Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 155 The Song Family Banquet: An Old Acquaintance (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

After resting at home for a few days, Zhao Xian led a group of people to Xiangting.

The county magistrate ordered Zhao Xian to lead a group to inspect the villages, and they were to stay in each village for at least a month.

The first township is naturally Wohu Township.

Chen Yuancheng, the village head of Wohu Township, was Zhao Xian's benefactor. With his help, Zhao Xian was able to extort money and grain from the wealthy households in the township with great success.

Another reason why things went so smoothly was the county official position that Zhao Xian had!

At the same time, Liu Yuan's nephew Liu Sheng also came to Wohu Township from the county.

After Liu Sheng met Zhao Xian, Zhao Xian examined him and found him to be a promising talent. He then appointed Liu Sheng as the fourth official under Zhao Xian, and Liu Sheng was assigned to Song Ming's office.

This last county official position became a tempting prize in everyone's eyes!

Crouching Tiger Village.

As noon approached, Zhao Xian still hadn't eaten.

It wasn't that Zhao Xian wasn't hungry, but rather that he couldn't get away.

"We commoners are truly honored that Lord Bingcao has taken up residence in Crouching Tiger Village!"

"My humble abode has prepared a small feast; I hope you will honor me with your presence, Sir!"

In the main hall, a rather plump and round-faced middle-aged scholar looked at Zhao Xian, who was seated in the main seat, with a fawning smile and said.

"Lord Song, my purpose in stationing myself in Wohu Township is to inspect the local people. I've only been here a few days; how can I indulge in drinking and merrymaking during official business?"

Upon hearing the middle-aged scholar's invitation, Zhao Xian gave a wry smile and waved his hand repeatedly.

"It's alright, it's alright!"

"It's not like we're drinking and making merry in broad daylight. According to the Qian law, officials are supposed to be off duty by 5:15 PM, and they can't perform official duties after nightfall!"

But the middle-aged scholar immediately waved his hand repeatedly and earnestly advised him again.

"This~"

Zhao Xian hesitated for a moment, then looked out of the hall and saw more than ten baskets overflowing with millet in the courtyard!

This basket of millet is one shi (a unit of dry measure), and the millet in the courtyard must amount to at least fifteen or sixteen shi, worth more than a thousand fu coins.

This is enough food for the demon-hunting team to eat and chew for seven or eight days!

"Very well, then I'll trouble you, Lord Song!"

"In that case, this humble old man, along with my son Song An, will await your esteemed arrival at my residence, Lord Bingcao!"

After saying this, the middle-aged scholar stood up and bowed, while the young scholar behind him also bowed respectfully.

"Jiulang, this father and son are truly persistent!"

Seeing the father and son leave, Chen Yuancheng withdrew his gaze and then looked at Zhao Xian and teased him.

Since Zhao Xian arrived at Wohu Village, Song Chen and his son Song An have been visiting him every day.

In the past few days, after returning to his Wohu Township residence, Zhao Xian has been attending banquets hosted by others for several days in a row.

They would either go to the Cao family's banquet, or to the Yan family's or Xu family's banquet, or even to Qilian, which was not far from their hometown. Zhao Xian had also gone to Qilian's house for a banquet with Chen Yuancheng.

The banquets held by the prominent families in the village these past few days are finally coming to an end, and Zhao Xian had been looking forward to a good rest!

Unexpectedly, he still couldn't persuade the father and son.

"When you offer a gift, you always expect something in return!"

"This father and son seem to have big ambitions!"

Glancing at the millet outside, Chen Yuancheng smiled faintly.

"It seems that this minor official position I have has become quite a treasure!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian couldn't help but make a joke.

"Haha! That's absolutely right!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuancheng laughed heartily and then got up and walked out of the hall.

"I'm busy with official duties at the residence, so I won't chat with Jiulang any longer!"

After seeing Chen Yuancheng off, Zhao Xian also gazed at the millet outside the hall.

