Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 203 The Former Foundry of the Blacksmith Shop, Yuan Qing's Pregnancy (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

After discussing the marriage with the brothers Zhao Duan and Zhao Bing, Huang Zhong had already arrived at Zhao Xian's place.

When Huang Zhong heard that Zhao Xian intended to marry Zhao Yu to him, he was quite pleasantly surprised.

Huang Zhong readily agreed to the marriage proposal between Huang Xia and Zhao Sheng.

He and Huang Xia had been living in Zhao Xian's house, and they had long regarded Zhao Xian as their elder brother.

Now, with another marriage alliance with Zhao Xian, their relationship has naturally become even closer.

However, Zhao Yu, Huang Xia, and Zhao Sheng are all currently studying at the county school, so they will have to wait a few more years before they can get married!

Huang Zhong naturally didn't care about this.

Nowadays, he doesn't value these romantic relationships much!

However, he places great importance on his own cultivation progress!

However, the wedding can be postponed, but preparations for the engagement must begin.

For these two marriages, Zhao Xian did not ask anyone else to act as matchmaker, but instead asked Liu Zhuo, the assistant magistrate of Wohu Township, to be the matchmaker.

Liu Zhuo was from Wohu Township and was Liu Ping's father. He was also acquainted with Huang Zhong, Zhao Sheng, and others, so he could naturally act as the matchmaker!

With the marriage arranged, Zhao Xian no longer needed to worry about the rest, so he continued to devote himself to his ascetic practices.

Every day, he practices meditation, cultivates magic and martial arts, or teaches martial arts to Zhao Cheng, Zhao Ji and others, or studies military books with them.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it's already the day before New Year's Day.

On New Year's Day this year, although Zhao Xian was leading troops in the field, he still needed to return to Yangpingli.

After all, in the first year of marriage, the new bride shouldn't be left alone in an empty room; the whole family should be together.

However, since the camp still needed military officers to manage it, Zhao Xian arranged for Zhao Cheng and Zhao Ji to stay behind to guard the camp.

He then returned to Wohu Township with Huang Zhong and his attendants.

On the first day of the new year in the 530th year of the Xian calendar, Yangpingli held an ancestral worship ceremony.

Zhao Xian then went with a group of clansmen to pay respects at their ancestral graves.

After the ancestral worship ceremony, there will be a clan banquet.

The same thing happens every year. This year, compared to previous years, the only difference is that the clan banquet has a more abundant selection of delicacies and drinks.

Now that Zhao Xian is a high-ranking official with a salary of 100 shi (a unit of grain), he holds an extraordinary position in the clan. During the clan banquet, he naturally sits at the same table as several clan elders.

After the banquet, Zhao Xian returned home with Chen Yuanqing, his parents, and others.

Both Zhao Yu and Huang Xia held Chen Yuanqing, their elder sister-in-law, in high esteem, and Chen Yuanqing was generous in offering her guidance on cultivation.

After all, Zhao Xian cultivates fire-attribute techniques, while Zhao Yu is a water-elemental cultivator and Huang Xia is a wood-elemental cultivator. In comparison, Chen Yuanqing is more suitable to teach the two.

As for the future path arrangements for Zhao Yu and Zhao Xian, Chen Yuanqing and Zhao Xian had almost identical ideas.

Everyone hopes that the two of them can become plant masters!

Alchemists must be cultivators with fire and wood spiritual roots, weapon refiners must be cultivators with fire spiritual roots, and as for array masters and talisman makers, the requirements for cultivators' talents are indeed quite high.

All things considered, only a spiritual plant master is more suitable for the two of them, and also more suitable for the Zhao family in Yangpingli today!

As for Zhao Sheng, another Qi Refining cultivator from the Zhao family, Zhao Xian had already made up his mind about his arrangements.

That would mean becoming an official under one's command!

Zhao Sheng, along with his grandfather Zhao Mu and other elders in the family, all strongly agreed with this arrangement.

After all, it's not possible for only Zhao Xian to be an official in the family!

After the New Year's Day celebrations, Zhao Xian led Huang Zhong and others back to the camp and continued to be stationed in Nankou Township.

Given the situation in Ronghuai County and Xiao County, Zhao Xian also dispatched Huang Zhong and Zhao Bing to lead troops to these two places to secretly gather information.

In addition, they gathered refugees and escorted them to Nankou Township.

Xixiang is still short of 200 households to be upgraded, and now fewer and fewer refugees are being sent to Xixiang, so Song Ming and Zhao Xian are naturally getting anxious!

The two of them had already received millet from the prominent families and wealthy households in Xixiang. If this matter failed in the end, one can imagine what kind of trouble it would cause!

