Chapter 248: Warhorses Can Be Trained Like This? Impressive Guests (Twelve Thousand)

The fiery horse, with its fierce temper, shook wildly after Zhao Xing mounted it, attempting to throw him off.

“Hiss, hiss, hiss!” Flames burned on its mane, spreading onto Zhao Xing. At that moment, Zhao Xing looked exactly like a ‘Ghost Rider’.

“You’re quite feisty,” Zhao Xing chuckled, then raised his palm.

“Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!” Lightning instantly enveloped his entire palm, which he then forcefully slapped onto the horse’s head. *Boom!*

Stunned by the thunderous slap, the fiery horse became disoriented, and the flames on its body dimmed.

Just as Zhao Xing thought the creature had settled down, the fiery horse suddenly surged forward, leaping up towards the gale wind wall ahead.

At this point, Zhao Xing’s body was horizontally positioned, ninety degrees to the ground.

The fiery horse spewed flames again, its muscles rippling at a unique frequency, trying to dislodge Zhao Xing.

“Get down!” Zhao Xing clamped his legs tightly around the horse’s belly.

“Neigh!” The fiery horse’s body immediately plummeted downwards.

With his Golden Bone technique fully mastered, making his bones weigh a thousand pounds, Zhao Xing employed a martial artist’s trick, "Thousand-Pound Drop," which instantly burdened the fiery horse.

It felt as if it were carrying a massive mountain, unable to fly, and slowly descended towards the plain below.

*Thud!* Both rider and horse crashed to the ground, creating a large crater in the grassland.

“Boundless Underground Palace!” Zhao Xing activated his Underground Palace technique. Over two hundred horses, including the Fiery Horse King, suddenly felt as if they had entered quicksand, their speed sharply reduced, until they all came to a halt. Only the Horse King managed to struggle a couple of times within the pit.

Seeing that the brute was still unruly, Master Zhao’s patience finally wore thin.

His gaze gradually sharpened, and the formidable aura honed on battlefields suddenly erupted from him. Simultaneously, a golden light flickered in his hand, releasing a circular imprint.

“Submit, or die.” (True Words of All Beasts - Fiery Horse) Zhao Xing activated the True Words of All Beasts technique, letting out a neighing roar from his mouth. Holding the subjugation imprint, he looked down at the Horse King.

He believed this cunning Horse King would understand. If it didn't, he would have to forcibly use the Subjugation Imprint technique. However, Zhao Xing's mastery of the Subjugation Imprint was not yet refined enough, and if he were to use it, the fiery horse would likely die. Even if the subjugation succeeded, the fiery horse would undergo a period of intense suffering. The principle of the Subjugation Imprint technique was to leave a spell within the beast, making it live in constant fear and pain until it submitted. The advantage of the Subjugation Imprint was its quick effect, but its drawback was that it would erode the beast's spiritual essence, turning it into a mere tool. Therefore, it was generally only used on ferocious beasts and king beasts.

“Neigh!” The Fiery Horse King knelt on its front legs. It had chosen to submit to the new king. Yes, in the eyes of the Fiery Horse King, Zhao Xing was a fiery horse himself, and their new king.

Zhao Xing leaped out of the pit and back onto the Fiery Horse King, then used a lightning chain to encircle its face, fitting the Horse King with a lightning-style bridle.

With a gentle tug from Zhao Xing, the Fiery Horse King obediently sprang out of the pit.

“Neigh!” It reared its front hooves high. Zhao Xing sat on its back, illuminated by flames, appearing like a divine general descended from heaven.

*Thump!* As its hooves struck the ground, the earth trembled, and a ring of fire spread outwards.

All the fiery horses heard the command, galloped over, and knelt around Zhao Xing.

“Lord Zhao, he’s just too amazing…” Ling Ruoxue flew over and, seeing this scene, couldn’t help but have stars in her eyes.

“For a military minister of agriculture to be raising horses is truly a waste of talent,” Cao Jiang remarked, watching Zhao Xing effortlessly subdue the Fiery Horse King.

The Fiery Horse King was a Sixth-Grade exotic beast! Cao Jiang had chased it for several hours without being able to get close, as he had no confidence in defeating it. Horse Kings that grew up in the wild were exceptionally powerful. If it weren’t for the Celestial Horse Naga assisting nearby, he might even have been injured by now. Yet, as soon as Zhao Xing arrived, he instantly brought the situation under control and even subdued the Fiery Horse King.

Tao Anchun, however, was filled with doubt and surprise: “He just used the True Words of All Beasts technique, and also the Three-Ring Subjugation Imprint…”

Cao Jiang replied, “Yes, what about it?”

Tao Anchun looked at Cao Jiang and said, “Have you forgotten what he did after taking office?”

