Summoner in One Piece

With Ho Kaku and General Ren executed, their ill-gotten gains confiscated, and the city's populace beginning to breathe a collective sigh of relief, Alex had firmly established his initial control over Tonryuu. The detailed intelligence extracted from the interrogations, however, painted a picture of a far larger, more insidious conspiracy orchestrated by Ryo Fui. Tonryuu was secure for now, but the threats beyond its walls and the deeper roots of corruption demanded immediate attention.Alex knew that true stability began within. The names of the minor officials and influential merchants who had collaborated with Ho Kaku, whispered during the interrogations, were a festering wound within Tonryuu's heart. He could not afford to leave them unchecked.

"Olvia, Chief Scholar Yuan," Alex commanded, his voice firm. "Compile a list of every individual named by Ho Kaku and Ren. We need to move swiftly and discreetly. Tsunade, Akane, you will lead teams to apprehend these individuals. Do so quietly, without causing public panic, but ensure none escape."

Over the next day, a silent purge swept through Tonryuu's administrative offices and merchant districts. Tsunade and Akane, utilizing their stealth and the detailed information provided by Yuan, moved with surgical precision. Corrupt clerks were quietly removed from their posts, their ledgers seized. Influential merchants, who had profited from Ho Kaku's schemes, found themselves under house arrest, their assets frozen. The operation was executed with such efficiency that many citizens were only vaguely aware of the sudden disappearances, attributing them to the ongoing "administrative changes." This swift internal cleansing consolidated Alex's control, removing potential saboteurs and ensuring his commands would be met with genuine loyalty.

With the internal threats contained, Alex immediately turned his attention to the long-neglected administration of Tonryuu. He knew that military might alone could not secure a fief; it required the trust and prosperity of its people.

"Chief Scholar Yuan, Olvia," Alex stated, gathering them in the Lord's Mansion's main office, now cleared of Ho Kaku's opulent clutter. "The city's governance must be rebuilt from the ground up. We need to appoint loyal, honest officials to every vital post. Yuan, your knowledge of the city's true servants is invaluable. Olvia, your administrative genius will be crucial in designing new, transparent systems."

Together, they worked tirelessly. Yuan identified sidelined scholars and honest clerks who had been marginalized by Ho Kaku. Olvia, with her meticulous mind, began to draft new regulations for tax collection, public works, and justice, designed to eliminate corruption and ensure fairness. Immediate reforms were implemented: food distribution was organized for the most impoverished districts, basic repairs began on neglected infrastructure, and public forums were announced where citizens could voice their grievances directly to the new administration. The sight of honest officials working diligently, and the immediate, tangible improvements in their daily lives, slowly began to mend the deep wounds of distrust among the populace.

Even amidst the administrative overhaul, the strategic importance of the iron mine and the plight of the captive villagers weighed heavily on Alex's mind. It was a vital resource for Qin, and a humanitarian crisis that demanded immediate action.

"Erza, Kaelen," Alex declared, reviewing maps spread across the war room table. "The iron mine is our next objective. We have intelligence on its location and the forces guarding it: 'The Iron Hand' and his bandits, augmented by General Ren's remaining 100 men. We cannot allow Ryo Fui to continue siphoning off this vital resource, nor can we abandon our people to forced labor."

He assembled a strong, combined force for the expedition. It included a significant portion of his seasoned soldiers (the 272 good experienced men), bolstered by a contingent of the newly integrated former rogue soldiers who had proven their renewed loyalty under Erza and Akane's command. The goal was clear: overwhelm the bandit stronghold, rescue the captive villagers, eliminate 'The Iron Hand' and his remaining forces, and secure the iron mine for Tonryuu.

"This is not just a military operation," Alex emphasized. "It's a rescue mission. Protect the villagers at all costs. Secure the mine, and prepare it for legitimate operation under Tonryuu's authority."

The expedition was prepared to depart at dawn, marking the next critical phase in Alex's consolidation of power and the restoration of Tonryuu City.