"Sir, please go back to the government office and have a look!"
Wang Juncheng had just had a round of negotiations with the local wealthy gentry. When he went out and saw the sunset in the sky, he was about to stretch himself when a clerk came hurriedly: "That official Zhao Fu almost burned down the government office!"
"Ah?" Wang Juncheng was startled, but when he heard it was Zhao Shu, he became less panicked: "What's going on?"
"Official Zhao Fu was worried that there were monsters sneaking into the county government. Before you could come back, he would break into the government office carrying a bunch of things."
"Monster?!" Wang Juncheng shouted.
The scribe said: "Your Majesty, don't you know? The news spread throughout the city in a long time."
"Say it quickly!"
Wang Juncheng urged and learned from the scribe that in the morning when Zhao Shu was opening the altar to perform Dharma in the school grounds, a monster suddenly appeared and intended to disturb the Dharma altar. Fortunately, Zhao Fulian responded in time and summoned a tiger to perform the Dharma.
The monsters were repulsed, and the refining of spells was not hindered.
The soldiers who were selected to guard the altar also saw clearly that the attacking monster was a big fox more than one foot long. It is said that they were almost fascinated by the magic. Fortunately, they were woken up by Zhao Fuli in time and they were not broken.
event.
Wang Juncheng didn't understand the evil spirits, so he hurried back to the county government office. Before he entered, he saw clouds of smoke rising, making people mistakenly think that the house was leaking water, and people gathered around to watch.
"Let the government officials drive away the idle people!" Wang Juncheng waved his hand and ordered: "Are they allowed to see the immortal chief's practices at will?"
When Wang Juncheng found Zhao Shu, he saw him holding a copper hanging ball incense burner like a lantern. The spices inside seemed to be burning violently, and a large amount of smoke rushed out. Zhao Shu was walking around the courtyard wall with concentration on his face.
Chanting the mantra in the cloister:
"...The three corpses are buried, the five treasures circulate. The three fields and limbs are guarded by movement and breath. The fairies and ghosts are immune to all evil. The true officials are silent, and evil dreams are not invaded..."
There were two monks following Zhao Shu. One shook the bell, the other held up the flag and banner, and they continued to chant the mantra.
Wang Juncheng was stunned in place. The battle almost made him think that Zhao Mi and his gang were attending his funeral.
"Li Zhao Fu, what are you..."
When Wang Juncheng asked carefully, he saw Zhao Miao taking out a willow branch and lashing him several times.
"Well, you're fine, don't worry." Zhao Shu responded, and then continued to chant mantras and burn incense.
Wang Juncheng looked at a loss and had to wait for Zhao Shu to go around every corner inside and outside the government office. While he was packing his things, he asked:
"Zhao Fuli, I heard that you met a monster in the school grounds? Were you exorcising the monster just now?"
"Almost." Zhao Mian said: "I have placed restrictions in the government office, so that ordinary monsters and evil spirits cannot sneak into the county government."
Wang Juncheng didn't know why: "Why are there evil spirits in Yanze City? Please ask Zhao Fu to explain it to me."
Nowadays, the banditry in Xingluo County is enough to make Wang Juncheng very worried. Just for the money and food expenses of the imperial army in the local area, Wang Juncheng has to borrow preferential and tax-free gifts to the local wealthy gentry in advance.
But the premise of all this is that Yanze City has not been affected by banditry. If something ominous happens in the city, the tense situation will immediately become out of control.
"I can't tell for the moment." Zhao Shu asked: "By the way, I remember that Xingluo County originally had magician monks sent by the imperial court. In addition to being responsible for dealing with local evil spirits and ominous things, they also recorded various disasters and made them into books.
The rules of filing. I would like to access the documents and volumes on this aspect."
"Yes, come with me." Wang Juncheng did not dare to neglect. He took Zhao Shui to a separate warehouse and pointed out the location of the files.
"That's all?" Zhao Shu looked at the two volumes on the empty bookcase.
Wang Juncheng had a strange expression: "Doesn't this mean that evil spirits and ominous things happened rarely in this county in the past?"
Zhao Miao asked calmly: "The monks who were stationed here in the past probably didn't go out of the city very much, right?"
Wang Juncheng could only smile bitterly and nod.
Since the Five Kingdoms War, spirits and monsters have emerged in endlessly across Kunlun Continent. Spirits and monsters can be found in densely populated cities, remote and impoverished villages, and even in deserted mountains and forests.
In fact, ghosts sometimes occur even in remote areas, but most of those miscellaneous spirits with shallow intelligence cannot cause trouble. Rural temple worshipers, charlatans and sorcerers can also be dealt with. Monks who can enter the temple can
The evil things in the vision usually bring disaster to one party and can be called an ominous disaster.
If the Guanshi monks stationed in local counties are really serious about dealing with evil spirits, they do not necessarily have to fight with powerful monsters. Instead, they must take precautions before they happen, and do not let go of some miscellaneous spirits to prevent them from becoming a habit in the future. If
Records should be kept for each transaction, and the thicker the files should be, the better.
