Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 205 The County Magistrate Urgently Summons Him to Escort Grain (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

As the sun and moon dart across the sky, so too do the affairs of the world rise and fall.

At the end of July, when millet and rice are ripe, it is the busy season for farming, and farmers are busy in the fields.

Meanwhile, on the straight and wide official road that winds through the fields from north to south, pedestrians come and go in an endless stream.

Some farmers straightened up, shading their eyes with their hands, and observed the passersby.

However, most of them were dressed in tattered clothes, walking hurriedly, with a hint of fear and unease on their faces, and deep in their eyes, a sense of bewilderment about the future.

A large red flag with black characters fluttered in the wind among the procession; the character "Zhao" was written on it.

"More refugees gathered from Xiao County," a farmer sighed, muttering, "This is the third time this month!"

"I heard they're going to build another pavilion in the west to house these refugees!"

"Although life is quite difficult for us ordinary people in Nankou, it's still much better than for these refugees from Xiao County who have left their homes!"

"Yes, at least we have something to eat!" another farmer chimed in.

The farmers' murmurs did not reach the ears of the cavalrymen who were running back and forth. Even in Nankou Township, these cavalrymen still dared not relax their vigilance and patrolled back and forth.

Meanwhile, at the camp several miles away.

Inside the military tent, Zhao Xian sized up the thin man before him. He noticed that the man's temples were graying, his skin was dark, and his face was covered with a fine layer of wrinkles.

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He was dressed in a black short-sleeved outfit, but it was tattered. Only his hands were long and strong, with calluses faintly visible on the tiger's mouth.

"Are you truly a bow maker?" After observing the man for a few moments, Zhao Xian looked at him and asked slowly.

"Reporting to the General, my name is Wen Liang. I am from Xiao County, Xiao Prefecture. My family has a long tradition of bow-making. I used to run a bow and arrow shop in Xiao County called Sheyuntang."

Upon hearing this, the gaunt man immediately bowed and replied in a hoarse voice.

Do you know how to make a metal-framed bow?

"know!"

"Where are the armor-piercing arrowheads?"

"Of course I understand!"

"Take a look at this bow of mine, what do you think?"

With a slight thought, Zhao Xian saw a golden war bow with thunder patterns appear on the table.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Ji immediately stepped forward, picked up the war bow, and handed it to the gaunt man.

The man wasn't intimidated at all; he took the bow and examined it closely.

A moment later, the man asked Zhao Xian for a bowstring and hung it up.

At this moment, Zhu Ji kept his eyes fixed on the man, to prevent him from doing anything improper.

The man, however, paid no attention to Zhu Ji's gaze. He reached into his pocket and took out a worn-out finger cot, which he then put on his finger.

Zhu Ji watched these slow, listless movements and couldn't help but sneer.

As Zhao Xian's close attendant, he had naturally tried to draw this thunder-patterned gold-threaded war bow a few times.

Each time, I could only pull it five or six points before I was exhausted and could pull it no further.

It would be a miracle if this gaunt man in front of me could even draw that war bow!

Suddenly, the gaunt man took a deep breath, his whole body filled with strength, and he drew his bow like a full moon.

The veins on his long, steady fingers bulged, and the bowstring snapped taut, as if it were about to break, creating an inexplicable tension.

After a few breaths, the gaunt man slowly lowered the bowstring back.

After all, firing a bow without firing it can easily cause it to explode.

"Impressive strength!" Seeing that the thin man wasn't even out of breath or red-faced, Zhao Xian couldn't help but clap his hands and exclaim, "Just this strength alone shows he's already entered the realm of bone tempering!"

"My lord, this bow is made of excellent material, but the bowstring is a bit weak. Perhaps this is because you practice too much on a daily basis!"

After a few moments of contemplation, the gaunt man bowed respectfully to Zhao Xian and replied in a respectful voice.

"The master practices archery daily, and from 120 paces, his arrows never miss!"

Before Zhao Xian could speak, Zhu Ji had already stepped forward, picked up the war bow, and then said with considerable pride.

Upon hearing this, the man's eyes also showed a hint of surprise, as he had not expected that Zhao Xian's archery skills had reached such a level!

"My family is a small clan in the countryside. If you pledge your allegiance to me, I can grant you a hundred acres of land, a house, and two attached households!"

"I am willing to serve you, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the gaunt man immediately bowed and answered without hesitation.

"Rest in the camp for a few days, and then someone will take you to the manor!"

"Once you arrive at the manor, someone will build a workshop for you. You can then make bows there!"

