Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 270 Huangfu Duan

But Zhao Zhen and his entourage said goodbye to Shi Xiu and Xue Yong, left the Snow Mountain Peak, and hurried to the Jinshatan Water Fort.

When Zhao Zhen and others arrived, Liu Tang and Song Wan were already waiting there, and Hao Shanfeng only left Zou Run and Zou Yuan to lead the soldiers.

This time, after discussing with Wu Yong, they decided to invite a few brothers who had arrived earlier to go to Anling Yudui. In addition to these three people, they should also bring Tang Long, who had made great contributions, and Shi Qian, who had been running around. In terms of merit, Yang Lin should have been conferred an imperial title in the main world a long time ago, but it was a pity that he went to Yan'an Prefecture again this time.

Shi Qian would be back in a day or two. After all, the place where Ziranbo lived was Dongchang Prefecture, which was only about 210 miles away from Liangshan. Before leaving, Wu Yong gave him some special instructions.

On the way, Zhao Zhen told a few people that they would set off as soon as Shi Qian returned. Liu Tang said, "Sir, I have nothing to do these days except training the troops. I am not used to the hardship of traveling around the world. It would be great if I could go with you to the main world to see it."

Hu Sanniang listened to the conversation and said, "My dear, do you really take the ghosts and monsters you are talking about? I have been to mass graves since I was a child, but I have never seen ghosts or zombies. I have only seen them in books about basic strange things."

Zhao Zhen said, "Don't say Sanniang has never seen one. I have never seen one either. I just heard that ghosts are nothing. There is a saying that people are three parts afraid of ghosts, but ghosts are seven parts afraid of people. Once the Yang Qi rushes in, weaker ghosts can be burned to ashes."

"This time, the people going with us are all strong men with vigorous blood, such as Liu Tang, Du Qian, and Song Wan. They also have magical instruments to exorcise ghosts, so there is no need to worry about their lives being in danger."

Hu Sanniang heard this and said, "Sir, I also have a short sword made of wormwood, and I want to go and have a look too."

Zhao Zhen said: "That's fine. You haven't met my family in the main world yet, so it's a good opportunity for us to meet them together."

After returning to Baishi Manor, Zhao Zhen called Pei Xuan and Tang Long at night. During the banquet, Zhao Zhen explained the reasons in detail. After listening to them, everyone was not afraid, but looked very interested.

Liu Tang said: "Everyone calls me the Red-haired Ghost. I never thought that one day I would see a real ghost. I wonder what this ghost looks like?"

Pei Xuan said: "The saints said: 'Respect ghosts and gods but keep them at a distance'. They all said that there are three realms in the world: heaven, earth and human. Heaven is for immortals, earth is for ghosts, and the human world is in the middle. Those who have achieved success in cultivation and have great merits will cross the golden bridge, ascend to heaven and become immortals, and live freely from then on. Those who have done good deeds will cross the silver bridge, obtain divine positions, and enjoy the incense of the human world."

"If you have good deeds again, you will cross the Jade Bridge and enjoy wealth and honor in the next life. If you have no merits or faults again, you will cross the Stone Bridge and be reborn as a commoner, enjoying a comfortable life. If your faults are greater than your merits, you will be poor, sick and suffer in the next life, and be a lower class person. If you are the most evil person who has committed many evil deeds, you will cross the Bamboo Bridge and be reborn as an animal, a fetus, an egg, a louse or something like that."

"I thought it was just a message from all walks of life advising people to be good, but I never thought there are real ghosts. So, doesn't that mean there really is a heaven where one can live forever?"

Tang Long said: "I have been wandering around for a long time, and I have seen many Taoist priests and monks who practice Taoism. I have never seen these people have any magical powers. Most of them are just tricks to fool people. I am afraid that practicing Taoism is not an easy thing."

Liu Tang said: "That's right, I have never seen such a ghost, so I don't care what happens after death, as long as I am happy in this life."

Song Wan said, "Yes, who can predict the afterlife? Living happily in this life is better than anything else. We are like this now, eating big chunks of meat, drinking big gulps of wine, and wearing complete sets of clothes, all because of your care. If there is an afterlife, I still want to be under your command."

Du Qian also said: "Brother, you are right. I am not as happy as this when I am with Master Chai."

Everyone drank happily and left at midnight. The next morning, Zhao Zhen gave the white giant clam eighteen realms bracelets to the heroes who went with him. Except for Pei Xuan, everyone else felt that it was a bit cumbersome to wear on their hands and could not perform martial arts.

