Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 173 The Daoist settles down and seeks a marriage partner (Seeking monthly votes)

Several days later, Chen Sheng and Liu Mao left Wohu Township with their respective gains.

Since the two had limited storage space on their magical artifacts, Zhao Xian arranged several oxcarts for each of them and assigned two squads to escort them.

As for the Xu family's spoils of war, those in the right place at the right time had already been transported back to the Xu family.

The Yan family's shops in Daqingshan Market, as well as in the county and prefectural cities, were taken over by the Chen and Liu families, so Zhao Xian didn't need to worry about them.

However, before they left, the two entrusted Zhao Xian to take care of the Taoists who had moved to Wohu Township.

Zhao Xian readily agreed to the task!

Without a sound, a once-prominent family with a century-long history vanished from Wohu Township.

Everything was so peaceful!

For half a month, the wealthy families in the village stayed indoors, fearing they might attract disaster!

Zhao Xian doesn't have much time to deal with them right now. He'll deal with the Yan family later and then find trouble for them!

After all, the confessions of Yan Zhen and the guests of the Yan family contained more than just the shady deeds done by the Yan family!

After returning to the county town, Chen Yuancheng handed over Yan Heng, Yan Su, Yan Zhen, and other male members of the Yan family to the county jailer.

After that, the jailers took action and pried open the mouths of the Yan family!

County Magistrate Gao Su was very satisfied with Zhao Xian and others' clean and efficient handling of the Yan family!

When chatting with his close friends and family, he even stated that he regarded Zhao Xian, Chen Yuancheng, and Xu Dekun as his right-hand men!

With Gao Su personally praising Zhao Xian, Zhao Xian's name naturally spread throughout the county and even reached neighboring counties!

As for the Chen and Liu families' proposal to relocate their fellow Daoist people to Wohu Township, Gao Su also agreed.

He then ordered Zhao Xian and He Qing, the head of Wohu Township, to handle the matter, and the inspection of the county was to be postponed.

In this way, Zhao Xian also stayed in Wohu Township!

A chilling wind blew, biting cold.

Zhao Xian and his group walked through the ranch, listening to the ranch manager's detailed report.

The steward, Yan Zhu, was naturally terrified of the ranch's new owner.

This is a high-ranking military officer who has just executed nearly a hundred people!

Now, as a member of the Yan clan serving under him, he lives in constant fear and trepidation!

He was terrified that he might accidentally offend this high-ranking military officer and end up losing his head!

"Manager Yan, from now on, this ranch will be under my father's management!"

Suddenly, after Yan Zhu finished reporting, Zhao Xian looked at Yan Zhu and said calmly.

Hearing this, Yan Zhu sighed inwardly, yet a sense of relief welled up from the bottom of his heart!

Heaven has mercy! Ever since learning of the Yan family's destruction, Yan Zhu has been living in constant fear, terrified that misfortune will befall him as well!

Now, there's finally a result!

"You remain in charge, and continue to handle all matters concerning the ranch as usual!"

"When you were the steward of the Yan family, how much was your monthly salary?"

Zhao Xian, unaware of Yan Zhu's thoughts, continued speaking.

"Um?!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhu was also slightly taken aback. In the end, he still hadn't gotten rid of it!

"How much is the monthly salary?"

Upon asking again, Zhao Xian saw that the middle-aged man in front of him remained silent, and assumed that he was unwilling to stay, so he asked again in a calm tone, "You don't want to stay?"

"Sir, I am willing to stay!"

In an instant, Yan Zhu broke out in a cold sweat and immediately answered.

"How much is the monthly salary?"

"Three hundred coins per month!"

Yan Zhu immediately replied.

"In that case, you will receive four hundred coins per month from now on!"

"Although my father is in charge of the ranch, you are in charge of all the arrangements!"

Zhao Xian looked at the middle-aged man in front of him and immediately spoke in a solemn voice.

"Father, the pasture and those thirty households of slaves are now entrusted to you!"

Zhao Xian looked at Zhao Yi behind him again and said in a deep voice.

"Don't worry, Dad will take good care of you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yi immediately nodded and responded.

"Father, pick a few more boys from the clan, teach them some martial arts, and have them serve you!"

"OK!"

Zhao Yi nodded.

Just then, a figure came rushing towards them from a distance.

"Master, the followers of the Chen and Liu families have arrived at the village!"

The newcomer was Mu Chun. He bowed to Zhao Xian and said in a solemn voice.