Zhao Xian waved his hand, and Zhu Ji understood, immediately leading the thin man out of the military tent.

Zhao Xian picked up the bamboo slips again and began to study them carefully.

Before long, the tent flap was lifted again, and a lithe figure stepped into the military tent.

"Zhao Bing pays his respects to the Military Commander!"

"Ah Bing is back. How many refugees did he bring back this time?" Coming back to his senses, Zhao Xian put down the bamboo slips, looked at the armored officers below, and asked with a smile.

"One hundred and twenty-three households. Please proceed to inspect them, sir!"

Zhao Bing immediately cupped his hands in response.

"Walk!"

Zhao Xian did not hesitate and immediately got up and walked outside.

Before long, the two appeared on the west side of the camp.

The heat was unbearable, and hundreds of refugees could be seen sitting in small groups under the trees to cool off.

Upon seeing Zhao Xian arrive, the military officers left behind immediately led their soldiers to herd the refugees out to pay their respects.

"Greetings, Commander!"

Hundreds of people knelt down in unison, shouting incessantly.

At this moment, Zhao Xian's eyes flashed with golden light, and the scene before him instantly transformed into a cloud of mist.

Hundreds of strands of life energy, varying in length and color, floated above everyone's heads, appearing before Zhao Xian.

Some have a light red aura and stand upright, while others have a grayish-black aura and are surrounded by wisps of black mist.

However, most of them are just a wisp of white smoke, like rootless duckweed, which seems to dissipate with a gust of wind.

"You, you, you..."

Zhao Xian walked into the refugees, nodded to a few refugees with light red hair, and smiled, "Are you willing to follow me and serve as..."

My family's retinue.

"You'll get fifty acres of land and a house!"

Upon hearing Zhao Xian's invitation, the men's faces immediately lit up with disbelief, which quickly turned into ecstatic joy. They immediately kowtowed and said, "We are willing to serve as your retainers!"

For Daoist people who have left their homes, they are not even as good as livestock. Being allowed to become a retainer by Zhao Xian is already an extremely good way out!

"Send these refugee families, along with the artisans we've already gathered, to Xixiang!"

After giving Zhu Ji a single instruction, Zhao Xian left the place again.

"You lot, take your families and come with me!"

Zhu Ji had done this several times before, so he was quite skilled at it.

Zhao Bing, standing to the side, was not surprised at all. His elder brother was recruiting retainers with generous benefits, so naturally he had to be selective.

As for the selection criteria, Zhao Bing couldn't understand them either, but he felt that the people his elder brother had chosen were all somewhat clever.

At the end of July, millet and rice are harvested, and by the end of August, the sacred rice will be harvested.

The ripening time of ordinary rice and the special rice is exactly one month apart, which allows farmers to take a break during the busy farming season without having to rush.

Time passed slowly, and before we knew it, it was already early September.

Zhao Ji, Zhao Hong, Zhao Bing, and others spent two months gathering more than 1,100 households of refugees in the area bordering Ronghuai County and Xiao County.

Eight hundred households were resettled in Nankou Township, while the remaining three hundred or so were transported by Zhao Xian to Wohu Township.

Wohu Township is sparsely populated, with only 400 households in the six li of Shanghuting.

These three hundred-plus households of Daoist practitioners are just enough to fill the three pavilions of Shanghuting, Dahuting, and Xiahuting.

He Qing, the village head of Wohu Township, was naturally quite pleased with this.

After all, the increase in population during his governance of Wohu Township was also an extremely important achievement.

However, Zhao Xian's relationship with He Qing was not particularly close, so he naturally wouldn't lend a hand with the money and supplies needed to resettle the refugees.

He Qing had no choice but to figure out a solution himself.

He Qing was a decisive man. He not only kept some of the millet for himself, but also forced wealthy households in the village to levy millet on him, which enabled him to collect more than two thousand bushels of millet.

The wealthy residents of Wohu Township went to the county government to report He Qing, but were turned away by the county officials.

County Magistrate Gao Su was about to leave office, so naturally he wouldn't concern himself with such tangled matters. Besides, such a large population would also benefit his political achievements, wouldn't it?

If you turn a blind eye, it will pass.

The saying goes, "If the people don't report it, the officials won't investigate." In reality, even if the people report it, the officials won't investigate until it escalates.

Meanwhile, the prefect's order had already reached the county government.

County Magistrate Gao Su had no time for such trivial matters!

September 10th, 530th year of the Celestial Calendar.

