I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 112 Zhiwei
"Whether it's useful or not, you'll only know after you've used it."

Feng Xinglie dragged over a chair and sat down opposite Youfu. "Let me introduce myself. I am Feng Xinglie, the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of the Weiwu镖局 (Weiwu Escort Agency). My friends in the martial arts world have kindly given me the nickname 'Thunderbolt Hand'."

You Fu jumped up. "Thunderbolt Hand Feng Xinglie, that's you. I'm sorry, I've never heard of you."

After saying that, he sat back down, crossed his legs, and asked, "Brother Wang Ren, what kind of place is Suiyang Ferry now?"
"Outsiders can't teach the scriptures of Suiyang; it's pointless to invite anyone."

"is it?"

A voice came from the corner of the deck stairs. A haughty young man wearing a crane cloak strode onto the deck, followed by seven or eight burly men in tight-fitting clothes with gloomy expressions.

"Young Master Ding, it's been a long time."

Feng Xinglie stood up, cupped his hands, and shouted loudly, "Everyone, this is Ding Peng, the young master of the Kaishan Sect."

When Young Master Ding was in Yong'an, he became close friends with Feng, who was known for his kind and warm-hearted nature.

Hearing that Feng had something to do, I came over without saying a word.

Wang Ren was overjoyed and hurriedly went to greet him, "So it's Young Master Ding. I have long heard of the Kaishan Sect's reputation, it's truly legendary."

It is truly an honor to meet Young Master Ding today.

"Is this young master of the Kaishan Sect really that powerful?"

Wei Wendao asked Xue Xiang in a low voice.

Xue Xiangdao said, "The Kaishan Sect has considerable influence in Suiyang Ferry. It is a leading gang with interests in railway stations, docks, shipping, and security escort agencies."

"So it was a local bully. It seems that Brother Min's troubles are finally over."

"I didn't expect that Chief Escort Feng would have some skill."

"That's good. It's better to win without bloodshed than to fight and kill."

The Confucian scholars began to discuss it.

"Young Master Ding, I, You, am very polite."

Youfu bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

Mr. Ding calmly waved his hand, "No need, I won't say anything else. It's one thing for your two shops to compete for customers, but for you to come to someone else's shop and steal their customers is going too far."

I'll act as a mediator; you all should make peace and each do your own business. Is that alright?

You Fu smiled and said, "Young Master Ding is absolutely right, but I started my business first, and Brother Wang started his business later."

There's always a first-come, first-served order in everything.

I'm older, so if Brother Wang does something wrong, I don't mind; I'll just laugh it off.

I dare not refuse to give face to you, Young Master Ding.

But we, the major shareholders, are probably not so easy to talk to.

"Heh, who's your major shareholder?"

Ding Peng raised an eyebrow. "Step forward."

"Who is it that's so rude and shouting like that?"

The sound of footsteps echoed again from the corner of the deck.

A group of people walked up, the young man at the head of the group had a childish face but was arrogant, and a group of teenagers followed behind him.

"Young Master Song..."

Wang Ren was stunned for a moment, then rushed forward to greet him, "Young Master Song, when did you become a major shareholder of Tongfu Inn? If you had told me earlier, I would have closed the inn."

"The way you're talking makes it sound like I'm a bully or a tyrant."

Song Shao calmly sat down, smiling as he looked at Ding Peng and said, "Young Master Ding, it's our first meeting. Please give my regards to Sect Leader Ding."

Ding Peng's brows furrowed, and he cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Please give my regards to your uncle as well."

"Cousin, what are you doing?"

Lu Weimin pulled Wang Ren aside, looking puzzled.

Wei Wendao and the others were also embarrassed. Before they even took action, Wang Renxian had already backed down. How could they possibly continue the battle?

Wang Ren whispered, "You all don't know this, but this Young Master Song has a very powerful background."

Do you see the group of teenagers behind him?
The tall one is Yan Zhangyin's eldest son.

The one in the blue shirt is Chen Zhangyin's younger brother.

The man wearing the white hat is Mr. Chu's wife's nephew.

They all follow Song Shao's lead; who can defeat them?

See? Young Master Ding is already quite powerful, but he can only temporarily avoid facing Young Master Song.

