Zhang Yanshou lifted up his trousers and rubbed his aching stomach. Last night, Zhao Xianchang held a banquet in the post house, and everyone in Qiao Zhang Village was also present.
It's rare to see big fish and meat. Zhang Yanshou couldn't help eating and drinking with open belly last night, and was even praised a few times by Zhao Xian.
But perhaps because he was not lucky enough to bear it, Zhang Yanshou's stomach started to growl in the middle of the night, so he had no choice but to go to the latrine to vent his anger. He barely stopped until it got daylight.
Dragging his sore and tingling legs, Zhang Yanshou walked against the wall, but he happened to see Zhao Xianchang passing by, slapping the dust off his sleeves, legs and feet. He didn't know where this Xianchang got so dirty after staying in the post house all night.
Body covered in dust and mud.
"Huh? Are you Zhang Yanshou from Qiao Zhang Village?" Zhao Xianchang asked, "Looking at you like this, are you having a stomachache?"
Zhang Yanshou was so ashamed that he nodded slightly and did not dare to answer.
Zhao Xian said in a long voice: "I have some medicinal powder here to nourish the stomach and intestines. Come with me."
Zhang Yanshou followed Zhao Xianchang away, and saw the other party taking out the pills from the bamboo basket and pouring them into a bowl of warm water: "Drink it, it will stop the pain in a moment."
After taking the medicinal soup, Zhang Yanshou raised his head and drank it. A refreshing feeling spread, and the colic in his abdomen was quickly relieved, and he felt much more energetic.
"Many, thank you so much, Immortal." Zhang Yanshou didn't know what etiquette to perform, so he knelt down and knelt down to worship.
Zhao Shu chuckled lightly, flicked his sleeves casually, helped the other person up in the air, and asked: "How many meals of meat can you eat in a year in Qiaozhang Village?"
"How many meals can we eat during the holidays?" Zhang Yanshou scratched his head and said, "Don't even eat meat when I was a child. Most days I was half hungry and half full."
"Oh? Could it be that the village has had a good harvest in the past few years?" Zhao Shu asked casually.
Zhang Yanshou nodded and said, "That's not all. In the past, on every harvest day, the village had to offer chickens, ducks, grains and rice to Lord Xuri. Later, the shrine was destroyed and a lot of things were saved."
"But I heard that sometimes rat demons still come to your village to steal things." Zhao Shu asked again.
"You can't steal much even if you steal." Zhang Yanshou said with a smile: "A few years ago, Lieutenant Li led everyone to build the commune warehouse and build the wall. Most of the harvest of the village was stored in the commune warehouse, and each household received grain and rice on a monthly basis. The rat demon can
The stolen ones are the ones that were given out."
Zhao Shu was slightly surprised: "You have collected the entire village's grain and rice? Aren't you afraid of being embezzled?"
Zhang Yanshou said: "Don't be afraid. The amount of grain and rice each family paid was recorded in public. There are hundreds of villagers in the village, and everyone knows everything. Who dares to embezzle it?"
Moreover, the Shecang can even out some surplus grain every year and give it to the lonely old people in the village, or take it to the county town to exchange for salt and ironware, all thanks to Lieutenant Li!"
"That's right." Zhao Shu didn't expect that such a remote village, despite the hard work, was still managed in an orderly manner. It can be seen that Zhang Liwei, who secretly interacted with Chi Yundu, not only destroyed the shrine.
courage.
After chatting for a few words, Zhang Yanshou excused himself and left. Not far away, he saw Lieutenant Li waving to him.
"What did Zhao Xianchang say to you?" Li Wei asked.
"I had a stomachache, so the immortal gave me a bowl of decoction, and I'm much better now." Zhang Yanshou replied, "I also asked a few questions about the warehouse, but didn't talk about anything else."
"Oh." Lieutenant Li responded casually, unable to hide his displeasure. Zhang Yanshou thought he had made a mistake, and hurriedly said, "Liwei, did I say something that I shouldn't have said?"
