“What? The Old Si Nong is ill! Ziyu, who told you this?”
“Last night, someone from the Xue family came to the Si Nong Jian to request leave, and Adult Chen then informed the Huailiuyuan.”
Zhao Xing frowned, “Is it serious? Do you know the specifics?”
Qian Dong, who was beside him, shook his head, “They only said he was unwell and needed some time to recuperate, but didn’t specify how long. Adult Chen is temporarily managing the daily affairs of the Huailiuyuan.”
Zhao Xing pondered, “I want to visit Xue Mansion. Are you willing to come with me?”
Chen Ziyu shook his head, “I’m afraid not. Adult Chen instructed us not to visit, to avoid disturbing the Old Si Nong. Some people already went early, but Xue Mansion is closed to visitors.”
Zhao Xing’s brows furrowed deeper; this was somewhat unusual.
First, an indefinite leave of absence; if it were a minor illness, why such a fuss?
Then, closing the doors to visitors, not even allowing visits, was even more peculiar.
“Xue Wen Zhong is ninety-eight, and the imperial court even extended his lifespan. Logically, it’s not yet time for him to die, so he shouldn’t pass away now.”
“But the imperial court’s 【Lifespan Extension and Stipend Grant】 doesn’t absolutely guarantee a person will live out their days free from illness and calamity. It’s normal for an elderly person to fall ill, but not allowing visits and needing such a long time—what kind of illness is it? If he’s ill for a year or half, and unable to return to his post… Alas, Old Si Nong, you must hold on.”
“Uncle, you must hold on. Bai’er will be fine.” In Xue Mansion, by the sickbed in the side room, the white-haired old man looked at Xue Wen Zhong lying on the bed, his face filled with worry.
The speaker was Xue Quan, Xue Wen Zhong’s nephew.
The imperial court’s 【Lifespan Extension and Stipend Grant】, for ninth-rank officials, generally did not extend to spouses and children. Theoretically, Xue Wen Zhong could live to one hundred and fifty, but his wife and children did not have such good fortune. His wife passed away at eighty-three, and his son and daughter-in-law died in their seventies.
So, now, accompanying Xue Wen Zhong was only his relatively close nephew, Xue Quan. Even this nephew was already over sixty.
Xue Wen Zhong looked out the window and murmured, “What a sin, what a sin.”
At this moment, his lips were slightly pale, indeed a symptom of illness, but the problem was not actually serious.
The reason he was lying in bed was purely due to anger.
Yesterday, he received notification from a servant that his grandson, Xue Bai, had gotten into trouble in the county city and was arrested.
The cause was Xue Bai indulging in pleasure in the county city, getting drunk, arguing with someone, and severely injuring them. Causing trouble in the city, he was naturally quickly arrested. Xue Bai was now in the county city jail, awaiting judgment.
Aside from the consequences of paying a fine and serving jail time, in the eyes of Xue Wen Zhong, who was clean-living and upright, what a disgrace this was?
In a fit of rage, Xue Wen Zhong lost control of the Origin Qi fluctuations within his body and fainted.
“Bai’er already knows his mistake.” Xue Quan consoled him.
“Knows his mistake, knows his mistake?” Xue Wen Zhong’s gaze fell on his nephew, “How many times has this been?”
Xue Quan thought of his nephew’s past and couldn’t help but be speechless.
Xue Wen Zhong served in the Si Nong Jian, with an excellent reputation and character. His son was a merchant, accumulating some wealth, which was also a strength.
By the generation of his grandson, perhaps because Xue Bai was the only male heir and showered with affection, he was a problem child from a young age.
Now, he had become a problem youth.
Did he know his mistake? Xue Quan himself wasn’t too sure.
But he still tried to persuade, “You only have Xue Bai as your Bloodline. If you don’t save him, are you going to watch him suffer punishment and go to jail?”
