The Magistrate: Chapter 84 (Patreon)

Chapter 84

Numerical Advantage

Acting as The Three Kingdom's sage came with significant benefits, so Tobias sent Patriarch Shen to the vault where they'd stored the miasma from the Great Plague. Tobias needed both crystallised and liquid miasma to determine exactly how much miasma the spirit herbs could absorb. Without materials to test, Tobias and Peace Master So couldn't start their experiment, so Tobias went back to the ministry building to continue organising The Three Kingdoms' response to the plague. Peace Master So returned to spreading the proclamation.

To Tobias's surprise, Patriarch Shen never suggested Elder Chow leave the Civil Realm. It might have been because the plague showed no signs of affecting her, forcing him to explain to her patriarch why he had allowed one of her elders to die needlessly. Or it could have been because she couldn't safely leave the realm without Peace Master So assistance, which would require him owing the powerful cultivator a favour. Either way, Elder Chow was given a reprieve from what was thought to be a fatal condition.

Tobias sat in his office, reading the reports the ministers' aides had delivered while he was gone. The residential addresses of all the cultivators in The Three Kingdoms were several years out of date, but cultivators rarely moved, so their records were fairly accurate. Tobias knew he needed to draft another proclamation, explaining why it was so important they intercede wherever the plague appeared, but it wasn't the only thing at the top of his priority list. Deploying the Civil Sect's disciples to prevent the plague from spreading and formally requesting aid from the Great Clans and the disciples of other sects were more important.

Their leaders might have sat on the Divine Council, but their roles on the council were separate from their roles as clan heads and sect leaders. Tobias still had to ask for their assistance on behalf of The Three Kingdoms.

Tobias opened another report as his stomach began to growl. As if summoned by his distress, Servant Ho chose that moment to enter the building. Tobias saw the elderly servant through his aura, noting the changes the man had undergone as he read.

His elderly servant had developed a muscular physique while Tobias was cultivating, opening and cleansing another body meridian. Growing so much muscle at such an advanced age would not have been easy, but with seven body meridians opened and cleansed, the man was reaching the end of his working life. Natural weakness was taking over, and the muscle would offset this.

Tobias had been quite surprised to discover that Servant Ho had a decent talent for cultivation. His talent wasn't on par with those who studied at his academy, but he was well above average. Had he begun cultivating in his youth rather than in his sixties, he would have reached the initiate realm without much assistance. His existence was a constant reminder of how far many mortals could go if they were given a chance.  

Tobias opened his office door with his aura as the Servant Ho approached. "I see you managed to open and cleanse another body meridian while I was gone. Are you finally ready to accept the pills I offered?"

Tobias's family was producing a steady supply of specific and general body meridian-opening and cleansing pills from their spirit gardens in Cloud City. Tobias had been using that supply to raise his servant's cultivation, easing the burden on his family. Only initiate realm cultivators could reduce the workload of managing all their spirit gardens, so Tobias was transitioning the former eunuchs into cultivators to assist them.

Servant Ho nodded as he walked in carrying Tobias's dinner. "I've made no progress in over three years, Patriarch. I'm confident that I am at the end of my natural path. Whatever you are willing to offer me will no longer be wasted."

He placed the tray on the desk and began removing the lids from the many dishes. The two of them had been working together long enough for Servant Ho to understand that Tobias did not stand on ceremony or etiquette when an active crisis was underway.

"I'll send for what you need."

"Thank you, Patriarch."  

"Did my absence reduce my influence?"

With everything going on, Tobias hadn't had a chance to find out if the plan had worked. The Divine Council weren't the only ones who wanted his influence to wane. The more attention Tobias gathered, the harder it would be for him to hide the changes he was making to The Three Kingdoms.

Servant Ho paused and then shook his head. "There have been noticeable improvements across The Three Kingdoms in your absence, and no disasters that the ministers could not effectively manage without you present. The fact that you have established a bureaucracy that can act so effectively without you overseeing it has increased the influence you have over The Three Kingdoms."

Tobias sighed. "I was hoping sending my clone to study Peace Master So's collection would be enough."

"I know you were, Patriarch, but you have captured the hearts and minds of the people. Those who work with you inevitably prosper. Those who ignore you watch themselves fall behind. The second and third-tier noble clans have even begun following your family's example. A tenth of the pills they produce are now freely given to local farmers, artisans, and craftsmen. They do not understand the reasons behind your actions but copy because they assume it will lead to more prosperity."

Tobias didn't mind that they were copying his family, even if it might upset them to learn that his family were doing it just to improve the lives of those around them. They had gained a lot from working with him, and they were far from reaching the end of their path. Within a few centuries, many of them would have their own nascent soul realm patriarchs, which would upset the balance of power in The Three Kingdoms, making it easier for Tobias to implement more changes.

Tobias forced those thoughts out of his head as he reached for the food. Tobias used his aura to read the reports while he ate. Having a bureaucracy of foundation realm cultivators meant that information could be gathered, distributed, and acted upon in a fraction of the time it would otherwise take.

Servant Ho hoovered on the other side of the table, pressing his hands together nervously.

Tobias raised an eyebrow. "Speak."

"Will the Exalted One be dining with you in the foreseeable future, Patriarch?"

Servant Ho was always nervous when Peace Master So was around. The 2nd Emperor had been known for destroying servants in his palace for thinking poorly of him or failing in their duties in any way, so being near the sage was an unpleasant experience for him. Tobias managed to convince him that Peace Master So wouldn't harm him, which had turned his fear into nervous adoration. The man considered Peace Master So to be a god among men, a benevolent god, and a benevolent god deserved nothing but his best.