"That's not true." Lieutenant Li led Zhang Yanshou to the outside of the post house and sighed: "I just feel that I am blind for trusting the other party so easily. In the end, this Immortal Zhao is just an Immortal after all.
"
Zhang Yanshou was puzzled: "What's wrong? I think Zhao Xian is a very nice person, and he doesn't have the airs of a government official."
Li Wei shook his head and waved his hands: "You don't know, I heard that yesterday the Xinglong County Magistrate gave Zhao Xianchang a thousand taels of silver, and he invited singers and dancers to indulge in fun at night. It's really... ugh!"
"But he is an immortal, and he is still a high official in the imperial court." Zhang Yanshou said: "Don't these high officials often spend time and alcohol?"
"I know, this is not surprising." Lieutenant sighed inexplicably: "I just didn't expect him to reveal his true nature so quickly, and I don't know if he really planned to hunt down those rat demons."
While the two were talking, He Dangguan came over and said, "Liwei Zhang, Deacon Zhao ordered you and a few others to go to the hills on the eastern outskirts of the city."
Zhang Liwei was suspicious: "I wonder what the immortal wants us to do?"
"The whereabouts of the rat demon are unknown, and the deacon plans to open an altar to perform rituals." He Dangguan said: "You first go to the east of the city to build an earthen platform and be prepared."
Zhang Liwei had no choice but to answer, "We'll leave now."
…
Three days later, Zhao Shu came to the government office again to find Xinglong County Magistrate and asked him about money and food.
"Marquis Zhenming, my subordinates racked their brains and collected some money and food." The county magistrate said tremblingly.
Zhao Shu looked at the account book in his hand, frowned and said, "This is less than 30%! What do you do for food?"
The county magistrate had no choice but to reply: "Please forgive me, Marquis Zhenming. The big local households have always been stubborn. Even the grain they paid was mostly chaff and old rice."
Zhao Shu slapped the table and angrily shouted: "How outrageous! The military situation is urgent and a war is about to break out. Every household has the responsibility to defend the land! These local wealthy people should have paid more taxes, money and food. Are they disobeying military orders by prevaricating like this?!"
The county magistrate was so frightened that he shrugged his shoulders. Zhao Shu pointed at him and cursed: "And you, as a county magistrate, can't you even handle this little thing? If you delay the military situation ahead, be careful of your head!"
"I will urge you again," the county magistrate said, but he was cursing secretly in his heart. He planned to contact the officials of the surrounding counties and write a letter to impeach the Zhenminghou after this incident!
My business is supported by the Chongxuan Hall. I think many people in the government and the public hope to bring down this Zhao Shu. By then, I might be able to be appreciated by Liang Guoshi, and my official career will be prosperous from now on!
Zhao Miao fluttered his sleeves angrily. Just as he was about to leave the government office, he raised his eyes and saw smoke rising not far away, and asked, "Where is that? Why is there so much incense rising into the sky?"
The county magistrate replied: "That is a local temple. It is dedicated to the great immortal who attracts wealth and treasures, protects the environment and the people, and makes all industries prosperous. It has many efficacious effects."
"Oh? Is there such a thing?" Zhao Shu said: "I want to go and see who the god is!"
The county magistrate was uneasy when he heard this. He thought that Zhao Mi was a monk in the palace, but he did not dare to stop him by force, so he had to send his subordinates to inform the temple secretly.
Gu Tong
Half a day later, Zhao Shui brought He Dangguan and a group of soldiers, surrounded by the county magistrate and a group of officers, to the temple of the God of Fortune.
The temple has red walls and green tiles, carved beams and painted pillars, and on the cornices, there are immortals riding auspicious beasts, and golden toads holding ancient coins. It is grand and magnificent, and the decoration is gorgeous. It is much more grand than the county government.
