Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 425: White Pheasant Appears, People’s Hearts Are Strong

Just as she stood up, she saw Cangtou come in and said to Lady Wang, "Madam, Commander Yan who came to visit a few days ago is outside."

Lady Wang said, "Please come in quickly."

After a while, Yan Shude came in and greeted him. Yan Shude said, "Sir, why are you here too?"

Zhao Zhen told Yan Shude why he came. Yan Shude said, "Your Excellency has a keen eye, and my aunt is well-informed and knowledgeable. She will be able to show her strengths under your command."

Xu Qingniang smiled and said, "My family members got on first. I asked you to get the scriptures?"

After hearing this, Yan Shude hurriedly handed the bag on his shoulder to Xu Qingniang.

Xu Qingniang took it, took out two volumes of Buddhist scriptures and handed them to Lady Wang.

Zhao Zhen said, "Gong Ladies, you two can discuss Buddhist scriptures. I will leave first. Qingniang can come to the military camp tomorrow and follow us back to Liangshan."

Yan Shude said, "Sir, when I entered the city, I heard from the officer guarding the city gate that the army was giving away wine and meat today, so I'm going to the barracks, and I'll be back to Liangshan tomorrow."

At the beginning of the evening, pork was stewed in a big pot, cut into large pieces, and the village wine purchased in the city was served in large bowls. The soldiers gathered around the bonfire and had a lively time.

On the second day, Zhao Zhen met up with Xu Qingniang and Kong Hou's two sons: Kong Changsheng and Kong Weisheng, and they headed for Liangshan together.

Kong Changsheng and Kong Weisheng were not well-known for their talents. Zhao Zhen just thought at the beginning that after all, they had been studying since childhood and had a family background of knowledge, so with some training, they could definitely become the chief clerk of a county.

Kong Hou's parting words made Zhao Zhen interested in them.

"When a man is not in office and at home, he should serve his parents as a filial piety. When he is in office, he should serve his ruler as a filial piety. If he can serve his parents and his ruler, he can be said to be able to establish himself, and then he can make a name for himself. You two brothers are now in office, so you should keep this in mind."

While Zhao Zhen was resting on the road, he observed the two of them with great caution.

world log
Name: Kong Changsheng/Kong Weisheng (Hero, descendant of the Kong family.)
Nickname: None
Race: Terran

Reputation: 10 (Son of the magistrate of Yuncheng County, Liangshan Prefecture.)
Occupation: Confucian scholar (descendant of the great sage)
Sub-career: None

Level: Level 1 and Level 8 (Strength 15, Commander 10)

Attributes: Strength 13, Constitution 15, Agility 16, Spirit 27
Skills: Six Arts of a Gentleman Level 1 (Courtesy, Music, Archery, Charioteering, Calligraphy, Mathematics, especially good at Mathematics. Strength +1, Spirit +1). Playing Go Level 3, (There are nine levels of Go. One is to be absorbed, two is to be in the present moment, three is to be specific, four is to be profound, five is to use wisdom, six is ​​to be clever, seven is to fight with strength, eight is to be foolish, and nine is to be simple. There are too many levels beyond the ninth level to count, and I will not mention them here if I cannot meet the standards. Spirit +3.)
Commander Skill: None
Martial Arts: Swordsmanship (proficient, using sword weapons with force +3, twenty-four postures of the gentleman sword.)
Equipment: Fine steel sword (imitation of the saint's sword, made of fine steel. Features: sharpness +1, firmness +1)

After some more conversation, Zhao Zhen discovered that the two were proficient in numerology, including square fields, millet, difference, small width, commercial merit, equal distribution, equation, surplus and deficiency, and other important things.

Zhao Zhen had already made up his mind about where the two would go. When they returned to Baishi Manor, the soldiers had their own commanders to arrange for them. Zhao Zhen called Xiao Rang, Pei Xuan and others and told them about the trip to Yuncheng.

Everyone had no doubts about Xu Qingniang taking the post of Liangshan County Magistrate, after all, there were commanders in the army. As for the two brothers Kong Changsheng and Kong Weisheng, everyone wanted to serve under them.