A moment later, Zhao Xian's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile.

"Just this little bit of millet?"

"I think that father and son have both lost their minds!"

Even Zhao Hong, who was standing by his side, couldn't help but mock him.

"Alright, tonight you and Ah Duan will come with me to the banquet!"

"Understood, elder brother!"

Zhao Hong and Zhao Duan immediately responded.

As night fell, the moon rose high in the sky, and the autumn wind blew bleakly.

Some impoverished villagers could only huddle in their thatched huts, shivering in the biting cold wind.

Meanwhile, the Song family home in Qiandeli was brightly lit and filled with laughter!

In the main hall, Song Chen, the head of the Song family, still sat in the main seat, while Zhao Xian sat to his left.

Below the two were Zhao Hong and Zhao Duan, as well as Song An and two guests from the Song family.

With Song Chen and Song An's deliberate flattery, everyone naturally raised their glasses and drank heartily, creating a joyful scene of guests and friends.

Suddenly, Song An gave a wink to the guests below.

The guest immediately stood up, raised his cup, and bowed respectfully to Zhao Xian.

"Zheng Yuan greets Lord Military Officer, wishing you continued success and advancement in your career!"

"Haha! Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Zheng!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian smiled and raised his cup as well, showing no sign of prestige.

The two drank a cup of wine, and Zheng Yuan, seeing how approachable Zhao Xian was, couldn't help but become a little bolder.

"Sir, I have heard that your ranks are not yet complete and there is still one person missing. I wonder if you have a candidate in mind?"

""

"I have some influence in this Crouching Tiger Township, and I'm willing to act as your advocate!"

"We haven't found a suitable candidate yet. I intended to select someone from within Wohu Township to serve as an official, but unfortunately, we haven't discovered a single capable person!"

At this point, Zhao Xian also let out a long sigh.

"My lord, as the saying goes, one should not avoid recommending relatives for positions of merit!"

"I humbly recommend my young master!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yuan immediately steeled his resolve, knelt on the ground, and respectfully said.

"Song Jun, not bad at all. Last year you also distinguished yourself in the village archery competition!"

After considering his words carefully, Zhao Xian looked at Song An and his son Song Chen and said slowly.

"But~"

Suddenly, Zhao Xian changed the subject and continued, "However, there seem to be some rumors circulating about Lord Song in this rural area."

After saying this casually, Zhao Xian put down his wine cup, stood up, and bowed to Song Chen, saying, "Lord Song, it is late. I still need to inspect the villages tomorrow, so I cannot stay any longer. I will take my leave now!"

After saying this, Zhao Xian walked out of the hall, and Zhao Hong and Zhao Duan, who were standing beside him, also got up and followed closely behind him.

"This~"

Seeing that Zhao Xian was about to leave, Song Chen immediately got up and chased after him.

He jogged up to Zhao Xian, beaming, and bowed respectfully, saying, "This humble old man has gone through countless hardships to invite Lord Bingcao to my home!"

"If Lord Bingcao does not offer me lodging, wouldn't outsiders think we have failed to provide adequate hospitality?"

"As for what the guest just said, it was not at our behest!"

Upon hearing this, the guest rushed towards Zhao Xian, while Zhao Hong and Zhao Duan each gripped the hilt of their swords and stood in front of Zhao Xian, their faces showing vigilance.

"thump!"

The guest immediately knelt down and cried out, "My lord, please calm your anger!"

"I was drunk today and couldn't hold my liquor. I also showed off in front of you, sir, and said things I shouldn't have. Please forgive me!"

After saying that, the guest kowtowed repeatedly, and in the blink of an eye, his forehead was covered in bruises, with traces of blood seeping out!

"Enough! Get up!"

After a few breaths, Zhao Xian sighed and waved his hand, signaling the guest to get up.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhao!"

The guest immediately stood up, bowed, and said respectfully.

"I have known Lord Song for a long time, and I am well aware of his abilities!"

"But this time, quite a few people are eyeing the positions of county officials!"

