From Celestial Official to Great Celestial Venerable

Chapter 13 Second-in-Command

Fellow Daoist Yuankang is Gu Yuankang, the top official of Jiuchuan County and the county magistrate.

After listening to Sun Qinghan's words, all those present were Taoists who had entered the path of immortality through the examination, so how could they not understand the meaning behind them?
But I couldn't help feeling uneasy.

With the new rules now in effect, many past precedents will need to be changed.

Some people have not yet changed their mindset and still hold a cautious attitude towards extraterrestrial objects, believing that "those who are not of our kind must have different intentions."

Now they want to connect with outer space... This...

"Does the Qinghan County God intend to have this spirit orange planted in Jiuchuan on a trial basis?"

Liu Shichang asked, his forehead already beaded with sweat.

This is undoubtedly an experiment in transformation.

For Sun Qinghan, it may have been a political achievement attempt, but for Nongling Temple, it was a huge challenge.

Especially for someone in charge like him, the slightest mistake could lead to the interruption of his path to immortality.

"good."

Sun Qinghan placed her hands on the table, her hair slightly tossed, her tone calm yet unquestionable.

"I have consulted a herbalist in the Forbidden City about this matter."

The soil in Jiuchuan, and even the entire blessed land of Lushan, is mostly red spiritual soil, which is extremely suitable for the growth of citrus spiritual plants.

Therefore, this matter will be entrusted to your Nongling Temple.

This time, I brought a total of 156 Ling orange saplings for you to cultivate and study.

After Sun Qinghan finished speaking, the office fell silent.

The crowd looked at each other, and finally all their eyes turned to Liu Shichang, the deputy abbot.

Liu Shichang, forcing himself to speak, said:
"This matter is of great importance. Should we wait until Abbot Guo returns so that we can discuss it carefully, come up with a plan, and then go to the county temple to report?"

This is a matter of immense importance.

This new county god was eager to make a name for himself and his people, but they could not be easily used as pawns in his experiments.

Leaving aside the question of whether southern oranges can become northern trifoliate oranges, it remains to be seen whether these extraterrestrial plants can survive and maintain their quality in Dongsheng.

Simply by agreeing to this matter, it means that they must deliver results during the term of office of this county god.

If the money cannot be delivered, it will jeopardize the county's major plans, and someone will have to take responsibility.

Who could it be? Naturally, it would be the person who approved of this matter.

Such an important matter could not be handled arbitrarily by a mere deputy temple; it required the approval of the head temple.

That's why they said they needed to wait for Guo Shanshan, the chief priest, to return before discussing it further.

Sun Qinghan replied, "There's no need to wait for Fellow Daoist Guo to return. This matter is being discussed by me on behalf of the county temple, and the official document will be issued soon."

Liu Shichang was deeply shaken.

Representing the county temple? This means that County God Gu and other key figures in the county temple have given their approval.

Does this newly appointed female county magistrate possess such power?

Upon assuming office, he was able to reach a consensus among the people in the county temple and directly issue a command document.
Isn't it said that the top leader has absolute power?
How could the deputy county magistrate become the master of the county magistrate?
Is this the second-in-command?
Between Gu Yuankang, the county magistrate, and Sun Qinghan, the deputy county magistrate who also held the position of local official, who was truly the master of the county?
With his mind racing, Liu Shichang forced a smile: "This... I will immediately send a jade slip to Abbot Guo after the meeting to inform him of this matter."

“Hmm.” Sun Qinghan nodded slightly, then stood up. “It’s still early, so let’s go to the observation field of Nongling Temple. I’ve heard that there is a master herbalist in the temple, known as Elder Huo? It’s a good opportunity to pay him a visit and hear his insights.”

As soon as she stood up, everyone in the government office rose up in unison, surrounding her as she left the office and headed straight for the observation field.

……

Suck--

Stepping into Spirit Field No. 3, Qin Chuan stood amidst a patch of Ganoderma lucidum and took a deep breath. A dense surge of spiritual energy particles flooded his body, more than three times stronger than what he felt at Mr. He's house. He couldn't help but murmur in amazement:
"The spirit fields owned by the government are indeed incomparable to those scattered spirit fields outside the town."

In the past ten days, he had condensed nearly 100,000 spiritual energy particles and repeatedly tried to break through, intending to transform the spiritual particles into spiritual waves, but he failed one after another. Instead, he wasted a lot of spiritual energy in the compression process.

At this moment, in this place full of spiritual energy, he subconsciously circulated his energy according to the newly acquired "Neiyuan Gong" method, and a faint throbbing sensation of breaking through a barrier came from his body.

"Could it be that the reason you were unable to break through before was because you lacked the authentic cultivation method and relied solely on the instinctive guidance of Taoist talismans, ultimately failing to grasp the true essence?"

His mind raced, and his cultivation technique naturally drew upon his divine sense, frantically seizing the surrounding spiritual energy. The ten thousand spiritual particles trembled, spreading like mist, seemingly about to burst forth from his body—

Is this... about to break through?
But Qin Chuan suddenly stiffened and forcefully suppressed the impulse.

This is Nongling Temple, a public field. How can such a breakthrough be taken lightly?
Even if we are 90% certain, we absolutely cannot take the risk here.

