The magistrate of Xinglong County had already stripped off his official uniform and knelt in the prison cell, kowtowing as if he were pounding garlic: "I know I am guilty, and I am willing to devote myself to Marquis Zhenming!"
Zhao Shu was speechless when he heard the words, while He Dangguan next to him shook his head and sneered: "Xinglong County Magistrate, you really look down on others! How could Zhenming Hou even abandon dozens of acres of farmland outside Dongsheng City?
The little gold, silver and silk that you got by corruption and perverting the law?"
"Okay." Zhao Shu shouted in a low voice. He never thought that having good land and a beautiful house in and around Dongsheng was something worth showing off.
"In your current situation, you still don't forget to bribe to protect yourself, which shows the official atmosphere of the surrounding counties and counties." Zhao Shu said: "Originally, I didn't want to take care of these things, as long as you can pay more attention to the official business of raising money and food, and ensure that the frontline
If necessary, I would probably be more lenient. But now you are running towards death with all your heart, so I don’t have to stop you."
Xinglong County Magistrate huddled up into a ball and was shaking.
"But I can give you a chance." Zhao Shu pulled a stool and sat down: "You previously claimed that the Qianjin Immortal was the righteous god of worship, and that the shrine was the Chongxuan Pavilion that sent a letter to the king to ask for the edict to be built. What exactly is there?
You have to explain all the causes and consequences."
Xinglong County Magistrate knew that this was his last chance, and said: "Xiaguan dare not hide it, but the shrine was built long before Xiaguan took office."
As mentioned in the local efficacious records, long before the establishment of Xinglong County in the Huaxu Kingdom, there was already a saying about the Immortal with a Thousand Gold Immortals in this rural area.
At that time, the situation was chaotic, and Huaxu State had just incorporated the southern counties into its territory. In order to appease the chaotic people as soon as possible, Huaxu State allowed large and small shrines to spring up like mushrooms in various places.
Therefore, many spirits and monsters that violated the laws of Tianxia came to the altar one after another, pretended to be respected, and were worshiped with incense, blood, and food.
It is not surprising that these unrestrained ghosts and spirits disturb people's homes and extort incense. Some even openly pretend to be generals and commanders, collude with mortal scum, break into houses, and are comparable to the tyrants of a separatist country, and withhold taxes and property.
Unfortunately, there were frequent wars at that time, and Hua Xu had no time to deal with the local prostitution, so he had to put up a list to recruit experts in cultivating immortals to help, in the hope of easing the situation.
At that time, the monks of Chongxuan Hall who were still practicing in Difei Mountain were recruited and came down. Several disciples of the Xian family, led by Liang Tao, used swords to eliminate demons and slay evil spirits with wonderful methods, sweeping away all the evil spirits in the southern counties in one fell swoop.
It is said that in order to fight against Liang Tao and others, the evil spirits from the south gathered in the Black Mountain Ghost Cave to discuss countermeasures and elected the Black Mountain Ghost Commander as their leader.
As a result, Liang Tao was caught off guard and led his men directly to the Black Mountain Ghost Cave. After several days and nights of fierce fighting, the Black Mountain Ghost Commander was beaten to the point of collapse, and most of the ghosts and demons under his command were destroyed by thunder and fire, killing most of them.
After this battle, the remaining monsters and ghosts in the south of Huaxu Kingdom were either dormant or hiding, or fled far away, but there were also many who chose to submit here.
Liang Tao was not a national master at that time, and Chongxuan Hall did not have the status it has today. However, Liang Tao was superb in his methods. He also had strategies to appease him while killing. He patrolled the territory with his sword. If he encountered monsters along the way, he would use talisman edicts to restrain them.
, and indeed subdued some monsters who were willing to surrender and serve.
However, Liang Tao's move was very high-profile, which may have aroused the suspicion of fellow cultivators. They spread rumors that Liang Tao had crossed the court and consecrated ghosts and gods without authorization. When the late Emperor Hua Xu found out about this, he immediately issued a decree to recall Liang Tao and others.
