Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 197 New Talk on Cheng'an
Before Liu Taozi arrived in Yecheng, Tian Zilie and others had already arrived in Cheng'an.

The snow outside Cheng'an is not very clean either.

The road was extremely muddy, but fortunately, there were no small black snow mountains piled up on both sides of the road.

The ground is dirty only because it is trampled on.

As soon as they approached Cheng'an City, they saw the fiery scene in the distance.

It was particularly lively outside the Cheng'an city gate.

I saw several large tents set up outside the city gate. People were standing in the wind and snow, shivering, and there were bonfires all around.

The bonfire was swaying with difficulty in the strong wind. A gust of cold wind blew and the fire was almost extinguished. Even the flame disappeared. But the next moment, flames jumped out again.

In this cold wind, the bonfire tried its best to emit a faint fire and light.

This tiny fire was surrounded by broken people, with tattered clothes, shabby looks and dull eyes.

"Next!!"

someone shouted.

A broken man suddenly became whole. He withdrew his hand and strode towards the city gate.

Outside the city gate, there were many officials sitting. They were verifying the identities of the dead in front of them one by one, then giving them documents and telling them not to escape again and to live a good life.

Tian Zili and others were a little surprised when they saw this familiar scene.

"Is this to place the dead? Who is the current Cheng'an Order?"

They rode slowly past the bonfires and arrived at the city gate.

The officials at the city gate were startled when they saw the nobleman suddenly appear. They jumped up and saluted in fear.

"Wang Hesheng?? Is that you?? Why are you still working as a casual official?"

Yao Xiong suddenly asked.

One of them looked up and was surprised to find that the benefactor who suddenly appeared was actually his classmate!

Tian Zili, a bandit.

He also knew these two.

He was overjoyed.

"Mr. Yao Yao? Why are you here?"

"Where's the mandrill? Is he here?"

The three words "Shanxiao Gong" seemed to suddenly turn on a mysterious button. After a moment, the officials on the left and right, the soldiers in the distance, and the people around the campfire all raised their heads.

They looked at each other and whispered "Mandrill?", "Mandrill".

In an instant, the name of the mandrill was chanted everywhere outside the city.

Yao Xiong was stunned.

“He hasn’t come yet.”

Tian Zili cleared his throat and asked, "Who is Cheng'an Ling at the moment?"

"It's Lu Gong."

"Mr. Lu? Why is it still him? Didn't he get promoted?"

Yao Xiong asked in confusion.

"It's Lu, Lu Jijiu, Lu Lingshi."

Yao Xiong was overjoyed, "Now he is Cheng'an Ling?"

Tian Zili frowned, "Didn't he hold a position in the court?"

“Where is he??”

Facing such a group of dignitaries, the official did not dare to act recklessly. He immediately ordered his subordinates to stay here and continue to work, while he led them to the county government office. Yao Xiong was quite dissatisfied with this, "It seems like we don't know the way. Do we still need you to lead us there?"

Wang Hesheng smiled bitterly and said, "Mr. Yao, things are not like before. You are an official now. If you don't escort me, I will be held accountable."

Yao Xiong laughed, "In this city, except for Lord Lu, my rank is the highest. With me protecting you, what are you afraid of?"

"Speaking of which, it's been so long, why are you still a casual official?"

Wang Hesheng smiled bitterly, "Mr. Yao, there is a limit on the number of clerks and clerks in the county government. All the clerks now are better than me. What else can I do?"

"Oh, that seems to be the case."

"Are you still busy distributing land?"

"Yes, the number of registered residents in Cheng'an is increasing, and the city is getting better day by day."

Wang Hesheng smiled and looked ahead.

Cheng'an City is quite clean. Smoke from cooking fires can be seen rising slowly everywhere. You can even see people going out in the wind and snow, wrapped in thick clothes and carrying things in their hands.

There were sounds of dogs barking in the distance.

It is truly different from all the cities Yao Xiong has visited.

Yao Xiong started chatting with him about the situation here, but Tian Zili narrowed his eyes. He looked around and suddenly asked, "Mr. Wang, how is the Law School going?"

