I became an immortal in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 39 The Prefect and Magistrate Have Vanished Without a Trace

"Where are you going, sir?" Li Bai blurted out.

"First to Luoyang, then to Bianzhou, then to Yanzhou, and finally to Mount Tai."

The cat clutched the meat tightly and ran back.

"Sir, are you going to Mount Tai to observe Zen? I would be happy to go with you."

"Just going to take a look."

Jiang She did not agree, saying, "This journey to Mount Tai involves thousands of mountains and rivers. Even if we travel every day, it will take several months. It is no easy task."

Jiang She couldn't afford to buy horses, and the horse and carriage companies wouldn't be willing to rent them out for such a long time and distance.

He didn't care about the difficult journey and walked slowly. If he couldn't catch up, he could use his flying technique; it wouldn't matter.

But if ordinary people travel all day long, they will probably get seriously ill from exhaustion.

Li Bai's tone was resolute.

"I'm willing to go!"

He said, "Didn't you say before that you were willing to travel with others and wander around? Why not just say yes?"

He added, "We'll buy two carriages then. Since we're going on a trip, we'll definitely need to bring a lot of things. This way, we can prepare them and make the journey easier."

Jiang She laughed it off.

"Two horse-drawn carriages are quite expensive."

Li Bai said with high spirits, "What do these worldly things like gold and silver matter if it's for your sake, sir?"

"..."

Finally, Jiang She spoke.

"Then we shall set off tomorrow."

Li Bai's expression instantly became vivid.

He immediately bowed and hurried to the carriage and horse shop to buy a horse, and then took two servants from his household to go in and out to purchase things.

The neighbors watched as the group went in and out, looking very busy.

Just as Li Bai was carrying the trunks inside, a neighbor grabbed him at the door and asked, "Young Master Li, what are you preparing? The Dragon Boat Festival has already passed."

Li Bai laughed heartily.

However, the whereabouts of the immortal were never revealed.

He said, "I always felt that something was missing at home, so it's good that we've gotten everything we need these days."

The neighbor was suspicious.

Why are you buying that tall, magnificent horse?
"Young Master Li, please don't deceive me anymore." The neighbor thought for a moment, took out a small bamboo basket that was somewhat damaged, turned around and caught the cat that was running in the yard inside.

"Young master, ask the gentleman inside how many days he has been feeding the cat."

"Would you be willing to buy two catties of dried fish?"

……

After a while.

Jiang She returned from the dried goods store carrying several dried fish and a bag of salt.

"This cat ate all that meat for nothing, and then shared it with the other cats when we got back. You've really gone to a lot of trouble, sir."

The neighbor took it and smiled kindly.

“Sir, you have been feeding this cat for several days, so you must like it. I was originally thinking of sending the cat over, but I haven’t had the time and didn’t dare to bother you.”

The neighbors should try to speak more politely.

He knew that the people in this courtyard were either wealthy or extraordinary, and he rarely interacted with them.

Jiang She looked down at the cat. When the cat saw him, it became unusually bold and restless, kicking the bamboo basket hard with its legs, and its little head was almost popping out.

he said.

"I should be thanking you."

"Would you like to come in for a cup of tea, neighbor?"

"That's perfect!"

The neighbors were overjoyed.

He stretched out his leg and stomped the mud off the soles of his shoes twice in front of his doorstep. He then turned his head to check if the ground he had walked on was clean before cautiously following inside.

The cat seemed more comfortable inside than he was.

It was like it had returned to its own home. With its tail held high and swaying back and forth, it found the most comfortable spot on the table and lay down.

It makes a soft snoring sound.

Jiang She brewed the tea, adding extra tea leaves.

He handed it to the man who was sitting somewhat restlessly.

After chatting for a while, Jiang She learned that his neighbors were not locals of Xiangyang. They had been caravan workers in their early years, traveling around the country, and eventually settled down in Xiangyang because they were tired of it.

Xu Da brought his wife and children over, and they have lived here for twelve years now.

The children practically grew up in Xiangyang and have long regarded it as their hometown.

