Longevity Begins with the Seven Injuries Fist-Chapter 100 - 92: Tang Sect Assassin "Greedy Wolf" Returns!

Chapter 100: Chapter 92: Tang Sect Assassin "Greedy Wolf" Returns!

In the Southern Domain, due to the distant mountains and the distant Emperor, the Court’s supervisory power is relatively weak, leading to a severe problem of selling official positions and titles.

In the Central Plains, where each state is under the Court’s strict control, the phenomenon of selling official positions is much less common.

Ou Tianci finished savoring his tea, set down the teacup, and slightly extended his tongue to lick away a drop of tea from the mustache on his lips.

Then he let the Magistrate continue talking about the positions in the Government Office.

The position of Deputy is the Prefect’s assistant, only one rank below the Prefect.

The Ou Family spent a considerable amount of money and pulled many strings to secure this position for Ou Tianci.

After Ou Tianci obtained this position, he was supposed to help the Ou Family amass wealth.

A part of this wealth would go to the Ou Family, while another part would be given to the leaders of the Thunderbolt Army who had helped him, including Li Tunshan.

Li Tunshan, acknowledged as the strongest Martial Artist in the prefecture, also needed to accumulate wealth.

After all, Jiannan Prefecture wasn’t governed solely by the Thunderbolt Army; there were also other forces like the Zaiyang Sect and the White Lotus Sect.

The members of these forces were quite powerful and each held a portion of the Martial Arts resources.

Should Li Tunshan attempt to seize them by force, he might succeed, but both he and the Thunderbolt Army would likely suffer significant losses, potentially outweighing the benefits.

Thus, when his resources were lacking, he often had to purchase them with money.

As Ou Tianci listened to the Magistrate discussing the offices, he suddenly waved to signal the Magistrate to stop:

"Are you saying there are five idle positions within the Government Office?"

"Precisely," the Magistrate replied.

These five idle positions included Su Que’s role as Inspector.

Although idle positions were not significant, they could be sold for a good price to wealthy families eager for official status.

And precisely because idle positions were unimportant, there was no need to worry about these foppish young scions causing trouble by exploiting their offices.

"Find a reason, and dismiss these five idle positions," Ou Tianci instructed the Magistrate.

"This..." The Magistrate hesitated.

"What’s the matter?" Ou Tianci turned his head, giving the Magistrate a sidelong glance.

The Magistrate responded, "Of these five idle positions... three were appointed by Duan Han."

"Hmph." Ou Tianci snorted softly, shaking his head, then leisurely picked up the teacup and took another sip.

After slowly setting the teacup down, he said, "Don’t bother with Duan Han; just tell him directly."

"Duan Han, after all, is a civil servant who can’t even truss a chicken; he fears the Ou Family and the Thunderbolt Army."

Ou Tianci’s uncle, Ou Haofeng, was a centurion in the Thunderbolt Army and a member of Li Tunshan’s faction.

Thus, Ou Tianci regarded the Thunderbolt Army as one of his pillars of support.

Ou Tianci continued, "Moreover, my brother Ou Tianhao’s death is also linked to Duan Han."

"If he hadn’t enticed my brother to Jade Water City, he wouldn’t have died there, and his body would not be untraceable now."

"Our family erected an opulent tomb for my brother."

"Yet who knows there is no body inside, just a fine wooden coffin and my brother’s clothes."

"If it weren’t for regularly seeing Duan Han greeting us with a smiling face and showing respect to our family, we would definitely hold him accountable."

"Now, our family does not seek revenge against Duan Han; he should burn incense in gratitude for that!"

"What can he say about my actions?"

"Furthermore, Duan Han has been the Prefect for many years, surely amassing quite a fortune; now it’s our turn."

"You speak truly, my lord!" The Magistrate nodded and bowed aside, then said:

"These five official positions, being idle, typically see the officials leave the Government Office shortly after attending the morning meeting."

"We can use dereliction of duties as a reason to dismiss them."

"Good," Ou Tianci acknowledged, nodding, and stood up. "Go now and speak to Duan Han."

...

Duan Han’s expression shifted slightly after hearing Ou Tianci’s words.

He hadn’t expected such actions on the first day of his assumption of office.

"Dismiss..." he murmured.

"Oh? Does Brother Duan have any insights?" Ou Tianci asked, his eyes imposing as he looked at Duan Han.

Duan Han concealed his change of expression, smiling at Ou Tianci:

"I don’t have any particular insights, but I do have a request."

"What request?" Ou Tianci inquired.

"Instead of dismissing them, why not let me speak to each of them and have them resign on their own," Duan Han suggested:

"Give me some time."

"Five days," Ou Tianci agreed.

"Alright," Duan Han replied, sighing inwardly.

After Ou Tianci and the Magistrate left, Duan Han went to his desk, pulled out a sheet of paper, picked up a brush from the stand, and dipped it in ink from the inkstone.

He wrote a few lines on the paper, sealed it in an envelope, and called in a trusted aide to deliver it to Li Yujing.

...

In the afternoon, at the Drunken Wind Tower.

Duan Han, dressed in casual clothes, entered with a trusted aide by his side.

In a private room, he met with Li Yujing.

In the room were two strong middle-aged men, both experts in the Meridian Opening Realm of Martial Arts, though not among the thirty or so such experts in Jiannan Prefecture City.

After Duan Han entered the room, the two Meridian Opening Realm martial artists positioned themselves to guard the doors and windows, also watching if anyone was above the room.

After saluting Li Yujing, Duan Han sat down.

The table was without dishes; only paper and a pen were laid out.

Duan Han softly inquired, "Miss, I wonder about that matter..."

Li Yujing sighed, picking up the paper and pen on the table, and wrote, "Our strength isn’t sufficient at present; we should not act rashly."