In the thirteenth year of the Tianbao era: I became Yang Guozhong's eldest son.

As each name was read out, the dozen or so old women and maids nervously formed three lines.

Yanhe's gaze swept across the faces of these people one by one, as if he were examining a piece of merchandise.

She knew that among these three groups of people, there were definitely spies planted by the Tian family, the Hu family, or even the brokerage firm.

Yang Xuan was recruiting people in the front yard in a big way, so it was impossible for those local bullies not to plant spies in the backyard.

"I know that you come to work in the county government because you want a full meal and a stable job."

Yanhe stood up and slowly walked to them.

"The county government now has money and grain. As long as you are willing to work lawfully, I guarantee that your monthly allowance will be 20% more than that of any wealthy family outside."

Upon hearing the words "20% more," a hint of greed and joy flashed in many people's eyes.

"but!"

Yanhe's tone suddenly shifted, dropping to freezing point.

"Not just anyone can eat at the county government office."

"From today onwards, I will set the rules for the inner quarters."

Yanhe walked to the first row, which consisted of five older women who were mainly responsible for the kitchen and menial tasks.

"The five of you are in charge of the household necessities. Every day's purchases must be personally reviewed and approved by Uncle Wen. Anyone who dares to skimp on the cost of groceries, or sneaks anything unclean into the food..."

Yanhe sneered and pointed to the box containing the ruler on the ground.

"You've all heard how Dong Liu was kicked out of the county government. I don't mind letting you taste the effects of thirty strokes of the rod."

The old women trembled with fear and kowtowed repeatedly, saying they dared not.

Yanhe walked to the second row, which consisted of four maids responsible for attending to the wounded and washing their clothes.

"The four of you are responsible for taking care of the wounded soldiers under Guard Pei's command. They are the ones who risked their lives for the county government on the front lines. You must serve them with the same devotion you would show yourselves to your masters. The doctor has instructed you on how to prepare the medicine and how to wash the bandages. Anyone who dares to be negligent or negligent, causing the wounded to deteriorate, will be held accountable!"

The four maids turned pale with fright and quickly bowed their heads in agreement.

Finally, Yanhe walked to the third row, which consisted of three of the youngest and most beautiful maids.

They were recruited under the pretext of cleaning the study and serving the guests personally.

Yanhe looked at the three people, his eyes becoming extremely sharp.

She knew this tactic all too well.

The most common tactic used by powerful figures was to place beautiful women around officials. This not only allowed them to spy on secrets, but also to whisper sweet nothings in their ears or even poison or assassinate them at crucial moments.

"The three of you." Yanhe stopped in front of a maid dressed in emerald green with a flirtatious look in her eyes. "What are your names?"

"Replying to...replying to Madam, this servant's name is Cui'er." The maid answered somewhat nervously, but her eyes unconsciously drifted towards the study behind Yanhe.

"Cui'er." Yanhe repeated the name, then suddenly sneered, "Your hands are so well-maintained, you don't look like a servant who does rough work at all."

Cui'er's heart sank, and she quickly pulled her hand back into her sleeve: "I...I used to work in the embroidery shop, so I didn't do much rough work..."

"Yeah?"

Yanhe did not expose her, but instead turned around and announced the most fundamental rules of the inner quarters to everyone.

"The inner quarters are divided into two layers. The kitchen, laundry yard, and stables are the outer layer. The study, inner storeroom, and the bedrooms of myself and the county magistrate are the inner layer."

"Those on the outer perimeter are absolutely forbidden from stepping into the inner area without my permission. Those on the inner perimeter are also absolutely forbidden from contacting the outside world without my authorization!"

"More importantly," Yanhe's voice pierced everyone's eardrums like a sharp sword, "no matter what happens in the front yard, no matter what sounds you hear, you are not allowed to ask, look, or spread it! Anyone who can't control their mouth and legs, don't blame me for not being able to control the ruler in my hand!"

Once the rules were established, the three boxes were opened.

The loose silver and copper coins were distributed as a reward.

The new fabric has been distributed; that's good.

As for those rulers, Wen Bo distributed them to several of his most reliable old servants and hung them in prominent places in the back of the house, which served as a form of authority.

With a combination of kindness and severity, the servants, who originally had different thoughts, were finally temporarily subdued by this set of strict rules.

……

Night falls in the county government office study.

Yang Xuan had just returned from the clandestine workshop in the west of the city.

The new equipment on Lao Huang's side was already taking shape, which made him relax a little.

"My lord, have a bowl of hot soup." Yanhe carried a bowl of ginseng soup into the study and placed it on his desk.

Yang Xuan took the ginseng soup, took a sip, and felt a warm current flow down his throat and throughout his body.

He looked at Yanhe's slightly tired face, a hint of apology flashing in his eyes.

"Thank you for your hard work with the affairs of the inner quarters." Yang Xuan grasped Yan He's hand. "Once the situation in Yaozhou stabilizes, I will definitely..."

"We're in the same boat now, why are you being so formal?" Yanhe smiled slightly, took his hand in return, and said, "As long as you can withstand Tian Boyong's open attacks from the front, I'll take care of the hidden arrows from the back."

Just then, a faint arguing sound came from outside the study.

"Halt! Madam has ordered that no one is allowed near the study!" This was the voice of the old servant whom Uncle Wen had arranged to keep watch outside the study.

"Old sir, I've come to deliver calming incense to Your Excellency. This incense was specially ordered by Registrar Cui to be bought in town, because Your Excellency has been working too hard lately..."

A sweet, delicate female voice rang out; it was Cui'er, the maid from earlier that day.

Yang Xuan frowned slightly and looked at Yan He.

A cold glint flashed in Yanhe's eyes. She stood up, pushed open the study door, and walked out.

Outside the door, Cui'er was carrying a small, exquisite bronze incense burner, trying to bypass the old servant's obstruction.

When she saw Yanhe come out, she was so frightened that she quickly lowered her head.

"lady……"

"Did you ignore the rules I set during the day?" Yanhe looked at her coldly. "When did I ever give you permission to approach the study?"

"This servant...this servant is just worried about the magistrate's health..." Cui'er stammered, cold sweat beading on her forehead.

Yanhe ignored her explanation and walked up to her, his gaze falling on the bronze incense burner.

The incense burner was filled with the finest sandalwood, emitting a refreshing and pleasant fragrance.

Yanhe reached out and took the incense burner, held it to his nose and sniffed it gently, his eyes instantly turning icy cold.

Within the imperial family of Chang'an, she had witnessed countless methods of harming people.

Although the agarwood in this incense burner is precious, there is a very subtle scent of "soft bone grass" mixed in at the bottom of the incense ash.

This herb won't kill you, but long-term inhalation can cause lethargy, weakness in the limbs, and eventually turn you into a cripple who can't even hold a knife properly.

What a vicious tactic!

What fast movements!

Having just established the rules during the day, the Tian family couldn't wait to use this nail to test the county government's capabilities that very night.