Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 128 The Zhu Family Sells Horses (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Several days later, a caravan consisting of horse-drawn carriages slowly traveled along the official road.

The caravan was guarded by a team of elite guards at the front and back.

At the very front of the caravan, several riders rode alongside.

"Thank you so much, my three lords! Without your help, my family would have been in grave danger!"

Zhu Ran looked at Zhao Xian and the others with excitement, cupped her hands in a respectful bow, and said in a respectful voice.

"Mr. Zhu, you flatter me. The recovery of the lost spirit rice is truly a matter of good fortune for your family!" Chen Yuancheng said with a smile, then turned his gaze to Zhao Xian, who was traveling with him. "Without Bo Zhang's skillful command, this bandit suppression would not have been such a resounding success!"

"Indeed, indeed!" Zhu Zaiwen understood the implied meaning and immediately turned to Zhao Xian beside him, smiling, "A banquet and gifts have already been prepared at home for Lord Zhao!"

"The Zhu family are subjects of my rule. Zhao Xian merely did what he was supposed to do; he does not deserve a word of thanks from Lord Zhu!"

Zhao Xian, who was riding beside him, said a humble word and glanced at Zhao Hong and his entourage walking on either side of him. He had already made up his mind.

"Mr. Zhu, I've heard that your family owns a ranch with dozens of fine horses. Is that true?"

Upon hearing Zhao Xian's question, Zhu Zai's heart skipped a beat, and a sense of unease began to creep into his mind.

"Reporting to Mr. Zhao, my family does indeed have a ranch, but we do not have dozens of strong horses; most of them are dwarf horses used for pulling carts and plowing fields."

Zhu Ran pondered for a few moments, then cautiously looked at Zhao Xian and said.

Zhao Xian is no longer the country boy he once was. He has become friends with Chen Yuancheng, Xu Dekun and others, and has made many meritorious contributions. Even several high-ranking officials in the county have praised him highly.

Zhu Ying felt that he couldn't afford to offend such a promising young official!

Moreover, the neatly arranged corpses of bandits in the valley further demonstrate that this seemingly jovial young man is nothing more than a man-eating tiger!

"Lord Zhu, these attendants have followed me in quelling demons and bandits, facing life and death many times, yet they still lack mounts for transportation. I feel deeply ashamed." Zhao Xian sighed, then looked at Zhu Ran. "Lord Zhu has many fine horses at home; why not sell me six?"

"Six horses?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ran immediately turned pale and exclaimed in surprise.

"Mr. Zhu, what's wrong? There aren't this many on the ranch?"

Zhao Xian looked puzzled and immediately asked.

"This~"

Zhu Zai hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer.

Zhao Xian said he wanted to buy horses, but having been a government official for many years, he certainly wouldn't take it seriously!

Six strong horses would cost at least forty or fifty thousand coins!

Thinking of this, Zhu Zai felt a pang of heartache, but he forced a smile and looked at Zhao Xian: "Lord Zhao helped my family recover the lost spirit rice. How could I possibly sell a few sturdy horses to you? What harm is there in giving them to you!"

"Hey!" Zhao Xian waved his hands repeatedly upon hearing this, and said with a serious expression, "This is simply Zhao Xian's duty; how can I use this to seek favors in return!"

"Bo Zhang, Mr. Zhu, the market price for a fine horse is about five thousand coins, with a profit margin of about 50%. Mr. Zhu will sell six fine horses to Bo Zhang for three thousand coins!"

Chen Yuancheng, who was standing to the side, chimed in.

Upon hearing the price, Zhu Zai raised an eyebrow and took a deep breath.

"A fine horse there costs five thousand coins, while even a sturdy horse used for pulling carts and plowing fields costs six thousand coins!"

"This isn't buying, it's outright robbery!"

"Unfortunately, I was at their mercy, like a fish on the chopping block!"

With this in mind, Zhu Zai could only take another deep breath and say with a smile, "Mr. Chen is fair, so let's go with this price!"

"In that case, please accept the deposit, Mr. Zhu!"

