Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 177 - 3 Join! Join the Guardian Martial Department

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For Huang Furo, if it were an appointment from the Military Department, she might have gone to see, but the Guardian Martial Department had its own Commander to handle matters, so it did not require her attention. She merely left it to the officials in the Personnel Office.

Over at the Prefectural Governor's side, it was merely a "routine procedure," and not worth her effort.

The small official from the Personnel Office, having received the orders, was surprised when he saw that Huang Furo did not take Shen Qing's position away, a glimmer of joy crossed his face as he strove to maintain composure: "Yes, my lord. Subordinate will make the official certificate for him now, and have him report to the Guardian Martial Department in three days."

Huang Furo buried her head in handling her official duties and did not speak further.

The small official from the Personnel Office bowed with his hands clasped in front, wisely retreating out.

Once he had walked out of the government office, he turned back cautiously for a glance, unable to suppress the joy in his heart.

Such fortune was truly incredible this time.

With just a few words he had gained a thousand taels effortlessly.

In the past, when wealthy disciples competed with family backgrounds, he might not have had such opportunities. Even if he got the position, he would have to give up a large portion.

It was by chance that Shen Qing was an outsider, newly arrived without any background, just perfect for him to manipulate.

Upon returning to the officials room, he saw Shen Qing standing straight in the courtyard, neither rushed nor idle. He couldn't help but take a second look.

"This lad truly has a good temperament. Given so much money, if I were him, I'd be as anxious as an ant on a hot pan."

The small official from the Personnel Office approached, taking Shen Qing by the arm, his eyes squinted happily: "Little brother, it's done."

"It's done?" Shen Qing said with a bit of suspicion: "Are you serious, my lord?"

The official pretended to be annoyed: "Could I lie to you? Our Lord of the General Supervisor's Office has already personally promised to make the official certificate."

Saying so, he lowered his voice mysteriously: "Do you think what you gave me, it's all for myself? As long as it can be delivered out, it means the matter is done."

Seeing the official's demeanor as though afraid he would regret it, Shen Qing felt speechless.

To him, as long as he could get a position in the department, spending some money didn't matter at all.

With power, money would naturally not be an issue.

Shen Qing did not expose him, playing along: "It's all thanks to your efforts, my lord."

"I dare not claim credit, do not dare to claim credit." The official laughed: "We over here are making the official certificate for you; you just come back in three days to take it and report to the Guardian Martial Department."

Startled, Shen Qing found it strange.

He recalled his appointment letter stating his position was in the Military Department, how did it become the Guardian Martial Department?

Shen Qing asked, puzzled: "My lord, why do I have to report to the Guardian Martial Department? My appointment letter's position was in the Military Department."

"Ah, don't worry. The Military Department or the Guardian Martial Department, they are both under the Lord of the Chief Officer's Office. The latter is spun off from the Military Department, specifically to handle demons and the remnants of the Huang Tian Sect, the two are part of one whole. The Military Department had no vacancies, but the Guardian Martial Department had, you naturally take a position there upon coming."

The official gave a casual explanation and consoled: "Don't overthink it."

Shen Qing's mind whirled, suspecting it to be because in the middle of the situation, the County City Guardian Martial Arts Department was ambushed by the Huang Tian Sect, leaving many positions vacant. Hence he was transferred from the Military Department to the Guardian Martial Department by sheer coincidence.

At this moment, Shen Qing thought of one important question, he couldn't help but ask: "May I ask you, my lord, is there any difference in treatment between the County City Guardian Martial Arts Department and the Military Department currently?"

"Theoretically it is the same from the court, but..." The official hesitated: "You'll know once you report to the Guardian Martial Department, I could tell you but you won't really understand."

Shen Qing's gaze darkened, showing a maturity unusual for someone his age, thoughtfully pondering his words.

"That's it for today, remember to come back in three days."

Shen Qing snapped back, clasping his hands in respect: "May I ask for your name, my lord?"

"My surname is Zhao, Zhao Guanglu."

"So it is Mr. Zhao. I hope you will take extra care of my matters, my lord."

"Don't mention it."

Seeing Zhao Guanglu's intention to send him off, Shen Qing did not linger at the Military Department longer; he clasped his hands together courteously before leaving the Military Department Office.

Returning to the inn, Shen Qing informed his uncle and others about joining the Guardian Martial Department.

Seeing Shen Qing's position settled, they, too, were completely at ease.

With a few days before he needed to report to the government office, having nothing else to do, Shen Qing, along with Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi, went to find a broker, and after two days of effort, spent a thousand taels purchasing a small house in the same neighborhood as the Guardian Martial Department Office.

According to the broker, the house's owner used to be an officer of the Guardian Martial Department; unfortunately, he was later killed by demons, and the family lost their livelihood, thus his wife and children had to sell it.

The house was considerably smaller than the one on the side of Taiping County, but enough for their whole family to live together, just right to settle down.

After spending another day, Shen Qing and the others moved out of the inn, procured household utilities, and moved into the small house before nightfall.

In total, Shen Qing spent another three hundred taels to get the household adequately set.

This left him with a mere two hundred taels.

Unless there were major expenses, this money would probably only be enough for their family's living expenses for half a year.

His two horses alone might consume half of it.

In the future, he would still have to find ways to open up some money-making channels.

Saying so, Shen Qing could not help but set his sights on Xiao Zhi, a thought suddenly sprouting in his mind.

But he quickly suppressed this idea.

'There's no rush; I should secure a foothold in the Guardian Martial Department first, and then plan gradually for money-making ventures.'

The next day, now that things had settled down, his aunt planned to take his elder sister Shen Fang to shop and the whole family followed them out.

Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi did not idle either, using the pretense of shopping to go out and gather information, while Shen Qing, as requested by Zhao Guanglu, went to the Military Department Office to retrieve the official certificate.

Guardian Martial Department Office.

On either side of the main gate stood two stone lions, looking majestic.

In the center of the vermilion gate beams, a gilt plaque glistened under the moonlight.

It bore the engraved three large characters "Guardian Martial Department," the script vigorous, the spirit powerful, exuding an aura of inherent authority.

At the gate, the gatekeeper, seeing Shen Qing with the official certificate, did not make things difficult for him, letting him enter the Guardian Martial Department Office directly.

Compared to the large and comprehensive Military Department Office, the Yongzhou Military Department Office appeared more cramped.

Looking ahead, the front courtyard paved with bluestone was only about ten meters deep, with rows of disorderly weapon racks standing empty, save for a few wooden sticks vaguely perched atop.

It was somewhat shabby.

On either side of the courtyard stood rows of small houses.

At this moment, in each house sat clusters of officers, long knives hung at their waists, using old bowls to sip crude tea inside.

A middle-aged officer, seeing Shen Qing walk in, came up actively, clasping his hands: "You must be Officer Shen Qing, right?"

Shen Qing raised his brows slightly: "Do you recognize me?"

"Officer Shen, your red decree arrived in Chief Officer Zheng's hands yesterday. The Chief personally ordered me to wait here for you, sir."

Shen Qing knew the Chief he referred to was the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, a position nominally equal to the General of the Military Department, yet in actuality slightly lower.

"Thank you for leading the way."

The middle-aged officer, head bowed, hurried to say he dared not, leading Shen Qing through the front courtyard and into the main hall.

Centered in the main hall was a broad desk, piled high with documents and scrolls, but no one was behind it.

The middle-aged officer called out loudly: "Lord Chief Officer, Officer Shen is here."

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