Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 204 Saigo's Upgrading and the Southern Exit Proposal (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

The summer sun was blazing.

Zhao Xian spent his time at home with his beautiful wife and concubines, enjoying a leisurely and carefree life.

Meanwhile, dozens of miles away in Xixiang, Zhao Zheng and several local officials were accompanying county officials to check the fields and calculate the population.

Xixiang Village.

In the main hall of the front courtyard, several figures sat upright, chatting and laughing.

However, the person in the main seat was not Song Ming, the village head of Xixiang, but a middle-aged Confucian scholar with an official seal hanging from his waist and a rather refined appearance.

"In just six months, Lord Song has gathered over four hundred refugee households and settled them all properly, which truly amazes us!"

"Your Excellency governed Pinghe with compassion for the people; you are truly a model for us local officials!"

Upon hearing this, Song Ming, the village head of Xixiang Township, immediately cupped his hands and offered a compliment to the middle-aged scholar above.

The township official in charge of Xixiang and several prominent families in the township also spoke up to praise him.

This middle-aged scholar was none other than Yuan Wei, the head of the household administration, who had been ordered by Magistrate Gao Su to investigate the fields and population of the western countryside.

"I have merely maintained the status quo; how can I compare to the Song ruler in expanding the territory and welcoming new people!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Wei waved his hands repeatedly and said modestly.

In the height of summer, a gentle breeze wafted through the hall, truly bringing a sense of tranquility and joy to everyone present.

After chatting for a long time, Zhao Zheng and his group finally returned to their country house as the sun set.

"Zhao Zheng pays his respects to Lord Yuan and Lord Song!"

Zhao Zheng, who was in the lead, stepped into the hall and bowed to the two high-ranking officials.

"Please rise, Lord Zhao!"

Yuan Wei naturally recognized Zhao Zheng and knew that he was Zhao Xianmo's capable subordinate, so he immediately smiled and said.

"Lord Yuan, Lord Song, the land and population survey is complete: the western township has 5,092 households, 21,812 people, and 67,196 mu of land!"

After saying this, Zhao Zheng called to the clerk behind him to bring up a box of green bamboo slips.

On the other side, several county officials also carried up a box of green bamboo slips.

The bamboo slips in the box are the population registers of Xixiang. One copy will remain in Xixiang, while the other will be sent to the county.

Immediately, Yuan Wei stepped down from his seat and picked up the bamboo slips to carefully count them.

Song Ming, Zhao Zheng, and the others stood aside, waiting quietly.

Yuan Wei is a steady and reliable person. This time, he is investigating Xixiang, which is also related to Xixiang's upgrade. Naturally, he has to verify it personally!

After an unknown amount of time, just as Yuan Wei was about to finish his verification, Song Ming immediately turned around and gave a few instructions to the young scholar behind him.

Upon hearing this, the young scholar's eyes lit up. He bowed respectfully and hurriedly walked out of the main hall.

After more than half an hour, Yuan Wei finally put down the bamboo slip in his hand, a look of weariness on his face.

Looking around at the officials, Yuan Wei turned to Song Ming and said with a smile, "Soon, you will be wearing the official seal on your waist!"

"Thank you, Mr. Yuan!"

Upon hearing this, Song Ming's face lit up with joy, and he bowed deeply!

Zhao Zheng, along with the other village officials and prominent families, all bowed in respect.

"Please rise, everyone!"

After everyone rose, the young scholar who had returned to the hall immediately stepped forward and said with a smile, "You have all been busy all day, and I have prepared a banquet. Please, sir, attend the feast!"

"Haha!" Yuan Wei laughed loudly, looked around at the others, and said with a smile, "Putting down the bamboo slips, I do feel rather hungry."

"Yes!"

"Then I shall respectfully accept your offer!"

"Please, sir!"

The next morning, after finishing their meal, Yuan Wei and a group of county officials returned to the county town.

Song Ming also entrusted Yuan Wei with the petitions for merit from Zhao Zheng and other meritorious individuals, which were then submitted to the county government.

Several days later, several officials arrived at the Xixiang Township again.

The leader was none other than a high-ranking official with an official seal hanging from his waist.

Upon receiving the report from the village soldier, Song Ming and his entourage immediately came out of their village house to greet them.

"Your humble servant Song Ming pays his respects to Lord Liu!"

"We pay our respects to Lord Liu!"

The visitor was none other than Liu Yuan, the clerk in charge of official duties.

"Haha! Gentlemen, please rise!"

Liu Yuan smiled and gestured to everyone to help them up.

After exchanging pleasantries, Song Ming and the others escorted Liu Yuan into the country house.

