Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

February 4th, sunny with a light breeze.

Early in the morning, Mother Zhao Xushi prepared the meal. After the family finished eating, they went out of the house.

At that time, many residents of Yangping Village, including his grandfather, uncles, and village head Zhao Zhong, also went out.

Uncle Zhao Li was driving an oxcart with two layers of straw mats on the wooden plank. When Zhao Hong saw this, he immediately put his luggage on the oxcart.

As for Zhao Xian today, he was dressed in a black robe, wearing a turban and a ring-handled sword at his waist, which made him look more serious and dignified.

The black robe and headscarf were sewn overnight by my aunt, mother, and aunt.

The group gathered together and walked along the country lane toward the pavilion.

Today, Chen Yuancheng and Zhao Xian are going to take up their posts in the township. The people of Shanghuting have received much kindness from Chen Yuancheng, so they have come to see them off on their own initiative!

When they arrived at the pavilion, the local Taoist priests were already waiting outside.

Upon seeing the arrival of the Daoist people from Yangpingli, they all greeted them and expressed a hint of envy towards Zhao Xian, who was dressed as a scholar.

Zhao Xian apologized to the elders of his clan and then entered the pavilion.

Upon entering the backyard of the pavilion, Chen Yuancheng had also tidied up, with two large boxes of green bamboo slips neatly arranged.

These bamboo slips are the files of Shanghuting Pavilion and need to be received and inspected by the newly appointed pavilion chief.

Chen Yuancheng gave Zhao Ze two instructions before heading towards the front yard. Zhao Xian and Zhao Ze followed closely behind. Behind them, a guard carried Chen Yuancheng's baggage, another guard led the horse, and the last guard carried a bundle.

As the group left the pavilion, they saw many people from the six-mile road come to see them off, and Chen Yuancheng was also deeply moved!

He took a deep breath, bowed deeply to the crowd, and said solemnly, "Thank you all for coming to see me off. I, Yuan Cheng, am unworthy of such kindness!"

"Having served in this position for over half a year, there have been many shortcomings in my work; I hope you will all forgive me!"

Upon hearing this, all the people, except for a dozen or so elderly men leaning on canes, knelt down and said in unison, "Lord Ting defeated the bandits, protected us common people, and provided us with food and clothing, saving our lives. We are eternally grateful!"

"May you eat well and worry less, my lord!"

When Chen Yuan was established, he stepped forward and helped up several Daoist practitioners in front of him. Seeing this, the other Daoist practitioners also stood up.

Chen Yuancheng summoned the head of Chunping Village and beckoned. A guard behind him immediately stepped forward and respectfully handed over a package.

"This is three thousand talisman coins. Last year, on the night of the bandit attack, more than ten people in Chunping Village died. I am about to take up my post as the township governor, and I am most worried about these few households."

"Distribute all these coins among those households as a token of my goodwill!"

Upon hearing this, the village head of Chunping immediately knelt down and cried out, "Lord Ting is merciful!"

Behind him, many villagers from Chunping Village knelt down again and shouted in unison.

After helping everyone up, Chen Yuancheng turned to the other village chiefs, cupped his hands in greeting, and said solemnly, "I hope you will all continue to offer your assistance in the future!"

Upon hearing this, the village chiefs all returned the greeting and agreed in unison.

Passersby were quite surprised to see this scene.

After questioning the Daoist in front of him, he looked at Chen Yuancheng with great awe.

Such a benevolent official deserves the respect of the people.

Then, several elders from various villages came forward and spoke for a while. After Chen Yuancheng's persuasion, the residents of the six villages finally left.

However, there were still dozens of people gathered outside the pavilion. Chen Yuancheng looked over and saw that they were all villagers from Yangpingli. He understood that they had come to see Zhao Xian off.

Grandfather Zhao Mu stepped forward, bowed deeply to Chen Yuancheng, and said solemnly, "My son is unruly, yet he has been kind enough to be recruited as an official by Lord Chen. Our family thanks Lord Chen!"

Behind him, his uncles, father, and other relatives also bowed in respect.

"Ah Xian is calm and composed, and has great courage. If it weren't for Ah Xian's help several times, my position as the head of the village would have been taken away by the county magistrate long ago."