Zhao Zhen interrupted the argument and said, "Both of them are good at numbers. I plan to send them to Hu Cheng to work as accountants in the Ministry of Revenue and Military Affairs. Don't worry about other things for now. There are only two things that these two brothers need to supervise. First, take people to calculate the land. Second, they want them to teach the artillery battalion soldiers how to count."

"Once the land is calculated and mapped, the two of you can teach in the state, or one of you can be appointed to the Recorder's Office, or to the county below."

Hu Cheng said happily: "It is good that the great official wants to use the strengths of the two. With these two people, the map of the six counties can be drawn next year."

Zhao Zhen then asked Xiao Rang, "Does Xuejiu Wu have any news?"

Xiao Rang said: "Since Lai Yong'er left, Song Gongming has opened up the Laiwu Prison and Xintai City official roads. It's a pity that Lai Yong'er sought peace on the one hand, and on the other hand, he actually sent people to attack the angels. Fortunately, Chao Tuanlian protected them and captured [Spray Leopard] Zhang Daneng."

Zhao Zhen said: "This man is called [Ghost Sees Sorrow], so he is not easy to deal with. Since the official route has been opened, I plan to send someone to purchase a batch of Qingzhou goods."

Jiang Jing heard this and said, "What does the great master want to buy? He must go to Qingzhou."

Zhao Zhen said, "Qingzhou is rich. Apart from other things, this fairy pattern silk was originally a tribute, and Song Gongming must have a lot of it now. Qingzhou dried persimmons and dried dates are also rare desserts. Now that there is war, gold and silver in Qingzhou are precious. It would be even better if we can take the opportunity to buy some treasures. Now that the water surface is gradually freezing, the salt transport from the salt field has also stopped, so it's a good opportunity to ask [Ghost Face] Du Xing to go there."

After hearing this, everyone agreed.

Zhao Zhen then asked, "Does each county have any treasures to purchase now?"

Jiang Jing said: "According to the order of the great official, many of the dead pawns in the pawnshops in each county that looked like they had some history were redeemed and stored in the warehouse. In addition, each county also sent over items that were offered to the court in previous years."

"What are they?"

"Shouzhang, Yanggu, and Zhongdu counties contributed silk and donkey-hide gelatin, Fan County contributed silk, and Yuncheng contributed donkey-hide gelatin and pinellia. The autumn taxes from each county were also paid to the treasury. The Zhang family in Fan County contributed a white pheasant, which is a sign of good fortune." Jiang Jing replied.

Zhao Zhen asked, "White Pheasant?" Xiao Rang said, "Yes, we have seen it, and there is no doubt about it. Now Zhang Chen, the eldest son of the Zhang family, is still waiting for the master in the county."

"Is there anything you want?" Zhao Zhen asked.

"The Zhang family is good at roasting chicken and makes a living from it. They are also considered a gentry family in Zhangzhuang Township. Zhang Chen is not outstanding in poetry, calligraphy and policy essays, so he would like to use this opportunity to ask for the position of township chief." Xiao Rang said.

Zhao Zhen heard this and frowned, "How is the director?"

"He looks honest." Xiao Rang replied.

Hu Cheng said: "Brother-in-law, why bother? You are in charge of a state now, and this auspicious sign comes at the right time. You can publicize the black pheasant you brought back. The appearance of such an auspicious sign is the will of heaven. Moreover, this is a great opportunity to buy horse bones for a fortune."

Pei Xuan also said, "General Hu is right. Zhang Chen does not need to serve in Zhangzhuang Township. He can just find a big township in Fan County. The township is just about household registration, taxes, money, and taxes. Instruct Magistrate Wang Lun to keep an eye on it. He cannot make the final decision in the township. As long as he does not do anything wrong and oppress the township, this township head is better than those who remain in office now."

Zhao Zhen listened and nodded in agreement. Zhao Zhen happened to have heard Gao Hu talk about this Bai Zhi effect.

First, the white pheasants crow in the morning. The cries of the white chicks bring all things back to life.