"Are the rice porridge, firewood, and medicine prepared by the doctor?"

"Song Jun has made all the arrangements!"

Mu Chun replied immediately.

"It's freezing cold today; we can't afford to let anything happen to these Taoist followers from the Chen and Liu families!"

"Come on, let's go take a look!"

Zhao Xian immediately walked towards the country house, but then turned back to look at Zhao Yi, Zhao Li and the others behind him, and said with a smile: "Father, Uncle, you stay here and get familiar with the pasture!"

After saying that, Zhao Xian strode forward.

"This humble servant, Yan Zhu, greets Lord Zhao!"

After Zhao Xian left, Yan Zhu immediately bowed to Zhao Yi!

"Strict management, please rise!"

"From now on, this ranch will rely heavily on Manager Yan!"

"Yan Zhu is unworthy of such praise; please come this way, Lord Zhao!"

Along the official road, families of Taoists lined both sides of the road. Having left their homes to come to this unfamiliar place, the Taoists naturally looked very apprehensive!

"Gentlemen, please have some rice porridge first!"

Just then, several village officials came pushing wheelbarrows, shouting loudly.

On either side of the carriage was a porridge bucket, steaming and emitting a rich aroma of rice that wafted along the official road!

Outside the country house, a dozen or so figures stood silently in the cold wind, waiting.

"Lord Chen, Lord Liu, please order these Daoist people to have some rice porridge!"

Suddenly, a burly man clad in iron armor walked up to the two young cultivators and bowed respectfully.

"Captain Zhao is absolutely right!"

One of them immediately responded with a smile, and then two knights mounted their horses and began to call out!

"Please line up to get your porridge, and don't cause any trouble!"

Upon hearing this, the local people on the roadside also sprang into action, taking out their rice bowls from their carts or bundles and queuing up to wait for the official to arrive!

Not far away, a nearly five-foot-long iron pot was emitting a rich aroma of porridge!

Seeing that their clansmen had begun to receive the porridge, the two young cultivators also showed a smile.

When they looked at the man in front of them again, a hint of gratitude appeared on their faces!

Looking back on their arduous journey, the two were filled with emotion.

I thought it would only be a one-day and one-night journey, but I never expected it to take three days and three nights!

Without the help of Zhao Zheng and Zhao Cheng, who led their followers, this group of nearly a thousand people from two hundred households would probably have collapsed halfway through the journey!

With this in mind, the two men also became somewhat curious about Zhao Xian, the county sergeant whom they had not yet met!

Zhao Xianneng must be incredibly admired by everyone; what kind of charisma must he possess!

"The Sergeant is here!"

Suddenly, an official beside him called out in a low voice.

The two immediately looked over and saw a young cultivator moving swiftly like the wind, hurrying towards them!

"Zhao Xian greets both fellow Daoists!"

Upon reaching the two, the young cultivator immediately bowed.

"Chen Yuanzhang of the Chen family greets Fellow Daoist Zhao!"

"Liu Zhe of the Liu family greets Fellow Daoist Zhao!"

The two men naturally returned the greeting with clasped hands.

"Huh?!"

One of them suddenly showed a hint of surprise, looked at Zhao Xian in front of him, and smiled, "Do we seem to have met before?"

"In Daqingshan Market, I was targeted by two late-stage Qi Refining bandits. Fellow Daoist Chen was prepared to come to my aid!"

Zhao Xian naturally recognized this Chen family cultivator, after all, he was the first real cultivator in the cultivation world he had met!

"So Zhao Xian is you, fellow Daoist!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuanzhang seemed to suddenly understand and laughed.

"Haha! I should have thought of this sooner, after all, there are no two people in the world whose circumstances are so similar!"

Chen Yuanzhang clapped his hands and laughed, then looked at Zhao Xian in front of him and couldn't help but feel a little emotional!

Back then, he was just a minor Qi Refining cultivator, but now he has entered the late stage of Qi Refining, and his cultivation level is almost the same as mine!

After chatting for a while, the group did not enter the country house, but instead, at Zhao Xian's invitation, went to the fields of the Chen and Liu families.

Both fields are located west of Yandeli, near the mountains and forests. Some are excellent fertile fields, while others are wasteland that has only been cultivated for a few years.

In addition, the land for these two hundred households can only be obtained from the mountains and forests.

After all, these two hundred households are all new households, and there is no vacant land to build houses for them!