However, based on Liang Tao's achievements and cultivation, Hua Xu did not resort to the same trick of cooking rabbits to death, but instead generously rewarded Liang Tao and Chongxuan Hall.
It is precisely because of this that the reputation and prestige of Chongxuan Hall is increasing day by day, and the number of disciples of Chongxuan Hall is increasing. As time goes by, the system of the hall has begun to take shape.
And when Huaxu Kingdom established the system of Guanshen, Chongxuan Guan was already regarded as the largest sect in Huanghuang. It is no wonder that in the future, other immortal cultivating sects in Huaxu Kingdom would be attacked.
But these are all digressions. Liang Tao's inspection of the border with his sword was not satisfactory at the beginning. There were still many ghosts and ghosts in the southern counties and counties that had escaped. Facing the Chongxuan Pavilion at the height of their power, of course they did not dare to gather people to cause trouble again, but
Choose active delivery.
This time the target of the evil spirit is not the aloof Liang Tao, but the descendants of the four surnames Xue Yin of the Immortal lineage where he became an official.
Even if the children of the four surnames of the Immortal family do not have high levels of cultivation, they still know about magic, magic, ghosts and gods. If there are more ghosts, gods and spirits under their command, most of them will not refuse.
These ghosts, gods, and ghosts have insight into human affairs, and in order to gain a long-term foothold, they often take the initiative to offer various heavenly and earthly treasures, elixirs, and herbs to aid cultivation. Sometimes these ghosts, gods, and ghosts can also gather worldly wealth for the children of aristocratic families.
After going back and forth like this, these obscene worshipers of ghosts and gods became the vassal officials of Chongxuan Hall. Later, the Huaxu Kingdom re-established the national sacrificial code, and the sons of the four surnames who were sent to serve as officials in various places recommended these prostitutes to worship ghosts and gods, and received national edicts, becoming
Worshiping the righteous gods can bring incense and incense to be worshiped in an upright manner.
Lao Sanqian was actually a fish that slipped through the net when Liang Tao patrolled the country with his sword. Later, he took refuge with a descendant of the Chu family in Yi'an in Chongxuan Hall. In addition to giving him many natural materials, treasures, gold, silver, and silk, he also provided
He searched everywhere for women with good bones to use as a supplement for his cauldron.
Therefore, Lao Sanqian was promoted by the Chu family and wrote a letter to recommend such a "great immortal of wealth and treasure".
At that time, the power of the Chongxuan Hall inside and outside the court was no longer comparable to that of the past. Even the revision of the national sacrificial canon was basically presided over by the Chongxuan Hall. Things like recommending local gods and erecting the construction of shrines could only be done within the Chongxuan Hall.
That’s it.
Therefore, compared to Zhenjun Xuri, Lao Sanqian is probably better known as the Immortal with a Thousand Gold.
"It turns out that this is the way to worship the righteous god and build it according to the imperial decree." Zhao Shu smiled and shook his head. Then he thought about it. When Xingluo County wanted to confer Hengbi as the City God, wasn't it just a matter of one sentence from Chongxuan Hall?
"I heard that you claimed that your father-in-law was a big shot in Chongxuan Pavilion before?" Zhao Shu asked, "Could it be that your father-in-law is the descendant of the Chu family who Lao Sanqian took refuge in? I don't know which one it is?"
Xinglong County Magistrate replied tremblingly: "Yes, it is Chu Shizhong."
"Oh? Chu Fenggui?" Zhao Shui was not too surprised. He also knew this person, but he had no contact with him when he was in Dongsheng Capital.
In terms of seniority, Chu Fenggui should be regarded as a contemporary of Liang Tao. However, this person is not famous for his cultivation and magic power. He is one of the first four surnames to serve as an official in Huaxu Kingdom. After decades of officialdom, he has now
He is the Duke of the DPRK.
