Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 133 Recruiting Taoists (asking for monthly votes)

The next morning, as dawn broke, the dew turned to frost, and the autumn chill was palpable.

Inside the side courtyard, Zhao Xian still got up early to practice his martial arts.

Zhao Xian practiced meditation until late last night, but when he got up early this morning, there was no sign of fatigue on his face.

Every move was made with complete concentration.

When the appointment was announced that day, Liu Yuan, the county clerk, gave Zhao Xian some detailed instructions.

In his spare time, Zhao Xian recalled the events vividly.

My biggest weakness right now is my low cultivation level. If I want to secure my position as a high-ranking official, I need to reach the late stage of Qi Refining.

As for martial arts cultivation, that's just icing on the cake.

After all, the only way to make great strides on the path of officialdom is to focus on cultivating one's inner energy.

Before long, Zhao Hong and the other three also came out of the house and began to cultivate diligently in the courtyard.

Compared to Zhao Xian, the other four could only focus on cultivating martial arts due to their limited spiritual roots.

As Zhao Xian was unfamiliar with martial arts, he naturally could not interfere with the four people's cultivation of their fundamental techniques.

However, with Zhao Xian's guidance, the four of them made rapid progress in their martial arts skills!

Zhao Xian has nearly mastered the sword technique "Chasing Wind and Slaying Spirit Blade," and under his guidance, the four of them are also close to becoming proficient.

As soon as they finished their morning exercise, Zhao Yi's shouts came from the neighboring courtyard. The five of them stopped, finished their practice, packed up their weapons, and headed towards the neighboring courtyard.

Before they were even admitted to the hospital, the faint fragrance of lingji rice had already reached their noses.

After finishing their breakfast, Zhao Xian and the others headed towards the inner gate.

My great-grandfather made the arrangements yesterday, and we will hold the ancestral worship ceremony today.

When a high-ranking official of the Hundred Stones rank emerges from the clan, it is natural to inform the clan's ancestors.

When Zhao Xian and his group arrived at the inner gate, most of the clansmen had already gathered there.

Offerings, sacrificial implements, and other miscellaneous items were also prepared!

"Ah Xian!"

"Kuro!"

"Uncle Nine!"

One after another, calls of affection or reverence came from the mouths of the tribe.

Zhao Xian didn't put on airs. He chatted with familiar clansmen for a few minutes, and greeted unfamiliar ones with a cupped hand. He was very approachable.

After Zhao Xian and the others arrived, they waited a short while before several clan elders finally walked unsteadily to the inner gate.

When the clan elder arrived, all the clan members bowed and greeted him.

Let's go!

The great-grandfather looked around at everyone, paused for a moment on Zhao Xian, then grinned and called on everyone to start eating.

Along the way, the large group of over a hundred people attracted the attention of the local people for miles around.

When the people of Yangping Village learned that a high-ranking official with a salary of 100 shi (a unit of grain), they were filled with envy.

"Good days are coming for Yangping Village!"

"A few days ago, the Zhao clan from Yangping Village sent someone to propose marriage to my second sister. I wasn't planning on accepting, but seeing this today, it seems like it's not impossible!"

You Daomin stood on the ridge of the field and said with an envious look on his face.

"Li San, I think you're just a reed in the wind!"

"Go! Go! Go!"

Unbeknownst to many, Zhao Xian had already brought about some changes to Yangpingli.

During the ancestral worship ceremony, Zhao Xian naturally stood at the very front, second only to a few clan elders.

After the sacrificial prayers and the three kneelings and nine kowtows, everyone returned to Yangpingli.

According to custom, a clan banquet is held after the ancestral worship ceremony.

This time, naturally, is no exception.

The only change is that Zhao Xian paid for all the food and wine at this clan banquet.

Five stones of wine, three pigs, and one sheep—enough for the whole clan to have a hearty meal!

Before the banquet began, Uncle Zhao De, being the eldest elder besides his great-grandfather, naturally mentioned that Zhao Xian wanted to continue recruiting Daoists.

Upon hearing this, many of the clansmen showed no fear; on the contrary, they all looked eager to try!