"Without shelter, how will our people survive the harsh winter?"

Seeing the desolate scene before him, Liu Zhe couldn't help but look at Zhao Xianfa and ask him a question, his tone somewhat unfriendly.

"Naturally, we'd first dig a hole in the ground to live underground, and then move in once the house was built!"

Zhao Xian naturally spoke truthfully.

"Before we departed, did the Master say that everything was prepared?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhe immediately looked at Zhao Xian and said in a cold voice.

Chen Yuanzhang, standing to the side, also had a somewhat somber expression.

"How can two hundred houses be built within ten days?"

"I do have a way, but unfortunately, I'm powerless to do it!"

"What method is it? Tell me quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhe immediately demanded an explanation.

"If ten Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Earth Element lineage were to work together, two hundred residences could probably be built in a single night!"

"Then please, Fellow Daoist Liu, go and find ten Foundation Establishment cultivators!"

Zhao Xian's smile remained unchanged as he spoke calmly.

"you!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhe's expression immediately changed, and he was about to fly into a rage!

"Fellow Daoists, how can we build two hundred residences in just ten days?"

Seeing the unfriendly expressions on Liu Zhe and Chen Yuanzhang's faces, He Qing, the village head of Wohu Township, immediately bowed and said with a wry smile.

"We cannot be forced to live in caves!"

Liu Zhe took a deep breath and said solemnly.

"I will now return to my clan and report to the clan chief!"

After saying this, Liu Zhe prepared to return to his family.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, once these Daoists leave Mangshan, they are no longer members of the Liu family!"

"They are Daoist people from Wohu Township, Rongtai County!"

Seeing this, Zhao Xian couldn't help but sigh and say helplessly.

Upon hearing this, both Chen Yuanzhang and Liu Zhe's expressions changed slightly, realizing that Zhao Xian was telling the truth!

Even if the two of them return to their families now, they probably won't get any support!

"Of the two hundred households, several hundred are able-bodied men. If they are divided into teams of twenty, and with our assistance, they can build a house in ten days!"

"Two hundred houses? It'll only take two months at most!"

"With us watching over them, does Fellow Daoist Liu perhaps believe that these two hundred households of Daoists won't live past two months?"

With that, Zhao Xian headed towards the fields!

Seeing Zhao Xian leave, He Qing followed closely behind with several village officials.

"You two are cultivators practicing in the mountains; how could you possibly understand the suffering of us officials!"

As they passed Chen Yuanzhang and Liu Zhe, He Qing suddenly sighed and said.

Seeing Zhao Xian walk away, Chen Yuanzhang and Liu Zhe exchanged a glance and had no choice but to follow.

Now that things have come to this, we have no choice but to listen to Zhao Xian!

After this little incident, when Zhao Xian discussed things with the two men later, they remained silent and simply nodded in agreement.

Finally, Liu Zhe turned to Zhao Xian and said sternly, "If you deceive us, causing the death or injury of our people, I will not forgive you!"

"Then please proceed according to the plan, Fellow Daoist Liu!"

Zhao Xian also responded with a smile.

From that day onward, Liu Zhe, Chen Yuanzhang, and their entourage remained in Wohu Township.

As for their residence, they naturally stayed in the newly acquired five-courtyard mansion of the Xu family!

Although the villagers of the Chen and Liu families had complaints about building houses, they had no complaints at all after Zhao Xian showed them the land that was to be divided!

Because Zhao Xianyan said that the land would be divided according to the size of the contribution to building the houses!

Those who make great contributions will receive fertile land, while those who make small contributions will only receive barren land!

The enthusiasm of the two families was greatly mobilized, and they began to plan and build their residences in a great hurry.

Time passed day by day, and the weather grew colder and colder.

The followers of the Chen and Liu families also divided into ten teams each. They first burned the forests to drive away the hibernating snakes and insects, and then built fences to enclose the land.

Only after the fence was completed could the construction of the house begin!

Zhao Xian and He Qing, along with other officials, kept a close eye on the situation. Although Chen Yuanzhang and Liu Zhe did not offer any assistance, they occasionally used their magical powers to heal the injuries of their family members.

Before long, one house after another was built.

Unfortunately, Zhao Xian refused to allow the Daoists to move in, insisting that they continue to live in the earthen caves.

Winter is the season when thieves and bandits are most active!

Although the county magistrate instructed Zhao Xian to focus on the well-being of the people, Zhao Xian did not forget his primary duties.

