When I stopped cultivating, it was already morning. Breathing out heavily, I smiled with satisfaction. Feeling my sore muscles, I grinned. "Finally, I entered the Second Step of Body Refinement." After eating the food prepared for me, I checked the Lord's System:
Name: Independent City of Wei
Territory: State City
Fate: [4/300]
Subjects' Loyalty: 53%
War: {locked}
Mandates: {locked}
How is the loyalty still so low? Are the new arrivals already causing trouble? This will be problematic. I need to talk with Xiao. "I really need a secretary," I muttered to myself. I also noticed the Fate points had increased. I should study their purpose further.
After walking around the city, I found Xiao, and we returned to the office. In his report, he mentioned identifying some individuals capable of fishing, so I spent 100 FP to purchase five fishing nets and fifty fishing rods. Additionally, I spent 200 FP to equip every soldier with new white-grade spears and armor.
We discussed the issues arising with the new arrivals. Some of them refused to work in their assigned roles and were instigating fights. Yue Fei and the soldiers had been maintaining order, but their role as peacekeepers hindered their ability to explore the surrounding area.
Feeling a headache coming on, I sighed. "Why do problems keep piling up?"
"First, select someone intelligent to act as my secretary. As for the new arrivals who are refusing to cooperate, isolate the most problematic ones and persuade them—gently," I said, fixing Xiao with a pointed look. "Make sure they understand that these jobs are temporary and that things will change in the future. Also, bring—what was his name? Right, Xue. I have a task for him."
"It will be done, my lord," Xiao replied.
Later, Xue arrived and knelt before me, his demeanor shy but respectful.
Name: Xue
Bloodline: Human
Titles: None
Job: Not Assigned
Cultivation: None
Current Rank: Pre-Mortal
Talent: Observationist (Good at finding small details)
Loyalty: 70%
"Young Xue, how are you? I hope everything is all right," I greeted warmly.
"My lord, everything is great, thanks to your generosity!" he replied enthusiastically.
"Good, good! You impressed me before the beast wave with your bravery, so I have a proposition for you. Would you be interested in hearing it?"
"Sir, I serve you with all my heart! Please, tell me," he said earnestly.
"I plan to create a new department in the government: the Security Forces. They will be responsible for protecting the ordinary citizens, and I think you are the best candidate to lead it."
Name: Xue
Bloodline: Human
Titles: None
Job: Not Assigned
Cultivation: None
Current Rank: Pre-Mortal
Talent: Observationist (Good at finding small details)
Loyalty: 73%
"My lord, but... I'm not as strong as the soldiers. I've only ever worked as a farmer. I... I..." Xue stammered.
"Young Xue, what impressed me was not your strength but your courage. I trust you, so you should trust yourself," I said, encouraging him.
He bowed deeply, his forehead touching the floor, and accepted the offer, promising to give his all. I instructed him to choose twenty people he trusted and to return the next day.
Name: Xue
Bloodline: Human
Titles: None
Job: Not Assigned
Cultivation: None
Current Rank: Pre-Mortal
Talent: Observationist (Good at finding small details)
Loyalty: 76%
Afterward, I called for Yue Fei to report. He informed me that one of the first batch of soldiers had already reached the Second Step of Body Refinement, while some of the more talented recruits from the newer batch had entered the First Step. I ordered him to leave half of the new batch to patrol the city while the rest joined another expedition.
Having given all my orders for the day, I strolled around the city to observe its development, ate some food, and then returned to the palace to continue cultivating.