Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 134 Preparations for Deployment (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

In the afternoon, the sound of horses' hooves echoed along the official road.

Before long, the two riders had sped to the front of the house in Shahe Township.

"Hiss!"

The reins tightened, the horse neighed, and came to a halt. Immediately, two agile figures leaped down from the horse's back.

"We have come to pay our respects to Military Officer Zhao!"

The village soldiers on duty outside the village house immediately stepped forward, and the young scholar in the lead smiled and said something.

"The sergeant is training his soldiers at the drill ground west of the country house!"

Seeing that the two men had an extraordinary bearing, the village soldier immediately answered respectfully and pointed in the direction for them.

Thank you!

The young scholar at the head of the group smiled calmly, and then he and his companions led their horses in the direction indicated by the village soldier.

A moment later, the two saw a group of Taoists practicing in the field, and in front of them stood several burly figures.

"Cao Quan (Liu Ping) pays his respects to Lord Zhao!"

The two walked together to the young clerk in the lead and immediately bowed.

"Haha, please rise, gentlemen!" Upon hearing this, the young clerk's face immediately lit up with joy. He turned and quickly stepped forward to help the two men up. "I've been waiting for you two for quite some time!"

"With the assistance of these two, Zhao Xian is like a tiger with wings!"

Upon seeing the two arrive as promised, Zhao Xian was naturally delighted and immediately led them to meet his men.

Liu Ping was born in Shanghuting. Although Zhao Yi, Zhao Li and others were close in age to his father Liu Zhuo, they also knew Liu Ping.

This is because Liu Ping was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, and was eager to learn and ask questions.

Among the remaining Daoist people, some knew Liu Ping and some did not, so Zhao Xian introduced him to everyone.

Zhao Hong, on the other hand, curled his lip upon seeing Liu Ping, but said nothing, and respectfully bowed to Liu Ping with his hands clasped.

Seeing Zhao Hong's appearance, Liu Ping showed no unusual reaction. He simply chuckled, greeted Zhao Hong, and returned the greeting.

When they were young, the two often bickered, but now that one is an official and the other has faced life and death several times and killed several bandits, they naturally don't hold onto the grudges from their youth.

Although Cao Quan came from the prominent Cao family in the village and had been well-fed and clothed since childhood, he was not arrogant. Now that he had come of age, he naturally knew what was important and what was urgent, and he greeted everyone very kindly.

Those who could be introduced by Zhao Xian were naturally his capable subordinates. The two of them were now serving as officials under Zhao Xian, and as newcomers, they naturally needed to cultivate good relationships with these veterans.

After exchanging greetings, Zhao Xian led the two to watch the Daoist practitioners practice.

The two cooperated well, both staring at the Daoist in front of them.

"In Cao Quan's view, these Daoist followers under Zhao Jun's command are no less capable than the soldiers in the county!"

After observing for a while, Cao Quan showed a hint of surprise at the orderly behavior of the Daoist people, and then praised them.

"You flatter me, Lord Cao. I am far from being a county clerk!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately offered a humble response.

"It seems that some of these are newly recruited Daoist followers?"

Liu Ping, who was standing to the side, suddenly spoke up when his gaze fell on a few Daoist practitioners who were a little slow to keep up with the movements.

"There were originally twenty-five men, and two days ago I recruited another twenty-five from Shanghu Pavilion, making a perfect team!"

Zhao Xian nodded immediately, also somewhat surprised by Liu Ping's sharp eyes.

"Lord Zhao and Lord Cao, if you want the new and old followers to be able to use your own arms and fingers, you will need to train them for some more time."

Zhao Xian's reply confirmed his suspicions, and Liu Ping immediately spoke solemnly.

"That's exactly what I was thinking, but the county magistrate is already in a great hurry to quell the demonic disturbance, and I'm afraid she won't have many days left to train!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian also sighed deeply, a hint of helplessness on his face.

The two men, newly appointed to the officialdom, naturally dared not offer any comment on the matter and could only nod in agreement.

"County Clerk Liu has already ordered the county officials to send over the county map. We will go and take a look at it in a little while."

"I will obey Lord Zhao's command!"

Shahe Country House, side courtyard and main hall.

Everyone took their seats in order, with Zhao Xian naturally occupying the highest position.

"A-Duan, A-Bing, unfold the picture book!"

After everyone was seated, Zhao Xian immediately looked at Zhao Duan and Zhao Bing and gave them instructions.

