Chapter 14: Cutting Through the Chaos with a Sharp Blade

  In the sea-view room, Yang Bo gathered everyone to discuss matters. Han Xiaoer, Yao Zongqi, and two small flags were present. Yang Bo also called Iron Cow and others, even Xiucai came. Bi Fangji sat on one side as a guest listening in.

  "Stop all the logging and cooking households along the coast, gather everyone at the seaside," Yang Bo said after a moment of contemplation. According to the geographical features of the coastline, he already had a rough plan in mind, now he just needed to consider some minor details.

  "Yes, sir, are all of them military households?" Han Xiao'er asked with some concern.

  "Yes, all the military households must gather together. The method of drying salt should be done sooner rather than later. Looking at it now that September is more than half over, the sunlight is somewhat insufficient, but the sea breeze is fierce and makes up for it... This matter cannot be delayed any further... Fortunately, those who boiled seawater can still be put to use." Yang Bo nodded his head and said to the people below him.

  Yao Zongqi was shocked upon hearing the words, and stood up to dissuade him: "Sir, absolutely not! Our ancestors have been boiling seawater here for generations, but we've never heard of any method of making salt by sun-drying. The nearby Xinyang Saltworks produces ten thousand catties of salt per day, and even the big and small saltworks in the two Huai regions haven't ever mentioned using sunlight to dry salt as a precedent. Sir, don't believe Hong Yi's one-sided words! Every year, Maojiatun has a fixed quota for salt production; if this sun-drying method doesn't work out, it will delay the schedule and the higher-ups will come after us..."

  Yang Bo didn't say a word, but instead gave Yao Zongqi a sidelong glance. The room suddenly fell silent.

  Yao Zongqi was left standing there, feeling awkward and embarrassed. After a moment's thought, he plucked up the courage to say: "If Your Excellency is determined to go your own way and insists on using that barbarian method of drying salt, in case it doesn't work out, I am unwilling to take responsibility for this reckless act."

  Yang Bo hummed and stood up, pacing back and forth in the room a few times before suddenly saying: "I've heard that General Yao usually resides within Andong City, and his visits to Ma Family Village can be counted on one hand. Hmm, is that right?"

  Yao's face turned slightly red, and he stammered: "My family is there, I'm afraid I won't be able to leave"

  Bang!

  Yang Bo slammed his hand heavily on the table, and everyone's heart skipped a beat. Although Yang Bo usually had a smile on his face, when he got angry, it was terrifying.

  "Ancheng is only a few dozen miles away, and with a fast horse, you can arrive in three hours. Governor Shang has been in office for three days, can you come to pay your respects? General Yao's flag is really big..."

  Yao Zong's forehead was sweating, and he had a slight regret in his heart. Originally, after hearing about Hu Dahu's situation, he planned to come over and fawn on the new boss, but the two new flower heads at Yi Hongfang were really too good, relying on their seniority, they delayed for a few days, and unexpectedly Yang Bo was going to use this excuse to take him down.

  Yang Bo was in the right, but General Yao didn't know how to respond for a moment, so he stood there with his neck stiffened, and the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

  Yang Bo's eyes swept over, and Han Xiao Er, who was just getting up, felt a chill in her heart. She swallowed back half of the sentence that had just escaped her lips.

  "All guards, weapons are not to be left behind. Those who violate this rule will receive 40 lashes... If one leaves their post, they will receive 50 lashes. If they stay overnight elsewhere, they will receive 60 lashes. For those above the rank of total flag, the punishment will be increased by one degree. For those in charge of the guards, if they know about the offense but do not report it, they will be punished along with the offender. Those who fail to detect the offense will have their punishment reduced by three degrees... General Yao, you have committed multiple offenses, should I report this or not?"

  Yang Bo had barely finished speaking when the whole room was shocked. No one expected Yang Bo's methods to be so tough, not leaving any leeway for General Yao at all.

