Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 112 Various Matters in the Countryside (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

As night fell, the moon shone brightly, hanging high in the sky.

In the main hall of the Zhu family, Zhao Xian and Cao Miao were already seated.

The head of the household was naturally Zhu Lai, the patriarch of the Zhu family, and opposite him was his cousin, Zhu Zai, the former head of the Wohu Township, as well as several guests of the Zhu family.

As the wine flowed freely, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Zhu looked at Zhao Xian from the opposite side, a hint of envy in his eyes.

"Zhao Jun is young and promising, which Zhu Ran greatly admires!"

"Haha, Zhu Jun comes from a prominent family in the village, living a life of luxury. Bo Zhang is extremely envious of Zhu Jun!"

Zhao Xian replied loudly with a smile.

"Is Mr. Zhao from Wohu Township?"

Zhu Ran asked again.

"Bo Zhang is from Shanghuting Village, Wohu Township!"

Cao Miao, who was standing to the side, interjected.

"Shanghu Pavilion?"

Zhu Ran was slightly taken aback, her expression darkening.

Upon seeing this, Cao Miao and Zhao Xian suddenly realized that the young Zhu Jun in front of them had been dismissed from his post in the county because of the attack on the Shanghu Pavilion by bandits.

Seeing this, Zhu Lai, the eldest Zhu King, who sat in the main seat, smiled calmly: "Aran has been kind-hearted since childhood, and still feels guilty about the Daoist people who were slaughtered by bandits at Shanghu Pavilion that night!"

Knowing he had been impolite, Zhu Zai heard his elder brother Zhu Lai's words and gently wiped the corner of his eye, his eyes slightly red.

This situation is truly heartbreaking!

Unfortunately, one of the two men opposite him was a veteran clerk who had served as an official for many years and had once been Zhu Zai's subordinate. Little did he know what kind of person this fellow was!

Before leaving, Zhao Xian was summoned by Chen Yuancheng and had a long private talk with him. He naturally learned that the fire at Shanghuting that night was caused by Zhu's guests!

Seeing Zhu Zai's behavior, the two men, though disgusted, showed respect and offered words of comfort.

When the moon was high in the sky, the group finally left the Zhu family.

Zhu Lai also thoughtfully presented Cao Miao and Zhao Xian with a gift each.

"Thank you so much, Lord Zhu!" Upon seeing this, Cao Miao immediately bowed and thanked Zhu Lai, saying, "We have just arrived in the countryside and have not yet settled the people under our rule, yet we have received such a great courtesy from Lord Zhu. We are truly ashamed!"

Seeing this, Zhao Xian, who was standing to the side, also bowed with great excitement.

"Haha, Your Excellencies, there's no need for such formalities. We reside in Shahe Township, and naturally hope that under your rule, Shahe Township will remain peaceful and undisturbed!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Lai immediately stepped forward to help the two up and said with great sincerity.

After exchanging pleasantries once more, Zhao Xian and Cao Miao mounted their horses and left the Zhu family.

Watching Zhao Xian and Cao Miao's group leave, Zhu Lai's smile faded. Turning to Zhu Ran behind her, she said calmly, "While these two are serving in Shahe Township, you must remain at home and cultivate yourself. You are not allowed to go out unless absolutely necessary!"

"Elder brother, I am no longer young and impetuous; I know my limits!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ran gave a wry smile and explained.

"There's nothing much going on in the village anyway. If you get tired of staying here, you can go stay in the county for a few days!" Zhu Lai waved his hand, stopping Zhu Ran from explaining, and said seriously, "Remember, don't have any contact with these two!"

"Aran will obey her elder brother's command!"

Upon seeing this, Zhu Ran had no choice but to bow to Zhu Lai.

Meanwhile, Cao Miao and Zhao Xian also returned to their village home. After dismissing their attendants, the two talked privately until late at night.

Only when the crowing of roosters echoed throughout the house did Zhao Xian leave the main hall in the back courtyard and return to the main hall in the middle courtyard to rest.