When high-ranking officials and dignitaries like Zhao Shu came, the common people who originally came to pray to the gods were expelled. A man with a deer head and rat eyes came forward and bowed and saluted: "Zhenming Hou Yu has condescended to come to this temple. This villain is very frightened."
!”
"Sir, you are the guardian of the temple? How about you call me?" Zhao Shu asked with a smile.
"The villain's surname is Lao," said the rat-eyed man.
"It turns out to be Mr. Lao." Zhao Shu raised his head and looked at the main hall of the shrine: "Excuse Zhao's ignorance, but where does this rich immortal come from?"
Mr. Lao led Zhao Mi into the main hall and said: "The Great Immortal Qianjin was originally a local squire who was charitable and charitable. In the late Tianxia Dynasty, in order to protect the refugees who had fled here, he dispersed his family property, but unfortunately he was killed by thieves in the end.
In order to commemorate this squire, the local people set up a memorial tablet and offered incense. Over time, some spiritual responses were born, and they have been protecting the people here for hundreds of years. Worshiping the immortal with a thousand pieces of gold will bring you much wealth and prosperity.
The title of the Immortal Bao Qianjin."
Mr. Lao then recounted several miraculous deeds, including a poor and filial son who obtained treasure while digging in the soil, a chaste widow who found a golden egg in the chicken coop in the backyard, and a kind-hearted businessman who rescued a passerby but turned out to be the incarnation of a rich and powerful immortal.
Zhao Shu raised his head and looked up at the statue of the Immortal. It had regular features, wore the robes of the Three Lords, and was painted with gold paint. However, the statue's eyes were a little cunning.
"With the specifications of the shrine, I'm afraid it's over the limit, right?" Zhao Shu asked with a smile behind his hands.
Mr. Lao said: "The Immortal with a thousand pieces of gold is very efficacious, and the local people pay homage to him in large numbers, so it is inevitable that he is a bit out of line."
The county magistrate also came forward to explain: "Zhenminghou, this rich immortal is also a righteous god listed in the national sacrificial canon, and was recommended by Chongxuan Pavilion in a letter, so he was ordered to build a shrine."
"Oh? There's still this matter?" Zhao Shu sneered and said, "Since the Immortal Qianjin protects the local people, now that war is about to break out at the Chenbing border of Jiuli Kingdom, are we going to reveal some miraculous effects?"
Mr. Lao's eyes changed slightly, and he persuaded: "The disaster caused by swords and weapons in this world is really unfortunate. The Immortal has some blessings, but we mortals don't know it."
"Mortal?" Zhao Shu raised his eyes and asked: "Mr. Lao, Zhao claims to have some level of cultivation and knows a little bit about the efficacies of magic. How can I not know whether the gods have blessings? I'm afraid the efficacies of protection are false.
, it’s true that you took this opportunity to make money!”
There was a trace of cruelty in Mr. Lao's eyes, but he did not reply immediately. On the contrary, Xinglong County Magistrate retorted: "Zhenminghou, although you are a monk in the temple, you should not be disrespectful to the righteous god of the worship ceremony! If this causes harm to the local people,
, Even if your rank is not high, you should speak impartially and forthrightly!"
Zhao Shu turned his head and glanced, his expression showing a hint of sinisterness: "Is Magistrate Xinglong threatening me? It can be seen that seeking misfortune and good fortune is not an act of a righteous god, but a demon! Since he claims that the Immortal with a Thousand Gold Immortal can protect all people.
Zhengshen, why don’t you ask Mr. Lao to donate more money and food to show your merits!"
As soon as these words came out, the county magistrate understood that the other party had evil intentions. It was not enough to extort one thousand taels of silver, and he even set his sights on the temple where the immortal was enshrined.
"Marquis Zhenming, you are too greedy!" The county magistrate said in a deep voice: "I would like to advise you that the temple of this rich immortal is related to the Chongxuan Pavilion. If you insist on it, aren't you afraid of Chongxuan Pavilion's revenge?
