The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 218 Eunuch Liu Gets Promoted, Gongsun Sheng Gets Slapped
Dai'an stepped forward again, bowed and whispered, "Father... there is one more thing. Eunuch Liu from the palace has also arrived, saying that there is an important matter and he insists on seeing you."

The official paused, raising an eyebrow slightly.

Eunuch Liu? Are Taoist priests, government officials, and temple staff all gathered together today?
His mind raced, but his expression remained unchanged. He simply said, "Oh? Please come in."

Dai An nodded and withdrew. A moment later, the sound of hurried footsteps and approaching voices could be heard outside.

Leading the group was Eunuch Liu, who wore a dark purple embroidered robe, had a clean-shaven face, sharp eyes, and a brisk pace. He exuded an air of arrogance that came with years of experience in the palace, which was palpable even from a distance of several feet.

A young man in his early twenties followed half a step behind him. He was well-dressed but looked slightly apprehensive. He was his nephew, Liu Mian.

A few steps behind to the side was Wu Daoguan from the Jade Emperor Temple, accompanied by a young Taoist priest.

Wu Daoguan, who originally had a somewhat otherworldly air about him, now appeared somewhat restrained and awkward under the imposing presence of Liu Gonggong, an inner minister.

The young Taoist priest stood tall and proud, exuding an air of grandeur. However, his eyes were swollen like peaches and covered in dark circles. Who else could it be but Gongsun Sheng?
As soon as Eunuch Liu entered, his gaze swept across the hall like lightning. When it first landed on Wu Daoguan and the young Taoist priest, he let out a barely audible snort, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt and disdain, as if he had seen something filthy.

Without stopping, he strode straight toward Ximen Qing, his face instantly plastered with an incredibly warm smile. The speed at which he changed his expression was truly astonishing.

"Oh my! My Lord Ximen!" Eunuch Liu's voice preceded his arrival, his voice high-pitched and characteristic of eunuchs, yet full of affection. "It feels like three autumns have passed since I last saw you! You are truly the savior of my Liu family!"

As he spoke, he rushed up to the man and, without saying a word, grabbed the man's hands tightly and shook them vigorously. The intimacy he showed was like that of long-lost brothers.

The old eunuch's sudden enthusiasm sent chills down Ximen Da Guanren's spine, raising goosebumps all over his body. He felt an indescribable stench.

His face, however, thawed like a spring breeze, and he smiled, saying modestly, "You flatter me, sir. It's just a small matter, nothing to worry about." As he spoke, he secretly exerted force on his wrist, trying to pull the hand away.

"A mere favor? To you it's an act of great compassion, but to my Liu family it's an immense kindness! A life-saving grace!" Liu Gonggong's voice suddenly rose, gripping Ximen Qing's hand tightly. He abruptly turned around and sternly reprimanded his timid nephew behind him:
"You clueless idiot! You're just standing there like a wooden stake, courting death! Get over here now! Kneel before your master! Thank your ancestors for their great favor!"

Liu Mian trembled at his uncle's reprimand and knelt down abruptly on the cold, hard brick floor, kowtowing three times with a resounding thud, his forehead hitting the ground with a dull thud, his voice trembling with sobs.

"I, Liu Mian, kowtow to thank Lord Ximen for his immense kindness in saving my life! I will never forget your kindness!"

Only then did Eunuch Liu give a satisfied "hmm," and a smile returned to his face as he half-explained and half-scolded Ximen Qing:
“Sir, look at this child who grew up in the countryside. He’s not experienced much, so he’s a bit slow-witted. Please bear with him! But his heart is sincere! The first thing we’ve done today is to bring this good-for-nothing to kowtow and express our gratitude to you! And the second thing…” He paused.

Only then did Ximen Qing subtly withdraw his hand from Liu Gonggong's overly enthusiastic hands, and casually pointed to the chair in the main seat, saying with a smile, "Liu Gonggong is too kind. Please take a seat and let's talk."

"Oh dear! No! Absolutely not!" Upon hearing this, Eunuch Liu waved his hands repeatedly, bending his back slightly, and his face showed an extremely earnest expression. "My lord, you flatter me! Although I am a eunuch without any connections, I have served several masters in the palace, but I still know these basic rules!"

"As the saying goes, a life-saving grace is greater than heaven! Lord Ximen has done such a great favor, how dare I overstep my bounds? Please take a seat! It is only right that you sit in the main seat!" As he spoke, he almost half-pushed and half-helped the official back to the main seat without further ado.

