I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 222 Yunmeng Mountain, Elixir of Immortality

A major incident occurred in Linjiang County last night: the fleet of ships of the Jingzhao Division, which was moored at the wharf, was scattered by the suddenly rising river. Some people said that the big waves that night were not a natural disaster, but the work of demons and rebels. Others said that it was caused by a martial arts master who attempted to assassinate the head of the Jingzhao Division.

There are a thousand opinions, and many different versions of the story. But regardless of the truth, Chen Guangrui, as the magistrate of Linjiang County, will be forced to bear the impending storm.

The body retrieval team searched along the river for the bodies of the victims, while the yamen runners and soldiers searched everywhere for the missing official boat.

Strangely, despite the commotion last night, the body retrieval team found not a single body. Moreover, not only could they not find any bodies, but the official boat carrying Governor Liao also seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Chen Guangrui was filled with worry, but Master Tang stepped forward to comfort him: "Don't worry, sir. It's actually a good thing that there are no corpses. It's also a good thing that we can't find the ship. If the ship has gone somewhere else, that would be even better!"

"Think about it, sir. If we really found the body and the ship, the outcome might not be as optimistic as it is now."

Master Tang paused for a moment, then continued, "In my opinion, there is only one possibility that the body cannot be found: the governor's official ship has already left the port. Otherwise, even if it sank in the river, there should be one or two crew members floating on the water and found by everyone."

Tang Shiye and Chen Guangrui had different ideas. One was shrewd and adept at shirking responsibility, while the other always adhered to his duty and was dedicated to public service. Even when faced with problems, the latter would first think about how to solve them, rather than just thinking about escaping responsibility like Tang Shiye.

Although the two men had completely different personalities, Chen Guangrui never once took any action to dismiss Tang Shiye from his post, which was a strange thing for everyone in the county government.

Only those close to Magistrate Chen knew that in the first few days after taking office, Chen Guangrui's first act was to target this clerk, Tang.

However, the county magistrate's wife was insightful and advised Chen Guangrui that one should be both firm and gentle in dealing with people. As the head of a county, Chen Guangrui was too upright, and many people dared not approach him, which was not a good thing.

But Master Tang is different. He is very shrewd and can get along well with both good and bad people. This is exactly the kind of person Chen Guangrui lacks.

Upon hearing this, Chen Guangrui immediately felt it made sense and extinguished the anger in his heart. Tang Shiye was completely unaware of this matter from beginning to end.

Even from the very first day he met the new magistrate, Master Tang began packing his bags, ready to leave the county office at any time. The reason was simple: he realized that Magistrate Chen was a completely different kind of person from him. If such a person wasn't dismissed, why would he be kept around for the New Year?

Zhao Zhonghe also asked Master Tang why he suddenly wanted to pack his bags. Master Tang shook his head and sighed, only saying one sentence out of the blue: "Chief Zhao hates evil as much as he hates it. He will surely be able to become the chief constable of the county government in the future."

However, Master Tang waited and waited for almost two years, but Magistrate Chen still didn't dismiss him.

There must be something fishy about this unusual event. Master Tang was completely baffled and could only attribute this strange occurrence to metaphysics.

He still remembers the dream he had in the opera house, in which he dreamt that he had a daughter, and that he would rise in status because of her, enjoying smooth sailing and good fortune.

The county magistrate still values ​​him highly, perhaps because of the good fortune he received from having a daughter two years ago!

Master Tang thought to himself.

However, just as Magistrate Chen and Master Tang were having different thoughts, news suddenly arrived from Tianjin Prefecture.

"My lord! The Grand Eunuch's official ship has been found at the Baishui Ferry in Tianjin."

Upon hearing this, Chen Guangrui was surprised, but couldn't help glancing at Master Tang, whose words had come true.

Is this advisor's mouth blessed with magic?

Apart from Magistrate Chen, all the officials in Linjiang County breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the news that Governor Liao's official boat had sank outside Tianjin.

I thank the Prefect of Tianjin, all the officials of the city, and also Governor Liao.

What a fine place for that supervisor to die!
That's why people say that people from the capital are extraordinary. Just this insight is enough for the officials of Linjiang County to remember for a lifetime!

In contrast to the anxious and fearful officials of Linjiang County, the coroner's shop was a picture of peace and tranquility.

Of course, it would be even better if that flirtatious young couple at the door weren't there.

Beside the counter, a stiff person and a cat were intently watching the teenagers arguing and pulling at the doorway, completely oblivious to their surroundings.

Shang Shaoyang, limping, uttered vicious words, but when the girl became truly angry and declared that she would return to Nanjun alone, he chased after her again, insisting on finding someone to escort her back.

Xu Qing's back teeth ached from watching, while Xuan Yu seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it.

"Manager Xu, I've already paid the money. You must keep your word. If he dares to die, come and collect his body!"

