Chapter 387 - 361: Arrival
After sending off Shouheng and Shouye, Chen Li had Liu Yun and his daughter, Shouyue, take Nian Shoujing, Shouyue, and Shoucheng back to Bamboo Forest Village in Mirror Mountain to continue their studies.
In the blink of an eye, the once-bustling mansion now felt considerably more empty and desolate.
With his three adult children leaving home one after another, many of the plans Chen Li had made at the beginning of the year were disrupted, forcing him to readjust.
His daughter-in-law, Zhou Shuwei, was only four months pregnant. As a Divine Hall Grandmaster, the pregnancy had a relatively minor effect on her.
He immediately instructed her to take Elder Zhan and fifteen Guests to Liyang to manage the family’s businesses in Liyang and Ping County.
As for their business in Qingshui, he could only send Sun Shouyi and Liu Ruoyi, who had both reached Qi Realm Perfection, to handle it.
And as for the Lingxi Family’s main estate, he and his wife, Song Ying, would manage it together.
As for his Cultivation, that couldn’t be rushed.
Accumulating Primordial Qi was a matter of slow, patient work.
He secretly estimated that even if he cultivated in seclusion on Mirror Mountain every day, it would still take at least another year of patient work to fill all the meridians and Acupoints in his body with Primordial Qi.
Now that he had to stay home and manage family affairs, his Cultivation progress would inevitably be affected, but it wasn’t entirely without its benefits.
For the current Chen Li, there was another aspect of his training that was just as important as accumulating Primordial Qi.
That was to create a set of Martial Arts that belonged to him alone.
He needed to find a path that suited him, one that would allow him to comprehend the rules of heaven and earth.
To this end, Chen Li retracted all his Primordial Qi deep into his Primordial Spirit. He drove his physical body using only an empty Divine Being, like a novice Martial Artist, and went to the Chen Family’s training grounds at dawn every day.
Move by move, he began practicing various forms of Martial Arts from the very beginning.
He worked from sunrise to sunset.
He handled family matters and dedicated himself to understanding the Dao.
Time flowed by quietly.
...
「The 29th year of Yuan Jia.」
「The fifth day of the fourth month, Grain Full.」
At Jingshan Pier, the morning mist had long since dissipated. The sunlight, carrying a hint of warmth, scattered across the sparkling surface of the river.
It was just after 7:00 AM. The pier, usually quite spacious, was now packed with a jostling crowd of three to four hundred people.
County Magistrate Luo Pingyuan stood solemnly at the very front of the crowd.
Half a step behind him stood the County Captain, Deputy Magistrate, Chief Clerk, Inspector, and a host of other registered Officials, all in formal attire.
Further back were even more low-ranking junior officials, government constables, and the local Gentry who had been specially notified to attend.
Everyone was whispering amongst themselves, but no one dared to speak loudly.
Not until 1:45 PM, as the sun began to pass its zenith, did an Official Ship, adorned with ceremonial flags, slowly sail into view and leisurely approach the pier.
The moment the ship steadied and the gangplank was in place, County Magistrate Luo Pingyuan stepped onto the deck and hurried to the cabin door.
A moment later, the cabin curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged man in a scarlet official’s robe ambled out. His face was gaunt, yet his cheeks were slightly plump.
It was the newly appointed Governor of Liyang, Gao Changhe.
Luo Pingyuan bowed deeply. "I, Luo Pingyuan, Magistrate of Mirror Mountain County, respectfully welcome the Governor."
Gao Changhe glanced impassively at the bowing Luo Pingyuan, then looked out at the teeming crowd on the pier below, his face betraying no emotion.
"Magistrate Luo, you’ve overstepped your bounds. The Court strictly forbids local Officials from organizing the populace to welcome or send off superiors. It’s an unnecessary burden on the people. This reception of yours is quite the spectacle."
Luo Pingyuan replied calmly, "Your Excellency, how would I dare to defy the law? It is simply that my colleagues in the county and the respected Gentry, upon hearing that Your Excellency had so soon after taking office personally come to Mirror Mountain to observe the people’s conditions, were all moved by your diligent and caring heart. They came to the pier of their own accord, wishing to witness your distinguished presence and express a measure of their admiration. I was merely following the will of the people."
"Of their own accord?"