"The western township under our jurisdiction now has over five thousand households and is hereby specially promoted to a large, well-ordered township!"

"From this day forward: one local official in Xixiang, two village assistants with stipends, sixteen minor officials, and eight village soldiers!"

"Lord Song, come forward to receive the seal of office!"

In the main hall of the front courtyard, Liu Yuan looked around at everyone, his gaze finally landing on Song Ming, who was at the head of the group, and said with a smile.

"Many thanks to the County Magistrate for promoting me!"

Upon hearing this, Song Ming immediately knelt down and shouted in a deep voice.

"Chen Zhuo is appointed as the deputy head of Xixiang Township!"

"From this day forward, a new pavilion, Xiaoting, shall be established in Xixiang, and Zhao Zheng shall be its head!"

From behind Song Ming, two more people strode forward, knelt on the ground, and exclaimed, "Thank you, County Magistrate, for your kindness in promoting us!"

As for the remaining minor officials and clerks, their appointments were not read out one by one.

With Xixiang being upgraded, all the officials in Xixiang naturally wore expressions of joy.

"Mr. Liu, it's about noon. Please have your meal and rest for a while before returning to the county town!" Song Ming said, stepping forward to invite him.

"The county office is rife with affairs, and we have no time to rest here today. We can meet again when Lord Song goes to the county office to report for duty!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yuan smiled and politely declined.

"In that case, we will not try to keep you any longer!"

Song Ming immediately nodded and smiled, and then he and the others saw Liu Yuan and the others off.

The newly appointed village official Chen Zhuo behind them also understood the situation. He lagged behind the others by a few steps, took out a few spirit stones from his sleeve, and stuffed them into the hands of the county official who had come with Liu Yuan.

Upon seeing this, the county officials exchanged smiles and gladly accepted the money.

It's a lucky money gift!

Soon after Xixiang was successfully upgraded to a special administrative region, the news reached Nankou Township.

Zhao Xian had anticipated this, so it wasn't exactly a pleasant surprise.

However, the county government then dispatched a county official to deliver the county magistrate's order to Zhao Xian under the guise of escorting grain.

Inside the commander's tent, Zhao Xian finished reading the bamboo slips in front of him and then looked up at the two officials below.

"I am aware of the county magistrate's order. Please ask Gao Jun to inform the county magistrate that Zhao Xian will do everything in his power to make this happen!"

"This humble official will certainly convey this to the County Magistrate!"

Upon hearing this, the officials below immediately bowed respectfully.

"Ren Jun, we've known each other for a year now, and I'd like to offer my early congratulations on your upcoming official appointment!"

Nodding slightly, Zhao Xian's gaze then fell on another official, and he said with a smile.

"Whether this matter can be accomplished depends on the strong support of the county magistrate and Mr. Zhao!"

Upon hearing this, Ren Zhuo, the head of Nankou Township, immediately bowed to Zhao Xian and the young clerk beside him, and said sincerely.

"Now that the county magistrate has given the order, the refugees we gather from now on will naturally be handed over to you for resettlement!"

The county official Gao Yuan brought with him the order from the county magistrate, which required Zhao Xian to stop escorting the gathered refugees to Xixiang and instead settle them in Nankou Township!

Clearly, after Xixiang was upgraded to a major township with a clear order, the county magistrate intended to also promote Nankou Township, a key location for north-south travel, to a major township with a clear order.

After a banquet with Ren Zhuo and Gao Yuan, Zhao Xian saw them off and returned to his military tent, where he fell into deep thought.

According to the information Gao Yuan just revealed, the county magistrate probably won't be in his position for much longer!

Although I had received this news from Huang Tiandao and Qi Lian before.

But now that I've learned this from Gao Yuan, a close confidant of the county magistrate, the implications are naturally quite different!

If the county magistrate receives another top-notch evaluation this year, he will surely be promoted next year!

However, Gao Yuan's unspoken meaning seemed to be that County Magistrate Gao Su did not intend to continue serving as an official and was preparing to return to his sect for secluded cultivation!

This county magistrate is a core disciple of the Yunlan Sect, with the Jade Liquid stage cultivation. If she advances any further, she will become a Core Formation True Person!

"True Master of Core Formation~"

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Xian couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. That was a powerful cultivator with a lifespan of hundreds of years!

After the initial excitement, Zhao Xian felt a pang of melancholy.

With the county magistrate's departure, another core disciple of the Yunlan Sect will surely take over. At that time, will I be able to gain the trust of the new county magistrate?

That remains to be seen!

Suppressing his thoughts, Zhao Xian, seeing that the night was deep, lifted the tent flap and stepped out of the military tent.

