Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 143 Obstacles to Subduing the Demon (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Since entering Yulin Township to quell the demons, Zhao Xian ordered the local militia to split into two groups.

Along the way, he quelled the most serious monsters that plagued various villages, as well as the bandits who took advantage of the chaos to commit evil deeds.

The other group, led by their father Zhao Yi and uncle Zhao Li, gradually eradicated the monsters in the village.

More than half a month has passed, and Zhao Xian has successfully quelled the bandits in all directions, beheaded more than a hundred, and killed dozens of troublesome monsters, thus quelling the demonic calamity in Shangbei Township.

Zhao Li's progress in suppressing the demons has also been quite good.

The demons in Yulin and Shalin townships have now been completely quelled, and he is now leading the people to quell the demonic calamity in Xixiang.

The news naturally came from Zhao Cheng and Zhao Ji.

A few days ago, when the two of them returned to Wohu Township, they happened to run into Zhao Li and others on the road.

After chatting for a while, the group learned about Zhao Li and his group's experiences over the past two weeks.

There were at least a dozen or so demonic beasts causing trouble in the two villages. Even though Zhao Xian had wiped out the most troublesome ones, the remaining demonic beasts were still very difficult to deal with.

Fortunately, before leaving, Zhao Xian gave his uncle Zhao Li twenty sticks of demon-attracting incense, which allowed them to find the demon beast's trail very easily.

As for slaying the demonic beasts, with Zhao Li, Zhao Yi, Zhao Zheng, Zhang Gong, and several other second-rate martial artists leading the charge, and with the assistance of dozens of Daoist practitioners, the task naturally went very smoothly.

However, as the saying goes, if you walk by the river long enough, you're bound to get your shoes wet!

Hunting demonic beasts is a life-or-death matter, and in the past half month, more than ten Daoist people have been injured by demonic beasts.

Most of the injured cannot recover in just three to five days.

Left with no other choice, Zhao Li repeatedly asked the thieves from nearby pavilions to escort the injured man back to Shahe Township for treatment.

Fortunately, Zhao Xian had influence, and Zhao Li and the others had come to eliminate the monsters causing trouble in the villages, so their requests were supported by the village chiefs on several occasions.

As for why it wasn't the pavilion chief who escorted them, it was because the pavilion chief was the head official of the pavilion and naturally couldn't easily leave the pavilion.

Now, Zhao Li's team has only about thirty people left.

Beiguo Township.

Zhao Xian had once wiped out two bandit groups, Bai Niu and Lao Ya Zui, in this township, so he was quite familiar with Bei Guo Township.

Moreover, even if he was unfamiliar with the area, with Song Ming, a living map, Zhao Xian didn't need to worry about getting lost.

Zhao Xian learned from his time with Song Ming these past few days that although Song Ming was only about twenty years old, he had already traveled all over Rongtai County and even several nearby counties.

He even visited Rong County, the capital of Rong Prefecture, several times.

He had visited Rongtai County several times and was very familiar with all the villages and pavilions there.

"Does Mr. Zhao know why Beiguo Township got its name?"

Sitting upright on his horse, Song Ming was slightly behind Zhao Xian by a horse length, and asked with a smile.

"I don't know."

Zhao Xian answered truthfully.

"Beiguo Township got its name from the fact that the area was once the site of an ancient county town!"

Upon hearing this, Song Ming immediately smiled and said.

"I see!"

Zhao Xian nodded slightly; it was the first time he had heard of this origin.

"Beiguo Township has a flat terrain and fertile land. It governs six villages, covering a total area of ​​forty-two li, with more than four thousand households and a population of nearly twenty thousand!"

"It's one of the top-ranked townships in Rongtai County, second only to Pinghe Township and Nanguan Township!"

"Of the seventeen townships in Rongtai County, only Pinghe Township and Nanguan Township had more than five thousand households. Therefore, the township officials of these two townships were all officials with official titles, and like Zhao Jun, they wore the seal of a hundred shi (a unit of grain).

In late autumn, as the weather turned cold, Song Ming still waved his feather fan and talked animatedly on horseback.

However, this scene, witnessed by Liu Ping behind the two, filled him with envy.

Although he was known for his outstanding talent in Wohu Township, compared with this Lord Song, he was nothing but a hollow reputation.

With a soft sigh, a hint of sadness appeared on Liu Ping's face.

"Ah Ping, I noticed you really like this lynx, so I specially asked Ah Hong to tell my elder brother that I've saved one for you!"

Suddenly, Zhao Duan rode his horse to Liu Ping's side, took a linen satchel from his horse, draped it over Liu Ping's back, and said in a low voice.

Zhao Duan and Zhao Bing were both a year older than Zhao Hong, and Zhao Duan was the eldest son in the family. He seemed honest and simple, but he was actually very thoughtful.

Liu Ping and Zhao Hong had been fighting since they were young, and the two brothers often helped Zhao Hong fight against the young men of the Liu clan in Wenmaoli.

But now that they have all embarked on their spiritual journeys and have fought many battles, they can no longer treat each other as mere children.

