Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 876 New Employee Onboarding

"Is Master Li looking for me?"

The taciturn guard surnamed Shi came to report.

This surprised the cult leader, who had originally planned to honestly plot various conspiracies on Nanshan Mountain.

There's not much of a story about this old friend.

The two met for business purposes, exchanging gossip about Qiantang.

Then, getting to the point, it turned out that the old master's purpose in coming was to invite Lord Xu to represent the local gentry in preparing to welcome the new county magistrate.

Upon hearing this, a look of surprise flashed across Xu Xuan's eyes, followed by an expression of "being flattered": "What merit do I have? There are many worthy men in Qiantang. I am unworthy of such high regard from you, sir."

Although we played a significant role in enabling the other party to become the magistrate of Qiantang County, basically clearing away all obstacles and even killing a top-tier second-generation rich kid from Luoyang.

What I never expected was that I would become a representative of the local gentry.
It's not about class issues.

He started out as a scholar, so he didn't care about that at all, and he was ruthless towards that class.

Basically, these people all have their own resource packs, which they can access at any time.

The main reason people are unwilling to participate now is that there is no profit to be made. Xu Xuan is still the same Xu Xuan, but the Holy Father is not the same Holy Father as three years ago.

While the two great academies in Qiantang are full of hidden talents, there is another one in West Lake who can subdue dragons and tigers.

But excluding these, the other resources have already been almost completely exhausted.

As for those so-called aristocratic families and wealthy merchants? They are nothing but petty scoundrels, not even qualified to have him personally appear.

When it comes to integrating resources, he leaves everything to his subordinates like Kame Daiyu and Shiro.

As the biggest mastermind behind Jiangnan, time should naturally be spent on more valuable goals.

This is the time management of a righteous person.

Master Li thought, "This won't do."

"Hanwen, why did you become estranged from your fellow villagers in Qiantang after you passed the imperial examination?"

This bond of kinship must be firmly upheld, otherwise where will the foundation of our fellow townsmen lie?

So they started by showering him with compliments.

The old master's skill in maneuvering is indeed adept, and his words sound quite pleasing. Unfortunately, someone is truly pressed for time, and a host of northward strategies haven't been sorted out yet.
It wasn't until I heard that sentence that I came to my senses.

"Isn't Magistrate Ximen supposed to take office after the New Year?"

The information he had previously received from Song Youde was somewhat different.

Somewhat surprised, some wary.

A glint of light flashed in his eyes, and in a flash, he began to review the intelligence gathered by Baoan Hall from various sources.

Could someone be testing me?

Who is so bold as to plot against me?

The Father's first reaction was this, demonstrating his exceptional professional sensitivity.

Several names flashed through his mind:
Long eyebrows? The Prefect of Yangzhou? The White Lotus Sect? Or a remnant of the Imperial Preceptor?

It couldn't possibly be Montenegro, haha.

This "haha" is very unfriendly to the Black Mountain Demon.

After all, the underworld monster who appeared earliest and suffered the most was almost tricked by him last time, and his lair was almost destroyed. He's probably still in seclusion in the Sixth Hell right now.

On the surface, he continued to chat casually with Master Li, and even considerately refilled his teacup.

I never expected that my suspicions would be so easily disproven by the other party.

"Alas, it's a terrible thing..." Master Li shook his head and sighed. "The case of 'son killing father' in Tonglu has caused too much of a stir. Although Magistrate Ximen was not dismissed, he still bears the infamy of 'incompetence in education' and 'indulging in filial impiety'."

Now, returning to my hometown, I'm constantly being gossiped about behind my back... That's why I had no choice but to take up my post early, and I don't even dare to spend the holidays at home.

What a sad story.

Xu Xuan's feelings were somewhat complicated.

In the past three years, I have accomplished so many great things: suppressing Qiantang, slaying demons, pacifying Taihu Lake, and conquering Dongting Lake. I have risked my life countless times, and I have even killed two White Lotus Dharma Kings.

As a result, it became less famous than a case of "son killing father".

He suddenly understood why those powerful figures in the demonic path always liked to engage in blood sacrifices and massacres when they first started out.

Indeed, only by trampling on the rules of the world can one's name spread far and wide.

Of course, this dangerous thought only flashed through his mind. After all, Xu Hanwen was an upright man who followed the path of "winning people over with virtue."

