Luo Xi looked him up and down before asking, "What exactly is going on? Why are you the ones who came to surrender the city? Where is the magistrate? Where are the government officials?"

Speaking of this, Dong Wen was furious: "Master Luo, a group of officials led by Magistrate Zhao had already packed their valuables and fled through the secret passage long ago."

"They ran away?" Although Xia Zhong had long given up hope on the Tianqi officials, the fact that they abandoned the people and ran away without even meeting them still infuriated him.

"You corrupt official!" Xia Zhong cursed through gritted teeth.

"That soldier's words are well-deserved." Dong Wen was also filled with resentment: "It's one thing to exploit us ruthlessly during normal times, but when it comes to the crucial moment, they all run away without a word, so..."

He bowed respectfully to Luo Xi: "We have decided to offer the entire Shihua County to Chief Luo, and we humbly request that Chief Luo take us in."

The people who were still kneeling on the ground shouted in unison, "We beg the chief to take us in."

Loxi: "..."

With such a good thing delivered to her doorstep, Luo Xi naturally couldn't refuse it. Without saying a word, she accepted it.

When they arrived at the county government office, it was indeed deserted.

That's good, otherwise she would have to figure out how to arrange those people now.

"Qi Lei, send someone to Tongning County to tell Wei Qing to hand over all the matters there to Rong Bai, and then take Gu Yuanwenhao and other scholars to Shihua County."

"Remember, bring anyone he deems capable of serving as county magistrate or county assistant."

Luo Xi remembered that Nanyue Prefecture had a total of sixteen counties, and the number of county magistrates, assistant magistrates, and county lieutenants needed to be quite large.

When Wei Qing, who was still busy with post-war appeasement efforts, received this order, he was completely stunned.

"This...this is real? This is too fast!"

He thought that in such a short time, it would be good enough if the leader could catch up with Du Hong.

The young Red Soul Army general who delivered the message smiled broadly: "Of course it's true."

"When I arrived, Shihua County had already been captured. The chief commander left only a portion of his troops to garrison the county, and then led General Xiao, General Xia, and General Qi to attack other counties."

"I believe that before long, all the counties of Nanyue Prefecture will belong to our Chaoyang Manor. So, Lord Wei, you should take your men there as soon as possible to take over, lest the people become unruly if no one manages them for a long time."

Wei Qing felt like he was dreaming, and it took him a long time to come to his senses.

He took a deep breath, cupped his hands to the Crimson Soul Army soldier, and said, "Please go back and tell the chief that Wei Qing will certainly not fail in his mission."

"Understood, sir." The Crimson Soul Army soldier returned the salute and rode away. Attacking a city was a good opportunity to make a name for himself, and he didn't want to miss it.

After the Crimson Soul Army soldiers could no longer be seen, Gu Yuan, who had been silent until now, said with mixed feelings, "Sanlang, is the Boss going to hand over the power to appoint officials in various counties to you?"

This shows such great trust and importance!

What were these scholars doing after years of hard study? Wasn't it all in the hope of doing more for the people while also gaining the favor of those in power and achieving lasting fame?

Back in the Tianqi era, both he and Wei Qing were frustrated and unfulfilled. Unexpectedly, they became bandits, yet…

But Wei Qing, the person in charge, didn't think so much. Instead, he worriedly asked, "Where are we going to find so many people?"

There were very few literate people in Tongning County, let alone anyone capable of serving as a county magistrate.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yuan forgot all his joy and said, "It really is true."

“Our fellow disciples are barely capable, but it’s not enough. Some of them can’t even be county magistrates; they’d be lucky to be county assistants.”

Wei Qing had no good ideas at the moment, so he could only say, "Let's go back to the county office first and then make a plan."

They had only been sitting down at the county government office for a short time when the gatekeeper came to report: "Sir, the wealthy Mr. Sun from the silk shop and his son are waiting outside the gate, saying they have something to discuss with you."

“Master Sun?” Wei Qing didn’t remember knowing such a person.

“Yes.” The constable nodded. “Their family is the best in the silk business in Tongning County, second only to the Rong family. I heard that their eldest son is a scholar.”

Wei Qing understood immediately: "Just say I'm busy."

"Wait a minute." Gu Yuan shook his head at Wei Qing, then instructed the constable, "Go and bring the person over."

The constable glanced cautiously at Wei Qing, and seeing that although he looked unwell, he didn't say anything, he left nervously.

After the constables left, Wei Qing said with disgust, "Brother Gu, they must have come here after hearing the news to curry favor and ask for an official position."

Why should we meet with such a profit-driven scoundrel?

“I know.” Gu Yuan sighed: “Sanlang, I know you have the boss’s deep trust now and are not afraid of anyone, but we should not be so decisive in our actions and leave some room for maneuver.”

Wei Qing just looked at him without saying a word.

Gu Yuan sighed again, wanting to persuade them further, but at this moment, the constables brought people in. There were more than just two people, at least a dozen, young and old, each with several servants carrying things behind them, their expressions extremely obsequious.

As soon as they entered the room, they started praising Rosie, one after another, a stark contrast to their previous attitudes.

"The leader truly deserves to be called a heroine of our time. In a short period of time, she has defeated Du Hong and now has taken over most of Nanyue County. She is indeed a woman who is just as capable as any man."

"Yes, yes, I knew long ago that the leader was no ordinary person, so I joined her ranks early on. Sure enough, I guessed right, haha—" While praising Luo Xi, he didn't forget to praise himself as well.

...

After praising Luo Xi, the group looked at Wei Qing with smiles and cautiously asked, "Lord Wei, we heard that the chief is in dire need of manpower?"

“Although we may not be very talented, we do know a few words, you see…”

As they talked, they had their servants place the gifts they had brought in front of Wei Qing and spread them out one by one.

Good heavens!

Gold, silver and jewelry, jade and coral, antiques and calligraphy and paintings are all available.

Wei Qing's handsome face suddenly turned ashen.

What kind of person did they take him for?

"you……"

Before she could finish speaking, Rong Bai, who had just stepped into the room, interrupted her: "Haha, you guys are really good. You haven't let the boss down. I'll accept the things on her behalf."

He didn't even glance at Wei Qing's murderous gaze, and simply had the servants carry everything downstairs.

Upon seeing this, the expressions on those people immediately relaxed: "Then... when can we go to take up our posts?"

They thought it would take a lot of effort, after all, Minister Wei was a well-known incorruptible official.

"Wait for notification, wait for notification." Rong Bai smiled, not specifying when.

He kept praising the others, even more eloquent than the previous ones, until they were completely bewildered and didn't even know how they left the county government office.