In the world of martial arts, I can invest in countless realms.

Chapter 19 Opportunity

"Another adult, huh!"

With the target confirmed, Shen Che's consciousness successfully locked onto the other party.

A young man dressed in official robes appeared before him, sitting alone in what appeared to be the courtroom of a county government office.

Judging by his age, he's probably only eighteen or nineteen.

Such a young official, what kind of background must he have?

He sighed silently; this investment was probably going to be a complete waste again.

When it comes to investing, the best choice is children from impoverished families. Their potential is still developing, which is precisely the time to nurture them.

Of course, the key is that they're easy to fool. Those who are so poor they don't even have pants to wear are even better; a bowl of rice is all it takes.

The person in front of him was the one Shen Che least wanted to deal with.

Someone who becomes an official at such a young age must have no shortage of resources and everything else; people on their own side might not even look up to them.

The key is the environment in which one grows up. Under such influences, one shouldn't end up being misled after a failed investment.

However, Shen Che didn't give up immediately. After all, he still had one more spot available.

We'll keep an eye on this one while we wait and see.

If a suitable opportunity arises, I might even be able to invest myself.

This was the first time he had encountered a talent with a rating of three and a half stars.

Since the investment hadn't been finalized yet, Shen Che hadn't created any time gap between them. When he woke up, he found the guy still sitting there.

I'm afraid he'll just sit there all night until morning.

What's wrong with this guy? He doesn't sleep at night, he just sits in court. Even if you're greedy for power, you can't be this greedy.

While observing the area, Shen Che rode his horse along the pipe and headed into the distance.

This time, we must find a bigger city to settle down in.

"Sir, have you been sitting here all night?"

On the other side of the world, a middle-aged man who looked like a constable walked in and saw Liu Zhan still sitting there.

"It's Officer Zhong! I'm alright!"

The approaching constable shook his head. Liu Zhan stood up, but his brows remained furrowed, as if burdened by an unresolved sorrow.

"Sir, why don't you just back down? It's not shameful!"

"No, I'm afraid if I bend over, I'll never be able to straighten up again!"

"From the day I started school, I vowed to pass the imperial examinations, serve as an official, and bring benefits to the people!"

"After more than ten years of diligent study, having finally passed the imperial examination, I should naturally stand up for the people; how can I bow my head!"

Straightening his official hat, Liu Zhan took a deep breath as he gazed at the plaque that read "A Bright Mirror Hangs High."

"Look outside, how many people have been forced to sell their children, how many families have been destroyed!"

"Those people oppress the people, bully the weak, and even take pleasure in it."

"What use is this official robe to me if I cannot bring justice to the people?"

"My lord, you can't defeat them!"

"I know, but someone has to do it, someone has to fight for a chance to live for the people here!"

Seemingly having completely calmed his mind, Liu Zhan felt much more relaxed and strode out of the county government office.

"Corrupt official!"

The moment Liu Zhan stepped out of the county government office, the surrounding people avoided him like the plague.

He was met not with praise, nor with smiles. Instead, he was met with pointing fingers and whispered insults that he could clearly hear.

"Corrupt official, treacherous official, villain..." These are the labels that have been added to my name in just two months.

He clearly tried his best to think about the people, and he clearly never compromised.

In the end, however, they became corrupt officials in the eyes of the people, committing all kinds of evil and bending the law, and became the source of their poverty and hardship.

I grieve for the hardships of the people's lives, and I also grieve for their inability to distinguish right from wrong, good from evil.

"My lord, my lord... alas!"

Standing behind Liu Zhan, Zhong Hefeng could only shake his head helplessly.

The fact that you were assigned here means you have absolutely no connections, which is why those people dare to act so recklessly.

Living under someone else's thumb, just surviving is a miracle, let alone thinking about fighting back? And even wanting to stand up for the people?

Look at those so-called ordinary people, they don't deserve it!

He knew very well how quickly such tough guys could die in Nanshan County.

Those who can remain officials here and still live well either have to kneel down and act like dogs, or find a way to be transferred away as soon as possible.

