My strength increases by one percent every day; I can destroy stars with my bare hands.

Everyone else was demoted, exiled, or transferred to sinecure positions due to the fall of Anzhou and the collapse of its defenses.

With drastically reduced authority and responsibilities, the future looks bleak.

Although everyone was unwilling and bitter, they knew they were guilty of losing the city, so they all bowed their heads and accepted the order without daring to object.

The heaviest and cruelest punishment of the entire event fell upon Pei Hongwen.

Wang Dajian's gaze was cold and solemn as he read the words aloud.

Pei Hongwen, the former Prefect of Anzhou, was relieved of his original post and appointed Prefect of Yuanlin County.

These few words, like a thunderclap from the heavens, struck Pei Hongwen's head with a deafening roar.

Everyone else was stunned, looking at Pei Hongwen with a mixture of sympathy and mockery.

Yuanlin County is the most remote, barren, and desolate border county in the southwest of the Great Yan Dynasty.

The land was barren and the people were poor; the area was desolate and remote; official roads were cut off and commerce had ceased.

The area is teeming with demons and evil spirits, and is teeming with monsters and spirits.

Local martial arts sects held sway over their respective regions, and powerful figures were numerous.

The authority of the government was completely undermined, and imperial decrees could hardly leave the county government.

This place, though named a prefecture or county, is in reality a lawless and disorderly place, a place where demons and monsters rule and the martial arts world holds power.

Although he was called a prefect, he was actually exiled and thrown into a desperate situation to fend for himself.

This was a severe punishment imposed by the imperial court on a guilty official, equivalent to exile.

Pei Hongwen stood frozen in place, his mind blank, feeling dizzy and his ears ringing.

He was born into a prominent family, enjoyed a life of luxury, held a high position, and was unparalleled in his dignity.

I never imagined that in the midst of chaos and upheaval, I would be banished to such a desolate and lawless place where demons roam freely.

Everyone was also surprised and didn't understand why the court would punish Pei Hongwen in this way.

Although the Pei family has declined, Pei Hongwen was once the Prefect of Anzhou, and should not be sent to the border region.

Everyone's thoughts were in turmoil, a jumble of emotions.

This must be because someone is sabotaging things and trying to kill Pei Hongwen.

"puff!"

Pei Hongwen spat out a mouthful of blood, his legs went weak, his body swayed violently, and he almost collapsed to the ground.

"Lord Pei."

Huang Tianyun, who was standing nearby, reacted quickly and caught him.

Pei Hongwen took deep breaths, barely managing to catch his breath.

He forced himself to stand, and staggered as he accepted the imperial decree.

"I obey your decree."

After receiving the imperial decree, Pei Hongwen was pale and dejected, and he staggered away.

"Lord Wang, we have prepared a banquet to welcome you and celebrate your journey home. We hope you will do us the honor of attending."

After Pei Hongwen left, everyone smiled and invited Wang Dajian.

Wang Dajian came from the capital and knew about the situation there; everyone wanted to learn about the capital's situation through him.

This will also allow Supervisor Wang to return home with a full load of goods, and he can then put in a good word for them.

"Gentlemen, how could I refuse such a kind invitation?"

Wang Dajian smiled, and both sides understood each other implicitly.

Li Xuancang disliked this situation, but he had no choice but to force himself to endure it.

Upon arriving at the banquet venue, everyone toasted and drank, and the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely.

People kept coming to talk to Li Xuancang, knowing that his future was limitless and wanting to befriend him in advance.

After a few rounds of drinks and several dishes, the atmosphere became more relaxed and familiar.

Huang Tianyun couldn't help but ask Wang Dajian, "Lord Wang, is there some hidden reason behind Lord Pei's appointment as governor of Yuanlin County?"

Upon hearing this, everyone stared intently at Supervisor Wang, awaiting his reply.

Wang Dajian disagreed, saying, "Lord Pei has a good in-law. The Marquis of Anzhou's family contributed a lot to his appointment as the Prefect of Yuanlin County."

