Leaving behind their hard-fought victory in Yingchuan and their bittersweet farewell to Cao Cao, Liu Bei and her companions headed north with fresh hope in their hearts. Their destination was Anxi, a small county belonging to Zhongshan Prefecture. It was Liu Bei's first official post.
After several days of travel, they arrived in Anxi County. Minjun looked around the county and thought,
‘Just an ordinary rural town.’
Unlike Yingchuan, which still bore the deep scars of war, it appeared relatively peaceful. Still, it would have been difficult to call it lively. The walls were low and old, and most of the buildings along the streets looked worn and faded. The common people's expressions were equally blank. It felt as though time had stopped, with no major changes for a very long while.
“So this is where we'll be working from now on.”
Liu Bei spoke calmly, but excitement over a new beginning and a sense of responsibility flickered together in her eyes. When they arrived in front of the county office, several officials came out to greet them. Their faces showed less anticipation than wariness, as if they were waiting to see how things played out. It was likely because of the rumors that the newly appointed County Commandant was a woman who had led a volunteer army without any notable backing.
The inside of the county office was even more chaotic than Minjun had expected. The position of County Magistrate had been vacant for a long time, and real power was held by the County Assistant, the county's de facto second-in-command.
“Ahem! Are you the newly appointed County Commandant, Lady Liu?”
He wasn't the stereotypical corrupt official with a long beard and a protruding belly, but the old man who greeted Liu Bei's group had a stern, conservative look about him. He was Zhao Xun, the County Assistant. Zhao Xun looked Liu Bei and her companions up and down, openly wearing an expression of displeasure.
“As I heard, you are quite… young. Anxi County is hardly an easy place to govern.”
Zhang Fei's eyebrow twitched at his rude attitude, but Liu Bei responded with a gentle smile.
“Elder County Assistant, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande. I have much to learn, so I humbly ask for your guidance.”
Zhao Xun snorted and barely acknowledged Liu Bei's greeting. The other officials also watched Zhao Xun's reaction and maintained a chilly atmosphere. The territorial hostility was obvious from their very first meeting.
‘This old man is stubborn as a mule.’
Minjun quickly assessed the situation. If things continued like this, Xuande would be tied down without being able to do a thing. Just as he was about to casually step forward, Guan Yu, standing behind Liu Bei, slightly furrowed her brow. The chill in her presence made the officials flinch before they even realized it.
“Hrrm.”
Minjun briefly wondered what was going on, then stepped forward.
“Elder County Assistant, allow me to offer my greetings!”
Minjun bowed with his trademark bright, likable smile and impeccable courtesy.
“My name is Kang Jamyeong, and I serve Lady Liu. I've heard a great deal about your lofty reputation and many years of experience. Please, share your wisdom with us!”
Zhao Xun seemed momentarily flustered by Minjun's sudden appearance and ingratiating attitude. But he soon cleared his throat and snapped back.
“And who might this young man be? What kind of etiquette did you learn that you would barge in so carelessly?” “My apologies, Elder.”
Minjun lowered himself even further as he spoke.
“I was too reckless in the presence of a great elder like yourself. But when I heard that you had looked after Anxi County with integrity for decades and earned the people's respect, I couldn't contain the admiration in my heart and stepped forward without thinking. Please forgive my thoughtlessness.”
Minjun gazed at him with deep respect, infusing every word with Beloved by All. The effect was immediate! Zhao Xun's rigid expression softened ever so slightly. After clearing his throat a few times, his tone became a little gentler.
“Ahem… Well, what could a young man possibly know? In any case… if the County Commandant truly cares about the people, I have no reason not to help her.” “Thank you, Elder!”
Minjun beamed as he expressed his gratitude. They had cleared the first hurdle, at least.
