Although he saw with his own eyes that the patrol team's equipment and morale had changed a lot, Fabino still found it hard to believe that the security situation in the southeast city had really improved.
After that, when he walked on the street, all the passers-by, men, women, old, and young, who were doing or planning to do something, stopped when they saw him and the patrol team around him. They greeted Fabino, Zhang Heng, and the others with different accents.
When an old man selling fish stopped in front of Fabino and greeted him with a blank expression, the surprise in the assessor's heart finally reached its peak. "Well, what the hell is going on? Are they trying to make us relax our vigilance so that they can assassinate us secretly? "
"No, they just want to say hello out of politeness," Zhang Heng said.
"That's strange," Fabino touched his chin, "If I remember correctly, the people in this place have a bad attitude toward outsiders. They always feel that outsiders only want to take advantage of them. Although this city has indeed taken advantage of them, I believe they are more willing to spit on us than say hello when they see us."
"It's hard to change their prejudice in a short time, but at least they are working hard now. Anyway, saying hello is a good start, isn't it?"
"Hah, I think we will know the answer to this question soon." Fabino was noncommittal when he heard Zhang Heng's words.
The assessor had an instinctive suspicion about everything in the southeast city. He always felt that what he saw now was just an illusion on the surface. However, Fabino also firmly believed that as long as his eyes were sharp enough, he would always find the truth. Although he did not know how Zhang Heng managed to get the southeast city natives to cooperate with him to build such a harmonious scene, the southeast city was so big that Fabino did not believe that Zhang Heng could take care of every corner.
However, after a long time, Fabino, whose eyes widened, did not find the basis for Zhang Heng's actions. Instead, he found more signs that the security in the southeast city was indeed improving.
Although this place was still poor and dirty, at least in terms of the streets, the criminal activities had indeed decreased a lot, and some order had been restored. Everywhere the patrol team went, they were a considerable deterrent to criminals.
From the records given to him by Aris, it could also be seen that the number of cases solved by the patrol team and the number of criminals arrested had increased dramatically. This was not just a breakthrough from zero to one. The number of cases solved in the southeast city was already the highest among all regions. Of course, considering the special environment of the southeast city, the number of criminals arrested by the patrol team was still a drop in the bucket compared to the number of the entire criminal group.
However, including Zhang Heng, there were only thirteen people in the patrol team. It was the smallest number of people in all areas, and they were responsible for the largest and most complicated neighborhood. Even Fabino, who was very picky, found that he could not find a reason not to give Zhang Heng and the others high marks during the assessment.
…
The changes in the patrol team and this place were obvious to all. As long as one was not blind, they could see it. And I believe that all of this began with the arrival of the former gladiator champion named Zhang Heng …
Early the next morning, Fabino's assessment report appeared in Commodus's hands. After reading it word by word, the young emperor put down the report and asked Clint, "What do you think?"
Although he tried to maintain the majesty of an emperor, the excitement revealed in his voice still betrayed his thoughts.
Clint bowed, "It seems that our gladiator champion is not only an extraordinary fighter. He has also proved that he can indeed help Your Majesty solve your problems. I think Your Majesty can consider recruiting him to work for you. This shows that Your Majesty has a good eye for people."
"I knew it!" Commodus slammed the table, "I knew he was the one I was looking for!"
A flash of jealousy flashed in Clint's eyes when he heard this, but he hid it well. When Commodus looked at him again, his face was full of relief. It was as if he had found a companion who could work with him.
"The security problem in the southeast city has troubled the previous emperors for a long time. Even my father couldn't solve it. However, he did what all the predecessors failed to do, and it only took him two months. He didn't apply for funds, nor did he apply for more manpower …" Commodus said excitedly.
"Yes, he is a lone wolf, brave, and resourceful. It's very rare." Clint was not stingy with his compliments.
"Don't think too highly of him," Commodus smiled when he heard Clint's words. "Forget about him being a lone wolf. You were the one who spread the news that a thousand imperial guards were stationed in the southeast city, right? Without this news, he wouldn't have been able to scare the tough people in the southeast city. And I heard that you were involved in the whole plan, but you didn't mention anything about it."
"This is probably what I like about you the most, Clint," the young emperor patted his advisor on the shoulder, "Many people will be blinded by power. Before they came into contact with power, they were good people who wanted to do something good for the people. But gradually, their mentality changed, and they wanted more … until their hearts were occupied by jealousy. I have seen a lot of such people around my father, but I am sure that you are not such a person. The empire is lucky to have an upright and humble person like you."
"Your Majesty's praise makes me panic. I am just fulfilling the oath I made when I first met you. Let me be another pair of eyes for Your Majesty and help you see more of the truth."
"Yes, you are my eyes, and Altrus is my hand. As for Zhang Heng, let me see what I can get from him," Commodus said while rubbing his hands excitedly. Commodus rubbed his hands excitedly as he spoke. "Go, bring him to me."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Clint bowed, turned, and left Commodus's study.
And when he came to the corridor, the smile on his face disappeared. Although Zhang Heng was now his political ally, Clint still felt uncomfortable when he heard Commodus praising someone like that.
He knew Commodus too well. When Zhang Heng proposed to let him participate in the security restoration plan of the southeast city, and even lead it, although Clint agreed to it, he did not adopt Zhang Heng's original plan. Instead, he removed himself from the plan and only revealed some information to the Senate.
He believed that Commodus would see the role he played in it. At the same time, he could consolidate his humble and unassuming image. Clint knew very well that the latter was the key to stabilizing his position around Commodus, and it was indeed the case.
However, compared to the part that Zhang Heng would get from it, Clint still suspected that he was helping someone else. But now, he couldn't care less. The competition between him and Altrus had become more and more intense, and Commodus obviously favored Altrus. Even if Zhang Heng could not get rid of Altrus, he could at least distract Commodus and give himself more time to prepare.
"Damn, lucky oriental," Clint muttered in a low voice and left the palace.
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