In the global desert, I have a spring of spiritual water.

Government office.

Council chamber.

A middle-aged man sat upright in the main seat. He had a leopard-like head and round eyes, a swallow-like chin and a tiger-like beard. Due to years of walking in the desert, his skin was dark brown with large pores. His cheekbones, bridge of his nose and forehead were covered with fine sun spots and shallow scars.

This man was Hu Changhe, the head of the Demon Suppression Division of Taipingzhuang, known as Boss Hu.

Five or six people sat on his left and right sides, all of them officials and clerks from Taipingzhuang.

"My lord, the new head of the manor sent by Shanghe County has arrived at the manor."

A soldier rushed into the council chamber to report.

"They arrived quite quickly; I thought it would take several more days."

Hu Changhe kneaded a pair of iron balls in his palm, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Which gate did he enter the manor through?"

"South Gate".

"We should be nearing the government office soon."

Hu Changhe abruptly stood up, glanced around, and said, "Everyone, let's go and welcome the new manor lord!"

"My lord, it will probably take a while longer."

The lowly soldier sneered, "The new manor lord was dragged off to drive piles by Du Siniang as soon as he entered the manor!"

Upon hearing this, Hu Changhe and everyone in the council hall burst into laughter.

"The first thing the new owner did upon arriving at the manor was to drive piles. What a wonderful owner we have!"

Hu Changhe's words were laced with undisguised sarcasm.

"It seems the news from Shanghe City was correct; he really is a spoiled brat!"

"Have the officials in the prefectural government ever considered the lives of the more than ten thousand people in Taipingzhuang by entrusting it to the management of such people!"

"I heard that young master Chen committed a grave offense and was exiled here. He must be a pawn like us!"

The crowd began to chatter amongst themselves, venting their pent-up frustrations.

Judging from their complaints, these people were not only dissatisfied with the new master being a spoiled brat, but also with the decision-makers in the county government!

The only water source in Taiping Village is on the verge of drying up. The village has already reported to Shanghe County for help, but there has been no response for a long time.

Currently, each of the more than 10,000 residents in the village is only given half a bowl of water per day, which is just enough to keep them alive. Most of the residents who do not store water at home are already in a state of semi-dehydration. If this continues, most of the people in the village will die of dehydration.

It can be said that Taipingzhuang is now at a critical moment of life and death.

In such a critical situation, Shanghe County actually sent a spoiled young master, and one can imagine how everyone felt.

"Let's go, come with me to see that young master Chen, and see if he has any other skills besides pile driving!"

Hu Changhe strode out of the council hall, still kneading the iron ball in his palm.

The others followed suit, still cursing under their breath.

The group left the government office and, as Hu Changhe suggested, planned to wait outside the mud-brick house where Du Siniang entertained guests to see if the new landlord would feel embarrassed.

As soon as the group left the government office, they saw a camel cart speeding towards them.

The camel cart was very luxurious, made entirely of sandalwood, and pulled by four "Red Peak Camels". The body was carved with lotus and cloud patterns, the roof was covered with a thick layer of dark velvet, and exquisite jade pendants hung from the four corners, making a pleasant tinkling sound when it moved.

The sight of such a magnificent camel cart contrasted sharply with the gloomy and dilapidated street scene of Taipingzhuang, and its appearance attracted the attention of many villagers. Some of them stuck their heads out of the windows, while others simply climbed onto their own earthen walls to watch.

"As expected of the young master of the Chen family, he's truly impressive!"

Hu Changhe snorted coldly, his round, leopard-like eyes narrowing into slits.

"Aren't they afraid of being robbed by river bandits with such high-profile actions!"

"Didn't you see there's only this one camel cart? It's probably already been offered to the bandits!"

"I think so too. He is, after all, the young master of the Chen family. It's impossible for him to come to Taipingzhuang to take up his post with only one car and three or five people."

Just as everyone was discussing this, the camel cart arrived at the entrance of the government office.

Geng Hu pulled on the reins, and the camel cart immediately stopped.

Seeing this, Hu Changhe stepped forward and asked, "Is Master Chen inside the carriage?"

"Yes, it is indeed my young master."

Geng Hu nodded, his gaze lingering on Hu Changhe for a second before sweeping over the crowd behind him, a look of disdain appearing in his eyes.

A bunch of good-for-nothings were no match for him in a single move!

At this moment, the carriage curtain was lifted, and Chen Chuan crawled out of the carriage.

The journey from Shanghe City to Taipingzhuang to take up his post was a full two thousand li, so it was impossible for him to walk. This camel cart was his means of transportation. However, the camel cart needed to be inspected when passing through the village gate, so he and Geng Hu entered the village first.

When he came out of the mud-brick house, the steward Lao Kong and the maid Cuihua were already waiting in the camel cart. He then took the cart to the government office.

The moment Chen Chuan appeared, Hu Changhe and the others immediately turned their attention to him.

The new lord of the estate had a handsome face and refined features. He wore a crimson brocade robe with gold embroidery, the fabric of which shimmered and shimmered. Auspicious cloud patterns embroidered with gold thread stretched from the collar to the hem. A red gold belt inlaid with jade was tied around his waist, and he was adorned with sachets, jade pendants, small gold bells, and other ornaments. He was clearly a pampered young master from a noble family.

The new manor lord's skin color and clothing were in stark contrast to Hu Changhe and the others, as if they were from completely different worlds.

Before Chen Chuan appeared, Hu Changhe and the others only knew that the new master sent from Shanghe County was a spoiled brat, but being in a remote and impoverished area, they didn't really understand the specific meaning of those four words.

At this moment, the phrase "spoiled brat" became a tangible representation of Chen Chuan.

In an instant, everyone felt utterly hopeless.

Are they really hoping that this slick-haired young master will lead Taipingzhuang out of its crisis?

You might as well pray to God for "blessings"!

After all, blessings had also descended upon Taipingzhuang three years ago!

"You must be Chen Chuan, Master Chen?"

After a moment of stunned silence, Hu Changhe frowned and asked.

"Yes, it's me."

Chen Chuan got off the camel cart and looked at Hu Changhe: "Are you Director Hu of the Demon Suppression Division?"

"It is indeed your humble servant!"

Hu Changhe bowed slightly.

"Is Du Siniang one of yours?"

Chen Chuan made a startling statement.

Upon hearing this, Hu Changhe and the others all showed expressions of shock.

"Looks like I guessed right."

Chen Chuan's lips curled slightly upwards as he walked into the government office, instructing, "Have someone settle my camel cart and the people inside. Also, notify all officials of Taiping Village to attend a meeting in the council hall!"

"Yes."

Hu Changhe was stunned for a while before replying quietly.

He tilted his head back, his gaze following the handsome, dashing figure, and muttered to himself, "Wasn't he supposed to be a spoiled brat who only knew how to drive piles? How did he know at a glance that Du Siniang was one of my people?"

"Brother, this kid seems pretty clever!"

A man who looked somewhat like Hu Changhe approached him. This man was Hu Changhe's younger brother, Hu Changhai, the director of the Taipingzhuang Water Affairs Bureau.

One brother was in charge of suppressing demons, and the other controlled the only water source for Taiping Village. It's no exaggeration to say that they held the lifeline of Taiping Village in their hands.