Reborn as a Cube Man in the Late Ming Dynasty

I was right, Brother Wu really did know.

Seeing Wu Zhen's reaction, Meng Yongnian frowned almost imperceptibly.

Brother Wu, why did you let this band of bandits run rampant? With the morale of your militia, wiping them out should have been a piece of cake.

Could it be that... I'm going to join them in their corrupt practices?

That can't be possible, right?

We should give him a try.

Meng Yongnian acted as if nothing had happened, and while drinking, he described what had happened the day before yesterday.

"That's a full twenty cartloads of flour, twenty cartloads!" Meng Yongnian exclaimed, then glanced at Wu Zhen, his eyes flashing, and said, "I never expected that the grain supplies that the wealthy gentry couldn't get would actually be obtained from the bandits."

"I wonder how many villages they looted to get this grain and fodder."

"Sir, haven't you considered that this flour was grown by them?" Wu Zhen put down his chopsticks, staring directly at Meng Yongnian, and asked without hesitation.

"Grow it yourself?"

Meng Yongnian shook his head, put down his chopsticks, pointed at the dishes on the table, and scoffed, "In Shaanxi, there has been no rain for several years, the rivers are dry, and there isn't even enough water for people to drink, so where would we get water to grow crops?"

Why is the imperial court's tax revenue so slow to be paid?

Why were the people displaced and why did they rebel?

There are still a large number of refugees fleeing from disaster at the entrance of Chengcheng!

That's twenty cartloads, completely full of flour, all high-quality grain!

More supplies will follow.

Just for a statue of a deity, it was placed in the City God Temple?

Tell me, what gives them the right to do that?

"Your Excellency, do you believe in gods and immortals?" Wu Zhen asked solemnly.

"immortal?"

Meng Yongnian was stunned. He looked at Wu Zhen incredulously, then stood up from his chair, laughing angrily, and paced back and forth.

He took a deep breath, looked at Wu Zhen, and said expressionlessly.

"Inspector Wu, are you perhaps trying to tell me that all this grain and fodder was the work of some deity?"

"I know you don't believe me, but it is the truth!" Wu Zhen stood up from his seat, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, and said with a serious expression.

"If you don't believe me, sir, you can ask my soldiers, or you can go to Liu Family Village to find out for yourself. Then you will understand!"

Should we take a look?

I should be able to trust Brother Wu, right?

Meng Yongnian was somewhat tempted, but then he suddenly came to his senses.

No, didn't Brother Wu just say to ask his guards?

"Your soldiers also know about Liu Family Village?" Meng Yongnian asked in a deep voice. "I remember now, those soldiers were all strong and robust, each one a valiant warrior. Where did you get your provisions?"

He gritted his teeth and said cautiously, "Brother Wu, tell me the truth, did you get that grain from Liu Family Village?"

Wu Zhen had nothing to say, so he could only drink in silence.

The food and water in the garrison were indeed supplied by Licheng.

But that food wasn't stolen by the people of Licheng.

But how can I explain the situation?

I don't believe it!

Immortals are beyond the comprehension of ordinary reason. This matter is too absurd, and unless one sees it with their own eyes, how many people can believe it?

Even if I just accompany Brother Meng on this trip, seeing those high walls will dispel my concerns.

But given the current situation, how could he possibly leave Chengcheng if the misunderstanding wasn't cleared up?

Without leaving Chengcheng, the misunderstanding could not be cleared up.

Brother Meng has already formed a prejudice, regarding the people of Licheng as bandits, which is indeed easy to cause misunderstandings.

Given his personality, it's impossible to easily change his mind.

We can't just kidnap someone, can we? Unless, we need to borrow some celestial items from Immortal Lord Bai as evidence.

But how could Wu Zhen dare to do that?

He said that he was only alive because of the Immortal Lord's mercy. In the end, he was just a criminal who failed to attack the Immortal Lord's village.

They are not believers under the protection of the immortal lord.

"Very well, Inspector, your food really was taken from Liu Family Village," Meng Yongnian said in a low voice.

Wu Zhen, go ahead and refute me!

Why don't you say a word?

"Your Excellency, since you are unwilling to see it for yourself, you will know when the time comes. I have official business to attend to, so I will take my leave now," Wu Zhen said softly as he stood up.

This is how it should be; why should there be any further interaction?

Walking briskly to the door, Wu Zhen hesitated for a moment before stopping. He turned around, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Excellency, I humbly request permission to grant your request. You should try your best to meet the demands of that group. They have plenty of grain, even if not for their own benefit, they are thinking of the people."

"That statue is most suitable for the main hall. If they are satisfied, the adults will also receive more food, won't they?"

After saying that, he turned and left without lingering.

Meng Yongnian let him leave, returned to his chair, and after a long while, murmured to himself, "Poets have only passed down the poem of Prime Minister Cheng, while the people of Jin have already broken off relations."

Wu Zhen, what exactly do you mean by "when the time comes"?

What will I understand?

He finished all the remaining food on the table, ordered the place to be cleaned up, and then left the county government office.

Our destination was the City God Temple.

……

Taoist temple.

Master Yan Chengren, the abbot of Chengcheng City God Temple, sat in a quiet room, a solitary lamp casting a faint glow that illuminated his peaceful face.

His eyes were closed, and his body remained as still as an ancient pine tree.

The quiet was broken by hurried footsteps, and a young Taoist boy's clear voice came from outside the door: "Master, please forgive this disciple for disturbing you!"

Yan Chengren slowly opened his eyes, snapping out of his meditation. He smiled and replied calmly, "What is it? Come in and tell me slowly."

The young Taoist priest pushed open the door and cautiously said, "Master, the county magistrate has arrived unexpectedly at the City God Temple. He says he has important matters to discuss with you!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Chengren immediately abandoned his tranquil expression during meditation, and his brows furrowed slightly.

At this hour, the county magistrate's personal visit to the City God Temple must be for something important, and we cannot delay.

He replied softly, "I understand, I'll go out to greet you right away."

The Taoist priest rose gently, straightened his robe, and walked steadily out of the meditation room.

Upon entering the temple, one sees Meng Yongnian waiting there, his face solemn and weary, looking preoccupied.

Yan Chengren stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I was unaware of Your Excellency's arrival. I apologize for not welcoming you properly."

Meng Yongnian waved his hand and shook his head, saying, "Abbot Yan, there's no need for such formalities. I've come here today because of an urgent matter, and I have a few words I'd like to discuss with you in detail."

"Even so, sir, come with me." Yan Chengren nodded in agreement.

He gestured for the county magistrate to follow him to a quiet room inside the temple, where a simple tea room was prepared.

"Zhengcheng, go and boil some tea!" Yan Chengren said slowly.

"Yes, Master." The young Taoist nodded.

A moment later, he brought over hot water and left the room. His eyes darted around, and he stealthily ran to the door to eavesdrop.