Over the next two days, the two became acquainted with the local officials and then visited the three elders of the village and the other three major clans.

It wasn't until the third day that Cao Miao convened a meeting with the wealthy households in the village to discuss matters.

Zhao Xian accompanied Cao Miao, and the two of them discussed with dozens of wealthy households in the village for half a day, finally reaching an agreement on how to quell the demon!

Apart from the two pavilions far from the Shahe River, all the wealthy households in the other five pavilions along the Shahe River, regardless of the amount of land they own, must pay ten low-grade spirit stones!

Used for slaying demons!

Upon hearing this, the wealthy households of the five pavilions along the river were naturally very dissatisfied, but seeing that the four families in the village had all taken the initiative to pay, they had no choice but to swallow their pride and accept the matter!

That afternoon, wealthy families in the five pavilions along the river sent their guests and servants to deliver the spirit stones to their homes.

As night fell, Zhao Xian and Cao Miao went to four different families in the village and returned all the spirit stones they had handed over, showing great respect.

These ten low-grade spirit stones were naturally beneath the notice of the four family heads, but the humble attitude of Zhao Xian and Cao Miao truly pleased them.

After some polite refusals, Zhao Xian and Cao Miao returned to their respective homes with the spirit stones handed over by the four families.

Having served as an official for a year, Zhao Xian considered such matters to be nothing more than ordinary occurrences.

Including the four prominent families in the village, there are a total of forty wealthy households along the five pavilions of the river, who have collected a total of 420 low-grade spirit stones!

The following morning, after a night had passed, the wealthy households in the other two pavilions seemed to have figured something out, and each sent someone to deliver ten low-grade spirit stones.

All told, I've collected exactly five hundred low-grade spirit stones!

In the backyard of the country house, in the main hall.

Zhao Xian and Cao Miao sat alone in the hall, with a small pile of low-grade spirit stones shimmering with spiritual light in front of them.

"Bo Zhang, you may take all five hundred low-grade spirit stones for the purpose of subduing the demon!"

Cao Miao glanced at the pile of low-grade spirit stones, then looked at Zhao Xian and said with a smile.

"In that case, Bozhang will not refuse Cao Jun's offer!"

Zhao Xian immediately responded.

Upon hearing this, Cao Miao's expression froze for a moment, but she could only continue with a smile, saying, "That would be perfect!"

"Previously, Lord Cao provided Bo Zhang with three iron-rimmed bows, five thirty-ringed swords, and thirty talisman arrows!" Zhao Xian looked at Cao Miao with a calm smile. "All these weapons will cost at least three hundred low-grade spirit stones!"

"These three hundred low-grade spirit stones will be accepted by Lord Cao!"

Zhao Xian rose from his seat, swept his divine sense across the area, and then separated three hundred low-grade spirit stones from them. He immediately picked them up and piled them on the table in front of Cao Miao.

"Oh dear, I've been so busy these past few days, I almost forgot about the oxcart!"

Zhao Xianfu slapped his forehead again, shook his head and smiled bitterly, then took out fifty low-grade spirit stones and piled them on the table in front of Cao Miao.

"Mr. Cao, this will settle things evenly!"

Zhao Xian looked at Cao Miao with a smile on his face and bowed.

"Oh dear, those weapons were a gift I gave to Bozhang, how can you do this!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Miao naturally pushed the spirit stone in front of him forward.

Zhao Xian naturally didn't take his words seriously and declined again.

After declining several times, Cao Miao finally pocketed the three hundred and fifty low-grade spirit stones.

Zhao Xian then put the remaining 150 low-grade spirit stones into the Spirit-Extinguishing Wooden Box.

This incident further warmed the atmosphere between the two.

Cao Miao naturally ceased to interfere in the matter of suppressing the demons, leaving it entirely to Zhao Xian.

In the past few days, Zhao Hong and others under Zhao Xian's command have also been busy, as Zhao Xian has sent them out to investigate the details of the demonic calamity in Shahe Township.

After some investigation, the details of the demonic calamity in Shahe Township were clearly presented to Zhao Xian.