Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 131 Recruiting Again (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Crouching Tiger Village.

Before long, a middle-aged Confucian scholar dressed in a black robe with a serious expression strode into the main hall of the front courtyard.

"Liu Zhuo greets Chen Jun and Xu Jun!"

The middle-aged scholar bowed to Chen Yuancheng and Xu Dekun, his gaze then falling on Zhao Xian standing to the side.

"Master Liu, what's wrong? Don't you recognize Zhao Xian?"

Upon seeing this, Zhao Xian immediately stood up, smiled, and bowed respectfully.

As Zhao Xian straightened up, Liu Zhuo's gaze fell on the sash and seal at Zhao Xian's waist.

He naturally recognized the seal on Zhao Xian's waist and understood that the young man before him, who had not yet come of age, was already a high-ranking official with a salary of 100 shi (a unit of grain).

He entered the officialdom at the age of twenty, following in his father's footsteps. He was fair and just in handling affairs, but it took him a full twenty years before he was able to wear the official seal!

If I remember correctly, this young man is in his second year as an official!

It has been less than half a year since he was promoted to the position of township assistant in Shahe Township!

Yangping Village has finally produced a talented person!

With this thought in mind, Liu Zhuo took a deep breath, bowed to Zhao Xian, and said, "This humble official Liu Zhuo greets Your Majesty!"

"Master Liu, please rise quickly!"

Upon seeing this, Zhao Xian immediately stepped forward and helped Liu Zhuo up.

"This young man has only attained his high position by chance; how could he possibly deserve such a grand gesture from Master Liu!"

Zhao Xian looked sincere and spoke earnestly.

"This humble official has only served as the tutor of the emperor for a year; I am unworthy of being called the 'Master of Liu'!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhuo's expression immediately turned serious, and he spoke solemnly.

Zhao Xian gave a wry smile, but did not force himself to say anything.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone took their seats.

At this moment, Chen Yuancheng also explained Zhao Xian's purpose for coming.

Upon hearing that Zhao Xian had been promoted to the position of county military officer by the county magistrate and that he had come to Wohu Township for his only son, Liu Ping, Liu Zhuo's face immediately showed a solemn expression.

As a local official, and with an ancestor who had served as a county-level official, he was naturally aware of the awkwardness of the position of county military officer.

In terms of actual power, this county sergeant was not even as powerful as a village magistrate.

Of course, a high-ranking official is still a high-ranking official, and the village magistrate would not dare to underestimate the county clerk.

Seeing that Liu Zhuo remained silent and hesitated upon hearing this, Chen Yuancheng naturally understood what Liu Zhuo was thinking.

"Mr. Liu, Master Shen is quite old. There are still three to five of his disciples who have not yet entered the officialdom. As his youngest disciple, if Liu Ping wants to enter the officialdom with Master Shen's help, it will take at least three to five years!"

"If Mr. Liu is interested in the annual archery competition in Wohu Township, he has been an official for two or three years; how could he not know the importance of this quota!"

At this point, Chen Yuancheng also showed a wry smile.

The quota for archery recommendations in the village has long been controlled by three major clans. It would take a lot of effort to get that quota by getting past them.

Xu Dekun was in the hall, so Chen Yuancheng naturally couldn't say this in front of him, but Liu Zhuo could understand the meaning behind Chen Yuancheng's words.

Besides these two paths, Liu Zhuo's last option was to use his hard work to secure a minor official position for Liu Ping.

But Liu Zhuo has only been an official for two or three years, so what hardship could he have endured?

If Liu Ping wants to take this path, he'll probably have to wait until he's Liu Zhuo's age!

Such precious years, wasted like this?

Not to mention Liu Ping, even Liu Zhuo wouldn't agree!

Thinking of this, Liu Zhuo looked at Zhao Xian opposite him again, but his eyes were faintly stung by the golden hue at Zhao Xian's waist!

"Zhao Xian and Ping'er seem to be the same age, yet he has already risen to the position of a high-ranking official. If such a capable official cannot be called young and promising, then I really don't know what kind of outstanding talent can be called young and promising!"

