Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 176 - 2: The Ecology of Yongzhou Government Office, The Role of Guardian Martial Department Dispatch Office

After exchanging a few words with Shen Qing, the small official of the Personnel Office, carrying Shen Qing's appointment document and registration certificate, leisurely walked to the front of a government office with white walls and black tiles.

Upon reaching the entrance, the small official of the Personnel Office paused, clasped his hands respectfully, and called inside: "My Lord, there is someone outside who claims to be Shen Qing, holding an appointment document and registration certificate, seeking a position in the Military Department."

"Shen Qing?" A woman's voice came from inside the government office, with a hint of confusion, as the name seemed unfamiliar: "For which position is he applying?"

"For the position of Chief Officer. Both the appointment document and registration certificate are present."

"Let me see it."

"Yes."

The small official of the Personnel Office went inside, cautiously placed Shen Qing's appointment document and registration certificate on the long desk, and then retreated to the entrance.

Sitting behind the long desk was a woman of exceptional beauty, her hair was elegantly tied up, and her skin was as delicate as polished jade.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting its glow on her skin, even making it appear slightly translucent.

At that moment, she was wearing a form-fitting white outfit, her graceful curves accentuating a perfect figure, with her bust subtly emphasized.

This woman was none other than Huang Furo, the Chief Officer of the Yongzhou Military Department, born into the direct line of the Huangfu family.

Huang Furo, who had held high positions for many years, exuded the demeanor of a superior in her every gesture, naturally commanding respect.

She picked up Shen Qing's appointment document and registration certificate, comparing them one by one.

The appointment document posed no issues, but as for the registration certificate...

"Someone from Taiping County?"

"I heard his accent, it indeed sounds like he's from Taiping County."

Huang Furo slightly furrowed her elegant brows as her eyes glanced at the official documents sent by the Prefectural Governor next to the long desk.

After a moment, Huang Furo spoke: "Return the registration certificate to him. I will keep the appointment document for now and consider it. Tell him to come back the day after tomorrow."

"Yes."

The room beside the Personnel Office.

Upon seeing the small official return, Shen Qing quickly stood up and asked: "My Lord, how is it?"

"It's somewhat inappropriate." The small official handed the registration certificate back to Shen Qing, speaking helplessly.

Shen Qing asked: "What's the matter?"

"You are from Taiping County, aren't you?"

"Yes."

The small official stroked his beard, saying: "My Lord hesitated upon hearing you were from Taiping County. I suspect that someone else has their eye on the Chief Officer position at the Military Department. She's probably considering her options carefully. You are at some risk."

"However, you need not lose heart. The fact that she kept your appointment document and wants you to come back the day after tomorrow means there's still hope for you."

Shen Qing had anticipated that entering this government office might not be so easy. Calmly, he cupped his hands and asked: "The Lord is of noble birth and holds a significant position. Might you guide me?"

The small official waved his hand, smiling as he asked: "There aren't any high-ranking families named Shen in Yongzhou. I guess your background isn't high, and you lack backing, correct?"

Shen Qing nodded, acknowledging: "An ordinary commoner from Taiping County."

"I thought so. In that case, if other high-ranking disciples in Yongzhou compete with you, your position becomes quite uncertain, hard to say."

"The Lord said to come back the day after tomorrow. I think you should take this time to prepare more adequately." The small official advised: "Make sure you are well-prepared by then, don't hold back, or you might miss the opportunity and regret it."

His words were almost blunt.

Even a fool like Shen Qing could understand.

This was a request for money.

"Thank you, my Lord, for your guidance. I will prepare well."

The small official waved his hand, saying: "Go back for now. Next time you come, I'll inform the gatekeeper so you can come straight in."

Shen Qing cupped his hands and stepped out.

…

Inside the government office.

Huang Furo held Shen Qing's appointment document and the official letter from the Prefectural Governor, her gaze lingering between the two.

"The court dispatched five Innate Martial Masters to Yongzhou in one go, including the Commander of Troops. This shows that the current court values the Yongzhou Military Department more than the Guardian Martial Department."

"Now, the Military Department lacks a Chief Officer, and upon catching wind of this, several families contacted the Prefectural Governor. From what the Prefectural Governor suggests, the position is internally designated for the Su Family."

"In this way, an exchange of interests involves the upper levels, beyond my control."

Huang Furo's gaze inevitably fell on Shen Qing's appointment document: "Currently, someone named Shen Qing cannot intervene."

"However, the Guardian Martial Department seems to lack several Chief Officers. With demonic disturbances around Yongzhou, it's the right time to utilize manpower, so arrangements can be made."

"The Guardian Martial Department originally split from the Military Department, both under my jurisdiction, with equivalent rankings for Chief Officers. It's not against the rules."

Huang Furo, having made up her mind and confident in her decision, began to make arrangements.

First, she had to get in touch with the Prefectural Governor's side and also visit the Guardian Martial Department, which required some effort.

…

Two days quickly passed.

On the third day, Shen Qing arrived at the Military Department's government office as agreed.

When he came this time, the two gatekeepers indeed did not make things difficult and decisively allowed him to pass upon seeing him.

Shen Qing, familiar with the route, found the Personnel Office.

At this moment, the small official from the previous days seemed to have been waiting for him. Seeing him approach the door, he put down his work and quickly asked: "You've come over? How is it, are you prepared?"

Shen Qing respectfully said: "My Lord, may I have a word in private?"

The small official glanced around, seeing no colleagues paying attention, and with his hands behind his back, walked unhurriedly out of the Personnel Office.

The small official led Shen Qing to a quiet corner of a courtyard, ensuring no one was around.

Facing the small official's expectant gaze, Shen Qing promptly placed ten large gold bills into his hands.

These gold bills were exchanged from part of his assets before he left Taiping County.

Each gold bill represented one hundred taels of silver.

Ten bills amounted to thousands of taels.

For Shen Qing, this represented a third of his wealth.

Now, giving it out all at once made him feel a twinge of pain.

However, thinking of the two thousand taels' worth of the Wish Power Pearl and the Refining Pearl Technique, the thousand taels seemed not too expensive.

Shen Qing clasped his fists and said: "Sorry to trouble you, my Lord."

The small official was surprised that someone who appeared of humble origin would be so generous.

He had given thousands of taels in one go.

"Please wait here for me."

Excited, the small official stashed away the thousands of taels in gold bills and, after instructing him, briskly headed toward the government office.

The government office was just a courtyard away from the Personnel Office.

In no time, he reached the entrance of the government office and said: "My Lord, the job seeker from Taiping County has arrived."

Huang Furo, without lifting her head, said: "Give him a position as a Chief Officer in the Guardian Martial Department. You in the Personnel Office handle the official certificate and let him choose a date to assume office."

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