If you can't run an inn business, you can always do other businesses.

If we offend them, we'll never be able to survive in this treasure-filled place of Suiyang Ferry.

Lu Weimin was dumbfounded, and Wei Wendao also felt extremely embarrassed.

Although they were born in the city, they did not hold high positions. When they served in local government offices, they were only at the level of deputy section chiefs.

He's still two levels away from becoming the head of Suiyang Town.

They had no say in front of the local officials in Suiyang Town.

"Cough cough..."

Xue Xiangjun's face flushed, "Brother Weimin, I..."

"Brother Xue, this has nothing to do with you. Your own affairs are troublesome enough; you don't need to get involved in these matters."

Lu Weimin waved his hand repeatedly.

He received help from Wei Wendao and learned that Xue Xiangzheng had been suspended from his post and was having a very difficult time.

Although Xue Xiang had been in Suiyang for quite some time, he had been suspended from his post, so he was bound to be forgotten. There was no need to make things difficult for Xue Xiang.

"Song Zijie".

"Who the hell called me?"

Song Zijie, who was drinking tea, looked in the direction of the sound and immediately spat it out. Like a startled rabbit, he took off running.

He hadn't taken more than two steps when he had to turn back. He came to Xue Xiang dejectedly, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Greetings, elder brother."

"what."

The boys behind Song Shao were shocked, and Ding Peng was also startled.

"Uncle Xue".

"Hello, Uncle Xue."

"........."

A group of teenagers around Xue Xiang's age came forward to greet him, and Ding Peng could only bite the bullet and step forward to bow as well.

Lately, Xue Xiang's name has been on his lips so many times it's practically worn out.

At first, his father, Ding Chunxia, ​​often compared him to Xue Xiang, and would frequently berate him, saying he was worse than a stinky sock.

Recently, instead of making comparisons, I've insisted on taking him to visit someone so he can recognize an uncle, which I believe will be of great benefit to him in the future.

Ding Peng couldn't bring himself to acknowledge someone his own age as an uncle, so whenever Ding Chunxia brought it up, he would find an opportunity to slip away.

Now that they're face to face, he really doesn't dare to be impolite. Otherwise, if Ding Chunxia finds out, he doubts whether he can even save his own life.

"You, you are..."

Wang Ren was completely dumbfounded. "You're Master Xue?"

"I am Xue Xiang."

Xue Xiang bowed and said, “Brother Weimin is my classmate. My younger brother is young and ignorant. Please forgive me if I have offended you.”

"No, I wouldn't dare, how could I dare? Weimin, you, how could you..."

Wang Ren was somewhat incoherent.

Xue Xiang didn't really blame Song Zijie. He patted him on the shoulder and told him to do his job properly and not wander around aimlessly.

“Brother, I didn’t take any benefits. It was Boss You who said someone was bullying him. I saw that he was an honest man, so I took the initiative to help him.”

Song Zijie quickly explained.

He was brought to Suiyang through the connections of Wang Anshi, a mahjong partner of Zhang, and became a police officer.

Xue Xiang himself never expected that Song Zijie could ride on his coattails and achieve such prominence in Suiyangdu.

Xue Xiang patiently spoke with the sons of several of his colleagues at the Temple of Seals for a while, and then chatted with Ding Peng for a few more minutes before finally sending them away.

Later, he personally acted as a mediator, resolving the relationship between the two families.

After finishing all this, he saw that it was almost time, so he had to say goodbye to Wei Wendao, making an excuse that he had important business to attend to and would hold a banquet to apologize later that evening, before he was able to leave.

Watching Xue Xiang leave, Wei Wendao sighed, "I originally thought Brother Xue was just a man of exceptional literary talent and unparalleled elegance, but I never imagined that his talent in governance was also so remarkable."

Their future is limitless, and this can be considered a karmic connection between us.

Countless people would kill for a classmate like that.

“Brother Wei’s point is correct.”

"The key is that Brother Xue is a man of impeccable character, as evidenced by his actions at the Hangu Ruins."

"........."

While everyone was discussing this, Xue Xiang had already returned to the fishing boat.

Along the way, he also thought about the governance of Suiyang Ferry.