As Miss Gu was leaving, her eyes were still red, and she gritted her teeth as she uttered a harsh remark. Finally, she glared fiercely at Shang Shaoyang before boarding her carriage and departing.

Xu Qing asked curiously, "Young Master Shang, what exactly did you do to that young lady that made her go to such lengths for you?"

Xuan Yu pricked up his ears, afraid of missing a single word.

Seeing the people and cat in front of him, who were full of curiosity, Shang Shaoyang did not choose to hide anything.

Even if a funeral director and a black cat that can't understand human speech hear his romantic escapades, what can they do?

Shang Shaoyang was just looking for someone to confide in, and this man and cat were just the right choice.

"It was nothing much; it was just that I was eleven years old when I roamed the martial world with a sword."

"Wait a minute! Eleven years old, wandering the martial world with a sword?"

"Sigh, ran away from home."

"."

Xu Qing gestured for Shang Shaoyang to continue speaking.

"That year, I was traveling when I encountered a group of bandits robbing me. They were extremely fierce and didn't seem like ordinary bandits; they looked more like soldiers."

At this point, Shang Shaoyang suddenly stopped talking. He shook his head and said, "I was young at the time and didn't know the inside story. I only thought that the bandits were bullying the good people, so I took my sword and rushed forward to fight the bandit leader."

"When the bandit leader saw me, he turned and left without saying a word, clearly intimidated by my aura. At that time, that girl, um, the young lady from the Gu family of Huainan, was standing in a pile of dead bodies."

Xu Qing didn't believe it and interrupted, "You, an eleven-year-old boy, can scare away vicious bandits? If you say that the bandits saw that you were young, had a change of heart, and let you go, I will believe you."

Shang Shaoyang's face flushed red, and he retorted, "What do you know? Back then, I roamed the martial world with my sword, and I had over a dozen guards from the Shang family following me."

Shang Shaoyang abruptly stopped talking and said, "Don't worry about these things. Anyway, the result is that the Gu family and my Shang family became good friends. Later, she lived in my house for half a year. We saw each other all the time. And I am a rare handsome man, so it is easy for me to win the heart of a woman. I just didn't expect her to be so persistent."

"You're the hero who saved the beauty, and she fell for you. It's really not your fault." Xu Qing nodded, indicating his understanding.

A hero saves the damsel in distress? Xuan Yu looked up at Xu Qing, then glanced at a bronze mirror on the counter.

Inside was a cat, pitch black, like a lump of charcoal.

For some reason, Xuan Yu remembered the names given to it by the humans it had raised in the past, such as Coal and Charcoal.

Now, the hero can only save the coal mine.

Upon hearing Xu Qing's agreement, Shang Shaoyang cleared his throat and said somewhat awkwardly, "Actually, it's not entirely like that. It's also possible that I secretly watched her bathe several times, and she always knew but never told me."

"If the Gu family hadn't come to propose marriage this time, and I hadn't run away from home to elope, and she hadn't told me all this herself, I probably would still be in the dark."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing's face immediately darkened.

So he ruined a girl's reputation and doesn't want to take responsibility? This good-for-nothing rich kid is truly despicable!

"Get lost! Don't bother me while you're still alive!"

Shang Shaoyang knew he was in the wrong, but before leaving, he still became serious for once: "I was young and ignorant before, and now I realize how many bastards I did."

With a sigh, the young master, abandoning his previous dissolute ways, said, "There are few kind and benevolent people in the world today, and many cruel and tyrannical ones. My Shang family is not a kind and benevolent family. I am determined to use my own flesh and blood to eliminate evils and reform. If I indulge in personal feelings for my children now, I will surely harm myself and others in the future."

Xu Qing frowned slightly. Hearing Shang Shaoyang's words, he suddenly understood something.

No wonder the merchant's eldest son bought a burial plot from him and made advance arrangements for his funeral. No wonder the other party rejected Miss Gu's feelings and ran away to this place for the arranged marriage.

It turns out this person never intended to die a peaceful death!
“Young Master Shang, I am merely the manager of a funeral parlor and do not understand these matters. However, if anything were to happen to you one day, I will do my duty and ensure that your body is not left to rot in the wilderness for wild dogs to devour.”

"."

No, do you even know how to speak properly? Will saying something auspicious cost you a piece of flesh or something?

"Manager Xu, just you wait. My injuries have healed, and today I will go and settle things with that damned eunuch!"

That being said, Shang Shaoyang knew his own limitations. He went to Liao Jinzhong simply to embarrass him and annoy the old eunuch.

As long as we can disgust the old eunuch and get rid of him, that's a victory!

As for why Shang Shaoyang had such a strong prejudice against Liao Jinzhong, the reason was simply because the magistrate and his wife of Linjiang County often mentioned the misdeeds of the Jingzhao Division in the county. Shang Shaoyang had been living in the magistrate's house, so how could he sit idly by when he heard about this?

In fact, if Xu Qing hadn't intervened, Liao Jinzhong might have actually been driven away by Shang Shaoyang.