Zhao Duan was particularly concerned about resolving the conflict between Liu Ping and Zhao Hong.

He had been riding behind on horseback, and Liu Ping's expression was clearly visible to him.

After all, Liu Ping was among the first scholars to pledge allegiance to his elder brother, so they couldn't let him down!

Moreover, including his elder brother, they and Liu Ping were childhood friends and fellow villagers who knew each other inside and out!

Seeing Zhao Duan approach, Liu Ping also concealed the sadness on his face, forced a smile, and whispered his thanks to Zhao Duan.

The commotion behind him also reached Zhao Xian's ears. Although Zhao Xian did not see the sadness on Liu Ping's face, he immediately understood when Zhao Duan gave him a wink.

"Ah Ping, we've known each other since we were little. I remember you loved raccoon dogs the most!"

"Once at the private school, you secretly brought your cubs from home to show off to us. When Liu Zhuogong found out, I think he beat your palms until they were swollen!"

Zhao Xian looked at Liu Ping and immediately said with a smile.

"Yes, I cried just like that kitten!"

Hearing Zhao Xian's words, Zhao Hong, who was not far behind, also chimed in loudly.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian sighed inwardly and looked at Liu Ping again: "This lynx is much fiercer than a raccoon dog, you must be careful!"

"Liu Ping is aware, and thanks Mr. Zhao for his concern!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ping seemed to recall past events as well, and couldn't help but smile faintly, cupping his hands in greeting.

"We are from the same hometown, there's no need for such formalities!"

Zhao Xian waved his hand dismissively.

Seeing this, Song Ming also found it somewhat amusing.

However, he didn't take it to heart. In his opinion, Zhao Hong, Huang Zhong, Liu Ping, and Zhao Duan were all still just children who hadn't grown up.

I'm an adult, how can I argue with a child!

Although these children were seasoned warriors and had taken far more heads than he had!

After some lighthearted banter, the group gradually arrived at a pavilion.

Seeing the group's imposing presence, Zhao Xian, who was at the head of the group, had particularly sharp eyes, like two razor-sharp knives.

Outside the pavilion, the pavilion owner, who was squatting on the steps, immediately stood up and stepped forward, bowing respectfully.

"Gentlemen, would you like to stay at the pavilion?"

"I am Zhao Xian, a military officer, and I have ordered the officials in the pavilion to come and pay their respects!"

Zhao Xian didn't say much, but simply revealed his origins.

"Soldier Cao?! Lord Zhao?!"

Upon hearing this, the father of the pavilion immediately exclaimed in surprise.

Immediately, he knelt down and kowtowed, calling out, "This old man greets Lord Zhao!"

"We, along with all the villagers, are deeply grateful to Lord Zhao for quelling the bandits of White Ox and Old Duck Beak!"

"Father Ting, please rise. I was merely doing my duty!"

Seeing this, Zhao Xian had no choice but to dismount and help the old man up.

"We, the humble folks from the countryside, can never repay the immense kindness and virtue shown to Lord Zhao!"

"I didn't know Lord Zhao was here this time~"

After standing up, the old man still spoke respectfully.

"Hurry and summon the village head and the others!"

Seeing him muttering to himself, Zhao Xian had no choice but to interrupt him and said with a smile.

"Oh dear! I almost ruined Zhao Jun's important matter!"

The father slapped his forehead and immediately turned and ran towards the pavilion.

A few breaths later, several figures rushed out of the pavilion and walked quickly to Zhao Xian. They all bowed down in respect.

"Li Cong, the head of Fanmao Pavilion, pays his respects to Lord Zhao!"

The others behind him also shouted, "We pay our respects to Lord Zhao!"

"Please rise, gentlemen!"

Zhao Xian immediately stepped forward to help up the pavilion chief, who was wearing a red turban, and then looked at the others, smiling as he spoke.

After everyone stood up, Zhao Xian explained the purpose of his visit.

Knowing that Zhao Xian had already assessed the bandits in the northwestern villages and the demonic disturbance in Shangbei Township, the village head Li Cong once again praised him.

"I have come here to quell the demonic scourge of Beiguo Township!"

"Thank you, Mr. Li, for leading us to our respective villages!"

Zhao Xian looked at Li Cong and spoke calmly.

"How dare I disobey!"

Upon hearing this, Li Cong immediately responded solemnly.

Immediately afterwards, he summoned Qiu Dao and gave him a few instructions. Soon after, two guards brought two horses.

Li Cong and Qiu Dao mounted their horses and immediately led Zhao Xian and others to various villages under their jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, Zhao Li and his group were also suppressing the demons in Xixiang.

Xiping Pavilion.

Looking at the dawdling village head, the thief, and several village soldiers in front of him, Zhao Li showed a hint of anger, but forcibly suppressed it.

Since entering Xixiang, the work of quelling the demonic disturbances has been progressing smoothly in the past few days.

The demonic calamity at two pavilions has been completely quelled, with seven or eight demonic beasts killed.

Furthermore, there were no casualties, which greatly pleased Zhao Li, Zhao Yi, and the other leaders in charge.

However, things did not go so smoothly after arriving at Xiping Pavilion.