However, as a local chief executive, he is actually not happy to see too many ominous disasters on his territory, which will harm his career prospects. For these monks stationed by the imperial court, the local governor hopes that they can discover local auspicious treasures, so that they can
It is submitted to the imperial court to show that the king is upright and the officials are meritorious.
While flipping through the files, Zhao Shu asked: "The last monk who was stationed in Xingluo County was also killed by bandits?"
"Yes." Wang Juncheng found a rare moment of free time and found an armchair to sit down: "It was evening at that time. The Lord Sheriff was having a banquet, and Chu Sanqing was also among them."
"Banquet? What's the reason for the banquet?"
Wang Juncheng looked a little uncomfortable: "The governor's new concubine is Mr. Fang's youngest daughter."
"Master Fang?" Zhao Shu's thoughts changed: "The house where our Huaiying Pavilion is staying belongs to Master Fang?"
"That's right."
"The county governor is really very elegant." Zhao Shu turned to ask: "But I don't know what kind of bandits and robbers can actually attack and kill the county governor at the banquet, and also kill a Sanqing monk at the same time?"
"The visitor was masked and his head was bound, so no one could recognize him." Wang Juncheng looked gloomy and recalled the scene: "There were guards outside the hall at that time, but no one found the killer because the man jumped out from the second floor.
The knife hit the back of the neck from top to bottom, and the Sheriff's head was dismembered on the spot."
"Master." Zhao Shu said.
Wang Juncheng rubbed his brow: "As soon as the Sheriff died, the banquet immediately became chaotic, with people running around. Chu Sanqing wanted to use the spell, but the killer was faster and ended his life with just one knife."
"Where was Lord Wang at that time?" Zhao Shu asked.
"I was also at the banquet." Wang Juncheng shrugged, unable to hide his tiredness: "But Zhao Fuli also understands that as a deputy like me, it is not appropriate to be high-profile on any occasion. I am not even at the same table with the county governor. The killer
There’s no need to waste your energy on me.”
Zhao Shu was silent for a while after hearing the words. Although he didn't say anything, Luo Xixian had become a little distant from him recently, and he was not unaware of it. Only when he heard Wang Juncheng's words this time did he realize that he, his deputy, was acting too high-profile.
, stole Luo Xixian’s limelight?
"Master Wang, now you are the chief of Xingluo County." Zhao Shu asked: "Aren't you worried that the bandit will assassinate you alone again? I think the county government office is not very prepared."
"I have looked away." Wang Juncheng sighed and said: "After the banditry in Xingluo County is calmed down, even if the court does not punish or demote him, I will resign."
Zhao Shu said: "Master Wang is in the prime of life. Although I don't understand the business of writing documents, I can also see that the current situation in Xingluo County is maintained by Master Wang. Now the imperial army has arrived, and the banditry is not coming soon.
It can be calmed down, why are you so depressed and depressed?"
Wang Juncheng glanced at Zhao Mi, showing the shrewd expression of an old official: "Zhao Fuli, I can still understand. The real purpose of the imperial court sending you various agencies to Xingluo County this time is not to suppress bandits.
The demon wants to take this opportunity to balance the various houses, especially to suppress the Chongxuan Hall, which brings together nobles and ministers from aristocratic families. Is that right?"
Zhao Miao turned his eyes back to the file and did not answer. Wang Juncheng accepted his acquiescence and continued: "In the final analysis, the banditry in Xingluo County is not a big deal. If everyone in the imperial court was really serious, they would have been put down ten or eight times. In the end,
, precisely because the situation is not urgent, and it is convenient for the ministers and nobles to help, it will be brought to the table and transferred to your various restaurants.
Oh, I haven’t said it yet. The Chu Sanqing who was stationed here at the beginning was a monk from Chongxuan Hall, and he was from a wealthy and prestigious family like the Chu family in Yuepu. As soon as he died, Chongxuan Hall arranged for people to come to Xingluo County.
It's nothing short of ordinary. If coupled with the success of quelling the banditry, Chongxuan Hall will be able to firmly control Xingluo County from now on. The imperial court will not let such a thing go.
So this kind of thing that is not difficult to do, can be done or not, and can be done in the limelight and gain a good reputation, cannot be left to the Chongxuan Hall family."
Zhao Shu said expressionlessly: "There are so many things to pay attention to."
"I just understand this, so I plan to resign." Wang Juncheng said: "I don't understand, why can't we suppress the bandits properly? Why do we insist on instigating these unnecessary calculations? The situation must be irreversibly corrupt.
Only then are you willing to take some actions, even things like dispatching troops and horses must be greatly compromised!"
Wang Juncheng became more and more angry as he spoke. Zhao Shu interrupted and said, "Sir, be careful what you say."
"I lost my composure." Wang Juncheng's face froze, and then he sighed heavily, lying on the armchair like a puddle of soft mud.
