Reborn: Imperial Officer Promotion Guide

Chapter 161 Moving towards the future

It was the last working day in East County. The corresponding handover work had been completed. Hull was now sitting in front of an empty desk, eating an apple and reading a book.

——It’s a rare leisurely afternoon

"…Really? Why do you always leave the cleaning work to me?!"

Mumbling, Ling complained while trying to tidy up the documents in the office.

"Didn't I tell you? Goliath will take care of the heavy work, and chores like this will be left to you."

"You may have said something similar, but I don't remember agreeing to such an arrangement!"

"You have no right to refuse, just do as I say."

"Ah... so annoying!"

Hull was still the same, never caring about other people's feelings - Ling continued to pack up the documents in the office with a huff.

"By the way, teacher, do you really intend to return ten times the amount you borrowed?"

Hull earned a huge amount of wealth in East County that many people, no, even many imperial generals, could not earn in several lifetimes.

All of Noor Ghana's assets and cash have been taken away by Hull, together with the batch of emergency supplies that were sold at a high price before.

Hull's current assets are considered to be in the upper-middle level even among high-ranking nobles.

——Who could have imagined that in less than half a year, such a huge fortune could be accumulated.

Among them, Hull planned to return tenfold the materials and money raised from the Nandal Chamber of Commerce, the Blue Queen, and the Northern Fortress.

After deducting the expenses for purchasing relief supplies, the cash Hull now has increased by 17 or 18 times compared to the County of East.

Of course, considering the future operation of the Kraken area, this amount of money is actually not much. From Ling's perspective, she actually hopes to keep more money, but Hull has other plans.

"We don't need to keep extra money, and this success is also thanks to the help of Nandar and the Blue Queen, especially the 10 silver deer coins from the North, which solved our urgent needs. It is only natural to give them times the reward."

"Well, this favor should indeed be returned... But the difference between five times and ten times isn't that big, right?"

Ling's accusation makes sense. Both five times and ten times are exceptional rates of return. Both can make the other party feel valued. In fact, there is no need to give ten times the return.

Hull shook his head: "We need to make our own people gain greater benefits. Besides, it is a waste to spend so much money on territory development. We need to make sure that Nandar and the Blue Queen can also gain strength."

Especially Nandar, the trade routes and influence of his chamber of commerce must continue to expand, and Hull will have a lot of use for him in the future.

It is not ruled out that he will have to do some business at a loss, and, moreover, crack down on and expel hostile chambers of commerce, and monopolize the throne of wealthy merchants in certain regions.

These tasks are very expensive in the early stages, but if they are done successfully, the profits can increase dozens of times.

The improvement of Hull's political status is inseparable from Nandar's support in the business community. Compared with Hull, he needs more large capital injection.

This is the future Hull is planning.

"…If you do everything in a hurry, you will easily die from overwork. Let's not talk about the teacher, but Mr. Nandar is really pitiful."

"Pathetic? How interesting... I made him earn a lot of money, and I plan to train him to be a leader in the business world in the future. If this is also called pitiful, then there will be no happy people in this world."

Ling is relatively steady and cautious in these aspects, and she gets what she puts in. To put it nicely, this is called being down-to-earth, but to put it bluntly, this is called being timid.

There are only a few opportunities to win in your life. If you miss it, you really miss it and there will be no new chance.

So, once the opportunity comes, you must go all out.

This is exactly what happened to Nandar. Even though Hull asked him to use all his liquid funds for support this time, Nandar had no complaints.

Nandar must have known that this was a business opportunity to make a small investment for a big return, and he bet all his fortune on this person because he trusted Heer.

——This is how he invests after spotting a business opportunity.

From this point of view, Ling is far inferior to Nandal.

Therefore, Heer felt that he had a very good relationship with Nandar and was willing to support him.

"…Even though you are close to destruction, you still intend to pursue a moment of brilliance?"