Jiang She asked, "Where is Xu Dalang from?"

“I’m from Chenzhou. Years ago, the Yellow River was flooded and we couldn’t survive. Not to mention the fields, my parents starved to death. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to wander around trying my luck as a merchant on boats.”

Chenzhou is located on the south bank of the lower reaches of the Yellow River. After the Yellow River breaches its banks, Chenzhou, Songzhou, and other prefectures would experience severe flooding, submerging fields and houses.

Xu Dalang lowered his head and took a sip of tea.

"This tea...!"

The taste seemed a little off. Xu Da pondered for a while, then, holding his teacup, he only drank half a cup before cautiously asking:
"Mr. Jiang, may I take this half bowl of tea home with me?"

“Of course.” Jiang She said, finding a small soup bowl, putting the tea leaves in, pouring in water, and filling the bowl to the brim.

Fearing they might be reluctant to drink it, he added...

"It must be consumed within three days."

Xu Xiao carefully took it and just put it down from the table.

He remarked with emotion.

"Sir, you are a kind man."

The more I thought about the taste of the tea, the more wonderful it seemed. I thought about all the rumors and the people who had been peeking around in the alley lately.

Xu Da couldn't help but ask.

"Mr. Jiang, are there really immortals in this world?"

"some."

Xu Da stared wide-eyed, about to kneel down with a thud, but something held him down, preventing him from bending his waist or kneeling.

"gentlemen……"

A heart was pounding wildly inside Xu Da's chest cavity.

He knew he had met a master.

He was both fearful and apprehensive, and asked, "Can immortals live forever?"

"can."

Jiang She saw the man glare at him, his heart pounded, and his face turned red as he was about to kneel down when he was immediately stopped.

He smiled and pointed to the soup bowl on the table.

"Xu Dalang, go back and share the wine with your family. I'm leaving soon, so there's no need to return the bowl."

The neighbor was disappointed.

I've decided to enshrine this bowl when I get back.

He said:

"Take care on your journey, sir. I wish you a safe and smooth trip."

Jiang expressed his gratitude.

Wait until people leave.

He then looked at the cat, who was already fast asleep, curled up in a ball on the table, its belly rising and falling with each breath. It was sleeping soundly and quite comfortably.

I patted the kitten's head.

A strange feeling welled up inside him; this was his cat.

Not long after.

The crates were almost full when they hit the ground with a heavy thud.

Yuan Danqiu was taking a midday rest.

Hearing the noise, I was startled awake from bed.

I could hear hurried footsteps outside.

Taibai and Mr. Jiang never walked like this, and the footsteps sounded like those of two different people.

Could it be that the two went out and their yard was burgled?

Yuan Danqiu immediately got out of bed, put on his outer robe, looked around the bedroom, picked up the porcelain pillow on the couch with one hand, put on his shoes, and tiptoed to push open a crack in the door.

"……gentlemen?"

Yuan Danqiu was taken aback, looking at the courtyard full of packed boxes and the servants hurrying around.

Need to know more.

"gentlemen!"

……

……

The next day.

The inscription was finally carved, and a red silk ribbon was hung on the stone. Several laborers carefully carried it together.

The governor and Magistrate Cheng walked ahead of the crowd, one after the other, gazing at the azure sky, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Behind the two men was a large group of yamen runners, constables, and other officials.

Further on, came the local gentry of Xiangyang, especially the few who had appeared in Lu's dream that day, all of whom crowded around the stone tablet.

There were servants on both sides clearing the way, beating gongs and drums.

Shouted:

"As the magistrate passes by, all other passersby, please disperse."

"The magistrate is passing by—"

"Idlers, please leave—"

finally.

A large group of people stood outside the courtyard gate.

Looking at all these people, the one at the front was wearing an official robe, and the neighbors were all peering over the wall.

The governor bowed to the gate of the courtyard.

"Han Chaozong, the Prefect of Xiangzhou, has come to pay his respects to the immortal—"

　I couldn't find out who the governor of Xiangzhou was in 725, but I'll assume it was Han Chaozong. Let's just use that for now.

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(End of this chapter)