All sects work

Chapter 145 The Small Courtyard

Cao Yu didn't have anything to report, but Master Xuanying said yesterday that they could talk after reading the documents, so he found some time to come and take a look.

However, there are so many things to do in a county that there will never be a shortage of problems.

"I heard that you have stored a lot of grain in Linxi County. I wonder what your intention is. Should we also store it in Tao County?"

Shi Xuanying knew that Tao County still had a lot of silver in its account: "If we can buy more, we will store more. It's not too much food. The northwest of Dachen and Qu have been suffering from drought for a long time. If it doesn't rain, many people will flee southward. I am ready to accept these refugees."

Her purpose was certainly not just to shelter refugees, but she didn't intend to let Cao Yu know more for the time being.

Cao Yu felt that she was taking things for granted: "But... Tao County and Linxi County are remote, so refugees can't get here, right?"

"Do you think the Xu State and Xiaochen State's restoration army will give up this great opportunity?" Shi Xuanying asked back.

No, they would definitely take advantage of the lion's illness and pounce on it and bite it to death.

Cao Yu was not stupid and reacted immediately.

When natural disasters occur in the north and wars break out in the south, this small county with a safe haven and sufficient food will inevitably become the first choice for many people to escape to.

By then, perhaps not only can we accommodate refugees from the north, but even the people who have suffered from war nearby will want to come to this paradise.

"But isn't it too dangerous to do this?" Cao Yu hesitated.

The reason why Tao County and Linxi County were not greatly affected by the war between the two countries was mainly because their presence was too low.

In other words, he is very good at hiding.

To survive, one also needs the benefit of heaven, earth and harmony with people.

First, it was located in a remote area with a small area. Although it was not poor, it was not poor either. It was not taken seriously when it was under the rule of the Small Chen State. Second, the two counties did not struggle at all at that time and surrendered as soon as the enemy arrived. Later, when the Qu State was unable to take care of itself, it simply gave up here.

If they become the first to stand out in troubled times...

Cao Yu really couldn't imagine that situation.

"Why do you think I recruited so many warriors?" Shi Xuanying felt that Cao Yu could be used, so she did not hesitate to say a few more words.

Cao Yu's reaction was within her expectations. If he was a man of steel, he would not be standing here at this moment. But in Shi Xuanying's opinion, this was not a problem.

"But monks never care about the disputes among ordinary people..." Cao Yu was still hesitant.

Shi Xuanying raised her eyebrows: "The army, guards, assassins, and monks are not enough?"

It’s just that high-level cultivators have never gathered on a large scale, which gives people the illusion that martial artists and ordinary people are from two different worlds.

Even if there is such an unspoken rule among grandmasters, it is not absolute. Otherwise, where would the emperors of various countries get their grandmaster guards?

The grandmasters are extremely powerful, but there are very few of them. Most of them are aloof and arrogant, making it difficult for them to work together. Ordinary people may be weak, but many ants can kill an elephant.

The Grand Master is also afraid of ordinary people.

Most people may find this ridiculous, but it is the truth.

They never interfered in worldly disputes openly, but actually they were involved in them secretly. For example, Liu Shuji concealed his identity and became the prime minister of Qu State.

Cao Yu thought about how Shi Xuanying had recruited nearly a hundred warriors in a short period of time, most of whom were mid- and high-level warriors. Only then did he realize that the other party was not only a grandmaster, but also must have something good in his hands to attract cultivators.

He felt relieved: "If that's the case, I will definitely cooperate."

Shi Xuanying smiled slightly: "Do you remember the wild fruit I mentioned to you yesterday?"

Cao Yu was curious. What was so special about that wild fruit that made her mention it again and again?
"Tao County is a place of beautiful scenery. There is a spiritual spring there. Although it is almost dry, the good things it produces are enough to make monks fight for it." She tapped the table leisurely with her fingers, and the taps were like thunder in Cao Yu's mind. "If you don't take what God gives you, you will suffer the consequences. If this matter is leaked, then Tao County..."

Cao Yu's face turned pale, and he said hurriedly: "I understand!"

"I've read all the documents." Shi Xuanying looked at Cao Yu and said slowly, "Since you are doing a good job, I will continue to manage you in the future."

Under her gaze, Cao Yu felt as if he had been stripped naked, fidgeting uncomfortably, not knowing whether he should respond: "Your subordinate..."

It is true that he had just started to harbor all kinds of little thoughts, and even planned to undermine the county magistrate. But the current situation made him suddenly realize that he had been really ignorant and fearless before. He was frightened and dared not act presumptuously.

"This is what I want to do in the near future." Shi Xuanying pushed the written plan on the table in front of him, "I don't care about the specific implementation, I just want the results. There is only one thing, it must not waste people's money and labor, and it must provide benefits to the people."

Cao Yu then realized that Shi Xuanying was not testing him, and hurried forward to take it and take a closer look.

When he raised his head again, Shi Xuanying said, "I want the people of Tao County and Linxi County to live a life that everyone envies. It's a long and arduous journey. Are you willing to work hard for it, Lord Cao?"

Cao Yu was stunned for a moment, then took a half step back and bowed: "I will do my best!"

He did not say "devote all my energy to the cause until my death", but this made Master Xuanying smile knowingly.

Shi Xuanying had never been a clan leader who liked to do everything by himself, and now when governing the local area, he still continues his usual style of doing things.

