CH 45

This day.

The final result of the interview for the mayor and other officials came out, which was soon posted on the wall outside the Wissas examination hall by soldiers and announced by a priest.

Even though Weiner had enough confidence in himself, he didn’t expect that he could get first place in the exam.

When he sees the results.

Wiener could hardly maintain his facial expression and almost cried out in front of so many people.

But his current emotions are also very excited. It’s hard to restrain himself from jumping around a few laps outside to celebrate and then come back.

Wiener held back the impulse in his throat, and said with a trembling voice, “Nate, did you see that? Did you see it?! We both passed the exam!” 

Nate also said in a trembling voice, “I, I see it, Wiener.” 

After he finished speaking, tears gushed out of his eyes and ran down his face. Wiener was taken aback and it successfully calmed down his emotions.

“Are you okay?” Asked Wiener, rather bewildered.

Nate said, sobbing, “I, It’s the first time that I’ve ever done something. If my father knew about this, he wouldn’t dare believe it…”

Nate couldn’t help thinking of his hard work in recent months. Insomnia accompanied by anxiety… He couldn’t sleep all night.

But after today’s interview results, all the hard work is worth it.

Wiener was a little surprised, “Didn’t your father know you were here for the official selection exam?”

“No, of course, he does.”

“But he never thought I could pass the exam. After all, I used to…”

Nate showed an embarrassed smile, “I never made my father worry-free, and always made him angry… Hey, I’m going to send a servant to Keys to tell him the good news!”

Nate couldn’t help feeling happy at the thought of the expression on his father’s face when he knew that he had been admitted to the position of the diplomat.

“Wiener, your father will definitely be proud of you. You know you got first place in the exam.”

Wiener thought of his father, Viscount Lauren, and nodded with a smile, “Yes, he will be happy to celebrate.”

After several confirmations, Xia Zuoyi decided on the list of mayors and officials.

After the list was posted outside the examination room, he asked the soldiers to notify the selected personnel one by one—ordering them to come to the castle in three days to attend a meeting.

Of course, it also includes Marquis Marco Case, who has become the mayor of Keys.

In fact, he had received the news that he’s going to attend the meeting in Wissas more than half a month ago.

The sudden arrival of Marquis Marco pleasantly surprised Nate.

Of course, Marquis Marco was even more surprised.

He didn’t expect that Nate’s staying with the little lord would really change him a lot. He made such great progress and achieved such a proud and gratifying result.

Not to mention how moved Marquis Marco’s heart, he laments with sighs.

It’s also at this time that Wiener learned that Nate’s father is the only mayor in the Desinian Territory.

Moreover, this gentleman was the only noble marquis who stood firmly beside the lord at the beginning.

It can be said that the identity of Marco Case is undoubtedly extremely noble.

Even worse, he’s now the mayor of Keys, a man highly valued by the Lord Desinia.

Nate apologized, “I didn’t mean to keep it from you.”

“It’s really… it’s not something worth talking about frequently. After that, I was too busy studying and I forgot… Wiener, you’re not angry, are you?”

Nate couldn’t help feeling a little uneasy.

He really forgot.

Later, although he remembered it, he didn’t know how to say it.

He can’t just directly say, “Wiener, do you know who my father is? My father is the mayor of Keys…”

If such a thing were put in the past, he would be able to say it unashamedly.

But now… He always feels a little bit inexplicably ashamed, making him unable to open his mouth.

Wiener was stunned, then said, “No. I’m not angry, Nate.”

“I’m just a little surprised. You have a very good father. In every way…”

He smiled embarrassedly, “If you don’t think there’s something wrong with my identity…”

“Of course not! You’re excellent, Wiener.”

Seeing that Wiener really didn’t care, Nate couldn’t help but relax.

The two stopped talking about this matter.

Three days later.

In the territory of Desinia, fourteen mayors including Marquis Marco, and ten other elected officials came to Xia Zuoyi’s castle.

They were led into the hall of the meeting by the waiting servants.

Fernandi and Walker are already standing behind Xia Zuoyi. There are no extra patterns on the two black and white armors, covering their shoulders and elbows and other key parts, and smooth lines. They looked more heroic and imposing. 

Their gazes expressionlessly swept past Wiener and the others who came in one by one, making them didn’t dare to look directly at the two of them.

Wiener and others couldn’t help swallowing, feeling nervous.

Xia Zuoyi ordered the servants to arrange for them to sit down on the chairs. Then the servants brought lemonade and distributed paper and pens for them. Later, they needed to take minutes of the meeting.

Fernandi/Walker: It’s a familiar meeting process.

Nate feels a little excited and overwhelmed.