He didn't take the events of the day to heart. This wasn't a modern civilized society; these kinds of brawls and rivalries happened every day.

He was considering the future of Suiyangdu.

With the end of the year fast approaching, his days at Suiyang Ferry would be numbered after the new year.

Therefore, he is also making some arrangements.

The appointments of Wang Anshi and Xun Sizhou were placed first.

His foundation in officialdom was too shallow; even if he were to make a move, it could only go this far.

In addition, Xue Xiang handed over the United Commercial Group to Fan Youyi.

He had a remarkable talent for financial management. In addition, Mr. Dong Jiacun of Jiahe Trading Company sent a group of experienced employees to strengthen the United Trading Company, which gradually got on the right track.

The centralized bidding and auction of the second batch of land has been put on the agenda.

But land will eventually be sold out.

For now, Xue Xiang's main business focus is on civil engineering.

Firstly, it's easy to make money, and secondly, it's quick to earn money.

To put it simply, his current official position has reached its limit in terms of supporting the United Business Corporation to this extent.

Before half an incense stick had burned, Si Zhou arrived by boat, saying he had a letter in Xie Yuanzun's own handwriting.

After delivering the letter, Xun Sizhou had urgent business to attend to, so he immediately took his leave.

Xue Xiangzhan wrote to Xie Haiya, mentioning the following:
First, the military pay case has been settled.

Su Suiran made a false accusation without evidence, and there was no real evidence to support it.

The main reason was that some members of the Witch God Cult had escaped and were captured by Anlu authorities, confirming that Su Suiran had indeed drunk the Rootless Water.

In this way, the credibility of his false claim of defection is not high.

Xue Xiang's meritorious service in solving the case was recorded in the official records of his birth.

Second, reward meritorious service.

Xue Xiang repeatedly rendered meritorious service at Suiyang Ferry, and his score in the prefectural examination reached the maximum, five points. In addition, he was awarded a black official plaque for his meritorious service in the military pay case.

When confronting the Earthly Witch Yama, he produced many masterpieces, which were commended by the Imperial Academy and awarded him a white literary plaque.

Third, personnel adjustments.

Xie Haiya bluntly stated that it would be difficult for Xue Xiang to stay in Suiyangdu until after the Spring Festival.

He was told to hurry up and adjust the personnel in Suiyangdu. As long as the report was submitted, Yunmeng would approve it.

After all, with Hong Tianxia recently dead, all personnel power in Yunmeng City fell into Wei Yang's hands.

Xue Xiang certainly wouldn't miss this opportunity.

Li Hongzhang said it well: I don't want to appoint people based on favoritism, but I also want to appoint people based on kinship.

I closed the letter, and it crumbled in the wind.

Bored, Xue Xiangku began to refine characters on the boat using a soil sampler.

Now, within his literary palace, the abundance of his talent and ambition is almost beyond description.

When it comes to refining words, he is already quite adept.

In terms of cultivation, his current focus has shifted to enhancing the Gatling gun.

After the battle with the Witch God Cult, Xue Xiang had a full understanding of his current strength.

He now has two trump cards.

First, the Breath of Wind Sword Technique, invincible in close combat.

It can put up a fight against someone at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. If it can use its literary energy to harass or launch surprise attacks, it can gain the upper hand.

Second, the Gatling gun.

This item is a divine weapon imbued with literary energy. Judging from its solidification, it is only at the initial stage, but its power is already quite considerable.

If it's a sweeping attack, the area of ​​effect will be wider, but the lethality will decrease, though the deterrent effect will remain unmatched.

If we concentrate our firepower, it will be enough to make an unsuspecting early Foundation Establishment stage expert pay the price with their life.

This is his current trump card.

The cost is that a single move depletes spiritual energy and consumes a great deal of literary energy.

But with the Rejuvenation Pill, he could replenish his spiritual energy at an extremely fast pace.

In conclusion, the most urgent task is to continue strengthening the Gatling gun and firmly grasp this powerful weapon.

Once the character for "snake" is written, its literary quality gives it form, and a water python emerges from the lake, stirring up towering waves before disappearing.

Just then, a graceful figure appeared, stepping on the waves.

