Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 598 Li Cheng Takes Charge of the Waterway Administration

The Prefectural Governor's Office of Donghan County.

Back hall.

The candlelight flickered on the bronze crane lamp. As Li Cheng stepped into the back hall, he crushed half a locust leaf in the crack between the blue bricks.

Even though he was at the Dragon Elephant Realm, he was still considered a powerful figure in his own right.

But now that he was at the prefectural governor's mansion, facing the Marquis of Qingyang of Qin, he still felt uneasy.

His humble origins as a member of the underworld made him somewhat uneasy.

He stared at the shards of leaves splashing up from the toes of his boots until Chen Wu coughed softly before he looked up.

In the back hall, several seats were set out, and bowls, chopsticks, and dishes were placed in front of everyone.

The young man sitting at the head of the table, dressed in a blue robe, was none other than the Marquis of Qingyang.
Is it true that Marquis Qingyang was ennobled at a young age?

The moment Li Cheng looked up, Zhang Yuan, who was sitting at the head of the table, also looked at him with a slight smile on his face.

“Chief Li, please sit here.” Zhang Yuan pointed with the tip of his chopsticks to the empty seat on the right. On the table was a celadon bowl filled with steaming millet rice. “The Lu family brought the cook from the capital. The rice is the newly cultivated Jade Sprout Rice from Qingtianzhou.”

Li Cheng's Adam's apple bobbed; he wanted to say something, but couldn't speak for a moment.

He never expected that his first meeting with Marquis Qingyang would be like this.

He never expected that the Marquis of Qingyang would treat him so kindly.

They sat together like old friends from the martial arts world.

Legend has it that Marquis Qingyang is a man of unparalleled righteousness.

This is true.

Li Cheng bowed respectfully, walked over, and sat down.

"This is Earl Yongkang, Cao Xuan, who is in charge of the Black Ice Guard of Donghan County. If Chief Li needs any information in the future, he can go directly to Earl Yongkang."

When Zhang Yuan turned his chopsticks towards the old man in purple robes on the left, Li Cheng saw that the old man's official robe was embroidered not with ordinary cranes, but with a mythical beast carrying a dossier in its beak.

This is a military robe worn only by officials of the Black Ice Guard.

The candlelight flickered in the jade cup, and Li Cheng saw the Earl of Yongkang nod slightly to him across from him.

“This is Chen Jiuyue of the Cold Crow Sword Sect.” Zhang Yuan took a bite of food, then turned around and said, “Young Master Chen has recently gained quite a reputation in the martial arts world.”

Chen Jiuyue looked up at Li Cheng, smiled, and cupped his hands in greeting.

“Young Master Lu’s surveying team has thirty-six master craftsmen from the Imperial Works Department.” Zhang Yuan glanced at the thirty-year-old man beside him.

Lu Chuan, the direct descendant of the Lu family in the imperial city.

Prefectural Assistant Zhao Defang, Lu Changwu of the Lu family of Donghan County, Wen Liu, Commander of the Black Riders of the Black Ice Guard, Cao Jiada, Magistrate of Yushui County...

Every one of you here is a renowned figure in Donghan County and even the entire Eastern Territory.

Marquis Qingyang remained inconspicuous in Donghan County, and it was these people who handled all matters, big and small, from the martial arts world to aristocratic families.

Li Cheng was at a loss for what to do.

Is this the kind of banquet that someone like him, who has only been in the county town for less than a day, is allowed to attend?
Zhang Yuan chuckled and gestured for everyone to continue eating, occasionally asking a few questions.

Li Cheng listened quietly.

The affairs of the martial arts world, aristocratic families, and government in Donghan County all surfaced during these casual conversations.

Li Cheng was somewhat dazed.

Is this the world of those in power?

With a few casual remarks, the lives, deaths, riches, and poverty of countless people are decided.

The remaining wine in the jade cup rippled slightly, and the sound of Zhang Yuan putting down his chopsticks startled the half-burnt candle flame on the candlestick.

The room fell silent instantly as everyone slowly sat up straight.

"Young Master Lu, tomorrow you will lead thirty-six master craftsmen from the Ministry of Works to remeasure Luoying Gorge. I want to see the river engineering map showing the new river channel passing through the old site of the Thirty-Eight Villages."

Zhang Yuan's voice slowly rang out.

Lu Chuan, dressed in a gray robe, stood up and bowed.

"promise."

The atmosphere in the back room was no longer as relaxed as before.