Zhao Xian immediately took out fifty low-grade spirit stones from the storage bag in his sleeve and handed them to Zhao Hong, who was standing next to him.

Zhao Hong took the spirit stone, quickly walked a few steps, and presented it to Zhu Zai.

With a flick of his sleeve, the spirit stones disappeared into it. Zhu's expression softened slightly, and he thought to himself, "Thank goodness this guy didn't try to pass off talisman coins as payment!"

From Duiying Mountain to Shahe Township, it was about 130 li. The horse-drawn carriage could travel 40 to 50 li a day, and it took the group three days to return to their home in Shahe Township.

As night fell, the Zhu family sent someone to invite Cao Miao, Chen Yuancheng, Zhao Xian, and others to a banquet at the Zhu family residence.

Zhao Xian also asked for wine and meat for the members of the demon-hunting team who had been working hard for several days.

The Zhu family naturally wouldn't refuse such a small matter, and soon sent servants to deliver a sheep and a pig, along with four or five bushels of wine.

The bright moon hangs high in the sky, its light like water.

After the banquet at the Zhu family's house, Zhao Xian and the others were very satisfied with the gifts they received from the Zhu family.

As Zhao Xian and the others walked out of the Zhu family's gate, Zhao Hong and Zhao Duan were already waiting outside, each leading three sturdy horses.

"All the fine horses that Mr. Zhao purchased are here!"

Zhu Lai, the head of the Zhu family, looked at Zhao Xian and said with a smile.

Zhao Xian looked up and saw that all the horses were strong and muscular, with a shoulder height of six feet!

"Wow! What a fine steed!"

Zhao Xian looked surprised and exclaimed in surprise.

Chen Yuancheng and Xu Dekun, who were standing to the side, also looked somewhat surprised. These horses were indeed quite good!

"Zhao Jun quelled the trouble for my family; a few sturdy horses are nothing to worry about!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Lai stroked his beard and laughed.

"In that case, Zhao Xian will accept it with shame!"

After a moment's thought, Zhao Xian smiled and agreed.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the group slowly departed.

Throughout the entire process, Zhu Lai never mentioned the remaining spirit stones besides the deposit!

After watching Zhao Xian, Chen Yuancheng and his entourage gradually disappear into the distance, Zhu Lai also turned back to the hall.

"Elder brother, the spirit rice has been counted!"

Zhu Ran was already waiting in the hall. When she saw Zhu Lai enter, she immediately spoke in a low voice.

Are there any shortages?

"Reporting to my elder brother, we are short four bushels of Crescent Moon Rice, but not a single grain of Jade Pearl Rice has been lacking!" Seeing Zhu Lai's surprised expression, Zhu explained again, "The shortfall in Crescent Moon Rice must have come from what the bandits ate in their lair, and from what Zhao Xian ordered for the demon-hunting team to eat three meals a day on their return journey!"

"This fellow has a kind heart!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Lai smiled calmly.

"Elder brother, now that the spirit rice has returned, what should we do with it?"

Seeing that Zhu Lai remained silent, Zhu took a few steps closer and asked in a low voice.

"Dispose of? What do you mean by 'dispose of'?" Zhu Lai came to his senses, looked at Zhu Zai, and asked with a laugh.

"Brother, keeping so much spirit rice in our house isn't a good solution!"

"Aran, someone will come to collect it!"

The following morning, after breakfast, Cao Miao sent an official to the county to inform them of the matter.

Cao Miao, Chen Yuancheng, and others chatted in the backyard, while Zhao Xian had already come to the side courtyard to visit the injured Dao Min.

Because this battle took place at night, the bandits were caught off guard and panicked, so even the most ruthless bandits were unable to unleash their full strength.

Before the Daoist people who had formed a battle formation, they were naturally slaughtered.

After a brief fight, only four or five Daoist practitioners suffered minor injuries. Zhao Liye had already sent someone to fetch the local doctor.

After visiting each of them, Zhao Xian summoned the people of Daodao and began distributing rewards.

According to the county's custom, a bandit's head is worth one thousand coins. After returning yesterday, Zhao Xian sent Zhao Hong and a few others with spirit stones to exchange for coins.