For some reason, after the head of Xiping Pavilion learned of Zhao Li and his group's arrival, he neither welcomed them nor arranged accommodations for them.

.

They simply instructed Zhao Li and his men to set up camp outside the pavilion.

Zhao Li, Zhao Yi, and the others were able to tolerate these minor matters for the sake of Zhao Xian's career.

However, when it came time to quell the demon, the head of Xiping Pavilion repeatedly obstructed Zhao Li and his group from killing the demon beast.

The reason given was that they were worried that Zhao Li and the others might harm the people of Tingbu.

Zhao Li and the others naturally did not believe this reason, but they were helpless against the head of Xiping Pavilion.

The reason is that they were Daoist civilians recruited by Zhao Li, not county soldiers.

If Zhao Li's platoon leader were organized according to the county's military system, he would be a high-ranking official with a salary of 100 shi (a unit of grain).

But now, whether it's Zhao Li or Zhao Yi and the others, they are still just Daoist people in the end.

Cao Quan was a clerk, but he was just a minor official under the military officer, not even a food clerk.

It was impossible for Cao Quan to force the head of Xiping Pavilion to cooperate.

Seeing this, Zhao Li had no choice but to quietly gather a few people to discuss how to handle the matter.

"There must be something fishy about this!"

Cao Quan was the first to speak.

"How dare a lowly official, who only earns a meager living, offend a high-ranking official!"

"His actions are greatly hindering our progress in subduing the demon!"

"If this continues, it will inevitably affect Zhao Jun's ability to fulfill the county magistrate's orders!"

Immediately afterward, Cao Quan analyzed the situation in detail.

"If Ah Xian fails to fulfill the county magistrate's orders, won't his position as a high-ranking official be taken back by the magistrate?"

Suddenly, Zhao Yi looked at Cao Quan and asked in a low voice.

"All the officials and clerks in the county are appointed by the county magistrate, so naturally they can be recalled!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Quan immediately gave a wry smile and looked at Zhao Yi, telling him the truth.

"So that means someone is behind the head of Xiping Pavilion?"

Zhao Li, who had been silent until now, also chimed in.

"A mere lowly official, yet he dares to obstruct the actions of a high-ranking official; if he has no one instigating him, then he must have gone mad!"

Cao Quan also spoke with a very solemn expression.

"Now that things have come to this, we have no choice but to ask Mr. Zhao to step in and resolve this matter!"

Looking around at everyone, Cao Quan said solemnly.

"But what about Ah Xian?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zheng showed a hint of hesitation.

"Only Lord Zhao can deal with these petty rural officials!"

Cao Quan interrupted Zhao Zheng and said emphatically.

"Muchun, go to Beiguo Township immediately and tell Axian about this. We'll hold off the head of Xiping Pavilion here!"

Suddenly, Zhao Yi raised his head and looked at Mu Chun beside him, and whispered an order.

"good!"

"I'm heading to Beiguo Township right now!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Chun immediately responded.

Since being sent by Zhao Xian to Zhao Li's side, Mu Chun has never returned to Zhao Xian's side, so that if something like this happens, someone can escape to seek help!

Before long, Mu Chun turned his horse around and galloped off in the opposite direction.

The thunderous sound of hooves also attracted the attention of several officials at the pavilion ahead. They turned around and saw a rider gradually disappearing into the distance.

"Lord Ting, they must have sent someone to ask that sergeant for help!"

Upon seeing this, one of them immediately approached a clerk wearing a red turban and whispered something.

"Need help? Then let's ask for help!"

Upon hearing this, the pavilion chief withdrew his gaze and then calmly said...

"But if that sergeant returns, wouldn't his plans be ruined?"

The man immediately spoke again in a low voice.

"So what if it's destroyed? What does it have to do with us!" The head of Xiping Pavilion glanced at the man, then said meaningfully, "This is a dispute between two high-ranking officials. What does it have to do with us lowly officials? Don't be blind and get involved!"

"Besides, that sergeant is not someone to be trifled with!"

"The White Ox bandits, along with those three other bandit groups, were all wiped out by that sergeant and his men. They took over a hundred heads!"

"Four gangs of bandits, over a hundred men, not a single one was spared!"

"This sergeant is extremely bloodthirsty!"

Upon hearing this, the officials of the pavilion were also speechless with astonishment.

"To be honest, it's this sergeant who gets things done!"

"Those demons and bandits have been wreaking havoc on the village for a year and a half, and no one has come to deal with them!"

Someone else whispered to the side.

"So what!" someone else chuckled bitterly. "We're still being watched!"

"Seeing that this sergeant was about to quell the demonic calamity, he wanted to reap the benefits of the victory!"

"Alright, all of you, shut up!"

The head of Xiping Pavilion gave a low shout, then looked around at the others and said solemnly, "This matter is none of our business. We are simply doing our duty!"

"As for the rest, just pretend you know nothing!"

PS: The eight northwestern townships of Rongtai County are: Wohu Township, Shahe Township, Yulin Township, Shalin Township, Xixiang Township, Beiguo Township, and Pinghe Township.

Shangbei Township.