Seeing his insistence, Master Ximen stopped refusing and took the main seat without hesitation. Only then did Eunuch Liu casually and swagger down to sit in a rosewood official's hat chair next to the main seat.

Liu Mian quickly got up, bowed respectfully, and stood properly behind Eunuch Liu's chair, not daring to even raise his head.

After Ximen Qing sat down, his gaze swept over Wu Daoguan and the young Taoist priest, who were still standing awkwardly in the center of the hall.

With a warm smile on his face, as if the previous scene of polite courtesy between host and guest had never happened, he casually asked, "Wu Daoguan, where is Zhang Kongmu? What brings these two to me?"

Wu Daofang had just witnessed Liu Gonggong's excellent performance and his undisguised contempt for him, and felt embarrassed, indignant and shocked.

He had been making a living in Qinghe County for quite some time.

At the beginning of the year, this Mr. Ximen, along with his sworn brothers such as Ying Bojue and Xie Xida, were burning incense and kowtowing at his Jade Emperor Temple, swearing brotherhood with him!

At that time, he was just a powerful man who owned a traditional Chinese medicine shop.

But who would have thought that it would all happen in just one year!
This Mr. Ximen seemed to have received divine assistance. First, he transformed himself into a man of high status and became "Ximen Xianmo Zhixueshi" (a high-ranking scholar). Before the heat of that official hat had even dissipated, in just a few months, he transformed again into "Ximen Tixing Daren" (a high-ranking official in charge of justice), who held the power of life and death!
As the saying goes, when momentum comes, it's like a tiger with wings; when fortune arrives, it's like water pushing a boat.

It seems that this Mr. Ximen is truly enjoying a life of luxury and prosperity!
Wu Daoguan dared not reveal a trace of what he was thinking on his face.

When he saw that Master Ximen had asked, he quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply, forced a humble smile, and spoke in a voice even more respectful than usual:
"May the Heavenly Venerable grant me boundless blessings! This humble Taoist, Wu Shouzhen, pays his respects to Your Excellency! After Zhang Kongmu led the two of us here, he returned to the Provincial Judicial Office. I had some minor matters to attend to with my nephew and dared not disturb Your Excellency's important business. Eunuch Liu is highly respected, so naturally, Eunuch Liu's affairs are more important. As for my humble matter, I will report it after Your Excellency has finished speaking with Eunuch Liu!"

The official didn't even lift his eyelids, only grunting an "Mmm" through his nose as a sign of agreement: "Very well. You two can sit down and wait." With that, he casually gestured towards two ordinary chairs at the lower end of the table, away from the main seat and closer to the door.

Wu Daoguan and Gongsun Sheng quickly bowed and thanked him, then carefully sat down on the two chairs, only daring to sit on the edge, their backs ramrod straight, a stark contrast to Eunuch Liu's respectful yet somewhat relaxed demeanor.

The atmosphere in the hall was subtle and distinct because of the two groups of people with vastly different social statuses.

Just as Eunuch Liu was getting into the swing of things, he was interrupted by the two Taoist priests. He was very displeased, turned his pale face around, and gave Wu Daofang a heavy, unceremonious "humph."
That shrill, nasal tone was full of disdain and disgust. Then, turning back, his face instantly broke into that scalding, fawning smile, his voice rising a few decibels, revealing an undisguised smugness:
"My lord! I have just received my transfer order to go to the capital to assist Lord Yang Jian in managing the affairs of the West City Garrison!"

The official raised an eyebrow; this eunuch Liu had instantly gone from a sinecure to a position of immense power.

This West City Office is also known as the West City Land Acquisition Office. The name sounds grand and impressive, but it is actually under the guise of "land acquisition".

What is Kuotian?

It refers to the investigation, registration, and management of the "public fields" and "wilderness fields" near the capital.

The euphemism was that these lands were taken over by the imperial court and then rented to poor tenant farmers to cultivate, so as to add some silver to the government's treasury and fill the already strained national treasury.

It sounds like a benevolent policy that benefits the country and its people!

However! In Yang Jian's hands, the two characters "Kuotian" were turned into a signboard of ruthless greed and extortion!

They casually identified the fertile fields that farmers had painstakingly cultivated for generations as "public land"!
Without a word, a seal and a few fire sticks were all it took to "confiscate" that man's livelihood! They were even more tyrannical than highway robbers!
If they encounter a tough landlord with land deeds and a clear lineage, they will change their tune.