Hosting Peace Master So for a meal or conversation required everything to be perfect, or Servant Ho would have a meltdown.

Tobias relaxed, glad it wasn't something he had to worry about. "I don't expect he will be able to stay for more than a handful of meals. I'm planning to send him beyond The Three Kingdoms to assist with suppressing the Great Plague."

Servant Ho bowed, grateful for the warning about the exalted guest's visit. "Are you going to investigate the cause of the Great Plague, Patriarch. I heard several magistrates hoping that you were while I walked through the building."

"I've investigated the matter this morning and believe I've found the reason behind it. I've also found a way to prevent core realm cultivators and potentially nascent realm cultivators from succumbing to the illness."

Servant Ho's entire demeanour relaxed. "I believe it would alleviate some trepidation if you were to announce this Patriarch."

"I doubt it. The Great Plague is the result of our immortal ancestors being fools."

Servant Ho winced. "Is there perhaps a more delicate way to put it?"

"No. Explaining why we are in this mess will make every sage and immortal that came before us look like idiots."

Servant Ho paused. "Then perhaps you just announce that you have found a way to prevent core realm cultivators from succumbing to the illness."

"Explaining how I can prevent them from succumbing to the illness will make the sages and immortals that came before us look like idiots."

"Then perhaps they should look like idiots. Such an announcement would certainly reduce your influence throughout The Three Kingdoms."

Tobias hadn't considered that possibility, but shook his head a moment later. "I currently need that influence to prevent The Three Kingdoms from being overrun by the Great Plague."

Servant Ho changed the subject. "How is the pork belly?"

Tobias chuckled at his diplomatic servant. "You did something different with the dipping sauce. I like it."

"Your sister sent the recipe. It's become my personal favourite."

"How is she?"

"She often writes with complaints about how many men are trying to pursue her hand in marriage now that she is a divine beauty, and the fact that your father and mother behave like newlyweds now that they are too. Otherwise, little has changed since you left. Would you like me to bring her letters to you?"

"Not today. I'm far too busy." Tobias finished the last mouthful and patted his flat stomach. "I'll need two more meals before dawn."

Servant Ho replaced the lids, picked up the tray, and headed for the door. "I'll make sure they arrive promptly."

Tobias continued reading the reports and formulating a response plan. The key to overcoming the Great Plague was, obviously, to prevent its spread. Once it was established, it would require significantly more effort to remove. The Three Kingdoms needed to actively and consistently stamp it out wherever it appeared. The more time they gave the problem to grow, the worse the outcome would be.

That meant the Civil Sect's disciples had to leave tonight. However, even if the initiate realm disciples left tonight and did not stop running except to sleep, they would not arrive at the furthest edges of The Three Kingdoms for ten days.

Tobias mobility technique was standard training at the Civil Sect, so the foundation cultivators could arrive there within a day or two. They could even take an initiate disciple with them, but using them as ferries was not the best use of their abilities. However, if Tobias sent additional foundation realm cultivators to the outer territories, he could have them drop the initiate disciples along the way to boost the centre. It would work to some degree, but it might also create areas that had too much or too little defence.

Tobias wasn't sure what to do. This sort of strategic thinking wasn't something he was naturally gifted with.

The next report Tobias read suggested the exact same line of thinking, but with a much clearer idea of how it should be implemented. There was a meeting request at the bottom. Tobias had ignored all the other requests, but this one prompted him to immediately send his runner to collect Minister Guiyang, the Minister of Commerce.

Within a few minutes, they were discussing the matter.

Minister Guiyang was an average-looking academic who had once worked as an accountant. His understanding of mathematics was nearly as good as Tobias's, but his understanding of commerce was significantly greater. His only character flaw was a preference for hot water with honey over tea.

"After a little thought, I realised this was a numbers issue," Minister Guiyang stated, tapping the map of The Three Kingdoms that he'd brought with him. "I've spoken with both the Civil Sect Minister and the Census Minister, and we have assigned numerical values to every city, town, and village based on their populations and landmass. We have also assigned numerical values to the disciples of the Civil Sect based on their combat abilities. The objective is to exceed the numerical requirement needed to adequately defend The Three Kingdoms."

"Can it be achieved?" Tobias asked.

"Not without the assistance of the Fifth Imperial Army, Great Clans and sects. And even with their assistance, we cannot adequately protect all the villages. We are currently assessing which villages should be abandoned based on productivity and local food needs." 

Tobias pointed to the lines across the map. "You appear to have broken The Three Kingdoms into territories."

"The army and sects only have the ability to defend so much territory. Once we realised this, it made sense to assign each of them a local territory to protect. This means no one will have to travel across state lines to reach their assignment, allowing us to protect the population much faster. It also allows for faster resupply and communication."

Minister Guiyang's plan required everyone to defend their local territory, with core realm cultivators serving as reserves to bolster any area that became overrun. They currently didn't know how often they would need cultivators to put down those who had contracted the plague, but the minister had also considered time. Time was a cultivator's best friend. Given even a few months, a cultivator who had never studied combat could become a lethal weapon, so the plan had several stages, which accounted for the Civil Sect disciples becoming more lethal. They would have to give up villages this year, but next year, so long as they didn't experience too many losses, they would begin to reclaim them.

Tobias lifted his gaze from the map. "Minister Guiyang, under my authority, you may now assign soldiers and disciples to protect The Three Kingdoms using this method. The moment you are ready, I want this implemented."

Minister Guiyang cupped his hands and bowed. "Minister Guiyang thanks the 1st Minister for his support."

Tobias cupped his hand and returned the bow. "1st Minister Finch thanks Minister Guiyang for his service to The Three Kingdoms."