Although Cao Yu was a fence-sitter and lacked pride, everything he did benefited the people and the people under his rule were able to live and work in peace and contentment during the war. This showed that he was an official who treated the people as human beings.

Such a person can be considered a capable and good official in a peaceful and prosperous era, and Shi Xuanying is in need of such subordinates.

It would be just right for him to continue governing Tao County. After Cao Yu left, Shi Xuanying had time to talk to Zhuang Qiqi: "You should also find a few reliable people and hand over the business to them."

Zhuang Qiqi sat up straight, frowned and asked, "Why?"

Her business was booming and she was enjoying the joy of making money, so she was not willing to give up.

"You have the ability to make money. You can put it to good use after you get out of the dust." Shi Xuanying's figure flashed, and she appeared directly in front of Zhuang Qiqi from behind the table, and pressed her eyebrows with two fingers together, "Don't you realize that you are about to be assimilated by the dust?"

The cold spiritual energy poured into his mind, and Zhuang Qiqi suddenly woke up.

Shi Xuanying withdrew her hand: "The blood, consciousness, and cultivation of the outside cultivators can certainly strengthen the mustard dust, but it can only gain stronger power if the purple palace is dissolved and the cultivators are integrated into the mustard dust. The deeper you participate, the easier it will be to merge with the mustard dust."

"I see." Zhuang Qiqi suddenly realized, "I was wondering why the three of them kept messing with me. It turns out they don't want me to get deeper into trouble."

She paused, and although she still felt quite regretful, she said seriously, "I understand. I will find a way to spread the business out."

Speaking of making money, Shi Xuanying suddenly thought of someone: "Princess Yu is the wealth star among the seven stars. You two are old acquaintances. Why not seek cooperation with her?"

"Huh?" Zhuang Qiqi said in disbelief, "I escaped from Prince Yu's Mansion, and you want me to run back and contact her?"

Shi Xuanying disagreed: "Prince Yu's beloved beauty ran away, and Princess Yu didn't lose anything, so why can't she go back and seek cooperation? You just care too much, and don't act like a person who practices the Way of Joy."

It seems to make sense when you put it this way?
"Okay." Zhuang Qiqi agreed reluctantly.

"I'm going to take Xingxing and Tiantian away for two days. Tao County will be left to you."

"Where are you going?" Zhuang Qiqi asked, "Linxi County?"

Shi Xuanying raised the corners of her lips and said, "Go find a master for my future crossbow army."

……

After several days of continuous rain in Fengcheng, Xuguo, it finally cleared up. The sky was clear and the air was fresh with a gentle breeze.

In the far suburbs, among the beautiful mountains and clear water, a farm is looming.

The houses built with bamboo, wood and thatch are of different heights. Instead of being shabby, they have a kind of wild charm.

There are flower beds both inside and outside the courtyard. They do not look very regular, as if they were planted randomly.

Butterflies flutter among the tightly packed hydrangeas and colorful climbing roses, making the courtyard look particularly lively and beautiful.

Next to the house, across a shallow stream, there is a green pond with several large white geese swimming leisurely in the water.

The pond is not big, but the water is very deep. Water flows down from the mountains, forming a small waterfall, which falls into the pond with a splash. The overflowing water flows out along the stream.

I don’t know what kind of tree it is on the mountain next to the water, but the tree is full of flowers, pink and white. When the wind blows, the petals flutter into the pool.

Under the shade of the trees beside the pond, a rack made of logs extends into the pond, with a fishing rod on it.

Lu Xi was lying in a rocking chair, with a small table beside him filled with fruits, tea, snacks, and a half-read storybook. On the lawn behind him, a dozen snow-white rabbits were grazing diligently.

"Why aren't you taking the bait?" He pulled over the small wooden basin beside his feet, which was filled with bait carefully made from rice wine.

"Are you tired of this bait?" He muttered as he prepared to continue making bait.

If the fish don’t take the bait, it must be because the bait is not prepared well!

"Ah!"

Lu Xi sneezed loudly, and the bait in his hand fell into the pond. The fat fish jumped into the water to grab it, and the rabbits behind him were frightened and ran around.

He dropped the gourd ladle, picked up a rabbit that ran to his feet, put it on his knees and smoothed its fur: "Alas! Little rabbit, Grandpa has suffered a lot this time. His body is not as strong as before. He can't even withstand such a small wind. You must take good care of it."

"Wow! This puddle is great! Let's make one in the yard!"

A very recognizable girl's voice suddenly sounded.

Lu Xi heard the voice, but did not react much. Instead, he leaned back in his chair and sighed to the sky.

In his sight, which was originally filled with green trees, blue sky and white clouds, a little Taoist child with a serious expression suddenly popped his head out and stared at him with a frown.

This scene seems to be a reappearance of the scene in the forest that day.

"I really can't accept the fact that I'm getting old. I'm even having hallucinations and visual hallucinations." Lu Xi sighed.

"Uncle-master, could it be that he has a brain injury?" Jiang Chuixing asked doubtfully.

Shi Xuanying had just finished walking around the courtyard and went forward to check upon hearing this.

Lu Xi jumped up from the recliner as if he had seen a ghost, his beard trembling with fear: "You, you..."

"Long time no see, Master Lu." Shi Xuanying greeted with a smile.

Everything about Lu Xi's yard suits her preferences.

Having a common aesthetic taste, it shouldn't be difficult to communicate, Shi Xuanying thought optimistically.