Chapter 485 - Chapter 485: Chapter 485: Taking Office Immediately (2) (1/2)

Chapter 485: Chapter 485: Taking Office Immediately (2)

In the center of the crowd, a small table was placed with three small bowls on top, and on top of the small bowls were a pair of bamboo chopsticks and a few dice.

Next to the small table stood a bearded old man with grey hair, holding the bamboo chopsticks as if planning to tap the top of a small bowl.

Looking up, Di Yelei saw the old man’s gaze fixed on his.

Their eyes met in mid-air, and a flash of brilliance seemed to pass through the old man’s muddy, yellow eyes. Before Di Yelei could react, the old man showed a grin and greeted him.

“Oh! I remember now, you are the new sub-captain, right? Oh dear, look at my bad memory. You all hurry up and tidy up, clean the surroundings.”

The old man ordered everyone around.

At his command, everyone around began to take action.

Taking advantage of the chaos, the soldier who led the way shook his head at Di Yelei and left on his own accord.

Everyone busily set to work, clearing tables, lifting chairs, and fetching a rag. After hastily wiping a couple of spots on a chair, they placed it in the topmost position, inviting Di Yelei to sit.

Di Yelei glanced at the rag and the crooked chair above, worried that if he were to sit down, the chair might collapse under his weight.

But not wanting to decline their hospitality, Di Yelei took a few steps forward, took note of everyone’s expressions, and stopped in front of the old man.

“Old man, are you in charge here?”

The old man chuckled repeatedly: “Sub-Captain, you are the one in charge here.”

That’s right! How could he have forgotten that!

Before Di Yelei had time to regret his question, he took in the expressions of everyone around him and curiously asked, “Who was the sub-captain here before me? Who will be handling the handover process?”

He remembered that Xin Quan had threatened him concerning this position. If it were truly such a desolate place, wouldn’t he use that to his advantage?

The old man looked at him in surprise, “Your Honor, don’t you know? The original sub-captain passed away five years ago, and the governmental office didn’t assign anyone to replace him. They merely asked Lord Xin Quan to fill in temporarily. Up until now, it’s been five years. Because Lord Xin Quan is acting in a dual role, he hasn’t visited the armory since five years ago…”

The old man extended a withered hand, waving five fingers at Di Yelei.

“…”

Di Yelei finally understood why Xin Quan was oppressing him!

The sub-captain position had originally been Xin Quan’s temporary role, and Di Yelei had been cutting into his interests. No wonder Xin Quan resented him so much!

Understanding the whole situation, Di Yelei waved his hand and said, “Alright. In that case, just go about your business as usual. Also, you… old man, please stay behind.” He dismissed everyone else but kept the old man behind for a chat.

The others scattered like birds and beasts.

The old man nodded and bowed, “Your Honor, my surname is Tang. Everyone calls me Old Man Tang.”

“Tang…Old Tang, I saw in the office records that there should be a total of 35 people here, right? Are the others on vacation?”

Di Yelei wasn’t sure how to inquire, so he asked the simplest question he could think of.

Indeed, he had informed everyone in advance that he would be assuming his new position today, so naturally, everyone should gather here. However, judging from the scene before him, there was a mere dozen or so people present.

“Um…since there have been no wars in Macheng County for many years, the armory has become more or less a formality, so…” Old Man Tang hesitated for quite a while.