Nowadays, everyone knows that Zhao Xian treats the people of Moxia Dao very generously, constantly rewarding them with wine and meat, and giving them plenty of talismans and money after every major battle.

Previously, when Zhao Li and more than ten other Taoists from Yangping Village returned to Yangping Village, some of them, who had fought bravely against the enemy and received generous rewards, even used the reward money to buy a bull!

Not to mention, Zhao Xian exempted Zhao Cai's family from all land taxes.

The life of a commoner from the countryside, which is worth so little, can be sold for this price; it's already a blessing!

"This time, we are recruiting twenty-five Daoist citizens, ten of whom will be recruited from Yangping Village. My father, Zhao Yi, and my elder brother, Zhao Zheng, are also included, so we still need to recruit eight more!"

Zhao Xian immediately stepped forward, looked at the clansmen, and said with a smile.

"Ah Xian, where can we recruit the remaining fifteen?"

As soon as these words were spoken, a member of the clan immediately asked a question.

"The remaining fifteen people will each recruit five from Da Wang Li, Chang Gong Li, and Chun Ping Li!"

Zhao Xian replied truthfully.

"Ah Xian, we have so many clansmen in Yangping Village, why are you only recruiting ten people!" Before the words were even finished, a clansman below retorted, "I think we should recruit all twenty-five people from within Yangping Village!"

"This..." Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian gave a wry smile and immediately explained, "This recruitment of Daoist followers is to quell the demonic calamity, which is extremely dangerous!"

"Our lives are worthless, we have nothing to fear!"

Then another member of the tribe shouted from below.

"Thirteenth Brother, what nonsense are you spouting! You're all going with Ah Xian to hunt demons. If demons come to the tribe, who will stop them?"

Upon hearing this, the village chief, Zhao Zhong, immediately looked down at the burly man and shouted loudly.

"I'll do whatever Ah Xian says!"

At this moment, the eldest brother, Zhao Zheng, also stepped forward and spoke.

"Very well, this time we'll recruit fifteen people from Yangping Village, and five each from Changgong Village and Chunping Village!"

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Xian spoke solemnly.

Upon hearing this, the members of the various clans knew that this was Zhao Xian's bottom line, so they did not continue to refute him.

A team of five men was formed by recruiting fifteen men in Yangpingli, which, together with the original fifteen men, formed three teams.

The Daoist priests in the longbow troop were skilled archers, and together with Zhang Gong's squad, they could form a complete unit, which Zhang Gong would then command.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xian also looked at his great-uncle Zhao De beside him. Now that the matter had been settled, it was time to start the clan banquet.

"The clan feast is officially beginning!"

Zhao De nodded slightly, then stepped forward and shouted loudly.

In an instant, the joyful laughter of the various tribesmen could be heard.

Pieces of steaming hot fatty meat were served, and barrels of liquor were also brought up.

The banquet lasted until the afternoon before the members of the various clansmen slowly dispersed.

Not a single bone fragment was left on the ground; it would be better to take it home and bury it in the cesspool.

The next morning, after Zhao Xian and the others finished their breakfast, they headed towards the threshing ground inside.

Yesterday, Zhao Xian had already entrusted Zhao Hong and others to spread the news of recruiting Daoists.

Now that Zhao Xian is a high-ranking official, he will no longer personally recruit Daoist people in various villages as before.

Before long, Zhao Xian and the others arrived at the threshing ground.

The villagers from Changgongli, Chunpingli, and Yangpingli had already gathered at the threshing ground, a dense crowd of about a hundred people.

Upon seeing Zhao Xian and his companions arrive, the Daoist people made way for them with awe, their eyes fixed on the robes and the ringed swords at their waists.

Now, whether it's Zhao Hong, Huang Zhong, or the brothers Zhao Duan and Zhao Bing, all four of them have donned ring-shaped hilts that are considered high-level weapons.

Knife.

"Gentlemen, you have come to my aid; I thank you all!"

Upon reaching a platform several feet high, Zhao Xian took a deep breath and bowed to the many Taoist followers below.

"We have come to pay our respects to Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, all the Daoist people immediately bowed and paid their respects.