"Furthermore, I have been fortunate enough to receive Zhao Xian's guidance in his education, and my family and Zhao Xian's family are from the same village!"

Having thought this through, Liu Zhuo made his decision. He stood up and bowed deeply to Zhao Xian, saying, "Liu Zhuo, on behalf of my son, thanks Your Majesty for the recommendation!"

"Please rise, Mr. Liu. Ah Ping and I have been friends since childhood, so I should treat him well!"

Zhao Xian also stepped down from his seat and bent down to help Liu Zhuo up.

"Aping's reputation has already spread beyond the village. Bozhang heard about Aping from the three elders of Shahe Township, which is why he decided to come and recruit him!"

Seeing this, Chen Yuancheng also chimed in.

"With A-Ping's reputation, my assistance is like adding wings to a tiger!"

Zhao Xian immediately looked around at the people in the hall and said with a smile.

"Bozhang, why don't we spend the night at the country inn and return to Shanghuting tomorrow?"

Chen Yuancheng looked at Zhao Xian again and asked with a smile.

I must congratulate you!

"In that case, we shall do as Mr. Chen says!"

Zhao Xian and Chen Yuan were very mature and naturally did not refuse, immediately agreeing to the matter with smiles.

"Liu Jun, De Kun, tonight we won't leave until we're drunk!" Chen Yuancheng said with a smile to the two men. After thinking for a few moments, he added, "By the way, De Kun sent a minor official to invite Cao Quan and A Ping to the banquet as well!"

"Alright, Mr. Chen!"

Xu Dekun naturally agreed with a smile.

As night fell, Chen Yuancheng's residence was brightly lit.

In the main hall, all the guests had arrived, and there were even a few more who had come after hearing the news.

As the host, Chen Yuancheng naturally sat in the main seat, with Zhao Xian at the first position to his right and Xu Dekun at the first position to his left.

Behind Zhao Xian stood a blond-haired boy, Huang Zhong.

He held a gun with his chest out, and a golden eagle with iron claws stood on the iron frame next to him, truly showing his extraordinary bravery!

Next up are Liu Zhuo and others, as well as Qi Lian, a scholar and friend of Chen Yuancheng. In addition, there are Yan Su, a member of the prominent Yan family in the village, and Zhao Ze, a thief from the village.

Zhao Ze was Zhao Xian's cousin, and Xiang Ting Qiu was also among the officials in charge of food distribution, so he was naturally qualified for this position.

When Zhao Ze learned that Zhao Xian had become a high-ranking official, he was overjoyed. His smile never faded after he stepped into the hall.

As a high-ranking official of the Hundred Stone Rank who was not yet two thousand years old, Zhao Ze naturally knew the weight of this position!

As for the awkwardness of the position of county sergeant, it was not in Zhao Ze's consideration!

After all, he was just a second-rate martial artist and didn't think that far ahead.

Zhao Ze readily agreed to Zhao Xian's suggestion to recruit clansmen to hunt demons, and he would ask for leave the next day to return to Yangpingli with Zhao Xian to bolster Zhao Xian's reputation!

With Zhao Xian's protection, even if there are any casualties, they will receive sufficient compensation!

The people of Yangping Village were not very wealthy to begin with, and they had only enjoyed good times for one year!

"Thump!"

As the music of string and wind instruments began, a group of beautiful maids entered the hall and began to dance gracefully, officially starting the banquet!

There were naturally no maids or musicians in Chen Yuancheng's small courtyard. The maids and musicians were all borrowed from Qi Lian's house. The air was filled with the fragrance of incense, and the thin gauze fluttered as the beautiful dance was presented in the hall. Everyone was naturally immersed in the dance.

Qi Lian, however, had a clear gaze as he looked at Zhao Xian, who was sitting on the upper right. He saw that Zhao Xian's eyes were also exceptionally clear, and he was not moved by the beautiful dance at all.

"He's quite a determined young man!"

Seeing this, Qi Lian secretly praised it in his heart, and then fell into deep thought.

