Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 162 Suppressing Bandits in Mangshan, Year-End Holiday (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

A group of people strolled leisurely across the fields, taking in the scenery around them.

It was winter, and the fields were barren and there wasn't much to see.

"Ah Chun, what do you think about using this place to raise horses?"

Suddenly, the young scholar at the head of the group pointed to the wasteland in front of him and said calmly.

Upon hearing this, a burly attendant behind the young scholar immediately looked around and began to ponder.

After considering for a moment, the servant nodded and cautiously said, "Master, it's more than enough to feed the horses!"

"If this land were used for farming, it would become fertile land in less than ten years!"

"It's alright, not all of it is used to raise horses!"

"I'm planning to build a ranch here and have you manage it, what do you say?"

At this point, Zhao Xian looked at Mu Chun behind him and asked with a smile.

"Since the master has given the order, Mu Chun will do his utmost!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Chun respectfully bowed.

"I don't care how the ranch is set up, or how the mares and stallions are bred. Just ask Ah Hong for the money you need!"

"As for the horse herders, you can choose a few households from my retinue!"

"All I want is for you to build the ranch as soon as possible!"

"Mu Chun will obey the master's command!"

Upon hearing Zhao Xian's words, Mu Chun immediately agreed enthusiastically.

"Let's go take a look around the neighborhood!"

Zhao Xian was enthusiastically planning the future in Xixiang, while in Yunling, a fierce battle was about to break out!

The mountains stretch as far as the eye can see.

The mountains are high and the forests are dense, with ancient trees and green vines blocking out the sun.

A biting wind swept through every corner of the mountains, howling and whistling like the cries of ghosts and wolves.

A hundred feet above the ground, a flash of light appeared, and several figures, riding flying swords, appeared out of thin air, looking down at the dense forest below.

"Senior Brother Gao, is this the hiding place of those Mangshan bandits?"

Suddenly, a young cultivator dressed in a white cloud-patterned Taoist robe looked at the leading green-robed cultivator and asked in a telepathic voice.

"This place appears desolate, but there's a faint spiritual energy flowing through it; there must be a formation below!"

The green-robed cultivator's eyes gleamed with a green light. After surveying the area below for a few breaths, he replied telepathically.

"The leader of the Mangshan bandits calls himself the Heavenly Eagle Master. He is at the Jade Liquid stage of cultivation, and his eagle, which he rides, is also at the Foundation Establishment stage."

"The second leader is Daoist Heiyan, whose cultivation level should be around the Heart-Moving Stage, and he is skilled in using flying swords!"

"As for the third and fourth leaders, they are Foundation Establishment cultivators and are insignificant!"

At this point, the green-robed cultivator turned to look at the three people behind him, his expression turning solemn, and instructed, "I will deal with that Heavenly Eagle Venerable!"

"Junior Brother Wang, you deal with that Black Annihilation Daoist. As for Junior Brother Chen and Junior Brother Liu, you two can take care of the remaining two Foundation Establishment cultivators. What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, the three people behind him naturally nodded in unison, as this was something that had been agreed upon beforehand!

"In that case, let's do it!"

At his command, the green-robed cultivator was the first to make a move.

Suddenly, a shimmering blue flying sword appeared beside him. Then, the sword trembled in mid-air, and dozens of sword lights, each over ten feet long, appeared in the air!

"fall!"

With a soft shout, dozens of sword lights crashed down!

"Boom boom boom!"

A series of earth-shattering explosions rang out, followed by the appearance of a faint spiritual light shield rising from the forest below, shimmering with tri-colored spiritual light.

"Three-colored spiritual light, a mere high-grade Yellow Rank array, actually thinks it can block my flying sword!"

The green-robed cultivator showed a hint of disdain on his face. He made a hand seal, and the dozens of sword lights that were originally scattered suddenly gathered together, transforming into a magnificent sword light that was more than ten feet long!

"Gale Slash!"

With a low shout, the magnificent sword light crashed down towards the protective array below!

"You lot!"

Suddenly, a loud shout came from the mountains and forests, and then a figure rode on a hawk and soared into the air from the mountains and forests!

Unfortunately, it was too late!

The magnificent sword light struck precisely at the very center of the protective array!

"Snap! Snap!"

In the blink of an eye, spiderweb-like cracks appeared at the point where the sword light collided with the great formation.

A few breaths later, the great formation shattered with a deafening roar!

At that moment, inside a secret chamber in the forest below, a mysterious jade plate several feet in size suddenly made several cracking sounds!

