National Division

Chapter 30 The Way of Business is the Way of Humanity (Seeking monthly votes and to continue reading!)

Guhe County Town, County Government Office

The next morning, as dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight shone into the courtyard, the officials in the government office began to take their shifts one after another.

County Magistrate Liu strode into the back hall, greeted the several officials who came to greet him with a smile, and then sat down.

The registrar leaned closer and lowered his voice, saying, "Sir, County Magistrate Shen did not return home last night."

County Magistrate Liu put down his teacup and said, "I have heard you mention before, Magistrate, that the demonic aura this time is very strong and difficult to deal with. I'm afraid Shen Bin and his party are in grave danger."

The registrar Cao Zuo laughed and said, "Then my Guhe County will be missing a great general in the future when it comes to apprehending thieves."

County Magistrate Liu nodded and said, "Although Shen Bin is old-fashioned, he is still somewhat useful. However, his death shows that the evil spirits are rampant. I will petition the Magistrate to appoint another County Lieutenant to assist in handling civil affairs. I will do my best to recommend you to the County Magistrate."

The registrar was overjoyed and said, "Prefect, I am but a lowly clerk. What merit do I possess?"

The assistants in charge of the three departments of Household, Granary, and Utility all wore expressions of envy.

As a lowly clerk, how could he compare to a rank-holding ninth-grade county constable?

County Magistrate Liu cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the capital and said, "Now that the Empress Dowager is employing people without regard to convention and selecting the virtuous and capable, Zhang Sizuo may not be without a chance."

A yamen runner stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Prefect Zan, County Lieutenant Shen has returned."

"What about the casualties?" County Magistrate Liu asked impatiently as he stood up.

The constable said, "No one was injured."

“This…” County Magistrate Liu looked surprised and uncertain. Just then, Pei Renjing and two clerks entered the hall from the duty room next door.

"Your Excellency, I just heard from the yamen runners that County Lieutenant Shen has returned. Let's go and greet him," said Registrar Pei to County Magistrate Liu.

County Magistrate Liu snapped out of his daze, his face darkening, and said, "It's a good opportunity to go and ask if that evil spirit has been eliminated."

Perhaps they didn't find the evil spirit at all; he'll definitely come to their rescue later.

Shen Bin, Zhao Lang, and Li Yan had already returned to the front hall of the government office and sat down, where the yamen runners served them fragrant tea.

County Magistrate Liu asked, "Has Young Master Shen returned from exorcising a demon?"

Shen Bin put down his teacup and said, "At Liu Zanfu's residence, the demon has been severely injured and is no longer able to harm people in the short term."

"I wonder what kind of evil spirit is at work?" Magistrate Liu asked with a smile, his expression unchanged.

Registrar Pei also stared intently at Shen Bin, a surge of curiosity welling up within him.

“It is a three-headed serpent demon,” Shen Bin said.

As he spoke, he instructed the yamen runners waiting outside: "Show the head of the venomous snake to Liu Zanfu."

As they spoke, two constables brought out two burlap sacks. When they opened them, a strong smell of blood wafted out. The triangular snake heads were covered with disgusting tumors, making them look ferocious and terrifying.

The fat on Magistrate Liu's face twitched, and he felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly said, "Take it away, take it away right now!"

He was afraid he would have nightmares at night.

"Young Master Shen, what do you mean? What are you trying to do by bringing such filth to the government office?" Magistrate Liu asked sternly, his face grim.

Shen Bin smiled faintly and said, "Judging from what happened at Liu Zanfu just now, he doesn't seem to believe it."

"How could I not believe you? With so many people accompanying you, how dare you rush to claim credit?" Magistrate Liu said indignantly, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "If it's not a three-headed snake, why does it only have two heads?"

Shen Bin said, "Didn't I just tell the Zanfu that the demon was severely injured and escaped?"

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Liu seized the opportunity to lash out, saying, "How can we let such a ferocious demon escape?"

Shen Bin said, "Lord Liu, the silver allocated to the granary has not been enough. Several brothers were injured this time. Lord Liu, please gather the silver first."

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Liu was momentarily speechless.

Shen Bin said, "Evil spirits are good at illusion and bewitching people. They may have already infiltrated the county. To take them down, we need more manpower. Prefect Liu Zan doesn't want the county to be in a state of panic, does he?"

Since Xue Zhihua had instructed beforehand not to reveal her arrival, Shen Bin was happy to comply.

Only when Magistrate Liu commits more mistakes will he be unable to defend himself when the imperial court questions him.