"This recruitment will hire a total of twenty-five people, fifteen from Yangping Village, five from Changgong Village, and five from Chunping Village!"

"You may have already learned about the treatment of the Demon Hunting Team from Zhang Gong and others. After joining the Demon Hunting Team, your treatment will be the same as that of the Daoist citizens who joined before!"

Looking around at everyone, Zhao Xian said solemnly.

Upon hearing this, the Taoist priests below the stage were overjoyed, and low cheers rang out from the crowd.

Seeing this, Zhao Xian immediately spoke again, saying, "Recruit Daoist followers, and each person will receive five hundred talisman coins as a resettlement allowance!"

"The remaining Daoist citizens who were not selected may go to the side and collect ten catties of millet!"

"Thank you, Mr. Zhao!"

Upon hearing this, the Daoist people bowed again in unison, their faces beaming with undisguised smiles.

"Residents of each village, stand in your respective positions!"

After Zhao Xianfa gave the order, Zhao Hong and the other three people below the stage began to direct the Daoist people to line up.

Before long, the crooked and haphazardly arranged line came into Zhao Xian's view.

Zhao Xian couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"It's a pity time waits for no one; otherwise, I would have given them a thorough training session!"

The Daoist people lined up, and Zhao Zheng and Zhao Yi began to examine the Daoist people of Sanli.

Those who failed the test immediately received ten catties of millet.

It wasn't until nearly noon that twenty-five people were finally selected.

Zhao Xian gave each of the twenty-five people five low-grade spirit stones as a resettlement allowance.

They thought they would receive talisman money, but they didn't expect to receive even more precious spirit stones. The twenty-five Daoists instantly gained more trust in Zhao Xian.

The Taoists watching from the sidelines were filled with envy.

He sighed repeatedly, wondering how he had been so lax in his daily cultivation!

After the Daomin were recruited, Zhao Xian led them to Shahe Township the next day to meet with Zhao Li and others.

Along the way, Zhao Xian also had them line up and do some drills.

We must maintain our formation!

It wasn't until sunset that the group of dozens of people finally arrived at Shahe Township.

The people of Dao were exhausted after walking all day, but not one of them had any intention of giving up or uttered a word of complaint.

This pleased Zhao Xian greatly.

In addition, Zhao Xian had already instructed Zhao Hong and the others to go to Shahe Township ahead of time to prepare dinner.

When Zhao Xian and the others arrived, the millet porridge mixed with spirit rice was already bubbling and steaming.

Zhao Li and the others came out to greet them. They were all Taoists from Shanghu Pavilion and naturally knew each other. After some laughter and banter, they sat down to eat.

Tonight's millet porridge, mixed with spirit rice, greatly shocked the newcomers.

After learning from others that this rice porridge could be eaten three times a day, and that it was enough to fill one's stomach at every meal, their eyes were filled with even more eagerness!

Three meals a day—that's a luxury only the wealthy can afford!

Since there weren't enough houses in the village, Zhao Xian lit a bonfire in the open space outside the village and had everyone sit around it for the night.

Tomorrow, tents will be prepared for everyone.

The following morning, after breakfast, Zhao Xianxian organized the Daoist people into a team. After a brief drill, he announced the appointments of the various squad leaders and platoon leaders in front of the Daoist people.

"Zhao Li is appointed as the squad leader and first platoon leader!"

"Zhao Yi is appointed as the second squad leader!"

"Zhao Zheng is appointed as the Third Squad Leader!"

"Zhang Gong is appointed as the fourth squad leader!"

"Xu Hua is appointed as the fifth squad leader!"

"I will obey Lord Zhao's command!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately shouted in unison.

Of the five, Zhao Yi was Zhao Xian's father, Zhao Li was Zhao Xian's uncle, Zhao Zheng was Zhao Xian's elder brother, and Xu Hua was Zhao Xian's cousin, but only Zhang Gong was an outsider.

The Daoist people in the group had no complaints about the appointments of these individuals.

As the leader of this demon-hunting team, Zhao Xian naturally appointed his close associates as squad leaders!

Nepotism is, in the eyes of the people, the way things should be!

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