Journey to the West: The Immortal Clan Begins by Feeding Monkeys at Five Elements Mountain

Chapter 207 Selling Official Positions and Titles, the Jiang Clan of Tianshui

Jiang Yi paused, as if recalling the scenes he had witnessed throughout the day.

“I roughly explored along the earth’s veins, and this time the earth dragon’s upheaval was far more intense than the last one, and its impact was also wider.”

"The people are suffering terribly, is there any disaster relief plan?"

Jiang Yi's voice was not loud, but it was like a stone sinking into a deep pool.

Jiang Liang's illusory figure swayed almost imperceptibly, like a wisp of smoke in the wind.

He twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile that wasn't really genuine.

"The child is ultimately just a deity of the underworld,"

The voice was flat, "It's about managing the soul, not the rice."

"All we can do is appease the souls of those who died unjustly and gather the resentment of the newborn, so that they may not turn into evil spirits and add to the chaos of the world."

He paused for a moment, looking up at the tiny candle flame.

His tone carried a hint of inexplicable coldness:
"As for the imperial court's relief efforts... His Majesty's benevolent decree, reflecting his concern for the people, has likely already been dispatched to various prefectures and counties at full speed."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi's expression did not soften.

Those eyes, which had witnessed too much hardship, simply drooped slightly.

Three years ago, a severe drought left the land barren and the fields littered with corpses of the starving.

That summer and autumn, disaster relief documents flew in like snowflakes, but the actual food that reached the disaster victims' bowls was as scarce as gold beans.

I heard that the national treasury has already been emptied out.

Whether it was emptied by natural disasters or squandered by "man-made disasters," only heaven knows.

The imperial court had only been able to recover its strength for three years, and now it was struck head-on by such a natural disaster. How much strength did it have left to fill that bottomless hole?
Jiang Yi simply shook his head slowly and didn't ask any more questions.

The flickering candlelight in the main room illuminated his somber face, and the atmosphere grew heavy.

Jiang Liang was originally an illusion, and should have been neither happy nor sad, but at this moment he also felt somewhat depressed.

He paused for a moment, then changed the subject, a lively smile appearing on his face:
"Three years ago, the severe drought caused unrest in the Qiang region. Jiang Rui and Da Hei managed to win over many tribes and secure a large territory. Now, they can be considered to have established a significant presence in the Qiang region."

At this point, his tone became lighter, with a hint of pride in it:

"With such a commotion, the imperial court has naturally taken notice. His father-in-law, who is the Protector of the Qiang, together with the Governor of Liangzhou, recently submitted a joint memorial, saying that he has made meritorious contributions in pacifying the Qiang and protecting the people, and that they should ask for a reward for him. A higher official rank would make it easier for him to speak up when he travels in the Qiang region in the future."

Hearing this, the somber atmosphere in the main room finally eased a bit.

Jiang Yi's tightly furrowed brows seemed to be smoothed out by the news, and his tense lips slowly relaxed.

He exhaled a breath of stale air, as if to expel the pent-up frustration in his heart that weighed on the fate of all living beings.

"It must have been tough for them to create this situation in such a harsh and cold place."

His voice was calm, yet it held a subtle hint of satisfaction.

He picked up his teacup, but didn't drink it. After a moment of contemplation, he said:

"Alright, you can make the trip again at this time tomorrow."

"The fruit trees on the back hill are just ripe. I'll also prepare some medicinal herbs and pills, and you can take them over to them at the same time. I bet Big Black is really craving them."

As Jiang Liang listened, a knowing smile appeared on his illusory face.

He readily agreed, simply nodding to his father and saying, "Then I'll head back now."

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure faded away, like ink spreading into water, his outline gradually blurring until he finally turned into a wisp of faint blue smoke, dissipating into the air.

The room fell silent again.

Only the candlelight occasionally crackled, as if conversing with the night.

The next day, when it was fully light, the sun was high in the sky.

After a night of terror, the village returned to its usual state.

The sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking fill the air, and wisps of smoke rise from chimneys.

It's as if last night's tremor was nothing more than a restless dream.

Jiang Yi strolled leisurely through the village, his hands behind his back. He looked around at the houses, observing everything and making his own plans.

The situation isn't too bad.

A few tiles have fallen from the eaves of one house, revealing the rafters underneath;

Which family's courtyard wall has a few thin cracks?

In short, it wasn't a serious injury; each household tidied things up, found some mud and tiles to patch it up, and that was it.

But Jiang Yi always felt that the earth dragon hadn't caused enough trouble yet.

He stood under the old locust tree at the village entrance and saw the members of the Gujin Gang clearing away rubble, their sweat and dust mingling together.

"Da Niu," he called out.

"Uncle Jiang, we've checked the whole village, there's nothing serious."

Da Niu came up to us, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He was still as strong as an ox, and his voice was loud and clear.

He had been on good terms with Jiang Ming since childhood, and when he saw Jiang Yi back then, he would naturally call him Uncle Jiang.

Now, decades later, Jiang Ming has become the leader of the Ancient and Modern Gang, and Jiang Yi has also become "Old Jiang".

