The world is like a prison, my body is holy

Chapter 109 Walking Alone Like a Crowd
"Squeak..."

The gates of the Sanhe Gang were wide open, and Wang Wen, fully armored, stepped out and headed towards the Dusi Tianjian (Imperial Observatory) office.

Black Two-Niu, also wearing a vest, and Xu Two-Gou, in his official uniform, followed closely behind him.

"Hey, Tiger, it's been a while since I've seen you!"

"Tiger Lord, has lunch yet?"

"Tiger, these are freshly steamed buns, would you like to try some?"

The peddlers and laborers passing by on the street greeted Wang Wen warmly with a bow, a stark contrast to the past when they would detour around him as if he were covered in excrement and stinking.

Although Wang Wen didn't enjoy this treatment and even vaguely felt that they were being a bit noisy, he still nodded and nodded politely, only subtly quickening his pace...

Two months later, the post-disaster reconstruction work in Yangzhou City has been largely completed. At a glance, the smoke-smoke-filled ruins are almost gone, and only a few unfinished storefronts remain on both sides. The streets have also regained some of their bustling and prosperous atmosphere.

In a sense, while the fire caused enormous property damage to the people of Yangzhou, it also gave this ancient and weathered Jianghuai water town a chance to rise from the ashes.

The rebuilt Yangzhou city has a more rational urban planning. The wards and markets are distributed like neat cubicles, and the streets are straight and perpendicular. There are very few low, dark, dilapidated wooden houses and sloppy thatched houses anymore. When Wang Wen walked through it, he even had a bit of a sense of déjà vu when he visited the Yiwu Small Commodities Ancient Town in his previous life.

The reason why the post-disaster reconstruction work in Yangzhou City was able to proceed so quickly...

Firstly, it was thanks to Wang Wenyi's strategy of "preserving people while losing land" that minimized the harm caused to the people of Yangzhou by that ghost disaster and man-made calamity.

Secondly, Zhao Zhiling's "balancing" strategy allowed the Qinghe Gang to take away this year's tax revenue from Yangzhou, which was taken from the people and returned to the people, greatly reducing the economic burden on the people of Yangzhou.

Thirdly, the Qinghe Gang mobilized the manpower and resources of the canal transport gang to continuously transport grain and building materials from various prefectures in Jiangnan, ensuring the smooth progress of post-disaster reconstruction work.

Of course, besides these three reasons, there is another important reason that cannot be spoken but truly exists.

That is, without comparison, there is no sense of superiority. The ten prefectures in Jiangnan that became ghost towns can be said to have reduced the resentment and anger of the people of Yangzhou to the lowest level.

Huang Xingde had mentioned to Wang Wen more than once that after the news of the ten prefectures in Jiangnan becoming a ghost town reached Yangzhou, all the strange and foul rumors and gossip in the shadows stopped overnight.

Along with their reputation in Yangzhou, it was as if a gentleman had undergone a complete transformation. In just half a month, they went from being gang leaders whom everyone feared like tigers but also despised, to being great philanthropists who had repaired bridges, mended roads, robbed the rich, and helped the poor.

This is also why Wang Wen wasn't particularly impressed by these people's enthusiasm...

He could understand why these people smiled at him.

But he doesn't like it.

"Brother, there's something I need to tell you."

After the two walked to a less crowded section of the road, Xu Ergou stepped to Wang Wen's side and spoke in a low voice.

Wang Wen gave a soft "Mmm": "Go ahead and say it."

Xu Ergou glanced at him, then lowered his voice again and said, "Lord Zhao came to see me yesterday and said he intends to promote me to the position of Lingtai Lang..."

Wang Wen smiled and nodded: "That's great!"

Xu Ergou frowned, then said in a serious voice, "Brother, I won't waste any more words. If I, Xu Ergou, have any disloyal intentions, may I be stabbed three times and have six eyes, or be struck by lightning!"

Wang Wen turned his head to look at him and laughed, "What are you thinking? With your merits, you're more than qualified to be a Lingtai Lang. Lord Zhao is promoting you, so just accept it."

Xu Ergou slowly frowned and whispered, "Brother, we can't let our guard down. We're upright people, but others may not be..."

Wang Wen smiled and gently patted the back of his head: "Don't overthink it. Lord Zhao's vision is not as narrow as you think. Our line of work doesn't have so many twists and turns. No matter what you say, in the end, it all comes down to ability!"

When Xu Ergou saw the hand reaching towards the back of his head, he was already prepared to turn his head, but he never expected that the slap would be as light as a spring breeze.

He stood there, stunned, scratching the back of his head in disbelief. It took him a while to come to his senses. He quickly caught up with Wang Wen and whispered in surprise, "Brother, you've changed!"

Wang Wen asked with great interest, "What have I become?"