The position of Shizhong in Huaxu Kingdom is similar to that of Da Sima. He has no obvious real power and belongs to the Qing Dynasty. Considering his seniority and age, it is more of a false title given by a gift. Not to mention the person who can truly represent Chongxuan Hall.
After all, there was only one national master, Liang Tao.
"You can be a quick son-in-law who rides a dragon among the servants of Chu, why are you just a county magistrate?" Zhao Shu asked.
"Marquis Zhenming doesn't know something." Xinglong County Magistrate replied: "There are many heirs among the Chu servants. It is a great fortune for me to ask for a concubine from the Chu family."
Gugao
"What's more, you can keep an eye on the rich immortal for the Chu family, so that he can continuously collect gold and silver wealth, and you can also get a piece of the pie. So even if you can be promoted elsewhere, you won't leave, right?" Zhao Shu said with a smile.
The county magistrate did not answer, but kowtowed repeatedly.
"You bribed me with a thousand taels of silver before, but it was all official silver from the treasury." Zhao Shu asked again, "I really don't understand, have you become so careless? You don't even try to cover it up?
"
"Xiaguan was so obsessed that he mistakenly thought that Marquis Zhenming was here to ask for a bribe." The county magistrate had to confess obediently: "Xiaguan has a business deal that will replenish the treasury in a few months, so he is lucky."
At this time, a soldier came to report: "Zhao Changshi, the rich people in the city have been invited."
"Okay." Zhao Shu stood up and answered, then glanced at Xinglong County Magistrate: "Since you are unwilling to vigorously raise money and food, then I have to do it myself. Send someone to guard the county magistrate carefully and don't let him commit suicide.
, I think the Qingyan County Sheriff will come over soon after hearing the news."
After leaving the prison, Zhao Shu came to the main hall of the government office. At this time, six local wealthy people were sitting on both sides, and behind them were their servants and servants.
"This must be the famous Marquis Zhenming. I have been waiting to admire him for a long time." The six rich people stood up and bowed to him.
Zhao Miao looked around and commanded the soldiers with a serious smile: "Remove all the chairs!"
Without any hesitation, the soldiers of the Wu Kui Army rushed into the main hall and moved all the chairs of the rich people away. There were also two rows of soldiers standing behind the rich people, pressing their hands on the handles of their swords, as if they were ready for battle.
"Marquis Zhenming, what are you..." The wealthy people felt uneasy, but they did not dare to contradict him rashly.
"The local county magistrate has informed you about raising money and food." Zhao Shu looked around coldly: "I wonder how prepared you are?"
"Didn't we already raise part of the money and food?" asked the wealthy households.
"What you have given is not enough." Zhao Shu said bluntly: "The counties and counties around Jianjia Pass have already distributed quotas on how much food they have raised. As a result, you only paid less than 30%, and you also used chaff instead of food. Could it be that you are violating the imperial decree?"
?”
The rich people apologized and said with a smile: "Zhenminghou has just arrived and is not familiar with the local people. You must know that in Xinglong County and even the entire Qingyan County, the Chiyun Rebellion Party is running rampant in the countryside, causing the fields to be abandoned and all industries to be depressed. We are really embarrassed."
I can’t afford so much money and food.”
Zhao Shu looked at how wealthy each of them looked, and felt that there was no need to quarrel with them any longer. He took out a stack of paper from his arms and said: "This is the amount of money and food you have to pay. Please ask your servants to go back and send a message - if you don't raise enough,
If you don’t have enough money and food, don’t go home.”
"Marquis Zhenming! You are also an official of the imperial court and a master of cultivating immortals. How can you do such an act of banditry and extortion?!" The rich people were very shocked. They never imagined that Zhao Shu would behave in such a disgraceful manner that he could be compared to a rioter.
Rogue bandits.
"The Jiuli Kingdom has Chen Bing outside the pass, and a war is about to begin. No matter rich or poor, everyone must share their feelings with the country." Zhao Shu put his hands behind his hands and said, "You just contribute some money and food. The war will be decided in the future. With your family fortune, you will be able to earn it back.
