Brocade Robe Unparalleled

Chapter 75 The Secretary's Self-Cultivation

After lunch, when Lin Xuan returned to Jingbian Division, he found a large number of people gathered in the courtyard.

These people were dressed in the uniforms of flag officers and guards, but their faces were unfamiliar.

A middle-aged man with a full beard saw Lin Xuan and immediately stepped forward, saying, "Young Master Lin, these people are from the Jingbian Division in Dingzhou. What do you think we should do with them..."

Zhang Zhen was the commander of the Jingbian Division, and according to rank, he was above Lin Xuan.

But nowadays, who in the Jingbian Division doesn't know that Lin Xiaoqi is the confidant of the two centurions and the true person in charge of the Sizhou Jingbian Division?

For anything, you can't go wrong by going to him.

Before dismissing the Jingbian Division's personnel, Commander Lu had already transferred people from other places. Lin Xuan nodded and said, "I understand. These colleagues have come from afar. Please trouble Commander Zhang to arrange accommodations for them first. After everyone has arrived in a couple of days, we will assign them territories and tasks..."

Zhang Zhen clasped his hands in a fist and bowed politely, saying, "No trouble at all, I'll arrange it right away."

The Jingbian Commandery had dormitories prepared for the banner officers and guards. Although the conditions were simple, they were free of charge.

If anyone wants to live elsewhere, the company will provide them with a certain accommodation subsidy.

As Zhang Zhen returned, a banner officer who had been transferred from Dingzhou looked at Lin Xuan from afar and asked, "Commander Zhang, who was that just now...?"

Zhang Zhen explained, "That's Lin Xiaoqi. Lin Xiaoqi is a capable lieutenant of the two centurions. If you need anything in the future, you can go to Lin Xiaoqi..."

"That's Lin Xiaoqi!"

Upon hearing this, the flag officer couldn't help but feel a deep sense of respect.

The telescope of the Dingzhou Jingbian Division only lit up once in two years, when the Commander's Office was commending Lin Xuan.

Although it was their first meeting, Lin Xuan's name was already very familiar to him.

Lin Xuan was busy for most of the morning.

Colleagues transferred from other places needed to be settled, and local merchants from Sizhou also came to him, wanting the Jingbian Division to arrange people to help them escort their caravans. Both centurions became hands-off managers, and he was so busy that he didn't even have time to drink water.

After settling the new flag officers and guards and seeing off the managers of the merchant guilds, Lin Xuan left the Jingbian Division and arrived at the Wu residence.

The Jingbian Division's assistance in escorting goods for merchants is not free; each mission comes with a high reward.

He cannot decide how to allocate this money on his own.

After hearing Lin Xuan's purpose, Commander Wu waved his hand lightly and said, "Commander Wenren is in charge of the operation now. You can discuss these matters with her. Whatever she says, you can do..."

Facing Shen Qingya, who had the support of the Grand Secretary's faction, he still dared to fight back.

He had no desire to fight with Wenren Yue.

Seeing that Wu Baihu had no intention of taking the silver, Lin Xuan didn't say anything more. He drank a cup of tea at Wu's residence and then took his leave.

Just as Lin Xuan left, a tall, rugged-looking woman walked in from the inner room, grabbed Wu Baihu's arm, and shook it vigorously: "Father, I really like Lin Xiaoqi, please help me with this marriage..."

Wu Baihu's arm was almost broken from shaking. He patted his daughter's hand and comforted her, "Rou'er, it's not that your father doesn't want to help you, it's just that Lin Xiaoqi is already engaged, and your father can't break them up. In the future, your father will find you a more suitable husband..."

Looking at his sullen daughter, Wu Xianren sighed inwardly.

Lin Xuan had given him a second chance at life; without Lin Xuan, he probably would have remained in a state of despair...

Forcing him to marry her own daughter—isn't that repaying kindness with enmity?
……

After leaving the Wu residence, Lin Xuan returned to the Jingbian Division.

Wu Baihu had been in Sizhou for more than ten years and had long ago purchased his own mansion in the city.

Wenren Baihu had only been there a short time and lived alone in the back office of Jingbian Division.

Lin Xuan walked through several long corridors, passed through two moon gates, and stood in front of a small courtyard, gently knocking on the door.

A moment later, the courtyard gate opened from the inside.

Wenren Yue saw Lin Xuan, but said nothing and turned to walk into the courtyard.

Lin Xuan followed her inside and said, "Sir, several merchants in Sizhou City want the Jingbian Division to escort their goods. They have already paid in advance, and this money..."