Now, several baskets of bright yellow, protruding coins have been placed in front of the procession.

"Zhao Li, behead the bandit leader, reward ten thousand coins!"

Zhao Xian looked at his uncle and shouted loudly.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Li immediately stepped forward and took the basket of talisman coins that had already been counted from Zhao Hong's hand.

"Zhao Li thanks Lord Zhao!"

In front of all the Daoist people, in such a solemn setting, Zhao Li naturally wouldn't address his nephew by his full name.

"Zhao Cheng, Zhao Ji, Zhang Wen, and Wang Cong joined forces to kill a bandit leader; each will be rewarded with two thousand coins!"

Hearing Zhao Xian's call, the four men quickly stepped forward and shouted in unison, "Thank you for your generous gift, Lord Zhao!"

Zhao Hong, Zhao Duan, and the other three boys immediately stepped forward, each carrying a plate of talisman coins, and handed them to the four boys.

"Zhang Gong shot and killed four bandits, and was rewarded with four thousand coins!"

"Xu Hua has killed two bandits and is rewarded with two thousand coins!"

"Mu Chun has shot and killed two bandits; a reward of two thousand coins is hereby given!"

"6

""

"Those who participated in this battle without achieving any kills will each be rewarded with five hundred coins!"

"We thank Lord Zhao!"

Upon hearing this, the people of the Dao immediately shouted loudly.

In the main hall of the backyard not far away, Cao Miao, Chen Yuancheng and others also showed surprise when they heard the loud shout.

"Bo Zhang is fair in rewarding and punishing, already showing the demeanor of a great general!"

Cao Miao looked down at Chen Yuancheng and immediately praised him.

"In military affairs, I am far inferior to Bozhang!"

Chen Yuancheng also spoke up with a sigh.

"Talented horses are common, but discerning judges are rare." Hearing this, Xu Dekun smiled and said, "If it weren't for Mr. Chen's discerning eye, Bozhang would probably still be buried in obscurity in the countryside!"

"What Dekun says is absolutely right!"

Cao Miao echoed this sentiment, and the three of them resumed their casual conversation.

It wasn't until the afternoon that someone from the county arrived, and the person who came was, naturally, Liu Yu, the patrol officer of the western part of the county.

Although Liu Yu planned to resign from his post and return home to cultivate his foundation in seclusion, it was only early August, and there was still some time before the end of the year, so he naturally needed to continue performing his official duties.

Upon first seeing Zhao Xian and the others, a smile appeared on Liu Yu's face.

.

"Bandits frequently roam Mount Duiying, robbing merchant caravans, and even Old He is helpless against it!"

"I can't believe you guys managed to take care of it!"

"When I see Old He again, I'll have to give him a good talking to!"

The "Old He" mentioned by Liu Yu is He Can, a border patrolman in the south.

Rongtai County has nearly twenty townships under its jurisdiction, and there are four patrol officers who inspect the four directions of the county.

"Greetings, Mr. Liu!"

The group immediately stepped forward and respectfully bowed.

"No need for formalities, all of you, rise!" Liu Yu waved his sleeve, a gentle breeze lifting everyone to their feet, and asked in a solemn voice, "Where is the bandit's head?"

"Inside a side courtyard!"

Zhao Xian immediately replied respectfully.

A moment later, a pile of mangled, bloody heads appeared before them.

It was August, and the weather was hot, but thanks to Chen Yuancheng's magic, these heads did not rot.

"Two late-stage Qi Refining cultivators and two first-rate martial artists—ordinary bandits don't possess such strength!"

After taking a look around, Liu Yu glanced at Zhao Xian and the others and said calmly.

"This matter will be handled by the county government; you are not to interfere further!"

"We will obey Lord Liu's orders!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian and the others knew that Liu Yu was thinking of them, so they naturally agreed respectfully.

"Well, I'll take these heads back to the county now. In a few days, the county clerk will come to distribute your rewards!"

After pondering for a few moments, Liu Yu spoke again.

Without lingering, Liu Yu collected the severed head, chatted with the others for a few moments, and then hurriedly led his subordinates back to the county.