Sheng Lingwei rolled her eyes at Yu Guangliang. "Alright, stop being so cheeky. You know my personality. Enough with the small talk, I'm going to assign you a task now."

"Assign me a task?"

Yu Guangliang's eyes widened suddenly. "Boss, isn't all I need to do is follow you? Are you going to assign me another task?"

Sheng Lingwei nodded with a smile, "Yes, I will not only assign you tasks, but also help you become the leader of Xikou County."

Yu Guangliang looked bewildered. "My goodness, boss, you're not kidding me, are you?"

Why would I joke with you?

Sheng Lingwei sighed and said earnestly.

“Guangliang, my Yucheng County is several thousand kilometers away from Xikou County. You can’t possibly come with me to live in Yucheng County and abandon your family and villagers.”

Yu Guangliang nodded, "That's true, but boss, didn't you plan to take over Xikou County for yourself? Then why did you hand it over to me to manage?"

Sheng Lingwei was speechless and gently nudged Yu Guangliang's stupid head with her index finger.

"You, you usually seem so smart, how come you can't even understand such a simple principle?"

Yu Guangliang chuckled shyly, "Hehe, boss, it's because I'm malnourished."

Sheng Lingwei shook her head, amused.

"Malnutrition is not a good thing, and it's not something you should be happy about."

Okay, let's get back to the main topic.

As for me, my main base is in Yucheng County of the Northern Qi Kingdom, and I won't be staying in Xikou County for long. However, I'm also worried about Xikou County and its people, so I can only ask you to help me govern Xikou County. I wonder if you're willing?"

Yu Guangliang looked miserable. "Boss, can I say I don't want to?"

Sheng Lingwei smiled and shook her head, "No, you can't!"

Yu Guangliang: ...It would have been better if the boss hadn't asked at all. This isn't asking for his opinion; it's clearly issuing a death order.

To be honest, he would rather have a good time with his boss, but... he really couldn't let go of his family and the villagers.

Sigh, the boss only gave him this task because he knew he was soft-hearted. It seems he's going to have a lot on his shoulders from now on!

Although Xikou County is the most remote village in Chaozhou Kingdom, it belongs to Chaozhou Kingdom, and the leader has taken it over for himself, which is equivalent to standing on the opposite side of Chaozhou Kingdom.

Who knows, one day the two sides might go to war.

Holy crap, that's so exciting!

Hehe, that's what happens when he likes exciting things.

"Boss, alright! I'll reluctantly take over the administration of Xikou County for you, but I have conditions."

Sheng Lingwei: "What are the conditions?"

"Hey, boss, I'm really tired of seafood. I was just thinking that you could send me some other meats and fresh fruits and vegetables every now and then."

"Can!"

"Yay, thanks boss."

Sheng Lingwei shook her head with a smile.

"No need for thanks. From now on, Xikou County is in your hands. You should now lead your men to arrest the county magistrate and his family and publicly execute them. At the same time, you should eradicate all the evil beasts in Xikou County."

Remember, this step is crucial; it's your best chance to purge the beasts and win people's hearts. Don't let righteousness cloud your judgment.

Yu Guangliang nodded solemnly with a serious expression.

"Yes, boss."

He's been irresponsible for over a decade; it's time he got down to business. His parents should be proud of him then!

Hahaha, isn't what he's saying just nonsense?

His parents only had him as their son. Even though he was unreliable from childhood to adulthood, he was always the one they loved most.

...

Next, Yu Guangliang got busy, leading his childhood friends and, with swift and decisive action, arrested all the scoundrels in just three days.

Immediately afterwards, all the people of Xikou County were made to witness the beheading of a bunch of garbage as a public spectacle.

At the same time, all the wealth that the county magistrate had plundered from the people was returned to the people, and a certain amount of grain was distributed to each household to appease the people.

From then on, Xikou County was no longer under the control of Chaozhou Kingdom, but was governed by Sheng Lingwei and Yu Guangliang, and the people were convinced of its authority.

There was no other way. As ordinary people at the bottom of society, they couldn't rely on the country, so they could only find a powerful backer who could feed them and ensure their safety.

Rice is everything.

That's just how true it is!

——

A large island at sea, where Japanese pirates lived.

At this moment, a dozen or so leaders had gathered in the hall where the Japanese pirates were discussing matters.

The Japanese pirate sitting at the head of the table was named Zuochuan, and was called General Zuochuan by the other Japanese pirates. He was also the supreme leader of the Japanese pirates.

"General Zuo Chuan, it's been five whole days, and our men still haven't returned. Could something have happened to them?"

"Yes, General Zuo Chuan, why don't we send someone to investigate immediately?"

"General Zuochuan, the Emperor's birthday is approaching. If we don't set off soon, we will miss the Emperor's birthday celebration."

"General, I think those 230 men are probably doomed. There's no need for us to wait any longer. We should send troops to attack Xikou County directly."

“I agree, General Zuo Chuan. Our Sakura Country is the most valiant nation, and we will never allow our people to be harmed.”

"General Zuo Chuan..."

"..."

"Shut up, all of you!" Zuo Chuan glared at the crowd with a dark face; his ears were practically numb from the noise.

The Japanese pirates quickly lowered their heads, not daring to utter another word.

Zuo Chuan snorted coldly, "All you do is yell at me. You'd be better off using that time to rob more gold and silver treasures, and some young and beautiful girls."

The group looked at each other in bewilderment.

They did hope that the men they sent out would pull off a big heist, but after several days, they disappeared without a trace.

It should be noted that although they had suffered casualties before, they were generally the victors, and this situation had never occurred before.

This startled them so much that they were completely stumped for a while!

Seeing the cowardly look on his subordinates' faces, Zuo Chuan snorted coldly again in annoyance.

"Useless things. You're scared by such a small matter. How will you serve the Emperor in the future? You might as well just commit seppuku."

Everyone shivered and quickly knelt down to show their loyalty.

"General Zuochuan, we are the Emperor's people in life and in death. Please calm down and don't be angry with us."

"Calm down?" Zuo Chuan's sinister and vicious face darkened further. "You're all a bunch of cowardly good-for-nothings. How can this general calm down?"

"Hehe, then let's just kill them all."

Just then, a delicate yet ethereal voice echoed throughout the hall, filled with a bloodthirsty and tender tone.

The Japanese pirates were terrified and hurriedly looked around, but they couldn't find anyone.

Zuo Chuan gripped his curved blade, his entire body on high alert, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings as he roared angrily.

"Who? Who's here? Come out now, stop pretending to be a god or a demon."

Ghostly laughter echoed.

"Hahahaha, hahahaha... You beast, you think I'd come out just because you call me? Wouldn't that make me lose face? Hahahaha..."

The Japanese pirates were thrown into chaos, their hearts pounding wildly.

Could it be that they really encountered a ghost?