Xue Wen Zhong shook his head, “Before, he was just idle and wasted some money. Now he’s injured someone and broken the law. Next time, will it be a capital offense? This matter should be handled as it should be. You are also not allowed to go to the county city to intervene.”
“He hasn’t even married yet. If something happens to him in jail, why not let my Ping’er go on your behalf to intervene…”
“His father’s excessive indulgence caused today’s events. If I protect him this time, can I protect him for a lifetime? I can only ensure he receives a fair judgment. Since others cannot discipline him, then let the national law discipline him.”
“But Uncle…”
“Enough, I’m tired. You can leave first.” Xue Wen Zhong seemed to have made up his mind.
Xue Quan was helpless. It seemed now was not a good time to take advantage of his weakness, so he could only bow and withdraw.
A sigh echoed in the side room. Xue Wen Zhong thought of his earlier words, his eyes filled with sorrow. He could use some long-accumulated connections and family resources to save his grandson, but would his grandson truly know his mistake? If he himself passed away in the future, who would help watch over him and preserve the Xue family’s wealth?
“Zhao Xing, Adult Chen is calling you to Baihuayuan.”
Just as he was about to leave Huailiuyuan, he was suddenly called.
He wondered why the high-ranking leader suddenly asked to see him.
Could it be that his talent had been discovered by the big shot?
Upon arriving, Zhao Xing realized he had overthought it.
Because everyone from the A-list was there. Chen Shijie had not only called him but also other minor officials who had been on the A-list.
Not just from the last Minor Heat, but anyone who had passed the small exam this year was there. However, there weren’t many, totaling less than fifty people.
Arriving at the main hall of Baihuayuan, he found that it was somewhat different from usual.
“What’s going on? There are even people from the county yamen?”
“Is that Wang Long, the leader of the Martial Class Office?”
“And at least seven Martial Artists who have entered the ranks. What’s happening? Did someone in the Si Nong Jian commit a crime?”
“I don’t know. Be quiet. Adult Chen is here.”
Zhao Xing listened quietly.
Soon, Chen Shijie arrived, first quieting everyone, then nodded to Wang Long. The latter stepped forward, cupped his hands, and addressed the crowd, “Today, Adult Chen has been invited to gather all of you because of the strange occurrences in various parts of Nanyang County in recent months. A group of mysterious demonic people has been specifically targeting officials from the Si Nong Jian, Tiangongfang, and other departments, carrying out abductions.”
“By order of the County Prefecture, all county yamens must strengthen precautions and apprehend the culprits. Within the city, you naturally don’t need to worry, but outside the city, it’s best to travel in groups during the day. If you discover anyone following you or any suspicious individuals, please report it immediately.”
“The Donghu Army and various departments of the Prefectural Gate have all been dispatched. We believe the culprits will be apprehended very soon. Everyone, please do not be overly alarmed.”
There was a stir below. In this day and age, there were still audacious bandits on the loose? They must be suicidal.
Zhao Xing was also somewhat surprised to hear this. How could the Xuantian Sect have such great capabilities at this time? They had even forced the authorities to take such drastic action.
After Wang Long finished speaking, Chen Shijie spoke:
“Those on the A-list are all reserve Si Nongs with decent talent. If, by any chance, they truly come to Gucheng, you will be their targets.”
“To be safe, this official specially applied to allocate a batch of treasures from the Transport Department.”
“I won’t elaborate on their functions. They are items only available to official Si Nongs, so they are only temporarily lent to you for self-defense.”
“There’s no need to be overly alarmed; they may not even be needed. It’s just a precaution.”
After he finished, people moved among the officials, distributing the treasures one by one.
As for why they were only given to them, the reason was also stated: they generally only abducted outstanding talents. Mediocre individuals didn’t need to worry at all.
Soon, Zhao Xing also saw the distributed treasures.
He was naturally not unfamiliar with the equipment of an official Si Nong, but upon seeing them, he was still slightly surprised, “Hmm? It’s these two items? The quality is actually quite good?”