"Marshal~"

Zhu Jili, who was guarding outside the tent, immediately spoke in a low voice.

"Come with me on a patrol of the military camp!"

After saying this casually, Zhao Xian strode away.

Zhu Ji followed closely behind.

"Marshal!"

"Greetings, Commander!"

The soldiers who came towards him saw Zhao Xian inspecting the camp and immediately saluted.

Zhao Xian nodded slightly and continued walking forward.

A patrol of a camp of several hundred people doesn't take long.

Before long, Zhao Xian had completed his inspection tour.

As the night grew cool, Zhao Xian's turbulent thoughts gradually calmed down.

What difference would it make if we changed the county magistrate?

The hundred-stone seal at the waist could not have been obtained by someone under the age of twenty without soldiers in the camp!

Thinking of this, Zhao Xian couldn't help but feel a little smug!

After inspecting the military camp, Zhao Xian returned to his tent, calmed himself, and meditated, immersing himself in cultivation.

The next morning, after finishing his meal, Zhao Xian ordered Zhu Ji to summon Zhao Ze.

Before long, the tent flap was lifted, and a burly figure walked in, his armor rustling with each footstep.

"Greetings, Commander!"

"Uncle Twelfth, please sit down." Zhao Xian put down the bamboo slips and smiled at Zhao Ze.

Upon hearing that Zhao Xian was not addressed by his military rank, Zhao Ze's expression softened somewhat, and he turned and sat down.

"Kuro, what brings you here?"

"Uncle Twelfth, Xixiang has become a well-ordered large township. Lord Song holds a high-ranking official position with a salary of 100 shi (a unit of grain), and my elder brother has become the head of the newly established Ting Department!"

"Haha, this is great news! If Lord Song were still at the camp, we would at least have a feast to celebrate tonight!" Zhao Ze said, stroking his short beard.

"Yesterday, county officials escorted provisions to the camp, and among them were orders from the county magistrate!"

Upon hearing the county magistrate's order, Zhao Ze's expression immediately became more serious.

"The county magistrate wants me to continue gathering refugees, but instead of sending them to Xixiang, they will be settled in Nankou Township!" Zhao Xian continued without further ado, "Uncle Twelfth, I intend to have you cooperate with Nankou Township in settling the Daoist people, just as you did in Xixiang!"

"Once a new pavilion is established in Nankou Township, Uncle Twelve will become its head!"

After Zhao Xian finished speaking, he looked intently at Zhao Ze below.

Zhao Ze also began to ponder at this moment.

Having previously served as the head of the pavilion in Wohu Township, it wouldn't be a bad idea for me to become the head of the pavilion again!

"In that case, Jiulang, I agree to this!"

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Ze nodded solemnly in agreement.

"Uncle, the county magistrate will soon be leaving office, and a new magistrate will take office."

"Although I am highly regarded by the current magistrate, everything is still uncertain when the next magistrate takes office!"

"The saying 'a new emperor, a new court' perfectly describes this situation!"

"Our clan has a certain reputation in Wohu Township, but we cannot have only one person serving as an official!"

Hearing this, Zhao Ze understood Zhao Xian's worries and immediately comforted him, "Jiulang, don't worry too much!"

"Our clan's current prosperity is entirely due to Jiulang's efforts!"

"I will travel to Nankou Township tomorrow to pay my respects to you!"

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Uncle Twelfth!"

After discussing the matter in detail with Zhao Ze, Zhao Ze finally got up and left.

The military tent was also restored to calm.

Zhao Xian also instructed Zhao Ze not to leak the news that the county magistrate was about to resign.

Such a momentous matter is not something that Zhao Xian, a mere clerk of the rank of 100 shi, could discuss.

After returning to his village from Zhao Xian's place, Ren Zhuo, the head of the Nankou Township, summoned the prominent families and wealthy households in the village and read out the county magistrate's order.

The wealthy locals naturally applauded the upgrade of Nankou Township to a well-ordered township.

When Ren Zhuo mentioned the millet needed to resettle the refugees, the wealthy gentry of Nankou Township, having learned from the precedent of Xixiang, generously donated money!

Within a few days, they had gathered a thousand bushels of millet.

As for the locations for refugee resettlement, they have also been prepared.

Resettling refugees isn't just about choosing any random place; it involves allocating land and providing them with housing!

If it gets too close to other pavilions, there will likely be endless trouble in the future!

With everything prepared, the number of refugees from Xiao County heading north through Nankou Township was significantly reduced.

After Ren Zhuo and his group investigated, they discovered that they had been forcibly taken as slaves by a powerful clan in Ronghuai County!