[Negotiation attempt: Easing County Assistant Zhao Xun's hostility!] [Using Politics stats and the Beloved by All trait!] [Success! Zhao Xun's hostility has decreased slightly, and his wariness has eased somewhat!] [Politics stats experience gained]
But Zhao Xun's territorial hostility had not disappeared completely. He continued interfering with Liu Bei's work at every turn, while the other officials followed his lead and refused to cooperate. As County Commandant, Liu Bei found it difficult to exercise any real authority.
“We can't go on like this, Big Sis.”
Minjun spoke quietly to Liu Bei.
“It'll be difficult to beat that old man head-on, so we need to try another approach.”
Minjun launched Operation Charisma Politics 2.0. First, he approached the low-ranking clerks and functionaries in the county office. He listened to their stories without formality and tried to help with small difficulties, such as family circumstances and problems involving their children.
Here, too, Minjun's trait shone brightly. The officials were awkward at first, but soon opened their hearts to Minjun's sincerity and warmth and began following him. Through them, Minjun learned about the inner workings of the county office, Zhao Xun's weaknesses, and the county's real problems. At the same time, Minjun and Liu Bei immersed themselves among the people. Liu Bei sincerely listened to the people's hardships, while Minjun helped convey the sincerity in her heart effectively. They corrected unjust lawsuits and offered small forms of aid to the poor.
‘Benevolent Administrator title effect activated!’
“We owe our lives to County Commandant Liu and Young Master Kang!” “You truly are gifts from heaven!”
As praise for them spread among the people, the officials in the county office could no longer treat Liu Bei and Minjun carelessly. The immense wave of public sentiment was now on their side.
[Result of ongoing relationship management and efforts to win public support] [Trust and support for Liu Bei and Kang Jamyeong have risen dramatically among Anxi County's officials and people!] [Politics stats increased by 1!] [Leadership stats experience gained!]
One day, while touring the county, Minjun discovered a serious problem. Most of the farmland north of the county was suffering from a lack of water. Drought was partly to blame, but the fundamental cause was an irrigation channel built long ago that had gone almost completely to ruin because it had not been properly maintained.
‘This is it! If I solve this, I'll secure the people's support for good and break free of old man Zhao Xun's influence!’
Minjun immediately searched through the county office's storehouse for old maps and records. His Intelligence (23) and analytical skills honed through the game shone brightly.
[Intelligence stats utilized! Attempting to decipher ancient documents and maps!] [Success! Identified the locations, structures, and problems of the abandoned reservoir and irrigation channels!]
“I found it, Xuande!”
Minjun ran excitedly to Liu Bei.
“If we restore this channel, we can greatly increase Anxi County's agricultural production! It will also ease people's worries about drought!”
Liu Bei was delighted by Minjun's plan and immediately tried to push ahead with the channel restoration project. But, as expected, County Assistant Zhao Xun stepped in to put on the brakes.
“Restore the irrigation channel? Don't be ridiculous!”
Zhao Xun shouted angrily.
“Where do you intend to get the enormous budget, and who is going to take responsibility for such a difficult project? Now is not the time!”
The other officials also glanced nervously at Zhao Xun and expressed their reluctance. The budget was lacking, and it was a massive project that would be technically difficult as well.
“I'll take responsibility!”
Minjun stepped forward and declared confidently. Everyone's eyes turned toward him again.
“As for the budget… I'll see what I can arrange.”
Minjun spoke solemnly. Inside, he was thinking, ‘Am I going to have to ask Zhang Shiping and Uncle Su Shuang for help again…?’
“And the work can certainly be done with the people's help! The people will benefit the most once this channel is restored. I'll personally persuade them and rally their voluntary participation!”
Minjun was prepared to bring every ability and title at his disposal to bear, including Beloved by All, Immortal Agitator, and Golden Network Mage. Faced with the powerful conviction in his eyes and the effect of Ironclad Persuader, even Zhao Xun found it difficult to come up with a reason to oppose him any longer. In the end, they decided to proceed with the channel restoration project under Minjun's responsibility.
Minjun first used his connections to secure some of the initial funding the project lacked.
-Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang, esteemed tycoons. -I hope you have been well and prospering. -I am writing because…
He sent them a letter and earnestly requested their help. The two tycoons, who held Minjun's ability to make Liu Bei the County Commandant in high regard, willingly promised additional support. With the initial funds secured, Minjun began traveling from village to village and persuading the people. He explained the need for the channel's restoration and its expected benefits in simple terms, then passionately urged them to sweat alongside him and build a better future.
“Everyone! We can't just sit around staring at the sky! Let's turn this land into fertile soil with our own hands! Trust me, Kang Jamyeong, and join me!”
His sincerity, the trust he had built as the Savior of the People, and the power of Beloved by All were truly astonishing. Countless people picked up shovels and pickaxes instead of their usual farm tools and voluntarily gathered at the construction site.
[Large-scale mobilization of the populace successful!] [Charisma and related title effects maximized!] [Politics stats increased by 1!]
Minjun personally moved throughout the construction site, sweating alongside the people. He entertained the exhausted workers with the sales patter he'd developed during his Lucky Charm Salesman days, and raised their spirits by singing rustic songs in a voice that somehow carried like an oriole's. His Leadership (10) was not yet very high, but his ability to unite people's hearts was more effective than any powerful command.
[Experience gained in directing a large-scale construction project and managing personnel!] [Leadership stats increased by 2! (10 -> 12)] [Intelligence stats experience gained!]
After several days of grueling work that continued day and night, Zhang Fei began to show off her superhuman strength.
“Enough already. Can't we just shove this thing through with brute force?”
And at last, a miracle occurred! A powerful stream of water began flowing once more through the channel that had been dry for so long. The rushing water quickly soaked the parched rice paddies and fields.
“Water… water's coming out!” “The channel's alive again! Long live General Zhang! Long live County Commandant Liu!”
The people cheered, hugging one another in delight. Some of the elderly, overwhelmed with emotion, shed tears as they clasped Minjun's hands and thanked him over and over. Minjun clasped their hands in return, smiling brightly despite his face being caked in dust. His whole body was exhausted, but his heart felt prouder and happier than ever.
[Achievement unlocked: The Miracle of Overcoming Drought! Anxi County Irrigation Channel Restored!] [Intelligence stats increased by 2! (22 -> 24)] => 25 (+1 item) [Politics stats increased by 1! (28 -> 29)] => 31 (+2 items) [Reputation +++++ (Jizhou and surrounding regions), reputation gained: ‘Kang Jamyeong, Savior of Anxi County’!] [Title acquired: Capable Administrator (Beginner)!] * Capable Administrator (Beginner): You show talent for regional development and infrastructure construction. The success rate of related projects increases, and the resources required decrease.
‘Intelligence 25! Politics 31! Leadership 12! And a new title, too!’
Minjun was moved once again by his own growth. The news also came as a major shock to County Assistant Zhao Xun. After watching the young man accomplish in an instant what he had considered impossible by moving the people's hearts, Zhao Xun recognized his own narrow-mindedness and quietly sought Minjun out.
“Ahem… I apologize for what happened before. From now on, I will do my best to help County Commandant Liu and contribute to Anxi County's development.”
Anxi County was gradually regaining its vitality through Liu Bei's compassionate governance, Minjun's brilliant wisdom, and the people's voluntary participation. The bond between Minjun and the Liu Bei sisters grew even deeper, and their fame began spreading beyond Anxi County into the surrounding regions.
But the peaceful days did not last long. One evening, while Minjun was enjoying a simple but pleasant dinner with the Liu Bei sisters, a clerk from the county office rushed in and delivered an urgent report.
“County Commandant! We have a major problem! The imperial court… is sending an Inspector to investigate! And they say he's notorious for being exceptionally vicious…!”
What had been coming had finally arrived. This would be Liu Bei's first trial—and the decisive event that would turn Minjun's life upside down once again. The arrival of the corrupt Inspector!
The smile vanished from Minjun's face. A new crisis was closing in before his eyes.