Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

My elder brother Zhao Zheng has just recovered from his injuries. As a soldier in the outpost, he is not at home today, but is on duty at the outpost.

The elders were overjoyed to learn that Zhao Xian had given birth to a female cow with a calf.

Once the calf is born, it will be like having another cow in the family, which is a great thing.

As night deepened, everyone suppressed their thoughts and dispersed.

Zhao Ji returned to his room, picked up the ring-pommel sword hanging on the wall, drew it into his hand, swung it a few times in the air, and then sat on the bed to carefully wipe it, his face solemn.

When Aunt Zhao learned that he would be going to be someone else's attendant, she was very reluctant to part with him, but she began to pack her bags.

Meanwhile, in another spacious courtyard in Yangpingli.

In the main hall, the lights were bright. Zhao Cheng knelt on the ground and respectfully kowtowed to the white-haired old man seated on the throne.

"Ah Cheng, go and serve under Lord Chen. In the future, do not be afraid of death and tarnish the reputation of the Zhao family of Yangping Village!" The white-haired old man looked at Zhao Cheng below, his eyes filled with worry, but his tone was very stern. "Ah Xian is intelligent, and Ah Ji has been doing business for many years and has a lot of experience. If you are unsure about something, you can consult them."

"If Ah Xian is in danger, as his elder brother, you should risk your life to protect him!"

"Grandson will remember his grandfather's teachings!" Zhao Cheng kowtowed again.

......

The next morning, as dawn broke.

Zhao Ji then went to Zhao Li's house, while Zhao Xian and his father were busy building a cowshed.

Lacking sufficient stone and timber, the family had no choice but to borrow some from their clansmen as a temporary measure.

As the sun rose in the east, Zhao Cheng arrived at Zhao Xian's house. Seeing the father and son busy at work, he quickly rolled up his sleeves and went to lend a hand.

Before long, Zhao Ji also arrived.

After exchanging greetings, Zhao Xian pulled Zhao Ji and Zhao Cheng together and told them the results of their discussion the night before: to recruit one person each from Chang Gong Li and Da Wang Li.

Zhao Cheng was perceptive and immediately understood Zhao Xian's intention upon hearing this.

He immediately nodded slightly, recited several names in succession, and then gave Zhao Xian a detailed introduction, with Zhao Ji adding to the information from time to time.

A moment later, the remaining two were decided: Zhang Wen from Chang Gong and Wang Cong from Da Wang.

Both men were skilled in martial arts and were quite famous for their bravery in the surrounding pavilions.

Zhao Xian acted swiftly and decisively. After informing his father, he and Zhao Cheng went to visit the two men.

During this busy farming season, Zhang Wen and Wang Cong were also farming at home when they were surprised to see Zhao Xian and Zhao Cheng come to visit them.

After listening to Zhao Xian's words, the two thought for a moment and then agreed.

Chen Yuancheng came from a prominent family in the county. At a young age, he became the village head, in charge of more than 10,000 people in the village. Such a powerful official naturally attracted many people to recruit guests.

The reason they only select from Shanghuting now is because it's where they started their business, and they're giving it special consideration.

Zhao Xian arranged to meet the two men at the official road in front of the pavilion in the afternoon, and then he and Zhao Cheng hurriedly returned to Yangpingli.

After helping his father build the cowshed, he tidied up and went to the pavilion with Zhao Ji and Zhao Cheng.

Upon arriving at the pavilion, Zhang Wen and Wang Cong were already waiting there. Both of them were dressed neatly, carrying bows and arrows on their backs and ring-handled swords at their waists.

Upon closer inspection, its sharp and capable aura is immediately apparent.

After everyone gathered and exchanged a few pleasantries, they headed together toward the village pavilion.

There were few pedestrians on the official road in the afternoon. When they saw a group of five people, all of them were tall and strong, carrying bows and arrows. The pedestrians kept their distance, afraid of causing trouble.

This scene left Zhao Xian quite helpless.

When they reached the vicinity of Xiahu Pavilion, Zhao Xian stopped and told the four men about his attack on his way home. He then led them to investigate the place where the thieves had fled.