She was a beautiful woman in palace attire, her face veiled in white gauze, her silk stockings dusty. She gracefully stepped onto the boat, gently lifting the white gauze to reveal a face with exquisite features.

Her cascading black hair was tied back with a blue ribbon, giving her a strong scholarly air and an unparalleled intellectual beauty.

"Sister Mei."

"Lang Jun."

The two hugged each other tightly.

Noticing the rapid rise in body temperature in his arms, Xue Xiang loosened his brows, only to see her face flushed and a hint of pain between her brows.

Liu Mei said, "Sir Song helped me suppress my spiritual blood and gave me a piece of Yin Cold Jade to restrain the heat poison..."

"Isn't there a way to solve this once and for all?"

Xue Xiang knew that Song Si Zun was the same Song Shi Bo of the Tongjiang School that Xie Haiya had mentioned.

Xie Haiya had said long ago that their lives would be easier once Uncle Song arrived.

And so we waited, and now we're here.

"Not yet."

"Don't worry, I'll think of a way."

"This is already very good. Young master, focus on your studies. The autumn examination is just around the corner."

Liu Mei gently brushed away a wisp of catkin from Xue Xiang's shoulder. "I'm content to still be by my husband's side."

"Sister Mei."

Xue Xiang held her hand tightly, about to speak, when Liu Mei extended a finger and sealed his lips, "Whether you're a Spirit Clan or not, it's just a label given by others."

I'm not afraid.

Actually, I'm secretly pleased to have become a member of the Spirit Race.

If I weren't a member of the Spirit Clan, I would just be a rough and uncouth girl, only good for sewing and mending, washing and cleaning, and unable to help my husband in the slightest.

It's great now.

My dear husband, you don't need to think about how to comfort me.

The young man himself said, "A person with a wealth of knowledge naturally exudes elegance."

Reading a book is like seeing a world; I am happier and more joyful than ever before.

Xue Xiang had a whole host of words to comfort Liu Mei, but she never expected that Liu Mei would think of what she was thinking and instead comfort herself.

"They say that a person should be viewed with new eyes after three days of separation, but for my sister Mei, a day apart feels like three autumns."

Xue Xiang joked.

Liu Mei asked, "By the way, does the young master have any manuscripts of 'The Wrong Bride Married the Right Groom'?"

"Why?"

"Sister Song is reading it, so I have nothing to thank her for."

"Follow up?"

Xue Xiang felt something was off. Why would an old man like to watch this?
According to Xie Haiya, Mr. Kan Jiang of the Tongjiang School was a big fan of "The Mortal World".

Unexpectedly, another Song Sizun has become a fan of "Wrong Carriage, Right Groom".

"Yes, I'll write it to him right away. I owe him a huge favor."

Xue Xiang was deeply grateful to Song Sizun, who had not helped him escape his predicament, but had saved Liu Mei.

"What old lady? She's a young woman."

"Ah. Senior Brother Xie also calls him Uncle-Master."

"Song Sizun is the only daughter of Mr. Liu Fengchi."

"Liu Fengchi? A great master of the Tongjiang School!"

Xue Xiang was taken aback.

The Tongjiang School claims to be a sect, but that's just a convenient name; in reality, it's a loose alliance.

Within the sect, there is no mandatory apprenticeship or restriction of personal freedom. Members are free to develop their own downlines, and the sect is based on shared ideals.

The sect will provide key assistance to its members, such as the Word Soil, Nebula Overlord Body Technique, and Breathing Wind Sword Technique that Xue Xiang obtained.

These were all top-notch benefits, but the sect did not require Xue Xiang to repay them, nor did it assign him a master.

The sect allows its members free rein to develop, and the members also give back to the sect based on their own free will.

For example, when Xue Xiang established the United Business Company, he gave Xie Haiya a share of the shares, which Xie Haiya then donated to the Tongjiang School in Xue Xiang's name.

Within the Tongjiang School, the Supreme Elders Council holds power, and the head elder of the Supreme Elders Council is known as the Great Master.

Even though Xue Xiang didn't know much about the Tongjiang School, he did know about Liu Fengchi, the great master of the Tongjiang School.

"What? Director Song's surname is Song, and his father's surname is Liu?"