Wang Hesheng sighed, "Oh, don't mention it, I'm going to stop now."

Yao Xiong was horrified, "Why?"

Wang Hesheng shook his head. "There is no position. I have learned the law but there is no place to be an official. The quotas in various places are full. I can only go to other places. But other places need their own people. Who wants outsiders to be officials?"

"There are so many people in Cheng'an. If it were any other city, the law school wouldn't be able to gather a group of people for several months, but in Cheng'an, every term is full."

"Oh, it's all troublesome to talk about."

Yao Xiong was stunned.

Tian Zili smiled and explained: "In the past, clerks were consumables. They were replaced when they were used up, so the balance could be maintained. But now, clerks are not consumed, and they cannot be promoted to officials, so the Law School has naturally become useless."

Yao Xiong glared at him and said, "The Law School is over, why are you still so happy?"

Tian Zili shook his head, "There is nothing much to say to you, a Qihu."

They arrived at the government office, which was even more lively. Upon learning of their arrival, everyone in the county government office ran over to greet them.

All those here are their old friends.

Everyone smiled and greeted each other.

The doorman Xu Laoli was particularly surprised. He pulled Yao Xiong's reins and said, "Xiong, ah, it should be Lord Yao! I heard that you got promoted and made a fortune following General Liu!"

The experience of Liu Taozi and his group is simply a legend in Cheng'an.

He inspired all the officials and encouraged all the people.

Especially in the eyes of these officials who have almost no hope for the future, their success is the only light and the only possible way out for them.

When Yao Xiong heard what Xu Laoli said, he threw his head back and laughed.

"It's true! It's true!"

"Brother is in Yecheng now and will come here in a few days!"

When everyone heard this, they were even more surprised and shouted loudly.

There was a commotion in the venue, and finally, after a moment, a person appeared in the distance surrounded by a crowd.

Tian Zili, Yao Xiong, Kou Liu and others dismounted from their horses.

The person who came was Lu Qubing.

Lu Qubing almost trotted over to them. He was so excited to see them that he even wanted to cry.

The three men greeted him and were pulled up by him.

"Where's Brother Taozi?"

"He is still in Yecheng."

"But, Lord Lu, aren't you serving in the court?"

"Ah? Didn't Brother Taozi tell you?"

Lu Qubing's eyes widened. "I thought he would read the letter but not reply. It turns out he didn't even read it. I used to work in the court. Later, His Majesty selected many people from the court and assigned them to local areas. I was one of them."

Tian Zili smiled and asked, "I'm afraid all those selected this time are Han Chinese?"

"Oh?"

"You say that, it seems to be true."

"It was my brother's suggestion to Your Majesty."

"I see."

Lu Qubing led the three people to his mansion, saying as they walked: "Cheng'an is different now. Ever since Lord Lu started to govern the region, Cheng'an is the richest among all the counties in the Central Plains. Whether it is household registration or grain production, it ranks among the best. Even Yecheng is asking us for grain!"

"Hahahaha, after I took office, I continued the past policies and went into the city now."

Lu Qubing chattered on and on about the situation here, and the three of them could only listen to him.

Even when he got into the house, he still didn't stop.

He didn't stop even when everyone was eating together.

In the end, it was Tian Zili who couldn't help but interrupt him. At that time, Lu Qubing was talking about the Law School. "Mr. Lu, is the Law School really unable to continue?"

Lu Qubing explained: "In the past, after finishing the law school, you could directly participate in the examination, but now the government office has no shortage of clerks and does not hold examinations, and the surrounding counties do not like to employ their own people. Therefore, the law school is difficult to support, but there are still many people coming to study."

Tian Zili suddenly sighed, "That's great! It's really hard to find people who can read and write in our border area. We have to rely on the help from the surrounding counties to barely find some minor officials to use, but there is still a serious shortage. Whether it's the civilians or the border guards, we have opened a law school, but we still have to teach them to read. Oh, it's really enviable."

"Zili wants to bring some talents to Wuchuan?"