Zhao Zhen said: "If you feel it is a burden, you can return it to me after the trip to Anling. This rosary is only used to prevent ghosts from getting close to me. To kill ghosts, you still need to drive your blood and wield the weapon in your hand."

As a first-level bracelet, its effect is only a Buddha light that can calm the mind and suppress evil spirits compared to the second-level one. In Zhao Zhen's opinion, it also has a warning effect.

After lunch, Shi Qian and Duan Jingzhu indeed brought Huangfu Duan and his family to surrender.

Zhao Zhen saw that Huangfu Duan had an extraordinary appearance, blue eyes with double pupils, and a beard that reached his belly. He said, "I have heard a lot about Brother Huangfu Duan's great name, and I specially invited him to serve in our county. I have been very busy and could not come in person. Please forgive me."

Huangfu Duan heard this and said quickly, "You are so polite, sir. I have heard of your name a lot in Dongchang Prefecture. Unfortunately, I have no connection with you and no one to recommend me, so I dare not come here easily. A few days ago, I saw Duan Jingzhu and Shi Qian invite me. After reading your letter, I did not hesitate to pack up my belongings and bring my family to come here."

Zhao Yuanli came forward with a plate of wine and meat. Zhao Zhen drank three cups and sat down again. Zhao Zhen asked, "Brother, you are good at judging horses, and you also know the symptoms of cold and heat in the head and mouth, and how to prescribe medicine and use acupuncture. You are a talent of Bole. Where are you not a guest of honor?"

Huangfu Duan smiled bitterly and said, "Your Excellency is too kind. I am just a medical worker, not even comparable to the doctors in the hall. How dare I claim to be your honored guest? Moreover, I look like a foreigner, so I am even less respected. In Dongchang Prefecture, only the chief eunuch [No Feather Arrow] Zhang Qing and his two deputy generals [Flower-necked Tiger] Gong Wang and [Shot Tiger] Ding Desun are on good terms with me."

"Brother Zhang Qing did intend to promote me, but unfortunately he is just a military commander and cannot make use of me, so I have wasted my time until now. I heard that the senior official wanted me to serve as a training officer here. Although I am interested, I dare not take the position. I am content to come here and ask for a position as a veterinary manager."

Zhao Zhen said, "Brother, you are so talented, there is no need to be modest. Although there is only one person in the training department, I have discussed with brother Xiao Rang, the county magistrate, and we have set up a human and animal training department, each in charge of a different area. From now on, brother will be in charge of the county's veterinary medicine, and will treat livestock and select and breed good breeds."

"It's just that there are no full-time veterinarians in the county, so we need to train them ourselves. If you have any trustworthy ones, you can recruit them to the county. You can delegate general livestock to them. I will naturally pay them a salary."

Huangfu Duan said: "Don't worry, sir. I'll take care of it. This time, I brought three disciples with me, so they can handle minor illnesses and disasters."

Zhao Zhen was delighted when he heard this and said, "I have a lot of cattle and sheep on my ranch. I will have to trouble you from now on."

Huangfu Duan agreed to it. Zhao Zhen was about to arrange a place for Huangfu Duan to live in Baishi Manor, but Huangfu Duan said, "Sir, there is no need to stay in your manor. Besides the ranch, there must be someone in the county who needs to treat livestock. It's fine for me to live near the ranch."

Zhao Zhen said, "I have several pastures here. I plan to put the horse pasture in Xiaoping Mountain in the water. Shangwang Village and Liang Village each have a pasture. Brother, you can take care of both. Leave one person at Kushu Village to take care of it on a daily basis. Please also take care of the war horses in the cavalry. In this way, I can stay in Taohua Village permanently, where the scenery is the best, and I can take care of all the places. What do you think?"

Huangfu Duan said: "I will follow your instructions, sir. I will do whatever you want."

Zhao Zhen said, "In that case, when the county's appointment documents, seals, and badges are ready, we will ask the county magistrate [the holy scholar] Xiao Rang to take me to the post. In addition to the residence, we will also build a pharmacy and clinic for you to use. Each ranch will send two apprentices here to teach you. You will stay in the farm for the next few days. I will ask the farm steward Zhao Ji to take you around. When I return from my trip, I will welcome you back."

Huangfu Duan agreed to all of them.

(End of this chapter)