At this moment, Registrar Pei said, "Prefect Zan, the stability of Guhe County is of utmost importance."

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Liu had no choice but to accept it reluctantly.

……

……

Shen Residence
While Shen Bin and County Magistrate Liu were playing a game of chess, Shen Xian and Xue Zhihua rode back to the Shen residence. "Lord Xue, please sit here," Shen Xian invited, while instructing his servant, A Xin, to serve Xue Zhihua fragrant tea.

Xue Zhihua looked at the young man and asked, "You said this morning that you wanted to serialize this novel in the newspaper?"

“Yes, I plan to start a newspaper called Guhe Daily, mainly to promote the way of chivalry,” Shen Xian said, revealing his idea.

Xue Zhihua put down her teacup and said, "The way of chivalry?"

"Now demons and monsters are rampant, harassing the common people. Many immortals are only concerned with their own cultivation, turning a blind eye to the suffering of the people. The valleys and rivers flow, and the crops are lush. The merits and demerits of the immortals in the world will be judged by the hearts of the people and by the will of Heaven," Shen Xian said.

It can be said that his move was no different from the "New Youth" magazine before the groundbreaking events.

Xue Zhihua said, "Do you intend to use the Guhe Daily to inspire Taoists throughout the land to slay demons and monsters?"

The young man before me has such grand ambitions?

Is he truly harboring a pure and innocent heart?
When he recalled the poem he had written at Qingyang Temple, he thought to himself, "It truly reflects a chivalrous heart."

Shen Xian cupped his hands in greeting and said, "However, for such a major matter, I fear it would be difficult for me alone to withstand the interference of various forces."

Upon hearing this, Xue Zhihua paused for a moment, then said, "Let me think about it."

This means they want her to secretly protect them.

Should we get involved in this?

Given the subconscious mindset of a noblewoman from a prominent family, she probably didn't want to cause trouble.

But for some reason, Xue Zhihua remembered the hermit from yesterday.

Xue Zhihua, Xue Zhihua, if you are not even willing to take on this little bit of trouble, how are you any different from that Crane Guardian Taoist?
What right do they have to care about the common people?

Xue Zhi's expression shifted, her gaze hardening as she said, "I can participate in this matter."

Shen Xian said, "Half of the profits can be given to Miss Xue."

He doesn't take advantage of others for nothing.

Xue Zhihua said, "I'll help you out of pure altruism; you can keep the profits for yourself."

The Duke of Xue owns vast tracts of fertile land, but she doesn't care about such wealth.

Shen Xian said, "Miss, you should accept some, otherwise it will be difficult to silence those with ulterior motives."

“Then I’ll take 10%,” Xue Zhihua said.

"Four percent."

“Thirty percent.” Xue Zhihua smiled and said, “I don’t lack money, and besides, you’re the one who mainly contributed to this matter, so I won’t participate any more than that.”

Shen Xian nodded and said, "Then Miss Xue, you can do your best to help us on official matters, and strive to make this newspaper a bestseller all over the country one day."

Perhaps in the future, it could become a major development with two newspapers and one magazine?
Xue Zhihua chuckled and said, "The territory of Dajing is so vast, with fifteen circuits and thousands of prefectures and counties. It would be difficult to travel freely throughout Dajing."

Shen Xian said, "It all depends on human effort."

Xue Zhihua asked curiously, "What do you want to print in the newspaper?"

Shen Xian calmly said, "The serialized novel introduces the prices and customs of Anzhou and even the entire Guhe River area, along with some jokes and poems. As for the profit, it can be used to advertise for restaurants and shops in the county town. Well, it's about spreading the word and attracting people to buy from them."

Upon hearing this, Xue Zhihua's eyes lit up, and she said, "How could I not have thought of that?"

She had initially thought the young man was just acting on a whim, but she hadn't expected him to have such ingenious ideas. She had underestimated him.

Shen Xian said, "The way of business is the way of humanity."

This is the culmination of the collective wisdom of the humanistic tide of later generations; he stood on the shoulders of giants and took advantage of their convenience.

While the path of immortality may be advanced in this world, the development of human systems is still in its infancy.

Cultivating immortality is impossible without transcending the human realm, as long as one doesn't achieve immortality.

Immortal, you can't create things out of thin air.

Even a sage couldn't possibly invent a mobile phone.

"Well said." At this moment, a deep and refined voice rang out, carrying a hint of appreciation.

Shen Xian looked in the direction of the voice and found that it was none other than Lin Jing.

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(End of this chapter)