Daizhou lay right beside Yanmen Pass.
To the north, it bordered Xuanfu and Datong. To the south, it connected directly to Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi.
Anyone with eyes could see how critical that position was. Let alone an outstanding graduate from Gao Family Village's middle school.
Chen Yuanbo understood immediately. Being sent to Daizhou was not a coincidence.
From there, he could serve Dao Xuan Tianzun far more effectively.
He sprang to his feet and laughed at the group of strategists beside him. "Junior colleagues, I'm leaving. You're staying. The next official assigned to Wenshui County is still unknown, but no matter who it is, you must neutralize his authority. Wenshui County must remain firmly in Gao Family Village's hands."
His juniors burst out laughing. "Understood. Don't worry, Senior. The next magistrate will see nothing but perfectly cooked books."
Chen Yuanbo shook his head, smiling. "We sound rather wicked when we say it like that."
One of the juniors replied calmly, "Dao Xuan Tianzun once said that sometimes, to reach the right destination, one must take a few wrong turns. Our methods may not be upright, but the purpose is."
Chen Yuanbo nodded, then turned serious. "The situation across the Yellow River has been unstable lately. The bandits cannot cross it for now, and our navy has long been stationed there, but vigilance is still necessary. Watch every movement. If you detect any attempt to cross the river, immediately call for naval support."
The juniors laughed. "Senior, rest assured. We'll keep our eyes open."
"Good," Chen Yuanbo said with a sigh. "Wenshui County was the first place I truly governed after graduation. It feels like my own child. Leaving it hurts more than I expected."
His juniors teased him mercilessly. "Children are great. Isn't it better to have more? Go raise your second, third, and fourth 'children' in Daizhou. Hahahaha!"
Chen Yuanbo laughed, packed his belongings, and bid them farewell.
He first took a boat back to Puzhou, then transferred to a train heading north.
This journey crossed almost the entirety of Shanxi.
In the past, trains only reached Hejin County. Beyond that, one had to switch to boats. But now, Chen Yuanbo discovered that the railway had already extended directly to Pingyang Prefecture.
Gao Family Village's rail network had expanded again.
Beyond Pingyang, the railway was still under construction, but a concrete road had already been laid. Solar buses were running there, and Chen Yuanbo boarded one without hesitation.
The moment he sat down, nostalgia washed over him.
Back when he was a student, he rode Gao Family Village's solar bus to school every morning and home every afternoon.
The most thrilling ride was always the last one of the day. The driver would glance nervously at the sun and shout, "On and off quickly. Stop dawdling. Once the sun sets, you're walking home."
Smiling at the memories, Chen Yuanbo arrived in Taiyuan.
Twenty li before the city gates, a familiar scent reached him.
Factories.
Ironworks. Coal mines. Cement plants. Lime kilns.
They sprawled across the outskirts, vast and imposing. Every factory looked like a fortress, walls stretching for li in all directions.
Banners hung proudly at the gates.
"Dedicate wholeheartedly to production."
"Safety first, quality paramount."
"Innovation drives progress."
Chen Yuanbo's heart surged.
Taiyuan belongs to us now as well.
He entered the city, dismounted from the solar bus, and hurried toward the Governor's Yamen. At the gate, a special forces soldier stood guard.
"Xiao Wu?" Chen Yuanbo called out. "Is that you?"
The soldier's eyes widened. "Senior! What brings you here? I heard you were doing excellent work in Wenshui County."
"I've been transferred to Daizhou," Chen Yuanbo said with a chuckle. "How are you still guarding the gate after all this time?"
Xiao Wu scratched his head, embarrassed. "I didn't study hard enough. I couldn't keep up with you."
Chen Yuanbo patted his shoulder. "Later, I'll request a transfer for you to Daizhou. North of Daizhou is Xuanfu and Datong. There will be battles there sooner or later. Plenty of chances to earn merit."
Xiao Wu's face lit up. "Thank you, Senior!"
Xiao Wu rushed inside to announce him and soon returned, leading Chen Yuanbo into the hall.
Wu Shen was buried under documents, quietly discussing affairs with San Shier.
Chen Yuanbo saluted and explained his purpose.
San Shier smiled. "Yuanbo, your appointment came at exactly the right time. Sending you to Daizhou could not be more appropriate."
Chen Yuanbo nodded. "I would like to propose a road construction plan. Extend the highway from Taiyuan directly to Daizhou. That would greatly strengthen my confidence in developing the region."
San Shier considered it and looked toward Wu Shen.
Wu Shen nodded. "Daizhou is a strategic point. A highway is necessary."
The two exchanged a few words.
"Approved," San Shier said. "The road will be built."
Chen Yuanbo felt a surge of excitement.
"Oh, one more thing," Wu Shen added suddenly. "After you arrive in Daizhou, there is something you must pay attention to."
"What is it?" Chen Yuanbo asked.
Wu Shen said, "North of Daizhou lies the jurisdiction of the Xuan-Da Command. The previous Supreme Commander, Zhang Zongheng, was dismissed after the Manchu invasion. The new Supreme Commander is named Yang Sichang."
Chen Yuanbo frowned slightly. "Yang Sichang? I don't recall hearing that name."
Wu Shen explained, "He is extremely capable. As soon as he took office, he began pushing reforms aggressively. His first goal is to pacify the so-called rebel factions in Xuanfu and Datong."
"Rebel factions?" Chen Yuanbo asked.
Wu Shen nodded. "Xuanfu and Datong are rich in mineral resources. Coal, iron, everything. These areas were originally under court control, but repeated Manchu invasions disrupted administration. Now, private mines are everywhere. Officially illegal. The mine owners armed their workers, occupied mountains, and formed strongholds. The court labels them rebel factions."
Chen Yuanbo laughed. "That's simple. Legalize them, set reasonable taxes, offer appeasement. The problem solves itself."
Wu Shen nodded. "If we handled it, yes. But Yang Sichang…"
"He won't accept appeasement," Chen Yuanbo said quietly.
Wu Shen continued, "Yang Sichang's father was Yang He. He once served as Supreme Commander of three border regions and adopted an appeasement policy. It failed. The bandits expanded instead, and Yang He was dismissed and imprisoned."
Chen Yuanbo understood instantly.
Yang Sichang would never walk his father's path.
And that meant trouble.