Cao Jiang was startled, “You mean, he just learned this?”

Tao Anchun explained, “The military’s order for a military-to-civilian transfer allows for a maximum of one month’s preparation time. This means he only knew where he was being transferred about a month before he took office. Including that month, he’s only been studying beast-taming techniques for three and a half months!”

“Hiss…” Cao Jiang drew a sharp breath.

“Your humble servant, Cao Jiang.” “Your humble servant, Tao Anchun.”

“We pay our respects to Director Zhao and congratulate you on subduing the fiery horse herd.”

“Please rise, my lords,” Zhao Xing smiled.

He had conquered not just the Fiery Horse King, but also the hearts of Tao Anchun and Cao Jiang, both Sixth-Grade agricultural ministers. Otherwise, Master Zhao wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble.

No matter where one is, personal strength is the absolute truth!

While Princess Youruo did support him, if he didn’t demonstrate some capability, these people would only show superficial respect. Even if they didn’t outwardly defy him, they wouldn’t be truly convinced or follow him wholeheartedly in their work.

After this display, Cao Jiang and Tao Anchun were truly convinced. What reason could there be not to respect a young superior who had connections, strength, and was also reasonable? This was clearly a strong benefactor to align with!

Even the innocent Ling Ruoxue recognized Zhao Xing’s extraordinary abilities and, mimicking her uncles, bowed in respect.

“It’s getting late, my lords. Let’s return to Tuoquan Palace for now.”

“Yes.”

At Tuoquan Palace, Dong Yuanqiu and Bao Shiqiu were questioning Zhang Tao. Since the sky above Land Island had suddenly brightened so extensively, causing such a significant change in weather phenomena, it was natural for them to come investigate.

“The Celestial Horses of Tuoquan Palace haven’t returned. What exactly is going on?”

“My lords, your humble servant doesn’t know,” Zhang Tao replied. “After I led Lord Zhao here, I returned to my post to guard the gate.”

“Lord Zhao came too?”

“Where is Lord Tao?”

“He should have gone with Lord Zhao to look for the Celestial Horses.”

As the two conversed, a fiery red expanse suddenly approached rapidly from the horizon.

“Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump!” The vibration of the Fire Element power in the air instantly put Dong Yuanqiu and Bao Shiqiu on alert. Upon seeing the fiery horse herd, both men were greatly alarmed, nearly drawing their weapons in fright. As for Zhang Tao, a Ninth-Grade martial artist, he was even worse; the scorching air made him feel as if his breathing was constricted.

“My lords, run!” Zhang Tao cried out.

“Run for what!” Dong Yuanqiu pretended to be calm. “Dying at the front means dying in the line of duty; my rank will be promoted one level, and my family will receive a Fifth-Grade official’s pension! Dying at the back, however, means dereliction of duty and negligence, and they won’t get a single cent of pension!”

Zhang Tao was on the verge of tears. *You are high-ranking officials, but I’m only Ninth-Grade! How much money did I even get for this position? I never expected to risk my life like this!*

But this fear didn’t last long. Dong Yuanqiu stared ahead for a moment, then his expression suddenly brightened, and he burst into laughter: “Hahaha!” Bao Shiqiu saw it slightly later, but he too immediately started laughing: “Hahahahaha, I never imagined this fiery horse herd would actually be subdued!”

“Old Dong, quickly open the Fiery Palace!”

The Dragon Horse Bureau used to raise fiery horses, but they had believed the breed went extinct ten years ago. They never expected that a herd was still alive and had been subdued and brought back by Zhao Xing!

“What? We don’t have to die?” Zhang Tao’s panic instantly subsided, and he leaned on his spear, regaining his composure.

“Whoa!” Zhao Xing pulled the reins, ordering the Fiery Horse King to stop. Subsequently, over two hundred fiery horses also came to a halt.

“My lord!” Dong Yuanqiu excitedly flew over. “The Fiery Palace is open. I will lead the way for you, my lord.” He wasn’t particularly shocked; rather, he was mostly excited. Dong Yuanqiu had served two years in the military and knew the capabilities of military ministers of agriculture. As Zhao Xing was one, it was only natural for him to be powerful.

“Mm.” Zhao Xing nodded, then slowly rode the Fiery Horse into the Fiery Palace.

Though called a palace, it was essentially a larger stable. Zhao Xing chose the biggest room, opened the gate, and led the Fiery Horse King inside.

The Horse King, naturally preferring freedom, became reluctant and hesitated.

“Hmm? Are you going in or not?” Zhao Xing raised his hand.

A hint of fear flashed in the Fiery Horse King’s eyes, and it immediately ran inside. Once in, it even grinned at Zhao Xing.