This matter is not a secret; many people in the capital know about it.

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, somewhat incredulous.

They suspected someone was interfering, but they never imagined it would be the Marquis of Anzhou's mansion.

Aren't the Pei family and the Marquis of Anzhou related by marriage through their children? Why would the Marquis of Anzhou do this? Everyone was puzzled.

Wang Dajian smiled slightly. He naturally knew the Marquis of Anzhou's intention in doing so, but he did not tell the others.

Everyone there was a cunning old fox, and no one pressed for an answer.

"Lord Wang, I'd like to offer you a toast."

The crowd kept toasting Eunuch Wang and asking him about matters concerning the capital.

Wang Dajian casually mentioned some unimportant matters, but evaded important ones, leaving everyone helpless.

The banquet lasted for more than an hour before it ended, and Li Xuancang and Du Tianfeng left together.

"What's wrong? Are you not used to it?"

Seeing Li Xuancang's uncomfortable expression, Du Tianfeng smiled slightly.

This is how Li Xuancang should look like a young man.

"There will be many more scenes like this in the future, you'll gradually get used to it."

Du Tianfeng's words came from the bottom of his heart.

As one's status and position rise, one must learn to be hypocritical and pretentious.

"Two hundred thousand taels of silver per person, it's a sure way to make a huge profit."

Li Xuancang said in a low voice.

Everyone present took out 200,000 taels of silver to give to Supervisor Wang, and Li Xuancang was no exception.

Li Xuancang wasn't distressed about the money; after wiping out Liuyun County, he still had over a million taels of silver on him. He was just expressing his feelings.

"It's nothing but petty gains. You'll only understand what it means to have absolute power and control the world once you take office in Ganquan County."

Du Tianfeng's words were full of envy.

The garrison commander was already a person of high status.

Despite decades of effort and the full support of the Du family, Du Tianfeng was still unable to secure the position of garrison commander.

The garrison commander of Ganquan County was one of the top three garrison commanders in the Great Yan Dynasty, a figure of absolute power, which Du Tianfeng couldn't help but envy.

Du Tianfeng's words puzzled Li Xuancang.

As far as he knew, Ganquan County was located on the frontier and was constantly invaded by nomadic people from the grasslands. It was hardly a place worthy of Du Tianfeng's high regard.

Seeing Li Xuancang's puzzled look, Du Tianfeng took the initiative to explain to him.

"You may not know this, but although Ganquan County is a border region, it is an important passage between the grasslands and the Great Yan. Countless people smuggle goods here..."

As Du Tianfeng explained in detail, Li Xuancang suddenly understood.

Now he finally understood why everyone was so shocked and envious when they heard that he had been appointed as the garrison commander of Ganquan County.

Ganquan County is the region where trade between the Great Yan and the grassland people is most frequent.

Salt, tea, wine, elixirs, weapons...

Anything that the grassland people lack, the Great Yan caravan can transport to the grasslands for sale.

They also need the cattle, sheep, and warhorses of the grassland people.

The profits from this round trip will be astronomical.

Li Xuancang is about to become the garrison commander of Ganquan County, wielding absolute military and political power. The lives and deaths of tens of millions of people in Ganquan County are in his hands.

All the caravans had to fawn over him and compete to curry favor with him.

If you offend Li Xuancang, you will find it difficult to move an inch in Ganquan County.

Without Li Xuancang needing to speak, various forces would proactively send large amounts of silver and resources to him.

"I see."

Li Xuancang belatedly realized how many people envied his position and status.

After explaining the advantages, Du Tianfeng also told him about the disadvantages.

"Ganquan County is situated between the Great Yan and the grasslands, and is constantly under attack from grassland tribes. You must not be careless and must not allow the grassland people to break out of Ganquan County."

Li Xuancang's most important task was to keep the grassland people firmly at bay in Ganquan County.

As long as the nomads from the grasslands are not allowed to break out of Ganquan County, his position will be as secure as Mount Tai.