Therefore, Zhao Xian had no choice but to order Huang Zhong and Zhao Bing to risk entering Ronghuai County to gather refugees.

In addition, Zhao Xian asked Xu Dejing to escort any captured bandits and their families to Xixiang when he patrolled the county.

At that time, Song Ming also expressed his gratitude.

Xu Dejing readily agreed, and within half a month, he sent twenty or thirty households of bandits hiding in the mountains and lakes to Xixiang.

They were called bandits, but they were really just poor people who couldn't make a living!

Some of the bandits only had wooden clubs and bamboo spears, so Xu Dejing didn't bother to slaughter them!

Sending it to Xixiang can be considered as earning some merit!

In early February, the blacksmith's workshop at Xixiang Manor was completed, and Zhao Xian naturally returned to Xixiang for a visit.

Under the watchful eyes of Zhao Xian and the others, Mo Chuan and Qin Jia each successfully forged a thirty-refined ring-pommel sword.

After the wooden handles were installed on the two ring-pommel swords, the two blacksmiths presented the swords with respectful expressions.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Upon receiving the ring-pommel sword, Zhao Xian immediately swung it several times in mid-air!

The sharp blade sliced ​​through the air, leaving behind trails of fierce blade energy.

Zhao Xian then handed the two knives to Zhao Li and Zhao Zhi, who were standing nearby.

The two men took the ring-pommel sword, swung it up and down a few times, their faces lit up with joy, and they exclaimed "Good!" repeatedly.

"Excellent! Excellent!"

"That's a fine knife!"

One of them was skilled in martial arts, and the other had been a merchant for over a decade, so they were naturally able to distinguish between good and bad!

"Patriarch, these two ring-pommel swords are both at the 30th level of refinement, second only to low-grade weapons at the 36th level of refinement!" Mo Chuan stepped forward and said with a smile.

"How many of these thirty-refined ring swords can the workshop produce each day?"

Zhao Xian nodded slightly, then looked at Mo Chuan and Qin Jia and asked in a solemn voice.

"Master, there are twelve craftsmen in the forge of weapons in the workshop, including the two of us!" Qin Jia stepped forward and replied respectfully, "Among them, there are two senior craftsmen, three intermediate craftsmen, two junior craftsmen, and five apprentices."

Seeing this, Mo Chuan, who was standing to the side, also looked somewhat dissatisfied!

He considered himself closer to Zhao Xian and believed he should rightfully become the top craftsman!

"The Thirty-Refined Ring Blade, forged from refined iron, excluding the scabbard, weighs one pound and five ounces per blade, consuming approximately one pound and eight ounces of refined iron. It was all forged by the two of us!"

"We can only forge one weapon per day!"

"Was there a division of labor, such as the others roughly refining the iron and forging it into shape, while the two of you were responsible for the final forging?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately replied without hesitation.

Before leaving, he had already thought it through and decided to build these workshops into something almost like the assembly lines of later generations!

"Master, there's a division of labor!" Mo Chuan immediately explained to Zhao Xian with a smile, "The apprentices are responsible for fanning the fire and tending the flames."

The lower-level workers roughly smelted the refined iron, the middle-level workers forged it into shape, and finally, the two of us took charge of forging it!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian was slightly taken aback, but then he understood. Even if people in ancient times didn't know the term "assembly line," did they not understand the concept of division of labor and cooperation?

Suddenly, I found my previous careful consideration rather laughable!

"Producing only two a day is indeed a bit slow!" After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Xian looked at the two people opposite him and asked in a solemn voice, "Could you forge a few more?"

"Even if the two of us exert all our strength, we can only forge one more weapon at most!"

Upon hearing this, Mo Chuan could only reply with a wry smile.

"If those three intermediate craftsmen become master craftsmen, can they forge the Thirty-Refined Ring Blade?" Zhao Xian looked at the two men and said calmly, "I know that your ability to become master craftsmen is due to your family's profound learning!"

"However, since the workshop has indeed forged more thirty-refined ring swords, you two will naturally also receive land rewards!"

At this point, Zhao Xian looked around at the craftsmen in the entire workshop and solemnly announced, "Mo Chuan and Qin Jia are both top-notch craftsmen. They are each granted a hundred acres of land, a house, and two attached households!"

"A middling craftsman will be rewarded with fifty acres of land, a house, and an ox!"

"The lowest-ranking craftsmen will be rewarded with thirty acres of land and a residence!"

"Apprentices are not eligible for rewards!"