He sat opposite Wiener, surrounded by officials in charge of other duties, while his father Marquis Marco sat below the lord’s right hand.

The others looked the same, slightly lowered their heads, and seemed a little awkward.

Xia Zuoyi knocked on the table. The crisp sound made everyone who had already been highly concentrated turned their heads in unison.

He said, “The meeting begins.”

“The main issue of today’s meeting is ‘Urban planning and management regulations.'”

Everyone held their breaths as they listened to his words.

Xia Zuoyi: “I have drawn up general rules and regulations of city appearance and environmental sanitation management with the knight commanders and others in advance. Calling you to participate in the meeting is to confirm and understand them one by one.”

“After that, we’ll start assigning mayors to other cities in the territory.” 

“As for the officials in charge of other positions, you need to stay in Wissas for the time being. You will be transferred in the future…”

He looked around at Wiener and the others, and said, “You’re all the candidates I have personally confirmed and chosen. Your knowledge is beyond doubt, but your ability remains to be seen.”

“I have appointed you to the important positions of mayor and other officials, first is to ask you to obey my arrangements and build the cities under your own management.”

“Second, I hope you’ll be worthy of this hard-won opportunity.”

Xia Zuoyi paused, then continued, “In the future, the same exam will be conducted every year to select excellent talents in the territory.”

“If you sit in the position of mayor or important officials and enjoy the rights you should enjoy, but fail to fulfill your responsibilities… No matter who you are, don’t blame me for my unfeeling punishment.”

“If it’s a serious crime, it’s either death penalty or the removal of the title and permanent expulsion from the territory of Desinia. Do you understand?”

Everyone couldn’t help but look serious, immediately nodded their heads, and said they understood.

Xia Zuoyi then looked at Udit and motioned to him to distribute the printed documents of the city management regulations to Wiener and others, so that they could browse through them first and pay attention to its contents.

When they’re done.

Xia Zuoyi pointed out that the most important item in the city’s appearance management regulations is that the city must be clean, tidy, hygienic, and beautiful.

“First of all, we must set up public toilets in the city, pay attention to the environment and good hygiene practices, and build more public facilities and infrastructure.”

“Moreover, the streets, functional areas, greening protection, and new buildings in the city should be regulated…”

Xia Zuoyi exchanged reputation points for related books for laws and regulations of urban management.

Then, he made precise and reasonable arrangements based on the current reality. In terms of urban construction and management, rules and punishment should also be paid equal attention to.

Those who violate the rules will naturally be punished accordingly.

He, Marquis Marco, and the others confirmed each of the regulations in detail and found out the defects and the places that needed to be supplemented or modified.

The new mayors and officials, including Nate and Wiener, were a little nervous and restrained from the beginning. But then, they gradually relaxed and were able to put forward some good opinions and ideas.

When the punishments were affirmed, Xia Zuoyi asked them to mark the key points.

He said, “Those who fail to comply with the city regulations and commit minor crimes may be given a verbal warning or fined.”

“If it’s a serious crime, the fine will be increased, and they’ll be dealt with by the new laws in the territory according to the situation.” 

“I have only one requirement for you, that is, you must strictly implement the arrangements and decisions I have made. You must not delay this matter, let alone be lazy and do nothing.” 

“If you let me know that you violate the rules and take the lead in not complying with the law… You should know what will happen in the end.”

Wiener and the others seriously and solemnly stated their attitude.

Give them a stick then a piece of sugar.

Xia Zuoyi said, “The Desinian Territory will rank the top three best cities, and whoever can take the lead in the future will be rewarded or promoted accordingly.”

“For example, nobility.” 

As soon as this remark came out.

Everyone’s expressions couldn’t help becoming excited and joyful. They can’t restrain their emotions and express their determination one after another.

“Thank you, my lord!”

“Praise your generosity to the God of Creation!”

…

Xia Zuoyi’s face remained unchanged, but his two small legs under the table involuntarily shake and sways.

Be calm, proper compliments will make people improve and thicken their skin.

Near the end of the meeting, Xia Zuoyi finally assigned the city to which mayors and others would go.

Wiener stayed nearby, in Fort Comoy, with a good result of first place.

The rest are also appointed.

All of them will be protected and accompanied by soldiers. When they get back to their respective homes and deal with the complicated affairs, they can take their families away and set out to perform their duties in the cities they need to serve.

A high-pitched eagle sound came.

Xia Zuoyi is standing by the window in his bedroom, looking at the white costin flying freely under the blue sky with a smile.

He’s a little bit hidden in the white clouds. If you don’t pay attention to him, he’ll “disappear” in front of your eyes, making him difficult to find.