What kind of place is this? This is the southern border region, teeming with bandits, plagued by barbarians, and rife with miasma. Any one of these could be deadly, any one could be used as an excuse.

I should go home and prepare. Who knows when another county magistrate will come to this wretched place?

"Look at him, he looks just like a dog!"

In the distance, two people were quietly watching this side, observing Liu Zhan being pointed at and talked about, with satisfied and mocking smiles on their faces.

Once Liu Zhan got close, the two of them stepped forward.

"Lord Liu, you look rather haggard after just one night."

"What, I wonder if Lord Liu has made up his mind? Working for our master, you won't lose out!"

"Tell your master that I, Liu Zhan, am paid by the imperial court and fed by the common people. I will not release anyone, nor will I do anything."

With a piercing gaze, Liu Zhan looked at the newcomer, his voice firm, just like his eyes at that moment.

"Furthermore, I cannot bend over, and I have never had the habit of being someone's dog!"

"That's ambitious! Lord Liu truly has ambition!"

Hearing this, Feng Qi couldn't help but laugh. He hadn't seen such refined manners and so-called frivolous things in a long time.

I can't quite remember where the last one I saw was buried.

"Lord Liu, who do you think you are? Do you really think you're an official?"

"In Nanshan County, the magistrate's word is law. Believe it or not, without the magistrate's approval, you can't even order a yamen runner around."

"The master is willing to overlook past grievances and give you a chance to be his dog because he sees that you are young and promising, with ideals and ambitions."

"Do you know how many people would kill for something like this? Do you know that the last person who was willing to be a dog has now risen to the position of a prefect?"

Looking at the young man before him, Feng Qi earnestly offered his advice once more.

Young people are immature, so we should give them a chance.

"Lord Liu, you should think more about yourself. Being a dog isn't so bad!"

"You're still young. As long as you're willing to humble yourself, your future is limitless!"

"No need!" Shaking his head, Liu Zhan's answer remained the same: "I'm different from you; I like standing!"

"Tell your master that those who walk different paths cannot work together. As long as I am in Nanshan County, I will not allow him to oppress the people!"

"Including you, Butler Feng!"

"Very well, I will convey Lord Liu's message."

After giving Liu Zhan a deep look, Feng Qi said no more and turned to leave.

Watching the other person's departing figure, Liu Zhan knew very well what awaited him.

He wasn't incapable of bowing his head and swallowing his anger for the time being. But he was afraid that if he bent his back, he would never be able to straighten it again.

"Brother, this Liu Zhan is a real tough nut to crack. Even though everyone is trying to kill him, he still won't back down."

"But if the master forces them to submit like this, even if they are willing to work for him, what if these people become successful in the future and seek revenge?"

"Ha, revenge?" Feng Qi curled his lip in disdain, his contempt undisguised.

"These officials, who have no background and come from humble origins, can be promoted by the master and easily brought down as well."

"Bear the burden of humiliation and hardship, and you'll get used to it eventually; once you get used to it, it becomes second nature."

"That's why the master wants to break their spines, to make them bow down and become dogs!"

"If they don't listen, we'll just get another one."

"Then, brother, what should we do with Liu Zhan?"

"What do we do!" A cold glint flashed in Feng Qi's eyes as he said coldly, "The master said that if this person still doesn't obey, we should do whatever we want with him!"

"Since he's so obsessed with fame, then I'll make sure he doesn't get his way. What do you think of Ma Shangfeng's way of dying?"

"These corrupt officials, greedy for money and indulging in pleasure, it's quite reasonable for them to die of stroke while riding horses, isn't it?"

"Yes, yes, elder brother is indeed clever!" Upon hearing this, the person next to him immediately flattered, "I'll arrange it right away, and I'll make sure Lord Liu dies knowing why!"

I thought it was about wealthy families experiencing life, but it turned out to be an inspirational story of a student from a poor family.

It's a pity that a talented young man from a poor family encountered a local bully.

The result doesn't look good, but here comes the opportunity.