"From now on, you will be my retainers, and your land tax will be three-tenths!"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the craftsmen in the workshop, young and old, knelt down in unison and shouted, "We thank the master!"

"Uncle, Uncle Ji, choose a day and take them to select land and houses!"

"good!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Li and Zhao Zhi, who were behind him, nodded in unison.

"Mo Chuan, Qin Jia, which of you is better at forging weapons, and which is better at forging armor?"

"Reporting to the patriarch, Qin Jia has forged more than twenty suits of armor!" Upon hearing this, Qin Jia immediately raised his head and answered loudly.

"In that case, Uncle, build a separate workshop for Qin Jia, dedicated to forging armor!" Zhao Xian immediately turned to Zhao Li and gave the order.

"Qin Jia, select a few men from this blacksmith shop to accompany you to the new one; you will be in charge!"

"As for this forge, Mo Chuan, you will be in charge!"

"Thank you for your guidance and promotion, Master!"

Upon hearing this, the two of them were overjoyed and responded enthusiastically.

"As for the rest, whether they are apprentices, junior workers, or intermediate workers, as long as their forging skills improve, they will naturally receive corresponding land rewards in the future!"

"However, only with rewards and punishments can justice be served!" Zhao Xian's tone shifted, becoming more forceful. "From now on, all weapons forged must be inscribed with the year, month, day, and who forged them, for future verification!"

"We will obey the patriarch's orders!"

The artisans responded in unison once again.

"Uncle, Uncle Ji, recruit some more reliable young men from the villagers of Shanghuting to be apprentices!"

"Apprentices will be provided with room and board, and will receive a monthly stipend of one hundred coins!"

"Excellent! With such generous conditions, many young men from the village will surely apply!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Li immediately agreed.

The saying goes, "A half-grown boy can eat his father alive."

Now that they offer room and board and a monthly salary of one hundred, I wonder how many people will apply!

"Master, the armor is extremely difficult to forge. Let alone one month, it might not be possible to forge a set even in two months!"

Suddenly, Qin Jia stepped forward and answered respectfully.

"It's alright. Armor is always incredibly precious, and it's normal for it to be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Just focus on your work!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately waved his hand, helped Qin Jia up, and said with a smile.

Thank you for your understanding, family!

Upon hearing this, Qin Jia bowed again.

Afterwards, accompanied by Zhao Li, Zhao Zhi and others, Zhao Xian went to other workshops such as the leather workshop and the wood workshop.

They then bestowed further rewards, but compared to the blacksmith's workshop, the remaining workshops were much smaller in scale.

As for these craftsmen, Zhao Xian naturally set a rule that they should train apprentices to be independent as soon as possible.

After inspecting the blacksmith's workshop, Zhao Xian went to the western countryside to meet with Song Ming and Zhao Zheng.

With millet still plentiful and refugees arriving in droves, and the amount of land being reclaimed gradually increasing, Song Ming's face showed more smiles.

"Sir, those thousand acres of land have already been cultivated, and now is the time for spring planting. Why not hand them over to you now?"

Strolling along the ridges of the field, Song Ming looked at Zhao Xian and asked with a smile.

"Alright, you can go and hand it over to my uncle!"

This thousand acres of land was rightfully Zhao Xian's, and naturally, he didn't hold back at all.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Xianfu spoke again with a smile: "I can't let you make a wasted trip, so I'll have my uncle send you another two hundred shi from the granary!"

"Thank you, General!"

Upon hearing that there was an unexpected bonus, Song Ming's face lit up with joy, and he quickly agreed, fearing that Zhao Xian might change his mind again.

"How many households are still needed?"

Looking at the busy figures of refugees in the distance, Zhao Xian suddenly asked.

"One hundred more households are needed!"

Standing beside Zhao Xian, Song Ming immediately spoke without hesitation.

Clearly, this matter had been weighing on Song Ming's mind.

After all, it concerns their own position and the interests of others behind them.

"Once I return to Nankou Township, I'll have Ah-Zhong and Ah-Bing search thoroughly!"

"Thank you, General!"

Song Ming also bowed and thanked him.

"Brother, you've handled matters like settling Daomin several times; you're truly experienced!"

"Do you plan to continue leading troops in the future, or stay in Saigo?"

"Four hundred households of Daoist followers—that's not a lot, but it's not a small number either. We should at least set up another pavilion. When that happens, we can have Song Ming recommend my elder brother to be the pavilion chief!"

Upon hearing Zhao Xian's words, Zhao Zheng also fell into deep thought.

He had previously served as a bandit leader in two different regions and was also a lowly official in charge of food distribution. Now, under Zhao Xian's command, he is a garrison leader in charge of a hundred men.

