radicalducati Page 135
Page 135
The army doesn't have a name yet, so when outsiders ask, they just say it's the Thousand Rock Army. Ji Ming originally thought of calling it "Wind Brigade," but his sworn brothers rejected it, probably because it didn't fit the local situation of Liyue and sounded a bit like the army in Mondstadt.
The army of Guili County was divided into three levels: "Shidui", "Baidui" and "Yingdui", with corresponding numbers of ten, one hundred and one thousand men. Each level was headed by a commander and an inspector. Logistics personnel were not included in the main force.
Upon hearing this news, the cat, as expected, ran up to Ji Ming and began to hiss.
"So you really are going to rebel!"
"I didn't, don't label me."
"Then why did you establish a private army!"
"Don't be nervous, they're just police officers from Guili County, responsible for maintaining daily order."
"Where do you find police officers armed with teeth?!"
"This is called armed police."
Just thinking about the cat's puffed-up expression makes Ji Ming want to laugh. He can't help it, the cat is just too cute. He immediately hugged the cat and patted it hard several times.
The handsome man's charm worked; the cat was so touched that it became dizzy, and then ran away with a blush on its face.
It was just touching the thigh, the waist, the lower abdomen, and...
This kitty is so lame. Ji Ming has let her touch it before. If it's bad, she should practice more.
Besides the military, the urban development of Guili County was also quite successful. According to Keqing's prior planning and the results of the first census in Guili County, the 32,000 people were divided into approximately 6,400 households, with about five people per household.
Each small residential area in Guili County is called a "ward". Each ward has five households and about twenty-five people. Guili County currently has a total of 1,280 wards, which are arranged in a square on a large plain. No city walls have been built yet.
Ke Maomao commented: "No wonder he has OCD, even the city has to be neat and tidy."
Ji Ming didn't argue: "Yes, every time we sleep together, I always make sure to straighten your high heels."
After taking a punch from the cat, Ji Ming became obedient.
There's really no need to be shy. The past two weeks of getting to know each other have gone exceptionally smoothly. Ji Ming goes to Ke Maomao's temporary residence to sleep every night, and sharing a bed has long become a habit.
Ke Maomao has a terrible sleeping posture. She's fine before going to sleep, but when Ji Ming wakes up in the morning, he'll find Ke Maomao hugging him tightly, and he might even find a puddle of cat drool on his pajamas.
Ji Ming didn't want to get punched by the cat, so he didn't tell Ke Qing for the time being.
Incidentally, he and Keqing did everything they were supposed to do, except for going to first base. After all, the two of them were as innocent as little white rabbits in some ways, and there was still a promise they hadn't fulfilled, so no sensual scene occurred when they slept together.
Getting back to the main point, everything in Guili County is steadily improving, including the relationship between Ji Ming and Ke Qing.
While military and municipal construction are commendable, what Ji Ming is most proud of is undoubtedly the invention of the grievance drum. This invention has upheld fairness and justice for the people of Guili County and successfully prevented certain officials and petty clerks from running rampant in the countryside.
If no one beats the drum, it means no one has been wronged. The drum for appealing grievances serves as a deterrent. In addition, the execution of officials half a month ago greatly increased Ji Ming's prestige in Guili County, and for a time, the government was efficient and the people were harmonious.
With Guili County back on track, Keqing decided to return to Liyue Harbor, since her primary job was on Yuheng Star, not as the chief engineer of Guili County.
"Would you like to come back with me?"
Ke Qing applied sunscreen to her arms, a pained expression on her face. She had been busy at the construction site recently, and it just so happened that it was sunny and hot. Fortunately, Ji Ming had a conscience and had prepared sun protection measures for her in advance.
Ji Ming nodded, a mischievous thought suddenly rising in his mind. He put his arm around Ke Qing's shoulder and said, "I was just thinking about it, but I never expected that Lady Ke Qing would take the initiative to invite me. So I will accept Lady Ke Qing's invitation and serve her like a slave for the rest of my life."
Ke Qing snorted, "Fine, be my body pillow tonight. Don't complain tonight, it's not my fault it's big."
That's how the hoodlum was. Every time they kissed or hugged, his big hands seemed to have eyes, always instinctively climbing up to the magnificent front headlights and starting to massage them with great skill, making Ke Qing blush.
But when it's time to sleep at night, Ke Qing would unconsciously use Ji Ming as a pillow, and the magnificent headlights would cover his face, making it impossible for him to breathe.
And so things turned out like this: he's very happy when they kiss and hug, but unhappy when he's used as a pillow at night—a typical double standard of a rascal.
Ji Ming readily agreed: "Okay, I'll be your body pillow tonight. Let me drown in Miss Ke Qing's magnificent embrace... mmm mmm!"
Steam rose from her head as Ke Qing desperately covered Ji Ming's mouth, saying, "Don't talk nonsense! This is an office!"
"prprprpr~"
Don't lick my palm!
As if electrocuted, Ke Qing withdrew her hand in embarrassment and anger, and punched back.
After taking a cat-like punch, Ji Ming clutched his chest and said, "Ugh, I'm dead."
Ke Qing was both annoyed and amused: "How childish are you?"
"You don't like it?"
"Of course I like it, without a doubt."
Wow, Keqing has improved! She can even respond with cute sweet nothings now. Not bad at all.
