Chapter 730: New House

"Xi Ji once wanted to open a trade route through Longchuan. Compared to the route via Hunlong Ridge, it would shorten the journey by at least two days, and the path was flat and easy to travel. However, due to banditry, this route couldn't be established," Wen Daolun continued to explain.

"These bandits use the marshes as their base, repeatedly plundering trade caravans on the southern route. They flee when government troops arrive and return once the troops leave." He Lingchuan nodded, "Indeed, the root of the problem is Longchuan. To cut weeds, you must remove the roots; to eliminate rats, you must destroy their nests."

"There are also many monstrous beasts in Longchuan that collude with the bandits," Wen Daolun said, pointing to the sand table.

"Qianjin Fortress is one of the largest bandit groups. Its main camp is built in the middle of the lake, and the water monsters patrolling around it serve as its guards. Xi Ji once attacked this water fortress but suffered a humiliating defeat."

"Commander Zhong suspects that several bandit groups in Longchuan have official backing. In the past month or two, their armor and weapons have suddenly improved."

"Colluding with external enemies?" Internal and external collusion has always been the most difficult to deal with. He Lingchuan's gaze shifted slightly. "Thank you, Master Wen, I understand now." He Lingchuan then re-examined the geographical location of Yuheng City and realized it was very close to both the eastern border and Longchuan to the south.

The task Zhong Shengguang assigned him was not easy: he had to both guard the border and ensure the safe and smooth flow of the Longchuan trade route.

The importance Panlong City placed on this new trade route was self-evident. Zhong Shengguang had yearned for an outlet to the sea for so many years; how could he allow dozens of bandit nests to threaten Panlong City's new access?

Suppressing the bandits was imperative. Wen Daolun added, "Commander Xiao returned urgently. For information on the military's situation, you can consult Deputy Commander Chao Qian." It was getting late, so after a few more pleasantries, He Lingchuan rose to leave.

The clerk, Cao Shi, who was seeing him out, said, "Commander He, the official residence prepared for you is right behind..." Before he could finish, He Lingchuan interrupted, "Can I find my own place to stay outside?"

"Huh?" Cao Shi was taken aback. "Of, of course you can!" Could he really dictate to his superior?

"Have you already chosen a place to stay? Should I send your belongings there then?"

"How long have you been in Yuheng City?"

"This humble subordinate grew up in Yuheng City. I am, I am a Xi Luo native!"

"So you know this place well?" He Lingchuan smiled. "Then do me a favor and help me pick a good place?"

"Oh? Alright." He Lingchuan went to the academy to call for Sun Fuling, then asked Cao Shi to act as their guide and agent.

As expected of a local expert in Yuheng City, after clarifying their needs, he stood still, thinking for a long time before exclaiming, "There's a set, yes, yes, there's a set of houses you two will definitely be satisfied with!" A set?

But Tutor Sun had clearly said they would be neighbors. He Lingchuan subtly glanced at her, and seeing no objection, pretended not to notice anything unusual. "Then let's go see it." Cao Shi immediately led them towards the mountain behind the government office.

The night was deep, and the small path up the mountain was somewhat dim. Fortunately, Cao Shi soon knocked on the door of a house.

This was the residence of a prominent local family in Yuheng City, surnamed Yang. All four houses on the hillside belonged to them. Master Yang lived in one, rented out two, and the last large set was still vacant.

This vacant property was divided into two courtyards by a single wall. Both courtyards were of the same size, and even their layouts were identical.

As soon as Master Yang heard that these two were the new commander of Yuheng City and the new tutor of the academy, he immediately grabbed the keys and personally showed them the houses.

Sun Fuling was very pleased as soon as she entered. The location was high, offering a panoramic view of Yuheng City's scattered lights from outside the courtyard.

A small stream flowed about ten *zhang* away. It was frozen at this time of year, but the landlord said that by March, the stream would be gurgling, and fish and shrimp would be swimming freely.

Dense wisteria vines hung from the courtyard wall, currently covered in snow, but in the coming year, they would be covered in blossoms. Most importantly, the courtyard and house were five times larger than their residence in Panlong City!

Sun Fuling clutched her chest and whispered to He Lingchuan, "There's even a woodshed here!" In Panlong City, they lived in a wooden shack where the bed was two steps from the door and firewood was piled in the courtyard. It was nothing like the spacious and luxurious house on the hillside!

Seeing her eyes sparkle, He Lingchuan asked, "You like it?" Sun Fuling nodded vigorously, her dimples reappearing.

For the first time, He Lingchuan saw pure, unadulterated joy, like a child's, in her.

"Do you want to see other places?" he whispered. "This is only the first house we've seen. I imagine houses in Yuheng City are quite large." When buying goods, one compares prices; why not do the same when looking for a home?

Sun Fuling shook her head repeatedly. "I think this place is good enough; I'm very satisfied." Seeing her beautiful, blossoming smile, He Lingchuan felt a pang of sadness.

The Panshan Residence he lived in at Lingxu City was at least ten times larger than this. Not to mention Xiangxue Residence and Pianxiang Villa, which occupied half a mountain each, with all sorts of luxuries he had grown accustomed to.

But Sun Fuling had never seen such grand mansions or enjoyed the privileged life of the elite.

Could she really be so satisfied with just a humble side courtyard with a woodshed?

"Then this is it," He Lingchuan said. He paid Master Yang the deposit, took the keys, and handed one to Sun Fuling. "It's late. Let's stay at an inn tonight and come back to organize the house tomorrow." It would be quite prestigious for the Grand Commander of Yuheng City to live in his own house!

Master Yang smiled so broadly his teeth were barely visible, and he enthusiastically saw them down the mountain, waving goodbye. He Lingchuan offered Cao Shi a silver ingot as a gratuity, but the man refused to accept it, no matter what.

"Oh no, I can't do that. There's an explicit rule in Panlong City, and I wouldn't dare break it," Cao Shi said with a smile. "It's my pleasure to serve Commander He!" He Lingchuan patted his shoulder, "Thanks." Only after Cao Shi left did Sun Fuling softly smile. "You are now the Grand Commander of Yuheng City. When your subordinates do things for you, do you just 'present' them with money?" "Present"?

He Lingchuan flinched, immediately stopping and straightening his expression. "Tutor, you're right; I was wrong!" He had been accustomed to being a young master, and even in Lingxu City, as a guest elder of the Chiyan people, it was perfectly acceptable to pay others for services.

But now that he was a leader in power, he needed to adapt his approach. Paying subordinates directly for tasks was the worst method.

Tutor Sun's use of the word "present" also carried a deeper meaning. If one truly wished to give gold or silver to a subordinate, it was a "bestowal" or a "reward," never merely a "present."

"Presenting" was for equals or outsiders. This highlighted the distinction between superior and subordinate, and the balance of grace and authority. He Lingchuan was unaware of his changed status, and Sun Fuling's casual remark reminded him to begin recognizing the hierarchy.

Sun Fuling shook her head. "It's fine when it's just me. But when it's your subordinates, saying 'I was wrong' is wrong again." Those in power should not admit mistakes lightly.

It wasn't that they couldn't admit mistakes, but they couldn't admit them *easily*. If you openly confess your errors, you give your opponents ammunition and talking points. How would your subordinates then conduct their affairs?

The subtleties involved were hard to explain.