The autumn wind was bleak, and the chill was biting.

Breathing out hot air, the soldiers guarding the camp gate paced back and forth, their hands tucked in as they carried their long spears.

It's really too cold to just stand there without moving around.

Even though Zhao Xian treated his soldiers very well, he still couldn't give each soldier a leather cloak!

Having a thick cotton coat is already quite good!

"Da da da!"

The rapid sound of horses' hooves grew closer, and a squad of soldiers guarding outside the camp, at their squad leader's call, showed signs of alertness.

"Hiss!"

The horse galloped forward a few steps before finally coming to a stop. Before the horse had even come to a complete stop, a figure had already dismounted and was walking quickly toward the camp gate.

"Who goes there?"

"County Magistrate Gao Yuan has come on the orders of the County Magistrate!" The messenger stepped forward and said urgently, "Please inform Marquis Zhao immediately!"

Upon hearing that it was the county magistrate's order, the squad leader immediately straightened his face, gripped his dagger, and hurried towards the camp.

Before long, the squad leader returned to the camp gate, directed his soldiers to move the barricades, and invited the envoy into the camp.

Inside the military tent, Gao Yuan stood solemnly, glancing at the officers out of the corner of his eye.

"I didn't realize Zhao Xian had such a knack for leading troops!"

Gao Yuan secretly praised him, and at this moment Zhao Xian also spoke up.

"Lord Gao, since this is an urgent summons from the County Magistrate, I will accompany you to the county office to pay my respects!"

Zhao Xian put down the letter in his hand and then smiled calmly.

"After I leave, Zhao Cheng will temporarily handle all matters in the camp!"

He then looked around at the military officers in the tent and said solemnly.

"We will obey the Commander's orders!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Cheng, Liu Ping, and the others all bowed and greeted him.

A moment later, the three riders galloped out of the camp gate and disappeared down the country road.

As dusk fell, the three of them entered the city just before the city gates were about to close.

The three had no time to wander around, so they headed towards the government office after entering the city.

Before long, they arrived at the county government office.

Zhu Ji was left to wait outside the yamen, while Zhao Xian and Gao Yuan quickly entered the county yamen.

It was already late at night, and apart from the minor officials on duty, most of the county officials had already returned home to rest.

After passing through several gates, the two arrived at a quiet and elegant courtyard.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, Gao Yuan led Zhao Xian into the courtyard.

However, no official announcement was made, which clearly indicates that they were in a real hurry this time.

Seeing this, Zhao Xian's expression also became more serious. This urgent summons from the county magistrate must be no small matter!

"Your humble servant Zhao Xian pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

He removed his shoes and entered the hall, keeping his eyes straight ahead. After taking a few quick steps, Zhao Xian bowed deeply to the person in the main seat!

"Bozhang, have a seat!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately stood up and then looked around.

The first person on the right is Liu Yuan, the Chief Clerk, and the first person on the left is Gao Ming, the County Registrar.

Below Liu Yuan was Yuan Wei, the Registrar of Household Affairs. Upon seeing this, Zhao Xian immediately walked over and sat down next to Gao Ming.

"Bozhang, the prefect's order was just delivered to the yamen yesterday!"

Gao Su raised the silk in his hand, and Gao Yuan immediately took it and presented it to Zhao Xian.

"The war in Xiao County is critical. Rongtai County is requisitioning 10,000 shi of grain, 1,000 shi of crescent-shaped rice, and 100 shi of jade pearl rice. Escort them to Xiao County as soon as possible!"

"They actually asked for so much?!" Zhao Xian exclaimed in surprise after looking at the silk.

Ten thousand bushels of millet would require ten thousand low-grade spirit stones, a thousand bushels of crescent moon rice would require twenty thousand low-grade spirit stones, and a hundred bushels of jade pearl rice would require thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones!

That adds up to 60,000 low-grade spirit stones!

How could this not greatly surprise Zhao Xian!

Taking Wohu Township, where Zhao Xian came from, as an example, the land tax collected at the end of the year was about 35,000 shi of millet, about 1,000 shi of crescent-shaped rice, and not a single grain of jade pearl rice.

In the entire Rongtai County, only Pinghe Township and Nanguan Township have the Huangjie Lingtian fields that can produce Yuzhu rice.

Pinghe Township has more than 50 mu of Huangjie Lingtian (a type of fertile land), while Nanguan Township has more than 70 mu.

This is one of the reasons why both Pinghe Township and Nanguan Township are listed as well-ordered large townships.