The hint of a smile on Gao Changhe’s lips seemed to deepen as his gaze returned to Luo Pingyuan’s young and respectful face. "Magistrate Luo, you are quite sharp and promising. No wonder you’ve already reached the Inner Mansion Pass at such a young age. It seems you’ve also done a good job of winning the hearts of the people under your governance. Your future is limitless."
The words sounded like praise, but they made Luo Pingyuan’s heart tighten slightly. He hurriedly said, "Your Excellency flatters me. My meager Cultivation is entirely thanks to the guidance of my superiors and the support of my colleagues. In the future, I will still need Your Excellency’s frequent instruction and guidance."
Gao Changhe grunted noncommittally and said no more, taking the lead and walking down the gangplank toward the pier.
Luo Pingyuan followed close behind, maintaining a distance of half a step.
After disembarking, Gao Changhe gave a slight nod to the Officials and Gentry, a simple acknowledgment.
Luo Pingyuan dared not be slow, and began to introduce the main officials of the County Magistrate’s Office and the local Gentry one by one.
As each person was introduced, they would step forward to pay their respects. Gao Changhe would either nod or offer a simple "Thank you for your hard work," his attitude remaining inscrutably placid.
The greetings concluded.
At the edge of the pier, a spacious and luxurious carriage drawn by four strong horses was already waiting.
Gao Changhe glanced at the carriage, said nothing, and boarded it directly.
Luo Pingyuan quickly followed, settling into the carriage before turning to wave at a government constable beside the vehicle.
The government constable understood and directed the County Magistrate’s original carriage to fall back.
The carriage was lined with soft cushions, and a pot of fragrant tea was kept warm on a small table.
Just as the two were seated, the carriage started to move slowly, heading toward Jingshan County Town.
Leaning against a soft cushion, Gao Changhe asked casually, "Magistrate Luo, I don’t believe I saw anyone from the Lingxi Chen Family at the pier just now?"
The smile on Luo Pingyuan’s face froze instantly. He gave a dry cough and explained, "Your Excellency, I sent word to the Lingxi Chen Mansion. Perhaps the Chen Family’s Chief Steward was out and could not return in time. If Your Excellency wishes to summon them, I can send someone to extend the invitation again?"
"There’s no need."
Gao Changhe waved his hand, as if he had truly only asked in passing. "I came on this trip to observe the local conditions, not specifically to meet anyone. Since it was inconvenient, let’s forget it. Making a big fuss would be unseemly."
He skillfully changed the subject. "I have only recently taken office and am still familiarizing myself with the affairs of Liyang. Since you, Magistrate Luo, are the ’father and mother official’ of Mirror Mountain, take this opportunity to tell me about the county’s situation."
"As you command."
Luo Pingyuan breathed a sigh of relief, sat up straight, and began his report.
"Mirror Mountain County currently has 63,117 registered households, with a registered population of 286,451. The county has a total of 417,600 mu of fields, lands, mountains, and ponds... 78,900 mu of forest land... Last year, the total summer and autumn grain taxes, converted to silver, amounted to..."
He had clearly done his homework. The various figures rolled off his tongue as he delivered a report that was clear, organized, and exhaustive in its detail.
He spoke for the better part of an hour, covering everything from land and population to taxes and grain, and then on to local products, post stations, river works, community schools, and more.
Gao Changhe leaned back on the comfortable cushion, his eyes slightly closed. He seemed to be resting, yet also listening intently, not interjecting a single word from beginning to end.
Luo Pingyuan spoke of land and population, taxes and grain, and local products, continuing until he had finished reporting on Mirror Mountain’s main industries, revenues, and finances. A brief silence fell over the carriage.
Gao Changhe suddenly spoke, asking a seemingly unrelated question. "Magistrate Luo, as for shortening the measuring rope, fraudulent registration, unrecorded sowing, widening boundaries, hidden fields, and unregistered households... how much of that is there in Mirror Mountain?"
Luo Pingyuan’s body stiffened for a moment. After a pause, he said, "Reporting to the Governor, since I took office, not a single mu of Mirror Mountain County’s registered farmland has decreased, and all due taxes have been collected and stored."
Gao Changhe watched him quietly for two breaths, then smiled faintly. "I am now aware of how strict your governance is, Magistrate Luo."
He didn’t press the matter of farmland further, instead turning his questions to other administrative affairs such as criminal cases, prison management, public security, and education.
Luo Pingyuan gathered his wits and answered each question.