Ling's eyes were hazy at this moment, and they were shining with magical light like stars. She just stared straight into He's eyes.

"Ling, don't try to pry into my heart. Even if you see through my thoughts, you won't be able to understand them. Believe me, it's just a waste of effort."

Hull patted Ling's head gently, and Ling's eyes instantly became clear again.

"Teacher...what's wrong with me? I've been losing my mind like this a lot lately."

Ling rubbed her temples, as if she had woken up from sleepwalking.

"It's okay... It's just that the magic power in your body has started to become more active... Get used to it, this situation will continue to happen in the future."

Ever since the day when heavy rain fell in the desert, the magical energy in Ling's body was activated by Hel.

The magic power in Ling's body was like the dead water in the desert. After Hel used the magic circle to pull it, it had become active again.

She will continue to be in this state of being filled with magic power until the container that stores magic power in her body is refined.

By then, Ling's body will return to its normal age.

Just then, Gilder walked into Hull's office.

"What are these? Are you going to take all these documents with you?"

Gilder pointed to the pile of papers piled up next to the bell.

"No, these are all for you. Some are policy documents that were piled up in the past. I have already found all the available ones. The rest are the policy plans I have formulated for the future of East Territory these days, as well as supporting reference materials."

Gilder opened his mouth wide, and pointed at the pile of documents with a trembling finger: "Are you serious? It will take years to read so many documents!"

"Finish reading it within three days."

"Three... days?! I'll be in trouble if I can finish this!"

Gilder showed an expression of disbelief and covered his head with his hands.

"Really... I was planning to have a good sleep for a few days after you left, but I didn't expect you to give me such a big gift before you left..."

"Don't worry, you won't be able to sleep well for a long time in the future. The officials of East Territory have undergone a major replacement. Now is a critical period for East Territory. The transportation route across the Red Viper Desert needs to be consolidated, and the relief of the people in the future also needs follow-up support, and..."

"Please, please stop talking." Gilder looked as if he wanted to cry but had no tears. It took him a long time to cheer up.

"It doesn't matter. At least with your passing, the pressure on my side can be relieved a lot. Work will always be completed one day. At least there is no risk of being killed all the time. This is also a kind of comfort."

Heer gave a wry smile: "Am I that scary?"

"Have!"

Ling and Gilder shouted at the same time, and then looked at each other in surprise. They actually stretched out their hands and held them together at the same time.

An expression of sympathy.

Hull was confused by the two of them.

"Then I sincerely hope that you can continue to move up in the future. As a subordinate, you are indeed a little unacceptable to me, but as a superior - Helheim, you are very reliable."

"You think too highly of me. You and Minister Ganasde are the ones who will be relying on you in the future. If you work hard to transform this land, it won't be difficult to restore the holy land that the merchants dreamed of."

"I know... That's why you left me so many gifts before you left, right?"

Hull nodded: "Well, the final handover work is done, and I am ready to leave."

"Well, be careful on the road. Next time you are free, please come to East Territory as a guest. I will definitely give you a scare then!"

"I'm looking forward to that day."

Hull and Gilder shook hands firmly, both with smiles on their faces.

"By the way, you have to be careful when you return to the center."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Gilder pursed his lips, looking embarrassed, but after a long time he finally told the information he had received.

"My friend in the Central Center brought me some news a few days ago. It's about you - how should I put it... From the North to East Territory, you, who was born a commoner, jumped four levels in less than a year... This is an unprecedented extraordinary promotion. You have attracted the attention of some high-ranking nobles."

"Really? You finally noticed me..."

"Don't underestimate this matter! Many people in the Sky Palace, the central authority, have been trying to get information about you. They are all speculating which force is supporting you as a new talent."

Hull smiled. In fact, all this was already expected by him.

It can even be said that he intended to attract the attention of those above him - so that he could reach a high position in the shortest possible time.

"This is also normal. It's just a matter of time."

