"County Magistrate, the decree for reducing Dragon City’s taxes this month has been issued."

The next morning, County Magistrate Ying Ding arrived at the public hall to report yesterday’s and this morning’s work results to Su Yuan.

Su Yuan nodded slightly and said:

"Aside from this month’s tax reduction, has the message of halving taxes for the next three months been conveyed?"

"It’s all been communicated."

Ying Ding replied without hesitation, then asked with slight confusion:

"County Magistrate, I have never understood why you want to exempt so much tax for the people in one go?"

"The burden on the people’s shoulders is lighter, but the taxes that need to be paid are coming out of your own pocket. Isn’t this a way of asking for trouble?"

Ying Ding’s tone was very sincere, his tiny green eyes full of confusion and yearning for knowledge.

Su Yuan thought for a while, then smiled and said:

"Everyone knows that the taxes of Dragon City’s people have been collected a hundred years ahead; the hardships of the lives of the lower classes are unimaginable to you."

"Do as much good for the people as possible, then many in the county will no longer die of hunger and disease, and they will remember your kindness."

"Though the vast majority of them are mere mortals, helping them seems of little help to you, but you must understand one principle: water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it."

Ying Ding listened as if enlightened, then immediately said:

"County Magistrate, your words are profound; I feel as though a curtain has been lifted, and I see clearly now!"

"After returning, I must transcribe these words immediately and meditate on them day and night."

Su Yuan secretly shook his head; Ying Ding’s words were filled with flattery. Even using his toes to think, he could guess that this boy in his heart considered his words as nonsense.

But regardless of his true thoughts, as long as he outwardly acts according to Su Yuan’s wishes, that’s enough.

He wouldn’t stay long in Dragon City; when he is promoted in three months, he would recommend Ying Ding as the next Dragon City Magistrate.

If he can continue Su Yuan’s governance strategy and be lenient enough to the people of Dragon City, he will naturally gain fortune when the Blue Star Federation annexes the Celestial Law World.

The decaying bureaucratic system of the Celestial Law World will eventually be thoroughly cleaned; only those immortals who are clean enough and haven’t made major mistakes can be retained.

Whether this boy can seize this opportunity depends on the future evaluation of him by Dragon City’s people.

Of course, these thoughts he only kept in his mind, not offering guidance verbally.

"County Magistrate Ying, summon several guards to accompany me to the county town. I want to personally witness the people’s livelihood."

"Yes, sir!"

Ying Ding quickly nodded and acknowledged, promptly calling for the guards and officials, and commanded others to prepare horses and carriages.

However, this latter arrangement was rejected by Su Yuan; he wanted to walk with the people without barriers.

Moments later, garbed in official robes and wearing a flat-topped turban, Su Yuan, followed by several affiliated officials, walked the streets of Dragon City.

Dragon City has always been the wealthiest county in Shengyang Mansion, remaining prosperous despite repeated pirate disturbances in recent years.

Among the bustling crowd, soon someone noticed Su Yuan’s presence.

"The County Magistrate is here!"

Someone shouted, and instantly, the crowd erupted into a frenzy.

Numerous gazes were directed toward Su Yuan’s location, accompanied by thunderous cheers, the people exuberantly raised their hands, surging like waves toward Su Yuan.

It wasn’t until they approached before him that they orderly halted.

Yet, the excitement on their faces did not diminish at all; many had eyes rimmed with red, tears brimming!

A breath of loyalty surged forth!

This scene made Su Yuan somewhat embarrassed; he merely did what any normal county magistrate should do, the people’s reaction was too overwhelming.

Meeting him and at once bursting into tears seemed too absurd... he hadn’t even planted supporters!

It could only be said, the previous magistrates behaved too inhumane.

"Silence, everyone quiet down!"

Ying Ding hurriedly stepped forward to maintain order:

"The County Magistrate is personally visiting today to assess the people’s conditions; quickly make way, allowing the County Magistrate to give you guidance on your livelihoods."

Upon hearing this, the crowd parted, observing Su Yuan’s pass-through.

The place Su Yuan went, the people followed.

Throughout the entire morning, Su Yuan visited many places in Dragon City.

Things linked to the people’s basic survival, like local pork prices, grain prices, salt, and iron prices, Su Yuan explored thoroughly.

The more he understood, the more Su Yuan discovered the limitations of the Immortal Official System.

The Immortal Official Examination claimed to be a civil service exam, when in truth, its threshold was higher than ancient civil service exams, requiring at least Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation.

This model led ordinary people to almost have no chance of rising, becoming a junior official or a private was already exceptional.

Real official positions and power were nearly monopolized by cultivation clans, cultivation sects.

This monopoly was evident in all aspects, such as the people’s currency system, completely different from the Spirit Coins circulated among cultivation influences, used instead was a currency called Fake Spirit Coins for daily expenses.

Theoretically, five hundred Fake Spirit Coins equaled one Spirit Coin, but practically, no one would exchange Spirit Coins for Fake Spirit Coins.