Lu Qubing saw through his hidden meaning at a glance.

He added: "If you have such an idea, just tell me directly. You don't have to use the rhetoric you use against other county officials."

Tian Zili blushed and lowered his head quickly, "I am rude, please forgive me."

Lu Qubing pursed his lips and said, "I understand that the border needs people. With Brother Taozi's reputation and your experiences, there must be people willing to go there. But it's still too far away and the road is not easy to travel. I can send people to ask and contact, but I won't force anyone to go to the border."

"Of course, my brother won't allow us to take others away by force."

"I just hope that Lord Lu can tell them that my brother is in charge over there, and we can escort them all the way, so they won't encounter any danger. After arriving there, if they can make achievements, my brother will recommend them to be officials, and they won't lack rewards. There are many vacancies and many opportunities for mediocre people like us to be promoted and officially become officials just by following my brother."

Lu Qubing waved his hand and said, "You don't have to say more. I understand all this and I know how to say it."

Yao Xiong finally reacted, "No wonder you were so happy just now!"

"I am also happy because I think they have a way out. Cheng'an has everything, but Wuchuan lacks everything, whether it is scholars or craftsmen."

Lu Qubing suddenly asked again: "I heard that Brother Taozi encountered many nobles who wanted to kill him when he returned this time. Is this true?"

"of course it's true!"

"Mr. Lu, let me tell you."

Everyone was chatting when suddenly someone knocked on the door.

"County Magistrate, County Lieutenant Changsun wants to see you!"

Lu Qubing stood up suddenly and slapped his forehead, "Why did you forget the county lieutenant? Please invite him in!"

Soon, Changsun Jiaye limped into the house. He looked at Tian Zili and others in front of him, pursed his lips, but did not call them.

Tian Zili hurriedly bowed and said, "Master Changsun, please call me Zili."

"Hahaha, come to think of it, your official position is higher than mine, how can you address me like that?"

As Lord Changsun spoke, he looked at Yao Xiong again, his eyes slightly complicated, "I heard that you are also a general of miscellaneous rank?"

"Is such that."

Lu Qubing hurriedly invited his eldest grandson Jiaye to sit aside.

Yao Xiong continued to talk to Lu Qubing about the things he encountered on his way back. Changsun Jiaye listened and just kept drinking.

Everyone gathered for a long time, and Lu Qubing remembered that he still had things to do, so he asked them to rest for a while.

When everyone walked out, Changsun Jiaye suddenly grabbed Yao Xiong's hand.

Yao Xiong was stunned, "Mr. Chang Sun?"

Changsun Jiaye hesitated for a long time, his lips trembling. After struggling for a long time, he finally raised his head and asked, "Is General Liu still short of people?"

"what???"

Changsun Jiaye's lips trembled and his eyes were full of resentment.

"In the past, I worked here. Although there were no opportunities for promotion, I was injured like this and had no ambitions."

"But your Majesty, you really have no pity for us!!"

"When I was a teenager, I became a soldier. I can't say I made great contributions, but I have experienced countless bloody battles and am still alive today."

He slapped his leg fiercely. "My leg was shot through. I can't stand or walk steadily. I had no choice but to leave the frontier and come here to be a lieutenant of the Seventh Department. But His Majesty, he began to dismiss us old men and replace us seven lieutenants with those Han people. Three of us have been replaced. I really don't want to end up like this."

"Although I am injured, I can still ride a horse, shoot arrows, and train soldiers. Rather than being abandoned by others, I would rather leave on my own."

"If General Liu is still short of people, I am willing to follow him to the border."

Although Changsun Jiaye's official position was of low rank, he was in charge of the most important department, responsible for public security around the capital. There was no such position in other counties, only around the imperial city.

The knights under his command were also the most elite cavalry of the country, and they even had two cavalry teams of one hundred people. Even at the frontier, if they could easily send out two hundred authentic Xianbei knights, it would be a large garrison town.

Looking at the sad Changsun County Magistrate in front of him, Yao Xiong was silent for a long time.

"lack."

"When my brother arrives, I will talk to him in person."

