Knife splashing

Chapter 234: Confrontation at the County Office
"Master, be careful..."

Under Lu San's instructions, Wang Daoxuan stepped into the water tremblingly.

These pig dragons are all ordinary creatures and cannot bear the weight of a person at all, but Lu San has a magic trick.

He and Wang Daoxuan spread their feet and each stepped on the back of a pig dragon. With the help of other little pig dragons, they became stable.

As a group of pig dragons shook their tails, the two of them immediately entered the river. From a distance, it seemed like they were walking on the waves.

The river breeze blew on his face, and Wang Daoxuan's fear was alleviated. He also joked, "Riding a crocodile across the river is quite interesting. Brother Lu San, what are these little guys thinking?"

"They're hungry."

Lu San’s words made Wang Daoxuan feel nervous.

Fortunately, Lu San immediately shook his head and said, "Don't worry, Taoist priest, these pig dragons are docile and won't hurt anyone. It's just that the river monster scared away the fish and they can't find food."

Wang Daoxuan's expression turned serious when he heard this. "I wonder if that river monster will come to Zigui County."

"Not yet."

Lu San shook his head and said, "The river monster is quite large, but it is still a beast after all, and it has a big appetite. The fish in Zigui County were scared away, and there were few people and boats, so it ran to Yichang."

Wang Daoxuan said thoughtfully: "Speaking of this river monster, I also remembered something. I was flipping through the book "Youxuan Tan" on the road at night and learned that some alchemists in the Qin and Han dynasties had a method to tame monsters and used it to guard underwater tomb passages. Later, it was passed on to some Xuanmen craftsmen."

"The river monster has a chain on its tail. It looks very similar to that method. Maybe it escaped from a tomb."

Lu San frowned, then chirped a few times.

The leading pig dragons suddenly started to tremble in their throats and made pig-like noises, but they were loud, high-pitched and full of cadences.

Wang Daoxuan was not surprised to hear this strange cry.

The pig dragon will cry on rainy days and likes to cry at night, just like beating drums and night watchmen. It is called "crocodile drum" or "crocodile watchman" in the Jianghuai area.

In the Book of Songs, there is a line that goes "The crocodile drum beats, and the blind and the blind play for the king."

However, when he heard the Zhu Po Long's roar, a trace of shock flashed in Lu San's eyes, "That river monster first appeared in Zigui County!"

Wang Daoxuan was speechless, "Is this really true?"

Lu San nodded and said, "These pig dragons are very afraid of the river monster. There used to be quite a few of them in Zigui County, but now only this one is left after being eaten. They usually hide in mud holes and were able to escape..."

Wang Daoxuan seemed to be thinking, "Could it be that there is a big tomb in Zigui County?"

The river on the Zigui County side is not wide. While they were talking, the two had already crossed the river and hurriedly stepped on the rocks to get ashore.

"Roar! Roar!"

Seeing them leave, several pig dragons became very anxious.

"What are they calling?"

Wang Daoxuan was a little curious.

Lu San shook his head and said, "These guys are starving, but they don't dare to hurt anyone. I promised to help them find some food."

After saying that, he stretched out his hand and waved, and the falcon immediately flapped its wings and flew up, circling near the nearby forest, and soon began to perform the eagle dance.

"Master, please wait a moment."

After Lu San gave some instructions, he quickly rushed into the forest.

Wang Daoxuan was bored, so he looked out over the river. He took out his compass, looked at the jumping needle on it, and murmured, "The ground energy is stable, but the needle is moving. Could there really be a huge tomb under the water nearby?"

"This is the Chu King City, where the Chu King's ancestor Xiong Yi was granted a title. It is considered the ancestral land of the ancient country. Could it be the Chu Tomb... No, the "Youxuan Tan" says that the demon can only live for three hundred years at most, and then it will turn into a beast soul..."

"Two hundred years ago it was still Daxing, but I haven't heard of any royal family being granted titles here. How strange..."

While he was thinking, Lu San came out of the forest carrying a fat wild boar. He waved a dagger, cut the wild boar into small pieces and threw them into the water.

For a moment, the river was surging and blood was splattered everywhere.

Lu San patted a pig dragon's head, turned around and said, "Master, Shuangbei Village is not far from here, what should we do first?"

Wang Daoxuan looked at the compass, looked into the distance and said in a deep voice: "If you want to control the wood spirit to cause trouble, you must build an altar."

"If I'm not mistaken, there must be some arrangement in the nearby mountains and forests. Others can't find it, but Brother Lu should be able to find it."

"Okay, what are you looking for?"

"The target won't be too big. A piece of wood wrapped with red rope, a specially arranged stone statue, a straw man or a wooden man hanging on a tree... If you find something similar, tell me."

…………

Danyang Academy is located outside the south gate of Guizhou City.

According to the Guizhou County Chronicles, although Zigui is the hometown of the Sanlu Doctor, the land has been barren and the people have been poor for many years. There was no academy and talented people were lost.