"Sir, the number of refugees heading north is dwindling. In the past month, we've only managed to gather a little over fifty households. If this continues, who knows when we'll be able to collect eight hundred households!"

Inside the military tent, as soon as he sat down, Ren Zhuo began to complain to Zhao Xian.

"Ren Jun, don't panic!" Zhao Xian immediately reassured him upon seeing this.

"Serve tea!"

After drinking two cups of hot tea, Ren Zhuo's mind gradually calmed down.

"Sir, do you already have a plan?"

Ren Zhuo bowed to Zhao Xian and asked in a deep voice.

"There is indeed a plan," Zhao Xian nodded slightly, then looked at Ren Zhuo and chuckled, "but I wonder if you, Ren, have the courage to do it. 'Military lord, although I, Ren Zhuo, am not skilled in martial arts, I am still a cultivator and possess a certain spirit!'"

Upon hearing this, Ren Zhuo's expression immediately turned serious, and he stood up and shouted.

"If the military commander issues any orders, Ren Zhuo will not retreat a single step!"

"In that case, I request that you personally go to the border area between Ronghuai County and Xiao County to recruit refugees!"

"This~" Upon hearing Zhao Xian's plan, Ren Zhuo was stunned on the spot!

"Those who dare to abduct refugees and make them their followers must be the powerful clans of Ronghuai County. Even the county magistrate has to show them some respect. Given our status and position, how could we dare to fight them head-on!" At this point, Zhao Xian gave a bitter smile. "The only way now is to use the county magistrate's name to travel to Xiao County and personally recruit refugees!"

"Only in this way can we avoid being plundered by these powerful clans!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the tent fell into deep thought.

After an unknown amount of time, Ren Zhuo's face hardened, and he bowed deeply to Zhao Xian: "Ren Zhuo is willing to go to Xiao County to recruit..."

"To recruit refugees, I humbly request your assistance, sir!"

"In that case, I will order Commander Zhao Ji to lead his garrison of soldiers, along with three detachments of cavalry, to accompany you to Xiao County!"

"Many thanks to the General for his great help!"

Upon hearing this, Ren Zhuo's face lit up with joy, and he thanked him respectfully.

He had seen Zhao Xianmo's soldiers before, and they were certainly not weak!

"Zhao Ji and Zhao Bing, you two will each lead your infantry and cavalry to Xiao County with Ren Jun!"

"We'll depart in three days!"

"I will obey your command, General!"

The two immediately agreed.

"The rest of you must guard the camp and checkpoints without fail!"

"We will obey the Commander's orders!"

Everyone in the tent bowed deeply in unison!

It was early July, the busy season for farming, yet refugees from Xiao County were still abandoning their homes and livelihoods, fleeing to Rong County in an endless stream.

This gives a glimpse into the battle in Xiao County!

Zhao Xian was confident about the safety of Zhao Ji, Zhao Bing, and the others on their journey.

With the war in Xiao County now in such a state, it seems that the officials of Xiao County are no longer able to stop these refugees!

Three days later, Ren Zhuo, Zhao Ji, and their group set off.

Zhao Xian and his entourage escorted the group to Ronghuai County before returning.

The powerful clans of Ronghuai County were naturally quite wary of such a well-trained group of soldiers.

Han Du, a border patrolman in western Ronghuai County, and Zhou Yan, a bandit chief in Ronghuai County, personally came to intercept and interrogate them.

In the group, both Zhao Ji and Zhao Bing knew these two people.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhou Yan and Han Du learned the purpose of Zhao Ji and his group.

Upon learning that they were sent by the Lady of Rongtai County to recruit refugees in Xiao County, the two were quite surprised.

The two men were naturally aware that the powerful clans of Ronghuai County were abducting refugees for their own use.

It was precisely because of this knowledge that I felt that Zhao Ji and his group were likely facing numerous dangers on their journey.

After all, who can just sit idly by and watch the duck that's right in front of them fly away?

Moreover, the soldiers led by Zhao Ji and Zhao Bing on this trip were considered elite by the two of them!

If a dispute were to break out with a powerful clan in Ronghuai County, things could escalate significantly!

After some discussion, Zhou Yan and Zhao Ji's group rushed to Xiao County, while Han Du reported the matter to the county magistrate, Zhen Que.

Han Du was upright and honest; otherwise, he wouldn't have stayed in the position of food official for more than 20 years!

This trip to the county government to report the news was also fraught with great risk.

After all, doing so would inevitably offend the powerful families in the county.

No matter what Zhao Xian and the others said, they didn't make a living in Ronghuai County, but Han Du's family was all in Ronghuai County!

However, because Zhao Xian had recommended him, Han Du was determined to do it!