"
"Marquis Zhenming, no official in the imperial court has ever done things like you!" The rich people shouted angrily: "What you did destroyed the shrine. We all praise you for eliminating harm for the people, but it is extremely unfair to detain the local county magistrate.
Damn it! Now you are openly blackmailing the people? If everyone is like Zhenminghou, the country will not be a country!"
Zhao Shu curled his lips, looked around, and found that only the county magistrate's chair was still left. He immediately walked quickly, picked up the heavy arm chair, then rushed to the rich man who was talking nonsense, picked up the chair and smashed it.
past.
"Ah! Killing! Killing——"
The rich man had never been bullied like this. He screamed on the spot. His servant wanted to save people, but was immediately grabbed by the soldiers behind him.
The chair was knocked down several times in succession, and the rich man who fell to the ground soon stopped screaming. The other rich men were so frightened that their faces turned pale, they broke out in cold sweat, and their buttocks trembled.
Zhao Shu smashed it a few times, put the chair away casually, then sat down and said: "Don't worry, I held back my strength and didn't beat him to death. I still want to be a decent person, but you also have to be decent. If you are not decent,
I have no choice but to help you look decent."
How could the rich people dare to respond to Zhao Mu's actions? In their eyes, the word "cruel official" is not enough to describe Zhao Mu at this moment. He is simply a ferocious beast that eats people without spitting out their bones.
"Your servants, please go back with the list and show it to your family members, and collect money and food according to the above amount." Zhao Shu shook the paper: "As I said, you will release the person after receiving the full amount of money and food. The government office does not care about the food, you guys
As soon as possible."
As a result, the wealthy households had no choice but to ask their servants to take money and food orders, which were like reminders, and send them back to their homes.
"Also, twenty soldiers are sent to each household." Zhao Shu waved his hand and said, "With so much money and food, we need to count it clearly before we can move it."
The sky was getting dark, and Zhao Miao had a subtle thought when he saw the rich families sitting on the ground in a miserable state.
He used to feel that he was somewhat kind to others. But after experiencing Dong Shengdu, he seemed to have become mean, and he did not even hesitate to use such cruel and cruel methods.
Just thinking about the Xinglong County magistrate's unscrupulous bribes from the government bank, the gorgeous and luxurious temple of the Qianjin Immortal, and the difficult days of Qiaozhang Village facing barbarian plunder, evil extortion, and government expropriation at the same time, Zhao Mizhen
I can't think of many good thoughts.
Zhao Shu even admired Chiyundu in the Cangwu Ridge area. Unlike in Xingluo County, their men were living a hard life, but they could still maintain their sanity and not take the initiative to enter the county and plunder. This determination was compared to
Yang Liujun in Xingluo County is much stronger.
If it were Zhao Shu, he might have directly colluded with evil spirits like Lao Sanqian to wreak havoc in Huaxu Kingdom overtly and covertly, leaving the monks in the palace and the officials and soldiers of the imperial court exhausted.
Thinking of this, Zhao Shu couldn't help but think of Liang Tao. The current national preceptor also had the feat of slaying evil spirits with blood and patrolling the country with a sword. He could be said to be a brave man with a heart who benefited the people. Why?
After years of practice, have you become cold-eyed about the world?
There are also the children of the aristocratic families in Chongxuan Hall. They should have been heroes in large numbers back then, but over the years, most of them have become indulgent and indulgent, amassing money, and greedy for power. Like Zheng Yulou, Chu Fenggui, who is in the position of servant
It's roughly the same. Is it possible that as long as you are in a powerful position, it will become like this sooner or later?
In Zhao Shui's opinion, Liang Tao actually wanted to change the status quo to some extent. Perhaps Chongxuan Hall controlled the revision of the national sacrificial canon and interfered with the edicts on ghosts and gods in various places. This move may be paving the way for Liang Tao's vision of a Taoist state on earth.
But thinking that he had just killed a national deity with three thunderbolts, Zhao Shu felt that this world was really bizarre.