The two villages combined can only collect 180 shi of jade pearl rice per year!

"Seven days ago, the governor of Xiao County led his troops in a fierce battle with Huang Tiandao, and both sides suffered casualties!" Gao Su looked at Zhao Xian and sighed softly. "At this point in the war, Xiao County has suffered heavy casualties in both the three southern counties and the four northern counties."

"Otherwise, so many refugees wouldn't have fled to Rongtai County!"

"With war raging on, how many people can truly settle down and farm in peace?"

"Moreover, it's not just Rongtai County; Ronghuai County and Rongguang County also need to procure military provisions!"

Upon hearing this, the high-ranking officials in the hall fell silent.

"However, can this amount of grain meet the needs of Xiao County?"

After pondering for a few moments, Zhao Xian raised his head and looked at Gao Su again.

"Bo Zhang, you've led troops for years, how could you not know the army's food consumption!" Gao Su shook his head, saying helplessly, "The provisions and pay raised by the three counties this time are only enough for the ten thousand soldiers of Xiao County for two months!"

"So, you mean we'll continue requisitioning grain?" Zhao Xian nodded slightly and asked.

Gao Su nodded slightly at this moment.

Seeing the hesitation on Zhao Xian and the others' faces, Gao Su naturally knew what they were thinking.

"Bozhang, do you know what banner Huang Tiandao is using?"

"The lower-ranking official was unaware."

"Heaven will restore balance!"

Looking around at the group, Gao Su spoke slowly and deliberately.

"May I ask, Your Excellency, what is meant by Heaven's restoration of equality?"

County Registrar Gao Ming immediately asked in a solemn voice.

"The way of Heaven is to take from those who have more and give to those who have less!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall fell silent.

How could they not know what this meant!

However, no one expected that Huang Tiandao would dare to go against the general trend of the world!

What is the general trend? It is the trend of sects, powerful families, and aristocratic clans!

"If Huang Tiandao takes over Xiao County, Rong County will be next!"

Gao Su was not threatening Zhao Xian and the others, nor was he exaggerating; he was simply stating the facts.

"For this grain requisition, millet and crescent-shaped rice will be taken from Nankou Township, and I will also send someone to deliver jade pearl rice to Nankou Township."

"I intend to appoint you, Bozhang, as the grain transport officer!"

At this point, Gao Su stared intently at Zhao Xian below, awaiting Zhao Xian's reply.

Being a grain transport officer is no easy job; the slightest mistake could cost you your head!

"Lord Gao, it's at least four hundred li from Nankou Township to Xiao County!" After a moment's thought, Zhao Xian came to his senses, looked at Gao Su, and bowed respectfully. "More than ten thousand shi of millet, if transported entirely by large carts made of oxen, horses, donkeys, and mules, would require at least five hundred cartloads!"

"We probably can't muster that many large trucks in Rongtai County!"

"The county will allocate two hundred large carts for you; the rest will have to rely on porters for transportation!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Su immediately replied in a deep voice.

"If we were to deliver all this millet to Xiao County in one trip, wouldn't we need to conscript thousands of laborers?" Zhao Xian hesitated for a moment, then continued, "With only a few hundred soldiers under my command, escorting these laborers to Xiao County would be beyond our capabilities!"

"Xu Dejing, serving as the county's military garrison commander, has dismissed the elderly and infirm and recruited new soldiers. He now has two hundred soldiers, all of whom have been transferred to you!"

"Tell me all the difficulties you may have!"

"We still lack a Foundation Establishment cultivator to oversee the army!" Zhao Xian immediately declared solemnly. "Huang Tiandao absolutely does not want to see this batch of grain delivered to Xiao County and will surely send men to attack the grain transport convoy!"

"There are no Foundation Establishment cultivators available in the county!" Gao Su shook his head upon hearing Zhao Xian's request.

"Bo Zhang, is a Xiantian martial artist acceptable?"

Suddenly, Liu Yuan, the clerk, looked at Zhao Xian and asked with a smile.

"As long as we can withstand the enemy's Foundation Establishment stage, of course we can!"

Zhao Xian immediately nodded and said with a smile.

"Lord of the County~" Upon hearing Zhao Xian's words, Liu Yuan, the clerk, immediately raised his head to look at Gao Su above and gave him a meaningful look.

"That innate martial artist from the Wang family in the county is over a hundred years old, and his qi and blood are declining. Although he still has the strength to fight, I'm afraid he won't be able to travel with the army!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Su also carefully considered his words.

