Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 123 Matters of Shahe (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Reed marshes.

A gentle breeze blows, and the reeds sway.

The faint smell of blood dissipated with the wind, and there was not a trace of blood left on the ground.

Silently, the power transition in the den of over a hundred thieves had been completed.

The newly appointed leader's first order was to appoint a scholar in a green robe as the military advisor of the water fortress, in charge of all affairs within the fortress.

As for the second order, it was naturally to rebuild the main hall of the water fortress, otherwise, where would he, the nominal leader, find a place to rest?

The turmoil in the reed marshes was naturally unknown to Zhao Xian and others, who were far away in the Shahe countryside.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xian was also discussing with Cao Miao, the village head, how to deal with the bandits.

"Lord Cao, this band of bandits has been hiding in the reed marshes for over ten years. If this continues, it will surely lead to disaster!"

In the main hall of the backyard of the country house, Zhao Xian looked at Cao Miao, who was in the main seat, and spoke solemnly, his expression very serious.

"Bozhang, do you know how vast the reed marshes are?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Lei looked at Zhao Xian and asked him directly.

"I hereby inform Lord Cao that this area, spanning twenty or thirty li, is equivalent to most of Shahe Township!"

After pondering for a few breaths, Zhao Xian respectfully responded.

"Wouldn't it be as difficult as climbing to heaven to find a few dozen bandits in such a vast reed marshland?"

Cao Miao looked at Zhao Xian and said with a smile.

"This~"

Zhao Xian hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer.

"Moreover, there are no roads in the reed marshes, and there are also hidden swamps. If Taoists who are not familiar with the terrain enter there, they are very likely to lose their way."

"How many men should be sent to search for the bandits?"

Cao Miao looked at Zhao Xian and asked him a series of questions. Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian naturally showed a hint of shame on his face.

"Lord Cao's wisdom and foresight are truly admirable!"

Immediately, Zhao Xian bowed to Cao Miao.

"As long as that bandit group in the reed marshes doesn't go out and cause trouble, then let's just pretend they don't exist anymore!"

"Bo Zhang respectfully obeys Lord Cao's command!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately responded again.

Seeing that Cao Miao had his eyes slightly closed, Zhao Xian also stood up, bowed, and took his leave.

After leaving the backyard, Zhao Xian returned to the main hall of the central courtyard and fell into deep thought about Cao Miao's words.

It is obvious that Cao Miao does not intend to wage war against Puweidang, or rather, he does not intend to spend too much money and resources on the bandits in Puweidang.

Cao Miao simply wanted to serve as the head of Shahe Township for several years in peace and quiet, and then retire from the township to enjoy his old age.

"Ugh!"

With a long sigh, Zhao Xian found himself in a dilemma.

It wasn't because of the remaining bandits in the reed marshes, but rather to make things difficult for the twenty-odd members of the demon-hunting team.

Zhao Xian was not from a prominent family, and he could not afford to support more than twenty people!

"Very well, we have no choice but to send some of the Daoist followers home first!"

With this in mind, Zhao Xian also began to secretly plan which Daoist practitioners should be allowed to return home first.

As night fell, Zhao Xianzhao, Zhao Hong, and a few others bought wine and meat, and drank with the members of the demon-hunting team until late into the night.

Fueled by alcohol, Zhao Xian inadvertently revealed that some of the Daoist followers should return home first.

Upon hearing this, most of the Daoist people nodded in agreement, without any complaints or misunderstandings.

The following morning, Zhao Xian summoned all the Daoist people and announced the list of those to be dismissed.

The Daoist who was named was naturally very reluctant to part with them.

But seeing that the Daoist followers who remained were all wounded, everyone understood Zhao Xian's intentions.

"Lord Zhao is merciful!"

That was what everyone was thinking.

However, after living in the country inn for more than a month, Zhao Xian hosted a small banquet almost every three days and a large banquet every five days to entertain everyone.