Before long, the carriage jolted slightly and came to a slow stop.
From outside, the respectful voice of a government constable called out, "Governor, County Magistrate, we have arrived at the County Magistrate’s Office."
「After the noon banquet.」
Gao Changhe strolled into the rear hall of the County Magistrate’s Office.
Passing through a moon gate, he entered an exquisite garden, lush with greenery, rockeries, and a pond.
In a corner of the garden, a small fishing platform was built by the water’s edge.
Gao Changhe walked to the edge of the platform. His gaze fell upon two bamboo fishing rods, and a faint smile played on his lips. He turned to Luo Pingyuan, who was close behind him, and said, "Magistrate Luo, in your spare time from official duties, do you also enjoy relaxing amidst the scenery here, enjoying a bit of fishing?"
Luo Pingyuan replied, "The fishing platform and the fish in this pond were all built and raised by my predecessor, Magistrate Zhang, as a hobby. Since I took office, I have been so concerned with not neglecting my duties and so busy with paperwork that I’ve truly had no time for fishing."
Gao Changhe’s expression was casual. "Magistrate Luo, no need to be so tense. I too enjoy this pastime as a way to quiet my mind after a long day of paperwork."
His eyes swept over an inconspicuous small wooden box beside the platform. Its lid was ajar, revealing the bright red earthworms inside. Clearly, preparations had been made.
Luo Pingyuan picked up a fishing rod and presented it with both hands. "I was not aware that Your Excellency also had such a refined hobby. My preparations are inadequate. I hope Your Excellency will not mind these simple things."
Gao Changhe smiled and gave Luo Pingyuan a meaningful look. "You’re very thoughtful, Magistrate Luo."
He no longer demurred, accepting the rod. He skillfully picked up an earthworm, baited the hook, and with a flick of his arm, sent the line silently into the turquoise water.
Then, he waved his hand and said, "All of you may withdraw. Magistrate Luo and I will have a moment of peace here."
Everyone bowed and withdrew.
Luo Pingyuan also picked up the other fishing rod, sat down slightly further away from Gao Changhe in a subordinate position, and baited his hook and cast his line in the same manner.
「About an hour passed.」
Gao Changhe sat as steady as a clock. The float in front of him was like a Stabilizing Needle, utterly motionless.
In contrast, Luo Pingyuan’s float trembled from time to time and even dipped sharply on several occasions. A fish was clearly biting the hook.
But Luo Pingyuan was on pins and needles. He secretly circulated his Inner Qi, making the fishing line vibrate imperceptibly to scare away any approaching fish. A fine layer of cold sweat had already broken out on his palms.
"Magistrate Luo..."
Gao Changhe suddenly spoke, startling the fully focused Luo Pingyuan. "A fish is on the hook. Why not pull up the rod?"
Luo Pingyuan could only brace himself and say, "Yes." With a flick of his wrist, he pulled a palm-sized crucian carp from the water.
Gao Changhe glanced at the flopping fish, seemingly unconcerned by his own lack of a catch. He asked nonchalantly, "Magistrate Luo, isn’t it strange? You have fish biting your hook constantly, while I have no activity at all. Could it be that the fish don’t like my bait?"
Luo Pingyuan forced a smile. "Your Excellency jests. You are the venerable Governor of the commandery. These creatures in the pond, ignorant as they are, perhaps they wouldn’t dare to rashly offend you."
"Oh?"
Gao Changhe chuckled softly. "In your opinion, Magistrate Luo, could it be that there’s a fish with some Spirituality that got wind of things ahead of time, spread the word, and made all the other fish in this pond stay far away?"
Luo Pingyuan looked up, stunned, meeting Gao Changhe’s eyes. He opened his mouth, but it was a long moment before he could speak. "Your Excellency is joking. The fish in the County Magistrate’s Office would never be so bold."
The smile vanished from Gao Changhe’s face. "In the 26th year of Yuan Jia, on the twenty-ninth day of the tenth month, the Liyang Zhou Family delivered forty-five thousand bolts of silk to the Textile Bureau. According to my knowledge, fifteen thousand of those bolts came from the Songjiang Jiang Family."
He paused, each word landing like a hammer blow on Luo Pingyuan’s heart. "If they wouldn’t dare, then, Magistrate Luo, could you please tell me... what exactly is your relationship with the Lingxi Chen Family?"
...