In less than half a breath, the spiritual light dissipated, cracks appeared everywhere, and the jade plate teetered on the verge of shattering!

"Who are you? Why have you invaded my Mangshan!"

The white-haired old cultivator, standing on a hawk, let out a fierce shout, and a flying sword in front of him was already poised to strike!

Immediately afterwards, three more figures rose into the air from the mountains and stood in a row with the cultivator who was riding on a hawk.

"The bandits of Mangshan deserve to be killed by everyone!"

"I am Gao Su of the Yunlan Sect, prepare to die!"

At the same time, the green-robed cultivator shouted and once again commanded his flying sword to attack the white-haired old cultivator opposite him!

The three behind him also followed suit, each wielding their magical weapons to attack their opponents!

In the blink of an eye, a great battle erupted!

After an unknown amount of time, a sharp scream resounded through the sky!

Then, the blood-soaked eagle, carrying the white-haired old cultivator, streaked across the sky like a blood-red meteor and disappeared into the vast mountains and forests!

"I will remember Gao Su of the Yunlan Sect!"

"snort!"

With a cold snort, the green-robed cultivator's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and his face was ashen!

"die!"

The flying sword in his hand split into three, and he charged towards the remaining three bandit cultivators!

Before long, under the siege of the four, the remaining three bandit leaders all met their end by sword.

"Senior Brother Gao, those bandits hiding in the mountains~"

One of the middle-aged cultivators stepped forward, pointed downwards, and asked in a solemn voice.

"Kill them all!"

The leading green-robed cultivator immediately replied indifferently.

Seeing this, the remaining three naturally stepped on their flying swords and descended with a whoosh.

A moment later, a series of wails came from below!

After an unknown amount of time, the three of them finally rose into the air from the mountains below.

The four met up and then flew rapidly out of the mountains.

"With Senior Brother Gao's merit in wiping out this bandit group from Mangshan, he should be able to exchange it for a precious pill!"

"We wish Senior Brother Gao a speedy attainment of the Core Formation realm!"

"Haha! I appreciate your kind words, my three junior brothers!"

A melodious laugh echoed from within the clouds.

The 30th day of the 12th month of the 527th year of the Xian calendar.

Several riders rode side by side, surrounding a valiant young official, while behind the riders followed a troop of soldiers clad in armor and armed with weapons, walking slowly along the official road.

Tomorrow is New Year's Day, and most of the people are resting at home, so there are very few pedestrians on the official road.

Even if there were one or two pedestrians, they would keep their distance when they saw this group of people, for fear of getting into trouble.

Behind this group of people were rows of oxcarts, carrying women.

On New Year's Day, a day of rest, Zhao Xian led his followers back to Shanghuting.

As for those women, they were naturally the female relatives of the Wu family who were given as a reward to the people of Zhudao.

The country folk wouldn't care about the woman's status. Since she was with them, they would naturally take her home to show the neighbors.

As for people like Zhao Ji and Zhao Cheng, who already had women on their left and right, they naturally wanted to go back and show off!

This scene made Zhao Hong and the other boys, who were still young, envious!

Unfortunately, Zhao Xian never even considered them!

After all, she is still young and has great potential. How can she let beauty distract her from her martial arts skills?

Before long, the group could see the pavilion of Shanghu Pavilion.

The people then parted ways, some going to Chang Gong Li, some returning to Da Wang Li, and many more returning to Yang Ping Li with Zhao Xian.

After walking along the country road for two or three miles, we could see the inner gate of Yangpingli!

"Giddy up! Giddy up! Giddy up!"

Having been away from home for a long time, Zhao Hong and his companions could no longer suppress their longing for home. They immediately bypassed Zhao Xian and rushed towards Yangpingli!

"Uncle Eleven!"

"Open the door quickly!"

Even from dozens of feet away, Zhao Xian could hear Zhao Hong and the others shouting and yelling!

Shaking his head, Zhao Xian chuckled.

A moment later, the group returned to Yangpingli. After each of the Daoist villagers thanked Zhao Xian, they took their wives and went home.

After a three-day rest, the people under his command will naturally gather again at the Shanghu Pavilion!

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Zhao He, the village gatekeeper, and Zhao Zhong, the village head, Zhao Xian led Zhao Hong and the others toward his home.

Zhao Ji and Zhao Cheng, on the other hand, chatted idly with Zhao Zhong and others inside the gate.

Without a doubt, the group was showing off the beautiful maids they had acquired to Zhao Zhong!