But Da Niu never changed the way he addressed him.

In his own heart, the title "Uncle Jiang" was closer than "Old Jiang," and carried a dignity that others did not.

Jiang Yi simply grunted in response, squinting at the distant, rolling green hills, and said slowly, "This matter is probably not over yet."

He turned his gaze to Da Niu, his tone calm and unwavering:

"Select some strong young men to reinforce the joints of the beams and pillars in each house, using the thicker the timber, the better. Then reinforce them again."

He paused, then added, "Better safe than sorry."

He held no official position in the Ancient and Modern Gang, but once he uttered a word, no one took it seriously.

Da Niu readily agreed and turned to call out names.

Before long, the sound of axes and chisels rang out in the village, blending with the shouts of the young men, conveying a sense of steadfastness.

The village became lively, but the Jiang family ancestral hall remained quiet for several days.

The city of Chang'an was struck by a natural disaster, a time when people's hearts were in turmoil and ghosts and demons roamed freely.

Jiang Liang, the commander of the Sensing Division, naturally had endless tasks to attend to.

The leisurely days spent listening to scriptures and learning the Tao are long gone.

The futon he usually sat on had been covered in dust for almost half a month.

The incense smoke rose straight up from the altar, yet seemed even more desolate than usual.

It wasn't until the morning of that day that the familiar shadow reappeared.

However, upon his return this time, Jiang Liang's spiritual body was not as stable as before; instead, it carried a hint of inexplicable darkness and restlessness.

The air in the hall seemed to grow heavier as well.

Jiang Yi, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them at this moment.

His gaze fell on him, scrutinizing him briefly, his voice as steady as ever:
"What? Is everything still not settled in Chang'an?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liang twitched the corners of his mouth, but the smile didn't reach his eyes at all.

"Chang'an City... the ghosts have returned to their places, and people's hearts are temporarily at ease. On the surface, things are getting by."

The conversation shifted abruptly, and the irritation between his brows could no longer be concealed:
"What worries me is news from Rui'er's side."

Seeing his father's eyes narrow slightly, he quickly added:
"It wasn't Rui'er who made a mistake... In the end, the problem wasn't with him."

He exhaled a long, non-existent breath, his voice filled with suppressed disappointment and exhaustion:

"What truly makes one's heart sink is the current state of the court."

Jiang Yi simply raised his hand, pointing to the empty prayer mat in front of him, indicating that he should sit down.

"No rush." ​​The voice remained calm. "Tell me one thing at a time, slowly."

Jiang Liang's illusory figure sat down on the futon, but the restlessness between his brows did not diminish in the slightest.

“That memorial requesting merit for Rui’er,” he began, his tone laced with suppressed anger, “was originally a sure thing. But once it was submitted, it sank without a trace, like a stone sinking into the sea.”

"His father-in-law sensed something was wrong and used his connections in the capital to investigate thoroughly."

At this point, Jiang Liang gave a self-deprecating laugh.

The laughter echoed in the empty ancestral hall, carrying an indescribable chill. "If you don't ask, you won't know; if you do ask, you won't know whether to be angry or laugh."

"That memorial never even reached the Emperor. It was quietly slipped under the table by a eunuch halfway there."

Jiang Liang's expression was extremely grim.

"That eunuch didn't completely push things too far," he continued, his voice cold and laced with sarcasm. "He sent a message, both openly and secretly, through the Li family."

"It is said that the national treasury is empty and natural disasters have occurred year after year. His Majesty works day and night and his hair has turned white with worry. This time, no matter how great the merit, he must first share the burden of the country and postpone it for the time being."

At this point, he couldn't help but let out a short, cold laugh, dry and hard as iron.

"But his words also subtly pointed to a 'cheap' way."

He looked up at his father's calm face and spoke slowly and deliberately:
"unless……"

"Unless Rui'er and the others can 'understand the court's difficulties' and donate money and grain out of their own pockets, not only will the original rewards be successfully granted, but they can even be further increased."

A ripple finally appeared in Jiang Yi's usually calm and collected eyes.

He did not get angry, but simply looked at his son quietly, speaking in a calm voice:
"Is it because the subordinates are greedy and acted on their own, or..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Liang interrupted, the resentment on his face fading, leaving behind a deeper sense of powerlessness.

Clearly, he already had the answer to this question.

“Wenya’s family has served in the palace for generations. Although she is only a physician, her connections are more extensive than those of many high-ranking officials.”

He spoke slowly.

"After receiving the news, the Li family discreetly probed the situation inside the palace."

"The result..." Jiang Liang smiled bitterly, the smile more painful than a grimace, "This is not an isolated case. Nor is it some audacious eunuch who dared to engage in such risky business on his own."

"Instead... it was authorized and tacitly approved by those above."

He didn't say anything more. But in that ethereal expression, there was an increasingly heavy sense of powerlessness, as if he was holding his breath and couldn't exhale.

There's no need to elaborate further at this point.

The eunuchs were merely following orders.

The identity of the so-called "higher-ups" was already perfectly clear to everyone, leaving no room for doubt.

The ancestral hall was unusually quiet.

