply of top-notch resources as our backing, let alone training, even if we were to immediately march onto the battlefield, my millions of soldiers could crush the enemy formation with their iron bones and unparalleled blood and energy!"

He turned towards the direction of the Yuncang River, his gaze deep, as if it could penetrate thousands of miles and see the Zhenhai ship cutting through the waves.

"The Marquis of Qingyang's expedition to the East Sea has yielded gains that are likely equivalent to decades of recuperation and development for our Great Qin! With him serving as a pillar of stability in the East Sea, the fate of the Great Qin is assured!"

The aroma of meat mingled with the smell of sweat, and the sounds of battle and shouts resonated together.

The top-tier cultivation resources, abundant enough to make any dynasty envious, are transforming into a surging power within the bodies of millions of soldiers at an unprecedented speed.

The entire Eastern Camp is radiating a new vitality, as hot as molten lava and as resilient as newly forged steel, thanks to the ships of supplies returning from their voyages.

This was just one of the spoils that Marquis Qingyang Zhang Yuan brought back from his hunt in the East China Sea.

A large military logistics base has been established on Zhenhai Island, and supplies will be continuously sent to the Eastern Border Camp in the future.

……

Inside the Donghan County Prefectural Governor's Mansion, a bustling yet orderly scene unfolded.

Zhao Defang, who used to dominate the local area and collude with officials, has now transformed into the sharpest and most familiar tool in the shadows for Marquis Qingyang Zhang Yuan to govern Donghan.

Marquis Qingyang went hunting in the East Sea, while Zhao Defang was in charge of all the government affairs of the prefectural governor's office.

In the signing room, Zhao Defang looked at the list that had just arrived in her hand.

That was a batch of supplies that had just been sent back from Zhenhai Island in the East Sea: Crimson Dragon Flesh, Black Tortoise Bone-Strengthening Powder, and Iron Bones of the Bone-Eating Fish King...

Each one gleamed with a light that would make any martial artist drool.

Looking at the list, a hint of emotion appeared on his face, and then he looked up.

"Someone is coming."

"My lord," the trusted subordinate replied, bowing.

"Summon these lads on the list to see me." Zhao Defang pointed to several files, which contained the names of Tu Yuming from the Tu family, Zheng Yaozu from the Zheng family, and Sun Wenqian from the Sun family.

These are all talented members of the county families, but they have been marginalized or even suppressed due to their branch families or family strategies.

A moment later, three young men with anxious and confused expressions were led into a side hall.

Zhao Defang sized them up, his face no longer showing its usual gloom, but rather a dignified air of superiority: "Tu Yuming, Zheng Yaozu, Sun Wenqian, I have heard that you have been diligent in your cultivation within the clan, yet you have received little support in terms of resources. Do you have any grievances?"

The three looked at each other, not daring to speak directly, but their eyes said it all.

Zhao Defang smiled slightly and waved.

The servant immediately brought over three jade bottles, their surfaces warm and smooth, faintly radiating the pure medicinal power.

"This is the 'Mysterious Turtle Bone Strengthening Powder,' made by extracting the essence and blood of the Mysterious Turtle of the East Sea and refining it with the exclusive secret method of the Nine Rivers Alliance. It has remarkable effects on strengthening the foundation of muscles and bones and breaking through minor realms."

Zhao Defang's voice was not loud, but it resonated clearly in the hearts of the three.

"This was when the Marquis traveled to the perilous East Sea to raise supplies for the new army in the Eastern Territory. Considering the scarcity of talent in our Donghan County, he specially ordered that this reward be given to truly promising young talents who are willing to serve the Great Qin and the Eastern Territory."

"A reward from the Marquis of Qingyang?" The three of them gasped for breath, their eyes gleaming with disbelief.

Marquis of Qingyang, Zhang Yuan!
This name is now like a god in the Eastern Realm. His reputation for slaying demons and his ability to control the Eastern Thunder are legendary.

Will I receive the reward he specifically mentioned?
This is an incredible opportunity and recognition! "Lord Marquis... Lord Marquis knows me?" Tu Yuming's voice trembled.

"Lord Marquis knows about the affairs of Donghan!" Zhao Defang said resolutely. "Do not disappoint the Lord Marquis's high expectations. Focus on your cultivation, and in the future, with the training of the new army in the Eastern Territory and even in a wider world, you will have a place to use your talents!"