As they had predicted, the villagers had never seen such a beautiful maid before, and they were naturally envious of Zhao Ji and the others.

Zhao Zheng, on the other hand, just watched with a smile. Zhao Xian had originally planned to give him a beautiful maid, but he refused!

The affection between his elder brother and sister-in-law truly surprised Zhao Xian.

When he returned home, his mother and younger sister had already returned from the county.

After a year at the county school, the younger sisters Zhao Yu and Huang Xia lost some of their wildness and became more well-behaved.

She is as serene and gentle as a girl from a modest family!

This greatly surprised Zhao Xian and Zhao Hong!

Zhao Xian did not bring any gifts when he returned home this time, only a few bamboo boxes carried on his horse.

The box was filled with classics, historical texts, philosophical works, martial arts techniques, secret methods, cultivation experiences, and so on that Zhao Xian had collected from the Wu family.

During his time in Xixiang, Zhao Xian had asked Song Ming and Liu Ping to help him organize the items by category.

Zhao Xian needs to copy and organize all of these, which will become the foundation of the Zhao family in Yangpingli in the future!

Around noon, Zhao Ji invited Zhao Xian's family to his grandfather's house for a gathering.

After tidying up a bit, Zhao Xian and his family headed towards his grandfather's house.

When the family arrived at the grandfather's house, Zhao Li's family and Zhao Zhi's family had already arrived.

People who haven't seen each other for months or even a year have endless things to talk about!

After chatting for a while, everyone took their seats, and the banquet officially began.

This year's banquet is different from last year's; it features pork, beef, and lamb, along with fine wine.

The whole family gathered together, and the feast didn't end until the afternoon.

The Zhao family did not treat the two women Zhao Ji brought back any differently!

Zhao Jineng's uncle and aunt were naturally quite pleased to have such a woman from a wealthy family.

Unfortunately, this good fortune came too suddenly, catching them off guard, so they could only give each other some personal money.

As for Zhao Ji now becoming Zhao Xian's retainer, being granted a hundred acres of land, and even having two additional households as dependents and a plow ox, it shocked them even more!

Upon learning that not only Zhao Ji, but also Zhao Cheng, Zhao Zong, and the other Daoists in the demon-hunting team had received such rewards, they stood frozen in place, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Although there's a 30% rent, it's still quite good compared to the government's exploitation!"

"Let alone a hundred acres, even fifty acres of land would be enough to make your followers prosperous and well-off!"

"Ah Xian, that was a good move!"

Grandfather Zhao Mu looked at Zhao Xian opposite him with a gratified expression and said with a smile, "From now on, these Daoist people will be your loyal retainers!"

"Whether it succeeds or not, we'll have to wait and see in a few years!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian smiled modestly.

"Now that Ah Xian has secured his position as a military officer, and our family has benefited from the Wu family's influence, in ten or twenty years, the Zhao family of Yangping Village might just become a prominent clan in the area!"

At this point, a hint of excitement also appeared in Zhao Mu's eyes.

"Grandfather, which of the prominent families in the village doesn't have many members? Our Zhao family in Yangping Village is just a few dozen households, nothing special!"

Hearing Zhao Mu's words, Zhao Zheng chimed in with a laugh.

"Take your time!"

Zhao Mu nodded and continued with a smile, "With Ah Xian's financial support, it won't be long before we have more children in Yangping Village!"

After a brief chat, everyone began to discuss serious matters.

"Ah Xian, regarding that spirit well, Zhao De and I have discussed it and decided that we shouldn't reveal it to anyone yet!"

"Everything will be arranged by Grandfather!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian naturally smiled and replied.

"The spiritual fields irrigated with the water from that spiritual well yielded more than three bushels of spiritual rice per mu this year!"

"And the spiritual energy in the soil of the spirit field has also become more concentrated!"

"If this continues, in a dozen or so years, all those spirit fields might become grade-level spirit fields!"

At this point, Zhao Mu unconsciously lowered his voice.

At this moment, only they remained in the hall; the women and children had already quietly left.

"Our Zhao clan of Yangping Village cannot hold onto a spirit field that has reached the highest level!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately spoke with a solemn expression.

Once you reach the first-grade spirit field, you can grow low-grade Yellow Rank Jade Pearl Rice, which costs three low-grade spirit stones per pound!

Of course, for a spirit field that has reached a certain grade, the best thing to do is to grow spirit herbs!

"Ah Xian is not confident he can lay a solid foundation for his path within the next ten years!"