If someone harbors malicious intent and causes even the slightest disturbance, the consequences could be disastrous.

His gaze swept swiftly over the other Taoists on the ridges between the fields. Though it might be a petty thought, since he had embarked on the path of Taoism, he had to be extremely wary of everyone.

The official career is fraught with ups and downs, and fortunes are unpredictable. A slight misstep can lead to utter ruin.

Fortunately, the other Taoists were all several acres away, and none of them noticed what was happening on his side.

"Even if we don't break through, we might as well take this opportunity to absorb more spiritual energy."

As he bent down to examine the growth of the red Ganoderma lucidum, noticing that they grew on rotten wood, were deep red in color, and had uneven buds, he secretly circulated the "Neiyuan Gong" to continue accumulating spiritual particles.

Breakthroughs consume a great deal of spiritual energy; the more energy you accumulate now, the greater your chances of success.

Although it may seem like taking advantage of public funds, it's like turning on the company's air conditioning in the summer – you might as well use it.

Just as he relaxed slightly, he suddenly sensed something, looked up abruptly, and saw a group of people walking towards the observation field.

"Sure enough, it's here."

He immediately focused his mind and, following Old Master Huo's instructions, not only stopped breathing exercises but also tried his best to conceal his own aura, blending it into the surrounding plants.

The other fire-working Taoists and field helpers also noticed this, and they all held their breath and lowered their heads, pretending to be busy, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

If the new county magistrate personally inspects the temple and points out any mistakes, the punishment within the temple will be severe.

The leader, dressed in a black and white Taoist robe, possessed a refined and aloof air; she was none other than the newly appointed County God, Sun Qinghan. Her steps were composed, a smile playing on her lips like a plum blossom just beginning to bloom, as she addressed Old Man Huo, who wore a straw hat:
"This must be Fellow Daoist Huo Yuanjue, right? I am Sun Qinghan. Before I came to Jiuchuan, I had already heard of a master herbalist in the county. Today I finally get to meet him."

Old Mr. Huo had already removed his hat and bowed, a humble smile appearing between his wrinkles:
"You flatter me, Qinghan County God. I dare not claim to be a master of plants; I merely have more experience in tending to spiritual plants than others."

"Old Mrs. Huo is modest."

Sun Qinghan didn't waste any time on pleasantries and went straight to the point:
"I have just discussed a matter with the fellow Daoists in the temple. Elder Huo, you might as well listen in..."

Her voice was clear and steady, and Liu Shichang immediately chimed in, explaining to Old Master Huo with a friendly smile, a stark contrast to the solemnity he displayed during the previous discussion.

Huo Yuanjue lowered his head and stroked his beard, seemingly deep in thought, but a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes.

"This is really troublesome..."

Having been in official business for so long, how could he not understand the crux of the matter?

The new county magistrate's first act upon taking office was to implement sweeping new policies, with the Nongling Temple being the first target.

If this trial planting of Ling oranges is not handled well, Nongling Temple will have no peace for several years or even more than ten years to come.

"What does Elder Huo think?" Sun Qinghan's eyes were clear, as if they could see into people's hearts.

Huo Yuanjue looked up and slowly replied, "The soil of Jiuchuan is indeed suitable for planting citrus fruits. The County God of Qinghan has keen insight."

However, there are still several difficulties:

Firstly, introduced species are prone to pests, and there are no established methods for prevention and control.

Secondly, these kinds of spiritual fruits require abundant rainfall, and may even require spiritual rain to irrigate them..."

He first praised the county magistrate's plan, then listed the difficulties, leaving room for maneuver in his words.

“I will handle the matter of spiritual energy. As for the other technical difficulties, I believe that everyone at Nongling Temple will be able to overcome them.”

Sun Qinghan, however, seemed to have already seen through everyone's thoughts. Without allowing any excuses, she turned and asked:
"How much vacant land is left in the observation field? Which areas are most suitable for planting 'Liuxiang Oranges'?"

Liu Shichang was quite familiar with this and had prepared in advance, so he immediately responded:

"Returning to the county magistrate, upon inspection, there are currently six mu of vacant land remaining. There are two mu of field numbered Bing-3 and four mu of field numbered Yi-2. This is field numbered Bing-3 in front of us."

He then led his men to the fields that Qin Chuan was in charge of.

Sun Qinghan stepped onto the ridge of the field, his gaze falling on the two acres of empty red soil: "These two acres are the red spiritual soil suitable for citrus?"

Liu Shichang and Huo Yuanjue exchanged a glance, both seeing the bitterness in each other's eyes, and could only reply, "Yes."

"Who is in charge of this area?" Sun Qinghan suddenly asked.

Huo Yuanjue's heart skipped a beat. He had been worried that the new fire-working Taoist priest might make a mistake, so he had specifically instructed him to avoid him. But by some twist of fate, he had run right into him.

He composed himself and replied, "It's a Taoist priest named Qin Chuan, who just..."

Before he could finish speaking, Sun Qinghan's gaze had already fallen into the depths of the Ganoderma lucidum field.

On a boy who was bending over and loosening the soil behind a tree stump.

She paused slightly, glanced at it again, and softly praised:

"This person is quite talented."

(End of this chapter)