"Gao Jun, you will accompany Bo Zhang to escort this shipment of grain!"

Suddenly, Gao Su looked outside the hall and said calmly.

Before the words were finished, a burly figure strode into the hall and bowed respectfully to Gao Su above, saying, "Gao Jun respectfully obeys the Third Elder's command!"

Upon hearing the burly man's address to Gao Su, Zhao Xian immediately understood that this must be a guard sent to Gao Su by his family.

With innate martial artists as guards, the strength and resources of this aristocratic family are evident!

"Zhao Xian greets Your Majesty!"

The burly man, however, did not presume to be arrogant. He immediately looked at Zhao Xian and returned the greeting: "This escort of provisions is under the command of Lord Zhao. Gao Jun..."

"Of course I will obey your command!"

"No, no, Gao Jun is stationed in the army; he only needs to defend against the Foundation Establishment cultivators and Innate Realm martial artists on the other side!"

Zhao Xian naturally understood the polite words and immediately replied respectfully.

"Bozhang, in that case, you should immediately return to Nankou Township to procure millet. I will send a message to the surrounding townships, instructing them to send carts to Nankou Township!"

"I will obey Your Majesty's command!"

"Take this small item; it's not very useful, but it will allow you to pretend to be a Xiantian martial artist!" Gao Su then took out a three-inch tiger-shaped jade pendant from his sleeve and handed it to Zhao Xian. "In addition, wear this two-hundred-stone seal as well; it will ensure you don't lose face in front of the officials of Xiao County!"

"Thank you for your consideration, Your Excellency!"

After receiving the tiger tally and seal from Gao Yuan, Zhao Xian immediately bowed deeply.

No wonder a superior who cares about his subordinates has been able to hold the position of county magistrate for twenty years!

As night deepened, everyone rose to take their leave, while Gao Yuan led Zhao Xian and Zhu Ji to rest in a side courtyard of the county government office.

The next morning, after having breakfast, Zhao Xian took Zhu Ji out of the county government office and headed to the county military camp.

Upon learning of Zhao Xian's arrival, Xu Dejing naturally rushed out of the camp to greet him.

The two hadn't seen each other for a long time, so they naturally exchanged pleasantries.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Xian then relayed the county magistrate's orders to Xu Dejing.

"This trip to Xiao County is of great importance. Within two days, once you have made the necessary arrangements, lead the two garrisons of soldiers to Nankou Township and meet me there!"

"Our two armies still need some time to coordinate before we can head to Xiao County!"

"I will obey your command, General!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Dejing immediately accepted the order in a solemn voice.

Although the two men were of similar rank, it was clear that Zhao Xian was more favored by the county magistrate, and Xu Dejing naturally had to regard himself as a lower-ranking official in front of Zhao Xian.

After giving Xu Dejing some instructions, Zhao Xian and Zhu Ji left the county town and returned to Nankou Township.

As for how to collect millet, that would naturally be to collect this year's land tax in advance!

The millet has already been stored in the granary, so there is little difference between paying it now and paying it at the end of the year.

As the sun set, Zhao Xian and his companion arrived at the Nankou village.

Ren Zhuo, the village head, was not in the village house; he was still in the refugee camp.

Before he had the position of a high-ranking official, Ren Zhuo was like a tireless ox, working diligently and busily.

After meeting Ren Zhuo, Zhao Xian told him about the matter.

He instructed him to entrust the resettlement of refugees to Zhao Ze, and that he should raise millet and rice as soon as possible.

Ren Zhuo was also extremely shocked when he learned that so much millet was to be raised this time.

After learning that this was probably not the first time, Ren Zhuo also fell silent.

"At least we have this year's land tax to tide us over!" With a long sigh, Ren Zhuo was already thinking about the future. He lamented, "But what will we do when the lean season comes? Where will we find millet?"

"Xiao County is in chaos, how could the Yunlan Sect sit idly by and watch Rong County descend into chaos!"

"They shouldn't push too hard!"

Zhao Xian had also thought of this, but could only offer these words of comfort.

"Tomorrow, I will summon the village heads to collect the land taxes!"

"After the land tax is collected, it must be transported to the villages and carefully guarded to prevent any mishaps!"

Both of them knew the gravity of the matter and would naturally be extra careful.

Meanwhile, news of Rong County transporting grain to support Xiao County also spread.

Such a large-scale operation could not be concealed.

As expected, those in Huangtiandao already knew about this news.

As for this grain transport, how could Huang Tiandao possibly allow Yunlan Sect to get what it wanted?

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