Consequently, ordinary people’s lives infinitely approached that of poor masses in Su Yuan’s previous ancient world, resulting in a ridiculous spectacle of noble descendants flying, while the lower class can’t afford food.

As for how to change this situation, Su Yuan doesn’t have any particularly good solutions.

It’s nothing more than reducing taxes during his term and then waiting for the Blue Star Federation to annex the Celestial Law World, adjusting people’s livelihoods bit by bit. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

But can these words be said publicly?

So, under the expectation of everyone, he could only deliver a speech that sounded like he said nothing:

"The pig farm must raise pigs well!"

"The prices of grain and meat must be regulated within a reasonable range, and must not be arbitrarily increased!"

"Restaurants and inns must not use unscrupulous meat; they must cook fresh and serve fresh!"

"Officials must diligently work and not shirk responsibility or scheme deceitfully!"

What surprised Su Yuan was that, after the speech, the people listened intently, as if they had heard something extraordinary.

So... the Dragon City County previously couldn’t even regulate basic grain prices, right?

Su Yuan shook his head speechlessly, ending this in-depth field visit to understand the people’s situation.

At night, Su Yuan sealed off the entire bedroom, pushing all the tables and chairs aside to clear a neat and spacious area.

This County Monarch, who was full of affinity and loved the people like his children during the day, suddenly flicked his wrist, and from within his sleeve, an abundance of blood surged out of a blood-red pearl, outlining eerie and complex patterns on the ground.

Before long, a large array brimming with a sense of desecration and evil appeared in the bedroom.

After arranging the Holy Sect Blood Sacrifice Array, Su Yuan rummaged through the Tribulation Moon Pearl, pulling out a pair of slightly worn black leather boots, placing them at the center of the array as anchor items.

The anchor items do not disappear with the activation of the Blood Sacrifice Array and can be used repeatedly.

The origin of these leather boots?

Quite simple, it’s the shoes Chen Nuoyi wore during the period she just left her family and was working odd jobs due to poverty.

Although the original material of these shoes was good, after several months of high-intensity wear and tear, they were severely damaged... Moreover, the last time their owner wore them and handed them to Su Yuan, they hadn’t been washed.

Of course, don’t misunderstand, the reason for not having Chen Nuoyi clean these little boots was not due to some inappropriate mania of Su Yuan, but for the sake of the ritual.

After all, if the shoes’ smell and residues were washed clean, the link between them and Chen Nuoyi herself would weaken.

As for why specifically choosing this pair of shoes?

Of course, it was also for the sake of the ritual!

Items that can serve as guides for summoning specific entities aren’t mere everyday personal items; they must be worn and used intimately for a long time.

Counting all of Chen Nuoyi’s personal items that meet the requirements, only using these old shoes as anchor items offers the best value.

It’s definitely not some strange mania.

After setting up the array, Su Yuan took out a communication earphone and put it on, contacting Captain Zhang.

Upon confirming that Chen Nuoyi had successfully arrived at the Observation Law Ship, Su Yuan tossed a large piece of flesh created through ’Decaying Profound Light’ into the array, activating the Holy Sect Blood Sacrifice Array.

As the scarlet light enveloped the entire bedroom, the large piece of flesh used as a sacrifice quickly disappeared.

A figure slowly appeared in the Blood Sacrifice Array.

The light faded, and a blue-haired, golden-eyed girl, with bright eyes and teeth, her delicate face slightly round with traces of baby fat, emerged.

Who else could it be but Chen Nuoyi?

"Nuoyi..."

Su Yuan instinctively smiled, about to greet the Vice Sect Leader he hadn’t seen in more than a month.

Just as he opened his mouth, he saw the girl’s delicate nose slightly twitch, seeming to catch a certain scent.

The next second, her beautiful eyes abruptly glanced at the old shoes by her feet.

The girl’s delicate face blushed slightly, and with a speed as fast as lightning, she snatched up those little leather boots, storing them in a personal Storage Magical Treasure, then glared at Su Yuan.

This scene left Su Yuan inexplicably embarrassed.

No, what’s with that distrustful look?

Do you think I would do something to your shoes?

No way! Really, no way!

But... it’s better not to explain this matter, otherwise, it would just escalate.

"Uh, Nuoyi..."

Su Yuan exerted significant effort to suppress the odd feeling inside, ready to continue the interrupted greeting.

Yet, Chen Nuoyi rushed ahead to Su Yuan, touched his forehead, and then touched her own forehead, nodding as she said:

"Hmm, not feverish."

Su Yuan: "..."

No, still concerned over my decision to raise the staff’s salary?

How long has it been since then!

Excuse me, where is the trust between people?

Seeming to sense the meaning contained in Su Yuan’s gaze, the girl awkwardly explained:

"Su Yuan, personally I certainly trust you, checking your forehead was under Qi Hanyan and other Primordial Sect officials’ orders."

"After personally confirming it, I will be able to pass the message back to them later."