When it was Su Zhen's turn, his report was simple: "The Southern Jiangsu Army has added more than 20,000 soldiers and has reached 70% combat capability."

Xiao Dong couldn't help but say, "Your 20,000 men were all recruited by my Xiao family army!"

It makes him angry just thinking about it. Every time Su Zhen came to Xiao Family Army, he would take away several or even dozens of people, all of whom were elite and clever.

He went to him to demand an explanation, and he argued vehemently, "My Southern Jiangsu Army has complex battle formations that require elite personnel to operate. The Prince wants to expand the Southern Jiangsu Army to 100,000, and I have no choice but to ask you for assistance. In any case, we are all serving the Prince, so please bear with me, Brother Dong."

The people of Xiaodongduo Old Town were furious.

Xiao Zhixing turned a blind eye and pretended not to see it, choosing to smooth things over—both sides were her flesh and blood, it was a difficult situation for her.

Xiao Dong glared at Su Zhen before reporting his own, "The Xiao family army now numbers two hundred thousand. All the new recruits have seen blood. In another six months, I am confident that we will be able to penetrate into the heart of the grasslands!"

Su Zhen said leisurely, "Our Southern Jiangsu Army has now reached the heart of the grasslands."

Xiao Zhixing coughed dryly. When did Su Zhen develop such a perverse sense of humor? Didn't he see that the honest man was almost red with anger?

She quickly tried to divert Xiao Dong's attention, saying, "I plan to deploy 100,000 troops each to defend the borders of Mengzhou and Ningzhou. Uncle Dong, please work hard to get this done as soon as possible so that our northern border will be safe."

Of course, there are definitely more than 200,000. The rest of the extra troops should be hidden, the more the better.

While things are still relatively peaceful, why not quickly train more troops and strengthen our military? Are we waiting to be conscripted at the last minute in the future?

Oh dear, her lack of firepower has flared up again.

Seeing her serious expression, Xiao Dong didn't dare to be careless and quickly replied, "Yes, I will continue to expand the number of soldiers after I return."

Hmm, if there's no one to help us in Beizhou, then let's go to Mengzhou and Dongzhou to fleece them. Our Xiao family's military pay is plentiful, and the compensation is good too. Once you join, you're guaranteed a lifetime of benefits. He should go and spread the word.

Finally, it was the turn of each county magistrate to report on the various matters in their jurisdiction, and she would provide instructions and solutions for any doubts they had.

Her attitude: You can raise any questions, and I will do my best to help you solve them. It's okay if you make a mistake; just correct it immediately.

She can tolerate minor mistakes as long as the person is genuinely doing practical things for the country and its people.

You can't just sit there doing nothing and waste your salary.

Take, for example, this magistrate of Beixiong County, Xiang.

The other two county magistrates had inquired about her handling style from Ji Bai and the others, so they were well-prepared and memorized all sorts of information about their jurisdictions, even if they had to memorize it by rote.

This Lord Xiang Gan, on the other hand, put on a righteous and awe-inspiring air and said, "This humble official is old and cannot remember. If Your Highness really wants to understand Beixiong County, you can go and see for yourself. After all, seeing is believing."

Everyone else looked on incredulously.

Where did this idiot come from? Is he really that stubborn?

The county magistrate Shao Qing, who was sitting next to him, decisively moved the armchair he was sitting on to the side.

He was afraid of being implicated by the fool.

Everyone kept their eyes down, waiting for his outcome.

Xiao Zhixing is trying her best not to get angry easily. After all, it would make her seem like a tyrant if she started by talking about killing people at the first group meeting.

Surprisingly, someone dared to openly and directly provoke them.

Nowadays, even those old guys in the imperial court don't dare to mess with her.

Fearing she might have misheard, she kindly confirmed again, "Sir Xiang, please think carefully. Even if you can't remember, you should at least have a report prepared, right?"

He bowed to Shengjing and said, "My memorials are only for His Majesty's perusal. Oh, if Lord Qi wishes to see them, that's fine too. As for Your Highness, you should mind your own business."

Xiao Zhixing sized up the short old man. Who gave him the courage? Or was he just a hothead?

He was able to serve as the magistrate of Beixiong County for ten years and was not punished by Zhao Yunqi after the Guixiong Pass Incident.

She didn't believe he was so oblivious.

That can only be described as intentional.

She didn't want to delve into the reasons, nor was she in the mood to deal with these nobody. She said calmly, "Guards, Lord Xiang has gone mad. Take him away and take good care of him. I will report to His Majesty and request that a younger person be sent."

The guards at the door strode into the house to take the man down.

Xiang Gan pushed back his chair, stood up, and sneered, "I'll walk myself."

He then straightened his back, head held high, and walked out.

The council chamber was silent.

Xiao Zhixing remained calm and said, "Continue."

Li Wenxiu reported on the accounts she had audited.

Over the past few months, she and her accounting assistant have been working day and night to review the prefectural governor's account books and have discovered many problems.

The little girl was so tired that she lost all her baby fat.

He coughed, his throat tightening as he was about to speak.

The guards escorting Gan rushed in, their faces filled with panic, and said, "Something terrible has happened, Your Highness!"

Everyone was shocked, thinking that Xiang Gan had been killed outside the government office.

When they went outside, they found the man kneeling in front of the gate, holding a memorial tablet, with his official hat on the ground, chin held high, waiting for them to appear.

Xiao Zhixing did not come out, so Ji Bai spoke on her behalf, "Lord Xiang, as an official appointed by the court, how can you behave in such an indecent manner?"

Xiang Gan shouted, "She dares to intimidate His Majesty and usurp power, so why shouldn't I dare to do the same?"

Ji Bai frowned. "The Prince is ordered to govern the Northern Prefecture, which is His Majesty's personal order. How can this be considered overstepping his bounds? As an elder, Lord Xiang cannot be so muddle-headed and ignorant as to do such a foolish thing. Men, help the elder up and send him back properly."

"Hahaha, I'll be foolish and act recklessly today. Go and invite the Prince out. I want to ask her in front of everyone, in front of the memorial tablet in my hand, what does it mean to be a subject?"

Ji Bai's gaze darkened slightly as he turned the memorial tablet in Gan's hand upside down, obscuring the name of the person on it.

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