The days of having plenty of wine, meat, and rice, a life of blissful bliss, are probably gone forever.

Thinking of this, a trace of reluctance appeared on everyone's faces.

Seeing this, Zhao Xian also promised everyone that if there were any more demon hunting missions, he would recruit these people first.

"If Lord Zhao summons us one day, we will serve him faithfully, even unto death!"

Upon hearing this, everyone knelt down and shouted loudly.

"To have you all by my side is a great honor for Zhao Xian!"

Zhao Xian also bowed deeply to return the greeting to everyone.

"Ah Hong, give each of you three hundred coins as a token of Zhao Xian's goodwill!"

Upon hearing Zhao Xian's call, Zhao Hong, who was behind him, immediately took out the prepared talisman coins and distributed them to the departing people.

Afterwards, the dozen or so Taoist priests, carrying talisman coins, were escorted out of the village by Zhao Xian and left together.

At this time, only fourteen Taoist priests remained in the village, and most of them were injured.

How could Zhao Xian possibly send the injured Daoist priests home?

In the countryside, where would they find the money for medical treatment? They feared that returning home would mean certain death.

It would be better to stay in the country house and return home once the injuries have healed.

Apart from the injured Daoist practitioners, Zhao Xian only left behind Zhang Gong and Mu Chun.

Even his uncle, Zhao Li, was sent home by Zhao Xian.

Zhang Gong was skilled in archery and had a very calm personality, which Zhao Xian appreciated.

Mu Chun, aside from Huang Zhong, should be considered the first guest to follow Zhao Xian.

Furthermore, his father, Lao Mu, had taken good care of Zhao Xian in the Wohu Township. Therefore, Zhao Xian could not send him home, both morally and logically.

In the days that followed, Zhao Xian led Zhao Hong and his three companions, along with Zhang Gong and Mu Chun, to continue patrolling the countryside and hunting monsters.

Although there are fewer people, they are still more than enough to hunt monsters.

Especially after Zhao Xian saw the Thunder Pattern Golden Silk War Bow, even the most robust and powerful demonic beasts in the early and middle stages of Qi Refining could not withstand Zhao Xian's rapid-fire attack!

Time flies, and it's already the end of May.

The demonic disturbances within Shahe Township have been largely quelled. The remaining ones can only be pursued again once the demons reappear. Just like last year, at the end of May, Shahe Township will also conduct land surveys and population assessments.

Cao Miao naturally remained a hands-off manager, entrusting all matters to Zhao Xian.

Zhao Xian had already presided over the land survey and population calculation once, and now that he was presiding over it again, he was naturally very familiar with the process.

The population of Qiting in Shahe Township is slightly larger than that of Wohu Township, with approximately 4,000 households.

Zhao Xian casually selected two capable junior officials to accompany him, and with Zhao Hong, Huang Zhong, Zhang Gong, and Mu Chun by his side, he was naturally not short of manpower.

The remaining villagers who had stayed in the countryside to recuperate, such as Zhao Xianjiu's cousins ​​Xu Hua and Xu Fu, had all recovered from their injuries and returned home one after another.

Now, Zhao Xian is accompanied only by four teenagers: Zhao Hong, Huang Zhong, and Zhang Gong and Mu Chun.

The four families in Shahe Township also sent five mid-grade spirit stones each on the eve of the investigation, which Zhao Xian naturally handed over to Cao Miao.

This is in accordance with the wishes of the county magistrate, so no one would have any ulterior motives.

The next morning, Zhao Xian began to inspect the fields along the Shahe River.

With the help of Zhao Hong and his men, who bravely led the charge, the investigation proceeded smoothly.

After nightfall, there was no need to return to the village house, as wealthy villagers would invite them to a banquet and offer them lavish hospitality.

However, he never stayed overnight, as he was busy with affairs and had many attendants, making it inconvenient.

After a month and a half of hard work, the group finally completed the survey of more than 40 li of Shahe Township.