  "You..." General Yao's face turned red with rage as he pointed at Yang Bo, his voice trembling with anger. "Sir, if we follow this rule, I'm afraid many generals and captains under my command will be punished along with me. Are you trying to make enemies of everyone?"

  "If others have committed a crime, it's up to their superiors to punish them, what does it have to do with me?" Yang Bo was extremely dissatisfied with General Yao's method of pulling the tiger's skin, it was too low-level...

  Yao Zongqi's whole body was trembling, but he had no way to deal with it. The Wei dynasty's system had been lax for many years, and this kind of thing, where someone leaves their post without permission, was something that was openly discussed. He never thought that in just a few days, he would have the good fortune to meet a madman who didn't play by the usual rules...

  He just saw Nao Guan's tacit understanding and ignored Yang Bo, then winked at someone below.

  "Sir!" A small flag sitting on the side suddenly came out "Sir, think thrice! The General Flag is a collateral branch of the Yao surname, one of the four major surnames of Andong Wei. It has always had prestige in this land. Now, sir, you are about to discuss the crime of the General Flag without any reason, how can this convince the masses? I hope sir will think thrice..."

  Yang Bo's face was calm, and he said lightly: "Excuse me for being blind, who are you?"

  That little flag hesitated and said "Mao Family Village hereditary small flag, Yao, Yao Debiao, has seen the adult..."

  "Hmm, I remember now, Yao Debiao and Chairman Yao are from the same clan, right?" Yang Bo said with a mocking expression.

  Xiao Qi didn't dare to conceal it and stiffened his scalp as he replied: "Yes..."

  "Yang Bo the Goose" ignored Little Flag

  "Boss!" Han Xiao'er stood up

  "Go and take down the small flag of Yao Debiao, and also register Yao Debiao's whole family in the Yellow Book, to be a military household for generations...". Yang Bo instructed, then smiled at Yao Debiao "What about the four big surnames? The four big surnames don't belong to the imperial court, nor do they belong to the superior officials' jurisdiction, right? This official's words are light and powerless, can't handle the Grand Flag Master, can't even handle you, a small flag?"

  Xiao Qi originally wanted to argue, but after hearing the last few sentences, he felt a chill in his heart and didn't dare to speak up.

  "You... Lord Yang, spare a life, see you later! The Yao family in Andong Wei also has a long history of inheritance, and it's been passed down for hundreds of years. Can't you just cover the sky with one hand?!" General Yao finally got angry, today he not only got slapped on the leg but also lost his nephew's hereditary small flag, how could he swallow this?

  "Whatever, Director Yao, please go ahead, whether it's Shizong Island, Andongwei, or Jimoying, the Shandong Command Center is also fine." Yang Bo waved his hand with a nonchalant expression.

  "Good!" General Yao didn't say much either, nor did he look at Yao De's token. He nodded his head and was about to leave.

  "Is Director Yao leaving just like this?" Yang Bo asked with a warm smile.

  "What else do you want?" Yao Zongqi turned around, staring at Yang Bo's disgusting smile. If it weren't for Hu Dahu's warning, he would have liked to punch that face several times.

  " Iron Bull, Ox! Go and invite Commander to the Commander's 'official residence', let him handle things there for these two days." Yang Bo gave a hand signal, and Iron Bull and Ox jumped out immediately with a fierce aura.

  "General Yao will be staying in the upper two rooms, and the documents from the command center will arrive soon......" Yang Bo added, looking at General Yao's back, who didn't dare to resist.

  After Yao Debiao's pale face was taken away, the room finally quieted down.

  "Zhi Xian", Bi Fangji knew he shouldn't speak at this moment, but couldn't help opening his mouth: "Zhi Xian, this..."

  Yang Bo waved his hand, interrupting Bi Fangji's words, shaking his head: "The priest is a guest, don't get involved in this kind of thing."

  Bi Fangji suddenly remembered his own identity and fell silent.