Wenren Yue waved her hand and said, "Let them take this money back. Maintaining the trade routes is the responsibility of the Border Defense Division. Arrange for people to escort them..."

Lin Xuan pondered for a moment, then spoke again: "My lord, this is what I'm thinking. These merchant guilds need to spend more money to hire guards from outside. They'd feel more at ease if they paid this fee. I've looked at the Jingbian Division's accounts, and the treasury's remaining silver is already stretched thin..."

Wenren Yue turned to look at him, and Lin Xuan continued, "This money was previously kept by the centurions themselves. Your Excellency's noble character is admirable, but I believe that this silver should be deposited into the treasury to reward the flag officers and guards who completed the escort mission. At the same time, they should be prohibited from extorting or exploiting the people in the city under any pretext. This measure will not only rectify the atmosphere within the treasury but also increase their income..."

Wenren Yue thought about it carefully and nodded, "Let's do it your way." She had to admit that Lin Xuan was indeed more thoughtful than her.

Entrusting the duties to him was the right choice.

Lin Xuan clasped his hands slightly and said, "Then this subordinate will take his leave..."

He turned and took a few steps, then suddenly stopped, looked at Wenren Yue, and asked, "Sir, is this what you're having for lunch?"

On the stone table in the courtyard, there was only a bowl and a plate.

A simple dish of pickled vegetables and two cold steamed buns.

Wenren Yue explained, "The cooks in the department have also been dismissed, so there's no one to cook for the time being. Remember to hire another one as soon as possible."

Because of the "Gentleman's Bamboo" incident, all the officers and guards of the Jingbian Division, down to the cooks and grooms, were dismissed. Lin Xuan had too many things to do and hadn't had time to recruit anyone yet.

The cooks in the Jingbian Division were specially created to cook for the centurions and their families.

However, there were not many officials like Wenren Yue who actually ate their meals inside the Jingbian Division.

Lin Xuan said apologetically, "I'm sorry, sir, it was my oversight. I will hire the cook today."

Wenren Yue nodded and said nothing more.

Lin Xuan walked out of the courtyard, but instead of going home, he went to the kitchen of the Jingbian Division.

He had a clear understanding of his position in the Jingbian Division.

On the surface, he was a banner officer.

In reality, he was a secretary.

In officialdom, a secretary's role is not just to be a work assistant to the leader.

A qualified secretary should also be a personal assistant to the leader.

Wenren Baihu's work meals consisted only of cold steamed buns and pickled vegetables, which was a serious dereliction of duty on his part as a secretary.

Wenren Zongqi may not care, but he himself should be aware of the situation.

If this had happened in his previous life, he probably would have been replaced the very next day.

Lin Xuan searched the kitchen, but there weren't many ingredients: some dried wild mushrooms, a few greens, two eggs, and not many seasonings. But it was enough to cook a bowl of noodles, which was better than cold steamed buns with pickled vegetables...

Lin Xuan tied on her apron and quickly got to work.

A quarter of an hour later.

Wenren Yue had just finished practicing her sword technique when the courtyard door was pushed open. She turned around and saw Lin Xuan, who had returned.

Lin Xuan placed a tray with a bowl on the table and said, "There aren't many ingredients in the kitchen, so I cooked a bowl of noodles. Please make do with this for now, and I'll find a cook to come over as soon as possible this afternoon..."

Even from a distance, the rich aroma made Wenren Yue's throat move involuntarily.

She stepped forward, looked at the bowl of mushroom soup noodles that looked and smelled delicious, and asked in surprise, "Did you make this?"

Lin Xuan said apologetically, "It was my dereliction of duty to make you eat this. I will make sure to arrange things in the kitchen today."

He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Please enjoy your meal, my lord. I have other matters to attend to and must take my leave now..."

After saying that, he turned and left.

We were delayed for a while, and if we don't go back soon, A'Luo and Tian Qingluan will get impatient.

As soon as Lin Xuan left, Wenren Yue couldn't wait to sit down.

She first picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of mushroom soup, and slowly put it into her mouth.

The unique fragrance of wild mushrooms immediately filled her mouth, and a glimmer of light appeared in her eyes. She picked up her chopsticks, took another bite of noodles, and her eyes shone even brighter.

Although this bowl of noodles couldn't compare to the skills of the imperial chefs, it was still the best meal she had eaten since arriving in Sizhou.

More important than the bowl of noodles was how thoughtfully he considered even these small things.

She finally understood why Wu Baihu liked Lin Xuan so much.

She also likes subordinates like that.

(End of this chapter)