The eldest grandson Jiaye was very happy, "Thank you, thank you very much"

The three of them separated temporarily at this time.

Kou Liu went out and ran straight to Zhangjia Village outside the city, anxious to see his mother.

Yao Xiong was going to the city to visit his relatives.

Tian Zili was going to meet his old brothers.

Yao Xiong arrived at his destination first. His relatives lived in the city, and there were not many of them, only a sister and brother-in-law.

Yao Xiong lost his parents when he was young and was raised by his elder sister. His sister doted on him and helped him a lot after he got married. This made his brother-in-law have a big prejudice against him and he always spoke ill of him and insulted him.

But this time when we met, the situation was different.

My sister was still the same as before, hugging Yao Xiong and crying, while my brother-in-law sat proudly beside her, opening the door wide so that everyone around could see this relative whom he was most reluctant to mention.

"My brother is back!!"

"My brother is now a general at the frontier!!"

Yao Xiong's brother-in-law is not tall and has a round belly. He is the chef of the county government and has good cooking skills.

He stood in the yard, looking at his neighbors and friends outside, his face full of pride, and when he smiled, his little eyes could not be seen.

Several little nephews surrounded Uncle Yao, clamoring for gifts.

The brother-in-law decided to cook himself and took out the ingredients he was reluctant to use to entertain his talented younger brother.

Yao Xiong did not fight back by insulting and teaching his brother-in-law a lesson because of his power, nor did he put on a stern face like a nobleman. He remained the same as before, with a silly smile on his face, and secretly took a few more pieces of meat, causing his little nephews to scream.

My brother-in-law stood on tiptoe, touched Yao Xiong's head, and said that he wanted to get some blessings.

The house was filled with joyful laughter.

Zhangjiacun.

I haven't seen it for many days, and this place has changed the most.

Because of Liu Taozi, almost no one dared to offend the local people, and it even attracted some related people to settle down here.

The village is surrounded by walls, which are not very tall but can protect against common wild beasts.

It was winter, so there were not many people outside.

But the scale of this place is already a bit like a large village or town.

When Kou Liu led his men back, they immediately caused an uproar.

Zhang Erlang learned from him that his brother was still alive and burst into tears.

Kou Liu also saw his mother.

Compared with before, the mother had hardly changed. Before Kou Liu opened his mouth, she recognized his identity and shouted, "My son."

The mother and son meet in a warm atmosphere.

Kou's mother loved her son very much. At this moment, she held his hand but did not ask about the battlefield or the things outside the Great Wall. She just talked about memories of the past.

Sitting by the fire, Kou Liu felt very comfortable.

He hadn't felt so comfortable and contented for a long time, as if he had forgotten all the turmoil and only felt that the stove in front of him was really warm. He just wanted to stretch his legs, lie aside, and listen to his mother's voice.

But for Tian Zili, the situation was a little different.

In a mansion, Tian Zili looked at the brothers in front of him in astonishment.

"What??"

"rebel??"

Looking at the brothers in front of him who were ready to make a move, Tian Zili frowned and said, "Speak clearly!"

One of them said, "Brother, it wasn't that long ago. A few days ago, a prince sent someone to give us money and said he wanted to meet us."

"We met him. He is just like my brother. He cannot stand seeing these Xianbei people run rampant!"

"He said that he could help us start a rebellion, not only by giving us money, crossbows, and armor, but he could even send us to Yecheng."

"He said that the current situation is a time of great chaos, and we can hold an important figure hostage, force him to rebel, and accomplish great things!!"

Tian Zili slowly narrowed his eyes, "Where is that prince now?"

"He's gone, leaving his belongings behind. We wanted to look for him, but we couldn't find him. He didn't say when he would be back. Brother, can we start an army now?"

"Raise an army? What kind of army are you going to raise?! The dozen or so of you are not even enough to defeat a single armored soldier from Yecheng!"

"Besides, Xianbei people. Xianbei people, is this chaos in the world caused only by Xianbei people?"

"what???"

Everyone was shocked.

(End of this chapter)