They shamelessly called those excellent paddy fields, with their interconnected paths and lush green rice seedlings, "wilderness fields"!
Even if you forcefully drag them in, they'll still be included in his "public land" circle. After all, officials have the final say; if they say it's barren, then it's barren, and no amount of crying, wailing, or appealing to the authorities will change anything!

You think it's over just because we forcibly took this land?

The eunuchs of the West City Office turned around and "rented out" the land they had just seized from the original owner—to whom?

It's still that aggrieved party who lost their land!
The poor landowner lost all his land overnight, and now he had to pay a heavy "public land tax" to these thugs!
This isn't renting land; it's like tearing out your heart and forcing you to pay to buy it back and chew it up!

Not only do they peel off the skin, but they also extract the bone marrow oil!
As the saying goes: The King of Hell doesn't mind if a ghost is thin, and tigers and wolves don't mind if the meat is smelly!
This refers to the eunuchs of the Western City!

Upon hearing this, Ximen Da Guanren's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he immediately put on a beaming smile, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect and saying:
"Oh? Congratulations, Eunuch Liu! Congratulations, Eunuch Liu! This West City Office is a very important place. Eunuch Liu has been given such an important post. You are truly favored by the Emperor and your future is bright!"

"Oh my! Lord Ximen!" Eunuch Liu grinned from ear to ear, his high-pitched voice like a crowing rooster. "Speaking of which, I'm afraid I got this job thanks to you, Lord Ximen!"

"I originally thought that I would spend my whole life in Wamu Village, Qinghe County, tending to some royal bricks and tiles until my death! Who would have thought that I would be so fortunate as to have benefited from your great promotion, Lord Ximen, and that I would be able to turn my life around after just one meal! Isn't this an incredible stroke of luck!"

The official waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "What are you saying, Eunuch Liu! This is because Your Excellency is virtuous and talented, and has been favored by the Emperor. How dare I claim credit for this? I dare not take credit, I absolutely dare not take credit!" He then changed the subject, feigning concern, and asked, "But... now that Your Excellency has been promoted, who will take over the duties at the Royal Woodworks?"

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Liu, as if he had been waiting for this question, hurriedly replied, "Alas! This task will naturally be handled by me! However, I am going to the capital for my post, so I think I will entrust all the affairs of Wamu Office in Qinghe County to my good-for-nothing nephew Liu Mian!"

"From now on, this little rascal will be able to walk around Qinghe County entirely thanks to Lord Ximen's patronage! Please take good care of him!" As he spoke, he glared fiercely at Liu Mian, who looked like a quail behind him.

Upon hearing this, Master Ximen understood immediately, his smile growing even warmer as he said loudly, "Eunuch Liu, you can rest assured! Your nephew is in Qinghe County as if you were here in person! You need not trouble yourself with these trivial matters; I will take care of them myself!"

Satisfied with the master's promise of a fortune, Eunuch Liu uttered a few more effusive compliments before rising to take his leave, repeatedly saying, "My lord, please wait! Please wait! You've made me feel too ashamed!"

The official, of course, also pretended to get up, saying "seeing off the old man," but only took two steps to see him off before standing in the hall with a smile.

Seeing Liu Gonggong and his nephew strut out of the hall, the polite smile on Ximen Da Guanren's face faded a bit.

He picked up his teacup, slowly skimmed off the foam, then looked up, his gaze falling on the two chairs below him. He asked in a calm tone, "Wu Daoguan, what can I do for you?"

When Wu Daoguan saw that he had been asked the question, he dared not remain seated and quickly stood up to say:
"Reporting to Your Excellency, this is the matter: The Jade Emperor Temple intends to hold a grand 'New Year's Prayer for Blessings and Disaster Relief, and Thanksgiving to Heaven and Earth' Grand Ritual on the ninth day of the first lunar month, the birthday of the Jade Emperor, to pray for blessings and ward off disasters for the officials and people of the entire county."

"This is an immense act of merit! However... however, this ritual is vast in scale, requiring incense, candles, paper money, sacrificial offerings, scriptures, and funds for the ceremony, which will cost a fortune. The Taoist priests are diligent in their practice, and the temple is unable to provide adequate support in a short time..."

"Your Excellency is the pillar of Qinghe County, a white jade beam supporting the sky and a purple gold beam bridging the sea! You are also a living Buddha to all families, a family that accumulates good deeds!"