In that case, let's welcome the new employee.

Three days later. Xu Xuan stood outside the Qiantang County government office, gazing at the dusty official road in the distance, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He originally planned to go north to Luoyang after the New Year to completely hand over the affairs of Jiangnan to Zhuge Yu, but he did not expect to "encounter" this Magistrate Ximen before leaving.

The Qiantang River, a den of dragons and tigers, has finally become a turbulent place.

When I met the new employees, I felt a mix of emotions.

It's clear that Magistrate Ximen's life trajectory has declined rather rapidly.

From the moment Master Li came to ask for help to the moment he arrived in Qiantang with his family, it took only three days.

This isn't going to take up a post; it's clearly fleeing a disaster.

Once a well-known figure in Tonglu, Qingliu now looks haggard with sunken eyes, and even his official robes are loose, as if his energy has been drained away.

The firmness he once had when mentioning "his ancestor was the magistrate of Ye" was gone, and his entire belief was on the verge of collapse.

This is a sign of a collapse of faith.

Xu Xuan narrowed his eyes, understanding dawning on him.

It seems that this trip back to his hometown dealt him a more severe blow than he had imagined.

However... it's not necessarily a bad thing.

Some things always have to be torn down and rebuilt.

Only in this way can it be stable.

"Lord Ximen, you must be tired from your journey." Xu Xuan and Master Li stepped forward, cupped their hands and smiled, their tone gentle, as if they were truly just warm-hearted local gentlemen.

Magistrate Ximen returned the greeting reluctantly, but his eyes were somewhat dazed, as if he had not yet recovered from the exhaustion of the past few days of travel.

"The county government has prepared a welcome banquet. Lord Ximen, you may wish to settle your family and rest for a while."

Magistrate Ximen nodded and thanked him in a low voice, his voice hoarse as if he hadn't spoken in a long time.

The welcoming banquet that evening was so somber, resembling a funeral hall.

Logically, when a new official takes office, the wealthy and powerful families of Qiantang should send someone of considerable influence to make an appearance. But today, all those who came were descendants of minor, insignificant households; not even the head of the family was present.

These old foxes have a keen sense of smell.

Many people didn't expect that "Dr. Xu" would personally attend, which shows that what Master Li usually says is not just empty talk.

But when they looked again at Magistrate Ximen, who sat silently in the main seat, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and no one dared to step forward and speak to him.

After all, which of the county magistrates who came to Qiantang in the past wasn't shrewd and adept at handling social situations?
But this Lord Ximen was like a block of ice, too lazy to even say a polite word.

Then, recalling the case of the "son killing his father" in Tonglu, and the rumors circulating among the people...

The group exchanged glances, hastily toasted each other, and then made excuses to slip away.

unlucky!

Then... Xu Xuan went to find him.

He carried a pot of wine and strolled leisurely to the backyard of the county government office, where they would have a late-night conversation by candlelight.

When it comes to talk therapy, and I'm not exaggerating, he's defeated everyone from ancient demons to the likes of Zhang San.

The servants led the patient in, and it was clear that Magistrate Ximen's haggard face appeared even paler.

Xu Xuan was about to say a few words of greeting.

"boom!"

Magistrate Ximen immediately knelt down and slapped his head twice.

Xu Xuan: "...?"

Bow down in reverence?!
He's tricked a lot of people in his life, but he's never encountered anything like this before.

No, brother... you're twenty years older than me!
Didn't people in ancient times value this? When meeting the emperor, they would only bow, but you came up and kowtowed?
Xu Xuan was speechless for a moment, and even wondered if he had wandered onto the wrong set.

You want to join us?!
Later I found out that Old Shen was a more savvy person.

The story of "someone secretly facilitating the transfer of Magistrate Ximen to Qiantang due to friendship" is explained in great detail.

Not only did he tell the story, but he also portrayed Xu Xuan as a righteous man who "provided timely help" according to his own understanding.

In some ways, this righteous man also saved the lives of the entire Ximen family.

After all, without this transfer order, he would probably have been drowned in spittle in his hometown; social death is still death.

The excessive talk of people can be quite frightening.

Since Old Shen has said so, we have to admit that Master Bailu is really good at judging people.

(End of this chapter)