Putting aside her joking thoughts, Ke Qing asked, "Are you ready to tell them everything, and then confess your feelings?"
Ji Mingxin said with a hint of unease, "Be prepared, I might get punched several times."
Ke Qing chuckled: "Who would bear to hit you? Besides, since you're already prepared to build a harem, don't be afraid of being beaten up by the girls. Get a wife every time you get beaten up, are you willing?"
Ji Ming, his face full of righteous indignation, said, "I'm willing."
Damn, what a decisive answer.
"Then you'd better take my punch first, you bastard!"
Just as the two were arguing, there was a knock on the door of the prefect's office, and Chen Huaizhang's voice came in: "Ninth brother, someone is beating the grievance drum."
Strange, it sounds like Fourth Brother's voice is a bit strained.
Ji Ming stood up and asked, "Is that so? I'll be right there. Who is that person suing?"
Chen Huaizhang pushed open the door, first glancing at the cat-carving man who was pretending to be serious, then turning his gaze to Ji Ming and saying in a complicated tone, "You."
Ji Ming: "Huh?"
Chapter 172 Let's work for free, Miss Ying
"Guards! Lock this audacious blond-haired scoundrel who slandered the prefect in jail! And lock his little mascot in jail too, and await their fate!"
With a bang of the gavel, Ji Ming announced the sentences of the two foolish girls in a curt manner. He then ordered the yamen runners to disperse the crowd of onlookers and posted a public notice declaring that everything in the yamen was a rumor and that people should not believe or spread rumors.
Seeing that the yamen runner was really walking towards him, Paimon panicked and waved his little hands high into the air. Then he pounced on Ji Ming, who was sitting in the main seat, and hugged Ji Ming's face like a facehugger.
"You can't do that! I'm Paimon!"
Ji Ming said mercilessly, "I captured Little Paimeng."
Paimon cried, "I was wrong, Jiming."
Ji Ming waved for the constables to leave, not intending to actually arrest the two silly girls. He just hadn't expected Ying and Paimeng to be so abstract, actually running all the way to Guili County to beat the grievance drum, all because he had provoked the little girl Mengde.
Ying, her face full of curiosity, ran up and fiddled with the gavel, shoving Ji Ming aside as she sat in the main seat: "How did you become the mayor?"
Ji Ming said irritably, "Is that not allowed?"
Paimon waved his finger: "Back when you were a parasite of the Church of the West Wind, Paimon thought you were a homeless vagrant."
Indeed, but now he's transformed from a nobody into a powerful figure, a former vagrant into a prefect.
Ji Ming shrugged, not answering the somewhat difficult question, and instead asked, "Ying, did you come to Liyue to see your brother?"
Ying nodded, then took out two letters, placed them on the desk, and readily admitted, "Barbara and Qin asked me to give these to you. I've already checked them for you on the way."
Upon hearing this, Ji Ming was first stunned, then leaned back, his mouth agape in shock.
Holy crap, how shameless is that?!
Peeking is one thing, but how can you use the word "discernment"? Even Ji Ming couldn't bring himself to peek while delivering a letter for a friend; it would shatter his conscience.
Well, Miss Ying seems to have no conscience.
Miss Ying has no conscience, and does Miss Paimon also lack a conscience?!
These two people have had their consciences devoured by sugar; they are truly guilty of heinous crimes and must be imprisoned and severely punished with a whip!
Just kidding. Guili County prohibits the use of private torture, and the practice of extracting confessions by torture is strictly forbidden. The prison is only for detaining and educating prisoners.
Fifth Brother Yang Zaifeng inherited his family's interrogation skills. Ji Ming originally wanted him to be in charge of prisons and criminal law, but considering that there might be police officers using torture to extract confessions in the future, he could only put him in charge of personnel promotion.
Pulling his scattered thoughts back, Ji Ming opened the envelope and carefully read Barbara and Jean's letters. A smile involuntarily appeared on his face. As expected of the little angel of Mondstadt and her captain sister, their wording was very pleasant.
Ji Ming didn't even look up, and asked, "You all already know?"
Ying and Paimon exchanged a glance. Although Ji Ming's question seemed absurd, they still understood the true meaning behind it.
Paimon tapped his fingers, a mixture of guilt and curiosity in his eyes: "Ji Ming, you really are..."
Putting away the letter, Ji Ming turned and walked behind the screen, gesturing for the two to follow. He led them to an empty office and suddenly reached for his heart.
Paimon covered her eyes and waited for a long time. When she heard no screams, she cautiously moved her small hand away and saw a dazzling Heart of God in Ji Ming's hand.
"Wow, it's so beautiful! Can I play with it?"
Ji Ming wasn't worried at all. He simply tossed the Heart of God to Paimon and laughed, "Take it and play with it. Just remember to give it back to me."
After coaxing Paimon aside to play, Ji Ming looked at Ying with a kind smile: "Miss Ying?"
Ying was not afraid at all. She tilted her head back, revealing her fair neck, and hummed softly, "What is it?"
"Can you tell me why you suddenly had the urge to beat the drum to appeal for justice? Don't tell me you're just curious."
fluorescent:"…………"
Ji Ming was speechless. He reached out and poked Ying's forehead with his finger, his tone fierce: "Do you know the purpose of the grievance drum? Miss Ying, if you weren't an acquaintance of mine, I might really throw you into jail and punish you severely."