After pondering for a long time, Xu Ergou finally managed to stammer out, "You're not cursing anymore!"

Wang Wen was also taken aback. After thinking for a long time, he smiled faintly and said, "Perhaps I've already passed the stage where I need to curse to make myself seem unapproachable and to make others wary of me..."

Xu Ergou habitually gave him a thumbs up: "Big brother is awesome!"

Wang Wen shook his head slightly: "You, you, stop learning to flatter. Spend more time reading books and practicing your skills. With your current level, you're qualified to be a steward-like Lingtai Lang, but you're still far from being able to lead troops on a mission alone..."

Xu Ergou: "Yes, I'll listen to my brother."

He paused, then whispered, "Brother, now that I'm going to be an official, shouldn't I get a proper name? I can't let people keep calling me 'Brother Dog' after I become an official, can I?"

Wang Wen: "This is indeed a serious matter... Go back and ask your father, it's not appropriate for anyone else to take the name."

Xu Ergou: "If my dad had any sense of naming, I wouldn't be called Ergou... Big brother, can you give me a name? Isn't your name pretty good? I heard that old storyteller at the Yu family teahouse say the word 'wen' means to encompass the heavens and the earth!"

Wang Wen almost laughed out of anger, and couldn't help but curse, "You big idiot, that's referring to the posthumous title of an emperor!"

Xu Ergou was scolded, but he just chuckled: "Hobbies? What hobbies? Does the emperor's love of reading mean he's a master of all things?"

Wang Wen was too lazy to argue with this illiterate man and said directly, "Do you really want me to give you a name?"

Xu Ergou: "Isn't that obvious?"

Wang Wen turned his head and stared at him from head to toe for a long time, then said thoughtfully, "There's an old saying that you should make up for what's lacking in your name. Your brain is good enough, but your martial arts skills are a bit weak... How about the character 'Wu' (武)?"

Xu Ergou paused for a moment, then softly murmured, "Xu Wu?"

'Wang Wen and Xu Wu? Even this fool knows we're brothers, right?'

He suddenly nodded excitedly and emphatically: "Big brother is awesome! From now on, I'll be called Xu Wu!"

Wang Wenye read the name aloud and nodded in satisfaction: "Indeed, it's good."

As they spoke, the two brothers arrived at the Yangzhou Metropolitan Astronomical Bureau.

When the two brothers arrived, they happened to see several Heavenly Guards... no, now they should probably be called Demon Suppression Guards, climbing ladders to hang a vermilion plaque with gold characters that read "Demon Suppression Division" above the gate.

Wang Wen stood at the bottom of the steps, gazing up at the blood-red plaque, thinking to himself that the Demon Suppression Division had truly been brought directly under the Emperor's control. Even the plaques of government offices had their own rules. The palace plaques in the imperial palace were blue with gold lettering; blue symbolized "Heaven," signifying the Emperor's legitimacy. The plaques of high-ranking government offices like the Six Ministries were purple with gold lettering, highlighting their prestige. All other government offices used black with gold lettering, signifying their solemnity and dignity.

These vermilion plaques with gold lettering were reserved for the emperor's directly subordinate offices, signifying the supreme imperial power.

With this plaque hanging directly above the gate of the Demon Suppression Bureau, all government offices in Yangzhou City, whether they are prefectural offices or censorate offices, will have to be subordinate to the Demon Suppression Bureau!
It's somewhat reminiscent of the Eastern Depot, Western Depot, and Embroidered Uniform Guard, all directly controlled by the emperor and authorized by imperial power...

Upon seeing Wang Wen, the Demon Suppression Guards inside and outside the Demon Suppression Division's gates all warmly greeted him with clasped hands.

"Lord Wang, you're back!"

"Lord Wang, how have you been resting these past few days?"

"Lord Wang..."

Compared to the greetings from the people along the way, the greetings from the Demon Suppression Guards were much more sincere.

Wang Wen smiled and nodded in response, then strode into the Demon Suppression Division. As he passed the training ground, he noticed that there were quite a few fierce-looking new faces in the office.

Xu Ergou noticed his gaze and explained to him in a low voice, "These people were all transferred from the border army... They are fairly well-behaved and easy to talk to."

Wang Wen hummed in agreement: "You go about your business, I'm going to see Lord Zhao."

Xu Ergou hurriedly called out to his back, "Big brother, I've reserved a table at Peach Blossom Spring. Let's go relax together after we finish our business!"

Wang Wen's back stiffened, then he quickened his pace and headed towards the lobby.

As the saying goes, it's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. As soon as Wang Wengang approached the main hall, he heard low laughter coming from inside. Judging from the voices, Zhao Zhiling, Cheng Xian, Li Heng, Ziyang Daoist, Zhang Youming, and others were all in the main hall.