"Yes, people like you are destined to find it difficult to conceal their own brilliance. I guess there are already factions in the Central Government that are planning to extend an olive branch to you."

"Really? That's troublesome."

Hull let out a long sigh. For ordinary people, being noticed by a faction and recruited into its ranks is a dream come true. However, Hull did not intend to rely on any force. He planned to create his own faction from the very beginning.

That's why he gradually established good relations with Nandal, the Blue Queen, the Northern Fortress and the East Territory - these are all the arms and supporters of Hull in the future.

"I understand that you definitely don't intend to attach yourself to any faction, but I advise you not to be stubborn. It is best to join one side as soon as possible, otherwise you will be strangled as a public enemy."

"In order to protect yourself, it would be best to join Prince Evildas's faction, right?"

Gilder nodded heavily, affirming Hull's choice.

"Yes, this is the safest option."

Prince Eveldas is now the first heir to the throne and holds great power in the Central Government. In terms of influence, he has gained the support of most of the senior nobles in the Central Government. Except for the Emperor himself, no one can shake Prince Eveldas's position.

"However, I feel that now is not the best time. There is still a long time before the Bronze Ceremony. It won't be too late to officially determine the future heir to the throne after the ceremony."

The Brass Ceremony is held every five years, during which the astrological priests test the magical powers of the princes, and the prince with the strongest magical power will be chosen as the first heir.

Prince Evildas' current status as the first heir was also obtained at the last Bronze Ceremony.

Even though the possibility is not great, His Majesty the Emperor still has several young princes. If the total amount of magic power among them can exceed that of Prince Evildas, the structure of the central government may change drastically in the future.

"You are really ambitious... You are gambling with your own future. If you join Prince Eveldas's faction now and use it as your base, within three or four years, you will definitely be able to hold an important position in the core. Your future is limitless."

"You support Prince Evildas so much. Could it be that you have already joined Prince Evildas's faction?"

"Alas... No, Minister Ganasde and I are both losers who were transferred to the local area by the central government. How could we possibly be accepted by Prince Evildas? At least as far as I know, the former senior governor of the East Territory was trying his best to join Prince Evildas's faction."

“…How boring.”

After hearing this, Hel already looked down upon Prince Evildas.

Gilder and Ganasde were both impeccable in their abilities. Even among the core, they were top-notch. Despite this, the former high-ranking consul who was guilty of corruption was closer to Prince Eveldas.

——Birds of a feather flock together. From this point of view, Prince Evildas's faction is not a good place to go.

"That's why I hope you can work hard and win the favor of Prince Evildas, so as not to be transferred away from the center of power like us."

"..."

Perhaps Gilder had tasted a lot of unknown bitterness in these things in the past. There was a bit of resentment and unwillingness in his tone, and he hoped that Hull would not follow his old path.

But Hull shook his head clearly.

"No, I refuse."

"……Why?"

"Because if I join Prince Evildas's faction as a latecomer, even if he finally ascends the throne, I won't get much power. Instead of that, I'd better continue to accumulate strength. Now is not a good time to officially enter the center. A place with a more decentralized power structure is my best choice."

"Things are not as easy as you think. If you are assigned to a place with no resources to do a sinecure and live a life without sunshine, you will never be able to get ahead."

“No matter where I am, I am who I am. I have been like this before, I am still like this now, and I will continue to be like this in the future.”

"Ugh……"

Gilder gasped and sighed.

"I'm sorry, you made this suggestion for my own good, but I can't accept it."

"No, it doesn't matter. After all, this is your style. Perhaps you are more suitable to be a school of your own..."

Just then, Goliath strode into the office.

"Heer, the luggage is ready, we can set off back."

Hel nodded to Goliath, then looked at Gilder: "Well... I really appreciate your care these days. We will meet again in the future."

Hull held out his hand.

"See you soon."

Gilder held Hull's hand tightly.

The two said goodbye, and Ling and Goliath followed Hull out of the castle and got on the carriage.