During the Daxing period, more than ten houses were donated outside the South Gate for students to study, in the hope of "finding a person with moral integrity and literary talent to promote the family tradition and influence good people."

After years of development, the temple has been renovated several times with donations from wealthy families.

The academy is a typical Hui-style building with white walls, black tiles, stone-carved window frames, and tall horse-head walls.

There are bamboo forests planted around and a small bridge and flowing water outside the courtyard, which is quite elegant and interesting.

"What did you say?"

At this moment, the atmosphere in the courtyard was very depressing.

Looking at the several messengers in the hall, an old scholar in a black robe had his eyes wide open and his white beard trembling with anger.

The systems of academies in various places during the Daxuan Dynasty were almost the same.

The Shanzhang is the head of the academy, usually a local Confucian scholar of high moral character and prestige. Most of them have worked in officialdom and have considerable connections.

Teachers are divided into professors, lecturers and teaching assistants.

The logistics department includes the abbot, the priest, the clerk and the treasurer.

The speaker was Song Mingshu, the principal of Danyang Academy.

The old man was obviously very angry. He sneered with a gloomy face and said, "The county lord is interesting. He didn't go to arrest the evildoer who caused the rebellion, but came to the academy to cause trouble. Could it be that he thought that our academy was causing trouble?"

There were several professors in the classroom, and they were all angry when they heard this.

"It's just nonsense!"

"The investigation has reached the academy!"

"Don't think that Wu Dehai can cover up everything. We will jointly file a petition to see how long he can be so proud!"

The officers were usually arrogant and domineering, but when faced with these Confucian scholars, they had to bend down and lower their heads, saying in a flattering manner: "The headmaster has misunderstood. We are only here to ask questions. Besides, this matter was raised by someone sent by the City God Temple, not by the county lord."

"City God's Temple?"

Shanzhang Song Mingshu snorted coldly: "The people of Chenghuang Temple don't want to keep the peace in the area, but they are colluding with Wu Dehai."

"Go ahead, I want to see how they frame me!"

"Let's go too!"

"Let's go together!"

Most of the students in the academy came from wealthy local families.

Since taking office, County Magistrate Wu Dehai has made Zigui County a mess. People have long been dissatisfied with him, but due to his background, they dare not confront him openly.

The incident in Erbei Bay gave them an opportunity, and with the support of the president of the academy, there was no way they would back down.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the academy was very excited.

The headmaster Song Mingshu had a tough personality and was determined to make a big deal out of it, so how could he stop them? He immediately took everyone away from the academy.

For a moment, the scholars walked into the city in a mighty procession.

They were so aggressive that they immediately attracted a lot of onlookers.

The people around were talking about it, and some curious people were asking around, and soon rumors spread. Many people followed behind to watch the fun.

In the crowd, a man lifted his bamboo hat, looking thoughtful. If Li Yan was there, he would have discovered that this man was Bai Ruoxu, who had stolen a magic fire gun and was wanted by the court.

Looking at the chaotic crowd in front of him, Bai Ruoxu did not join in the fun, but lowered his hat and turned to walk into other streets.

He walked slowly, as if he was looking at the surrounding shops, but in fact he observed carefully every alley he passed.

Soon, a sign came into view.

It was a spiral pattern, crooked and looked like something a child had scribbled on it with pebbles. It didn't look unusual.

However, Bai Ruoxu looked around calmly, and seeing that no one was paying attention, he turned directly into the alley.

The alleys are filled with ordinary houses in Zigui County.

Bai Ruoxu searched one by one and found the same pattern at the door of a house. He then went up and knocked on the door several times, both long and short.

With a creak, the old wooden door slowly opened.

The person who opened the door was an old woman with tattered clothes, white hair, and cloudy and dull eyes. It was obvious that she was blind.

After the old woman opened the door, she didn't say anything, but just stepped aside. After Bai Ruoxu entered, she closed the wooden door tightly again.

Bai Ruoxu looked solemn as he pushed the door and entered the side room.

On the bed in the side room, a woman was sitting cross-legged with a long sword placed across her knees. Her face was cold. She was the female swordsman who had escaped from Li Yan's hands at that time.

She obviously knew Bai Ruoxu. After seeing him, a trace of fear flashed in her eyes, and her right hand unconsciously pressed on the hilt of the sword.

"Miss Liu, there is no need to be on guard."

Bai Ruoxu said calmly: "This operation was commanded by Commander Wang. It's not your fault. The Lord just wants to know what happened to you?"

The woman was silent for a moment. "I don't know what kind of magic that is. It's just a ball of darkness. I can't see anything clearly."

"And then, everyone died..."

"Oh?"

Bai Ruoxu pondered, "Did you see who did it, Li Yan or Wang Daoxuan?"

"I don't know."

