Shi Lu, seeing her son and nephew had both walked away, couldn’t hold back her confusion any longer. While serving some dishes to her brother, she asked, "Weren’t you doing well in Zhaoyang? Why did the Garrison Department suddenly recall you?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Qing also curiously looked over, clearly unaware of why his son returned so abruptly.
Shi Ping first glanced at Yuan Cheng, and seeing him nod, he began to answer, "Xiao Kangcheng has already succeeded me as the new Zhaoyang Guard mander. From today onwards, I have been reassigned to Wuyuan to serve as the Guardian of Wuyuan."
"Guardian of Wuyuan, that’s a promotion, congratulations!"
Shi Lu quickly reacted, her face beaming with joy.
Wuyuan hosts a major post with eight divisions, and being a Guardian is a fourth-rank position. Shi Ping’s promotion was indeed a significant leap, a truly joyous event.
Hearing about his son’s promotion, Shi Qing’s face was full of joy, but he obviously knew a bit more. After pondering for a moment, he looked at Yuan Cheng and asked, "Ah Cheng, how is Lord Xu doing?"
Early on, Shi Qing’s injuries were healed by Xia Chuan, and now his basic strength exceeds thirty thousand pounds, in the stage of reshaping skin. Recently, he was appointed as Temple Manager; it was during this time that he first detected Xu Ning’s incident through the Ancestral Spirit Tablet and then reported it to Xia Chuan.
Yuan Cheng shook his head, a trace of worry on his face, "I’ve visited him often these days, but he’s still in a daze. He can’t speak or recognize anyone."
He, Xu Ning, Yue Feng, Lin Kai, and others were among the earliest followers of Xia Hong from the Mud Slope period, and their mutual feelings need no elaboration. Moreover, he lived at number 10, Xu Ning at number 15, with their homes close to each other, and they were always well-informed about each other’s family matters.
Shi Lu also understood at this moment why her brother could be reassigned to Wuyuan. Remembering something, she sighed, "No wonder Lady Xu hasn’t e out recently, and Xiao’an and Xiao Ping haven’t e to ask Ah Shao out to play for a long time."
Thinking of Xu Ning’s current state, Yuan Cheng sighed slightly, speaking solemnly, "The Deceitful Monster at Dajue Temple, whatever means it used, turned Xu Ning into this state. Luckily, his life was spared. The Lord said that no matter what method it takes, Xu Ning will definitely be cured."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall nodded slightly, clearly having confidence in Lord Xia Hong.
"Wuyuan is a critical location now. To the east, past the small posts of Songyang Ridge and Baiyang, lies Qinghepu, where Dajue Temple is. As Guardian there, you’re responsible not only for internal affairs of Wuyuan but also for taking over Xu Ning’s previous deployments for Qinghepu, and the eastern Nine..."
Realizing he had said too much, Yuan Cheng immediately stopped and changed his words, "After Xu Ning’s incident, no one has been in charge over there. The Minister specifically asked to have you transferred back from Zhaoyang, showing great trust in you. You must pay attention."
"Got it, brother-in-law!"
After hearing Yuan Cheng’s advice, Shi Ping’s expression became solemn, nodding deeply, his eyes filled with both seriousness and intense excitement.
Upon returning, the first place he went was the Political Hall, where Minister Xia Chuan briefed him on the key responsibilities awaiting him in Wuyuan. He had a clear idea of what needed to be done.
"Wuyuan is currently the only major post on the north bank of the Xing River, effectively serving as the first outpost for Great Xia’s eastern expansion. Beyond Qinghepu is Nine Towns. The Minister made it very clear that Dajue Temple is currently at war with Nine Towns. The Great Xia’s Eastern advancements are likely to begin soon, and serving in Wuyuan promises countless opportunities for merit. It’s time for my ninth noble title to be elevated!"
Shi Ping pondered to himself, barely able to contain his excitement, as he raised his cup and drank heartily, barely managing to calm himself down.
During the Longyou Battle of Great Xia’s second year, he only participated in the defense of Beehive. It was during the wartime that he broke through to the Cold Resistance Level, so the accumulated military merits were not much, and he did not make it for the first batch of nobility.
After the new policies of Long Mountain, he resigned from the Deputy Director of the Supervision Department’s position. First, because he felt unworthy without a noble title; second, acknowledging his shallow qualifications, continuing as Deputy Director would not mand respect; and third, during the Long Mountain council, Xia Chuan’s suggestion for him to bee Longshan Guardian was denied by the Lord himself in favor of Yue Feng.
The first two reasons were largely subjective, but the third one truly made Shi Ping realize that in Lord Xia Hong’s eyes, he lacked experience in the field, which prompted him to make the decision to resign as Deputy Guardian and request to govern a region.
In hindsight, his choice was evidently correct.
During his two years as Wushuang Guard mander, not only did he maintain Wushuang’s leading position in earnings, but he also used Wushuang’s central location advantage to actively plan all transportation routes within Longyou; he also proposed to the Craftsmen Department to build roads in two sizes of five meters and eight meters according to post importance, which was successfully adopted and is now applied throughout Great Xia.
The two years as Wushuang Guard mander earned him the recognition of the Garrison Department, leading to his successful transfer as Zhaoyang Guard mander.
Zhaoyang is also a small post, but lying at the foot of Beimang Mountain, its resource endowments are clearly superior to other small posts, increasing its significance.
During his three-year tenure as Zhaoyang Guard mander, his performance was even better, consistently placing in the top five revenues among all external posts of Great Xia, even surpassing the large post Hanqiong several months, ranking third.
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