Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 471: Immortal
On the second day, Hou Meng hurriedly left a message: "Zhao Jiedushi, when I came here, I heard that Tong Shumishi intended to give his adopted daughter to you. Jiedushi, please make preparations early."

After saying this, regardless of Zhao Zhen's questions, Hou Meng took his followers, bid farewell to Zhao Zhen, and set off back to Bian Jing.

Zhao Zhen saw Hou Meng off for a while, and when he saw that Hou Meng was talking about other things and refused to say another word, he returned to Baishi Manor.

Zhao Zhen called Dai Zong and Shi Qian and told them what he had heard from Hou Meng. Zhao Zhen asked, "Brothers, what news have you heard?"

Dai Zong and the other two shook their heads. Dai Zong said, "Sir, I will go to Bian Jing again and ask around."

Zhao Zhen thought about it. Hou Meng was a trusted confidant of the emperor. Although his position was not high, he had many sources of information. Since he had reminded him of this, there must be something hidden.

"You and Li San will go to Bianjing together. If you get any news, report back immediately."

After seeing Dai Zong off, Zhao Zhen led his men to the ranch. He did not take a close look at the thousands of war horses rewarded by the court.

When they arrived at the ranch, Zhao Zhen called Huangfu Duan, who was busy at the ranch, and asked, "Brother Huangfu, how are these war horses?"

Huangfu Duan said, "Don't worry, sir. The horses sent by the court are strong and healthy. Most of them are from the northwest, and a small number are from the grasslands. They are all top-quality horses. They are in good condition and you can tell at a glance that they have been carefully raised. Unfortunately, they are all geldings."

Zhao Zhen heard this and said, "I am satisfied with these war horses. As for the breeding of war horses, we have to raise funds ourselves. In the next few days, I plan to ask brother Duan Jingzhu to take some tea and go to the north again."

Huangfu Duan listened and nodded.

Afterwards, Zhao Zhen went to see military equipment, imperial wine, and brocade.

Let Cheng Wan'er take people to select brocade and distribute it to the governors and officials in various places. The rest will be recorded and stored in the warehouse for future use.

In Liangshan, Yizhou, and several counties and towns in Yanzhou controlled by Zhao Zhen, the people were busy cultivating the land. Even many soldiers returned home on leave to help with the livelihood.

Zhao Zhen thought about the first-class green goat presented by Lü Daqiang of Fan County, and decided to go to Gaoping Mountain to visit. An ordinary green goat ate a leaf of the immortal ginseng from Gaoping Mountain and grew as big as a donkey overnight.

Apart from anything else, if we can find this ginseng fairy, there will definitely be many benefits.

Before leaving, Zhao Zhen summoned Xu He's two sons, Xu Changsheng and Xu Weisheng, who came to visit him. When he met the two, Zhao Zhen said, "I heard Tongpan Xiao talk about you two, but I never thought you two were also called Changsheng and Weisheng. Now I want to send you two to Yizhou Prefecture to learn how to handle government affairs from Tongpan Liu. Are you two ready?"

Xu Changsheng said, "Please rest assured, my husband. My brother and I have been taught by our father since we were young. Although we don't have his talents, we have read many books of sages and understand some principles. Moreover, with the guidance of Judge Liu, we can also do some copying and accounting work."

Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "If you only copy and write, it will delay you two. You two were recommended by Judge Xiao, so you are naturally different from others. Yizhou is in need of reconstruction, so I am sending you two there. First, you can gain experience and learn how to handle government affairs. The most important thing is to gain some experience. Pick a small county and be a chief clerk. In the future, if you have achievements, you can be in charge of a place like your father."

As the three were talking, Chen Liqing rushed in and said to Zhao Zhen, "Sir, everything is ready. When shall we set out?"

Seeing this, Xu Changsheng and Xu Weisheng quickly stood up and left. Zhao Zhen said, "No hurry, I don't have anything urgent to do. I heard that there is a ginseng fairy in Gaoping Mountain, so I decided to try my luck and see if I can find it. It doesn't matter if I leave a day later."