"The file does not mention that there are fox monsters in the local area." Zhao Shu finished scanning: "This is not an ordinary monster that can violate the law. It didn't cause trouble in the past, but it happened when I was practicing law..."
Wang Juncheng asked: "Could it be that the local evil spirits are worried that the imperial army will come to attack, so they plan to take action in advance?"
"It's possible." Zhao Shu immediately shook his head: "But the timing is too good. I should not be disturbed when I go to the altar to practice magic. The fox demon chose to do it at this time. It seems that he is proficient in magic and magic.
Monster."
Wang Juncheng frowned and thought deeply. Seeing him like this, Zhao Shu asked: "Does your Excellency have other opinions?"
"I don't know anything about spells or evil spirits." Wang Juncheng said, "But if you ask me to guess... no, let's forget it."
"There are only you and me here. If you have anything to say, you can just say it. No sound will get out." Zhao Shu put a sealing talisman on the door of the warehouse.
Wang Juncheng's eyes wandered and evaded: "Well... in my opinion, the people who can do the most harm are not outsiders, most of the time they are our own people."
Zhao Miao's face changed slightly, and when he was about to ask more questions, Wang Juncheng quickly waved his hand: "Zhao Fu, please stop asking. I am just asleep and talking in my sleep, so don't pay attention."
…
"Do you think that fox demon was driven here by the monks?"
After leaving the county government office, Zhao Shu discussed the matter with Lingxiao.
"It's not impossible." Lingxiao said, "It's just that I think that fox demon is a little unusual."
"What do you mean by this?"
"It's just a subtle premonition. I can't see it clearly now." Lingxiao explained: "In ancient times, the immortal family had the custom of taming all kinds of auspicious beasts and spirit birds. For example, there are many divine birds and spirit birds under the guidance of the fairy mother of Guishan in Yaochi.
, tigers and leopards that are good at roaring. As for the foxes that can be called immortals, the sky fox should be the leader."
"Are you saying that the fox demon is some kind of ancient sky fox?" Zhao Shu said with sweat on his forehead.
Lingxiao did not hide it: "I just have a subtle sense, but I am not sure. What's more, Tianhu is not an ordinary fox demon, but a natural auspicious beast. After being awarded the immortal robe, he mostly serves as the assistant and minister of the immortal family. Unlike ordinary people,
The fox demon deceives people with its sounds and colors, and is greedy for brains, marrow, flesh and blood."
"Immortal..." Zhao Shu said in deep thought: "By the way, in your day, was there such a thing as the blood of the immortal family? It means that a certain ancestor was once an immortal family, and the descendants of later generations were born with this disease due to their bloodline and bones being different from ordinary people.
The Dharma-teaching basket will be protected by immortals and generals."
"There is no such particularity. It was made by later generations." Lingxiao asked, "Do you doubt Liang Shuo of Chongxuan Hall?"
"After being reminded like this by Wang Juncheng, they are the ones who want to hinder Huaiying Guan the most now." Zhao Shu was a little helpless: "Actually, I also admire Wang Juncheng for being an unpopular deputy, okay?
It is easy to gain power once, but at this critical juncture, there are not many benefits to be gained, and you will be accused of various crimes at any time. You are walking on thin ice with fear."
"I remember that you were still doubting the officials here."
Zhao Miao curled his lips and said, "I must be suspicious. The bandits easily killed the local governor, and Wang Juncheng temporarily took power. However, the imperial court did not send an official county governor to take office for a long time. This is very strange no matter how you look at it."
"This man's words and deeds just now don't seem to be hypocritical." Lingxiao reminded.
Zhao Shu agreed: "I think so too. And what he said is reasonable. The imperial court's real intention is not to suppress bandits and eliminate demons. Why doesn't Chongxuan Pavilion understand this meaning? It is precisely for this reason that they sent out fox demons,
It is not unreasonable to try to overthrow my Dharma altar."
"If that's true, this kind of thinking can be called despicable." Lingxiao sneered and said: "This generation is called the Immortal Blood Yin in vain. Even if there is an Immortal Family in our ancestors, we don't think about cultivating ourselves diligently and accumulating good deeds, but we are obsessed with such trivial matters.
It’s a waste of effort. The so-called fraud is nothing more than this.”
"Despicable?" Zhao Shu said helplessly: "To be honest, if I were Liang Shuo, I would probably do it even more ruthlessly. To protect my own status and power, outsiders are blameless. In my opinion, this kind of trick is simply not enough.
Gao Ming. If it’s really the fox demon sent by Liang Shuo, it’s a bit too... how to put it? It’s been guessed?”
"If you were Liang Shuo, what would you do?" Lingxiao asked.
"Not to mention anything else, I must rely on my family background and the power of the court to bring in the 20,000 soldiers first!" Zhao Shu couldn't help but laugh: "Then we will use the momentum to march directly and capture the territory occupied by the bandits.
, don’t let other restaurants have the opportunity to compete for credit!”
Lingxiao sighed: "Since you are seeking success, you are destined not to be the kind of person Liang Shuo is."