Cheng Xu: “Oh? Such as?”
Liang Shixian hadn’t intended to bring up “Donglin,” yet seeing no alternative, he declared clearly, “This official once attended lectures at Donglin Academy, and is good friends with its esteed scholars.”
Cheng Xu pretended to be shocked: “You… You’re from the Donglin Party?”
“Donglin Academy!” Liang Shixian raised his voice: “Noble gentlen form friendships, never factions! We aren’t any ‘Donglin Party’; we rely discussed classics together at the Academy and made so good friends.”
Muscles twitched on Cheng Xu’s face. Thankfully, the cloth mask hid it.
Back when he’d been “branded Eunuch Party,” attacked by Imperial Guards, and nearly died, though the emperor was ultimately responsible, the emperor had used the civil ministerial group. Didn’t that an the Donglin Party had done it?
He truly harbored strong resentnt against the Donglin Party deep inside.
Yet this Liang Shixian… seed sowhat different.
Cheng Xu wasn’t even sure if he should be angry at him!
Forget it. Personal grudges could wait. Securing what the Deity had tasked him with was important.
Cheng Xu spoke grimly: “Alright, I believe you have connections. But without proof, just your words, how dare I trust you? What if you trick down the mountain and two hundred axen charge from behind a screen? I’d die without knowing how!”
Liang Shixian nearly wept with mingled amusent and frustration. Two hundred axen behind a screen? Had he listened to too many storytelling performances? How would a seventh-rank County Magistrate like him muster two hundred axen?
However, there was no doubt: the other side had loosened their stance a little.
Liang Shixian clasped his hands: “Rest assured, General. This official cares deeply about his reputation. If I went back on my word, I’d lose face entirely before my Villagers.”
“Not good, not good. Don’t trust you,” Cheng Xu insisted. “Anyway, I absolutely won’t foolishly lay down my weapon. State your conditions. I might consider them, but no guarantee I’ll act.”
“No need to lay down weapons,” Liang Shixian said. “I only wish to request the General’s assistance. Should bandits attack our Chengcheng, would the General help… defend it…?”
Cheng Xu eyed him sideways: “Using ?”
Liang Shixian sighed: “Ah, this cannot be called ‘using.’ If the General aids Chengcheng in defeating marauders, rebels, or similar, wouldn’t it be much easier for this official to plead for rcy later on your behalf? This is… a path to life for you, General. Isn’t that reasonable?”
Cheng Xu pretended to consider, then snorted and turned to leave: “Fine! Settled! Set up a large bell down the mountain at Bai Family Fortress. When you need for sothing, ring that bell hard. I’ll send n down to Bai Family Fortress to hear what you want.”
Liang Shixian was elated: “Then we are indebted to you, General.”
Cheng Xu snorted again and strode away. He had no wish to linger because the Deity hadn’t followed him! The sky was devoid of the low cloud signifying the Deity’s presence. This wretched place felt far too dangerous.
Only after he vanished into the woods did Liang Shixian and Fang Wushang exchange a glance.
Fang Wushang asked: “County Magistrate Liang, do you trust this man?”
Liang Shixian sighed: “In his last sentence, he stopped using ‘I’ (in the rude form ‘老子’) and switched to ‘I’ (properly ‘我’). Because of that, I believe he’ll help us.”
Fang Wushang, being rather rough around the edges, was puzzled: “That specific?”
Liang Shixian spread his hands: “Let’s go. Back to the county seat.”
…
Reading this, Li Daoxuan chuckled softly twice. It seed settled.
Whether it was thieves, rebels, or other threats later on, the Gaojia Village Militia could venture out to fight under the guise of the “rebel band in Guyuan.” No more hiding or worrying about illegal equipnt and weapons.
After fighting, they could simply retreat into Huanglong Mountain, and the governnt would be powerless.
This Huanglong Mountain was in history books!
Several notorious bandits through history, when pressed by officials, vanished into Huanglong Mountain to hide. The governnt searched to no avail, utterly helpless against them.
The only downside now? His vision couldn’t penetrate the mountain yet. And Wang Zuogua of Yichuan still lurked sowhere inside, his location unknown.
He was musing idly when his phone rang.
Picking it up, the number was unfamiliar: “Hello? Who is this?”
“Hello, may I ask if you are the author of ‘Daily Life in the Tiny Kingdom’, Mr. Li Daoxuan?”
Li Daoxuan detected a slight, very neutral, perhaps even slightly bureaucratic tone in the voice and was curious: “Who is this?”
“I’m Director Gao from the Chengcheng County Culture and Tourism Bureau.” The voice sounded sincere. “I saw the video you posted online about ‘Chengcheng hand-pulled noodles’. It was truly wonderful! Using that unique perspective to show the making of our Chengcheng hand-pulled noodles. And at the end, when the little residents of the Tiny Kingdom combined all the noodles they made only to fill a tiny mineral water bottle lid? Haha, so imaginative! The special effects were top-notch, the promotional value absolutely full marks.”
Li Daoxuan: “Ah, thank you, thank you. But what is this call regarding?”
Director Gao continued: “Ahem, it’s like this. I wish to obtain authorization for your video so we can feature it on Chengcheng County’s official website for promotion. This will surely attract many people to our Chengcheng hand-pulled noodles. We might even emulate Zibo barbecue’s success overnight, bringing in tourism inco for the Villagers of Chengcheng County.”
“I see,” Li Daoxuan laughed. “If it can help Chengcheng develop its tourism business and help the common people escape poverty and prosper, I’m more than willing. I authorize it unconditionally, absolutely free of charge.”
Director Gao was thrilled: “This… this is truly too kind! Thank you so much! I will send you the electronic authorization contract shortly so we can swiftly conclude this. Once it’s set up, please co see our Chengcheng Culture and Tourism Bureau’s TikTok.”
Li Daoxuan smiled: “Alright, I’ll definitely co support.”
After hanging up, the electronic contract arrived quickly. Li Daoxuan “e-signed” his na and sent it back, a genuine smile spreading across his face. Who could have imagined? People from ancient Chengcheng County were helping modern Chengcheng County develop its tourism business in such a unique way. Wasn’t that an absolutely fantastical turn of events?
Li Daoxuan also felt sincerely happy for being able to assist the people of Chengcheng County.
Right, might as well check out the Chengcheng Culture and Tourism Bureau’s TikTok now…
The mont he opened it, he saw the ugly face of Director Gao. This middle-aged man, in his forties, was dancing with a sword while dressed in won’s clothing.
Swish, swish, swish! The sword flickered wildly, his posture too awful to watch.
Finishing his dance, he struck a pose: “Welco to Chengcheng County for travel.”
“Ptooey!”
Li Daoxuan nearly sprayed out a mouthful of his old mala wontons.
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