Jiang Yi's face showed little surprise.

In his eyes, these scenes were nothing more than remnants he had read countless times in old books from his past life.

As dynasties approach their end, the practice of selling official positions and treating meritorious service as commodities has always been the case and is nothing new.

The longer the silence lasts, the more agonizing it becomes.

Jiang Liang's illusory figure, under his father's calm and collected gaze, was the one who couldn't sit still any longer.

After hesitating for a long time, staring at the straight wisp of cigarette smoke, he finally spoke in a low voice, his words carrying a hint of inquiry and unease:
"This money and grain..."

He paused, as if weighing the significance of those two words.

"Should we go out, or not?"

This matter is both difficult and easy.

Given the Jiang family's current wealth, a little bit of ordinary money and grain would not be enough to cripple them.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi first shook his head very slowly, and then nodded slightly.

This ambiguous action made Jiang Liang even more uneasy, so he could only lower his head and pretend to listen attentively.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Yi's voice rang out calmly:

"The money and provisions can certainly be provided."

He raised his hand to pick up the teacup and gently skimmed off the foam with the lid.

"However," he paused, then continued softly, "this money and grain is not for buying official positions or merits."

Jiang Liang was taken aback, looked up, his eyes full of doubt.

Jiang Yi ignored him, focusing instead on the few tea leaves floating in the cup, and said as usual:
"The granaries at home are more than enough. Make a few more trips and use the Heavenly Vessel Method to send them out."

He then raised his eyes, his gaze falling on Jiang Liang, a deeper meaning creeping into his eyes:
"Distribute the grain. Set up tents and distribute porridge at the border between Liangzhou and Qiang territory to relieve the disaster victims."

“Rui’er followed Dahei and, bearing the title of ‘Divine Eagle Messenger,’ managed to gather some incense offerings and prayers in the Qiang region.”

"Now, it's time to build up some prestige and do some good deeds in Liangzhou."

The words were spoken calmly, yet they carried a weight as heavy as a thousand pounds.

“Go. See if you can use this merit to build a temple with him as the main figure.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liang nodded emphatically and said no more.

The illusory figure vanished like the wind, leaving only wisps of incense smoke, and the ancestral hall returned to silence.

Then, in less than a month...

At the border between Liangzhou and the Qiang region, yellow sand filled the sky, and the autumn wind was bleak.

Suddenly, some unfamiliar faces appeared.

They were dressed like ordinary caravan workers, but their demeanor was clean and efficient; they spoke little and moved quickly.

They were all trusted confidants handpicked by the Li family.

In a few sheltered valleys, makeshift soup kitchens were set up overnight.

A large pot was lit by a fire, the firewood crackled, and the thin porridge inside was bubbling with white foam.

The aroma of rice mixed with the scent of firewood was more captivating than anything else in this desolate place.

The displaced disaster victims were already desperate and had nowhere else to turn.

Smelling the life-saving aroma of the porridge, they helped each other up, dragging their weary bodies together.

The hot porridge warmed my stomach, spreading warmth throughout my internal organs and dispelling some of the chill.

With hope of survival, their legs became stronger.

Naturally, some people couldn't contain their excitement.

An elderly man, holding an empty bowl, trembled as he tried to kneel down, tears streaming down his face, asking which kind-hearted benefactor had performed such a meritorious act.

The porridge-serving workers, having received their instructions, simply waved their hands repeatedly, helped the person up, and mumbled their agreement.

Jiang Yi had already planned this matter.

This world has its own rules.

He remembered clearly how many mountain gods and local deities had tried to bring rain on their own three years ago during the severe drought, only to be utterly destroyed.

The lessons of the past are still fresh in our minds.

Therefore, he had instructed in advance that during this disaster relief effort, not a single word about the "Jiang family of Liangjie Village" should be mentioned.

It just so happens that Jiang Rui's father-in-law, who was the Protector of the Qiang, was originally from Tianshui.

After Jiang Rui married and had children, all the official residences and fiefdoms he received as an official were located in Tianshui.

So when the workers asked anyone, they all gave the same answer:

By order of the head of the Jiang family of Tianshui, I could not bear to see the people suffering, so I came here to do my part.

This "Jiang family of Tianshui" is neither too big nor too small, not particularly eye-catching, but it shows a certain depth and substance, which is just right.

Fortunately, this time the earth dragon turned over, and the Liangzhou region was only swept by the residual effects, which was not a serious disaster.

Several soup kitchens have been open for over a month, and the rice porridge in the pots is still quite thick.

A month later, the number of displaced people with their families on the official road decreased, replaced by scattered caravans and lone travelers.

Those large pots were also put away quietly one morning.

They came quietly and left cleanly.

But that bowl of hot porridge that could save lives, and the selfless "Jiang family of Tianshui," were like a seed that fell into the hearts of many people and slowly took root.

This title wasn't particularly prestigious, and it didn't reach the ears of the powerful and influential people in Luoyang and Chang'an.

In several counties and prefectures of Liangzhou, people would often mention it during casual conversations over tea or by the roadside.

There was a family surnamed Jiang who helped them during their most difficult time.

(End of this chapter)