Zhao Xian explained without hesitation.

"So, Ah Xian, what do you mean?"

Upon hearing Zhao Xian's words, Zhao Mu also asked with a focused expression.

"Why not use this spirit well water to cultivate more mediocre spirit fields for the clan!"

"It's not too late to cultivate a high-grade spiritual field after Ah Xian has established his foundation!"

After pondering for a while, Zhao Xian replied solemnly.

"That's one way to do it!"

Uncle Zhao Ren also chimed in from the side.

"Let's do as Ah-Hsien says!"

"There's one more thing I'd like to hear Ah Xian's opinion on."

The charcoal in the brazier crackled from time to time, and the people in the hall were discussing family and clan matters with great enthusiasm!

The families didn't disperse until sunset.

The next morning, Zhao Xian and his entourage also got up early to prepare to go and pay respects to their ancestors.

On the first day of the first month of the 528th year of the Celestial Calendar, the sky was slightly dark.

After the ancestral worship ceremony, there is a clan banquet.

Although Zhao Xian contributed funds, the rules of the clan banquet remained unchanged: each household still had to contribute money or labor.

At this year's clan banquet, Zhao Xian also ordered the clan's boys under the age of sixteen to come on stage and compete in martial arts.

Zhao Xian was generous in rewarding those who performed exceptionally well with coins!

In addition, Zhao Xian promised two of the boys that once they turned sixteen, they could follow him!

Upon hearing this, the youths in the clan were even more excited!

Zhao Xian's prestige within the clan now far surpasses that of the elders.

Over the next two days, Zhao Xian attended banquets at various families within his clan, and several prominent families in Shanghuting also invited him to their banquets.

Zhao Xian naturally accepted all invitations, attending banquets at one place or another every day.

The group of Daoist followers under Zhao Xian each brought their beautiful wives home, causing a tremor that was no different from an earthquake at Shanghu Pavilion!

Becoming a retainer of Zhao Xian would not only grant him fifty acres of fertile land, but also beautiful women, strong servants, and oxen.

Such a good thing, let alone becoming a retainer, would be worth sacrificing one's life for!

When they heard that Zhao Xian still had more than 2,000 mu of land lying fallow, the poor Daoist people of Shanghuting who had no land to rely on or only a few mu of land were naturally very tempted!

If I could sell myself to Zhao Xian, could I also get fifty acres of land?

Those are fields where you only have to pay 30% rent!

In just a few days, countless people came to Yangpingli under the guise of visiting relatives to inquire about news, and some even went directly to Zhao Xian's house to try and establish a relationship.

The constant flow of Taoist priests was making Zhao He, the gatekeeper, a little impatient!

"Shiyilang, I've come to visit relatives!"

A thin Taoist priest, carrying a tattered bamboo basket containing a small handful of leafy greens, looked at Zhao He with a fawning smile.

"Su Mao, your Su family has only been living in Shanghuting for a few years, how could you possibly be related to my Zhao family!"

Zhao He leaned against the inner door and teased the thin Taoist priest.

"Shiyilang, this, this~"

Upon hearing this, the thin Taoist priest gave an awkward smile and stood helplessly outside the inner door.

"Su Si, hurry back!"

"Don't keep me from visiting my relatives!"

A Daoist behind him recognized Su Mao and immediately urged him impatiently.

"Hey! Sun San'er, your Sun family has only been living in Shanghuting for a little over twenty years, not even as long as my family has been here!"

"Where did you get any relatives in Yangpingli?!"

Su Mao dared not contradict Zhao He, but instead shouted at the man behind him who had urged him on.

"If I say it's there, then it's there!"

Upon hearing this, the man named Sun San'er paused for a moment, then shouted loudly again.

"Cough cough! Cough cough!"

Seeing that the group was about to start arguing, Zhao He coughed loudly a few times!

Seeing this, the others quieted down and looked at Zhao He.

"I understand why you've come here!"

Zhao He smiled at the group outside the inner gate and said, "I didn't want to stop you, but Jiu Lang has spoken. Tomorrow he will meet the Daoist people of the Mo Xia Demon Hunting Team in the open space west of Shanghu Pavilion!"

"When the time comes, any Daoist who wants to rent his land can simply go there!"

"Ah! Shiyilang, really?"

"Don't lie to me! I'll definitely be there early tomorrow!"

Several Daoist practitioners immediately looked at Zhao He with delight and asked urgently.

"Jiulang is a high-ranking official, how could he possibly play tricks on you commoners!"