Zhao Xian entrusted him with all sorts of affairs, which showed his great trust in him.

However, his greatest weakness lies in martial arts cultivation. He is still stuck at the tendon training level and has been unable to advance to the bone training level!

With such cultivation level, how could he possibly command respect by leading troops?

Upon realizing this, Zhao Zheng also raised his head to look at Zhao Xian and said in a deep voice, "Xiang is your foundation, Xian. I will keep watch over things for you in Xixiang!"

"good!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian's face immediately lit up with joy.

I was not happy because Zhao Zheng agreed, but because Zhao Zheng was able to correctly understand himself.

"Uncle has now reached the second-rate perfection level and is about to step into the first-rate level. As for the manor, I intend to entrust it entirely to you and Uncle Ji."

"As for my uncle, he should naturally cultivate diligently and strive to reach the first-class level as soon as possible!"

"With a top-tier martial artist in charge, I'll feel much more at ease about the safety of the manor!"

At this point, Zhao Xian also breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Ah Xian, I'm stepping down as village chief. What about that position?"

"Naturally, my elder brother will take over!"

Zhao Xian immediately replied without hesitation.

"As for the personal guards under my brother, they will stay by his side after he takes office as the head of the village, serving as thieves and village soldiers!"

""

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zheng nodded slightly.

After discussing other matters, the three of them went their separate ways.

After resting for a day at the manor, Zhao Xian rushed off to Wohu Township without stopping.

With the help of spring thunder and spring rain, Chen Yuanqing's three acres of spiritual fields were finally completed!

Shanghuting, Yangpingli.

The spring breeze is gentle and warm.

More than a hundred people stood in the field, looking at the dark fields in front of them, their faces full of excitement.

"Is this the sacred field of our Zhao clan?"

"This looks incredibly fertile!"

"That's right! With the water from that spirit well irrigating it, this spirit field is sure to have a bumper harvest this year!"

"See those flags over there?" another tribesman pointed to the colorful banners not far away and boasted, "Those are all spirit-gathering array flags!"

"This place has a spirit-gathering formation set up!"

"I heard this spirit-gathering formation costs quite a few spirit stones!"

"Of course! Don't you even know whose land this is?"

As the clansmen discussed among themselves, Zhao Xian, Chen Yuanqing, and several clan elders behind them also arrived at the ridges of this sacred field.

"Three mu of spirit fields, each yielding two shi of crescent-shaped rice, that's six shi of crescent-shaped rice. Five jin of crescent-shaped rice costs one low-grade spirit stone, so just this one season of spirit rice can earn you one hundred spirit stones!"

Looking at the spiritual field in front of him, Chen Yuanqing said with great joy.

When she was in Yunwu Mountain, she cultivated spiritual fields. Now that she has married into the Zhao family, she has cultivated three acres of spiritual fields for the Zhao family.

Standing on the ridge of the spiritual field, in an instant, she felt as if she had returned to the Cloud and Mist Mountain!

"With these three acres of spirit fields, our Zhao clan can finally be considered to have a solid foundation!" Seeing this, Zhao Mu looked up at Chen Yuanqing and said gratefully, "Yuanqing, you have truly helped our Zhao clan a great deal!"

"Grandfather, you're too kind. Yuanqing, by marrying Axian, is now also a member of the Zhao family!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuanqing immediately smiled modestly.

"A-Yue and A-Ruo, now that you two are learning the Way of Spiritual Plants from Yuan Qing, you must be meticulous and not slack off in the slightest!"

At this moment, Zhao De turned to look at a young man and woman among his clansmen and said solemnly.

"Your grandson will obey your great-uncle's command!"

Upon hearing this, both of them quickly responded.

"With this spiritual field, in a few years, once A-Yue and A-Ruo have completed their studies, they will surely be able to add a few more acres of spiritual field for our Zhao clan!"

Zhao Xian also looked at the two young clansmen and said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the two men bowed to Zhao Xian again.

A moment later, the clansmen and several elders left the place, leaving only Zhao Xian, Chen Yuanqing, and two clansmen, Zhao Yue and Zhao Ruo, behind.

"Yuan Qing, if these three acres of spirit fields continue to be nurtured, how long will it take for them to become low-grade Yellow Rank spirit fields?"

Looking at the spiritual field in front of him, Zhao Xian suddenly spoke with a smile and asked.

"If we don't plant spirit rice and try our best to accumulate spiritual energy, it will take at least ten years!" After considering for a few moments, Chen Yuanqing replied with a smile.

"Ten years~" Zhao Xian pondered for a moment, quite surprised, not expecting it to take so long!