After asking about the situation, Bai Ruoxu shook his head and said, "Commander Wang has brought a lot of people with him. He can kill all of them in an instant. He is definitely not someone to be trifled with."

"The war in Yunyang is quite intense right now. The Lord asked us to let this matter go for now and put the overall situation first."

"Have you found any clues to the matter I asked you to investigate?"

When the female swordsman heard that she would not pursue the matter further, she felt relieved for some reason and said in a deep voice, "We have found out that the Red Woman is indeed in this area. She has cursed the son of the local county magistrate. I don't know what she wants to do."

Bai Ruoxu narrowed his eyes slightly, "Find a way to find her first. The matter in Shennongjia cannot be delayed any longer..."

Just as the two were plotting, everyone from the academy also came to the county government office.

"Go away!"

Song Mingshu, the principal of Danyang Academy, was filled with rage and pushed away the bailiff who came to greet him.

Leading a group of people, he entered the main hall of the county government office in a crowd.

"County Magistrate Wu!"

The old man was still very stubborn after the class. He casually bowed and said in a cold voice: "I heard that you suspect that my academy is causing trouble in Erbei Bay?"

"Please calm down, Mr. Song."

Magistrate Wu had a hint of displeasure in his eyes, but he still patiently replied, "He is just a visitor from the City God Temple, asking about the situation there. How could he suspect the academy?"

Seeing that he had surrendered, Principal Song's expression looked a little better.

Li Yan watched coldly from the side.

He had already made judgments on some matters based on intelligence.

Although these academy students spoke righteously, to be honest, the reason why they got angry and had conflicts with County Magistrate Wu was nothing more than selfish interests.

The biggest struggle in the court today is between local officials and gentry and overseas merchants, and there is actually not much conflict in the interests of both sides.

To put it bluntly, it is still a "gift".

"Scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans" is the ancient custom of China. Emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce is the foundation of a country. But now, chambers of commerce in various places want to take advantage of the trend of opening up the sea to improve the status of merchants.

The Emperor Daxuan wanted, firstly, to make up for the empty treasury caused by several wars and the repair of the imperial city, and secondly, to use this power to suppress the clans and officials in various places.

The fundamental basis of these people is nothing more than controlling the land and population. Not only have they accumulated huge wealth and power in the local area, they have also used their official positions to evade taxes.

If it were just one piece of land, nothing would be visible.

But officials and gentry, both big and small, across the country, who are entrenched in various places, all do this, just like countless rats, frantically eroding the foundations of the country.

The officials are rich, the people are poor, and the treasury is empty.

This is the true portrayal of the early years of the Daxuan Dynasty.

What made Emperor Daxuan even more angry was that these people indirectly accused him of being warmongering and thus emptying the national treasury.

If it weren't for the huge profits from opening up the sea, the court would have been able to breathe a sigh of relief in the past two years. The majesty of the imperial power in the court would have long been suppressed by the ministers.

The root cause was that the emperor used the opening up of the maritime faction to suppress the local faction.

Many people can see this matter clearly.

Therefore, whether an inn should be open and allow merchants to stay there would be heated arguments.

Behind the scenes are the merchants' repeated attempts.

As for the national sacrificial rites, since no one touches them, Taixuan Orthodox Sect has maintained its aloof status.

Similarly, County Magistrate Wu's brother is the president of the Ezhou Chamber of Commerce. Regardless of whether he wants to participate or not, coming to Zigui County itself is to infringe on the interests of local gentry.

For example, the imperial examination.

If these people do not unite and speak out, there will probably be more and more children of chambers of commerce in the academy. With the protection of County Magistrate Wu, they will definitely take away a lot of their places.

Li Yan had no good feelings towards either side.

Soon, Shanzhang Song turned his attention to the City God Temple again, and bowed to the temple keeper and said, "Master Feng, do you have any concrete evidence that you suspect our academy?"

"Just asking questions, just asking questions."

Taoist Feng laughed and raised his hand and said, "This Young Master Li is a master sent by the Yichang City God Temple to provide support. He wants to know some information."

Song Shanzhang glanced at Li Yan coldly, stroked his beard and said in a deep voice:
"Oh, then you are still doubting my academy?"

He was tall and spoke with a certain aura. After entering the classroom, he asked questions repeatedly and took control of the initiative.

Even though he knew that Li Yan and others were sorcerers, he was not afraid.

Li Yan naturally would not indulge this old man, and glanced at him calmly.
"Are you feeling guilty?"

"You're rude!"

Several lecturers nearby were immediately furious.

Song Shanzhang raised his hand to stop the people from scolding him, and then said coldly: "Tell me, what do I feel guilty about?"

Li Yan said calmly: "If you are not guilty, why are you so unreasonable? I just asked for some information, but you put all kinds of accusations on me?"

"It is said that Confucian gentlemen are as gentle as jade, why are you all like fighting cocks?"

"rude!"

"ridiculous!"

When everyone in the academy heard this, they became angry.

(End of this chapter)