I only reached the Foundation Establishment stage at eighty years old, and then the system appeared.

The construction of the new city was in full swing, but the city's defenses were minimal. The Yang family had only a little over a hundred cultivators, including three Foundation Establishment cultivators, two Golden Core cultivators (one of whom, Yang Hongbo, was hiding his identity), and the remaining cultivators included over thirty high-level Qi Refining cultivators, over twenty mid-level Qi Refining cultivators, and over sixty low-level Qi Refining cultivators.

Those at the lower levels of Qi cultivation are mostly children.

Yang Hongwei was so busy as the city lord that he neglected his cultivation, so his elder brother Yang Hongbo had no choice but to take over the position.

In other words, the city's administrative development could not be guaranteed unless the ancestor used his divine sense to investigate the situation inside the city from time to time.

It seemed that they still needed to recruit more people, so Yang Hongbo personally went to the Liu and Chen families. Relying on his relationship with the women from both families, both families agreed to send their family members to join the Qingmang City Guard.

The Lord's Mansion of Qingmang City posted a recruitment notice at each city gate and throughout the main streets:

Recruitment Announcement for the City Guard of Qingmang City

The construction of Qingmang City has been initially completed. In accordance with the needs of the city guard, we are now recruiting people from all walks of life to join the city guard army. Those with high cultivation levels will be given priority. The number of recruits is tentatively set at 100,000. We hope that everyone will actively apply.

Qingmang City City Lord's Mansion

August 15th, 9985, the year of the Gods of the Human Emperor Continent

The city's reaction to this announcement was relatively calm, as no one knew whether joining the city guard was beneficial or detrimental.

That evening, Wan Yongdie found Yang Hongbo: "You little devil, you don't trust your sister, do you? Such a big thing as recruiting city guards and you didn't even come to me!"

"Oh dear, Sister Yongdie, I've been so busy lately, and I was just thinking of finding some time to ask for your help. I didn't expect you to show up like this. It's all my fault; I should have come to you earlier!"

"Hmph, I'll trust you this once. Don't forget me later; I still have a few people on my side!"

"Definitely, definitely. Could you please arrange for a few people for me this time, sister?"

"There are twenty-six Foundation Establishment cultivators, three at the high level, ten at the mid level, and thirteen at the low level. There are over four hundred Qi Refining cultivators, all of whom are at or above the mid level of Qi Refining."

"And my sister also has a younger sister, who is also a Golden Core True Monarch. Want her?"

"If she's willing to come, then of course I'll take her!"

"Hey, Sister Yongdie, isn't your sister pretty?"

"You little pervert, if someone is pretty, you'll want to take them all, won't you?" Wan Yongdie grabbed Yang Hongbo's ear.

"No, Sister Yongdie, if we are mutually attracted, wouldn't it be better to keep the good stuff within the family?"

Thus, under Wan Yongdie's "forceful suppression," Yang Hongbo had no choice but to sign countless humiliating and unequal treaties in exchange for the right to use Wan Yongdie's subordinates.

The following morning, sunlight filtered through the thin mist, illuminating the walls of Qingmang City and adding a touch of vitality to this newly established city. Yang Hongbo stood before the city lord's mansion, watching the crowds arriving to register for the city guard, his heart filled with both anticipation and worry. He knew that in the days to come, Qingmang City would undergo an unprecedented transformation.

"Lord Yang, our Liu family has sent fifty disciples, all of whom are at least at the mid-level of Qi Refining. We hope they can contribute to Qingmang City." Liu Zhentian, the head of the Liu family, walked up to Yang Hongbo with a group of disciples, his face beaming with smiles.

"Patriarch Liu, welcome, welcome! With your addition, the defenses of Qingmang City will be greatly strengthened." Yang Hongbo quickly and warmly cupped his hands in greeting.

Immediately afterward, Chen Tiannan, the patriarch of the Chen family, also arrived with a group of disciples, bringing fifty disciples at or above the mid-level of Qi Refining. Yang Hongbo received them one by one, secretly rejoicing that his initial decision was correct. The marriage alliance with the Liu and Chen families not only solidified the relationship between the families but also brought much-needed protection to Qingmang City.

However, this was just the beginning. With the addition of twenty-six Foundation Establishment cultivators and over four hundred Qi Refining cultivators brought by Wan Yongdie, the city guard of Qingmang City rapidly expanded. But this brought with it the challenge of organizing military and political affairs. How to integrate these cultivators from different families and backgrounds into a disciplined and combat-effective force became Yang Hongbo's primary task.

"Hongbo, I think we should first establish a strict set of military rules and regulations, and clarify the reward and punishment system so that everyone understands their duties and obligations," Wan Yongdie suggested in the council hall of the city lord's mansion.

