After weighing everything, Ning Chen reassigned the officials.

He didn't have the authority to appoint anyone, of course, but his wife did. It would take one memorial.

Some were given important posts. Some were dismissed and would have to go back to the capital to stand trial.

Ning Chen would also have the Inspectorate look thoroughly into the ones he'd promoted.

Xiguan City wasn't like other places. Putting the wrong men in charge would be one more blow for its people—no, it would be a catastrophe.

So Ning Chen was very careful about whom he used. He wanted to leave the people some good officials, so they could live decent lives and forget the pain the war had brought them.

Fang Zhihe and the others took up their posts the very next day, each to his own duties, and got busy.

With them sharing the load, Ning Chen's burden got a lot lighter.

Between the hundred thousand Xiliang prisoners and the help of the people, Xiguan City changed visibly from one day to the next.

The west gate above all: the collapsed gate and walls were nearly repaired.

After the New Year, a lot of merchants came to Xiguan City.

Jin Qingsheng sent people too, and money houses, liquor shops, rice shops and the like all opened up.

After several months of hard work, Xiguan City had finally regained some life.

Two-plus months of watching had shown that Fang Zhihe and the others were all very capable. Ning Chen was pleased, and relieved too.

As things stood in Xiguan City, the most frightening thing that could happen was corrupt officials.

The little bit of prosperity it had fought so hard to get back would collapse in an instant.

Luckily, everything was moving in the right direction.

The spring cold had a bite in it.

Ning Chen had just been out making the rounds of the main camp and had only now come back for a cup of hot tea.

It was early spring, but it was still pretty cold.

Xiao Yanxi walked into the hall and looked at him. "There's…