After hearing this, Xu Changsheng asked, "Sir, we have also heard of this ginseng fairy. According to my father, there is a rare treasure in Gaoping Mountain, a mature ginseng, which has lived for more than a thousand years and is shaped like a baby. On clear and moonlit nights, it often comes out to worship the stars and play in the mountains and streams."

Zhao Zhen heard this and asked, "Oh, have you ever seen it?"

The two shook their heads, and Xu Changsheng said, "I heard from my master two years ago that he had never seen such a magical object."

"Oh, I wonder who your master is and what he said?"

Xu Changsheng said: "My master's surname is Chen, his name is Nianyi, and his Taoist name is Tongyizi. He was originally a famous doctor in Wuyue, and he understood the theory of the rise and fall of yin and yang. At the age of seventy, he was tired of the world and went into the mountains to practice Taoism. He achieved the status of a terrestrial immortal and is now one hundred and forty years old."

"I only heard from my master that the ginseng stayed underground for three hundred years, absorbing the essence of the heavenly light and the spiritual energy of the mountains and rivers, and became a full human being. After another three hundred years, the nine orifices opened and the internal organs grew. After another three hundred years, it was able to come out of the ground, worship the stars, and play in the mountains and rivers. After another three hundred years, it was able to speak human words, break away from its roots, travel around the ten continents and three islands, and complete the Great Dao."

"If you can get this immortal ginseng and take it according to the instructions, you can become an earthly immortal. If a dying patient drinks a cup of his blood, he can be resurrected immediately. But his body is as light as a flying bird, he can jump over mountains and streams, and come and go like the wind, so he is very difficult to catch."

Zhao Zhen said, "I see. It's not a big deal. I'm not going to force myself to see an immortal this time. It would be the best if I can find one. If I can't, I'll just treat it as hunting."

Xu Weisheng said: "My father said that this ginseng fairy likes to be in the light of the lamp, loves costus root the most, and is most afraid of cinnamon bark. Maybe it can be useful to my husband."

After sending the two away, Zhao Zhen sent someone to the pharmacy to get 57 dou of five-spirit fat and more than 100 jin of costus root shavings, all of which were packed in a cloth bag. Liu Hui Niang personally made a hydrangea lantern with red paper. After everything was ready, Zhao Zhen brought the [Green Flag Willow Leaf City], [Red Flag Girl City], and [Heavy Front City] soldiers. Cheng Wan'er and others also accompanied him, and the white fox and other spiritual species were also brought along.

A group of people took their carriages and left Bai Shi Manor in a mighty manner.

This trip to Fan County was not purely for the purpose of looking for the immortal ginseng. More importantly, it was to observe the various places along the way to encourage farmers to prepare for farming and reward the military commanders. Although we don't want to fight against the Qingzhou bandits this year, the focus of our business will inevitably be on Yizhou, and we will inevitably ignore some of the counties and towns in Liangshan. Taking this opportunity, I am going to take a look.

Zhao Zhen and his entourage passed through Shouzhang and Yanggu before turning to Fan County.

Every time he passed through a place, Zhao Zhen would stay for three days and chat with officials and soldiers. Shouzhang and Yanggu, under the governance of county magistrates Sun Zheng and Zhu Hongji, were peaceful.

Passing by Yanggu County, Zhao Zhen reviewed the soldiers led by Hua Rong. Under Hua Rong's command, the [Silver Spear Capital] were skilled in archery and horse riding, and their morale was high.

Since the incident of the evil Taoist Liu Xinmin, Wang Lun, the magistrate of Fan County, and Gao Qiao, the county magistrate, have been much more diligent in county affairs. Hearing that Zhao Zhen was going to Fan County today, the two of them went out of the city ten miles early to greet him.

After being settled in the military camp outside the city, Zhao Zhen, like the previous two counties, listened to Wang Lun and other officials talk about the affairs of Fan County.

Hearing that Zhao Zhen was planning to go to Gaoping Mountain, Wang Lun said, "Sir, Gaoping Mountain spans three areas. Sir, you must be careful when you go there."

(End of this chapter)