The two immediately unfolded the silk in their hands, and in an instant, a county map several feet square appeared before everyone's eyes.

"Gentlemen, please look, according to the county magistrate's orders, we must quell the demonic calamity in six townships, including Yulin Township, within three months!"

Zhao Xian stepped down from his seat, stood to one side of the picture album, and pointed to it with a bamboo whip, speaking to the crowd.

"If we were to exterminate the monsters in Wohu Township and Shahe Township in the same way, it would take at least six months, let alone three months, to complete this task!"

Upon hearing this, a solemn expression appeared on the faces of everyone in the hall.

"After much deliberation, I have devised a plan!" After a few breaths, Zhao Xian looked at everyone, a smile playing on his lips. "My plan is to divide our forces into two groups. One group, led by myself, will swiftly and decisively eliminate the most troublesome and wreaking havoc among the demonic beasts!"

"The other team, led by my uncle, carried out a mopping-up operation, village by village, starting from Shahe Township and moving north through Yulin Township!"

What are your thoughts, gentlemen?

After saying that, Zhao Xian looked at everyone with a hint of anticipation on his face.

Upon hearing Zhao Xian's plan, everyone turned to the book and fell into deep thought.

After a long pause, Cao Quan looked at Zhao Xian first and said solemnly, "Cao Quan believes that Zhao Xian's plan is indeed a good one!"

"However, one thing has been overlooked!"

"where?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately looked at Cao Quan, his eyes bright and gleaming with a sharp light.

"It has been five or six days since the county magistrate issued the appointment, but Lord Zhao has not made any move. Why not send someone to the six villages first to announce the order from the military officer to lead troops to exterminate the monsters?"

"Firstly, to appease the people of the six villages; secondly, to let the county magistrate know that Lord Zhao has begun preparations for a swift and decisive victory!"

"Cao Jun's words have truly enlightened Zhao Xian, but who should be responsible for this matter?"

Zhao Xian readily accepted Cao Quan's suggestion, but he didn't know who should do it.

The local people in the other six villages were not very familiar with him.

"Since Cao Quan proposed this, he should naturally carry it out!" Cao Quan immediately became solemn, bowed to Zhao Xian, and said, "Cao Quan requests permission from the Military Commander to go to the six villages to announce the appointment!"

"Alright!" Zhao Xian readily agreed when Cao Quan took the initiative to suggest it, but a hint of hesitation appeared on his face. "Lord Cao has just joined my ranks and hasn't even settled in yet, but you're already setting off again?"

"Cao Quan was recommended by Lord Zhao, so naturally he must share Lord Zhao's burdens!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Quan immediately replied in a solemn voice.

"Very well! In that case, I will trouble Lord Cao to oversee this matter! I will send my cousin Zhao Cheng to accompany Lord Cao!"

Zhao Xian immediately looked at Cao Quan with a delighted expression and said in a deep voice.

"Fourth brother, you will then protect Lord Cao as he travels to the six regions!"

He then looked at Zhao Cheng and said solemnly.

"I will obey Lord Zhao's command!"

Zhao Cheng and Cao Quan exchanged a glance, then bowed in unison and replied.

The two of them had been traveling around Wohu Township for a long time, so they naturally knew each other.

"Lord Zhao, do you have any detailed information about the monsters causing trouble in these six villages?"

Liu Ping then looked at Zhao Xian and asked in a deep voice.

Zhao Xian gave a wry smile and shook his head.

"It seems we should send men to the six villages first to gather information on the monsters causing trouble in each village before launching any military action!"

"Lord Zhao, why don't you entrust this matter to me?"

Seeing that Cao Quan had received Zhao Xian's approval, Liu Ping also wanted to make a good impression.

"Of course!" Zhao Xian agreed with a smile, then looked at Zhao Ji beside him, "Brother Zhong, you worked as a peddler for a few years and have been to these six villages before. Why don't you go with Lord Liu this time?"

"good!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji immediately agreed.

"Uncle, we have recruited more than twenty new men, but we are short of all kinds of weapons. In addition, we are also in great short supply of spiritual items such as talisman arrows, spirit talismans, and rejuvenation pills."

"You will need to take Mu Chun, Zhao Hong, and the other two to Daqingshan Market!"

After pondering for a few moments, Zhao Xian looked at Zhao Li below him and said with a smile.

"I'll go back and do the math later, and then I'll set off with the four boys tomorrow!"