“Magistrate Cao,” Zhang Yuan said, looking at Cao Jiada beside him, “I will give you seven days to gather 80,000 laborers. The oxen requisitioned by Yunzhou Prefecture will arrive at the ferry at midnight tonight.”

“Donghan County will need many laborers in the future, and your task is very important.” Cao Jiada stood up, his back straight beneath his official robes, clasped his hands and shouted, “This humble servant will certainly not fail the Marquis’s trust.”

Although he is still a mere seventh-rank county magistrate, the power he wields is no longer that of a county magistrate.

Donghan County was guarded by the Marquis of Qingyang, who governed the people with military force.

All matters, large and small, in Donghan County are decided by the Marquis of Qingyang with a single word.

Zhang Yuan sat in the main seat, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone in the hall.

"Chen Wu, tomorrow take three hundred Black Riders to blockade all the ferry crossings on the tributaries of the Jiuchuan River. All cargo ships must be inspected by the River Administration."

"Yes, sir." Chen Wu bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

"Lu Changwu, establish the Donghan County Chamber of Commerce. Ask Magistrate Zhao how to arrange things for those aristocratic families who are unwilling to participate."

"I, Lu, will certainly not fail in my mission." Lu Changwu stood up.

"Chen Jiuyue".

"exist."

"Use this Marquis's token to summon the leaders of all sects in the Eastern Territory and form the Nine Rivers Alliance within ten days."

"promise."

A sudden clap of thunder sounded outside the hall, and amidst the patter of rain on banana leaves, Zhang Yuan lightly tapped the table with his fingers: "Zhao Defang."

"Your humble servant is here." The newly appointed River Conservancy Commissioner hurriedly stepped forward.

"The naval camp will vacate the warehouses on the east bank to house the Changyun Gang, and then transfer 30,000 shi of military rations from the official granary."

"I will do it immediately."

Zhang Yuan assigned tasks one by one, and everyone solemnly accepted the orders.

In the lingering echo of the bronze bells on the eaves, Li Cheng saw his reflection in the fish soup.

He didn't know if he would have any missions.

Given his status in a martial arts gang, it was already an unexpected surprise that he was able to attend this banquet.

What else could the Marquis of Qingyang possibly ask him to do?
The tasks assigned to these people present were all major events affecting millions of people.

Li Cheng couldn't accomplish any of these tasks.

“Nine rivers and eighteen sluice gates,” Zhang Yuan’s voice rang out.

Everyone looked up at Zhang Yuan.

"Li Cheng." Zhang Yuan turned to look at the leader of the Changyun Gang, "You will be in charge of the river engineering scheduling of the Nine Rivers and Eighteen Sluices, and the Black Ice Platform waist token can be used to call up the local soldiers along the river."

"Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), please have Chief Li go to the River Conservancy Office. From now on, the affairs of the River Conservancy Office will be entrusted to you."

The bamboo chopsticks in Li Cheng's palm snapped with a "crack," and half of the broken piece pierced into his flesh without him even noticing.

River Management Office!

"Chief Li will be temporarily enshrined on the Black Ice Platform."

The black iron waist token that Chen Wu presented bore the mark of the Zhen Tian Division.

When Li Cheng looked at the black iron waist token in front of him, he suddenly remembered the prophecy of "three hundred million river workers" in the Spring Mountain Painting, and his blood almost froze.

The plans made for the party, big and small, actually came true!

Zhang Yuan stood up, his hand on his sword, and glanced at everyone: "Disperse, everyone."

As everyone bowed and withdrew, the bronze bells on the eaves rang out with a clear, melodious sound in the wind and rain.

When Li Cheng left the prefectural government office, the night dew was already heavy, and he trampled his own shadow on the stone steps.

He turned and looked at the heavy plaque of the prefectural governor's mansion under the eaves, and finally understood why the hoofbeats of the three hundred black horses sounded like spring thunder.

Marquis Qingyang actually pinned the future of 100,000 canal workers on his broken sword, a rough and unsavory figure from the martial world.

The waist token he carried was digging into his ribs, causing him pain. When Li Cheng reached into his robes, he found only half a grain of millet.

It was from the undergarment that had been accidentally dropped during the meal, and now it was throbbing in my palm like a living thing.

A cool night breeze swept past his nose as he gazed at the canal wharf, which was faintly visible in the direction of the river, and grinned.

No wonder the Marquis of Qingyang held such a high position at such a young age.

Based on the Marquis of Qingyang's methods of employing people, Li Cheng would have no complaints even if he lost his life in Donghan County.

(End of this chapter)