Qi Lian was naturally familiar with Zhao Xian, and he greatly admired Chen Yuancheng for being able to recruit such a talented person as Zhao Xian in this remote rural area.

Today, however, this country boy has already become a high-ranking official, ahead of prominent family scions like Chen Yuancheng and Xu Dekun.

Even a crucial position like the county sergeant!

Among the many officials in the county, the most prestigious positions are naturally the Chief Clerk and the Registrar, both of whom are the most trusted confidants of the county magistrate.

Next are the various offices within the county, then the patrol officers, and finally the village magistrates.

The position of village clerk was mostly that of a grain official, but in some villages with a large population, the village clerk was a grain official.

The county military officer was already considered one of the top officials in the county.

The claim that county clerks are often bullied by county lieutenants is utter nonsense!

The county magistrate is a high-ranking official with a salary of 1,000 shi (a unit of grain measure), while the county lieutenant is merely a subordinate official with a salary of 200 or 400 shi. How could they possibly bully the military officer appointed by the county magistrate?

However, it is common for them to secretly sabotage you.

In addition, the county military officer is in charge of conscription, training, and military service. Besides a few minor officials under his command, he can also recruit a squad of soldiers.

This troop of soldiers was directly controlled by some county magistrates, bypassing the county constable.

If his family wants to do something big in Rongtai County, the county garrison commander will definitely try to win them over!

With this in mind, Qi Lian secretly made a decision.

I refuse to believe I can't take down a country boy!

After the dancers withdrew, Chen Yuancheng looked around at everyone, raised his cup to them, and said with a smile, "We toast Zhao Jun, the county magistrate!"

"Jing Bing Cao!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately raised their glasses and shouted in unison!

Zhao Xian thanks everyone for coming to offer their congratulations!

Zhao Xian also raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp, then refilled his cup and toasted everyone.

Upon seeing this, everyone smiled and raised their cups to drink together.

Only when the moon was high in the sky did everyone disperse.

Zhao Xian and Chen Yuancheng saw everyone off at the gate.

"Mr. Zhao, my home is very spacious; you may stay at my house tonight!"

Qi Lian looked at Zhao Xian with a smile, his face full of drunkenness.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian's face showed a hint of interest, after all, Chen Yuancheng's courtyard was indeed not enough for everyone.

"Qi Jun, Bo Zhang and I will have a long talk by candlelight tonight!"

Chen Yuancheng looked at Qi Lian and smiled calmly.

"In that case, we won't bother you any longer!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Lian chuckled lightly and left gracefully.

Congratulations, Mr. Zhao!

Yan Su, who was standing to the side, also leaned closer and said with a smile.

"Thank you for your kind gift, Lord Yan! I imagine your entry into officialdom is not far off!"

Zhao Xian bowed to Yan Su, looked him up and down, and seeing that Yan Su had regained his usual demeanor, a smile appeared on his face as he spoke with a smile.

"Haha, thanks for your kind words, Zhao Jun!"

Yan Su returned the greeting and left with his entourage.

"Thank you for your high regard, Lord Zhao. I, Cao Quan, will do my utmost to assist you!"

The young scholar Cao Quan stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said solemnly.

"Liu Ping is the same!"

Then a slightly younger boy, who had not yet come of age, also approached, bowed, and shouted.

"Please rise, both of you!"

Zhao Xian immediately stepped forward to help the two up, then bowed deeply, his face sincere: "With your help, Zhao Xian and his companion, it's like a fish in water!"

"How dare I accept such a great gift from Lord Zhao!"

Cao Quan and Liu Ping stepped forward to help Zhao Xian up.

Zhao Xian grasped the two men's arms and said solemnly, "Half of the county has been ravaged by demonic beasts, and the people of Dao are struggling to survive. We must work together to rescue them from this dire situation!"

"We will surely follow Lord Zhao closely!"

The two responded in unison!

As Liu Ping gazed at the imposing official before him, the slightest unease deep within his heart vanished like smoke.

The grudges caused by youthful rivalries have completely dissipated!