Xu Qing looked at Shang Shaoyang, whose legs had suddenly returned to normal, and said with some amusement, "What if Young Master Shang won? What if he lost?"

"People say that a cause must have a legitimate reason. Since Young Master Shang is going, there must be some explanation, right?"

Shang Shaoyang stopped, thought for a moment, and then suddenly smiled and said, "Okay!"

"If I can break that old eunuch's legs and come back unharmed, I'll marry Miss Gu!"

"."

"I think you have no intention of taking responsibility for Miss Gu at all!" Xu Qing looked at Shang Shaoyang with a hint of disdain.

"Brother Xu, what's with that expression? Does Brother Xu really not think highly of me?"

"Then may Young Master Shang have a safe journey!"

"."

Shang Shaoyang left the coroner's shop cursing and swearing. Xu Qing watched his departing figure, shook her head, and chuckled.

Today he's playing matchmaker, but judging from this young master Shang's behavior, even if he knows Liao Jinzhong is dead, he probably won't easily agree to the Gu family's daughter's marriage.

After finishing his melon-eating, Xuan Yu asked, "Does Master Xu think Young Master Shang and Miss Gu will get married?"

Xu Qing smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "Yes, I will. Since I promised Miss Gu, I will definitely complete this deal."

"After all, a ghost marriage is still a marriage."

Xuan Yu seemed to understand something, and he remembered all of Xu Qing's words.

In the morgue, on a cold, damp bed.

Xu Qing felt no disgust towards the old eunuch in front of him.

In his eyes, even the dirtiest corpse was part of his job.

He has always been very dedicated to his work.

To put it bluntly, an old eunuch's life is pretty much the same: aside from the sordid power struggles within the palace, it's about his youthful days of having affairs with various unfavored concubines, lonely palace maids, or engaging in illicit relationships with younger and older eunuchs, and even princes.

Xu Qing didn't like watching these things. Just like when she first saw Liao Jinzhong being cut off his baby sparrow when he first entered the palace at the age of seven, she felt uncomfortable just looking at it.

The level of corruption in the palace was often related to the prevailing social atmosphere. If the atmosphere above was corrupt, the lower levels would follow suit; as the saying goes, "what the superiors do, the inferiors will follow." However, after Emperor Longping grew old, the atmosphere below became slightly more normal, but some older concubines still engaged in illicit affairs in private.

Liao Jinzhong was already used to it. He would occasionally find out but wouldn't blame anyone. He would just keep it in mind and bring it up again when he needed it.

Xu Qing felt increasingly uncomfortable looking at him. Who could have imagined that a grandmaster and a powerful eunuch would be such a petty and scheming person?

If it weren't for respect for the Grandmaster and the fear of missing some crucial information, Xu Qing would probably have already sped up the page-turning process and only looked at the final reward.

Xu Qing frowned, and when he turned to a certain page of the Sutra of Salvation, he suddenly stopped.

Wait! He thought he just heard a very familiar phrase.

Turn the page back to the time when Liao Jinzhong had just become the head of the Imperial Household Department.

On this day, Emperor Longping suddenly summoned Liao Jinzhong, ordering him to come to an audience immediately.

At that time, Emperor Longping was over seventy years old and it was clear that he did not have many years left to live, so many people in the court focused their attention on the imperial heir.

Only the Third Prince Zhao Rong always focused his attention on Emperor Longping. The Third Prince not only cared a lot about Emperor Longping's health, but also catered to Emperor Longping's private pursuit of immortality.

Hearing that the villagers in a certain area of ​​Tianjin were all very long-lived, Zhao Rong informed Emperor Longping of this. Upon hearing this, the old emperor overruled the objections of others, specially set aside state affairs, and visited Tianjin, where he stayed for half a month in that rural area.

Before returning to Beijing, Emperor Longping named this village "Wanshou".

In addition to visiting longevity villages and townships, Zhao Rong also made a special effort to inquire about the daily diet and lifestyle of the centenarians, recorded them, and finally presented them to the imperial court.

These things were nothing special, but when Liao Jinzhong was summoned to the palace, Emperor Longping gave the chief eunuch a special instruction—

"Eunuch Liao, I have a matter for you to handle. There is a longevity village in the north of Yunmeng Mountain called Bailong Village. There lives a Baiyun Immortal there. I've heard that his ancestors received immortal inheritance in Yunmeng Mountain, which contains the art of immortality."

"Rong'er has been keeping an eye out for me for a long time. Two years ago, Bailong Village promised to refine a longevity pill for me, but it has been lacking one ingredient."

"Now that the medicinal ingredient has been found, it is said to be a nine-lived black cat. As long as I can use this ingredient to refine the elixir, I can live for nine more lifetimes!"

"Eunuch Liao, I order you to go to Yunmeng Mountain immediately and assist the immortal of Bailong Village in refining this medicine for me and retrieving it. It must not be lost!"

(End of this chapter)