Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

In the backyard of the village house, Cao Miao and other village officials had already taken their leave, leaving only Zhao Xian and Chen Yuancheng in the main hall.

"When I first took office as the head of Huting, I only had two boxes of files. Now, as I take up my post in the township government, I have more than ten boxes of files." Chen Yuancheng looked at the bamboo boxes piled up below the hall and couldn't help but joke, "Bozhang, I have not yet seen the power of the clerk; but I already know the weight of the clerk's responsibilities."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian smiled faintly and said, "Although the village head and the village clerk are both officials in charge of food distribution, there is a world of difference between them! As the ancients said, 'It is better to be a village clerk than a patrol officer with a hundred bushels of grain,' which shows the power of the village clerk."

"Haha, in that case, you can sort through the files for me and experience the job of a stingy man!" Chen Yuancheng joked, then became serious. "Bozhang, I have already had Cao Jun prepare your residence. The files are of great importance and cannot be taken lightly. You will stay here with me and check them first. Tonight, you will come with me to the Yan family for a banquet."

"I will obey Lord Chen's command!" Zhao Xian immediately replied solemnly.

As noon approached, the two, without even having lunch, took out all the green bamboo slips from the bamboo box and checked them one by one.

Upon encountering bamboo slips that were old, decayed, and had broken silk cords, Zhao Xian carefully reassembled them.

At noon, Cao Miao personally delivered lunch. The two thanked Cao Miao, ate quickly, and then went back to their work.

The common people of this realm eat two meals a day, one in the morning and one in the evening, while the officials of the villages eat three meals a day as usual.

As for why he didn't ask Cao Miao, the village assistant, for help, it was simply because checking the case files was the village magistrate's first priority after taking office, and he should do it personally.

After a flurry of activity until sunset, the two finally finished sorting through half of the files.

After neatly arranging the bamboo slips and putting them back into the bamboo box, Chen Yuancheng made a hand seal and sent several beams of warning light into the bamboo box. Then he and Zhao Xian got up and left.

At this time, Cao Miao and others were already waiting outside the pavilion.

Zhao Xian led the horse for Chen Yuancheng, and the two joined a group of officials before heading towards the Yan family's residence.

The Yan family was a prominent clan in the village, with many members, and they occupied a whole mile, called Yandeli.

Yan Deli was not far from the village house, and soon a group of more than ten people arrived at Yan's house.

Yan Su was already standing respectfully waiting at the foot of the steps. Chen Yuancheng exchanged a few pleasantries with him and then stepped inside.

Zhao Xian handed the reins to Yan's servant and followed the village official into the house.

Upon arriving at the main hall, one sees that the hall is tall and spacious. There are twenty or thirty people, including the village officials and guests of the Yan family who were already waiting there, yet the hall does not feel crowded at all.

At each of the four corners of the hall and above the dome, a one-inch square moon pearl hangs, its soft glow illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime.

On both sides of the main hall, there are more than ten tables and desks, all neatly arranged and clean.

Chen Yuancheng sat at the top left, with Cao Miao below him; opposite him, Yan Su sat at the head of the table, followed by Yan family guests.

Seated at the head of the table was a middle-aged scholar, around fifty years old, dressed in a brocade robe, with a warm smile on his face. He was none other than Yan Heng, the head of the Yan family.

Zhao Xian, being the youngest and least experienced, sat at the last seat on the left. As he sat there, his gaze swept over the guests opposite him, when he suddenly noticed that one of them looked very familiar.

The man was dressed in a blue cotton robe. He had a rat-like face, a pointed mouth, and a pair of small, darting eyes. He was Huang Liang, the guest who had managed the loan business for the Yan family when the land tax was collected last year.

When Huang Liang saw Zhao Xian looking over, he first smiled slightly and nodded in acknowledgment.

A few breaths later, he suddenly turned to look at Zhao Xian, his smile vanishing and replaced by a look of surprise—he had clearly recognized Zhao Xian.

Just then, Yan Heng raised his cup and announced loudly, "Gentlemen, drink this cup to the brim!"

Zhao Xian immediately picked up his cup and gestured slightly to Huang Liang, who smiled and raised his cup in response.

Everyone in the hall drank it all in one gulp.

Such a banquet was not something a minor official like Zhao Xian should have said.

The Yan family had prepared excellent wine and delicacies, so Zhao Xian and the other minor officials simply picked up their chopsticks and ate, devouring the food in a whirlwind.

Seeing this, the guests from the Yan family opposite either took it for granted or looked disdainful, while a few others, like them, buried their heads and ate heartily.

As the wine flowed freely and the toasts were exchanged, Zhao Xian suddenly heard someone calling his name.

He immediately put down his chopsticks, looked up, and saw Yan Su, sitting to his right, smiling at him and saying loudly, "I've heard that Lord Zhao is skilled in archery. Now that we've all gathered here, would you be so kind as to demonstrate your skills and broaden our horizons?"

Zhao Xian was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes, but he still smiled and said, "Being skilled in archery is nothing but a false rumor from the countryside. How dare I make a fool of myself in this grand hall and offend your eyes."

"I heard about Zhao Jun's killing of more than ten bandits last year, and it's definitely not a rumor!" Huang Liang, on the right, stroked his short beard and spoke up, but his appearance was already lewd, and his smile became even more sinister.

Yan Heng then spoke up, "Lord Chen, we also have guests in our household who are skilled in archery. Why don't we have the two of them compete to add some elegance to the banquet?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately turned his gaze to Chen Yuancheng.

"Bo Zhang went to the banquet today without bringing his bow and arrows. How can an archer compete without a suitable bow and arrows?"

Chen Yuancheng immediately declined with a smile.

Yan Su had secretly summoned a servant and whispered a few instructions. The servant bowed and agreed, then quickly walked out of the hall.

The banquet continued for a short while, and then a guest with long arms and a strong build entered the hall, knelt on the ground, kowtowed and said, "I have heard that there is a master archer in your hall today. I humbly request that you, my master, allow me to learn a thing or two from you!"

"Insolence!" Yan Su immediately rebuked, "With such an honored guest here, how dare you, a mere mortal, cause such a disturbance!"

The man dared not speak, and could only lie motionless on the ground.

In this situation, Zhao Xian was quite puzzled as to why Yan Su was pressing him so relentlessly.

Chen Yuancheng, standing above, had a somber expression. Seeing this, Cao Miao, the village assistant, quickly smoothed things over, saying, "We've long heard that the guests of the Yan family possess many extraordinary skills. Why don't we invite this valiant man to demonstrate his archery first, so that we can broaden our horizons?"

After saying that, he looked up at Yan Heng and gestured with his eyes.

The Yan and Cao families were both prominent clans in the village, and the two men had known each other for a long time and were quite familiar with each other.

Yan Heng coughed lightly, about to speak, but Zhao Xian had already stood up and said loudly, "We, humble officials from the countryside, have long heard of Master Yan's reputation for hospitality. Now that you are all gathered here, I, Bozhang, will humbly offer my talents to your guests to add to the merriment of the banquet."

As soon as Zhao Xian finished speaking, Chen Yuancheng said with a smile, "Since it's a competition, there should be a prize. I wonder what Su Jun thinks?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Su's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he smiled, "I see that Lord Chen's mount is showing signs of age. Although my household does not have a full stable of fine steeds, I am willing to offer one as a prize. What do you say?"

"Alright!" Chen Yuancheng pondered for a few moments before agreeing. He then looked at Zhao Xian with a meaningful gaze and said, "Bozhang, whether you can ride a fine steed back to your hometown depends on your ability."

Zhao Xian nodded slightly, already understanding.