Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 529 The Governor Arrives in Person

Chapter 529 The Governor Arrives in Person

It's night, the moon and stars are sparse.

The entire town of Cangxian was brightly lit, and officials and clerks were still busy at work, but the people in the town were able to get a good night's sleep.

In a room with flickering candlelight, Lu Zheng and Yun Xiao were still chatting.

Qingwan and Qingyi sat quietly to the side, listening to the two men's conversation in order to increase their own knowledge.

After some time, Qingyi, who was sitting upright, tilted her head slightly and said softly, "Someone has flown in, many of them, they are officials..."

Her spiritual sense was much stronger than Lu Zheng's and the others, and it was constantly being projected outward to observe the surrounding situation, so she discovered the person immediately.

Lu Zheng and Yun Xiao stopped abruptly. When they got up and looked in the direction Qing Yi had indicated, they indeed saw someone rushing over overnight.

Yun Xiao blinked. "Tsk, even the governor is here..."

The person in the lead was dressed in a magnificent official robe, clearly a governor of a state.

Following them were some civil and military officials whose attire differed.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "I'm afraid you've come to see the Daoist."

Yun Xiao couldn't help but say, "Sigh, I've already been very low-key..."

As expected, this group of officials also came to the temple, led by Zhang Maoyu, wanting to pay their respects to Yun Xiao.

The local people were alarmed. This was the first time so many officials had come to the small county town, and even the governor himself had come here.

Yun Xiao invited Lu Zheng and the other two to go together.

Upon seeing Yun Xiao, the governor hurriedly bowed politely, "Governor Xu Hong of Qingzhou pays respects to the Immortal Yun Xiao. I am deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly..."

Upon learning that Yun Xiao had appeared in Cang County, he traveled overnight to get there.

Upon hearing this, Yun Xiao said calmly, "I am merely traveling around. Why does the governor need to make a special trip here to pay his respects? Qingzhou is plagued by floods, epidemics, and demons. The governor should prioritize the well-being of the people!"

Xu Hong's heart tightened, thinking to himself that he had come all this way to see this person, but he had probably just made a fool of himself by flattering her.

Xu Hong quickly added, "I came here precisely because of the local disaster. I heard that Cang County has interrogated many demons and ghosts, and I have already dispatched more soldiers to various counties to arrest accomplices..."

"Wait a moment, Mr. Xu still needs to go to the county government office to review the case files to ensure the facts are accurate. Since you are here, Mr. Xu came to visit you first..."

Yun Xiao nodded slightly, "I see. Governor, you must be working very hard."

Xu Hong quickly replied, "It is our duty, we have troubled you, Master..."

Yun Xiao chuckled and said, "I didn't do anything. If you want to thank someone, thank them!"

Yun Xiao raised his finger and pointed to Lu Zheng and the others beside him.

Xu Hong looked at Lu Zheng and smiled, "This must be Young Master Lu Zheng, right? I've long heard of your name, and seeing you today, you are even more extraordinary than the rumors suggest..."

"I have heard of your deeds in the State of Chu and I greatly admire them. I have long wanted to meet you, and it is a great honor to have this opportunity today..."

Qingzhou was not far from the State of Chu, and many of Lu Zheng's deeds in Chu were reported to the city.

Previously, General Wang Meng had also sent someone to inform him of some things, telling him to keep an eye on Lu Zheng and not to cause any conflict with him.

After Xu Hong found out, she paid a little attention, but didn't take it too seriously.

A scholar from out of town wouldn't need to personally go out and build relationships with people.

However, upon learning that Master Yunxiao was in this place, and hearing that Lu Zheng had a deep friendship with this master, he was surprised to learn that Master Yunxiao was here.

Xu Hong's attitude towards Lu Zheng changed drastically, and she appeared very eager, as if she couldn't wait to get to know him.

After some introductions and pleasantries, Xu Hong wanted to invite them to visit the city to show hospitality. Seeing this, Yun Xiao wasn't very interested and said, "We plan to travel south, so it's not on our way."

"That's it..."

A hint of regret flashed in Xu Hong's eyes. If she could invite Master Yunxiao to her home, she would at least have gained some connection with him.

Later, you can talk about it in front of your colleagues to boost your reputation and it will also be beneficial to your career.

Unfortunately, Yun Xiao didn't give him that opportunity at all.

Yun Xiao had just told him to pay attention to the affairs of the prefecture and county. If he were to repeatedly invite him to focus on this matter, it would be somewhat inconsiderate of him.

Xu Hong then gave a wink to the official next to him.

The official took out several exquisite gift boxes and presented them to Yun Xiao.

Xu Hong stated frankly that this was a small gift for Yun Xiao and his companions, representing the people's gratitude for their contributions to Qingzhou, and then proceeded to say a series of kind words...

Lu Zheng narrowed his eyes, thinking, "Are governors always this blatant when giving gifts? Don't they know how to be discreet? This governor isn't exactly stupid!"

Seeing this, Yun Xiao's expression darkened slightly, and he said solemnly, "The local people have suffered a disaster, how can I, a true immortal, accept any gifts of gratitude? Take them back! Exchange them for money and grain to donate to the people!"

Xu Hong hurriedly had the gifts put away, repeatedly stating that she would use the names of Yun Xiao and the others to provide relief funds and food to the disaster-stricken people.

After another round of kind words, Xu Hong finally left with her entourage.

Qingwan watched with a strange expression and couldn't help but mutter, "What kind of operation is this?"

Yun Xiao, with his hands behind his back, said casually, "This is just part of our local customs, a formality! If it were real gift-giving or bribery, how could it not be done behind someone's back..."

Qingwan scratched her head, puzzled, and asked, "What's the use of this?"

Yun Xiao chuckled and said, "You don't understand, do you? What is my status? The governor represents the people of the entire state to offer gifts, and I refused them, telling him to distribute them to the people instead. In a way, that's a blessing. Although there's no real blessing, the people believe in that. We don't spend a single penny, yet we gain fame..."

Lu Zheng's mind raced. So this was all a show? And one where he didn't have to pay for it at all. He wondered who started it, but it certainly broadened his horizons.

"Uh……"

Qingwan's expression froze, and she didn't know how to describe it for a moment.

Lu Zheng couldn't help but ask, "Will he really distribute more money and grain?"

Yun Xiao said calmly, "I don't know about other times, but as a governor, would he dare to play me? He would at least give the people some benefits."

At other times, Xu Hong might just be going through the motions, but Yun Xiao is a real person. If he puts on this show for the common people and doesn't give them any benefits, wouldn't that ruin his reputation?

Sure enough, Xu Hong quickly relayed the instructions.

Some officials distributed a sum of money and grain to the people in the city overnight. It wasn't much, but it made the people very grateful.

In addition, officials went out of the city to various places to try to eradicate the remaining plague as soon as possible.

Before they knew it, it was dawn.

Xu Hong had already read through the interrogation files and confirmed that all the demons and ghosts were guilty.

Because there were too many demons and ghosts, and she didn't want to waste energy continuing to imprison them, Xu Hong simply ordered their immediate execution.

In front of the entire city's population, the governor led the way in beheading those harmful demons.

In addition, the county magistrate and county commandant of Cang County, along with several other corrupt officials, were also executed.

(End of this chapter)