Zhao Li immediately smiled and agreed to the matter.

Several important matters were finalized one by one, and then everyone discussed them in detail.

As night fell, Zhao Xian prepared a feast and, together with Cao Miao and others, hosted a welcoming banquet for Cao Quan and Liu Ping.

The banquet lasted until late at night before everyone dispersed.

The following morning, Cao Quan and Zhao Cheng, and Liu Ping and Zhao Ji, rode away from the country house in pairs.

Afterwards, Zhao Li, along with Zhao Hong and the other three, boarded an oxcart with Mu Chun and headed to Daqingshan Market.

There are quite a few things to buy on this trip to Daqingshan Market, so naturally a bullock cart will be needed for transportation.

After the others left, Zhao Xian had nothing else to do, so he continued to train the Daoist people.

"Sweat more before battle, bleed less during battle"—this saying is even more true in the era of cold weapons.

As Cao Quan and Zhao Cheng spread the word, the villages north of Yulin Township also learned that the county military commander was about to lead troops to exterminate the monsters.

Most of the village officials were unfamiliar with Zhao Xian, this suddenly appearing county military officer, and had never even heard of his name. They immediately sent their officials to the county to inquire about him.

As the officials from various villages returned from the county, Zhao Xian's background and deeds also reached the ears of the local officials.

A young man who had only been in the officialdom for two years and had not yet reached adulthood was promoted by the county magistrate and rose to become one of the county's most powerful officials.

This incredible thing actually happened in Shahe Township, which is only a few dozen miles away!

The village officials and clerks were all greatly shocked, and then they began to look down on Zhao Xian, thinking that what ability could a mere boy have!

After learning that the demonic calamities in Wohu Township and Shahe Township had been quelled by this young official, the other officials put away their contempt.

In any case, the villages under their jurisdiction are still suffering from the invasion of monsters.

Several days later, Cao Quan and Zhao Cheng returned safely.

Although the two of them only traveled through the six villages and pavilions in a short period of time, they still obtained some information that Zhao Xian had never known before.

They thought the people of Liuxiang were only being attacked by monsters, but they never expected that bandits would take advantage of the situation to cause trouble!

More than a dozen wealthy families have been besieged by bandits, resulting in the destruction of their homes and the deaths of their members!

The wealthy Daoist families owned many fields and large mansions, and had many servants and servants. The fact that these wealthy families had their homes broken into and looted by bandits shows how rampant the bandits were!

The chaos caused by monsters is a natural disaster, and the people of the six villages are powerless to do anything about it. But when bandits take advantage of the situation to cause trouble, that is a man-made disaster!

Under the ravages of natural disasters and man-made calamities, it is easy to imagine that the people of the six villages must be living in a state of panic!

"We must crush the bandits with overwhelming force!"

Upon thinking of this, Zhao Xian also revealed a hint of killing intent.

Several days later, Liu Ping and Zhao Ji returned, looking travel-worn!

The situation was urgent, and the two of them did not even have time to wash up before heading to the main hall to pay their respects to Zhao Xian.

"Greetings, Lord Zhao!" Liu Ping bowed to Zhao Xian, then said solemnly, "Liu Ping has successfully completed his mission and has recorded all the monsters and bandits causing trouble in the six villages!"

"The people of the six villages are filled with fear and urge Lord Zhao to mobilize his troops as soon as possible to slay the monsters and bandits!"

After saying this, Liu Ping knelt down and presented a plate of green bamboo slips with both hands!

"Liu Jun, please rise quickly!"

Zhao Xian immediately stepped down from his seat and helped Liu Ping up, while Zhao Hong also took the wooden tray from Liu Ping's hands.

"Thank you for your hard work, Lord Liu. Once the evil calamity is quelled, I will surely report your merits to the county magistrate!"

Zhao Xian's face turned solemn as he spoke earnestly.

"Liu Ping has no interest in personal glory; he only hopes that the sergeant will depart soon!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ping bowed again and said solemnly.

Seeing this, Zhao Xian did not say anything more, returned to his seat, picked up the bamboo slips on the table, and began to read them carefully.

Liu Ping, Cao Quan, Zhao Ji, and others in the hall also sat upright in their seats, waiting quietly.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Xian put all the bamboo slips on the table into his storage bag, a thoughtful expression on his face.

A moment later, Zhao Xian raised his head and looked at everyone in the hall, his face becoming solemn.

"We will send out troops tomorrow, in two separate groups!"