In the blink of an eye, Zhao Xian had returned to his seat, and everyone else took their seats.

After this incident, the atmosphere in the hall was naturally no longer as relaxed as before!

"I thought so too, but unfortunately, this kid insisted on going out and making his own way!"

"He's my only son. If something happens to him, how can I face his mother in the afterlife?"

Upon hearing this, Song Chen's face was already streaked with tears, and he echoed her sentiments.

"Lord Song, please don't be so sorrowful!"

"Actually, it's not impossible for Song An to take up an official post!"

At this point, Zhao Xian paused, and everyone's gaze turned to him.

"When spring comes next year, with Lord Song's strength, won't he be able to win first place in the village archery competition?"

"Furthermore, Mr. Song is a direct disciple of Elder Shen, one of the three elders of the village!"

"This~"

Not only Song Chen, but even Song An was surprised that Zhao Xian would say such a thing!

Don't you know that the spot for first place in the village archery competition has already been claimed by Yan Su of the Yan family!

Yan Su hasn't even taken up an official post yet!

Thinking of this, Song Chen and his son couldn't help but feel annoyed!

Last year, Xu Dekun was the best archer in the township, this year it's Zhao Xian, and next year it will be Yan Su. I wonder when it will be Song An's turn!

Seeing the wry smiles on Song Chen and his son's faces, Zhao Xian also showed a hint of doubt.

Seeing Zhao Xian's behavior, Song Chen couldn't help but curse inwardly, but still forced a smile and explained to Zhao Xian!

"I see!"

"In that case, I will stand up for Lord Song for a few more days. During these days, I will definitely not easily hand over this county official position to someone else!"

""

At this point, Zhao Xian also raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp. Everyone else in sight also raised their cups.

When the moon was high in the sky, Zhao Xian finally emerged from the hall, drunk. Then, supported by Zhao Hong and Zhao Duan, he followed Song An to the Song family's residence where guests were being entertained to rest.

"You're busy with official duties, Mr. Zhao, you should get some rest tonight!"

At this point, Song An winked at Zhao Xian, speaking with a pointed remark.

"Um?"

Zhao Xian was slightly taken aback, then as if he remembered something, he immediately raised his head to look at the main hall of the mansion!

But the main hall was brightly lit, and Zhao Xian then looked at the side rooms on both sides, and found them to be the same!

"Oh!"

Upon seeing this, Zhao Xian chuckled softly, but a surge of heat rose in his heart.

Looking back at Zhao Hong and Zhao Duan, Zhao Xian patted them on the shoulder and pointed out a room to each of them.

"Elder brother! I'll keep watch here tonight!"

Seeing that Zhao Xian was somewhat drunk, Zhao Hong immediately looked around warily, and then whispered something.

"It's alright! Just rest peacefully!"

Zhao Xian felt a warmth in his heart, and then looked at Zhao Hong with a smile and said.

After speaking, Zhao Xian slowly walked towards the main hall.

"Squeak~"

Pushing open the door, one is immediately greeted by a dazzling moon-shaped pearl.

Zhao Xian slowly walked into the room, and the door closed gently.

When he looked up and around, he could vaguely see two figures inside the room.

Upon entering the inner room, one sees a bathtub, with a beautiful young maid kneeling on either side.

Upon seeing Zhao Xian enter, the two maids immediately prostrated themselves and kowtowed, saying, "Please, Your Majesty, take a bath!"

The candlelight was soft, and the two maids were both dressed in pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), their figures were plump, and the thin gauze clung to their bodies, making them mature and alluring.

Zhao Xian was slightly taken aback, then burst into laughter.

"Lift your head up and let me see!"

Zhao Xian stood with his hands behind his back, looked at the two maids, and said calmly.

Under the soft moonlight, two handsome faces came into Zhao Xian's view.

"Compared to last year, she has become even more charming!"

Night had fallen, and the biting autumn wind whistled through the branches, each gust louder than the last!