Unable to leave himself, Zhao Xian naturally sent Zhao Hong, Huang Zhong, and others out.

Of all the Yan family's possessions, Zhao Xian monopolized the ranch.

But in fact, even the sturdy horse that the Yan family usually rode was acquired by Zhao Xian.

Including the fine horses he already owned, Zhao Xian calculated that he had collected as many as twenty horses.

With so many fine horses, Zhao Xian naturally had to put them to use.

Immediately, they selected a dozen or so second-rate martial artists from among the common people of Moxia and formed two cavalry units with Zhao Hong and others.

As for the remaining Daoist people, Zhao Xian first paid them their monthly salary and sent them home.

Led by Zhao Cheng, the group, carrying Zhao Xian's warrant, inspected the various villages and towns within the county.

As for the original team leader Zhao Zheng, he stayed by Zhao Xian's side and, together with Song Ming, Liu Ping, Liu Sheng, Yang Zhi and others, managed the Daoist people of the Chen and Liu families.

Cao Quan, on the other hand, won the favor of the county magistrate with his performance in the county and was promoted to a county official without regard to seniority. He has now left Zhao Xian's command.

Time passed day by day, and before we knew it, two months had gone by!

Two hundred simple houses, each with two rooms, stand on the edge of the fields!

Zhao Xian even ordered them to reinforce the fence with earthen walls and dig several wells inside!

Only then did Zhao Xian begin to allocate houses and land to the two hundred households of the Chen and Liu families.

The land was distributed according to the level of contribution, with the ten households that contributed the most each receiving thirty mu of fertile land!

Further down the slope, the amount of fertile land decreases in turn until it becomes all wasteland.

There was no increase or decrease in the number; each household owned thirty mu of land!

When the houses and fields were allocated, the two hundred households of Daoist people were very excited as they moved into their new homes!

It was already mid-December, and in just over ten days it would be the new year!

"We, the common people, express our deepest gratitude to Lord Zhao, Lord He, Lord Song, and all the gentlemen of our village!"

Led by several elders, two hundred households of Taoists, nearly a thousand people, knelt down in unison, kowtowing and shouting!

After more than two months of busy work, Zhao Xian looked a little tired, but seeing thousands of people kneeling and shouting, Zhao Xian was also quite excited!

"Please rise, gentlemen!"

Zhao Xian immediately bowed in return.

The officials behind him, including He Qing and Song Ming, returned the greeting!

"By order of the County Magistrate, the place where the Chen clan resides is named Yunde Lane, and the place where the Liu clan resides is named Wende Lane!"

After all the Daoist people stood up, Zhao Xian took a deep breath and shouted loudly again!

A loud sound echoed in the ears of all the people!

"We thank you, Your Excellency!"

Upon hearing this, the people of the Dao knelt down again and bowed in worship.

"By order of the County Magistrate, the residents of Yundeli and Wendeli, who have recently settled in Wohu Township, will be exempt from paying land taxes next year!"

Before the people could stand up, Zhao Xian shouted again!

"We thank you, Your Excellency!"

The people of the Dao bowed and shouted again.

Meanwhile, on the other side, many onlookers also showed a hint of envy in their eyes when they heard these words!

Night falls at Wohu Village.

The village officials and military officers, including Zhao Xian, all drank until they were completely drunk!

The cultivators from Chen Yuanzhang and Liu Zhe's families also participated in the banquet.

At the banquet, both Chen Yuanzhang and Liu Zhe raised their glasses to toast Zhao Xian!

Although there were no words of apology in his words, his attitude made it clear!

The unpleasantness between Zhao Xian and the two men dissipated with the completion of the first batch of residences.

The three of them were now drinking heartily, clinking glasses and exchanging toasts!

The following morning, Chen Yuanzhang bid farewell to Liu Zhe and the others and left.

Zhao Xian, He Qing, and the others were still busy!

The people from the Chen and Liu families have been settled, but the dozens of households left behind by the Yan family still have nowhere to go!

According to the county magistrate's wishes, these dozens of households should be properly resettled in various villages and hamlets.

But there is no idle land left in the villages and hamlets, so how could they possibly accommodate them!

Left with no other choice, He Qing and the others set their sights on Shanghu Pavilion!

Today, of the seven pavilions in Wohu Township, only Shanghu Pavilion has idle mountain forests and fields!

