Chapter Ten: Official Status

“Wangjiang truly is a land that cultivates extraordinary people; even among the displaced, there are such remarkable individuals.”

“To cherish and protect the people, never forgetting their true identity—when talents like these are all employed by the city lord, the difficulties Wangjiang City faces now will soon be overcome.”

A scholar without official robes, trailing behind, suddenly smiled as he approached Luo Fang and Xue Chengqian.

At a time like this, the only one likely to speak up was Master Liu, the registrar from the Central Plains Prefecture.

Finally, a figure of sufficient weight spoke, allowing Luo Fang to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

But Xue Chengqian’s heart tensed, sensing another meaning beneath the surface.

Sure enough, Lu Xiaoyuan turned his head slightly, his tone indifferent, clearly not taking Liu Yueting’s words as genuine praise.

“Master Liu, you jest. You say these are displaced people from other regions who fled here due to war. What merit do I, Lu, have in this?”

“Luo Fang, even Master Liu from Central Plains Prefecture holds you in such regard... excellent, excellent.”

Luo Fang was still confused and could only stammer a modest refusal.

The atmosphere became unbearably awkward.

Lu Xiaoyuan hadn’t truly delved into the displaced population; he had merely glanced at the shelters organized by Xue Chengqian’s men from a distance.

“You all are too humble. I see that the displaced have been properly settled.”

“As long as you do not slacken, it won’t be long before all these displaced people are pacified. You’ve saved me a great deal of trouble!”

He bit down heavily on that last remark.

Liu Yueting smiled and said, “Since the displaced have settled here, Master Lu must regard them all as Wangjiang people. After all, we are all subjects of the Great Liang.”

Lu Xiaoyuan’s eyelid twitched. “Naturally. Whether Central Plains or Wangjiang, there’s no shortage of imperial inspectors, and Master Liu, you are the vigilant registrar.”

Lu Xiaoyuan spoke bluntly, but Liu Yueting seemed unaware of the implied meaning.

“You overstate, Master Lu. You are the one governing Wangjiang, the imperial official entrusted with overseeing this domain.”

Seeing his attitude, Lu Xiaoyuan snorted coldly. “Master Liu knows well that I command both civil and military matters. Wangjiang faces not only displaced people from everywhere but also unknown threats from the northern barbarians!”

Feigning surprise, Liu Yueting said, “Oh? Hasn’t the Central Plains Prefecture already sent reinforcements? As the regional official, Master Lu should lead the military and civilians to resist the northern barbarians. If the forces are still insufficient, you can petition the court directly.”

Xue Chengqian began to understand faintly.

This Wangjiang city defender likely does not welcome the displaced settling outside the city.

To him, this is not an achievement but a tremendous headache!

Lu Xiaoyuan’s face darkened further upon hearing Liu Yueting.

But when he turned and saw Luo Fang beside him, a smile suddenly appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“Luo Fang, you said earlier that you have long regretted the defeat in the northern border and wish to continue serving the court, right?”

Luo Fang’s spirit lifted.

Though the conversation between the two lords had been confusing, he could grasp the meaning behind Lu Xiaoyuan’s words.

“Indeed! If the court does not abandon me, I will lead my brothers to fight the northern barbarians fiercely!”

“Very good! Soldiers never always win; one defeat is nothing. Besides, you are a capable soldier, not a commander.”

“Now, with the northern barbarian threat unclear and Wangjiang in crisis, it is time to employ capable men. You can stabilize the displaced; I will entrust them to you.”

“Wha... what?”

Luo Fang and Xue Chengqian were stunned.

Luo Fang had truly wished to restore his official status and, once reinstated, to fight the enemy and earn merit—for himself and his brothers’ future.

But this was not the time for that.

Liu Yueting’s face darkened.

“Surely the county magistrate is joking? To defend Wangjiang...”

Mid-sentence, Liu Yueting suddenly realized, closing his mouth with a cold smile.

Lu Xiaoyuan said calmly, “Didn’t Master Liu just say these people are already considered Wangjiang citizens? Naturally, they must help defend Wangjiang.”

“The northern border raises alarms day and night; no one yet knows the true movements of the northern barbarian cavalry. When they march on Wangjiang, my pressure is immense!”

“Luo Fang, you volunteered just now. The opportunity is yours; your performance now will show your worth! I believe in you... and your brothers!”

Luo Fang opened his mouth to speak but found no words.

Unless he had gone mad, he could never agree to this.

Yet, to openly reject Lu Xiaoyuan in front of everyone?

Not only did Luo Fang lack the courage, but everyone knew the consequence would be death.

This was Wangjiang, and he faced the regional official of the city!

Luo Fang stood awkwardly, feeling all eyes upon him, the invisible pressure suffocating this fearless soldier.

Xue Chengqian remained calm.

He understood more than Luo Fang and grasped the gravity of the situation they faced.

At that moment, the system prompt flashed before his eyes again.

[ Ding! The host has triggered a critical destiny node. Choose carefully! ]

[ You helped Luo Fang devise strategies to expand influence and settle the displaced, making his sway over them unmatched and stabilizing the area outside Wangjiang City. ]

[ Lu Xiaoyuan is now proposing that Luo Fang organize the displaced outside the city to resist possible northern barbarian raids. Though it appears as trust, it is more like forcing you to certain death. Do you have the courage to refuse or the wit to negotiate terms? ]

[ Regardless of your choice, you are now inevitably caught in the conflict between Lu Xiaoyuan and other forces, even regarded as a thorn in his side. Are you capable of facing ensuing crises? Can you still control your and your sister’s fate amid such upheaval? ]

[ If the host successfully makes a decision that alters their fate, further destiny system functions will unlock. Seize this opportunity. ]

Xue Chengqian inhaled deeply.

Even the destiny system’s urgent reminder underscored the severity of this crisis.

Facing Lu Xiaoyuan’s pressure, Xue Chengqian had few options.

But the system’s prompt suggested he might leverage this moment to make demands.

Seeing Luo Fang still unable to decide and Lu Xiaoyuan growing impatient, Xue Chengqian stepped forward decisively.

“City Defender, your high regard honors our brothers greatly!”

“However, our leader has no official appointment from the government yet. Organizing the people outside the city without formal authority lacks legitimacy and coherence. We humbly ask the City Defender to understand our predicament.”

Luo Fang and the surrounding brothers were stunned.

The eyes of Wang Huzi and others nearly pierced through him.

They never expected that this newcomer—the shortest in tenure, not even from a military household—would dare to speak on behalf of Old Luo with such resolve.