With the rise of my family, I can summon the Daoist Soldiers' Nest.

The convoy slowly arrived at the city gate, where Lin Ye and his entourage were already waiting to greet them.

The convoy was flanked by about twenty guards, each with a calm demeanor and at least third-rate martial artists, including some second-rate experts.

This is also why the bandits were eager to launch an attack before the investiture team arrived.

A middle-aged man dressed in a red official robe steadily stepped down from the carriage.

Upon seeing this, Lin Ye immediately led everyone to meet them.

"This humble citizen, Lin Ye from Linjiawu, greets the Prefect," Lin Ye said, bowing and cupping his hands in greeting. The crowd behind him also bowed in unison.

Previously, they had learned from the magistrate of Cao County that the person who came to preside over the investiture was the Assistant Magistrate of Wuwei County.

The third most important person in the prefecture, whose status is only below that of the prefect and the military commander, is responsible for assisting the prefect in handling government affairs and managing documents such as investiture, granting titles, and imperial edicts.

"Young Master Lin, please rise. From now on you are a baron of the court, young and promising. I cannot accept such a courtesy, hahaha." Prefect Cao stepped forward with a smile, helped Lin Ye up by the arm, and said jokingly.

"Let's go, let's go into the fortress first and hold the investiture ceremony. I'm sure you've been waiting for a while." He was easygoing and clearly a humorous person.

These slightly joking words instantly dispelled the solemnity and restraint he had shown when facing high-ranking officials.

The fact that such a high-ranking official as the Prefect was so amiable made everyone secretly relieved, but they still followed him into the fortified village with smiles on their faces.

Indeed, after all, the Lin family is about to become a family with its own territory, akin to a "country within a country." Apart from paying taxes as required, they will no longer be subject to the direct jurisdiction of the imperial court within their fiefdom.

Although the prefectural magistrate held a high position and wielded great power, he had no jurisdiction over the Lin family.

The Lin family's foundation can be passed down for more than two hundred years. No matter how high the official position of the prefect is, it is only a moment of glory. It may not be passed on to his son, and he may be transferred or dismissed at any time.

When they meet the young master of the Lin family, they certainly won't put on airs anymore.

The people in the county town thought to themselves, but still smiled and followed behind the prefect.

Upon entering the fortified village, the tribespeople were already lined up in long queues on both sides, stretching all the way to the council hall.

The group arrived at the council hall.

Cao, the Prefect, dressed in a red official robe and carrying a rolled-up piece of cloth, slowly walked to the front of the hall and faced the crowd. The guards unfolded the cloth, revealing neat characters written in cinnabar.

Prefect Cao glanced around at the crowd, his expression solemn, cleared his throat, and said in a loud voice:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the King of Han decrees:"

I believe that the first priority for the peace and stability of our borders is to eliminate calamities; the well-being of the people depends on pacifying chaos. Now, there is Lin Ye, a member of the Lin family from Xiang County, Wuwei Commandery of the Northern Han Dynasty. He is endowed with outstanding talent and courage. He has formed a pact with local militia to subdue evil spirits and guard the region, preventing ferocious beasts from running rampant and allowing the people to live in peace.

Based in their strongholds, they commanded troops and made remarkable contributions to protecting the territory and ensuring the safety of the people, truly serving as a bulwark of the nation and a shield for the people.

The land of Xiang County is hereby granted as a hereditary fiefdom to the Lin family, and Lin Ye is granted the title of Baron of Xiang County, which shall be hereditary and perpetual. Within the fiefdom, in addition to paying taxes as required, the family shall govern itself, the people shall be subject to its rule, and civil and military officials shall be at its disposal.

"I urge you to treat the people kindly, defend the borders, uphold the authority of your stronghold, forever suppress the evil forces, and not fail the imperial favor. So be it!"

After reading it, he slowly rolled up the cloth and presented it to Lin Ye with both hands.