"If the spiritual energy in the water vein beneath this spirit well becomes increasingly concentrated, it naturally won't take so long!"

Pointing to the well in the distance, Chen Yuanqing replied with a smile.

"I see. It seems we still need to go to Crouching Tiger Mountain to investigate!"

Muttering to himself, Zhao Xian's gaze fell upon the mountains and forests several miles away.

Since I'm home, I should rest here for the night.

The next morning, Chen Yuanqing was still sound asleep on the bed, while Zhao Xian had already finished getting ready.

Zhao Xian glanced at the beautiful figure on the couch, a slight smile appeared on his lips, and then he turned and left.

The door closed gently, and the footsteps outside gradually faded away. At this moment, the beautiful figure on the bed quietly opened her eyes.

A hint of longing slowly seeped from her bright eyes.

The sun sets in the west, and the rabbit rises in the east.

Time flows slowly, spring goes and summer comes, and before we know it, it is already the height of summer.

The summer sun was blazing.

A troop of cavalry led the way, followed by the groom on a tall horse.

Several musicians on either side played their instruments, making the procession quite lively!

Along the way, the group arrived at Yangpingli in a lively and unhurried manner.

The inner gate was wide open, and many clansmen had already come out to greet them on both sides of the road.

"Ah Bing, don't overwork yourself tonight!"

A member of the clan whistled and teased the groom.

"Ah Bing, I recently acquired a magnificent deer-shaped ornament. If you can't handle it, come to my house and ask for it!"

Then another member of the clan greeted them with a smile.

"Haha! Sixteenth Uncle, no problem at all!"

Zhao Bing sat on the saddle, smiling broadly, waving to the clansmen on both sides.

A moment later, the wedding procession entered the inner gate and, swaying slightly, arrived at the outside of a brand-new house.

With its blue tiles and white walls, two courtyards, and three blue stone steps leading to the gate, the house is spotless!

A red cloth was laid on the ground, and the bride was helped down from the carriage by her maid.

Upon entering the house, the groom and bride naturally went to pay their respects to their parents.

The Liu clan members behind her carried the bride's dowry into the courtyard one after another.

At this moment, Zhao Li and a beautiful lady were already seated in the main seats, their faces filled with anticipation.

However, I wasn't too nervous, after all, I had just experienced something like this a few days ago!

The marriages of Zhao Hong and Zhao Duan are over; now it's Zhao Bing's turn.

After paying respects to their parents, the newlyweds must also pay respects to their ancestors; only then is the marriage considered complete.

In the corner, Zhao Xian, Zhao Hong, Zhao Duan, and the others watched this scene unfold.

They are not the main characters today, so naturally they cannot steal the spotlight from the newcomers.

Even Zhao Xian changed into a clean, plain robe and did not wear his official seal.

"Brother, that's about it. Your wife is newly pregnant; you should go back and stay with her!"

Upon seeing the newlyweds enter the inner room, Zhao Duan smiled at Zhao Xian.

"In that case, I'll head back first!" Zhao Xian replied with a smile after a moment's thought.

After bypassing the guests gathered at the entrance, Zhao Xian walked towards the outside of the courtyard.

When the clansmen passing by saw Zhao Xian approaching, they kept greeting him.

Zhao Xian didn't presume to be arrogant and responded to everyone in a very easygoing manner.

Before long, they were back home.

Upon entering the backyard and stepping into the main hall, one sees Chen Yuanqing leaning against a soft couch, fast asleep with his eyes closed, his dark hair loosely tied up, a few strands of soft hair falling casually down his cheeks.

To his left and right, two maids were fanning him, creating a gentle breeze.

Upon seeing Zhao Xian enter, the two maids were about to rise and bow, but Zhao Xian raised his hand to stop them.

Upon approaching and carefully examining the beautiful woman before him, Zhao Xian couldn't help but smile knowingly.

Her eyebrows and eyes were gentle and dignified, her long eyelashes lightly covered her eyelids, her nose was straight and delicate, and her skin was like solidified cream. She had clearly shed her youthful immaturity, leaving only a touch of lazy gentleness.

Perhaps it was the intimacy of those few days during the Lunar New Year that caused Chen Yuanqing to vaguely feel something was wrong with his body at the end of February.

By mid-March, when Zhao Xian returned home for a break, he learned from Chen Yuanqing that she was pregnant.

The sudden news left Zhao Xian standing there, stunned, unable to recover for a long time.

Having been in this world for over twenty years, I have finally had offspring!

With offspring, one has bloodline descendants, and one's connection with this world deepens ever more!

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