Upon hearing someone question him, Zhao He immediately jumped up and shouted loudly!

"Hurry up! Hurry up! Don't get in my way!"

After saying that, Zhao He began to wave his hands to support the people.

On the fourth day of the first month of the 528th year of the Celestial Calendar, the weather was sunny.

After finishing his morning exercise and breakfast, Zhao Xian bid farewell to his parents, younger sister, and others, and walked towards the inner gate with Zhao Hong and Huang Zhong.

Upon arriving at the village gate, the village chief, Zhao Zhong, was already waiting there.

"Ah Xian, your great-uncle knows you're recruiting disciples today, so he specifically sent me to give you a good chance to choose!"

Seeing Zhao Xian and the others approaching, Zhao Zhong quickly stepped forward and said with a smile.

"Half-Uncle has been the village head for so many years, he knows Shanghuting like the back of his hand. With Fifth-Uncle's help, Ah Xian will naturally be able to recruit reliable and hardworking villagers!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately smiled and said.

The group then continued walking towards the pavilion.

Upon arriving at the pavilion, the pavilion chief and the bandit seeker came out to pay their respects and instructed the pavilion guards to maintain order at the venue for Zhao Xian.

Zhao Xian readily accepted the pavilion chief's kindness, for he was, after all, a senior official in Yangping Village, and Zhao Xian had to show him some respect!

"Demon-hunting team, assemble!"

Upon seeing Zhao Xian arrive, Zhao Zheng immediately roared angrily, and the demon-hunting team members who heard the shout quickly gathered together.

In no time at all, they had formed a neat and orderly line!

This incredible speed amazed the villagers!

Once the team was formed, a chilling atmosphere instantly filled the venue.

The Daoist people who had been discussing the matter gradually fell silent, their faces showing a hint of fear.

Only then did they realize that these friends and playmates they had known since childhood were now soldiers who had faced life and death many times!

"We will be stationed in Xixiang for one month, starting in the first month of the lunar calendar!"

Zhao Xian approached the Daoist people, looked around for a few moments, and then solemnly shouted.

"I will obey Lord Zhao's command!"

Upon hearing this, all the people responded in unison!

"Team Leader Zhao, lead the demon-hunting team aside, and select a few more to maintain order at the venue!"

Zhao Xianfu then looked at Zhao Zheng beside him and gave him instructions.

"You! You! You! Step forward!"

Zhao Zheng immediately began selecting personnel to maintain order at the meeting.

"Aping, you will be the clerk and draw up contracts with the chosen Daoist priests!"

Zhao Xian then looked at Liu Ping, who was not far away, and gave him instructions.

"Please trouble you, Lord Ting, to have your servants bring a small table and a straw mat here!"

Zhao Hong smiled and said to the head of Shanghu Pavilion beside him.

The pavilion chief naturally responded and immediately went to give the instructions.

Before long, the straw mat was laid out, and the table was placed neatly on it. Liu Ping also sat upright on the straw mat and began to grind ink.

"Today, Zhao Xian is renting out land. Applicants must be the second son in their family, or those who have no land to rely on!"

"For leased land, half of the rent must be paid as land tax annually. The land must not be allowed to lie fallow. Any objections?"

Seeing that everything was ready, Zhao Xian immediately looked at the Daoist priests of Shanghuting in front of him and shouted in a stern voice.

"We have no objection!"

Upon hearing this, all the Daoist people replied in unison.

"Team Leader Zhao, lead your men to line up these Daoist people in a row!"

"Fifth Uncle, you'll be in charge!"

After giving instructions to Zhao Zheng, Zhao Xian looked at Zhao Zhong beside him and immediately said with a smile.

"good!"

Zhao Zhong didn't stand on ceremony and immediately agreed.

"Village Chief Zhao, I'm Kangjia from Fanrong Village!"

The first Daoist to step forward bowed deeply to Zhao Zhong!

"Kang Jia, you are the eldest son in your family. I remember your family also owns fifteen acres of land. What are you doing here causing trouble!"

Zhao Zhong looked at the burly man in front of him, raised an eyebrow, and shouted sternly.

"Village Chief Zhao, my family has another mouth to feed, so I was thinking of giving this a try."

When the burly man heard Zhao Zhong reveal his family's wealth, he immediately looked embarrassed and said in a low voice.

"Go away! Don't waste your time here!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhong waved his hand repeatedly, took out ten talisman coins from the bamboo basket in front of him, and threw them over.

"Take these talisman coins and give the children in your family a good meal!"

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