Chapter 186 - 184: Are You Even Worthy?

Upon entering Kaiping Prefecture, Xu Feizhou eagerly headed straight for the Inspectorate's Mansion.

The White Tiger Guards at the gate saw Xu Feizhou approaching, exchanged a glance, and blocked their path.

"What business brings you to our Kaiping Prefecture, my lord?"

A White Tiger Guard behind Xu Feizhou shouted angrily, "Are you blind? Haven't you received news that Lord Xu is here to assume his post?"

"Apologies. We only recognize the Inspector's official order. As for any news, we know nothing."

After the battle at Celestial Star Ranch, these White Tiger Guards of Kaiping Prefecture had become completely loyal to Chen Yuan.

Whether it was the previous Qi Yuanming or the few Inspectors before him, which of them had ever been as generous as Lord Chen?

For these low-ranking White Tiger Guards, it was simple: they were loyal to whoever fed them, to whoever gave them benefits.

Not only did they have a sour look for Xu Feizhou, but they were also somewhat dissatisfied with Feng Wushang for transferring Chen Yuan away.

Xu Feizhou gave a placating wave and presented his official order to the gate's White Tiger Guards.

"May I go in now?"

The two White Tiger Guards exchanged a glance and said expressionlessly, "Please enter, my lord."

When Chen Yuan had faced this kind of provocation, he had chosen to simply ignore it, and Xu Feizhou did the same.

He wasn't an idiot. He knew that arguing with low-ranking White Tiger Guards would only embarrass himself. The problem had to be solved from the top down.

Stepping into the main hall of the Inspectorate's Mansion, he found Cui Guan and the others all present.

But not a single person present bowed; they just stared expressionlessly at Xu Feizhou.

Xu Feizhou's brow furrowed slightly at the sight.

As far as he knew, that Chen Jiutian hadn't been in charge of Kaiping Prefecture for long. 'How did this group become so loyal to him that they'd band together to resist me like this?'

Xu Feizhou produced his official order and said coolly, "I am Xu Feizhou, the new Inspector of Kaiping Prefecture."

Only upon seeing the order did the men finally rise. As a group, they gave a casual cupped-fist salute and said, "Greetings, Lord Xu."

Xu Feizhou paid it no mind. 'There are bound to be die-hards left behind by that Chen Jiutian.'

Sweeping his gaze over the men, Xu Feizhou chuckled. "I have only just taken charge of Kaiping Prefecture. I will need everyone's full support moving forward."

The others remained silent and somber, but Yang Zhicai chuckled and said, "Lord Xu is the adopted son of Master Feng. Your status is noble and distinguished. We will naturally cooperate to the best of our abilities."

Xu Feizhou nodded. "I'm a bit tired from the past few days of travel, so I won't say much more. I also need to familiarize myself with our Kaiping Prefecture. We will hold a meeting tomorrow."

With that, Xu Feizhou waved his hand, dismissing everyone present. He then installed the men he had brought with him into the Inspectorate's Mansion, completely taking over its defense.

After arranging all this, Xu Feizhou began to carefully consider his next move.

Before arriving, Xu Feizhou had already tasked someone with collecting information on Kaiping Prefecture.

Among the current Captains with real power in Kaiping Prefecture, that Cui Guan had been recruited from outside by Chen Jiutian and was his staunch confidant.

Lu Li had been brought over from Linyuan City by Chen Jiutian, so he was naturally another confidant.

Only Yang Zhicai was an old-timer in Kaiping Prefecture who had only pledged allegiance to Chen Jiutian after his arrival.

'Today, Cui Guan and Lu Li were so resistant and cold toward me, while only Yang Zhicai spoke up. It seems he must be ostracized by those two.'

'A new sovereign brings new courtiers. Cui Guan and Lu Li are Chen Jiutian's die-hards and can't be won over. But this Yang Zhicai is the slippery, opportunistic type who knows which way the wind blows.'

'A man like that may not have firm principles, but I can try to make use of him.'

After nightfall, Xu Feizhou had someone summon Yang Zhicai.

The moment he entered, Yang Zhicai chuckled. "Is there something about your accommodations that is not to your satisfaction, Lord Xu? Do you need this subordinate to make some adjustments?"

Xu Feizhou waved a hand, his gaze fixed on Yang Zhicai. "The accommodations are fine. It's just that I am new to Kaiping Prefecture and don't know how to get things started. Captain Yang, is there anything you can teach me?"

Yang Zhicai gave an awkward laugh. "This subordinate has been muddling along in Kaiping Prefecture for so many years and is still just a Captain. My aptitude is mediocre. What could I possibly have to teach Lord Xu?"

Xu Feizhou shook his head, suddenly grabbing Yang Zhicai's hand with a sincere tone.

"Lord Yang, I won't waste time with pleasantries.

I know what everyone in the White Tiger Hall says about me, Xu Feizhou. They say I'm shameless for acknowledging the Hall Master as my adoptive father, and that's how I managed to push out Chen Jiutian and become the Inspector of Kaiping Prefecture.

But so what? No matter how great his achievements, isn't Chen Jiutian now feared by my adoptive father and thrown into that fire pit, Yangshan Prefecture?

Lord Yang, you're a smart man. You should know it won't be easy for Chen Jiutian to climb out of that fire pit in Yangshan. He's not coming back.

When Chen Jiutian was in Kaiping Prefecture, Lu Li and Cui Guan were his confidants. I imagine you were ostracized and had a hard time, didn't you, Lord Yang?

I know what that feels like. It was the same for me back when I was in the Po Jun Guard, living cautiously day by day.

Now I've come to Kaiping Prefecture. As long as you help me with all your heart, Lord Yang, I will certainly not let you down!