Second, the silver hook is in a erratic wind and can damage the falcon's feathers. The wing feathers fall off and can be used as arrows, which will hit the target every time they are shot.

They discussed it again and decided to let Zhang Chen present the gift tomorrow, and let Zhao Shiqilang wait for an opportunity to release the black pheasant so that the two pheasants would appear, and let the singing girls in various restaurants play music to publicize Zhao Zhen's virtues.

On the second day, the tribute was held in Liangshan City. Many scholars and warriors who had come earlier had already moved into the restaurants and inns in the city. The white pheasant and the black pheasant appeared, and the scholars and warriors competed to spread their praises. In a short time, Zhao Zhen's reputation spread throughout the prefecture.

Many scholars and warriors who were still hesitant put aside their worries, calmed down and prepared for the imperial examination in February.

The news that Zhang Chen was appointed as the head of Luji Township spread throughout the state. In addition to sighing at Zhang Chen's good luck, people with treasures at home could not help but have some thoughts. The people's uneasy mood after the division of the state was settled down suddenly because of the land and population clearance.

world log
White Pheasant (Level 1, auspicious animal. When the king’s virtue spreads to all directions, the white pheasant will appear.)
Race: Chicken
Level: Level 1 and Level 7

Attributes: Strength 8, Constitution 10, Agility 19, Spirit 15
Skills: Jump, Fly

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xiao Rang sent people to publicize the laws and taxes of Liangshan Prefecture, with an emphasis on the reward for reporting the concealment of land and population, and unexpectedly received several reports.

The city was bustling for several days because of the offering of auspicious signs.

In the following days, Zhao Zhen's original plan to go to Zhongdu County had to be interrupted.

Every day, local gentry came to pay him a visit. Zhao Zhen patiently received them one by one.

It was not until Wang Dingliu and Li San returned with a group of recruited heroes that Zhao Zhen withdrew.

Unfortunately, only two of the six people recommended by Tong Wei and Tong Meng came, namely [White Shark in the Waves] Zhang Shun, [Chuanhuoer] Zhang Heng, [Jiangjiang Dragon] Li Jun, [Wu Zhalan] Mu Hong, [Xiao Zhalan] Mu Chun and [Judgment of Death] Li Li. The other four were unwilling to leave their homeland.

However, the jailer of the two courts in Jiangzhou, Dai Zong, who was recommended by Wu Yong, did not refuse after reading Wu Yong's letter. He resigned from his job that very day, packed his bags, and called a young jailer, Li Kui, to come with him.

The three tyrants of Jieyang were used to being free and easy in Jieyang Town. Although they had heard of Zhao Zhen's reputation as "Little Mengchang", they declined at first. Zhang Shun, the fish tooth, was also persuaded by Dai Zong, and Zhang Heng was brought in by Zhang Shun.

In the hall of Baishi Manor, Zhao Zhen took the wine and greeted the four people. Before he could say anything polite, Li Kui shouted, "Sir, are my mother and brother really here?"

Zhao Zhen said, "Brother Li Kui, please be patient. I have sent someone to bring your mother and brother here to meet you."

"I have been on the run because I killed someone. I am not worried about anything else except my mother. Brother Dai Zong asked me to seek refuge with the great official. Then I heard from this Li San brother that there was also a Li Da in Baizhang Village, Yizhou, who took his mother to seek refuge with the great official. After asking about their appearance, I found out that they were my mother and brother."

Bao Xu said, "It's true that there is no coincidence in the world."

Li Kui looked up and said, "What an ugly man."

"How are you better looking than me?"

One has a hideous face like the bottom of a pot, with double eyes and exposed wolf lips. Another has a body as thick as a black bear, and is as naughty as an iron bull, with red and yellow eyebrows, and red hair tied around his eyes.

The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.

Dai Zong then asked, "Sir, why don't you see Wu Xuejiu?"

Zhao Zhen said: "He is now stationed in Xintai County, Yizhou, commanding the troops and guarding against the bandits in Qingzhou. On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, I will invite all the brothers to celebrate, and we will naturally meet then."

(End of this chapter)