Chapter 119: The Role of an Imperial Petty Inspector

“Indeed, that’s a possibility,” Lin Dongyun sighed, “but I never expected the rebels’ roots to be so deep and widespread. They even dared to reach their hands into our territory. Their response and intelligence gathering are also too swift. We just resolved one situation, and they immediately responded with a warning.”

Ling Jie, who had initially suspected Angeli’s involvement, was momentarily stunned. After a moment of thought, she said with a serious expression, “Sir, it seems that the rebels won’t be so easy to eliminate.”

“Hmm, let’s see,” Lin Dongyun nodded.

Initially, Lin Dongyun believed the rebels had seized the Governor’s Mansion by leveraging connections and seizing an opportunity. However, if this warning was orchestrated by the rebels, he would have to recalculate their strength. He couldn’t solve this with just the soldiers from his three Guard Zones.

While they were discussing this, the sound of sirens howled through the sky. Dozens of hovercars zoomed in. Because their identities had been reported beforehand, Xiaohēi didn’t deploy the two armored vehicles to intercept them.

The hovercars landed, and Ouyang Bin, accompanied by Ouyang Zheng and a large contingent of police officers, swiftly emerged. After the customary subordinate-to-superior greetings, Ouyang Bin apologized and inquired about Lin Dongyun’s well-being.

Ouyang Zheng led the police officers to investigate the scene and collect the bodies.

With sufficient manpower, the matter was quickly resolved. Everyone boarded the vehicles, which ascended into the air. The hovercars, escorting the armored vehicles, sped towards the city center.

“Sir, wouldn’t you like to rest at the Municipal Government Compound?” Ouyang Bin inquired solicitously.

Lin Dongyun shook his head. “No need. I’m primarily here to see my sister. Mayor Ouyang, please attend to your duties. You should know that my current top priority as Patrol Inspector is resolving the rebel situation. Matters concerning Hebin City can be reported to me later.”

“Understood,” Ouyang Bin nodded inwardly, satisfied. After all, which subordinate wouldn’t appreciate a superior who didn’t meddle in their affairs?

Equally, to cultivate a closer relationship with Lin Dongyun, Ouyang Bin thoughtfully asked, “Sir, I’ve heard that the other areas are unwilling to let you bring troops across their borders. Do you have any solutions? My family has some connections; we could have them inquire about the cost involved.”

Ouyang Bin was aware of the restrictions preventing Lin Dongyun from bringing troops across borders for the rebellion suppression. Lin Dongyun wasn’t surprised; those people were undoubtedly bragging about their refusal to cooperate.

After all, suppressing him, this rising star, would provide them with immense satisfaction.

Lin Dongyun could sense Ouyang Bin’s genuine desire to help. “Thank you, but there’s no need to worry; I have a way to resolve this.”

“Oh?” Ouyang Bin was taken aback.

Lin Dongyun pondered, realizing that Ouyang Bin was the first mayor among the three cities to pledge allegiance to him. The green glow emanating from him confirmed this, and Hebin City was his base of operations; he needed to differentiate him from the mayors of the other two cities.

Therefore, he spoke frankly. “Mayor Ouyang, I hold the position of a Ninth-Rank Imperial Petty Inspector. This position grants me the authority to deploy troops outside the city to establish checkpoints and maintain order. My authority as an Imperial Petty Inspector is not limited to any specific jurisdiction. In other words, I can deploy troops to patrol and set up checkpoints outside any city within the Empire.”

“Ah?!” Ouyang Bin was shocked. While he knew about Lin Dongyun’s Petty Inspector position – its acquisition was even connected to the wanted order he had previously issued – he hadn’t anticipated the prefix "Imperial" before the title! This significantly expanded his authority. As Lin Dongyun said, patrolling outside any city within the Empire would be perfectly legal.

However, Ouyang Bin’s expression relaxed, and his heart filled with joy. They weren’t fools. Previously, when Lin Dongyun had been refused entry, he hadn’t protested because he didn’t want to risk being labeled a rebel.

Although the mainframe stated that a Patrol Inspector could leave their territory to eliminate rebels, this required the rebels to be within the Patrol Inspector’s jurisdiction. If not, to cross borders and engage rebels, permission would be needed from the relevant authorities.

Forcefully crossing without permission would automatically brand him a rebel.

That’s why, even though Lin Dongyun had been the first to resolve the metallic sphere issue within his jurisdiction – making him, arguably, the only Patrol Inspector on Cui Lan Star who didn’t need to worry about internal strife – nobody had come to seek his support. Everyone could clearly see that, without the agreement of neighboring Patrol Inspectors, Lin Dongyun, this rising star, could only remain stagnant, and suppressing the rebellion would have nothing to do with him.

Unless this rising star could gain promotion through suppressing the rebellion, he would quickly fade into obscurity, becoming a typical Patrol Inspector. Not just on Cui Lan Star; there were many Patrol Inspectors in the Guangwu Governorate alone, and not all of them were particularly impressive.

As long as Lin Dongyun remained a Patrol Inspector and not a Patrol Commissioner, he could only swagger within his three cities. The Governor, upon returning, would likely give this newly promoted Patrol Inspector no further opportunities for advancement.

This situation was clearly understood by those ambitious individuals. Ouyang Bin’s advisors had repeatedly explained it to him.

Of course, because Ouyang Bin served as mayor of Hebin City, Lin Dongyun’s jurisdiction, he had to cling to Lin Dongyun’s support. Otherwise, while he wouldn’t be completely helpless, he would undoubtedly face numerous challenges.

Ouyang Bin had hoped to prepare Lin Dongyun, the spirited young superior, for what was to come. Instead, the latter revealed his Imperial Petty Inspector position.

With this position, there would be no need for the permission of other Patrol Inspectors. Lin Dongyun had the inherent right to lead troops throughout the Empire’s outer territories. If he wished to, he could even block traffic routes outside cities, making life difficult for anyone who dared to oppose him.

Even more frustrating for those who defied him, this would be entirely legal and natural for an Imperial Petty Inspector. However, if someone tried to stop him, they would be labeled rebels.

With this position, Lin Dongyun’s previously constrained situation had completely reversed!

Realizing this, Ouyang Bin immediately trembled with excitement. “Sir, should you need my assistance, please do not hesitate to ask!”

His excitement was understandable. With the armed forces of three Guard Zones under his command, Lin Dongyun could easily suppress the rebellion. Suppressing the rebellion would undoubtedly lead to his promotion to Patrol Commissioner. Adding his name to the list of those who contributed to the victory, Ouyang Bin would easily rise to a position in the provincial government. Lin Dongyun, the newly promoted Patrol Commissioner, might even require Ouyang Bin, the first to pledge allegiance to him, to assist in controlling the province. He would be able to hold high office!