Overwhelmed with emotion, the three men gripped the jade bottle tightly and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Lord Marquis, for your divine grace! Thank you, Lord Zhao! We will certainly live up to your expectations, Lord Marquis, and will serve you with our lives!"

Watching the three men leave with gratitude and fighting spirit, Zhao Defang said to a slightly puzzled former official from Donghan County beside him, "You saw that? People's hearts are worth having."

"What the Marquis has bestowed upon us is not just elixirs, but hope and a future. These lads, as long as they're not stupid, will have their future tied to the Marquis's chariot."

"Your Excellency is brilliant!" the subordinate flattered.

Zhao Defang suddenly changed the subject, his eyes sharp as knives: "Brilliant? That's just following the rules. The real important thing is the next batch of people."

He then pointed to an even longer list, containing dozens of names. These were all young martial artists or craftsmen's children with no background but clean records, and some were even children from ordinary fishermen's families.

"Personally select capable men from these people and send them to the River Management Office to report to Young Master Tao Yulin."

"Remember to be respectful. Just say that Zhao Defang is on orders to recommend some promising talents to Young Master Tao, and that Young Master Tao can arrange tasks for them."

The subordinate was even more puzzled: "Sir, Young Master Tao? Isn't he... a registrar in the Waterway Bureau?"

"What use are these lowly people to him? Why not keep them in the prefectural government or send them to the army?"

Zhao Defang gave him a cold glance, which sent a chill down the spine of his subordinate.

"Fool!" Zhao Defang's voice carried a hint of coldness. "Official rank? In the eyes of the Marquis, the rank of an official has never been a standard for measuring value."

"Tao Yulin, Young Master Tao, is a brother who fought alongside the Marquis from the Black-Clad Guards and the border troops! It's a bond forged since our humble beginnings, when we fought side by side, blood and sweat!"

"How many of the Marquis's plans have been devised by Young Master Tao? He appears unassuming, managing trade routes and supplies in the river administration, but he is the Marquis's eyes on the outside, an invisible sword that can be drawn at any time! He is also the Marquis's most trusted 'master strategist'!"

He paused, his tone carrying an undeniable authority and a hint of barely perceptible awe: "Believe it or not, if I, Zhao Defang, dare to do anything tonight that disobeys the Marquis's orders or acts insincerely, then without even waiting until sunrise tomorrow, Young Master Tao will be able to take over the entire Donghan County Prefectural Governor's Mansion with the Marquis's token, along with the Black Ice Guard and even the Shadow Guard, using thunderous methods!"

"My head, Zhao Defang's head, probably won't see the sun tomorrow!"

"This is the loyalty and trust that the Marquis spoke of; this is the weight that Tao Yulin carries! Do you understand?"

The subordinate was already pale with fright, drenched in cold sweat, and nodded repeatedly: "Your subordinate is foolish! Your subordinate understands! I will do it immediately, and I will not dare to slack off in the slightest!"

Zhao Defang waved his hand, seeing his disheveled appearance.

From the moment Marquis Qingyang arrived in the Eastern Territory, his methods of doing things were so sophisticated that they were beyond his comprehension.

Most importantly, Marquis Qingyang is extremely powerful and decisive in killing.

Moreover, Marquis Qingyang was not just a reckless brute who knew only how to kill.

By binding Tao Yulin, a key figure, with loyalty and camaraderie, and by using interests and fear to restrain Zhao Defang, and by using a continuous stream of resources and connections as a bond, an invisible net is woven to firmly control the eastern border.

This is the true way to manage subordinates.

"I, Zhao Defang, am considered a direct descendant of the Marquis, am I...?"

Zhao Defang shook her head slightly, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"Someone, go to the Donghan Merchant Alliance and see how the goods to be sent to the capital are going."

"Tell them that the people are suffering, and when buying those medicinal herbs, rice, silkworms, cotton, and hemp, do not lower the price."

Neither Zhao Defang nor the Marquis of Qingyang behind him cared about a little wealth.

The Donghan family and other martial arts sects offer benefits to those who closely follow them.

Those who dare to disobey.

Execute. (End of Chapter)