Chapter 51: New Residence (Please follow, favorite, monthly tickets, and recommendation votes)

“Squad Leader Su, I was negligent before. I never imagined that those under my command would be so audacious.”

Xu Mingchen bowed toward Su Mu. “Not only did they dare to commit arson against government officials, but they also smuggled contraband behind my back.”

With that, Xu Mingchen handed an account book toward Su Mu.

“Fortunately, you enlightened me, Squad Leader Su. After a thorough investigation, this is a record of the illegal and disorderly acts committed by the servants of the Xu residence over the past three years.”

Xu Mingchen set the account book down, returned to his original position, and stood with his hands clasped.

“What they did, who did it, and how much profit was made—I have clarified everything. One look will suffice, Squad Leader Su.”

Xu Mingchen continued, “Although I was unaware of these matters, it was still my failure in oversight. I am at the complete disposal of the Nancheng Division regarding how to punish me.”

Having said this, he lowered his hands, appearing ready to accept whatever judgment Su Mu might pass.

Looking at Xu Mingchen, Su Mu understood in his heart that this was yet another manifestation of the Taiping Division's deterrent power.

Simply because he might have connections to the Taiping Division, the Wang family had directly performed a "severed limb to save the body" maneuver, throwing Xu Mingchen out as a scapegoat.

If it weren't for the Taiping Division, it would have been impossible for Xu Mingchen to come forward and surrender.

A mere squad leader like him did not possess such overwhelming authority.

In fact, if Su Mu truly had no connection to the Taiping Division, Xu Mingchen's reaction likely wouldn't have been a surrender, but rather hiring more assassins to kill him.

In truth, Xu Mingchen had already done exactly that.

It just so happened that the assassin he hired owed Su Mu his life.

Su Mu leafed through the account book casually; the records were indeed very detailed.

However, Xu Mingchen had managed to wash his own hands completely clean.

“These beasts harmed many people behind my back, and I truly cannot find peace of mind. Therefore, I have decided to donate all the assets of the Xu residence to the Nancheng Division. The Division can use this silver to compensate the victims.”

Xu Mingchen spoke with a face full of grief. “As for everyone in my Xu family, we shall leave Nancheng and never return.”

Zheng Wang blinked, his face filled with disbelief.

He was somewhat dazed now. What on earth was going on?

Had Xu Mingchen truly found his conscience?

That couldn't be right. That old man's heart was pitch black; would he suddenly develop a conscience?

But if it wasn't a change of heart, why would he do this?

Zheng Wang looked at Xu Mingchen, then at Su Mu.

It didn't make sense. Even if Su Mu had broken into the Xu residence at night and killed a few people, the Xu family shouldn't have been scared to this extent.

To put it bluntly, even if the Sima of the Nancheng Division had broken in, the Xu family might not have been this terrified.

In fact, even He Yuxing, the Sima of the Nancheng Division, had to give the Xu family some face.

Su Mu certainly had some strength, but that strength was far from enough to make the Xu family this frightened.

Unless—

Zheng Wang's eyes darted around. Su Mu had someone backing him!

That must be it!

To have mastered "Blade Intent" at only seventeen years old, how could he not have someone above him?

Noticing the change in Zheng Wang's expression, Su Mu realized instantly what he was thinking.

Zheng Wang was spiraling into a state of extreme overestimation.

“Squad Leader Zheng, what do you think?”

Su Mu spoke up. “According to the rules of the Nancheng Division, how should such a matter be handled?”

“The perpetrators should be dealt with according to the law. Although the Xu family is guilty of negligence, since they are willing to make amends, they can be treated with leniency,” Zheng Wang replied after a moment of thought.

“Then I must ask you, Squad Leader Zheng, to lend me a few men to apprehend the involved parties. Also, regarding the Xu family's property, I will need you to lend me a few more men to conduct an inventory,” Su Mu said with a cupped hand.

“Consider it done!” Zheng Wang said with a smile. This was a great assignment—it offered both merit and hard work, and auditing the property meant plenty of lucrative kickbacks.

Most importantly, it was an opportunity to build a connection with a rising figure like Su Mu, who clearly had powerful backing.

Zheng Wang quickly summoned several capable constables and instructed them to follow Su Mu's orders.

Su Mu led the men to the Xu residence. With Xu Mingchen's cooperation, they quickly brought all the criminals back to the Nancheng Division.

As for the Xu family's property, that would require a slow inventory.

The Xu family was one of the wealthiest in Nancheng, with countless treasures and many businesses spread across various wards.

To complete a thorough audit, it would take at least ten days to half a month.

After handing everything over, the members of the Xu family left Nancheng overnight, their whereabouts unknown.

The events at the Xu residence quickly spread throughout Nancheng.

This incident was even more sensational than Su Mu's nighttime raid on the Xu residence.

Many factions in Nancheng, especially those entrenched in Guangfu Ward, had been secretly observing the Xu family's reaction.

In their view, since Su Mu had dared to break into the Xu residence and slap them in the face, the Xu family would surely retaliate.

To their surprise, instead of retaliating, the Xu family had obediently confessed to their crimes and even abandoned their long-built foundation to flee far away.

Su Mu, the Squad Leader of the Nancheng Division, had achieved a total victory.

For a time, all the factions in Guangfu Ward went quiet, fearing they might provoke this new squad leader.

Guangfu Ward instantly became the safest ward in Nancheng.

But those were matters for later.

Back when Su Mu had just brought the scapegoats from the Xu residence back to the Nancheng Division, Sima He Yuxing had summoned him.

“Little Constable Su, it's like this: I have submitted the application for your appointment as a Constable, but as you know, things move quite slowly at the top. I can't say exactly when it will be approved,” He Yuxing said with a smile. “So, you'll have to bear with it and continue as a Squad Leader for a while longer.”

“You did very well with the Xu family matter; I will record it in your merit book. I recall your home was burned down by the Xu family's servants, right? It just so happens that you can keep the Xu residence to live in. There's no need to register it in the official records.”

He Yuxing had not yet fully uncovered Su Mu's background, so he intentionally delayed his promotion to Constable. However, he did not want to completely fall out with Su Mu for the time being, so the Xu residence was the compensation he offered.

Su Mu, of course, would not refuse a benefit delivered to his doorstep.

Although the location of the Xu residence was prime, a place that large was worth at least several thousand taels of silver.

After a few pleasantries with He Yuxing, Su Mu left the Nancheng Division and went straight to the Xu residence.

The valuables inside the Xu residence had already been taken by Xu Mingchen, and most of the remaining items had been cleared out by the Nancheng Division's constables during the day.

Su Mu found a relatively clean room and settled in temporarily.

As midnight arrived, Su Mu woke up by reflex and summoned his system panel.

【Name: Su Mu】 【Identity: Constable Squad Leader (Clerk)】 【Points: 85】 【Cultivation Method: Golden Scale Skin Tempering Method (Great Success)】 【Martial Arts: Wave-Subduing Blade Technique (Perfection), Archery (Beginner)】

After a busy day of removing the tumor that threatened the stability of Guangfu Ward, he had maximized today's performance, earning forty points.

"Even if I haven't become a Constable yet, I can still achieve great things in the position of Squad Leader," Su Mu thought to himself.

(End of Chapter)