“This grand Taoist ritual can only be presided over by a family of great virtue and abundant blessings! After much deliberation, we, the humble Taoist priest and fellow Taoists, believe that in Qinghe County, only you, sir, possess virtue that matches heaven and earth and blessings that will last forever, and are worthy of being the ‘first meritorious’ in this grand ritual!”

"If we could receive your compassionate support and preside over this meritorious ritual, firstly, it would move Heaven to bless your entire family with peace, health, and longevity; secondly, it would benefit the common people, ensuring favorable weather and prosperity for Qinghe! This would be an immeasurable merit, Your Excellency!"

As Wu Daoguan spoke, he bowed deeply again, looking at Ximen Qing with fervent eyes, as if Ximen Qing were a living god who would save people from suffering.

The high-ranking official listened, his face remaining impassive, but inwardly he understood. What "important matter"? It turned out to be a begging for alms! And under the guise of praying for the entire county's well-being—an unavoidable pretext. This Wu Daoguan was certainly good with words, constantly referring to himself as "the one with the greatest merit" and "the leader of the alliance."
The official put down his teacup, laughed heartily, revealing a generous and forthright spirit:

"Haha! Such a virtuous deed that benefits the whole village needs no further explanation! Even without the empty title of 'first merit,' I, Ximen Qing, am duty-bound to do it! Leave the expenses of this grand ceremony to me! Just go ahead and do your best to make it a grand and respectable affair, showcasing the prestige of Qinghe County!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Daoguan felt a great weight lifted from his heart, and his face lit up with joy. He quickly bowed again, saying, "May you enjoy boundless blessings! Your kindness is immeasurable! On behalf of all the people of the county, I kowtow in gratitude for your divine grace!"

He paused, his face becoming more serious, and stepped forward to introduce, "There is another matter I would like to trouble you with, sir. This junior disciple Gongsun is a rising star of our Daoist sect, a distinguished student of Erxian Mountain in Jiugong County! He has come to Qinghe County on the orders of the Imperial Preceptor to investigate an important official matter. Being unfamiliar with the place, I hope that you, sir, will consider our shared Daoist lineage and lend a helping hand. I would be eternally grateful!"

Ximen Da Guanren raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp as lightning, and swept over the young Taoist priest who had been sitting silently: "Oh? The Imperial Preceptor's decree? I wonder what official business it is that would warrant such a high-ranking Taoist priest to come in person? Please speak freely."

Wu Daoguan quickly signaled to Gongsun Sheng with his eyes.

Gongsun Sheng then stood up unhurriedly, gently flicked his whisk, and performed a standard Taoist kowtow, his voice clear yet tinged with a hint of melancholy:

"May the Heavenly Venerable grant me boundless blessings. I am Gongsun Sheng, and I have the honor of greeting Lord Ximen, the Chief Censor. To tell you the truth, a month ago near Qinghe County, I was ambushed by a group of bandits. They disguised themselves as a merchant caravan and were ruthless and vicious. I was caught off guard and fell into their trap, nearly losing my life."

"Afterwards, I learned that this group of thieves seems to have some connection with Qinghe County. The reason I came here is to ask you, sir, if you could send some capable men to help me secretly investigate the whereabouts of these thieves?"

The official leaned forward slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, and pressed on, "Oh? Is that so! Does the Daoist know where these bandits are staying? Or... what are their physical characteristics or distinguishing features? For example, what does their leader look like? What kind of weapon do they use?"

Gongsun Sheng paused for a moment, as if recalling that thrilling moment, and slowly said:
"The incident happened in a hurry. I was ambushed by that group of ruffians. I couldn't see anyone, but I vaguely heard them mention the words 'Qinghe County' in their words."

"As for the leader... he was extremely tall and strong, like half an iron tower! His fist and foot skills were fierce and domineering, and his knife skills were even more cunning and ruthless, far beyond what ordinary hooligans could compare to. As for the other marks... I'm sorry that I was too exhausted and dizzy at the time to see them clearly."

Upon hearing the words "tall and imposing, with formidable fist, foot, and knife skills," Ximen Da Guanren's mind raced, and the name "Wu Song" almost burst forth!

But his composure was already superb; that trace of fear vanished without a trace, like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, before the ripples even appeared.