"Sister Yongdie is right. Military rules and discipline are the soul of the army. Without rules, there can be no order." Yang Hongbo nodded in agreement, then turned to the family heads and generals present, "If anyone has any opinions or suggestions, please feel free to raise them, and we can discuss them together."

"I think that in addition to military rules and discipline, we should also focus on training and live-fire exercises. Only through the test of actual combat can we know whether our troops are up to par," Liu Zhentian said, offering his opinion.

"Patriarch Liu is right. Real combat is the only standard for testing an army's combat effectiveness," Chen Tiannan echoed. "We can regularly organize simulated battles or small-scale live-fire exercises to allow our sons to improve their skills through practical experience."

"Alright, it's settled then." Yang Hongbo made the decision. "Sister Yongdie will be responsible for formulating the military rules and regulations, while Patriarch Liu and Patriarch Chen will be in charge of training and live-fire exercises. I will be responsible for overall coordination and command. Does anyone have any objections?"

"No!" everyone answered in unison, the atmosphere both lively and orderly.

In the days that followed, the Qingmang City Guard began their intensive and well-organized training. Wan Yongdie's military regulations and discipline were strict and fair, clearly defining not only the duties and powers of officers at all levels but also the daily conduct and reward/punishment system for the soldiers. Liu Zhentian and Chen Tiannan were responsible for the specific training work, dividing the trainees into different teams based on their cultivation levels and strengths, and providing them with targeted training.

Yang Hongbo wasn't idle either. He not only had to coordinate relationships with various parties but also handle the city's administrative affairs. With the expansion of the city's guard, the security situation in Qingmang City had greatly improved, but this also brought various problems due to population growth. Housing, food, water, medical care... these were all issues that Yang Hongbo needed to resolve.

"Hongbo, I think we should establish a comprehensive government affairs system and clarify the responsibilities and division of labor of each department so that we can better manage the city." After finishing her military affairs, Wan Yongdie approached Yang Hongbo again and made suggestions on reorganizing government affairs.

"Sister Yongdie, you're right." Yang Hongbo nodded in agreement. "I'm just worried about how to organize government affairs. Do you have any good suggestions?"

"I think we can set up several main departments, such as the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Construction, and the Ministry of Education, with each department responsible for different administrative tasks," Wan Yongdie explained in detail. "For example, the Ministry of Civil Affairs would be responsible for handling matters such as household registration, marriage, and welfare for the city's residents; the Ministry of Finance would be responsible for managing the city's fiscal revenue and expenditure and taxation; the Ministry of Construction would be responsible for the construction and maintenance of the city's infrastructure; and the Ministry of Education would be responsible for the city's education and cultural undertakings."

"Great idea!" Yang Hongbo's eyes lit up. "Sister Yongdie, you're so talented! It's settled then. You'll be in charge of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Education, and I'll be in charge of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Construction. We'll work together to build Qingmang City well."

"No problem." Wan Yongdie nodded with a smile. "However, we still need some capable people to assist us in handling government affairs. What do you think?"

"Yes, talent is key." Yang Hongbo pondered for a moment. "How about this, we can post recruitment notices in the city to hire some talented and experienced people to assist us in handling government affairs. At the same time, we can also select some promising and educated young men from the city guard and train them to become government affairs talents."

"Great idea!" Wan Yongdie agreed again. "It's settled then. I'll go prepare the job posting now."

With the release of the recruitment announcement, Qingmang City welcomed a steady stream of talented individuals. Some excelled in management, others were proficient in finance, some were familiar with construction, and others were passionate about education... With their assistance, Qingmang City's administrative work gradually got on track.

Time flies, and several months have passed in the blink of an eye. Under the joint efforts of Yang Hongbo and Wan Yongdie, Qingmang City not only has orderly military affairs but also well-organized government affairs. The residents of the city live and work in peace and contentment, and merchants from outside the city come in an endless stream. Qingmang City is gradually becoming a prosperous and thriving new city.

"Hongbo, look, our efforts have not been in vain." Wan Yongdie stood on the city wall, looking down at the bustling streets and crowds below, a gratified smile on her face.

"Yes, Sister Yongdie." Yang Hongbo stood behind her, putting his arm around her waist, equally filled with emotion. "All of this is the result of everyone's joint efforts. Without your support and help, there would be no Qingmang City today."

"Hongbo, you're too modest." Wan Yongdie turned to look at him. "You are the city lord of Qingmang City. It is your vision and decisions that have brought Qingmang City to where it is today. I believe that under your leadership, the future of Qingmang City will be even brighter."

"Thank you for your trust and support, Sister Yongdie," Yang Hongbo replied with a smile. "Let's work together to build Qingmang City into the most prosperous and powerful city on the Human Emperor Continent!"

They smiled at each other, their hearts filled with anticipation and hope for the future. The story of Qingmang City had only just begun…