“You’re quite clever,” Zhao Xing chuckled. Among all the fiery horses, this one was the most perceptive.

Zhao Xing put all the fiery horses into the Fiery Palace. When he came out again, the Celestial Horses had also returned to their stables. Furthermore, many officials had appeared outside the palace. They had rushed over after discovering the unusual celestial phenomena.

Ling Ruoxue chattered on, boasting about the events, and within half an hour, all these people had learned of Zhao Xing’s feat in subduing the Horse King.

“Congratulations, Lord Zhao, on subduing the Fiery Horse King!” A group of officials, seeing Zhao Xing emerge, congratulated him in unison.

Zhao Xing surveyed the scene. There were over 150 officials present. Only a small fraction of the Dragon Horse Bureau’s elite core was here.

At this moment, Zhao Xing lit his first “fire” since taking office.

“Tao Anchun!”

“Your humble servant is here,” Tao Anchun immediately stepped forward.

“As a crucial place for the Dragon Horse Bureau, with abnormal celestial phenomena occurring, what should an agricultural minister do?”

Tao Anchun replied without hesitation: “All agricultural ministers of Eighth-Grade rank or higher should rush to the abnormal location, investigate the situation, and maintain order. If unable to maintain it, they should report to their superiors. If superiors issue a notification, they should proceed to the incident location as quickly as possible.”

“Very good,” Zhao Xing sneered. “It is now the end of the Xu hour. All agricultural ministers of Eighth-Grade rank or higher who have not arrived by the end of the Xu hour shall be dismissed from their posts! Lord Tao, you are to compile the list. By the first quarter of the Hai hour, I expect to see the list of dismissed officials!”

“Yes,” Tao Anchun replied. The scene then fell into complete silence, with Zhao Xing standing on the steps of the Fiery Palace, quietly waiting.

When he did things, he sought to maximize benefits, "killing multiple birds with one stone." Why did he earlier defy the celestial phenomena for three hours and create such a large-scale disturbance? It wasn’t just to find the Celestial Horses; it was also a test to see the state of governance within the Dragon Horse Bureau. When one first takes office, subordinates often put on an act, making it impossible to tell their true nature. But now, over two months had passed, and he hadn’t done anything significant, allowing some people to reveal their true colors.

As time drew closer, officials gradually arrived at Tuoquan Palace. Exactly at the Hai hour, Zhao Xing suddenly opened his eyes:

“Time’s up! Lord Tao, compile the list!”

With that, Zhao Xing cast a cloud, enveloping the entire Tuoquan Palace. At this moment, anyone who had not yet entered Tuoquan Palace—whether agricultural ministers, martial artists, or other professions—was on Master Zhao’s elimination list. Not even being one meter away from Tuoquan Palace was acceptable.

“Lord Zhao, we were only one step late!”

“Lord Tao, let me in!”

“Hmph, a mere Sixth-Grade, putting on such airs?”

“Exactly, who does he think he is, to have the right to dismiss me?”

“Let’s go, I want to see how he’ll clean up this mess!” A few people outside Tuoquan Palace, seeing Zhao Xing’s mercilessness, simply turned back. They had only heard that Zhao Xing had some connection with Princess Youruo, but didn’t know the specifics. At this point, they simply gave up and left directly.

“My lord, the list has been compiled,” Tao Anchun handed over a document. “A total of two hundred and forty-nine people.”

Zhao Xing took the list, didn’t even glance at it, and walked directly into Tuoquan Palace, burning the official document to the statue of Deity Dai Zong, asking him to transmit it to Chongming Prefecture.

Indeed, Zhao Xing did not have the authority to dismiss Seventh- and Eighth-Grade officials. The appointment and dismissal of low-grade officials were solely the prerogative of the prefectural city. Mid-grade officials required approval from the central authority, or, in the case of military generals, a decision from the military department of the Soldier Realm. High-grade officials could only be decided by Emperor Jing. Such matters did not even require bothering Princess Youruo; simply reporting them to Chongming Prefecture would suffice.

On the third day after the report, a ship arrived from Chongming Prefecture. All officials on the list approved by Zhao Xing were taken away, dismissed from their posts, and investigated. The speed with which this was done left Sun Shizhao on Wan Island trembling with fear.

“Over two hundred Seventh- and Eighth-Grade officials, all dismissed with a single word from him?” “The power of this Marquis Yuanrang is greater than I imagined,” Sun Shizhao murmured to himself.

Such efficiency made him suspect that Zhao Xing dismissing him wouldn’t be an issue at all. Unless he was an incorruptible official with no flaws whatsoever, any minor flaw in his governance would be sufficient reason. Even a small mistake might not lead to complete demotion, but being removed from a main official position, being nominally transferred but effectively demoted, or outright demotion,