"I also asked Senior Brother Xie Haiya, but he hesitated and stammered. I guess it must be because the Master feels guilty towards Song Sizun's mother."

"There's such a story? It seems I'd better stick close to Director Song."

Xue Xiang himself was puzzled as to why all the women in his circle were older and of higher status than him.

"By the way, Master Song changed my name, helped me connect with the Liu family, and created a new household registration."

The young man was instructed to report the missing person to the household registration office, thus ensuring that the Spirit Clan's Liu Mei was indeed captured by the Witch God Cult.

Standing before you now is Liu Zhiwei of Huaiyou.

"Liu Zhiwei, seeing the big picture from small details, is just like Sister Mei, no, Sister Zhiwei's ability."

Xue Xiang was overjoyed.

His biggest worry right now is Liu Mei's identity as a member of the Spirit Clan. Song Si Zun's move has saved him at least 99% of the trouble.

"I cannot go home right now. My husband told his wife not to worry. In three to five months, when the situation eases up, it will be easier to handle."

Song Si-zun urged me to focus on cultivation, saying that the higher my cultivation level, the easier it would be to suppress my spiritual blood. Otherwise, if I were to undergo another mutation in a short period, I would truly revert to my ancestral state.

“I’ll cultivate then, I can afford the spirit stones.”

Xue Xiang was full of heroic spirit.

He calculated that once he reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, eight or nine hundred spirit stones would be more than enough.

Even if Liu Mei reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, 1,300 coins would be enough.

He currently has over 2,500 spirit stones at his disposal, which is sufficient to supply him.

After finishing their business, Liu Mei was about to return, but Xue Xiang refused. Liu Mei said, "Sir Song only gave me two hours."

Xue Xiang shook his head.

"Song Si-zun said that it is very risky for me to appear in Suiyang now."

Xue Xiang raised his face.

Liu Mei paused for a moment, then suddenly understood. A blush rose on her face, and she quickly pecked him on the cheek before turning and riding away on the waves.

Xue Xiang rubbed his face with his fingertips. "It's not even wet."

After seeing Liu Mei off—no, Liu Zhiwei—Xue Xiang rushed off to meet Wei Wendao and his group.

After all, we've come to his turf, and it would be unreasonable not to show him hospitality.

Having already heard about the misunderstanding between Ding Peng and Song Zijie, Ding Chunxia gave Ding Peng a beating with a belt. Then, upon hearing that Xue Xiang was going to entertain his classmates that evening, she sent Ding Peng to wait for them at the gathering place of Wei Wendao and others.

Xue Xiangcai arrived, and Ding Chunxia followed.

Now, the Kaishan Sect is making a fortune thanks to Suiyang Ferry, and Ding Chunxia has no doubt that Xue Xiang is a member of a famous family in Jiangzuo.

Later, Xue Xiang defeated the Witch God Cult, and Ding Chunxia felt that if she didn't follow closely, she might never be able to catch up with Xue Xiang again.

After Xue Xiang introduced Ding Chunxia to Xue Xiang, Ding Chunxia insisted that he take the lead in organizing the gathering, which was moved to Wanghaiju in Huhailou.

In fact, even if he hadn't brought it up, Xue Xiang would have thought the same thing.

Although many restaurants have sprung up along Suiyang Ferry, the best location is still Huhailou, with its unparalleled view of the lake.

The banquet lasted until the hour of Chou (1-3 AM) the next day. After everyone left, Xue Xiang stayed and sat on the balcony of Wanghaiju, enjoying the night view.

He loves this place. When he can't sleep, he comes here to feel the night breeze and listen to the sound of the waves, and he can fall asleep quickly.

Before long, a waiter led a visitor in; it was Wei Wendao, who had returned.

There were many people around, and they were just saying polite things. Xue Xiang had long wanted to have a private chat with Wei Wendao, and Wei Wendao had also wanted to do so for a long time.

After the two sat down, a waiter brought over a tea tray and dried fruit, and Xue Xiang told him that there was no need for him to come over again.

After the waiter left, the two got down to business.

"Brother Wei, what are your thoughts on next year's autumn imperial examination?"

Xue Xiang wanted to discuss the prefectural examination.

(End of this chapter)