In fact, because the color of the costin’s feathers almost melts into the sky with white clouds floating, coupled with his flight speed, the human eyes are difficult to keep up with his dynamic actions. He will disappear in the blink of an eye.

After a while.

The costin flew back to the window of the castle.

The baby bird grows extremely fast, now his body is almost half the height of a person’s arm. His wingspan is even more impressive.

The down feathers of the young bird have been replaced by hard and beautiful shiny feathers. There were some brown spots on his head and wings, but they have long since faded away.

Just leaving a little bluish color at the end of his feathers, outlining a beautiful contour, looking very delicate.

Xia Zuoyi stretched out his hand and stroked the costin’s round head, and praised him, “Green Dumpling is such a beautiful boy.”

“Tweet.” The Green Dumpling happily spread his wings and fanned them.

All of a sudden, a pure black tiger paw suddenly patted Green Dumpling away. The wind brought up slightly opened Xia Zuoyi’s collar, making him blink.

When he regained consciousness, Green Dumpling had already flown away from the window in an instant, and the thick black tiger paw patted the empty air.

“Ao!”

Briquette retracted his paw, roared at Green Dumpling, and lowered his body in an attack posture. But at this time, a hand unexpectedly stretched out and grabbed his round ears and twisted it half a circle.

“Aaooo.”

Briquette instantly put away his fangs and claws cleverly, lowered his voice, and squatted down obediently. He even wrapped his tail around Xia Zuoyi’s ankle in an attempt to confuse him.

Snowball is lying on the soft cushion from beginning to end, with his tail swinging comfortably behind in a leisurely posture.

Green Dumpling slowly landed beside Snowball and combed his feathers.

Xia Zuoyi retracted his hand and said, “Don’t always bully Green Dumpling, Briquette. He’s still small and he’s your younger brother.”

“You have to learn from Snowball, you know?”

Probably because some time ago, he always carried the fluffy young bird, Green Dumpling, with him, which provoked Briquette.

Nowadays, a tiger and an eagle often slap and peck each other, not giving in to each other.

After all, Green Dumpling is still young so most of the results ended in the victory of Briquette.

However, Xia Zuoyi also saw black tiger hair on the carpet in the room. He doesn’t know if it naturally fell off Briquette or was pecked off… 

Snowball has always been well-behaved and sensible. You can’t elicit any special reaction from him, his attitude is straightforward and lukewarm.

Just like now.

Even if Green Dumpling falls beside him, Snowball doesn’t pay much attention to him.

Udit happened to push the door open at this time, “My lord, the water-grained paper was sent to the Thorns Chamber of Commerce bases and branches in various cities for sale…”

“Gibran has already finished the statistics. Would you like to have a look at it in your study?”

Xia Zuoyi nodded, “Go and see.” 

After he finished speaking, he turned to Briquette and exhorted, “Don’t bully Green Dumpling anymore or I’ll come back and pull your ears and you’ll have no meat to eat.”

“Ao.”

Briquette lay aggrieved on the carpet.

After Xia Zuoyi left with Udit, the atmosphere in the room instantly changed.

Briquette raised his head and looked at the vigilant costin who opened his wings slightly, his paws rubbing against the ground, as if he was ready to go.

Green Dumpling’s cyan-gold eyes also closely stared at the black tiger.

Just as the atmosphere between the two beasts gradually stagnated, a snow-white shadow suddenly rushed to the costin and pressed Green Dumpling under his claws with lightning speed.

“Tweet!” 

Green Dumpling uttered an obviously panicked cry, he flapped his wings twice but it was immediately pressed down, resulting in a few feathers immediately falling off.

Without waiting for Green Dumpling to resist with his pointed beak and sharp claws, Snowball immediately jumped aside and opened his mouth to bite Briquette’s ass who did not react in time.

“Roar!”

Briquette suddenly howled and bounced up from the carpet. The tiger’s eyes sternly looked at his brother, as if asking, ‘why are you biting me?!’

Snowball ignored them, turned around again, and leisurely lay on the soft cushion.

But for a moment, a series of rapid footsteps came from outside the door.

Xia Zuoyi pushed the room door open.

He saw the situation in the room instantly—Green Dumpling was obviously hiding helplessly and pitifully on the windowsill with his wings shucked. And Briquette was standing next to him. But at this time, he’s looking at him with his head tilted.

On the carpet are a scattered few feathers and less obvious black tiger hair.

Xia Zuoyi: “Briquette! You don’t have any meat today!”

Briquette was dumbfounded, “Ao—?”

Snowball is slowly wagging his tail.

Translator’s Note:

Sorry, I missed the update schedule, something shitty just came up so I have to postpone hahaha. But now that it’s resolved, mostly, I can continue posting chapters. Please make do with double updates, for now, guys and gals~~