"
"Are you using Chongxuan Pavilion to skin a tiger in front of me?" Zhao Shu sneered repeatedly: "Xinglong County Magistrate is far away from Dongsheng Capital and doesn't know about the turbulent waves above the court."
The county magistrate was speechless for a moment, and then Mr. Lao said: "Zhenminghou, you don't want to believe that the Immortal with a Thousand Gold Immortal is protecting us, but if the deity comes forward in person, can Zhenminghou take back his disrespectful words and apologize in public?"
Mr. Guan Lao's demeanor seemed to have seen through Zhao Shu's fundamentals and showed no fear at all.
"I'm very curious whether this rich immortal is a monster or a righteous god!" Zhao Shu raised his finger and shouted: "Here he is, summon him to the altar immediately!"
"There are so many people, so please leave the main hall so that I can summon the deity." Mr. Lao said.
"I want to see what you can do to Mingtang!" Zhao Shu stepped up and walked outside the main hall. Behind him stood He Dangguan and a row of soldiers.
Mr. Lao stood in front of the statue, burned incense, prayed, and muttered words. After a while, a strong wind blew inside and outside the temple, and dark clouds gradually gathered in the sky.
I saw a vague figure appearing faintly in the sky above the main hall of the temple. It was somewhat similar to the statue. It looked like a kind and fat rich man.
"Marquis Zhenming, wait and see!" the county magistrate said impatiently: "This is the Great Immortal Qianjin. It is exactly the same as what is described in the county's spiritual records, and it says there is no -"
Boom!
Before the words were spoken, a thunder was heard in the air, and lightning suddenly struck from the dark clouds in the sky. It hit the main hall of the temple without any warning, like an ax descending from the sky, directly smashing the blurry shadow into pieces.
The thunderbolt was merciless, electrifying and throwing fire, which penetrated the main hall and exploded, causing the tiles to fly everywhere. The golden statue of the Immortal was even hit in the head. The thunder and fire instantly covered the whole body of the statue, as if it had ignited dozens of kilograms of flames and saltpeter, causing
A violent explosion engulfed Mr. Lao's body.
The county magistrate was so frightened by this sudden change that he screamed, and Zhao Shu shouted: "Take it down!"
Immediately, soldiers rushed forward and knocked the magistrate unconscious with a stick. The rest of the officers were frightened by the thunder and fire and their legs were weak. Now no one dared to step forward to rescue the magistrate.
At this time, a shrill roar was heard coming from the main hall, and the raging thunder and fire seemed to be blown by the strong wind, and it was several minutes fierce, and a huge thing could be vaguely seen walking out of it.
"You all stand back!"
Zhao Shu gave a low shout and looked up to see a rat as big as an elephant and with hair like a mane walking out of the main hall of the temple, with thunder and fire burning all over his body.
"I didn't stand in the way, so why are you still stalking me?!" The big rat spoke human words, filled with hatred.
"The evil spirits shall be punished!" Zhao Shu said nothing nonsense and raised his hand to seal the seal.
"Go to hell!!"
Before Zhao Shu could use the technique, Shuo Shu roared fiercely, twisted his body, and his long tail was like a whip, and the end was as sharp as a thorn. It exploded in the air, and penetrated Zhao Shu's chest in one fell swoop, lifting him up in the air.
"wrong!"
Shuo Shu was shocked. Zhao Mi's figure quickly turned into specks of light and dissipated. His long tail just penetrated a piece of paper mantra.
In the midst of panic and anger, dark clouds surged in the sky, and another thunder struck down like a trace in the sky!
The giant rat had no way to avoid it, as if a sharp awl had been dug into its body. The demonic body, which was comparable to iron and stone, could not bear the power of heaven. Blood burst out immediately, turning into steaming blood mist.
Knowing that he had been tricked, Shuo Shu lost all courage and turned around and rushed into the main hall of the shrine, which was in flames. He ignored the pain of being burned by the flames. Then there was a sound of digging inside, and the whole main hall was shaking. Together with the surrounding ground, there was a crash