The official still wore that calm, gentle smile. He picked up the blue-and-white porcelain bowl beside him, took a small sip, and then slowly said:
"Master Gongsun's words have put me in a difficult position. My Qinghe County has been a famous place since the Tang Dynasty, and it became an important thoroughfare town in the Song Dynasty. It is located at the crossroads of nine provinces and its people are the essence of merchants from all directions."

"The people gathered like ants, and the noise of carriages and horses was like thunder. All kinds of skills were displayed in the market, and people from all walks of life gathered in the streets."

"Ships from all nations sail across the four seas; goods from the five capitals pile up along the three rivers. Its prosperity and wealth are no less than that of Bianliang, the capital of the Eastern Capital! In such a chaotic and vast place, to find someone based solely on the name 'Kuiwei' is like finding a needle in a haystack. It's difficult, extremely difficult!"

Gongsun Sheng had been listening attentively with his eyes down. When he saw Ximen Qing use the word "difficult" to decline, a faint smile suddenly appeared on his lips.

He simply rested the whisk in his hand on his arm, slightly raised his chin, his eyes clear and bright, carrying a hint of the unique reserve and arrogance of a cultivator, and said in a clear voice:
"May you enjoy boundless longevity and blessings. What you say, sir, is certainly true. However, I have been in the mountains since childhood, studying the mysteries of the Tao, and I have gained some insights into the art of 'observing form and aura, and discerning character by bone structure'."

“Ordinary people may hide in the city, but if they are truly those with extraordinary strength and a fierce aura, their form and aura will be as invisible as a candle in the dark in my eyes. If by chance I can see them and take a look, I may be able to distinguish their true nature and recognize their true identity.”

The official raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, tapped his knuckles lightly on the blue-and-white porcelain cup, and was about to speak—

"Oops!"

A clear, melodious voice, brimming with delight, suddenly rang out from outside the door, instantly breaking the slightly tense atmosphere in the hall:

"The Taoist priest possesses such miraculous abilities? That's truly extraordinary! Why not take this opportunity to read the faces and predict the fates of a few people in our household? That way, we can find guidance and avoid misfortune!"

Before she could finish speaking, the curtain was lifted, and Wu Yueniang walked in with a smile. Xiaoyu followed behind her, clearly having just finished dealing with the household chores for the Winter Solstice Festival.

The Moon Goddess was a devout believer in gods and Buddhas. She would devoutly worship anything that she heard was efficacious, whether it was the incense of a Buddhist temple or the talismans of a Taoist temple.

Hearing from the back that two Taoist priests had arrived in the front hall, he had been itching to come over. After finishing his business, he couldn't resist coming over. He happened to hear Gongsun Sheng's words about "observing form and aura" outside the door, and his curiosity and eagerness were even more overwhelming. That's when he interrupted and walked straight in.

Her face was beaming with a warm smile, her gaze fixed intently on Gongsun Sheng, as if she were seeing a living deity who could foresee good and bad fortune.

Upon hearing this woman compare his Taoist secret technique of "observing form and qi" to the tricks of fortune tellers on the streets, Gongsun Sheng felt a surge of arrogance rising to his head!
He had been exceptionally talented since childhood and was highly regarded by his master; how could he have ever been treated with such disrespect? His expression immediately darkened, the reserved curve of his lips turning cold and sharp, and he flicked his whisk, about to politely refuse—

"What?" A low, indifferent question pierced the air like an ice pick, and it came from the master of the main seat, Ximen!
His smile remained, but his eyes suddenly sharpened like knives as he glanced sideways at Gongsun Sheng and said slowly, "What? My wife is sincerely asking the Daoist Master to use his wondrous methods to give us mortals some guidance... Could it be that the Daoist Master's high status is beneath him?"

Wu Daoguan, who was standing nearby, was already startled!
He knew who this Ximen Qing was, and seeing that this hothead Gongsun Sheng dared to put on airs, he roared inwardly:

"You ignorant and arrogant brat! Whether your little scheme succeeds or not is none of my business! But if you offend this God of Wealth, all the gold and silver mountains and boundless merits of my grand Taoist ritual will be wasted!"

In the blink of an eye, Wu Daoguan sprang up from the chair like a cat whose tail had been stepped on!

With his left hand, he stabbed Gongsun Sheng hard in the lower back, and with his right hand, he swung it around and delivered a crisp, loud slap to the back of Gongsun Sheng's head, which was styled in a Taoist bun!

"Oh dear! You silly nephew! What are you daydreaming about! The master is giving you face by letting you read his fortune."

(End of this chapter)