He gave the Demon Suppression Guard on duty in the main hall a look, and the guard immediately turned around and strode into the main hall to report: "Reporting to Your Excellency, Lord Wang, the Junior Autumn Official, is outside requesting an audience."

The laughter stopped abruptly, and Zhao Zhiling's gentle voice rang out: "Quickly, please invite Lord Wang in!"

Wang Wen strode up the steps and entered the hall. He glanced at the two empty chairs on either side of Zhao Zhiling out of the corner of his eye, then clasped his hands and said, "Your humble servant Wang Wen greets Your Excellency."

Zhao Zhiling, dressed in a scarlet official robe that accentuated his handsome face and ruddy complexion, sat upright in the hall, smiling and waving his hand, saying, "No need for formalities. How has Erhu been recovering these days?"

Wang Wen nodded and said, "Thanks to your blessing, sir, I have been recuperating well these past few days."

Zhao Zhiling gestured, "That's good. You've come back just in time. Please take a seat!"

Wang Wen clasped his hands in a fist salute again and was about to sit down when he heard a voice that sounded like a joke: "Lord Wang, you truly live up to your reputation as the 'Tiger of Yangzhou,' your eyes and ears are indeed very sharp..."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall turned their eyes to Wang Wen.

Following the sound, Wang Wen looked up and saw the Taoist Ziyang sitting in his seat, stroking his beard with a harmless smile.

If he remembered correctly, this was the third time this guy had gone too far...

He hadn't had much contact with this guy and wasn't sure if he was stupid and wicked or just plain mean-spirited.

"Master Ziyang, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want!"

Before Wang Wen could speak, Cheng Xian had already stood up and reprimanded Ziyang Daoist, then turned to his chair and gestured, "Erhu, come sit here, I just need to go out to relieve myself..."

Zhao Zhiling, sitting in the hall, also had a somewhat stiff smile on his face.

Wang Wen ignored everyone's gazes and said with a faint smile, "It's alright, Brother Xian, you can sit down."

Then he strode up to the Taoist Master Ziyang and looked down at him from his superior position.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Zhiling quickly looked at Cheng Xian.

Cheng Xian quickly forced a smile and walked towards Wang Wen: "Erhu..."

Wang Wen shook his head slightly again, then slowly raised his hands, raised them to form a sword-like gesture in front of his chest, and said calmly, "This humble Taoist from the Shangqing Sect of Maoshan greets Fellow Daoist Ziyang."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhiling, Cheng Xian, Li Heng, and the others all looked puzzled, unsure of what Wang Wen was up to.

Ziyang Daoist and Paper Man Zhang were both stunned, looking at Wang Wen with surprise and uncertainty.

As members of the Xuanmen (Taoist sect), they naturally have some understanding of the current generational names of the three major schools of talismanic arts.

But... is it a Maoshan "mixed generation"?

Is it Wang Erhu who's gone mad, or are we?

Meeting the surprised and uncertain gaze of Daoist Ziyang, Wang Wen smiled faintly and said, "What? Does Fellow Daoist Ziyang look down on my Maoshan sect?"

Master Ziyang stammered, "You..."

"Stop it!"

Wang Wen withdrew his sword finger, sighed softly, and shook his head, saying, "Since Fellow Daoist Ziyang is so ignorant of etiquette and shameless, I, a humble Daoist, am also somewhat skilled in martial arts and can help you give him a wake-up call!"

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly struck with lightning speed, grabbing Ziyang Daoist's collar with one hand. A dazzling bolt of lightning surged from his hand, instantly flowing through Ziyang Daoist's entire body, revealing a flickering electric skull.

The next second, the lightning went out, revealing the Purple Sun Taoist, whose hair stood on end, who was emitting blue smoke and whose face was filled with terror.

Wang Wen, expressionless, lifted him up with one hand, held him high above his head, and gently shook him. He asked in a low voice, puzzled, "You can't beat me in a fight, so who gave you the courage to talk nonsense in front of me?"

Master Ziyang struggled desperately: "Senior, please forgive me..."

Wang Wen looked away, then tossed the Ziyang Daoist out of the hall like trash. The Daoist flew more than ten meters before crashing to the ground with a thud. Even so, he didn't dare utter a sound.

Wang Wen turned around and sat down in the chair where Ziyang Daoist had just been sitting, as if nothing had happened. He smiled faintly at the others in the hall and said, "Alright, shut up, you annoying flies. Everyone, keep chatting and laughing."

Everyone in the lobby stared intently at Wang Wen, their mouths opening and closing, but not a single sound could be uttered.

So quiet you could hear a pin drop...

To be honest, these days, they really think that Wang Wen has gone to Huangshan, seen the world, tempered his temper, changed his ways, and is ready to turn over a new leaf and start anew.

What kind of "turning over a new leaf" or "starting anew" is this?
(End of this chapter)