To repay Zhao Xian for recommending him!

When Zhen Que, the magistrate of Ronghuai County, learned of this, he also sent a message to the prominent families in the county, telling them not to make things difficult for this group.

In addition, Zhen Que also subtly hinted in the letter that Gao Su, the magistrate of Rongtai County, might be promoted further!

If a cultivator in the Jade Liquid stage advances one more step, they will become a Core Formation True Person!

Such a person is a famous figure in the prefecture and county, and how could the local magnates in the county possibly afford to offend him!

After receiving Zhen Que's message, several prominent clans in Ronghuai County also instructed their clansmen who were away not to make things difficult for the group.

After Ren Zhuo and his party arrived at the border between Ronghuai County and Xiao County, they set up camp and raised their flags.

As the person in charge of recruiting refugees, Ren Zhuo naturally planned to recruit 800 households in one go.

With everything going smoothly on Ren Zhuo's side, Zhao Xian's anxiety also subtly eased.

There was nothing in the camp that required Zhao Xian's personal attention, so he naturally devoted himself to rigorous daily training.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The bowstring twanged like thunder, and the horse galloped swiftly like the wind.

In the blink of an eye, three feathered arrows shot out.

Fifty paces away, three human-shaped targets fell to the ground.

"Your archery skills are excellent, sir!"

"The military commander is a master archer!"

Cheers erupted from the soldiers watching on both sides!

He tightened the reins, and his horse gradually came to a stop.

"Aji, move the target to a distance of 120 paces!"

After stretching his muscles, Zhao Xian looked at Zhu Ji, who was attending him not far away, and shouted loudly.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ji immediately shouldered the target beside him and hurried off into the distance.

A moment later, he had planted the target in the ground and then hid seven or eight steps away.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xian in the distance had also drawn his bow and nocked an arrow, a flash of crimson light appearing in his eyes.

"bass!"

A sharp sound rang out as the arrow shot away.

"Snapped!"

A muffled thud reached Zhu Ji's ears a few steps away. Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw the arrow fletching violently on the bullseye!

"Clap clap clap!"

With a series of muffled thuds, one arrow after another shot forth, hitting the bullseye every time.

A few breaths later, the white feathers clumped together, and the red bullseye was no longer visible.

Seeing that no more arrows were flying towards him, Zhu Ji immediately picked up the heavy target and ran towards Zhao Xian.

At this moment, Zhao Xian sat upright on his horse, a golden glint flashing in his eyes.

A message quietly surfaced in my mind.

"Archery Mastery +10!"

Immediately, a golden light screen appeared before Zhao Xian's eyes.

Owner of the cauldron: Zhao Xian

[Fortune: Crimson]

[Spiritual Root: Bing (Fire Attribute)]

[Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Level 8]

[Lucky Golden Pearl: 3]

【技艺】：五阳真法（精通：2420/10000）、穿云箭术（大成：44920/100000）、松鹤养元拳（大成：22911/100000）、追风斩灵刀（大成：19920/100000）、鱼龙九变（精通：7210/10000）、基础制符（精通：3345/10000）

Zhao Xian held his breath and focused his mind, sinking his consciousness into his dantian.

A hundred or so streams of magical power condensed into a crimson fire cloud, which hovered above the dantian, constantly flowing and churning.

It has been more than half a year since I broke through to the eighth level of Qi Refining. After the ancestral worship ceremony on New Year's Day this year, I obtained ten more Qi Fortune Golden Pearls.

With the help of the Golden Pearl of Fortune, Zhao Xian's cultivation speed increased by about 20% each month.

If the eighth level of Qi Refining is divided into three stages: early, middle, and late, Zhao Xian should now be in the middle stage of the eighth level of Qi Refining.

It shouldn't be long before Zhao Xian reaches the ninth level of Qi Refining.

At that time, we will be one step closer to laying the foundation for our path.

However, Zhao Xian now relies solely on spirit stones for cultivation and rarely consumes spirit pills, which naturally takes longer.

In addition, Zhao Xian originally practiced the "Blazing Sun True Method," but after obtaining the "Five Yang True Method," a high-grade Xuan-level cultivation technique, he switched to practicing the "Five Yang True Method" and has now raised it to the level of mastery.

The Five Yang True Method, a superior cultivation technique that directly points to the precious secrets, contains a spell called Nine Breaths of Qi, which allows one to inhale and exhale the purple qi of the rising sun at sunrise.

The purple aura of the rising sun is peaceful and gentle. When refined into the dantian, it can temper one's magical power, nourish the meridians and dantian, and solidify one's foundation.

If you want to build a higher level of foundation in the future, it will naturally be of more help!