Lin Ye took a deep breath, bent down and accepted the cloth with both hands. "Your subject Lin Ye accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude. I will certainly live up to the court's high expectations, guard my fiefdom well, and bring peace and stability to the people."

Cao, the Prefect, nodded with a smile, then personally opened the seal box, took out a bronze seal engraved with the words "Baron of Xiang County," and solemnly handed it to Lin Ye: "This is a seal bestowed by the imperial court. In the future, all official documents and levies in the fiefdom will be issued with this seal."

Lin Ye held the seal with both hands.

Upon seeing this, everyone in the hall bowed in congratulations, and applause and congratulations mingled, transforming the atmosphere from a solemn ceremony into a joyous celebration.

Prefect Cao stepped back and smiled at Lin Ye, saying, "Young Master Lin, from this day forward, you are a baron conferred by the imperial court, the master of Xiang County. You must safeguard this legacy and not disappoint the court."

Lin Ye cupped his hands in greeting and replied, "I will remember the Prefect's teachings."

Outside the hall, enthusiastic cheers immediately erupted from the clansmen.

"I really wish I could experience this scene a few more times," said Prefect Cao, looking at the genuine joy of the people inside and outside the hall.

"There are still too few nests. Gongchang Prefecture is still in chaos. Without nests to suppress them, the prefecture has sent troops to clear them out several times, but the monsters keep coming back."

"Lord Lin, let's find a secluded room. There are some things I need to tell you," said Prefect Cao, turning to Lin Ye.

"You're too kind, Magistrate. Please follow me." Lin Ye led the Magistrate toward the side hall.

Upon arriving at the side hall, the two sat down as host and guest, respectively.

"As I walked along, I saw that many of the houses in Wubao were broken, as if there were signs of a fight. What's going on?" Magistrate Cao asked.

"Some time ago, news of the Lin family's contracted lair was leaked, and thousands of bandits supported by the Northern Xiongnu attacked Wubao. Fortunately, with the help of the people in the county, they were repelled and the lair was saved," Lin Ye replied.

He had some doubts in his heart—the prefectural magistrate should already know about this matter, and Magistrate Cao should have reported it long ago.

Prefect Cao's face darkened, and he became serious: "I heard that people from the Qingyuan Sword Sect also participated, and there's even an elder present?"

"Yes, it was thanks to the Qingyuan Sword Sect that we were able to defeat the shamanistic master from the Northern Xiongnu."

"Are the people from the Qingyuan Sword Sect still in Wubao? Lord Lin, you seem to be a true disciple of the Qingyuan Sword Sect, right?" Prefect Cao put down his teacup and looked at Lin Ye's face.

"That's right. Because I was worried that the Northern Xiongnu would come again, I asked the Sword Sect to stay and guard them," Lin Ye replied solemnly.

"Logically speaking, I shouldn't be saying this, but since you're on good terms with my nephew, I'll say a few more words."

"Who is your nephew, Prefectural Magistrate?" Lin Ye asked, his curiosity growing.

"Hahaha, it's your Magistrate Cao. Now that Xiang County has become the Lin family's fief, he can no longer be the magistrate. He is preparing to go to Qingyang Prefecture to take up the post of Prefectural Assistant."

"Is Magistrate Cao your nephew?" Lin Ye suddenly realized. "No wonder he was able to govern Xiang County so well. This time, the fight against the bandits was also thanks to the magistrate's help."

He cursed inwardly, "Another one with connections, already appointed as the prefectural magistrate."

"So I'll say a few more words to you."

Now that you are a baron of the imperial court, you should still keep your distance from the Qingyuan Sword Sect.

They are the lords of Xining Prefecture, and you are now a lord as well. Although the Sword Sect's fiefdom is a prefecture, while the Lin family's is only a county, you are equals.

It's fine for lords to help each other, but what the court fears most is that they become too close to each other, to the point of becoming vassals.

The Lin family can only be a vassal of the imperial court, not a vassal of any other lord. Remember this well.

"Thank you very much, Magistrate Cao. I will remember this in my heart."