Zhao Xian had no objection to this matter.

This was a last resort.

As for how to resettle these seventy households of Daoist people, Zhao Xian naturally did not intend to handle the matter personally!

After discussing the matter with Song Ming and He Qing, the task was handed over to Liu Ping, Liu Sheng, and Yang Zhi. Of course, Zhao Zheng's continued cooperation was also needed.

After two months without a break, seeing that the matter was over, Song Ming asked Zhao Xian for leave and requested to go home to rest!

Zhao Xian naturally agreed. Not only did he agree to the matter, but he also specially took an ox and a cart from the Yan family's harvest and sent them to Song Ming, along with two beautiful maids and two servants.

Song Ming naturally accepted Zhao Xian's gift with pleasure.

He Qing also received gifts from Zhao Xian, including a beautiful maid and a servant.

Liu Ping, Liu Sheng, and Yang Zhi each received a maid and a servant.

The Yan family had many servants and maids. Apart from those given to the three masters, Chen Yuancheng, Song Ming, He Qing, and others, Zhao Xian kept more than thirty servants and maids.

Zhao Xian also made arrangements for these servants and maids.

Uncle Zhao Li is preparing to make a big splash next year by cultivating the land, and he is short of manpower. Zhao Xian is planning to give him a few servants.

My aunt is in poor health, and with Zhao Duan and Zhao Bing not at home, she naturally needs a maid to take care of her.

The same applies to my uncle's side.

Now, Zhao Xian is approaching the age of twenty. When he comes of age next year, how can he not have his own place to live?

During this break, Zhao Xian also planned to go to Xixiang to find a piece of land and build his own house.

As for these maids and servants, they were naturally assigned to Nishigochi!

As the year drew to a close, Zhao Xian, along with Mu Chun, maids, servants, and more than ten large carts, headed towards Xixiang.

The items on the carriage were naturally what Zhao Xian had obtained from the Yan family, and were also the items that ultimately ended up in Zhao Xian's hands.

At the end of the year, in the cold winter, the wind outside the train carriage was biting cold.

.

Inside the carriage, however, it was warm and cozy.

With a beautiful maidservant in his arms, her warmth and fragrance filling him, Zhao Xian felt quite elated and lost in his own world.

After taking a sip of the fine wine, Zhao Xian was quite tipsy.

"Boom! Boom!"

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves thundered, and Zhao Xian's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he listened intently.

The two maids beside him also showed a hint of nervousness!

After a few breaths, upon hearing a familiar voice, Zhao Xian relaxed again, beckoned to the maids, and continued drinking and making merry.

A group of knights appeared on both sides of the caravan, and the leaders quickly stepped forward to meet Mu Chun, who was riding towards them.

"Ah Chun, where's Jiu Lang?"

"They're inside the train carriage!"

Mu Chun raised his head and said with a smile.

"Brother!"

Upon seeing this, Zhao Hong immediately prepared to spur his horse forward and greet him!

Unexpectedly, Mu Chun grabbed him immediately, and then Mu Chun lowered his voice and explained in detail.

"We've been toiling away for over two months, while you, elder brother, are enjoying yourself here!"

Upon hearing Mu Chun's words, Zhao Hong immediately smiled and joked.

"The head of the household has been busy ensuring the well-being of the people and hasn't had a rest for two months!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Chun, as Zhao Xian's attendant, immediately spoke up to defend Zhao Xian.

He smiled slightly again, looked at Zhao Hong and the others, and said with a smile, "How could the patriarch forget you all!"

"We've prepared a beautiful maid for each of you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hong, Zhao Duan, and the other three blushed.

"Speaking of which, next year, Jiulang will be twenty years old!"

"It's time to find Jiulang a marriage partner!"

Zhao Cheng and Zhao Ji exchanged a glance on horseback, then smiled and said.

"I'm afraid Ah Xian wouldn't even consider a woman from a humble family!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji immediately echoed with a smile.

"Why don't we discuss this with Mr. Chen?"

After pondering for a few moments, Zhao Cheng suddenly smiled and asked.

Although Zhao Cheng was also Zhao Xian's cousin, he was not as close as Zhao Ji was to Zhao Xian!

Such matters should naturally be decided by Zhao Ji!

"That's very true! Lord Chen treats Ah Xian like a brother; it's only right that Lord Chen puts in some effort regarding this matter!"

Zhao Ji's eyes lit up, and he said with a smile.