Dual Transmigration: Starting from being captured and brought to the Hehuan Sect!

Pei Ziyu was slightly taken aback, then took the battle report and read it from beginning to end.

He slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, his mustache bristling, staring at the butler:

Is the news true?

"Absolutely true! The messenger is the personal guard of the Yue commander, and he's waiting right outside the door!"

Pei Ziyu paced back and forth in the study several times, then sat back down at his desk, spread out a blank sheet of memorial paper, picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and began to write with flowing strokes.

He wrote very meticulously.

The commemorative document details how Lin Mo, the magistrate of Lianhai County, and Yue Pengniao, the commander of a thousand households, led their troops in a fierce battle against the rebels at Heishigou under his command. They defeated the main force of six thousand rebels in one fell swoop, and took advantage of the victory to recapture Cangwu County. The rebel leader Zhao Mazi was executed on the spot, and the remaining members were either killed or surrendered.

The majority of the text describes how he strategized and deployed troops, while Lin Mo and Yue Pengniao are only briefly mentioned.

Having written the last word, Pei Ziyu put down his pen, blew on the ink, sealed the memorial, and handed it to the steward.

"Send it to the capital overnight by express courier."

The capital city, the Imperial Study.

Memorials of rebellion from all over the country piled up on the emperor's desk, one after another, indicating that a county had rebelled or a prefecture had fallen into chaos.

The Ministry of Revenue cried poverty while the Ministry of War demanded more pay, turning every morning court session into a heated argument.

The empress sat behind her desk, her appearance stunning, her long, voluptuous figure clad in a black dragon robe.

With her hair piled high and her phoenix eyes filled with authority, even after reviewing apologies for two whole hours, her back remained ramrod straight, exuding an aura of inviolable dignity and majesty.

She rubbed her temples, pushed aside a petition for assistance that she had just finished approving, leaned against her desk, and closed her eyes to rest.

The personal maidservant gently handed her a newly arrived memorial and whispered:

"Your Majesty, Pei Ziyu from Hezhou has sent an urgent message over 800 li."

The Empress sighed irritably, thinking it was yet another piece of bad news. She reached out and took the memorial, but after scanning a few lines, her fingers, which were rubbing her temples, suddenly stopped.

She leaned forward slightly, read it carefully from beginning to end again, then leaned back in her chair, a rare smile of satisfaction appearing on her lips.

"Pei Ziyu of Hezhou defeated the rebel army in Cangwu and even recaptured Cangwu County!"

The Empress placed the memorial on her desk, tapped it lightly twice with her fingers, and spoke with a hint of surprise.

"I didn't expect Pei Ziyu to be such a master strategist, able to fight ten men single-handedly!"

Excellent, excellent! With war raging everywhere, I need talents like this!

The order was issued, and Pei Ziyu was promoted to Governor of Hezhou and General Who Pacifies the Rebellion. Within a month, the rebellion in the entire territory of Hezhou was quelled.

Lin Mo, the magistrate of Lianhai County, was promoted by half a rank and appointed as a sixth-rank official, Chengde Lang, while still concurrently serving as the magistrate of Lianhai County.

Qianhu Yue Pengniao was promoted by half a rank and appointed as a fifth-rank military general, while still leading the Lianhai Qianhu Garrison.

A further amount of gold and silk is to be bestowed, to be disbursed from the treasury of Hezhou Prefecture.

The female official drafted the edict and presented it to the Empress. She read it carefully, and after confirming that it was correct, she affixed her imperial seal. Only then did she hand the edict to the female official for distribution and pick up the next document awaiting approval.

Two days after the Empress's appointment, Pei Ziyu sent someone to the Lianhai County government office to invite Lin Mo to his residence for a chat.

Upon arriving at the prefectural government office in Hezhou, Pei Ziyu, for the first time ever, personally greeted them at the entrance, his enthusiasm so great that even the clerk standing nearby took a second look.

"Lin Mo, you fought valiantly on the front lines during this great victory at Heishigou, and I was worried sick for you from the rear."

Pei Ziyu led Lin Mo to the study, dismissed the others, and personally poured him a cup of tea.

"Now that His Majesty is in high spirits, I am also benefiting from this."

Don't worry, once the entire Hezhou region is pacified, I will be the first to recommend you to the imperial court!

With your talent, a mere sixth-rank official like Chengdelang is just the beginning.

Lin Mo smiled slightly, holding his teacup, and politely replied with a couple of words:

"Thank you for your guidance, sir."

However, I am currently facing a difficult situation. Lianhai County and Cangwu County have suffered from disasters for years, and have also been ravaged by war. The people have been displaced, and less than one in ten of the registered population remains.

I wish to reclaim the wasteland in these two counties and recruit displaced people to cultivate the land, but without the proper name, my words will not be credible.

"If Your Excellency would entrust Cangwu County to my administration, I am confident that I can restore both counties to their former glory within a year."

Pei Ziyu stroked his beard and pondered for a moment.

Cangwu County is indeed a mess. The original magistrate was killed by Zhao Mazi, and the imperial court has not appointed a replacement. Now there is no one in charge.

Since Lin Mo is willing to take it on, it saves him the trouble.

He nodded:

"The position of magistrate of Cangwu County has indeed been vacant for a long time. If you are willing to take over, I will submit a memorial to the court recommending you to serve as the magistrate of Cangwu County."

However, the combined tax payments for next year cannot be delayed any longer by the two counties.

Lin Mo readily agreed and exchanged pleasantries with Pei Ziyu.

That evening, Pei Ziyu hosted a family banquet for Lin Mo at his residence, where his daughter Pei Youqing was also present.

Pei Youqing wore a pale yellow ruqun today, her black hair was lightly tied up, and she only had a plain silver hairpin at her temple. She looked elegant and dignified, just like the dignified young lady she was at the last auction.

But her gaze remained subtly fixed on Lin Mo. When Lin Mo spoke while holding his wine glass, she would put down her chopsticks and listen.

When Lin Mo was talking to Pei Ziyu about Cangwu County, her gaze lingered on his face. Occasionally, when he noticed, she would quickly lower her eyelashes, pick up her teacup, take a sip, and pretend that nothing had happened.

After a few rounds of drinks, Pei Ziyu, in high spirits, pointed at Lin Mo and said to her daughter:

"Youqing, look at Lin Mo. He's so young, yet he's already a sixth-rank official and oversees two counties. You should look for someone like him when you're looking for a partner in the future."

Pei Youqing's cheeks flushed instantly, and she glared at her father reproachfully, her voice softening slightly:

"Dad, what are you saying?"

As the banquet was drawing to a close, Pei Youqing stood up and poured Lin Mo a cup of tea, whispering as she handed it to him:

"Lord Lin, I heard that a school has been built in Lianhai County and many orphans have been taken in."

I often help out at the orphanage in Hezhou. If I have the chance in the future, I'd like to visit Lianhai.

Lin Mo took the teacup, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before he smiled politely.

"Miss Pei is kind-hearted. If Lord Pei does not object, I would naturally welcome it."

Pei Ziyu, having been drunk, didn't pick up on the hidden meaning and simply waved his hand:

"Go, go, go if you want to go. Lianhai isn't some dragon's den or tiger's lair."

Pei Youqing smiled, a hint of anticipation flashing across her face.

After the banquet, Lin Mo was arranged to rest in a guest room in the backyard.