What Zhao Hong, Huang Zhong, and others saw and heard during the field survey was also a great shock.

Even in the countryside, there are many sordid and disgusting things.

Zhang Gong and Mu Chun, however, having already reached adulthood and being well-informed, did not feel anything about this.

That's just how it is.

Shahe Township is wealthier than Wohu Township, but the people living there are not as well off as those living in Wohu Township.

There were quite a few Daoist people who sold their children and became slaves or servants to wealthy families!

In Shahe Township, there are dozens of wealthy households, with some having one or two dependent households, and others having twenty or thirty dependent households.

As for the four prominent families in the village, they naturally had even more followers and retainers.

Zhao Xian felt great sympathy for this, but he was powerless to do anything about it.

A mere village official, a lowly clerk, was certainly no big shot in Shahe Township.

The only thing that made Zhao Xian somewhat happy was the low-grade spirit stones sent by various wealthy families. Apart from giving some to Cao Miao, Zhao Xian still had more than four hundred low-grade spirit stones in his possession.

Unfortunately, he still had Zhao Hong and others under his command to support, and even with over four hundred low-grade spirit stones, he couldn't sustain them for long.

"Brother!"

Suddenly, a figure rushed into the main hall of the central courtyard.

Zhao Xian looked up and saw his second younger brother, Zhao Hong.

"What's the matter that you're in such a panic?" Zhao Xian put down the green bamboo slip in his hand, then looked at Zhao Hong and asked in a solemn voice.

"Elder brother, the guests from the Zhu family have come on the orders of Zhu Lai, the head of the Zhu family, to invite you to a banquet!"

Zhao Hong immediately took a deep breath, looked at Zhao Xian, and said in a deep voice.

"The Zhu family is hosting a banquet~"

Zhao Xian pondered for a moment, but could not fathom Zhu Lai's intentions.

"And ask if we should invite Lord Cao?"

Zhao Xian pondered for a few moments, then slowly spoke.

"Brother, I have already asked, and Mr. Cao has not been invited."

Zhao Hong replied without hesitation.

"In that case, a banquet should be held!"

Zhao Xian nodded slightly and then said calmly.

"Understood, elder brother!"

Zhao Hong responded and turned to hurry out of the hall.

Watching Zhao Hong's departing figure, Zhao Xian gradually fell into deep thought.

"Why would that scoundrel Zhu Lai invite me for no reason?"

Zhao Xianke always remembered that the fire that struck Shanghuting two years ago was the work of Zhu's guests.

If even the guests in this family can commit such outrageous acts, it's clear from this small incident that this family is anything but benevolent!

Suppressing his reverie, Zhao Xianfu carefully read the bamboo slips in front of him again.

Now that I have embarked on the path of officialdom, I must naturally study the classic texts of this path thoroughly.

The next day, at dusk, Zhao Xian led Zhao Hong and Huang Zhong to a banquet.

Upon arriving at the Zhu family residence, the head of the Zhu family, Zhu Laiye, descended the steps to greet Zhao Xian, showing great respect for him.

"Greetings, Lord Zhu!"

Upon seeing Zhu Lai standing below the steps, Zhao Xian immediately stepped forward and respectfully bowed.

"Bo Zhang, please rise quickly! It's been several months since I last saw you, and you've become even more dashing!"

After a careful look, Zhu Lai smiled and took a few steps forward, taking Zhao Xian's hand and speaking to him in a friendly manner.

"Haha, thank you for the compliment, Lord Zhu. I, Bozhang, am truly unworthy of it!"

Zhao Xian made a self-deprecating remark, and seeing Zhu Zai standing to the side, he immediately withdrew his left hand and bowed to Zhu Zai.

"Greetings, Little Zhu!"

"Zhu Ran greets Lord Zhao!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu returned the greeting to Zhao Xian.

After exchanging greetings, everyone took their seats in turn.