"Ah Xian and I complement each other perfectly; how can there be any talk of a great favor?"

Chen Yuancheng immediately replied modestly.

Another clan elder stepped forward, and Zhao Xian immediately bowed, addressing him as "Grand Uncle."

Behind the clan elder was Zhao Ze, who was seeking to steal. At this moment, Zhao Ze was holding a dark war bow in his hand, with the bowstring resting on it but not strung.

"Ah Xian, that night when the bandits attacked, the bandit leader cut your bow in half. This bow has been hanging in my house for many years and is covered in a thick layer of dust, so I'm giving it to you, Ah Xian."

Zhao Ze said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the clan elder lightly tapped his staff and emphasized, "This is a gift from the entire clan, not just from my family!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ze nodded slightly.

Zhao Xian was skilled in archery, so how could he not recognize the war bow before him? It was an iron-framed bow with immense strength, and its market price was equivalent to that of an ox!

"Uncle, this bow is extremely valuable!"

Before Zhao Xian could continue, the clan elder said, "In the past, there was no Wenmao Village in the six li of Shanghuting; there was only Liu Village."

"Now Liu Li has changed his name to Wen Mao Li, does Jiu Lang know why?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian's expression turned solemn. He knelt before the clansmen and respectfully said, "Ninth Brother will remember his Grandfather's words and will not fail the clansmen's expectations!"

Why did Liu Li change his name to Wenmaoli?

This is because decades ago, a righteous and upright official emerged from Liuli, who was highly regarded by the county magistrate, who specially renamed Liuli as Wenmaoli.

How could Zhao Xian not understand his uncle's words!

Village chief Zhao Zhong helped Zhao Xian up and said with a smile, "Village administration is complicated. Village assistant Cao Miao has served in the village for more than ten years. I have some dealings with him. If you encounter something you don't understand, you can ask him for advice!"

These words were not only spoken to Zhao Xian, but also to Chen Yuancheng.

The seven pavilions under the jurisdiction of Wohu Township have more than 3,000 households and more than 10,000 people. The affairs are complex and cannot be compared with the small Shanghu Pavilion!

Chen Yuancheng nodded slightly to the village chief Zhao Zhong, thanking him for speaking frankly.

After a farewell ceremony, the mother and younger sister's eyes reddened slightly, showing their reluctance to part.

"I'll take a five-day break, and then I'll return!"

Zhao Xian offered some words of comfort.

Seeing Chen Yuancheng get up and mount his horse, Zhao Xian hurriedly placed the iron bow and Tingjun's baggage on the oxcart, and prepared to go forward to lead the horse.

Unexpectedly, his elder brother Zhao Ji took a few quick steps, grabbed the reins, and smiled slightly at Zhao Xian.

Zhao Xian had no choice but to stay by Chen Yuancheng's side, while his uncle Zhao Li drove the oxcart behind them, with a handsome young man sitting in the cart.

He was Liu Ping, the son of Liu Zhuo, the head of the township pavilion, and he was traveling with him to the township pavilion to study.

The group slowly disappeared from everyone's sight.

......

The village pavilion was nearly twenty miles from the upper tiger pavilion, but the group was not in a hurry and walked slowly along the official road.

It was early February, a time when grass grows and orioles fly, and the wilderness along the roadside was gradually tinged with a light green.

Looking around, the scenery is quite pleasant.

Chen Yuancheng naturally recognized his uncle Zhao Li and his elder brother Zhao Ji.

Chen Yuancheng was particularly impressed by Zhao Li.

Both Zhao Ji and Zhao Li were talkative people, and having traveled extensively, they had a wide range of knowledge. They chatted with Chen Yuancheng all the way.

The three of them reluctantly ended their conversation as they approached the border of the village.

"Mr. Chen, it seems there's someone coming to meet us from ahead!"

Zhao Xian's eyes flashed with a crimson light. He glanced at the scene and then smiled as he spoke.

Chen Yuancheng, seated high on his saddle, also looked up.

At the boundary stone of the village pavilion, a dozen or so scholars in long robes stood, the leader of whom was surrounded by a man with a broom.