All the Captains in Kaiping Prefecture will look up to you. In this whole prefecture, you will be second only to me and above all others!"

Xu Feizhou was not completely useless. His strength was his shamelessness—his extreme shamelessness. It was so profound that whatever he said, he could make people believe it was completely sincere.

Before Feng Wushang, he could bow and scrape, making Feng Wushang truly believe that this adopted son of his was utterly respectful and filial.

Now, before Yang Zhicai, the words he spoke didn't feel like an empty promise, but like they were coming from a place of utmost sincerity.

It could be said that if Yang Zhicai had never met Chen Yuan, he might have actually been swayed by him.

However, Lord Chen didn't just make empty promises; he laid the benefits right out in front of you.

As for being ostracized, he had often been pushed aside before Lord Chen's arrival. But after Lord Chen came, if anyone still tried to sideline Yang Zhicai, wouldn't that mean Lord Chen's presence was for nothing?

Even his daily squabbles with Lu Li were just for the sake of vying for Lord Chen's favor; it never hurt their relationship.

Lord Chen used him not because he was a smooth-talking sycophant, but because he got things done.

Yang Zhicai fought back his disgust, pulled his hand free from Xu Feizhou's grip, and put on a deeply moved expression.

"I never would have thought that you would understand me so well, Lord Xu!

I, Yang Zhicai, am just a mediocre man. To be valued so highly by you today, Lord Xu... this subordinate is moved to tears of gratitude!"

Yang Zhicai took a deep breath and asked, "Lord Xu, if I may be so bold, did you come to Kaiping Prefecture to maintain the status quo, or are you preparing to make a name for yourself?"

"Oh? What's the difference between the two?"

Yang Zhicai said, "If you wish to maintain the status quo, then you don't have to do anything. Just follow the plans that Lord Chen... that Chen Jiutian laid out before.

Chen Jiutian already sorted out all the major Jianghu Forces in Kaiping Prefecture. You don't have to lift a finger, and a large amount of tax revenue will naturally come in every month.

If you want to make a name for yourself, then you have to do better than Chen Jiutian.

Previously, Chen Jiutian took seventy percent of the business income from the Jianghu Forces in Kaiping Prefecture. If you want to do better than him, you'll have to add another ten percent.

Don't underestimate that ten percent. That extra share will be enough to prove you're more capable than Chen Jiutian and will also let Master Feng see that he didn't choose the wrong person."

Xu Feizhou pondered for a moment, then said directly, "Of course I came to Kaiping Prefecture to make a name for myself.

How about this: I will propose this suggestion at the meeting tomorrow. I'll need you to stand with me, Lord Yang, and beat the drum for me."

"Rest assured, Lord Xu. This subordinate will give you his full support!"

In truth, even if Yang Zhicai hadn't suggested it, Xu Feizhou had been planning to do the same.

Being new to the post, he wanted to completely control Kaiping Prefecture and minimize his predecessor's influence. The most effective way was to completely overturn all existing rules and do better than the one before him.

Therefore, the rules set by Chen Jiutian had to be changed, and changed for the better!

His questioning of Yang Zhicai just now was also a way to test him.

But seeing how tactful the other man was, Xu Feizhou lowered his guard and trusted him a little more.

'It seems this Yang Zhicai really is a smart man who knows how to make the right choice.'

The moment he stepped out the door, Yang Zhicai, who had been wearing a moved expression just a moment ago, his expression instantly changed, a look of contempt appearing.

'Comparing yourself to Lord Chen? You're not worthy!'

Early the next morning, Xu Feizhou summoned all of the White Tiger Guards in Kaiping Prefecture for a meeting.

Looking at everyone present, Xu Feizhou tapped the table and got straight to the point. "Gentlemen, while the tax regulations for the Kaiping Prefecture Inspectorate were set by Lord Chen, I feel they are insufficient.

Seventy percent is a lot, but our Kaiping Prefecture's Zhenwu Hall is powerful. What can we possibly do with a mere seventy percent?

Therefore, I've decided that from now on, the tax will be raised to eighty percent.

Of that, twenty percent will go to the Main Hall as per the rules. And since Master Feng has been so supportive of our Kaiping Prefecture, we should give him thirty percent.

As for the remaining thirty percent, that will be for us here in Kaiping Prefecture to divide internally. What do you all think?"

Xu Feizhou thought he was being quite generous.

The largest shares would go to the Main Hall and Feng Wushang, with the remaining thirty percent to be divided within Kaiping Prefecture—though of course, he would be taking the biggest cut of that.

But everyone present looked at Xu Feizhou as if he were an idiot.

'This guy probably has no idea that when Lord Chen was here, we used to get fifty percent!'

'Moreover, Lord Chen only took Elixirs and nothing else. That fifty percent was divided among us.'

'Now Xu Feizhou wants to take twenty percent from our fifty percent to give to Feng Wushang. Who would agree to that?'

'Feng Wushang is your adoptive father, not ours! Why should you use our earnings to suck up to him?'

In truth, Xu Feizhou really didn't know about this.

Aside from the basic monthly stipend, the other income of each Inspectorate's Mansion was handled independently.

The White Tiger Guards on the outside only had a rough idea of which Prefecture City was richer and which was poorer.

Under Chen Yuan's leadership, Kaiping Prefecture had been quietly getting rich. Who would be idiotic enough to run around shouting about how much they were making?

So, Xu Feizhou genuinely believed that besides their monthly stipends, they didn't have much other income, and that the tax revenue Chen Yuan collected had surely all gone into his own pocket.

Otherwise, what could he have used to bribe Feng Wushang? How could his own cultivation have increased so rapidly?