Although Zhao Cheng and Zhao Ji already knew about this matter, seeing the arrow marks on the grass and trees and the bloodstains in the soil made their expressions even more solemn.

When Zhang Wen and Wang Cong first heard about this, their brows furrowed and their expressions became solemn.

"Although Chen Jun is the head of the village, the Crouching Tiger Village is not as peaceful as you all see it to be. There are undercurrents and hidden dangers beneath the surface."

"Gentlemen, you have come with me; I fear you will inevitably be drawn into conflict in the future."

Zhao Xian squatted on the ground, holding a clod of blood-stained soil in his hand. He then stood up, looked around at the four people, and said solemnly.

"Ah Xian, we are already prepared to go to the village with you."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Cheng immediately replied solemnly. Zhao Ji, Zhang Wen, and Wang Cong also nodded in unison, their faces solemn.

"On New Year's Day, the pavilion was burned down by bandits. Do you all know the origins of these bandits?"

Zhao Xian looked around at the four people, then asked in a deep voice.

Seeing the surprise on the four men's faces, Zhao Xian gave a wry smile and sighed, "Those bandits are all from the Zhu family of Shahe Township!"

"Is it the Zhu family, the one from which the former village foreman Zhu Ran came from?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Cong immediately pressed for details, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness.

Zhao Xian glanced at Wang Cong with some surprise, then nodded slightly: "Exactly!"

"The bandit king of Xiangting is none other than Uncle Acong!"

Seeing the expression on Zhao Xian's face, Zhao Cheng immediately began to explain.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian looked enlightened. No wonder Wang Cong had already reached the Tendon Refining level at such a young age.

"The guests of the Zhu family blamed Zhu Ran's dismissal on Chen Jun's merit in fighting the bandits, so they set fire to the pavilions and houses, intending to make Chen Jun guilty of dereliction of duty."

"Fortunately, we defeated the bandits, which allowed Chen Jun to retain his position as village magistrate."

Zhao Xianfu then said, "As for the matter of my return home and being attacked, it is probably related to the power struggle among the powerful clans in the village. This matter must be reported to Lord Chen first!"

"Gentlemen, on this journey to govern the region, I hope we can all work together to assist Lord Chen!"

The other four people all agreed in unison.

As the sun set, the group returned safely to their country home.

Zhao Xian greeted the familiar officials and then led the four into the backyard.

The backyard of the country house was Chen Yuancheng's residence, with side rooms on both sides. It was clean and dry, originally prepared for guests and servants.

Upon entering the backyard, they found Chen Yuancheng already waiting there.

Upon seeing Zhao Xian and his entourage return, Chen Yuancheng immediately stepped forward to greet them.

"We pay our respects to Lord Chen!"

Upon seeing this, everyone immediately bowed in respect.

"Gentlemen, please rise! With your assistance, I am like a tiger with wings!"

Chen Yuancheng stepped forward to help everyone up and said solemnly.

"Thank you for not abandoning us, Lord Chen. From this day forward, we lowly bodies are at your service!"

Zhao Cheng spoke first, followed by the other three who roared, "We are willing to be Chen Jun's lackeys!"

Nowadays, the term "lackey" is not derogatory; it is actually a self-deprecating term used by those who serve their master.

"Haha, Bozhang, I ordered you to find people of pure and good character, and I didn't have high expectations. But today I've found that they are all loyal and virtuous men!"

Chen Yuancheng laughed loudly, then looked at Zhao Xian beside him and teased him with a smile.

Zhao Xian chuckled and said, "When Lord Chen was the head of Shanghu Pavilion, he treated the local people very well, and they greatly respected him!"

"Upon hearing that Lord Chen was recruiting guests, many flocked to him. Unfortunately, Lord Chen only recruited four, which deeply saddened many Daoist followers who could not serve him!"

"I am but a lowly miser; four guests are sufficient!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuancheng smiled and replied.

Next, rooms were assigned to the four of them, and Zhao Xian stepped forward to help tidy up.

After the group finished packing, a feast was prepared in the hall, with Cao Miao, the village official, accompanying them. The host and guests drank and enjoyed themselves until late at night before dispersing.